Kellen Winslow believes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can contend for the Super Bowl championship next season. To do so, however, they’ll need to keep Aqib Talib, even after the cornerback’s latest legal trouble.

“We need that guy to win,” Winslow told NFL.com on Friday. “Talking about Super Bowls — we need him really more than anyone besides (quarterback Josh) Freeman. He’s that good. He locks down receivers. He’s got to iron out what he’s got to iron out, but we need him as much as anybody.”

The tight end reiterated that point a few hours later on NFL Network’s “NFL Total Access,” saying Talib is “too talented to let go” and citing the cornerback’s close relationship with Bucs coach Raheem Morris as a reason he might stay, despite speculation that the team is ready to cut ties after the lockout ends.

“Hopefully his situation gets worked out, and we can move on,” Winslow said.

That situation is an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge that Talib faces in Garland, Texas. Police say Talib fired a gun at and pistol-whipped his sister’s boyfriend during a March 21 domestic dispute, and a Dallas County grand jury handed down an indictment last week.

It’s not the first time that Talib, who’s free on $25,000 bond, has been in trouble. He was involved in a fight with fellow Bucs rookie Cory Boyd at the 2008 NFL Rookie Symposium, hit teammate Torrie Cox in the face with his helmet while scuffling with Donald Penn during a minicamp workout in May 2009, and was charged with simple battery and resisting arrest in connection with an assault on a taxi driver in Tampa in August 2009.

But Talib, a starter since the Bucs took him in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, has done well on the field, intercepting 15 passes in his three NFL seasons. He’s coming off a fine 2010 campaign in which he had 50 tackles, 11 passes defensed and six picks, one returned for a touchdown.

That has led to support from Winslow and five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Ronde Barber who called Talib “a great teammate” in a recent interview with PewterReport.com.

By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 1, 2011

Updated: 03/01/2011 12:09 pm

TAMPA – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a better stadium for fans to watch NFL games than Arizona, Chicago, Baltimore, New Orleans and San Diego, according to one reporter’s recent rankings.

Raymond James Stadium was recently ranked by National Football Post blogger Joe Fortenbaugh as the ninth best stadium to watch NFL games. Green Bay’s Lambeau Field and Dallas’ Cowboys Stadium were ranked first and second, respectively, while Minnesota’s Metrodome was considered the worst venue.

Tampa’s stadium was praised for having good weather in December, passionate fans, plus its huge end-zone pirate ship, which was described as “the place to be if you’re between the ages of 21 and 32, as this is the site … where a host of young professionals from the Tampa area gather to hang out and drink beers on Sundays.”

The rankings are extremely subjective and hardly scientific. Fortenbaugh admits he hasn’t been to every stadium and based much of the rankings on interviews and “what I’ve seen on television.”

However, the listing adds to the rave reviews Raymond James Stadium typically receives.

Recently, a poll of more than 1,600 players from the NFL’s 32 teams revealed the field was regarded as the second-best grass playing field in the league behind University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

“We’re pleased that Raymond James Stadium has been recognized as one of the league’s top places to enjoy a game and also that its playing surface has also earned high praise,” Bucs spokesperson Jonathan Grella said. “Couple those distinctions with an emerging young Bucs team that plays a thrilling brand of football and it’s clear Tampa Bay has a lot to be proud of and look forward to.”

Raymond James Stadium opened in 1998 and instantly earned a glowing reputation. The stadium has hosted two Super Bowls and Hillsborough County officials recently stated they would like to host another Super Bowl in 2015. To win the bid, Tampa would have to beat South Florida, Los Angeles, Indianapolis and Dallas, which recently hosted a highly criticized Super Bowl.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Wednesday, February 9, 2011

TAMPA — The Bucs put the finishing touches on their revamped coaching staff Tuesday, hiring two co-defensive line coaches headlined by a former NFL All-Pro.

Former Vikings star Keith Millard, who still owns an NFL record, and Grady Stretz, who was Arizona State’s defensive line coach, will join forces. They replace Todd Wash, who left for the Seahawks. Each will have a specialty, with Millard working on the pass rush and Stretz focusing on the running game.

The two will be charged with guiding a young, unproven group that could be joined by a touted defensive end should the Bucs select one with an early draft choice. Tackles Gerald McCoy and Brian Price are coming off their rookie seasons and Roy Miller has just two seasons of experience. The current defensive ends are mostly young.

That was a consideration in the job search, general manager Mark Dominik said recently — the team sought someone who would not just run its existing system, but also teach.

In 2010 the Bucs were 28th in run defense, allowing 131.7 yards per game, and tied with Jacksonville for 30th with 26 sacks.

Millard has 13 years of coaching experience, most recently was with the Raiders, for whom he was the pass rush specialist from 2005-08.

Ex-Buc Warren Sapp, who played under Millard with Oakland, strongly encouraged the Bucs to hire the former Vikings Pro Bowl defensive tackle.

