S Kalvin Pearson has 38 kick-coverage tackles over the last two years and has subbed frequently at safety
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers tied up one of their few remaining loose ends of free agency on Wednesday, re-signing third-year safety Kalvin Pearson, an exclusive rights free agent.
To make room for Pearson on the 80-man offseason roster, the Buccaneers also released tackle Chris Colmer, who failed the club's physical exam.
As an exclusive rights free agent, Pearson was free to negotiate only with the Buccaneers this offseason, assuming the team extended a qualifying offer at the beginning of free agency. The Bucs did, and Pearson signed that tender on Wednesday, ensuring his return to the team in 2007.
One of the team's most productive special teams players, Pearson has also subbed at safety on several occasions seeing extensive action on defense in each of the last two years. In 2005, he played in 14 games, made one start (at Atlanta) and contributed 19 tackles and a pass defensed. He also led the team with 25 special teams tackles. Last year, Pearson played in all 16 games and combined 30 tackles and a pass defensed with 13 more stops on special teams.
Pearson first entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns in 2002. He made the Browns roster as a rookie and appeared in five games but spent the last 11 weeks of the season on Cleveland's practice squad. After sitting out the 2003 season, Pearson was signed by the Bucs in 2004 and had several stints on Tampa Bay's practice squad late in that season. He re-signed with the Bucs in 2005 and used a strong showing in the NFL Europe League to catapult him into a strong '05 training camp and, eventually, a spot on the active roster.
Overall, Pearson has played in 35 career games with one start, totaling 56 career tackles and two passes defensed. He has also collected 40 career tackles on special teams, along with one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
The Bucs have now re-signed all three of their players who became exclusive rights free agents following the 2006 season, with Pearson joining defensive tackle Darrell Campbell and long-snapper Andrew Economos. The Bucs have also re-signed restricted free agent guard Jeb Terry and a pair of unrestricted free agents, cornerbacks Phillip Buchanon and Torrie Cox.
Colmer spent last season on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list. In 2005, he was inactive for all 16 games after being selected by the Buccaneers in the third round (91st overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft.
