TAMPA -- Still attempting to bolster their anemic running attack before entering the playoffs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week spoke with free-agent tailback Ricky Watters about joining the team, ESPN.com has learned.

The discussions with Watters never became substantial, however, primarily because the 11-year veteran was demanding more money than the Bucs were willing to pay. Tampa Bay officials had also spoken to Watters earlier in the year, ESPN.com confirmed, but he balked at visiting with the club because he declined to fly commercial and insisted on a private jet.

"It never got close on money and that kind of killed it before it ever became very serious," said a source close to Watters. "But they certainly seemed to want him if he wanted them."

Watters played for the Philadelphia Eagles when Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden was offensive coordinator there, and they have a good relationship. Watters, 33, fits Gruden's desire for older, more experienced players, guys who are familiar with his offense and can offer leadership both on and off the field.

The feeling was that Watters, who claims to have stayed in good shape, might play a game or two in the regular season and then be ready to assume a more significant role in the playoffs.

One of the top all-around tailbacks in NFL history, Watters last played for the Seattle Seahawks in 2001. He was an unrestricted free agent in the spring and, despite overtures from several teams, reiterated on many occasions that he would retire rather than play for the minimum base salary.

Entering the Sunday game here against Atlanta, the Bucs ranked No. 31 in the NFL in rushing offense. The ground game has been a problem all season for the Bucs and tailback Michael Pittman, signed this spring as a free agent from Arizona, has been a disappointment.

Pittman has rushed for 537 yards and Mike Alstott has 336 yards.

The Bucs auditioned three free agent tailbacks -- Maurice Smith, Skip Hicks and Rondell Mealey -- last week. They did not sign any of them but Smith was said to have made a good impression.

In 11 seasons with San Francisco, Philadelphia and Seattle, the hard-running Watters carried 2,622 times for 10,643 yards and 78 touchdowns. He also had 467 receptions for 4,248 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.