By Rick Stroud, Tampa Bay Times

TAMPA — Jamel Dean said he changed his diet, and although he still stands 6 feet 1 and weighs 205 pounds, he feels faster and leaner to start the season.

At the very least, his wallet is significantly lighter.

Dean, 28, agreed to a massive pay cut three weeks ago to remain with the Bucs.

He was scheduled to earn $12.5 million this season but was receptive to having his salary reduced to $4.5 million with as much as $750,000 available in a performance bonus to remain with the team.

In the end, Dean said he preferred starting at cornerback for the Bucs to simply starting over.

“It was just more like I’m comfortable here,” Dean said. “So it’s just really not about the money anymore.

“I’m not in the mood to try to figure out a whole new team and city and

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