Tweet
Andre Rison wants to resume his NFL career and could find a home with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Bucs coach Jon Gruden confirmed the possibility Sunday, saying he's open to any move that might potentially improve the Super Bowl champions.
"It's a guy who's got great production in the NFL. He's interested in playing and we're going to look at him,'' Gruden said.
"We're not going to say we're disappointed or not pleased with the receivers we have. But here's a guy that has expressed himself over the years between the lines in unique fashion and we're just going to look at him. We're going to see what kind of shape he's in. And if he is in shape, maybe we'll entertain doing something. We're just looking into anybody that we think can come in and possibly help this football team, whether it be Week 1 or Week 15.''
Rison, who's 14th on the NFL's career reception list with 743 for 10,025 yards and 84 touchdowns, last played for the Gruden-coached Oakland Raiders in 2000. He was suspended for four games in 2001 for a repeat violation of the league's substance-abuse policy and has been out of football for two full seasons.
Keyshawn Johnson, Keenan McCardell and Joe Jurevicius are firmly entrenched as Tampa Bay's first three receivers. Veteran kick returner Karl Williams is currently the fourth receiver, however none of the club's remaining receivers, including Charles Lee and Jacquez Williams, have distinguished themselves during the preseason.
"We like Karl Williams because day-to-day-to-day he has backed it up. He's been consistent. He knows where to go and what to do, and he does it well,'' Gruden said.
"After that it's very competitive. Reggie Barlow has stepped up recently... Charles Lee has been up and down... Jacquez Green, in my opinion, has done some good things.''
Rison, 36, has played 12 NFL seasons with Indianapolis, Atlanta, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Green Bay, Kansas City and Oakland. The five-time Pro Bowl selection had 41 catches for 606 yards and six TDs for the Raiders in 2000.
Bucs coach Jon Gruden confirmed the possibility Sunday, saying he's open to any move that might potentially improve the Super Bowl champions.
"It's a guy who's got great production in the NFL. He's interested in playing and we're going to look at him,'' Gruden said.
"We're not going to say we're disappointed or not pleased with the receivers we have. But here's a guy that has expressed himself over the years between the lines in unique fashion and we're just going to look at him. We're going to see what kind of shape he's in. And if he is in shape, maybe we'll entertain doing something. We're just looking into anybody that we think can come in and possibly help this football team, whether it be Week 1 or Week 15.''
Rison, who's 14th on the NFL's career reception list with 743 for 10,025 yards and 84 touchdowns, last played for the Gruden-coached Oakland Raiders in 2000. He was suspended for four games in 2001 for a repeat violation of the league's substance-abuse policy and has been out of football for two full seasons.
Keyshawn Johnson, Keenan McCardell and Joe Jurevicius are firmly entrenched as Tampa Bay's first three receivers. Veteran kick returner Karl Williams is currently the fourth receiver, however none of the club's remaining receivers, including Charles Lee and Jacquez Williams, have distinguished themselves during the preseason.
"We like Karl Williams because day-to-day-to-day he has backed it up. He's been consistent. He knows where to go and what to do, and he does it well,'' Gruden said.
"After that it's very competitive. Reggie Barlow has stepped up recently... Charles Lee has been up and down... Jacquez Green, in my opinion, has done some good things.''
Rison, 36, has played 12 NFL seasons with Indianapolis, Atlanta, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Green Bay, Kansas City and Oakland. The five-time Pro Bowl selection had 41 catches for 606 yards and six TDs for the Raiders in 2000.
Comment