After being released by the New Orleans Saints last Thursday, standout free agent safety Dwight Smith visited with Minnesota Vikings coaches and team officials as his first step towards finding himself a new team. The Vikings, who already have a Pro Bowl free safety in Darren Sharper, seem prepared to make accommodations to fit Smith into the lineup. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are also pursuing Smith.

Former Louisiana Tech star Luke McCown is recovering from knee surgery and looking forward to getting back to competing for one of the Buccaneers quarterback spots. By the time he hits training camp there'll be lots of competition waiting. Just days after McCown's surgery, the Buccaneers signed free-agent Jay Fiedler. That means McCown is now competing with five other QB's for the No. 2 job behind starter Chris Simms. That includes: Jared Allen, an undrafted free agent from 2005; rookie Bruce Gradkowski; and fellow Tech product Tim Rattay.

Ronde Barber is entering the final season of his contract and the Bucs are not too eager to extend his deal. Asked last week if Barber's contract is a priority, general manager Bruce Allen said, "If he didn't have a contract for this season it would be very important. But that's not a deadline. The deadline would be free agency."