The last of the preseason torture, er, games is Thursday night at Washington and quarterback Josh Freeman will be sitting this one out. So will other starters, no doubt, for this puzzling version of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
For your inspection approval, disapproval or other comment and observation, here's a quick look at the players who have jobs apparently locked up and those who don't.
OFFENSE:
QB: Two Joshes — Freeman and Johnson
RB: LeGarrette Blount, Kregg Lumpkin, Allen Bradford
FB: Earnest Graham, Erik Lorig
WR (X): Mike Williams, Sammie Stroughter
WR (Y): Arrelious Benn, Dez Briscoe
TE: Kellen Winslow Jr., Luke Stocker.
LT: Donald Penn, James Lee
LG: Ted Larsen, Jeremy Zuttah
RG: Davin Joseph, Derek Hardman
C: Jeff Faine
RT: Jeremy Trueblood
Comments: Don't be surprised if Zuttah opens the regular season at left guard in place of Ted Larsen. James Lee has looked horrible thus far in the preseason, so has Trueblood, so right now, the right tackle situation is very unsettling. MVP of the offensive line is Zuttah, who plays guard and center.
There's 21 players there for you.
Bubble Boys and Battles: Who will be the third tight end? You've got seventh-round pick Daniel Hardy in a fight with Ryan Purvis and Nathan Overbay. Overbay could end up on the practice squad and you get the feeling that Hardy could beat out Purvis.
Another intriguing battle is always the wide receiver position: Micheal Spurlock, Preston Parker, Ed Gant and Maurice Price are still around and battling. Depends how many they keep. They kept seven last year, four are in, Spurlock and Parker most likely in, and Ed Gant could get the seventh spot if they keep seven.
There is still no clear-cut running back who replaces Cadillac Williams. Perhaps they should have kept Cadillac. They kept six running backs last year. There are five listed up there which means there's only one spot available. You have Mossis Madu, Armando Allen and Nick Reveiz still around, and two could end up on the practice squad.
There are eight offensive linemen listed above, they kept eight last year.
The other decision will be Rudy Carpenter. Do they want to keep three quarterbacks?
DEFENSE:
LDE: Michael Bennett, Da'Quan Bowers
RDE: Adrian Clayborn, Tim Crowder
DT: Gerald McCoy
DT: Frank Okam, Roy Miller, Brian Price
SLB: Quincy Black, Dekoda Watson
MLB: Mason Foster, Tyrone McKenzie
WLB: Geno Hayes, Adam Hayward
LCB: Aqib Talib, Myron Lewis
RCB: Ronde Barber, E.J. Biggers
SS: Sean Jones, Corey Lynch
FS: Cody Grimm, Larry Assante
Comments: Roy Miller and Brian Price are really questionable. Could Price end up on IR with the emergence of Frank "Mount Kilimanjaro" Okam?
Kyle Moore in jeopardy? They kept four defensive ends last year. Has Moore shown enough to beat out Tim Crowder?
There were five defensive tackles on the roster last year. That means Al Woods and John McCargo are battling unless Price goes to IR.
They carried six linebackers last year. There are six listed above. Derrell Smith, Brandon Heath and Simoni Lawrence are practice squad candidates.
They carried five corners last year. That means Elbert Mack may be the fifth guy unless he gets beat out by Anthony Gaitor or D.J. Johnson.
They carried three safeties last year, Jones, Lynch and Grimm. Is Larry Assante out? Is Ahmad Black destined for the practice squad?
There are 22 defensive players listed above. That brings the total to 43.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Punter: Michael Koenen
PK: Connor Barth
LS: Christian Yount.
Now you're up to 46. That means a measly seven spots available with 80 men still around.
But not for long.
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/827307-tampa-bay-buccaneers-53-man-roster-whos-in-whos-bubbling
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