“They put me on the phone with Dominik and I told him to hire this man,” Sapp said. “You’ll never have a problem with him. He’s not looking to become a head coach. He’s nothing but a workaholic. You think he doesn’t know the Cover 2 (defense) or the three technique? He is the original. It’s always been him, John Randle and me. I was with the man. I know a hard worker. I worked for (Rod) Marinelli.

“I told (head coach) Raheem (Morris) I don’t know what you’re thinking, but if you’ve got a defensive line position open and want somebody to work with a young guy like Gerald McCoy, Millard is the guy. I’ve done everything I can, but I don’t have the time to really teach the kid. This man I played under and he gave me 10 sacks with the Raiders as a 32-year-old. This is the man you got to hire.”

In a nine-year playing career, Millard went to two Pro Bowls, was a three-time All-Pro and was the 1989 defensive player of the year. That year he set the NFL mark for sacks by a defensive tackle in a season, 18.

Stretz’s ASU team was first in the Pac-10 in rushing defense in 2010. The Sun Devils ranked eighth in the nation in tackles for loss, with 7.4 per game.

The Bucs also hired a quality control coach, Tyrone Pettaway, who spent the past two seasons in college at Tennessee and USC.

Around the league

TITANS AX THREE: New Titans coach Mike Munchak fired offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger and two other assistants. Heimerdinger is continuing cancer treatment after diagnosed in November. Defensive assistant Rayna Stewart and offensive assistant Richie Wessman were also not retained.

VIKINGS CASE: The Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled there is no reason to grant Vikings defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams permanent relief from their NFL suspensions for violating the league’s anti-doping policy. The Williamses, who are not related, tested positive for bumetanide, a banned diuretic which can mask the presence of steroids, in 2008. They were not accused of taking steroids.

MORE OPTIONS FOR FANS: The NFL added a second option for the roughly 400 fans whose seats were not ready at the Super Bowl: They can attend any future Super Bowl instead of being limited to the 2012 game. The league initially said it would give $2,400, three times face value, to the unseated fans. Now those fans can choose a ticket to any Super Bowl, including next year’s, along with round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations. If fans choose that option, they will not get the $2,400, but they can wait until after the conference championship games each season to pick the game.

EAGLES: The team added two coaches and promoted four others. Johnnie Lynn (cornerbacks) and Bobby April Jr. (defensive quality control) were hired. Those promoted were David Culley (senior offensive assistant/wide receivers), James Urban (assistant offensive coordinator) Doug Pederson (quarterbacks) and Duce Staley (special teams quality control).

RAIDERS: Greg Biekert was promoted from defensive assistant to linebackers coach.

Times staff writer Rick Stroud contributed to this report, which used information from Times wires.

[Last modified: Feb 09, 2011 01:20 AM]

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By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Wednesday, February 9, 2011

TAMPA — The Bucs put the finishing touches on their revamped coaching staff Tuesday, hiring two co-defensive line coaches headlined by a former NFL All-Pro.

Former Vikings star Keith Millard, who still owns an NFL record, and Grady Stretz, who was Arizona State’s defensive line coach, will join forces. They replace Todd Wash, who left for the Seahawks. Each will have a specialty, with Millard working on the pass rush and Stretz focusing on the running game.

The two will be charged with guiding a young, unproven group that could be joined by a touted defensive end should the Bucs select one with an early draft choice. Tackles Gerald McCoy and Brian Price are coming off their rookie seasons and Roy Miller has just two seasons of experience. The current defensive ends are mostly young.

That was a consideration in the job search, general manager Mark Dominik said recently — the team sought someone who would not just run its existing system, but also teach.

In 2010 the Bucs were 28th in run defense, allowing 131.7 yards per game, and tied with Jacksonville for 30th with 26 sacks.

Millard has 13 years of coaching experience, most recently was with the Raiders, for whom he was the pass rush specialist from 2005-08.

Ex-Buc Warren Sapp, who played under Millard with Oakland, strongly encouraged the Bucs to hire the former Vikings Pro Bowl defensive tackle.

“They put me on the phone with Dominik and I told him to hire this man,” Sapp said. “You’ll never have a problem with him. He’s not looking to become a head coach. He’s nothing but a workaholic. You think he doesn’t know the Cover 2 (defense) or the three technique? He is the original. It’s always been him, John Randle and me. I was with the man. I know a hard worker. I worked for (Rod) Marinelli.

“I told (head coach) Raheem (Morris) I don’t know what you’re thinking, but if you’ve got a defensive line position open and want somebody to work with a young guy like Gerald McCoy, Millard is the guy. I’ve done everything I can, but I don’t have the time to really teach the kid. This man I played under and he gave me 10 sacks with the Raiders as a 32-year-old. This is the man you got to hire.”

In a nine-year playing career, Millard went to two Pro Bowls, was a three-time All-Pro and was the 1989 defensive player of the year. That year he set the NFL mark for sacks by a defensive tackle in a season, 18.

Stretz’s ASU team was first in the Pac-10 in rushing defense in 2010. The Sun Devils ranked eighth in the nation in tackles for loss, with 7.4 per game.

