Quincy Black: Boy, this guy is fast. And strong. And even has decent hands. It's just his knowledge of the system and assignments that is holding him back. But there is a lot of potential here.

Derrick Brooks: Brooks had another good camp, although I have seen him get run over a time or two. That wouldn't have happened a few years ago. The team is still calling him the weakside linebacker, but with the defense running more over fronts, he will actually be lining up against the tight end, making him effectively the strongside linebacker, which is a much better fit for him these days.

Antoine Cash: Cash has showed some talent at camp and has made some good interceptions. Granted, many of those picks were thrown by Chris Simms and shouldn't count, but all the same, he's been good. He worked some in the 3-4 alignment, too.

Adam Hayward: Hayward is one of the better pass coverage linebackers on the team now. He has gotten burned a time or two but more often than not makes the play. Not as physically gifted as Black, but looks better than a rookie usually does.

Cato June: June is fast and has excellent anticipation. Rumors of his being soft against the run were not confirmed in camp, as he came through on several running plays. The only thing that concerns me at all is that he was practically invisible against New England. I'm hoping it had more to do with the rotations than with June's performance.

Ryan Nece: I left Ryan Nece for dead but he just keeps coming back, this time as a middle linebacker. He was a practice captain during camp and has improved his play against the run, which he needed to in order to play the middle.

Sam Olajubutu: Here's a guy who had a lot of hype around him when he was signed, but I haven't heard much since then. He put up great numbers at Arkansas, but his height may be working against him. He's 5-8.

Barrett Ruud: Ruud was out for a while with a knee injury and also missed the New England game. But he came back at the end of camp and played both the run and the pass equally well. Ruud really delivers solid hits and is quick with his adjustments. He may not be Shelton Quarles yet, but he's well on his way.

Jamie Winborn: Here's my guy. Winborn would be a starter anywhere else and would be in Tampa now if the depth wasn't so good. Attempts are being made to get Winborn on the field more, and I would bet you'll see him when the defense lines up in a 3-4. He had a great camp as well.

So, there you go. It figures that the deepest position on the team is where I have the least negative to say about anyone. I am predicting the team keeps seven linebackers, which is a lot and may come back to bite me in the ass. But the athletes here are so good that it's hard to imagine the team getting rid of most of them.

Making the team: Brooks (starter), Ruud (starter), June (starter), Black, Winborn, Nece, Cash.

I'll hedge a little and say that if the Bucs keep only six linebackers that they drop Cash and use that roster spot for Paris Warren.

Quincy Black: Boy, this guy is fast. And strong. And even has decent hands. It's just his knowledge of the system and assignments that is holding him back. But there is a lot of potential here.

Derrick Brooks: Brooks had another good camp, although I have seen him get run over a time or two. That wouldn't have happened a few years ago. The team is still calling him the weakside linebacker, but with the defense running more over fronts, he will actually be lining up against the tight end, making him effectively the strongside linebacker, which is a much better fit for him these days.

Antoine Cash: Cash has showed some talent at camp and has made some good interceptions. Granted, many of those picks were thrown by Chris Simms and shouldn't count, but all the same, he's been good. He worked some in the 3-4 alignment, too.

Adam Hayward: Hayward is one of the better pass coverage linebackers on the team now. He has gotten burned a time or two but more often than not makes the play. Not as physically gifted as Black, but looks better than a rookie usually does.

Cato June: June is fast and has excellent anticipation. Rumors of his being soft against the run were not confirmed in camp, as he came through on several running plays. The only thing that concerns me at all is that he was practically invisible against New England. I'm hoping it had more to do with the rotations than with June's performance.

Ryan Nece: I left Ryan Nece for dead but he just keeps coming back, this time as a middle linebacker. He was a practice captain during camp and has improved his play against the run, which he needed to in order to play the middle.

Sam Olajubutu: Here's a guy who had a lot of hype around him when he was signed, but I haven't heard much since then. He put up great numbers at Arkansas, but his height may be working against him. He's 5-8.

Barrett Ruud: Ruud was out for a while with a knee injury and also missed the New England game. But he came back at the end of camp and played both the run and the pass equally well. Ruud really delivers solid hits and is quick with his adjustments. He may not be Shelton Quarles yet, but he's well on his way.

Jamie Winborn: Here's my guy. Winborn would be a starter anywhere else and would be in Tampa now if the depth wasn't so good. Attempts are being made to get Winborn on the field more, and I would bet you'll see him when the defense lines up in a 3-4. He had a great camp as well.

So, there you go. It figures that the deepest position on the team is where I have the least negative to say about anyone. I am predicting the team keeps seven linebackers, which is a lot and may come back to bite me in the ass. But the athletes here are so good that it's hard to imagine the team getting rid of most of them.

Making the team: Brooks (starter), Ruud (starter), June (starter), Black, Winborn, Nece, Cash.

I'll hedge a little and say that if the Bucs keep only six linebackers that they drop Cash and use that roster spot for Paris Warren.