Bucs Land Versatile Defensive Back There aren't many people who are willing to put the Bucs on a par with the New England Patriots, but that's pretty much what free agent defensive back Eugene Wilson did Friday. Though he fielded at least two offers that were just as attractive as Tampa Bay's, the former Patriot agreed to terms with the Bucs because he believes the franchise is riding the same path New England is. "Coming from a winning tradition with the Patriots, Eugene felt he wouldn't be losing a step toward his ultimate goal, which is to win a Super Bowl, by signing with the Bucs," Wilson's agent, James Sims, said. "Tampa Bay is a first-class organization, and they came at us first. We probably should have just stopped the whole process right there and signed with them, but we had to listen and see what was out there." What was out there was lots of interest in Wilson. At least five teams, including Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Tennessee and Cincinnati, expressed interest in the versatile defensive back. From the start, though, Tampa Bay had the edge, but not only because Wilson sees the Bucs as a championship contender. Like many defensive players who join the Bucs, he was eager to play for coordinator Monte Kiffin. "Monte Kiffin is one of the best defensive coaches around," Sims said. "And Eugene thinks Jon Gruden is a hell of a coach and he believes secondary coach Raheem Morris is one of the really outstanding coaches in the game today. He's a guy who is going to be a head coach in this league very soon and so the opportunity to work with him and Monte Kiffin is something that Eugene is really looking forward to." A five-year veteran, Wilson played safety during his five seasons in New England. He is expected to move to cornerback with the Bucs and fill the hole that opened when Brian Kelly left for Detroit. Sims said Wilson doesn't believe the transition to corner will be difficult because he's played some corner before and is familiar with the Bucs' defensive scheme. Still, Wilson may see the move to corner as an experiment since he signed for just one year. The deal is for $1.8 million and includes $500,000 in guarantees and up to $400,000 in incentives, Sims confirmed. Wilson became a starter immediately upon entering the league as a second-round pick of the Patriots in 2003. He started all but two of the first 47 games he played his first three years before injuries struck in 2006. After starting the first three games of 2006, Wilson was struck by a hamstring/groin injury that eventually landed him on injured reserve. Ankle injuries then kept him out of five games last season. The addition of Wilson comes on the heels of the signing of defensive end Marques Douglas on Thursday. Douglas, formerly of the 49ers, is expected to compete for the starting left end job. He will almost certainly compete with Greg White for that spot. He may also compete with Kevin Carter, but Carter is contemplating signing with the Raiders. Roy Cummings, The Tampa Tribune 15 March 2008