The Bucs also hired a quality control coach, Tyrone Pettaway, who spent the past two seasons in college at Tennessee and USC.

Around the league

TITANS AX THREE: New Titans coach Mike Munchak fired offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger and two other assistants. Heimerdinger is continuing cancer treatment after diagnosed in November. Defensive assistant Rayna Stewart and offensive assistant Richie Wessman were also not retained.

VIKINGS CASE: The Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled there is no reason to grant Vikings defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams permanent relief from their NFL suspensions for violating the league’s anti-doping policy. The Williamses, who are not related, tested positive for bumetanide, a banned diuretic which can mask the presence of steroids, in 2008. They were not accused of taking steroids.

MORE OPTIONS FOR FANS: The NFL added a second option for the roughly 400 fans whose seats were not ready at the Super Bowl: They can attend any future Super Bowl instead of being limited to the 2012 game. The league initially said it would give $2,400, three times face value, to the unseated fans. Now those fans can choose a ticket to any Super Bowl, including next year’s, along with round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations. If fans choose that option, they will not get the $2,400, but they can wait until after the conference championship games each season to pick the game.

EAGLES: The team added two coaches and promoted four others. Johnnie Lynn (cornerbacks) and Bobby April Jr. (defensive quality control) were hired. Those promoted were David Culley (senior offensive assistant/wide receivers), James Urban (assistant offensive coordinator) Doug Pederson (quarterbacks) and Duce Staley (special teams quality control).

RAIDERS: Greg Biekert was promoted from defensive assistant to linebackers coach.

Times staff writer Rick Stroud contributed to this report, which used information from Times wires.

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By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Sunday, January 16, 2011

TAMPA — Raheem Morris is the only one left.

All of the members of the Super Bowl champion Bucs’ coaching staff under Jon Gruden are gone after special teams coach Rich Bisaccia took the same position with the Chargers.

In 2002, Morris was a defensive quality control coach under the likes of Monte Kiffin, Rod Marinelli, Mike Tomlin and Joe Barry. (The offensive quality control coach was Jeremy Bates, Seattle’s offensive coordinator.)

Bisaccia had nine seasons in Tampa Bay and turned down an offer to return to the Bucs.

Morris felt so highly of Bisaccia that he named him assistant head coach. And his impact wasn’t felt just on fourth down.

Bisaccia was one of the most respected coaches in the building, whose Saturday night pregame speeches were legendary. If you were a rookie, Bisaccia was going to get your NFL career started on special teams and was going to be the most demanding coach.

Veterans such as Warren Sapp, Ronde Barber and Shelton Quarles routinely volunteered to play special teams long after they were Pro Bowl players. So why did Bisaccia leave for what appears to be a lateral move?

Part of it was contractual. Bucs officials say he wanted more years on his contract than the other assistants were offered. Change of scenery and a new challenge might be other reasons. When you spend that many years in one place, you can feel taken for granted.

But how about winning?

The Bucs won a Super Bowl in 2002 under Gruden. Since then, they have gone eight years without winning a playoff game and have not appeared in the postseason since 2007.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for me to be part of a winning organization and work with Norv Turner,” Bisaccia said. “There’s a real opportunity here to win it all. I’ve worked with Jon Gruden, and now I have the opportunity to work with Norv Turner. These are two of the best coaching minds in football. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Help me, Ronde: CB Ronde Barber said he would like to decide on his future within a few weeks after the end of the season. The 35-year-old will be a free agent and could walk away with a 14-year career that ranks him among the best cornerbacks to play the game.

What Barber needs answered first is whether the Bucs still see him as part of their future. The team wants to continue to build with youth, which means players such as CBs Aqib Talib, Myron Lewis and E.J. Biggers.

There’s no question Morris believes Barber could play another several years if his role were reduced to playing in the slot on passing downs. It’s not all about money, but there is a financial component involved. Veterans don’t play this long without a grueling offseason workout program, and there is a price attached to that commitment.

But GM Mark Dominik might have provided a hint what the Bucs were thinking when he lauded Barber for the way he finished the season. Veteran players generally decline in December, and Barber excelled.

“I think that’ll be a good private conversation with myself and Ronde and his agent,” Dominik said. “If we want to talk about how Josh Freeman played at the end of this season, I think you could say the same about how Ronde Barber played at the end of the season. For the many years he’s got in the National Football League and to play at that level and to feel like he knew what (Saints QB) Drew Brees was already going to do on a majority of the plays was phenomenal. I was really impressed with the way he finished his 2010 season.”

JJ to 49ers?: Trades cannot be made until the NFL labor dispute is resolved, but the first call 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh should make is to the Bucs to trade for QB Josh Johnson.

Harbaugh coached Johnson at San Diego, so he’s familiar with his system. That’s important because the potential lockout could limit first-year coaches from installing their offensive and defensive systems.

Johnson is from Oakland and will be a free agent in 2012. For the right draft pick, the Bucs probably wouldn’t stand in the way of him becoming a starting NFL quarterback.

Rick Stroud can be reached at stroud@sptimes.com.

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