Buccaneers poised to make another big free-agency splash

The Bucs have plenty to spend in free agency. Ahmad Bradshaw could be a target. (US Presswire)

It sounds like the Buccaneers will be major players in free agency again.

After signing wideout Vincent Jackson, guard Carl Nicks and corner Eric Wright among others last year, the Bucs have $30.1 million in cap space for the March 12 start of free agency.

That's because Jackson and Nicks reworked their contracts, turning most of their 2013 salaries into guaranteed bonuses.

"That has actually opened a lot of cap room for us going into 2013 -- a tremendous amount," Bucs general manager Mark Dominik told the Tampa Tribune. "We've got a chance to be [heavily] involved in free agency again.

"But we also have a chance to try to retain this nucleus of players. So [the contract restructuring] was a big commitment that our owners made, and I think that should be encouraging for all fans."

Tampa Bay is in much better cap shape than its NFC South rivals and has the fifth-most cap space in the league.

After finishing last in the league in pass defense (297.4), the Bucs are expected to pursue cornerbacks and possibly a linebacker. Running back Ahmad Bradshaw is another potential target.

Tampa's own free agents include safety Ronde Barber, defensive end Michael Bennett and right tackle Demar Dotson.

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