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Bucs Grab McDaniel From Vikes


At 35, Randall McDaniel feels like his career is starting over instead of winding down.

The 11-time Pro Bowl selection was added to the Bucs' revamped offensive line Wednesday, signing a three-year contract worth more than $6 million. The deal included a signing bonus of about $2 million.

"I'm anxious to start fresh again. I feel like a rookie all over again," McDaniel said. "That's a good feeling to have. At this age, I didn't know I could still feel that way."

The former All-Pro, released by Minnesota in a salary cap move on Feb. 10, said he was fulfilling a desire to stay with a Super Bowl contender and work under coach Tony Dungy, a one-time Vikings assistant.

With the Bucs, McDaniel also will be reunited with former Vikings teammate Jeff Christy, the two-time Pro Bowl center who signed a five-year, $17.5 million deal with the Bucs on Feb. 15.

Both players said they wanted to continue to play in the NFC Central, where they are familiar with Tampa Bay's division rivals. They added that Dungy's presence weighed heavily in their decisions to not listen to offers from other teams.

"If Tony wasn't down here, I don't think this would have ever happened," McDaniel said. "I know what Tony has done. I know him from Minnesota and knew when he left to come down here that he would do a great job."

Improving the offensive line has been general manager Rich McKay's top priority since the start of the free-agent signing period. The addition of McDaniel and Christy assures at least two new starters in 2000, and Jason Odom probably will switch from right to left tackle if 12-year veteran Paul Gruber decides to retire.

Odom, who started the first three games of 1999 before suffering a back injury that required surgery, was re-signed for three years on Tuesday. The signing likely will end efforts to upgrade the offensive line until the draft in April.

"We feel extremely fortunate to sign a player with Randall's talent, experience and leadership qualities," Dungy said. "Randall is one of the best linemen this league has ever produced, and he will have an immediate impact on our offensive line."

Now the team will turn its attention to signing a backup for quarterback Shaun King.

Neil O'Donnell accepted less money than Tampa Bay was offering to remain with the Tennessee Titans last week. McKay is now concentrating on trying to re-sign free agent Eric Zeier, who started one game for the Bucs in 1999.

McDaniel has been one of the NFL's most durable players during his career. He started every Vikings regular-season game from 1990-99, as well as a record 11 consecutive Pro Bowls.

The Bucs ranked 30th in passing and 28th overall in offense last season. Offensive coordinator Mike Shula was fired after an 11-6 loss to St. Louis in the NFC championship game and replaced by Les Steckel.

©2000 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

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