The Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. - Fourteen months after winning their first Super Bowl, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a new look.

Warren Sapp is gone, as are Keyshawn Johnson and John Lynch, and coach Jon Gruden is putting his distinctive stamp on the team.

"It's going to be different. But hopefully, the guys that are taking those positions will step up," linebacker Shelton Quarles said. "I'm confident the coaches did the right thing as far as knowing who they want to bring in and replace those guys."

Despite salary-cap constraints, the Bucs have signed 17 players since the start of free agency, although none has the star appeal of Sapp, Johnson and Lynch, who have made a combined 15 trips to the Pro Bowl.

Since dominating Oakland in the Super Bowl in January 2003, eight starters - Sapp, Lynch, Johnson, linebacker Alshermond Singleton, safety Dexter Jackson, tight end Ken Dilger, center Jeff Christie and punter Tom Tupa - have either left via free agency or were released or traded.

"It's tough time, but that's the sport we live in," general manager Bruce Allen says.

"We will stretch and massage the salary cap every way possible in order to acquire talent."

After going 7-9 and missing the playoffs last season, Gruden welcomes the help.

The coach clashed with former general manager Rich McKay over philosophy and personnel decisions even as Tampa Bay was marching toward the NFL title. McKay now runs the NFC South rival Atlanta Falcons.

Although change is inevitable in the NFL, Gruden is sensitive to criticism of the team's treatment of Sapp and fan-favorite Lynch.

"It's an emotional time, and there's going to be backlash when decisions of this magnitude are made," Gruden says.

RAMS: Veteran QB Chris Chandler agreed to terms Tuesday with St. Louis, his second stint with the team in a career that dates back to 1988.

St. Louis also re-signed safety Rich Coady.

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