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TAMPA --

TAMPA The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' approach to free agency the past few years has been largely a defensive one. Instead of attacking the market and adding pieces, the Bucs sought mostly to keep their own free agents from jumping to other teams.

That could be about change.

With more than $42.7 million in available salary cap space, a roster full of holes and a fan base anxious to see the team's owners renew their commitment to winning after hiring coach Greg Schiano, the Bucs have reason this free-agency season to be one of the market's bigger players.

Whether they will depends largely on opportunity.

General manager Mark Dominik has vowed to be a more aggressive shopper this year than last year, when the Bucs' biggest addition was punter Michael Koenen. He also said he won't spend just to spend and will only take on players that address a need or fit into the Bucs' scheme.

With that in mind, here's a look at Tampa Bay's most pressing areas of need and some of the free agents that could possibly fill the voids when the market opens for business at 4 p.m. today.

Cornerback

The Bucs are in danger of losing starting right corner Ronde Barber to retirement or another team and starting left corner Aqib Talib to a possible jail sentence, league suspension or both as a result of his involvement in a shooting in Texas last year. The lack of starting-caliber players among the reserves makes this an area the team is sure to address, with young talents such as Cortland Finnegan (Tennessee), Tracy Porter (New Orleans) and William Middleton (Jacksonville) available.

Linebacker

The Bucs are looking to replace WLB Geno Hayes, but can't forget that SLB Quincy Black was a disappointment last season or that Mason Foster played only adequately as a rookie manning the middle. The Bucs believe Foster has plenty of upside and versatility, so might move him to weakside linebacker and add a middle linebacker such as Stephen Tulloch (Detroit) or David Hawthorne (Seattle). There are a couple of ways the Bucs can go here, including adding a weakside linebacker such as Erin Henderson (Minnesota) and leaving Foster in the middle, but this is a spot the Bucs are likely to address before the draft.

Wide receiver

The Bucs like their collection of young receivers, but don't have a legitimate vertical threat with the ability to stretch a defense and offer the offense a big-play option. The Bucs have the cash and the need to make a run at Vincent Jackson, the prize of the free-agent wide receiver crop from San Diego. Other options include Marques Colston (New Orleans), Pierre Garcon (Indianapolis) and Laurent Robinson (Dallas).

Running back

The Bucs haven't soured on LeGarrette Blount, but they need someone better than Kregg Lumpkin to serve as their third-down back and they could use a capable reserve to replace Blount, just in case. The best of a thin group may be Michael Bush (Oakland), but the better fit for the Bucs may be Mike Tolbert (San Diego). Tolbert is a power runner, just like Blount, who has excellent pass-catching skills. In other words, he could fill all the Bucs needs at this spot all by himself.

Tight end

Kellen Winslow and Luke Stocker failed to play at the level the Bucs expected them to last year and the team lacks a legitimate blocking option here. The talent at this spot is rather thin, but the Bucs could upgrade themselves and even get a discount by targeting Martellus Bennett (Dallas). He's DE Michael Bennett's brother and tight end on the rise, according to a lot of scouts.

Bucs free agents

Unrestricted

Players are free to negotiate with any team.

CB Ronde Barber

LB Geno Hayes

S Sean Jones

RB Earnest Graham

RB Kregg Lumpkin

QB Josh Johnson

WR Micheal Spurlock

CB Elbert Mack

OT James Lee

S Corey Lynch

DT Frank Okam

Restricted

Bucs retain right to match any offer from rival team

DE Michael Bennett

Exclusive rights

Bucs hold exclusive negotiating rights

RB LeGarrette Blount

WR Preston Parker

Quote (Madmartigan @ Mar 13 2012 09:25am)

Is Jeff Faine any good and can he legally chop block and be effective in a zone run-blocking scheme? We'll be shopping the bargin binge for a new center if we lose pro bowler Chris Myers. Already lost a good Right Tackle in Wnston. Going to gut the offensive line just to re-sign Super Mario, LOL

Quote (clawcool @ Mar 13 2012 07:30am)

Better hope they do, cuz at 4:00 a bunch of people with cap space are going to want to sign super mario, the bears are in the lead I heard this morning.

Quote (Madmartigan @ Mar 13 2012 06:54am)

Mario has been one of my favorite players since 2006. Yep, I know that the Bears, Falcons and Chargers can make him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL History. Which is why the Texans have to keep working hard today to clear enough cap space to even make a competitive offer. I hear they may release DeMeco Ryans and Jacoby Jones later today. I mean damn, Winston and DeMeco were two good players for us but oh well...

Quote (bob(Cs2) @ Mar 13 2012 06:59am)

Defensive Backs are our priority - we have depth and talent on the front four, it's the back 7 we gotta drastically improve.

And I'd much rather have an RG to protect Freeman.

Oh - and Vjax