Leftwich agrees to 2-year deal with Bucs has 0 comments

Apr 12th 2009, 22:06 | FFN-Score: 7 points

The last time Byron Leftwich was a quarterback for a Florida NFL team, the ending wasn't so good.

This time he hopes things will be better.

Leftwich agreed to a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, a deal that will give him a chance to compete for a starting job again. The deal includes a big roster bonus in 2010, which means it's a one-year audition for Leftwich.

Leftwich started for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003-2006, but was released by the team nine days before the start of the 2007 season in part because of a personality clash with coach Jack Del Rio. In his four seasons, Leftwich was 24-20 as a starter.

Leftwich was a backup for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, playing well in relief of Ben Roethlsiberger. The Steelers wanted him back, and offered a two-year deal, but he opted for a chance to start again.

With new offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski using more of a downfield passing game, Leftwich would seem to be the perfect quarterback. He will compete with Luke McCown, Brian Griese and Josh Johnson for the starting job.

"I'm excited to get down there," Leftwich said. "They have a lot of weapons."

The Bucs have added Kellen Winslow to a passing game that already featured receivers Antonio Bryant and Michael Clayton.

Leftwich will arrive in Tampa on Monday to start working out in the team's offseason program and to begin cramming the playbook.