The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued their busy offseason on Thursday afternoon by re-signing safety Jermaine Phillips and tight end Jerramy Stevens. Terms of the deals were not disclosed. Phillips has spent his entire seven-year career in Tampa Bay, and is coming off an injury-shortened season in 2008 where he registered 59 tackles and three interceptions. He's going to be returning to a slightly different defense from the one Tampa fans have been accustomed to over the years, thanks to a new defensive coordinator (Jim Bates) and several new starters.
Stevens was a first-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2002, and has spent the past two seasons in Tampa Bay, catching 54 passes and six touchdowns. The addition of Kellen WInslow at the start of the offseason is going to relegate him to the No. 2 tight end spot in Tampa Bay, but with the condition of Winslow's knees, it's probably best to have some insurance hanging around.
The Buccaneers have also signed free agent running back Derrick Ward to a four-year deal this offseason, while they managed to keep wide receiver Antonio Bryant with the franchise tag. Quite a few weapons on offense, and the only thing missing is a capable quarterback to get them the football.




