Jeff Faine has been the Buccaneers’ starting center since the club signed him to a six-year, $37.5 million contract in February of 2008. Faine won’t be holding that job any longer.
According to Stephen Holder of the Tampa Bay Times, the Bucs plan to use newly re-signed Jeremy Zuttah at center. Zuttah can play both guard and tackle, as well, but he will be snapping to quarterback Josh Freeman per the plans of the Bucs’ new coaching staff.
This all begs the question of whether Faine will return to the Buccaneers at all. As Holder notes, Faine has a 2012 cap number approaching $8 million. Faine’s base salary is $5.925 million.
Look for Faine to be released ahead of or just after the start of free agency on Tuesday.