Not so fast....
Keyshawn OK with Dallas, but trade in jeopardy
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Tampa Bay's Keyshawn Johnson reached agreement Wednesday on a four-year, $20 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys, who are seeking the three-time Pro Bowl selection in a trade for Joey Galloway.
But the proposed swap of highly paid receivers may not go through if Galloway fails to restructure a seven-year, $42 million contract the salary cap-strapped Buccaneers want to reduce dramatically.
Galloway's agent, Leigh Steinberg, said the speedy receiver is nowhere close to an agreement with the Bucs, who cut five players Tuesday to free space under the NFL's $80.6 million salary cap.
Galloway earned $6.6 million in 2003. Steinberg said Tampa Bay's best offer has been about $1 million for one year.
A source involved in the negotiations told The Associated Press that Johnson's deal with Dallas includes a $4 million signing bonus and $2 million base salary for 2004. He could earn more with incentives.
"If Keyshawn's been offered $5 million a year, that's four million more a year than Joey's been offered," Steinberg said.
Bucs general manager Bruce Allen was unavailable for comment.
"Our hope had been with the readjustment of their cap they might be in better position to adjust their offer. We've waited to see if that's going to happen," Steinberg said. "One million for one year at this stage in his career is not exactly what Joey is looking for."
Johnson declined to comment, other than to say he's "extremely happy."
The receiver was deactivated for the last six games of 2003 after meeting with Gruden and former general manager Rich McKay to inform them he had no intentions of playing for Tampa Bay beyond 2003.
Johnson was halfway through an eight-year, $56 million contract that Bucs gave him after acquiring Johnson from the New York Jets in exchange for two first-round picks in the 2000 draft.
He helped the Bucs win the Super Bowl two seasons ago, but became increasingly more unhappy playing for Gruden in 2003.
The Bucs owe Johnson a $1 million roster bonus on April 1, but have no intention of paying it. Allen hoped to complete a trade by Wednesday to create additional salary cap room and allow Tampa Bay to be active in free agency.
Gruden's wish list in free agency includes offensive linemen, receivers and a running back, and the team had visits Wednesday from candidates to fill needs in all those areas.
Running back Duce Staley, who played seven seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles, and receiver Patrick Johnson, who has played for Baltimore, Jacksonville and Washington during his six-year career, both visited the team's training facility.
Left tackle Derrick Deese, who's played his entire 12-year career with the San Francisco 49ers, met with the team, which desperately wants to upgrade its offensive line.
The Bucs signed fullback Greg Comella and tight end Dave Moore.
Comella played five games last season for the Houston Texans and has also played for the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants.
Moore spent 10 seasons with the Bucs before signing with Buffalo as a free agent two years ago. He has 179 career receptions for 1,774 yards and 24 touchdowns, including seven catches for 82 yards and two TDs for the Bills last season.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/football/nfl/03/03/bc.fbn.bucs.freeagency.ap/index.html