Buccaneers Named As Landing Spot for 2-Time Super Bowl Champ DB

We are a little more than a week removed from the moment when Tampa Bay Hall of Fame defensive back Ronde Barber labeled the team’s secondary the “worst in football.”

Even with an improved showing against Tennessee in Week 10, there is Barber’s critique still rings out and can be the fuel for some Buccaneers rumors.

One that makes some sense would be for Tampa Bay to bring back a familiar face to the mix, a guy who played for the team last year—veteran Logan Ryan, who has played 149 games in 10 NFL seasons and is still an unsigned free agent. Ryan helped the Patriots to two Super Bowl titles early in his career.

Ryan, who is 32, played nine games at cornerback and safety for the Buccaneers last year. Bleacher Report this week is suggesting that the Bucs find a way to bring Ryan back into the mix.

“The Buccaneers secondary has been struggling lately, highlighted by C.J. Stroud’s record-breaking 470-yard performance a couple of Sundays ago,” B/R wrote.

“Their defense could use help at both safety and cornerback, so why not bring in a veteran who can play either spot? Also, Ryan should know the system well having played in Tampa Bay last season.” Ryan said in late September he would be willing to play for Tampa.

“I was really watching, and I was on a flight, but I was really watching every snap of that Tampa-Eagles game for both teams,” he told Kay Adams on the “Up and Adams” show.

“I live in Tampa, I really like and appreciate Todd Bowles as a coach and I think he has the opportunity this year to have it be his team. … Now, I think they need a few more players.”

Ryan also told Adams that, though he is enjoying this period of relative inactivity, he is not technically retired and would be open to a return later in the year. The Buccaneers—and a number of teams around the NFL—could use a vet like Ryan.