Camp Breakdown - Offensive Line

This has been an obvious area of target for the Bucs the last few years.  We spent a first round pick on Davin Joseph in 2006, a second round pick on Jeremy Trueblood in 2006, a 2nd round pick on Aaron Sears in 2007, a 3rd round pick on Jeremy Zuttah in 2008 and made a huge free agent acquisition this offseason with C Jeff Faine.  What used to be the worst unit on the Buccaneers is now one of the youngest and brightest spots on the team. 

Currently on the Roster - Dan Buenning, Chris Clark, Anthony Davis, Chris Denman, Andrew Economos, Jeff Faine, Brian Johnson, Davin Joseph, Donald Penn, Luke Petigout, Dennis Roland, Aaron Sears, Jeremy Trueblood, Jeremy Zuttah

Gauranteed Roster Spots - Andrew Economos, Jeff Faine, Davin Joseph, Donald Penn, Aaron Sears, Jeremy Trueblood, Jeremy Zuttah, Donald Penn

Economos is entrenched as the long snapper.  He will not ever see the field on non punting downs, but he is good at what he does, and Gruden likes him.  Aaron Sears (LG), Jeff Faine (C), Davin Joseph (RG) and Jeremy Trueblood (RT) are locked in as starters.  Sears and Joseph are devastating young run blockers with huge ceilings.  Trueblood is also a mammoth and has shown steady improvement in his 1.5 years starting at RT.  He is a fearsome defender of his teamates, and looks to have a bright future for the Bucs.  The Buccaneers made Faine the highest paid center in the league this offseason.  He doesn’t not bring the same mauling behometh style that Joseph, Sears and Trueblood embody, but he is a great C who is an adequate run blocker and solid pass protector.  The only knock on him is his size, but engulfed by Joseph and Sears on both sides, he should fit into this line perfectly.   Rookie, Jeremy Zuttah, will most likely be the primary backup at all the interior line positions. I still think he has an outside chance to start at LT, but, appears to not have the quickness neccesary to do that in today’s NFL.  He does have experience there at Rutgers, so don’t automatically rule this scenario out.  Donald Penn finished the 2007 season as the starter for the Buccaneers.  He was a relative unknown to most Bucs fans to start the season, but the starting LT Luke Petigout was injured (fathom that) and Penn stepped in and played admirably.  I think that this should be an interesting camp battle, as Gruden seems to like Petigout, but his injury history is well known at this point.  Is it worth having the upgrade for 4 or 5 games until Petigout gets hurt, or continue to build some continuity with Penn as the starter.  Should be a good camp battle regardless. 

No Chance - Brian Johson, Dennis Roland

Battling for Spots - Dan Buenning, Anthony Davis, Chris Denman, Luke Petigout

I would personally like to carry 8 lineman going into the season, so there is a good chance the majority of these 4 will make the roster.  I once had high hopes for Buenning (so did Gruden) but his constant injury history has not let him get continued time on the field.  He can still provide a great backup at the interior positions, but might be behind Zuttah in that regard.  He may have a hard time making the roster for the Bucs in his 4th NFL season.  Denman was a 7th round pick of the Bucs in 2007, but was released right before the start of the season.  The Bucs resigned him in January of this season.  He could provide some depth at the tackle spots.  He is raw, and more likely to be moved to the practice squad.  Anthony Davis should have the easiest opportunity to make the roster.  In my opinion, not a real starting caliber player, but he has started for the Bucs in the past.  His real asset is the fact that he could truly play any position on our line and as a backup, that is invaluable.  Petigout was mentioned earlier in regards to Donald Penn.  If he is healthy through camp, he will certainly make the team.  An injury in camp, or a flare up of something that was already existing, he could end up on the chopping block. 

 

 

CCR No. 19 - NFC South Predictions!

Cat Crave Radio is back with our nineteenth episode!  We took our best shot at making predictions for the NFC South, Ranted and Raved, dug into the Police Blotter, Boomed and Busted and covered the top five issues facing the Carolina Panthers during trainig camp.

