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| Monday, March 5 By Mike Golic Special to ESPN.com | |||
There was no doubt Ryan Leaf was going somewhere. Potential still gets a lot of job offers in the NFL. Everyone in the game knows Leaf has serious potential. It was just a matter of reigning him in.
In San Diego, things didn't start off the right way, and a bad situation snowballed. But the Chargers had other problems as well. In Tampa, Leaf is going to an established team with a veteran coach – a team that has far fewer problems than the 1-15 Chargers had.
The Bucs were close to the Super Bowl two years ago with a killer defense. Last year, they picked up Keyshawn Johnson, but they've never had a passing attack. Shaun King is struggling, and they need someone who can step in. Granted, Leaf hasn't proven he can be the man, but his potential is worth something, especially when it's combined with a team that is as good as the Bucs are.
With the solid running game of Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott, the Bucs don't rely a lot on the pass, which will enable Tony Dungy to work with Leaf so he can grow. If they can get anything out of Leaf, the Bucs will have a very capable backup for King at worst, or a guy who steps up to his very full potential at best. And all for a cheap – by today's QB standards – price tag.
It makes sense for Leaf to be picked up by a club where he will be the backup or have to win the starting job. He wasn't going to go anywhere and be named the starter. It remains to be seen how Leaf will take to his new surroundings, but the truth is – after the debacle in San Diego – it can't get much worse.
Mike Golic is an NFL analyst for ESPN. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories | ALSO SEE
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