Make-the-Bucs-O-Meter Training Camp Edition

Training Camp is upon us so here's where the players stand thus far:

Here's how this chart works: An Up-Arrow means the athlete's stock is on the rise, though it doesn't necessarily mean they are particularly likely to make the club. A Down-Arrow means they aren't doing so hot. Double Dashes means the player is neutral, the player isn't on the rise or down fall. A Lock means the player is starting barring injury or hail fire.

Potential Open Spots: Full Back, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Left Guard, Center, Defensive End, Middle Linebacker, Strong Safety, Free Safety.

I'll post an updated list once a week or so, as circumstances encourage me to do so.

Player, Position		Comment
Nick Mihlhauser, C	--	Acquired by the Bucs when Dan Buenning went down last season, came from the San Diego Chargers' practice squad..
John Wade, C		Signed with Tampa Bay on March 10, 2003 after spending his first five seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jonathan Clinkscale, C/G	--	Signed as an undrafted free agent on April 26, 2005.
Matt Lehr, C/G	--	Signed seventh-year center/guard Matt Lehr this off-season formerly of the Falcons.
Ronde Barber, CB		A main stay on the Bucs Defense for Years, no doubt starter.
Carlos Hendricks, CB	--	A regular on the Practice Squad and in the NFL Europa League (RIP).
Brian Kelly, CB		Looking like a healthy Brian Kelly, you remember that guy? Sure you do!.
Torrie Cox, CB		Believe it or not, Torrie will be able to workout during Training Camp although he's been suspended for the first 4 games of the season due to breaking the leagues substance abuse policy.
Phillip Buchanon, CB		Could find playing time on Special Teams as a Punt Returner or Kick Returner. Unlikely to suit up as a wide receiver. Clearly an athlete who needs to be on the field.
Alan Zemaitis, CB		Fourth Round Pick last season, Injuries have slowed his progress.
Marcus Hamilton, CB	--	Drafted in the 7TH Round of this years NFL Draft, Mr. Irrelevant. Should be key on Special Teams.
Sammy Davis, CB	--	Also competing for a spot at Cornerback, but is several ticks down on the depth chart.
Jeremy Pittman, DE	--	Pittman participated in Tampa Bay's rookie mini-camp in early May on a tryout contract.
Kevin Carter, DE		Increased reps at DE.
Greg Spires, DE		Projected starter at Left Defensive End.
Gaines Adams, DE		Battling a torn tricep, seems to be destined for limited playing time early on.
Charles Bennett, DE	--	Helped provide depth on Buccaneers' defensive line during his first season in the NFL, appearing in three games and totaling two tackles.
Patrick Chukwurah, DE		Battling Gaines Adams to start at Right Defensive End.
Julian Jenkins, DE/DT	--	Played in 12 games his rookie season, providing depth on Buccaneers defensive line
Tim Jones, DE	--	Signed recently, attended Bucs Rookie Mini Camp in '06.
Greg White, DE	--	Signed as recently as Saturday, played for the Bucs in '02, zzzzzz
Chris Hovan, DT		Should see A LOT of playing time stuffing the run, with Carter and Adams on the field..
Darrell Campbell, DT	--	Signed to Tampa Bay's practice squad on November 27, 2006.
Jovan Haye, DT		Beneficiary of Simeon Rice cut, currently the favorite to start at under tackle.
Ryan Sims, DT	--	Signed this off-season with the Bucs, had a good college career at UNC (may have been due to Julius Peppers playing on the other side of the line).
Greg Peterson, RHP	--	Taken in the 5th Round of this years NFL Draft.
Ellis Wyms, DT/DE	--	Been an Anchor on the line for some time .... That time will continue this season.
B.J. Askew, FB		Signed this off-season. Great College Career at Michigan. Will get a ton of Playing Time over Alstott.
Byron Storer, FB	--	undrafted free agent signed by the Buccaneers.
Mike Alstott, FB		This should be his last Who-Rah ... Hope to hear some Chris Berman Rumblings this season.
Jeb Terry, G	--	joined the Buccaneers as a fifth-round pick (146th overall) in the 2004 NFL Draft..
Dan Buenning, G		Coming off a tough injury last season, young guy should bounce back.
Davin Joseph, G		Concrete Starter on the Right Side of the line.
Arron Sears, G	--	Reduced to one Practice a day due to a previous knee injury (who's tired of preexisting and existing injuries on this team?)
Matt Bryant, K		He's been flawless with his field goal kicking thus far .. until this past saturday where he shanked a few kicks
Derrick Brooks, LB		Hurt his hamstring early in camp, but recently unloaded on WR Chas Gessner in practice showing he's back to full strength. .
Antoine Cash, LB	--	was a solid special teams performer in his first full season with the Buccaneers....
Cato June, LB		He's been lining up at strong side linebacker.
Ryan Nece, LB	--	Nice Player, adds good depth to the position.
Barrett Ruud, LB		He's stepping up on defense, should be able to pick right up where Quarles left off.
Quincy Black, LB		Has excelled in areas and struggled in areas, typical Rookie progressions