Our thanks to Brian Miller of Phin Phanatic for joining us once again!

Episode Nineteen:  July 20, 2008

In Episode Nineteen…

For a complete archive of our shows, visit our Radio Page.

A Future Hall Of Famer’s Take On Camp

You have to get yourself in a training-camp frame of mind. You go from being a full-fledged adult, paying taxes and everything else, to having to be in bed at 11 o’clock at night and in your room 15 minutes before that. It does somewhat belittle you to be put into that state. It builds camaraderie among the team to have everybody on the same page, so in that respect, it’s definitely worth it. Would I like to go home and sleep in my bed every night? Of course, but I understand the need for the camp regimen.

 

Saints Training Camp Schedule

All of the practices are at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. All Practices at Millsaps College are Open to the Public and pactice times can be changed at anytime. For the latest updates go to www.neworleanssaints.com.

***ALL MILLSAPS PRACTICES; FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC***

Thursday, July 24: 8:50-11 a.m.; 4:20-6 p.m.

Friday, July 25: 8:50-11 a.m.; 4:20-6 p.m.

Saturday, July 26: 8:50-11 a.m.; 4:20-6 p.m.

Sunday, July 27: 8:50-10:30 a.m. (walk-thru); 3:40-6 p.m.

Monday, July 28: 8:50-11 a.m.; 4:20-6 p.m.

Tuesday, July 29: 8:50-10:30 a.m.; 3:40-6 p.m.

Wednesday July 30: 8:50-10:30 a.m. (walk-thru); 3:40-6:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 31: 8:50-10:30 a.m.; 3:40-6 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 1: 8:50-11 a.m.; 4:20-6 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 2: PRACTICE TIME TBA — FAMILY DAY (Jackson Memorial Stadium)

Sunday, Aug. 3: No Practice: Players Off

Monday, Aug. 4: 8:50-11 a.m.; 4:20-6 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 5: 3:40-6 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 6: 8:50-11 a.m.; No afternoon practice — team travel day.

Thursday, Aug. 7: New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals, 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 8: No Practice: Players Off

Saturday, Aug. 9: 8:50-11 a.m.; 4:20-6 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 10: 8:50-10:30 a.m. 3:40-6 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 11: 8:50-11 a.m.; 4:20-6 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 12: Break camp, team returns to New Orleans.

*Practice times and field locations are subject to change with little or no advance warning due to weather considerations or at the discretion of the head coach.

*All Practices at Millsaps College are Open to the Public.

Why so serious?!

The Dark Knight. Easily the biggest movie of the year. The most talked about, the most hyped. But is it worth it…….. Yes, it is.

 

 We all know the story, we all know about Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale and we certainly know about Heath Ledger. But the movie is stronger than that, the movie is better than just that. It is the single best comic movie ever created. Far beond that fact it is probably the best one we will ever see EVER! I cannot imagine many films that have ever been this good. I cannot wrap my head around something so uncanny or that a mere comic book movie is one of the best movies I have ever seen, period end of discussion. The Dark Knight succeeds on all levels, it will please all people it will go down not only as the best comic book/sci-fi sequel to ever be created but I do put it with my favorite sequel of all time, The Godfather part 2. Not to mention of course one of my favorite movies, ever.

  Bale is great, what else can you say about him? He is the perfect casting, he brings so much depth to the role of Bruce Wayne and Batman that he is that character. The torture and the anger and the rage are so present yet beautifully repressed you forget where Bruce Wayne ends and where  Batman begins. (bad pun) Batman is what he has always been at the core of the character, just one inch from being the criminals he stalks. A criminal with a credo if you will.  He wears the weight of an entire population around his neck but it is that weight that gives the movie so much balance. That is the beauty of what Chritian Bale has done, he gave balance to the film. A superb job by a supurb actor.

