Make-the-Bucs-O-Meter Mini-Camp Edition
Published: May 15th, 2008By Buc 'Em
Mini-Camp is upon us (Begins tomorrow I believe) 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jeff Faine, C |
|
Signed by the Bucs this off-season. Given one of the richest contracts for centers in the league. |
| John Rochford, C | -- | UnDrafted Free Agent. You would think he would make the team given our lack of depth at the center position. |
| Elbert Mack, CB | -- | Signed as an undrafted free agent. Has a ton of competition. |
| Talib Aqib, CB | -- | 1st Round Draft Pick. Can he wrestle the position away from Buchanon-Wilson? |
| Ronde Barber, CB |
|
A main stay on the Bucs Defense for Years, no doubt starter. |
| Darrell Hunter, CB | -- | Entered league as an undrafted free agent in ‘06. practice squad? |
| Torrie Cox, CB | -- | He’ll add depth to the position for sure. If he falters he may lose his job though |
| Phillip Buchanon, CB |
|
This is basically Buchanon’s starting gig to lose. Will he succumb to the pressure? |
| Marcus Hamilton, CB | -- | Drafted in the 7TH Round of last 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. |
| Marquies Gunn, DE | -- | Undrafted Free Agent by Giants in ‘07. Scout team.. |
| Kevin Carter, DE | -- | He’s not getting any faster. Kiffin will play him no doubt, but you would think his reps would be few and far between |
| Marques Douglas, DE | -- | Signed this off-season, could start opposite of Gaines Adams…. |
| Gaines Adams, DE |
|
He should have started out of the gates last season. He definitely will this year. |
| Charles Bennett, DE | -- | Drafted by the Bucs two years ago in the seventh round. Should provide depth |
| Jimmy Wilkerson, DE | -- | Signed this off-season. Productive guy for the chiefs, not shot to start however |
| Greg White, DE | -- | He’s got a tough season ahead of him with all the depth surrounding him. Despite his contract demands, he will have to prove himself more so than ever this year. |
| Chris Bradwell, DT | -- | Undrafted Free Agent. Said to have a strong motor, could provide depth |
| Dre’ Moore, DE | -- | 4th Round Draft Pick. Needs to get in shape, who’s sick of hearing that? He should push the projected starters… |
| Chris Hovan, DT |
|
Despite having a productive year, he should see fewer reps.. |
| Greg Peterson, DT | -- | Relative disappointment. Needs to stay healthy and contribute |
| Jovan Haye, DT |
|
Signed his contract. Look for Haye to continue to impress and receive that contract extension he’s looking for. |
| Ryan Sims, DT | -- | Signed last off-season with the Bucs, had a decent year providing depth. Would probably be a cap casualty if we didn’t have so much cap space. |
| B.J. Askew, FB |
|
Signed last off-season. He desperately needs to have the ball put in his hands. |
| Byron Storer, FB | -- | undrafted free agent signed by the Buccaneers. Should see an increase in reps |
| Carl Stewart, FB | -- | UnDrafted Free Agent this year. Could surprise people and make the squad |
| Jeremy Zuttah, G | -- | Could be starting by the end of the year. Definitely gets utilized this year. |
| Dan Buenning, G |
|
Needs to fight the injury bug, may have been bumped on the depth chart. |
| Davin Joseph, G |
|
Concrete Starter on the Right Side of the line. |
| Arron Sears, G | -- | The main reason Dan Buenning is no longer considered a potential starter. |
| Brian Johnson, G | -- | UnDrafted Free Agent. Thought of highly. Could surprise people |
| Matt Bryant, K |
|
He's been flawless with his field goal kicking thus far .. Plus he has ZERO competition at the position |
| Derrick Brooks, LB |
|
Second on the team in tackles last season. May see fewer reps in obvious passing situations. Other than that, rock steady. |
| Antoine Cash, LB | -- | Was a solid special teams performer in his two full seasons with the Buccaneers.... |
| Cato June, LB |
|
He produced a lot last season despite being injured. Absolute lock |
| Ryan Nece, LB | -- | Nice Player, adds good depth to the position. Depth behind him is catching up however |
| Barrett Ruud, LB |
|
Proved he’s the real McCoy last season. Led the team in tackles, despite fading toward the end of the season |
| Quincy Black, LB |
|
Probably one of the more improved Buccaneers on defense. Progressing well. |
| Matt McCoy, LB | -- | Bucs added McCoy in march. Look to add depth. |
| Adam Hayward, LB | -- | Like Greg Peterson, needs to stay on the field and prove his worth. |
| Leon Joe, LB | -- | Bucs like this guy for some reason. He’s been cut and re-signed several times. Maybe he’ll stick this season.. |
| Geno Hayes, LB | -- | Showed promise early in Rookie Mini-Camp. Should make team.. |
| Teddy Lehman, LB | -- | Signed in March, should push Nece for primary back-up duties.. |
| Patrick Chukwurah, LB | -- | Despite seeing time as a LB last season, his worth is on the d-line.. |
| Andrew Economos, LS |
|
I graduated with a degree in Economics so I'm biased here.. and he’s the only long snapper on the team.. |
| Josh Bidwell, P |
|
Main stay in line-up. |
| Jake Plummer, QB |
|
Mail in your RETIREMENT PAPERS ALREADY, sheesh. I can’t believe he’s even listed on the roster at this point. |
| Jeff Garcia, QB |
|
Despite absolutely hating his current contract, Garcia should continue to be a jolt of excitement on offense.. |
| Bruce Gradkowski, QB |
