Due to significant losses to Bernie Madoff, the owners of the Buccaneers have been forced to run the team on a minimal budget, according to WDAE-AM's Dan Sileo, and may lead to the team's sale. The Glazer family, owner of the Buccaneers since 1995, has been criticized for cost-cutting measures and the team's winless start. Forbes' 2009 NFL valuations rank the Bucs as the eighth-most valuable franchise, at $1.085 billion. When Malcolm Glazer bought the team in 1995, it was for a then-record $195 million.

Florida Tuskers coach Jim Haslett said though the level of competition level in the first-year United Football League "may not be the National Football League," he believes his team is "pretty close." Reporters asked if the Tuskers would have a chance against the Buccaneers. Tuskers running back Michael Pittman, a former Buc, acknowledged Wednesday that there are some guys on the team who would "probably tell you we can (beat the Bucs)." That's when running back Tatum Bell chimed in, "I'm one of them." Pittman said: "I'm not going to say we can beat the Bucs; I guarantee we'd give them a great game. This team, we have a lot of fire, we've got talent at every position."

The Buccaneers have named 2009 first-round pick Josh Freeman their starting quarterback. Freeman will make his first NFL start on Nov. 8 against the Packers because Tampa Bay has a bye this weekend.

Bill Cowher's name has begun popping up in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers are 0-7 under rookie head coach Raheem Morris. The former Steelers coach reportedly doesn't want to coach the Redskins and FOX Sports writes that Tampa Bay ownership might be willing to pay his hefty asking price.

Buccaneers fullback B.J. Askew has been lost for the season following a car crash. Askew injured his neck and back during a car crash last week and missed Tampa Bay's loss 28-21 against Carolina.

Panthers safety Dante Wesley was ejected from Sunday's win over the Buccaneers. Wesley launched himself into Tampa Bay kick returner Clifton Smith, who had signaled for a fair catch on the play. The hit, which came with 10 seconds left in the second quarter, brought players from both teams off the sidelines. Smith suffered a concussion on the play and did not return to the game.

Earnest Graham will start at fullback for the Buccaneers on Sunday. B.J. Askew, Tamp Bay's regular starter, will not play because of neck and back injuries sustained in a car accident this week. "Earnest has done that role before. He's thrived in that role before," coach Raheem Morris told the St. Petersburg Times. "We're going to go out this weekend and give him some more touches, more carries and more blocking opportunities."

The winless Buccaneers traded defensive end Gaines Adams to the Bears for a second-round pick in the 2010 draft, according to an Associated Press report. The deal Friday night came four days before the NFL trade deadline.

Tony Dungy isn't currently interested in taking a job in an NFL front-office. "No, probably not," Dungy told ESPN's Chris Mortensen. "I mean, you never say never but I had a great job in football [that I left] to pursue my mission right now. That's my focus. There was a reason I stepped down from my job with the Colts. And I had an opportunity to stay on board there in a front-office capacity." There had been reports that the Buccaneers approached Dungy about a possible role with the team. "My answer is I don't know anything about it," Dungy told Mortensen. "I have absolutely not been contacted by the Bucs, formally or informally in the organization."

Matt Jones will workout Tuesday with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to league sources. There have been at least six other teams expressing interest in Jones, including the Tennessee Titans.