Bucs Sign Cornerback Mario Edwards

Edwards started all 16 games for the Cowboys last year. This kind of durability is exactly the kind of depth the Bucs need to add at cornerback. In fact in the last three years Edwards has missed only one game. Head coach Jon Gruden said the following after the signing, “He is a talented player who will add depth and experience to our secondary.”

While with the Cowboys Edwards did not produce big numbers, he made 169 tackles and four interceptions over the last three seasons. His rookie year was spent mostly on the bench, but once he made it on the field he was a mainstay. Last year he saw action during 90% of the Dallas defense’s plays.

Ronde Barber and Brian Kelly will be the starters when camp opens this summer. Fans remember last year when Kelly went down and Tim Wansley had a difficult time filling his shoes. Edwards would be better suited to handle this duty if the need arises. If the squad stays healthy Wansley and Edwards will split time as the nickel back and spelling the starters during those scorching early season games.

Edwards was a sixth round pick out of Florida State in 2000. Seminole fans will remember him from the back-to back national championship games he played in 1998-99.

The Bucs need team players. When athletes buy into a defensive system they play as a unit, not individuals. The 2002 defense did that and saw huge dividends. Edwards wants to be a team player. He said, “Tampa Bay has established itself as one of the league’s elite defensive units and I can’t wait to be a part of it.” Music to Bucs' fans’ ears.