|
Here we go, probably one of the more interesting stories. Does he get cut?. |
| Chris Simms, QB |
|
The other interesting story. There were talks of the Bucs receiving 6th round picks for Simms during the Draft and the Bucs rejected said offers, so that’s a decent positive for Simms… Then again those were just rumors… |
| Luke McCown, QB | -- | Should become the third string QB and push Josh Johnson to the scout team.. |
| Josh Johnson, QB | -- | He ought to carry the clipboard Sabby Piscitelli carried all last season. He’s not going any where. |
| Brian Griese, QB | -- | He’s a virtual lock as the teams second string QB despite being in Chitown for several years.. |
| Earnest Graham, RB |
|
Graham should allow Cadillac Williams to take it ultra slow, in other words, see you mid season Caddy.. |
| Cory Boyd, RB | -- | I figure he’s battling RB Kenneth Darby to make the scout team. |
| Michael Bennett, RB | -- | He’ll see more playing time than last season, but he’ll never be the feature back. |
| Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, RB |
|
Claims to be ready by July. Take your time Caddy, Graham and Company can hold the fort down... |
| Kenneth Darby, RB |
|
I’m not sure what he has or hasn’t shown, but he’s clearly not highly thought of ..... |
| Warrick Dunn, RB |
|
I’m not sure what his role will be, but you would think he’s in the rotation near the top ..... |
| Clifton Smith, RB | -- | Has a real shot at making the team, as his returning capability is sorely needed ..... |
| Sabby Piscitelli, S |
|
Despite missing the majority of last season, he should contribute this season quite a bit .... |
| Jermaine Phillips, S |
|
Really stepped up last season… Furthered his reputation as a hard hitter. Surprise of last season.. |
| Tanard Jackson, S |
|
Fantastic feel good story, he was sick in his first season and will only get better. |
| Jonathan Hefney, S | -- | Undrafted Free Agent, special teams bound, if not the scout team |
| Donte Nicholson, S | -- | Four-year safety prospect with good size who provides depth to Buccaneers secondary. |
| Will Allen, S |
|
Got completely beat down last year by Tanard Jackson in the competition for starting duties. Still a fantastic back-up. |
| Eugene Wilson, S |
|
Expected to battle Buchanon and Talib to fill Brian Kelly’s shoes. May be a situational Corner/Safety…. |
| Chris Clark, T | -- | Undrafted Free Agent aka Long Shot! |
| Luke Petitgout, T |
|
He’s a lock at this point, but he’ll be competing with Donald Penn no doubt. |
| Anthony Davis, T | -- | Showed his versatility last season, though he was out played by lesser talents.... |
| Donald Penn, T |
|
Played GREAT last season, if he keeps it up, he’ll become a starter in this league ..... |
| Dennis Roland, T | -- | 2007 Practice Squad Player .... |
| Chris Denman, T | -- | 2007 Seventh Round Draft Pick, hasn’t shown much. |
| Jeremy Trueblood, T |
|
Solid Starter on the Right side of the line, should be better due to experience. |
| Alex Smith, TE |
|
I honestly thought he would have a better year then he did. Troupe will push him to new heights, one can only hope |
| Ben Troupe, TE | -- | Off-Season signing, should prosper with Garcia as his QB.. Better produce more than Alge Crumpler or ELSE!! I kid. |
| John Gilmore, TE | -- | Signed this off-season. Big on blocking, happy to be a buc. |
| Daniel Fells, TE | -- | Signed futures contract in February. Has no future with team though. Just by shear numbers depth chart wise |
| Keith Heinrich, TE | -- | Not to be confused with the Bulls Kirk Heinrich.....Signed as a free agent by Tampa Bay on January 17, 2007 |
| Tyrice Thompson, TE | Undrafted Free Agent. Good luck kid!! | |
| Maurice Stovall, WR |
|
May finish Camp as the #4 Receiver. |
| Amarri Jackson, WR | -- | Undrafted Free Agent, could find a spot, chances are slim though.... |
| Dexter Jackson, WR |
|
He has to contribute. The Bucs need his speed to compliment old man Galloway, even if he has to use glue to catch balls. He will contribute in ‘08. |
| Paris Warren, WR | -- | Coming off a tough injury, will he be skittish over the middle where he flourished last pre-season? |
| Mark Jones, WR | -- | Currently a unrestricted free-agent. He’s certainly replaceable and should be by Talib, DJax, or Enter-Name-Here in the return game |
| Taye Biddle, WR | -- | Practice Squad bound, maybe even be cut out right.... |
| Chad Lucas, WR | -- | Bucs' practice squad `06.... |
| Charles Spiller, WR | Futures contract recipient. | |
| Cortez Hankton, WR | -- | Futures contract as well, lightning in a bottle? nah .... |
| 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. A bit banged up, but still light years ahead of the #2 Receiver on the roster. |
| Ike Hilliard, WR | -- | Solid Rock, despite competition, he should remain the Bucs #3 receiver. He’s solid, consistent, and nobodies stepped up thus far to force him out. |
| Michael Clayton, WR |
|
MAKE OR BREAK SEASON! So he blocks well, great thanks |
| Michael Spurlock, WR |
|
The only man to return a kickoff to the house in Tampa Bay Buccaneer history! That buys you two seasons at the very least.. IMO |
| Brian Clark, WR | -- | Return specialist, not expected to contribute much at all. Although the return game is WIDE OPEN… |
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!!!!