Tampa Bay Buccaneers land WR Vincent Jackson in free agency - NFL News
It didn’t take the Tampa Bay Buccaneers long to make a big splash in free-agency as they prepare to take full advantage of their huge salary cap-space.
The Buccaneers on the very first day of free agency signed up San Diego Chargers wide receiver and free agent Vincent Jackson on a new five-year deal that is worth $ 55.55 million.
This is big news for a Tampa Bay side looking to rebuild its team after the horror of the 2011-12 season and Jackson will provide quarterback Josh Freeman with the deep play option he sorely missed in the last year.
The wide receiver became a free agent after the Chargers decided not to franchise tag him with Jackson reportedly receiving interest from Washington Red Skins and the Buccaneers.
However, the Bucs came in with the offer and Jackson wasted no time in putting pen to paper.
The 29-year-old is one of the best in his position in the league and has put up receiving yards upwards of the 1,000 mark for three out of the four previous seasons.
Jackson was embroiled in a heated contract dispute with San Diego in 2010 leading to his less than stellar statistics during that year, however, last year after receiving a franchise tag the wide receiver was back to his best.
He played all 16 of the Chargers games in the last season and covered 1,106 yards with 60 receptions while also scoring nine touchdowns.
That is the type of player the Buccaneers craved after their 2011-12 regular season lurched from one disaster to the next.
Tampa Bay started off well as they went 4-2 in their first six games, however, things took a turn for the worst and the young team went on to lose all ten of its remaining games after quarterback Josh Freeman hit a slump while the locker room was marred
by strife.
Jackson though will not be the only player the Bucs sign and they have reportedly shown interest in New Orleans Saints guard Carl Nicks who too has entered free agency.
The Buccaneers huge cap space is a big advantage for them this year and they will be looking to make the most of the opportunity and build a side capable of making a long run in the playoffs.
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