- TE Steve Maneri and CB D.J. Moore are the second and third players added by the Bucs this week, joining QB Mike Kafka
- A converted offensive tackle, Maneri played extensively as a blocking tight end in Kansas City in 2011-12
- During two seasons as a nickel back with the Bears, Moore picked off eight passes
Unrestricted free agency doesn't start until March 11 and the draft is still three months away. An NFL roster, however, is always under construction.
On Friday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made added two veteran players to theirs, signing tight end Steve Maneri and cornerback D.J. Moore. Both Maneri and Moore played in the NFL in 2013, but neither was on a roster at the end of the season and thus could be signed by any team before the start of the 2014 free agency period.
The 6-7, 280-pound Maneri, a converted offensive tackle, is considered a strong blocker. He has played in 23 games and started 10, recording six catches for 52 yards. Maneri most recently suited up for the Chicago Bears last fall, appearing in four games with one start before being waived in October. He saw his most extensive action with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2012, starting eight of 13 games, often in two-TE sets, and catching five passes for 51 yards. Maneri first came to the Chiefs in September of 2011 as a waiver claim from the New England Patriots after the final round of NFL roster cuts. The former Temple standout first entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Houston Texans in 2010, eventually splitting his rookie season between the active roster and the practice squad in New England.
Moore (5-9, 190) played two games with the Carolina Panthers last season but otherwise has spent the rest of his career in Chicago. Lovie Smith's Bears drafted Moore out of Vanderbilt in the fourth round in 2009, and he went on to play in 45 games with three starts from 2009-12. His career totals include 123 tackles, one sack, 10 interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and 22 passes defensed. A valuable member of a Chicago secondary that tied for third in the NFL from 2010-11 with 41 interceptions, Moore picked off eight passes during those two campaigns despite making just one start. He became an unrestricted free agent after the 2012 season and signed with the Panthers but was eventually released in October.
The Buccaneers have added three players and subtracted four from the roster this week. On Monday, the team signed quarterback Mike Kafka and relased tackle Gabe Carimi, running back Michael Hill, defensive tackle Derek Landri and quarterback Jordan Rodgers.
