Training Camp is nearly upon us 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, a pair of scissors means that perspective player got cut.
Potential Open Spots: Running back, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Left Guard, Left Tackle, Defensive End, Defensive Tackle, 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. Only Center currently on the roster. Cross your fingers for health. |
| John Rochford, C |  | UnDrafted Free Agent. You would think he would make the team given our lack of depth at the center position, then again, I guess not. |
| 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? I think so. |
| 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, nope.. |
| Kevin Carter, DE | | He’s said to of looked great in Camp thus far. 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… Havent heard much on him |
| 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. Recently re-signed.. |
| Jimmy Wilkerson, DE | | Signed this off-season. Productive guy for the chiefs, no 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 | | Look for Haye to improve upon last year’s successful campaign. |
| Ryan Sims, DT | | Signed last off-season with the Bucs, had a decent year providing depth. Said to be looking good this off-season, physically of course. |
| B.J. Askew, FB | | Most underrated FB in the league. Hopefully he can stay healthy and take more reps. |
| Byron Storer, FB | | undrafted free agent signed by the Buccaneers. Could see an increase in reps |
| Carl Stewart, FB | | UnDrafted Free Agent this year. Could surprise people and not make the squad |
| Jeremy Zuttah, G/T | | 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. Increased stamina/focus would help.. |
| Arron Sears, G | | The main reason Dan Buenning is no longer considered a potential starter. Battling injuries however |
| Brian Johnson, G | | UnDrafted Free Agent. Thought of highly. Could surprise people. Should get reps due to injuries along line. |
| 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. As is the story, needs to stay on the field |
| 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 deal 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. There’s grumbling that he could replace CATO JUNE! |
| Matt McCoy, LB |
|
Bucs added McCoy in march. Look to add depth. Should push Nece for primary back-up duties. |
| Adam Hayward, LB | | Like Greg Peterson, needs to stay on the field and prove his worth. |
| Leon Joe, LB | | He’s got to have the record for signing and being released. I remember three times off the top of my head.. poor guy |
| Geno Hayes, LB | | Showed promise early in Rookie Mini-Camp. Coaches are enamored with his abilities. Potential Brooks replacement (I hate even typing that, don’t want to see Brooks go). |
| Teddy Lehman, LB | | Signed in March, He’s hoping to turn this season into a profitable off-season. Good luck getting reps man.. |
| Patrick Chukwurah, LB | | He couldn’t shake injuries while here.. We hardly knew thee.. |
| Andrew Economos, LS | | Recently signed a 5 year deal ($800k a year). I graduated with a degree in Economics so I'm biased here and he's the only long snapper on the team. We all should have become long snappers. Son of a … |
| Josh Bidwell, P | | Main stay in line-up. We should have become punters. |
| Jake Plummer, QB | |
This SAGA is officially over. I hope that $3.5 mil was worth the embarrassment (I’m sure it was). |
| Jeff Garcia, QB | | Despite absolutely hating his current contract, Garcia should continue to be a jolt of excitement on offense. He continues to be the key to our success. |
| Bruce Gradkowski, QB | |
I’m still shocked he got out right cut. Good guy, just a pathetic passer. Good luck in St. Louis.. |
| Chris Simms, QB | |
The Simms scenario has really become comedic. He doesn’t want to play for the Bucs, his ticket out of here is a trade, yet he won’t show up to prove his abilities to interested parties (Miami, Minnesota, Chicago?). Release the guy already… |
| Luke McCown, QB | | Many believe he is the 2nd String QB and rightfully so. Air apparent? I wouldn’t go that far. |
| Josh Johnson, QB | | He ought to carry the clipboard Sabby Piscitelli carried all last season. He's not going anywhere. Who’s ready to watch his career begin? Count me in.. |
| Brian Griese, QB | | Call me crazy, but I’m not sure Griese sticks around. There’s no way he would settle for 3rd string would he? Maybe the Bucs make him 2nd String in principal.. |
| Earnest Graham, RB | | Show me the money!! Graham got paid and should have a breakout season. |
| Cory Boyd, RB | | He signed, so 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 (Think Michael Pittman Lite). |
| Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, RB | | Claims to be ready. Doubters think he’ll be put on the P(hysically)U(nable)P(erform) List. Bah! 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... Boyd being signed doesn’t look good I would think |
| Warrick Dunn, RB | | I'm not sure what his role will be, but you would think he's in the rotation near the top... An absolute feel good story |
| Clifton Smith, RB | | Has a real shot at making the team, as his returning capability is sorely needed. He and DJax have been doing the majority of the return work in camp. I’m pulling for you Cliff! |
| Sabby Piscitelli, S | | Despite missing the majority of last season, he should contribute this season quite a bit... Said to look quicker than last season, is that really hard to believe though? |
| 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 (play making wise) 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. Recently Re-Signed. |
| 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 | | May be a situational Corner/Safety… Rumored to be used at Safety only, as he has taken to the Corner position. |
| 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 than 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 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 |
| Jerramy Stevens, TE | | Re-Signed this off-season to the chagrin of the masses (Which still shocks me as there wasn’t even half the fuss when he initially signed a year ago). He’ll remain on the team despite the outrage. |
| Keith Heinrich, TE | | Not to be confused with the Bulls Kirk Heinrich.....Signed as a free agent by Tampa Bay on January 17, 2007.. Adios! |
| Tyrice Thompson, TE | | Undrafted Free Agent. Good luck kid!! Short lived experience |
| Maurice Stovall, WR | | May finish Camp as the #4 Receiver. Could be the reason Hilliard doesn’t start, doubtful though. |
| Amarri Jackson, WR | | I’m not depressed he didn’t make the squad, it would have been nice though. A change of pace, then again maybe not. |
| Dexter Jackson, WR | | He’s been returning balls with RB Clifton Smith and has been catching balls left and right. He’s looked better than advertised. He should be a starter coming out of Training Camp. |
| Paris Warren, WR | | Coming off a tough injury, will he be skittish over the middle where he flourished last pre-season? The fan base is behind you!! |
| Taye Biddle, WR | | Practice Squad bound, may even be cut out right.... |
| Chad Lucas, WR | | Bucs' practice squad `06. Recently Re-Signed. |
| Charles Spiller, WR | | Futures contract recipient. May seem him in the future, eh. |
| 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. |
| Antonio Bryant, WR | | Word is that he’s looking good so far. Good enough to crack the starting line-up? Who knows, he doesn’t talk to the media… Can’t wait to see him play. |
| Michael Clayton, WR | |
MAKE OR BREAK SEASON! So he blocks well, great thanks. Try reproducing your Rookie Season. Who doesn’t want this guy to excel here in Tampa? Come on Mike! |
| 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 too 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!!!!