NFL Roster Cuts 2014: Analysing the most shocking Buccaneers roster moves

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made their final roster cuts to get to a 53-man roster, with Brandon Magee being the final addition. We have all of the cuts below, but let's go over some of the most shocking moves first.

RB Jeff Demps

Not a shocking move, per se, as Jeff Demps has barely done anything this preseason. He looked good in training camp and his speed makes him a dangerous weapon. The fact that both Mike James and Charles Sims are injured seemed to give him a better chance of making the roster, too. Presumably Mike James is close to getting healthy, though, and the Bucs apparently think that Robert Herron gives them enough speed on offense.

OL Jamon Meredith

Again, not a total shocker because he hadn't been playing well in preseason. But he was still a versatile, veteran backup and the Bucs don't have a lot of that on their offensive line. This also leaves fifth-round rookie Kevin Pamphile as their primary backup at both offensive tackle spots, although Logan Mankins can play tackle too.

WR/Returner Solomon Patton

Now this is the real shocker. The Buccaneers had Patton taking almost very snap as a returner over the past couple of games and they'd cut the primary backup in Eric Page already. And yet, Patton was waived. This leaves the Bucs with no returner on the roster, despite the fact that Lovie Smith has repeatedly said he places a high value on quality kick and punt returners.

The question now is whether the Bucs roll with Bobby Rainey as their primary returner, try to get Robert Herron or someone else already on the roster acclimated, or find outside help. If the latter, looking at Marc Mariani or Danieal Manning would make some sense.

S Major Wright

This one's also a real surprise. Major Wright had a long history with Lovie Smith, was the primary backup at safety throughout most of the offseason and played reasonably well in the preseason -- until he suffered a seemingly short-term back injury. Maybe Keith Tandy and Bradley McDougald simply played even better, or maybe that injury was a factor in his release.

Keep in mind that this is not the final roster. The Bucs will likely add a few players over the next couple of days, and the roster will stay in flux throughout the season, as it always does. In addition, they'll get another roster spot once they place rookie back Charles Sims on injured reserve designated for return on Tuesday. Stay tuned: we'll keep you covered with analysis and more news as we go forward.

Saturday cuts

DE Ronald Talley

DT Matthew Masifilo*

RB Jeff Demps*

QB Mike Kafka*

WR Solomon Patton*

S Major Wright

TE Cameron Brate

Friday cuts

CB Keith Lewis*

FB Lonnie Pryor*

LB Ka'lial Glaud*

DE T.J. Fatinikun*

LB Nate Askew*

CB Kip Edwards*

DE Larry English

K Connor Barth

CB Marc Anthony*

LB Nate Askew*

T Edawn Coughman*

CB Anthony Gaitor*

OL Jeremiah Warren *

OL Jamon Meredith