July 20, 2008

 Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin has been known to make his voice heard when one of his defenders is in the midst of a contract dispute, and he may get involved on behalf of DE Greg White, the way we hear it. White has been jockeying for a long-term contract throughout the offseason, but the Bucs have offered him only a one-year deal. White doesn’t have much leverage, since he’s an exclusive-rights free agent, meaning he can play for Tampa or not play at all this season. Kiffin is highly respected within the organization and does have some leverage, but it’s still very unlikely that the longtime coach can get GM Bruce Allen, a tough negotiator, to back down and risk overpaying for White, who led the team in sacks last season after coming over from the Arena Football League.

 Sources expect the contract negotiations for the Falcons’ remaining unsigned rookies — OT Sam Baker and LB Curtis Lofton — to extend up to the start of training camp, which begins July 25. Both players have a good chance of becoming Week One starters, but holdouts could change that.

 We hear Falcons rookie RB Thomas Brown, a sixth-round pick, could become the team’s kickoff returner if RB Jerious Norwood is pulled from the special-teams unit. A close observer of the team likened Brown to Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw, a seventh-round pick in ’07 who had a 151-yard game against the Bills and a strong postseason for the defending Super Bowl champs.