Training Camp Look - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
From ESPN.com, Pat Yasinkas, the ESPN NFC South blogger has a look into the Bucs training camp and some insight on what to expect. It's a pretty general overlook, but touches on the QB battle, the veterans leaving, and fan favorite (to boo), Michael Clayton
Campfires: Fans are going to need rosters for this training camp. Derrick Brooks, Joey Galloway, Jeff Garcia and Warrick Dunn are gone. Tampa Bay's youth movement, which starts with new coach Raheem Morris, is in full swing as the Bucs truly look for a new identity.
Starting jobs are open all over the place, particularly on defense. The Bucs have moved safety Jermaine Phillips to Brooks' old spot at weakside linebacker and are putting Sabby Piscitelli in Phillips' old spot. If either of those moves fail, the Bucs could always move Phillips back to safety, but the team is planning on this switch working out. It better because the Bucs have plenty of other questions elsewhere. Is veteran cornerback Ronde Barber still capable of playing at a high level? Is defensive end Gaines Adams finally ready to play up to his potential?
But the biggest question of all -- and the one most fans will be watching -- is at quarterback. Tampa Bay used its first-round pick on Josh Freeman and Morris already has dubbed him as the franchise quarterback. The Bucs initially threw out all sorts of hints that Freeman, who left college a year early, would sit as a rookie. But he came on faster than expected in minicamp and that could change the thinking. The Bucs probably will enter the preseason looking to start either Luke McCown or Byron Leftwich. But it's not out of the question that Freeman could outshine both veterans. If that happens, the Bucs would have to speed up their plan.
Coincidentally enough, Buc 'Em has covered their two big questions; Ronde and Gaines going forward. The question they focus on is Freeman. Still no contract, still no word on any other guy really beating him out. I have to think the goal is to sit him, but if no one else takes the reigns, the argument is there to start him.
See more after the jump
Camp will be a downer if ... none of the quarterbacks steps forward. The rest of the offense is pretty solid, but this team won't go anywhere without a quarterback who can make the passing game work. There are reasons why McCown has never been a true starter and why Leftwich has gone from being a franchise quarterback in Jacksonville to being just a guy.
McCown has enough athleticism to make you believe there's upside, and Leftwich still throws the ball very nicely at times. But nothing is certain with either of these guys. If Freeman plays like a rookie in camp, the Bucs may have to settle on a quarterback by attrition. That's not a great situation because if McCown or Leftwich starts slowly, fans will be screaming for Freeman before he's ready.
This seems a bit redundant, but indulge me. Obviously if no QB's step up, the team and camp will be deemed a failure. You can't field a team without a field general. McCown never became a true starter with the Bucs because Gruden loved him so old guys. That's no secret. McCown played well at times, but he was rusty after injuries and extended time on the bench. I'm willing to give him a mulligan to see if he can be a starter. Leftwich has proven that he's great when he has time (who isn't), but when he gets pressured, it's game over for the slow delivering QB.
Any fan who screams for Freeman after the first pick by any other QB is deluding themselves. The grass isn't always greener as they like to say. We can't be so over dramatic as fans and clamor for heads right away. I'll give you a hint as to why. People make mistakes. Manning, Brees, Brady make mistakes, so will our players. If a guy continues to play poorly and shows no hope, then get him out, but let's not turn off the TV, boo, or scream for the back up at the first incomplete pass.
Camp will be a success if ... the new schemes catch on. The Bucs aren't going to look anything like Jon Gruden's Bucs. New offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski is installing a power running game and a vertical passing game. New defensive coordinator Jim Bates is going away from the famed Tampa 2 defense and going with a system that relies heavily on pressure from up front.
The Bucs are young in a lot of ways, but they'll need new leaders like Barrett Ruud, Derrick Ward, Kellen Winslow and Antonio Bryant to step up and lead this team through the transition process.
Nothing to add here. New scheme, not the Tampa 2, and new leaders. Next.
Whatever happened to Michael Clayton? After a brilliant rookie year, the wide receiver spent the past few seasons buried in Gruden's doghouse. A lot of people were stunned when the new regime handed Clayton a big contract, instead of letting him walk as a free agent. There's a reason for that. The new regime believes Clayton can be a productive starter. Forget all the talk about what a good blocker Clayton is in the running game. Sure, that will help. But Clayton isn't getting big money just to block. He got paid because Morris, general manager Mark Dominik and Jagodzinski think he can be a solid No. 2 receiver.
Start up the haters. Someone believes in Clayton, which won't sit well with the natives here. I understand he is a wide receiver and paid to catch the pigskin, but if we are going to be a run heavy team, doesn't his willingness to block give a good indication as to why he was resigned? It makes sense to me, hopefully he can back me up on this one.
A lot of info we knew, but nonetheless, another update for you Bucs fans. What do you expect from training camp?
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Oh its
Pat Yasinkas, BTW! Just saying
Come ON Pat the Bust, Navi can not have more homers than you
by Some other guy who does not care on Jul 24, 2009 12:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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