Report: Bucs sign LB Gold to five-year deal

[Dazedncnfz]

April 28, 2004
Yahoo:

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers apparently have won the sweepstakes for Ian Gold.

The Tampa Tribune reported on its web site Tuesday night that the Bucs have signed the free agent linebacker to a five-year contract.

The newspaper did not reveal financial terms, but ESPN reported the deal could be worth as much as $30 million.

"He visited a lot of teams; this team we were able to connect the dots," Gold's agent, Carl Poston, told the newspaper. "Everything just fit."

The Bucs have not confirmed the report.

Gold reportedly also drew interest from Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago and New Orleans.

The 25-year-old spent his first four seasons with the Denver Broncos and garnered Pro Bowl honors in 2001 for his work on special teams. He has been a starter the last two years at weak side linebacker.

Last season, Gold missed the final 10 games after tearing his right ACL on October 10. He is expected to be ready for training camp.

Although he has been best suited for the weak side, Gold likely will compete with Ryan Nece for a starting position on the strong side with the Bucs. Derrick Brooks, who has earned seven straight Pro Bowl berths, is the Bucs' starter on the weak side.

A 2000 second-round draft pick, Gold recorded a career-high 100 tackles two seasons ago.

[CC]

I don't like Gold, but this doesn't hurt TB any. In fact, they will have one of the nicer LB corps in the league thanks to this.

[MCG321]

I do like Gold. Nice signing for the Bucs...they need some new names on D.

[Canacuna]

I wish the Seahawks had signed him.

...unless they're bringing in Trotter, or something...

[MCG321]

I wish the Seahawks had signed him.

...unless they're bringing in Trotter, or something...

Well, you'll definitely be able to get Trotter a lot cheaper.

[Cornbread Maxwell]

I wish the Lions had signed him - would have been a nice return to Michigan.

I agree with MCG on this one too - it was a nice signing for TB.

[TheHeat24]

I think he is a relatively unknown linebacker with great skills... he got tons of speed to burn assuming he recovered full from his knee injury... Good signing for the bucs

[Cupertino_11]

Yup, Gold was on pace for another Pro Bowl year before he blew out his knee on special teams. If his knee has healed, the Bucs linebackers will be scary. Brooks / Gold / Quarels....

Nice pick up by the Bucs. Anyone know for how much though?

[The Great Gambini]

Gold and Brooks together will be a nightmare for opposition.

[Homeless]

Gold and Brooks together will be a nightmare for opposition.

Couldnt have said it better, the Bucs are back.