The Six-Way Battle For LDE

Things just got a little more interesting at defensive end with the re-signing of Kevin Carter to a one year deal. I'll make the assumption here that Gaines Adams will start at right end, leaving the left side to one of six guys so far. They may still draft at that position, but I think all the recent free agent signings at defensive end pushes that need down beyond where we need to consider it.

I think we can rule out Patrick Chukwurah and Charles Bennett as starting left ends. Bennett is still developing and Chukwurah is almost certainly a backup who is still listed a swing guy at DE and LB. Speaking of swing guys, we now have Carter and also Jimmy Wilkerson who can play any position on the defensive line. Both Carter and Wilkerson opened the season as starting right defensive ends last year, although Carter had a significantly more successful season than Wilkerson. The fact that the Bucs were willing to let Carter move on to Oakland for more money if he chose to tells me that they already have a starting plan in place and Carter isn't really in the picture.

That brings us down to Marques Douglas and Greg White. White was the sack leader on the Bucs in 2007 and started two games. Douglas started all 16 games for the 49ers last year at right defensive end in a 3-4. Douglas has already proclaimed he is starting at left end and I believe Gruce probably had something to do with him thinking that. I'm betting that the real competition for starting left end is between Douglas and White. Whoever does best in camp wins it.

Of course, this abundance of defensive ends can't last. The Bucs opened 2007 with five defensive ends on the roster: Greg Spires, Carter, Adams, White and Chukwurah. Adams is the only sure thing, but if I had to guess, I'd say the Bucs cut Chukwurah and Bennett. The Bucs like versatility and Carter and Wilkerson are pretty dynamic. Chukwurah can also play linebacker, but with the cache of linebackers already on the team, they don't really need his brand of versatility.

Man, this is almost like real analysis.