Gunzlingr
05-13-2003, 05:15 PM
The Bucs may have gotten one of the steals of the draft when they snagged Texas QB Chris Simms with the final pick of the third round, and they believe they now have their quarterback of the future in the fold. But the decision to release veteran QB Shane Matthews two days later may strain relations between the team and other veteran free agents in the future. Matthews turned down a $350,000 signing bonus with the Vikings to ink a deal with the Buccaneers, allowing him to be closer to his Floridahome. But Matthews became expendable when Simms was drafted, and there is a feeling among some of the players that Matthews — who now finds himself with few opportunities to sign elsewhere as a backup — should have been given at least a chance to compete for the backup position. Insiders don’t believe cutting Matthews will have any long-term effects on team-player relations, but for the short term, players might be cautious about putting their futures in the hands of the Bucs.
more (http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/default.htm?mode=nfcsouth)
more (http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/default.htm?mode=nfcsouth)