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Google "Why is Myron Lewis". On the roster? Still here? Still on the roster? Still a Buc? Ahead of him? Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans seem a little confused and/or outraged over Lewis, the team's 2010 third-round pick who has looked horrible when he came out on the field. He has played a decent amount of special teams, taking 17% of the team's special teams snaps last season despite missing eight games. But that's not nearly enough to explain hanging on to a cornerback who remained on the bottom of the depth chart no matter the amount of mysterious disappearances last year.
One of the reasons why Lewis is still around is simple: the Bucs are hoping that a new coach can help him reach his potential, as Pewter Report noted last month.
The final reason why Lewis is getting a final shot to live up to his draft billing in Tampa Bay is because he received poor coaching last year. Not just Lewis - every Bucs cornerback did. Schiano took a chance on former LSU secondary coach Ron Cooper and the move turned out to be a mistake as Cooper was often too quiet and not assertive enough, especially on the sidelines on game days when it came to coaching up technique and relaying adjustments to his defensive backs.
The Bucs will say that Cooper was allowed out of his contract to make a lateral move to the University of South Florida after just one year, but he was essentially fired. New defensive backs coach Tony Oden has NFL experience with New Orleans and Jacksonville, and will get his shot at trying to make a player out of Lewis because Tampa Bay sure could use a big 6-foot-2, 203-pound cornerback on the field on Sundays.
It's easy to forget, but Lewis was a third-round in 2010 for a reason, and that reason was potential. He's 6'2", 203 lbs and has a massive wingspan. He has the speed to run with cornerbacks down the field and the fluidity to not be shaken by shifty route runners. Unfortunately, he has never shown the technique and composure to take advantage of his physical gifts, and he's looked downright horrible on the field.
But what's the downside of keeping him on the team right now? He has no roster bonuses coming, only receiving a small amount of compensation for offseason training. Even if he makes it to the regular season, his $630,000 salary would be no real burden. Releasing him at this point would be useless.
So why is he still on the team? You might as well ask why random undrafted free agent is on the team. Or, say, the backup kickers and punters. Because it's the offseason, the Bucs don't need the roster space, and the man still has oodles of physical talent Tony Oden may be able to develop. And if he can't improve, they'll cut him before the season starts.
Read more:
Bucs sign CB Michael Adams, waive Jeremy Lewis