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An already full quarterback depth chart in Tampa Bay grew uncomfortably crowded on Saturday when the Bucs reached a contract agreement with free agent Rob Johnson, released last week by the Buffalo Bills, and regarded as a talented but flawed performer.

Details of the agreement were not immediately available. Johnson earlier in the week declined the opportunity to sign with the expansion Houston Texans, where it is believed that he was offered a one-year contract worth $1 million.

New coach Jon Gruden had acknowledged Friday he would like to bring Johnson aboard.

"I can't wait to get to work with Coach Gruden and his staff," said Johnson in a press release the team distributed on Saturday afternoon. "He is a special coach and this team has special players. I look forward to competing and contributing here."

It is unclear what ramifications the addition of the seven-year veteran will mean for incumbent starter Brad Johnson, who was supposed to be the final piece of the team's Super Bowl puzzle when signed as a free agent last spring, but who struggled in the Bucs offense.

Gruden went out of his way in his introductory press conference to cite the potential of backup quarterback Shaun King. At last weekend's combine sessions in Indianapolis, he inquired about veteran quarterback Jeff Blake, who had just been released by the New Orleans Saints. And then this week Tampa Bay began its flirtation with Rob Johnson, who was cut by the Bills after he declined to accept a dramatic salary reduction.

Clearly, the Bucs organization believes that Johnson possesses too much physical skill to ignore, but it's not his athletic ability that has ever been questioned. Johnson never fit in with the Bills and did not make himself a part of the Buffalo community. He never bought a home, even rented an apartment, and lived in a hotel during the season there.

The departure of Johnson, 28, saved the Bills a whopping $6.15 million on their 2002 salary cap, as Buffalo avoided paying his $4 million base salary and $2.15 million roster bonus that was due on March 1. The Bills will have to carry a $5.075 million cap charge for Johnson, the remaining prorated share of his signing bonus.

The Bills sought to re-sign Johnson to a one-year contract that included a $1.5 million signing bonus and a base of about $1 million.

Johnson was acquired by Buffalo via a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1998, with the Bills surrendering first- and fourth-round draft picks to land him. He battled with Doug Flutie for the starting job in Buffalo and general manager Tom Donahoe and coach Gregg Williams decided to keep him over the more senior quarterback last year. Johnson never reached a comfort level with his teammates or the fans, though, and his '01 season was limited to eight games by a shoulder injury.

In his four seasons with the Bills, he appeared in 30 games and started 26. Johnson completed 401 of 663 passes for 4,798 yards, with 27 touchdown passes and 17 interceptions. Despite his strong arm and athleticism, Johnson lacks pocket awareness, often holds onto the ball too long, and takes far too many sacks. He was sacked once every seven dropbacks during his four years with the Bills.

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