 Before I go off on Heath Ledger I want to take a moment to talk about some of the other things that I feel other reviews have forgotten to give their proper due. First off whomever casts these movies deserves not only an oscar but a freaking nobel prize. Let’s take a moment to list just a few actors in the two Nolan Batman movies: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Tom Wilkinson, Liam Neeson, Rutger Hauer. That is just the first movie. Now add in Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Eric Roberts and of course Heath Ledger. 

 Heath Ledger has, simply stated redefined the role of the Joker forever. That is all I can really say. I feel at this point pretty much everything that could be said about his performance has already been said. Why potificate?! Becuase I fucking loved his performace. So awful so dirty so vile so perfect. Ledger is the closest thing our generation had to Brando. He died before he would have to bad movies with Matthew Broderick and he went out truly on top.

  First off I will tell all of you homophobic assholes to skip the next several lines because I loved Brokeback Mountain. I bought it the week it came out, I have loaned it to a half dozen friends that were too scared to see it in theaters or rent it in DVD and every one of them loved it too. Heath Ledger is an amazing actor and you know why… “He is fearless” to quote Christopher Nolan on his decision to cast Ledger. Fearless is the best word to decribe Ledger and his perfomance and it is how he should be remembered forever.

Camp Breakdown - Defensive Line

This is easily the Bucs strongest position on the field.  Defensive Coordinator Monte Kiffin and Head Coach Jon Gruden know that for the Tampa 2 defense to be succesful, pressure on the QB is ideal. Last season we had a deeper rotation on the defensive line with us regularly using 6 or 7 guys.  With the FA additions from the offseason, and the draft pick used in Round 4 at DT, I think the possibility of us using an 8 man rotation is a reality. 

Currently on the Roster - Gaines Adams, Chris Bradwell, Kevin Carter, Marques Douglas, Jovan Haye, Chris Hovan, Dre Moore, Greg Peterson, Ryan Sims, Greg White, Jimmy Wilkerson

Gauranteed Roster Spots - Gaines Adams

I know that it seems insane to only put 1 player out of 11 guys on the list for gauranteed spots, but I truly think the other 9 (Bradwell, no chance) are battling for the other 7 spots on the roster.  Adams had a tough first few games last year, but who wouldn’t facing the linkes of Jamaal Brown, Walter Jones, and some other top tier LT’s in the NFL.  He finished the season with 6 sacks and 38 tackles, and to me, looked like a rising star down the stretch for us.  He brings a lot of Simeon Rice to the table, but in my opinion, has the chance to be a much better player in run support.  He apparently stopped eating junk food this past offseason and came to OTA’s looking and feeling in the best shape of his life.  A 10+ sack season seems like an easy goal. 

No Chance - Chris Bradwell

Battling for Spots - Kevin Carter, Marques Douglas, Jovan Haye, Chris Hovan, Dre Moore, Greg Peterson, Ryan Sims, Greg White, Jimmy Wilkerson

I believe we are essentially looking at 3 more ends making the roster, 3 DT’s making the roster, and one kind of hybrid player to fill out the final spot.  Kevin Carter appeared to fit perfectly into our defense last season.  He finished the season with 54 total tackles, 3 sacks and a fumble recovery.  He would seemingly be battling the other two hybrid players on our roster, Jimmy Wilkerson and Marques Douglas.  I would say that there is a distinct possibility that both Douglas and Carter end up making the final roster due to their versatility.  Douglas finished the season with 74 tackles with the Niners and 3 sacks.  He was playing a hybrid end spot in their 3-4 scheme so I would expect those tackle numbers to come down a bit, but he also has the ability to increase the sack numbers.  Wilkerson brings the same kind of versatility to the table as Carter and Douglas, but just has not been as productive in his career as the two aforementioned players.  Greg White would seem to have a good chance of making the team after his 8 sack season last year.  He has been angling hard for a new deal, so I would not rule out some kind of trade by the Bucs, being as though we are stacked at this position.  Him and Gaines on passing downs though, should be a formidable duo.  That leaves Jovan Haye, Chris Hovan, Ryan Sims, Dre Moore and Greg Peterson battling for 3 spots on the line.  Ryan Sims showed the ability to be a nice cog in the middle in his brief time on the field last season.  It would appear as an outside observer that we would be more inclined to take 2nd year player Greg Peterson, who I think has a bright future, or rookie Dre Moore (whom the Bucs were apparently ecstatic to get in the draft) over Sims, due to the fact that we spent draft picks on both of them.  To me it seems like our DT tandem of the future would be Peterson and Moore, with Moore playing the run stuffing role, and Peterson being mini-Sapp.  Jovan Haye and Chris Hovan should still be provided the opportunity to maintain their starting positions from a year ago.  Hovan almost always seems to be in the middle of big plays, and is a fearless player with good leadership qualities.  He can’t dance for shit, which he does during every timeout at RayJay, but nonetheless is a scary, productive player.  Haye finished the season with 88 tackles and 6 sacks, and was a true bright spot on our Dline last season.  Another guy wanting a new deal, or he would have been put on the Gauranteed Roster Spot list.

