> From: Janie [mailto:janieinfl@...]
>
> Bucs just signed from Europe: CB Will Hunter. (Had some good stats.)

I don't know too much about Hunter.

> Bucs earlier signed Linebacker Ian Gold (from the Broncos)Here is a
> portion of what a recent article from the ST Pete Times said about
> him:
>
> "(Now in Tampa Bay, Gold is expected to challenge returning starter
> Ryan Nece for the strongside job. Gold had the same position in
> Denver, only the terminology is different. "He's an explosive,
> exciting, sprint-to-the-ball-on-every-play and knock-people-out-when-
> he-gets-there type of player," Tampa Bay linebackers coach Joe Barry
> said. "You can just go into our video room and pick any of the games
> he played in last year. You put it on and you would not even know
> what Ian Gold's number is, and after watching a quarter you would
> say, "Is Ian Gold No. 52?' "
>
> What do the Bucs like about Gold? What they like in all their
> linebackers: he's athletic, quick and dangerous. His size isn't a
> liability on Tampa Bay's lightweight linebacking corps (actually, 6-
> 3 rookie Marquis Cooper is the lightest at 213 pounds). Gold has all
> the tools: he can tackle in space, he can run from sideline to
> sideline, he can drop back in coverage and he can rush the passer
> off the edge.)"

Gold was here, in Denver, and formed a nice duo with John Mobley on
the outside. He's coming off of a knee injury but if he's anywhere
near 100% he's a clear upgrade over Nece.

> Anthony (Booger) McFarland is making a position shift from nose
> tackle to under tackle.. he's still young, 26, will be taking Sapps
> position. (I believe Warren Sapp's mouth ran faster than his body
> this past year. I was still sorry to see him go.)

We played our best ball defensively with Booger on the field. Sapp
should be a 1st ballot HOF but, being undersized, his lack of explo-
siveness at this point really caught up to him last season.

> We still have good ol' Derrick Brooks #55. He'll probably become the
> new team defensive leader. Very worthy to be the one.. With Lynch
> gone & all.. he's the Man.

Despite of all he's accomplished, I still believe Derrick is one of
the most underappreciated players in the NFL.

> The defense wasn't the best last year for the Bucs. With all the new
> changes now, maybe they could become a good strong force to contend
> with again, with Monte leading the D troops. (We will always
> remember the Bucs defensive "dream team." They put the Bucs in the
> spotlight and made the world take notice... and gave us a Superbowl
> win. No one can take that away from us.) The Patriots are 2 for 3
> now. The Bucs can show that they can make some changes too & do the
> same!

I think that's the key for our season. How's Brian Kelly doing? If
we get back to playing our defense we'll contend in the NFC South.

PS, I love it when all the national mags write us off before the sea-
son starts. ;->