The initial wave of free agency may have ebbed, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren't finished testing the waters.
On Tuesday, the Buccaneers confirmed their latest two visits from unrestricted free agents: cornerback Mike Jenkins and wide receiver Louis Murphy. The team had no new signings to announce on Tuesday but has already plucked nine players from the open market (in chronological order): defensive end Michael Johnson, defensive tackle Clinton McDonald, tight end Brandon Myers, cornerback Alterraun Verner, quarterback Josh McCown, tackle Anthony Collins, center/guard Evan Dietrich-Smith, guard Oniel Cousins and linebacker Dane Fletcher.
The 2014 free agency period began a week ago, at 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 11. Since, the Buccaneers have been busy remaking their roster, following a strategy laid out by the new General Manager-Head Coach duo of Jason Licht and Lovie Smith.
Neither Jenkins nor Murphy had to be introduced to the Bay area.
Jenkins is a local product, having starred as a prep at Bradenton High School and then developed into a top NFL prospect at the University of South Florida. Jenkins was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys with the 25th overall pick in 2008, the same year the Buccaneers selected cornerback Aqib Talib at pick #20. Jenkins has since played five seasons in Dallas and one in Oakland, recording 10 interceptions and a Pro Bowl berth in 2009.
Murphy began his career in Oakland as a fourth-round pick in 2009. He has played five seasons with the Raiders, Carolina Panthers and New York Giants, making 24 starts and catching 121 passes for 1,744 yards and eight touchdowns. Murphy, a St. Petersburg native who starred at Lakewood High School, spent his collegiate career at the University of Florida and was part of two BCS National Championship teams.
