The Buccaneers have been big spenders through free agency thus far and they now have a bit more money to burn.
They announced Wednesday that they’ve released defensive ends Tim Crowder and Nick Reed from the roster, creating some cap space to use in the pursuit of other free agents. The moves leave them with $1.54 million more in cap space, according to Pewter Report, and doesn’t do much to weaken the team.
Crowder started 13 games for the team across 2009 and 2010, but was strictly a backup in his 10 appearances with the team last year. He finished the year on injured reserve. Reed was only with the team for the final three games of the season after starting the year with the Bears. He made two tackles in his stint with Tampa.
With Adrian Clayborn, Da’Quan Bowers and Michael Bennett at end, the Buccaneers are set in the starting lineup. The should find a cheaper reserve option than Crowder, who was slated to make $1 million this season.
The Buccaneers also announced the signing of offensive tackle Jamon Meredith as a free agent. Meredith has bounced between five different teams since entering the league in 2009 and spent the 2011 season as a backup in Pittsburgh. He’ll likely play the same role in Tampa behind Jeremy Trueblood, assuming, of course, he makes the team out of training camp.