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Lost in the ongoing gnashing of teeth in Tampa regarding the impending expiration of defensive tackle Warren Sapp's contract is the fact that his partner in the middle, Anthony "Booger" McFarland, also is slated to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2003 season.
The thinking is that the Bucs can't keep both, and that the team's silence regarding Sapp means that they've already decided to focus on Booger.
According to a league source, Booger now believes that the Bucs consider him to be the long-term answer at the position, and McFarland is acting accordingly by turning up the heat on contract talks.
Though McFarland has said he wants to have a new deal done before training camp, there's no indication as to whether he'll hold out, like linebacker Derrick Brooks did in 2001. Back then, the team caved -- which always sets a bad precedent as to future guys in the same position.
The thinking is that the Bucs can't keep both, and that the team's silence regarding Sapp means that they've already decided to focus on Booger.
According to a league source, Booger now believes that the Bucs consider him to be the long-term answer at the position, and McFarland is acting accordingly by turning up the heat on contract talks.
Though McFarland has said he wants to have a new deal done before training camp, there's no indication as to whether he'll hold out, like linebacker Derrick Brooks did in 2001. Back then, the team caved -- which always sets a bad precedent as to future guys in the same position.