Starters - RE/Adams, DT/Hovan, DT/Haye, LE/Kevin Carter

Backups - RE/Greg White, DT/Peterson, DT/Moore, LE/Douglas

 

 

Hooray for Hyperbole!

Hype, hype and more hype!  And it’s only July.

You’ve heard it.  I’ve heard it.  There is no offseason.  There is certainly no offseason for hype, that’s for sure.

The boss (one of them) has been a busy dude somehow acquiring tickets to the most hyped movie in ten years - The Dark Knight.  I guess he figured since he was forced to pay an extravagent amount for those tickets, he better write something about it.  It’s a very good article that deserves two gold stars, a box of Twinkies and deserves to be placed on the refrigerator door.

So, while contemplating the change from my moth-riddled, favorite t-shirt that I’ve now been wearing for four days (thank you, Bob Costas), I was also paying heed to the summer blockbusters and all of the drivel great movies churned out by the movie machine in Hollywood.

The mission became clear - actually do some work so the boss doesn’t can me…or was it something else?  Oh, yeah!  It was to create a list of movies and how they relate to the Carolina Panthers and some of their key players.  Off we go right after you click on this fancy little link right here!

The Adventures of Pluto Nash

The Panthers are getting no love.  None.  Nada.  Zilch.

Every online and print publication is hyping the Cowboys, Patriots, Colts, Chargers, Packers but not our Panthers.  They are being treated as if they are the “Adventures of Pluto Nash” of this season.  You know, the crappy team that has no shot whatsoever.

All of the “experts” point to Jake Delhomme’s elbow and say, “See!!!!!  He had Tommy John surgery!”

Yes he did.

Maybe they haven’t heard the news that he was sharp in mini camp.  Perhaps they had their heads in the sand when Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad, two guys who know something about what a quarterback should look like, said that he looked better than they recall him looking for a long time.

This team is capable of some big things.  Let the hype machine overlook them.  No problem.  They’ll be able to shock the NFL world!

No Country For Old Men

They say that Muhsin Muhammad lost a step.  They believe that he was given a chance to succeed in Chicago for three years even while playing with the worst group of quarterbacks to come down the pike in a generation.

Worst of all, they think that at 35 years old and after 13 years in the league that he won’t be able to contribute much.  He’s simply too old, they say.

Shoot, check this guy out doing an interview on the sidelines after a practice session.  Have these pundits been paying attention?  I doubt they were in this kind of physical condition when they were 25, much less when they were 35.

Moose keeps himself in tremendous shape.  He runs some of the best routes in the NFL.  Just as important, his downfield blocking is a critical addition to the Panthers offense.

The Bank Job

It isn’t the best known movie and neither is the situation with Jordan Gross.

The deadline to finish a deal with Gross came and went on Tuesday.  If a new contract isn’t worked out, he’ll be playing this season for $7.455 million.  If he is franchised again next year, due to a required 20% increase in salary, he’ll be getting at least $8.946 million.  That number could increase since he has to be paid, as a franchise player, the average salary of the top five at his position in the league.

