The one-year contract that Ronde Barber signed with the Buccaneers to return for a 16th season is worth $3 million, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Barber, who has 43 interceptions and 913 tackles in 15 seasons with Tampa Bay, agreed to return for another campaign earlier in March.

New Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano is making it clear that he'll bench LeGarrette Blount if he doesn't take care of the football. "I think LeGarrette has tons of ability," Schiano said of the running back. "No one who touches the football will get touches if they don't protect the football. That is one of our core covenants -- the ball. It's so important they named the game after it. We make a big deal about it." Blount rushed for 781 yards and five touchdowns last season, but fumbled five times and lost three of them.

The Buccaneers and cornerback Ronde Barber have agreed to terms on a one-year deal. Barber is the Buccaneers' career interceptions leader with 43 and has made 199 consecutive starts, the longest active streak among NFL players. "I'm pleased to announce that I'll be back for my 16th season as a Buccaneer," Barber said in a statement released by the team.

The Buccaneers on Thursday signed QB Dan Orlovsky to a two-year, $2.5M contract to back up Josh Freeman, the team announced. Orlovsky led the Colts to their only two victories of 2011 after being elevated to the starting job late in the season.

The Buccaneers remain busy this offseason. After signing Vincent Jackson on Tuesday night, Tampa Bay has also added guard Carl Nicks and cornerback Eric Wright. Nicks received a five-year, $47.5 million deal, which included $31 million in guaranteed money. Wright also agreed to a five-year deal, but his is worth less. He'll make $37.5 million over the life of the contract, but just $15.5 million is guaranteed.

The Buccaneers have signed wide receiver Vincent Jackson to a five-year contract. The deal is worth $56 million and includes $26 million in guaranteed money, according to a league source. Jackson, 29, will make $26 million in the first two years of the contract and $36 million in the first three. He has 272 career catches for 4,754 yards, with 37 touchdowns.

The Eagles and Buccaneers are pushing to schedule a visit with free-agent Carl Nicks. The guard is expected to land a lucrative deal that will put him among the highest-paid players at his position -- around $8 to $9 million per season. Nicks, a two-time All-Pro that helped the Saints win Super Bowl XLIV, has started 61 of 64 games.

The Buccaneers have engaged in serious talks with Vincent Jackson and they are working to complete a deal to sign the wide receiver. Other interested teams are dropping back in pursuit of Jackson, believing that he'll end up in Tampa Bay.

The Buccaneers have told Ronde Barber that they want him back for a 16th season. The cornerback still needs more time to consider whether or not he'll retire. "Ronde, Coach [Greg] Schiano and I have had several meetings. He knows we'd like him back for a 16th season," general manager Mark Dominik said. "We will respect his wish for a little more time to make his decision and look forward to speaking with him again soon."

Cortland Finnegan, who is expected to leave the Titans as a free agent, has been sending text messages to Vincent Jackson. The cornerback wants the free agent wide receiver to follow him to whatever team he eventually signs with once free agency opens next week. Finnegan has been linked to the Buccaneers.