Tampa Bay Buccaneers release Tyrone McKenzie. Fans go 'What!?'

by Sander on Sep 2, 2011 12:34 PM EDT

According to Anwar Richardson of the Tampa Tribune the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have just released linebacker Tyrone McKenzie. McKenzie started training camp as the prospective starter at middle linebacker, but was quickly beaten out by third-round pick Mason Foster.

Tyrone McKenzie has since had a decent preseason in which he looked very capable, and at the very least like a capable backup. This release comes out of nowhere, and I cannot in any way justify it. McKenzie was clearly the second-best middle linebacker on the team. This move makes this team weaker, and I really don't understand it. I like Mason Foster, having a quality backup behind a rookie who is still learning the position is key.

While the Bucs have talked highly of Derrell Smith, a rookie undrafted free agent, he has not stood out to me. Adam Hawyard is also capable of playing middle linebacker, and indeed did so against the Washington Redskins.

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WHAT. THE . #$%^!!!!

by _Knives_ on Sep 2, 2011 12:39 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe there is another LB they are targeting that they expect to be released?

"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain

by LeeCaz on Sep 2, 2011 12:44 PM EDT reply actions

Bit premature to cut your backup, then?

Maybe if they want to be kind to McKenzie, but there’s really no need to do that honestly.

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by Sander on Sep 2, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

That's the only way this makes any sense...

But how could they be so sure?

Am I going MAD, or did the word "think" escape your lips?

by Kilgore on Sep 2, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow!

That was completely out of left field…

Still waiting for the day that the NFL comes back to LA...

by LABucsFan on Sep 2, 2011 1:21 PM EDT reply actions

So who is Foster's back up now?

Hayward maybe?

by jBen05 on Sep 2, 2011 1:25 PM EDT reply actions

Probably...

Derrell Smith, while it isn’t ideal to back up a rookie with a rookie it’s not like Mason is making the play calls, Quincy is.

by Steven Person on Sep 2, 2011 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd expect Hayward

They played him at MLB yesterday.

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by Sander on Sep 2, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Not a fan of this move, but I'll wait to second guess them right now

As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.

by Buc Wild on Sep 2, 2011 1:30 PM EDT reply actions

Just read that they're gonna cut both Carpenter and Crompton, going into the season with just 2 QB's.

I'm not negative, I'm just telling you how it is.

by bucnut1 on Sep 2, 2011 1:35 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, Stroud said that's what's 'expected' to happen

It’s been expected for over a week now. That cements Spurlock’s spot on the roster, too. No one else on the team can be the emergency QB

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by Sander on Sep 2, 2011 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't like the move

They have to prepare for next year when Johnson is gone, Rudy has been here just as long as Freeman so he knows the Playbook, it wouldn’t be smart to release him, just release a wide receiver like Ed Gant, 1 good game does not a solid player make.

by Steven Person on Sep 2, 2011 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Carpenter is practice squad eligible

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by Sander on Sep 2, 2011 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe McKenzie asked for his release.

When the Pats practice squaded him he asked to be released and he complained this year when it looked like Foster was “being handed” the starting job.

Raheem came out and said “with that attitude he won’t win the job.” I know it would be crazy for McKenzie to do that but maybe he’s just a guy with a really crappy attitude.

This is pure speculation and I’m just playing Devil’s advocate since this is such a strange move for the team to make.

by Landlubber on Sep 2, 2011 1:53 PM EDT reply actions

They didn't release Sabby last year after he complained literally that it wasn't a competition

McKenzie just said that he lost the job and had to start working harder. There’s no way they cut him for that if they kept Sabby.

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by Sander on Sep 2, 2011 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm saying maybe he continued to complain internally and we just didn't hear about it.

Just because a guy hedges his negative comments with “so I just gotta work harder” doesn’t mean he has the right attitude. He could be a real pain in the butt behind the scenes for all we know.

I get your point about Sabbalicious though. Although you could make the argument that MD and the coaches want to get away from catering to guys who could be locker room cancer.

I just can’t figure out why the cut McKenzie. Having confidence in Hayward to back Foster up is all well and good, but we’re pretty thin after that.

by Landlubber on Sep 2, 2011 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions