Darby, a four-year veteran who was acquired by the Bucs in 2000 as an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina State, worked his way into Tampa Bay’s starting lineup as the team’s nose tackle for the entire 2004 season, where he racked up a career-high 50 tackles and a forced fumble. But the fact that the Bucs have significant money invested in Simeon Rice, Greg Spires, Anthony McFarland and Ellis Wyms left Darby on the open market. According to Scott Reynolds at PewterReport.com, Darby and his agent, Brian Levy, had also spoken to Denver, New Orleans and Atlanta.
Tim Ruskell, Seattle’s Team President, was Tampa Bay’s Director of College Scouting when the Bucs first signed Darby.
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