Sam Olajubutu, LB	--	May 3, 2007 UnDrafted Free Agent out of Arkansas
Adam Hayward, LB	--	6th Round Draft Pick this past off-season.
Jamie Winborn, LB	--	Could see a rise in playing time....
Andrew Economos, LS		I graduated with a degree in Economics so I'm biased here ....
Sean Douglas., P	--	eh, punter, eh.
Josh Bidwell, P		Main stay in line-up.
Jake Plummer, QB		Mail in your RETIREMENT PAPERS ALREADY, sheesh.
Jeff Garcia, QB		He's been good, tried gloves recently due to all of the rain and humidity, welcome to Florida Jeff!! He's also nursing a hamstring as well.
Bruce Gradkowski, QB		He's been erratic and he's looked more confident on the field. He or Simms will have to be cut.
Chris Simms, QB		Struggling mightily to even step on the field, is currently the 4th QB on the Depth Chart and is in serious danger of being cut.
Luke McCown, QB		An absolute delight this Training Camp, Could finish as the 2nd String QB..
Earnest Graham, RB		Who will stay, him or Darby? prediction: Darby to Practice Squad.
Michael Pittman, RB	--	He with other veterans has been getting a lot of rest this Training Camp .... He should see a drop in production this season.
Lionel Gates, RB		Fumbled in Practice, the writings on the wall for the guy. This organization has zero tolerance for fumblers.
Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, RB		The boy is 100% healthy and ready to run wild on opposing defenses.
Kenneth Darby, RB		Supposed to push Pittman for 3rd Down Running Back, no chance .....
Sabby Piscitelli, S		Proving to be a stout cover guy, learning process thus far in camp ....
Jermaine Phillips, S	--	Was really exposed last season, has a lot to prove this season in order to remain the starter.
Tanard Jackson, S		Has played excellent in camp, a feisty player.
Kalvin Pearson, S	--	A special teams standout for the Buccaneers
Donte Nicholson, S	--	Third-year safety prospect with good size who provides depth to Buccaneers secondary.
Will Allen, S		Looking good covering the receivers, has even tallied a fumble return for a touchdown thus far..
Jabari Levey, T	--	Signed July 2nd, recently released by Raiders, LONG SHOT
Luke Petitgout, T		He's been battling a strained back and has missed several practices because of it (expected to miss Fridays 1st Pre-Season Game) ..... He'll be ready for the Opener.
Anthony Davis, T	--	Getting a lot of reps due to Petitgouts absense, eh....
Donald Penn, T	--	In Petitgout's absense he's doing some good things ..... which is well, good .....
Dennis Roland, T	--	2006 Practice Squad Player ....
Chris Denman, T	--	2007 Seventh Round Draft Pick.
Jeremy Trueblood, T		Solid Starter on the Right side of the line, should be better due to experience.
Alex Smith, TE		Starting Tight-End, should see a jump in production due to NO Rookie QB or Batted down passes. No really he should
C.J. Leak, TE	--	Recently Signed with the Bucs this past Saturday, destined for the Practice Squad.
Matt Herian, TE	--	Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Buccaneers on May 4, 2007.
Anthony Becht, TE		should see a drop in production this year.
Keith Heinrich, TE	--	Not to be confused with the Bulls Kirk Heinrich.....Signed as a free agent by Tampa Bay on January 17, 2007
Jerramy Stevens, TE		Clearly on a short leash, needs to work on seeing the ball and catching the ball.
T.J. Williams, TE	--	Coming off a ruptured Achilles in 2006, could have a breakout season....
Maurice Stovall, WR		May finish Camp as the #2 Receiver.
Jovon Bouknight, WR	--	Signed with Tampa Bay on January 17, 2007....
Chad Owens, WR		He's been receiving work in the Punt Return and Kick Return teams, Pittman may finally be a TRUE 3rd Down RB.
Paris Warren, WR	--	Practice Squader, time to ish or get off the pot ..... you know?
Mark Jones, WR	--	Re-signed by the Buccaneers on December 5, 2006.
Chas Gessner, WR	--	Spent the entire 2006 season as a member of Tampa Bay's practice squad....
Chad Lucas, WR	--	Bucs' practice squad `06....
David Boston, WR		Don't look now, but Boston is having a fairly successful camp "insert obligatory Gruden praise comment here"
Kyle Smith, WR	--	Undrafted signee ....
Joey Galloway, WR		He hasn't lost a step, still has a vice grip on the #1 Receiver spot in Tampa.. Throws touchdown catches to kids in the stands at Training Camp. Class Act
Ike Hilliard, WR	--	Same old Ike, heh.
Clayton, Michael, WR		He's looking good with the pressure from Stovall, will it translate onto the field though?

Key:
-- = Chance of making the team is even.
= Chance of making the team is going down.
= Chance of making the team is going up.

Martin Gandy put up a "Making the Team Meter" over at Talking Chop, as did my boy Eric over at Amazin Avenue and I liked it so much I decided to borrow it in true SB Nation fashion. Thanks fellas

Feel FREE to absolutely RIP me a "New One" over the opinions I have cast. I'm a fan just as much as you are, I could certainly be reading to much into certain bias' I have OR it could just be that I'm right and you're CRAZY. Tell me what you think ....... GO BUCS!!!!