Tampa Bay Buccaneers 53-man roster projection: Defense

by Sander on Sep 3, 2011 9:01 AM EDT

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 01: Tight end Mike Sellers #45 of the Washington Redskins is brought down by Elbert Mack #33 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of a preseason game at FedExField on September 1, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

We already know three cuts on defense: Kyle Moore, Tyrone McKenzie and Frank McCargo. Given the fact that Raheem Morris essentially named his defensive linemen and omitted Al Woods on that list, we can also assume that he will be cut. But what will the roster look like on defense?

Defensive Tackles(4): Gerald McCoy, Frank Okam, Roy Miller, Brian Price

Brian Price playing a significant amount of snaps against the Washington Redskins should make the Bucs feel more comfortable going with just four defensive tackles for the regular season.

Defensive Ends (5): Adrian Clayborn, Michael Bennett, Da'Quan Bowers, Tim Crowder, George Johnson

Technically Kyle Moore is eligible for the practice squad, but there's no way he passes through waivers to make it there. Besides him the Bucs are probably keeping all of their defensive ends.

Linebackers (6): Quincy Black, Mason Foster, Geno Hayes, Dekoda Watson, Adam Hayward, Simoni Lawrence
Practice Squad: Derrell Smith

The Bucs have already released Tyrone McKenzie, so he's gone. I don't think McKenzie will last through waivers, but even if he does I don't know if he wants to be on the Bucs' practice squad. After all, he requested his release from the Patriots when he couldn't compete for a starting job. I still think the Bucs go with an extra linebacker, though, and Simoni Lawrence has had a pretty good preseason. He's quick, physical and he jumped out on tape a couple of times. The Bucs like Derrell Smith, but he hasn't shown me much so far.

Cornerbacks (5): Ronde Barber, Aqib Talib, E.J. Biggers, Myron Lewis, Anthony Gaitor
Practice Squad: D.J. Johnson

Myron Lewis' injuries may prompt the Bucs to keep another cornerback, and they did have the room to do so in this roster projection. The first five are locks for the roster and I think Johnson has shown enough to make it as well, although there's a very strong possibility he gets cut once the Bucs add another player after the final cutdowns.

Safeties (4): Sean Jones, Cody Grimm, Larry Asante, Corey Lynch
Practice Squad: Ahmad Black

The first four should be no surprise. Ahmad Black still has not played, and it's possible the Bucs kept him out of the fourth game to try to sneak him on to the practice squad. Devin Holland makes this team because of his special teams prowess and his strong performance in the fourth preseason game. Holland made some stupid plays on special teams, but he was always close to the play and that gets noticed. That might get him on the roster.

Punter (1): Michael Koenen

You don't give a punter a $19 million contract to then cut him. It also helps he's looked very good so far.

Longsnapper (1): Christian Yount

Andrew Economos still hasn't practiced, so Yount makes the roster.

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How many of these have you done?

I know you feel the need to post 10 stories a day…but c’mon now.

by _Knives_ on Sep 3, 2011 9:34 AM EDT reply actions

I've done three

One at the start of training camp. One after all the starters finished their final game. One after the backups finished their final game (this one).

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by Sander on Sep 3, 2011 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I am not so sure Moore won't clear waivers

As fans, we’re often convinced that guys are valued by other teams as much as we value them and that is simply not the case. There are a dozen Kyle Moores out there and the fact that he has been underwhelming for the majority of his career thus far doesn’t help his cause.

Also, where are you seeing that Moore is practice squad eligible? I was under the impression that in order to be eligible the player couldn’t have an accrued season in the NFL, which is six games on the active roster. Moore definitely has that, so I doubt his eligibility.

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

by LeeCaz on Sep 3, 2011 11:08 AM EDT reply actions

This is from a piece today on Niners Nation

In order to be eligible for the practice squad, players must meet one of the following requirements:

    * Have no prior Accrued Seasons in the NFL (An accrued season is six or more games on the active roster);
    * Have one prior Accrued Season in which the player was on the 45-man active roster for no more than 8 games;
    * If served two seasons on a practice squad, are eligible for a third season only if the team has at least 53 players on its active/inactive list for the duration of that player’s employment.

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

by LeeCaz on Sep 3, 2011 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

That's what I thought too initially

But I just looked at the CBA, and in there it says that you’re PS eligible if all of your accrued seasons came with fewer than 9 active games. There doesn’t appear to be a limit to that.

Pewter Report kept saying he was PS eligible and I was baffled too, but they’re correct.

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by Sander on Sep 3, 2011 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Very strange.

but he does have less than nine in both seasons, so I guess we’ll go with it. Hopefully the other teams were too busy evaluating their own talent to pay attention to Moore this preseason.

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

by LeeCaz on Sep 3, 2011 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

How likely is it that Lorig stays on the 53 man roster?

Mercenaries never die. They just go to hell to regroup. - Unknown. I dont always make paradoxes, but when i do, i don't.- Brock Obama. Leading the fighter escort of SU-47s for the Lindley Bandwagon "pm striker king"- WZB.

by PotM on Sep 3, 2011 12:06 PM EDT reply actions