No news is bad news, potentially.  Carolina needs to secure Gross’ services for the future as soon as they can.  Great or even very good tackles don’t grow on trees in the NFL.

No matter what, Jordan Gross will be laughing all the way to the bank very soon.

Man On Fire

Is John Fox on the hot seat?  Does Jerry Richardson want to can him if the team doesn’t win this season?

There have been two poor seasons during John Fox’s tenure that have been brought about by injuries - one lost to injuries along the offensive line the other when quarterbacks were harder to come by than cheap gas.

It can be argued that he failed to plan ahead in the event that injuries hit his squad.  Maybe he wasn’t thinking ahead.

However, it can also be argued that this man has led the Carolina Panthers to one Super Bowl and within one game of another after inheriting one of the biggest piles of dung in the NFL.  How many coaches can say that?

If John Fox is on the hot seat, I’m not sure who would be hired to replace him.  Who out there is thinking of one Bill Cowher?

Cloverfield

Mayhem.  Horror. Destruction.  Terror.

These were all things that Julius Peppers was inflicting on opposing offenses right up to the end of the 2006 season.

Then came 2007.

His play last season made us all wonder what was wrong.  Was it double teams?  The defensive game plan?  A lack of motivation?

Much like the movie, Julius cannot become that entity that arrives with much fanfare and hype and can’t seem to deliver.  He must figure it out now.  We can’t handle a repeat performance of what we saw a year ago.

More importantly for J-Pepp, he’s going into a contract year and is due a huge payday.  The team is already negotiating with him in good faith feeling as if he will return to his old self again.  If a deal can’t be reached, he’ll have to earn that paycheck on the field in ‘08.

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While we’re at it, I’d like to inform you of a new Fan Sided blog that recently took to the internets.  It’s called 12th Man Rising and it’s dedicated to the Seattle Seahawks.  Visit David Sanders who has all of the latest news and info on the Seahawks.

Top Ten Moments in Panthers History - Number One

Here we are.  Finally!  We have reached number one in our countdown of the Top Ten Moments in Carolina Panthers History.  It only took 22 days to do this.  There’s just something about wearing the same t-shirt for four days that makes a guy lazy.

There is a tremendous potential here for a few complaints for the choice at number one.  Some might point out that the team lost the game.  But there is no bigger stage in sports and rarely is there ever a game played filled with more drama.  Even more rare, is the long list of great plays and players from this game.

Without further ado…

#1.  Super Bowl XXXVIII - Carolina Panthers versus New England Patriots, February 2, 2004 (Houston - Reliant Stadium)

The Carolina Panthers were not supposed to be here.  They had finished the season 11-5 and claimed the NFC South title but had to play three playoff games, two on the road.  They were the ultimate underdog playing against a New England team that was on its way to building a dynasty having won the Super Bowl two years before.

But something happened on the way to the blowout that so many were expecting - the Carolina Panthers showed up.  These Cardiac Cats, led by Jake Delhomme, one of the most intriguing stories in years and a comeback player of the year candidate in Stephen Davis.

The defense was no slouch either.  They had held down the Cowboys, the high-powered Rams and the Eagles to reach this moment.

The first quarter was marked by big plays that would prevent any scoring.

Despite an early drive, the Patriots would experience a rarity - a missed 31-yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri.  For the first time in six games, the Patriots failed to score on their first possession of the game.

Things were even tougher for the Carolina offense as they gained only three yards on their first three possessions.  The Patriots defense was harrassing Jake Delhomme who started just 1 of 9.  They were also successful in shutting down Stephen Davis and the running game.

Again, the Patriots were able to mount another drive but Vinatieri was still unable to put them on the scoreboard.  Shane Burton rose up from the middle of the defensive line to get his right hand on the kick and the game remained scoreless.

Then with just over five minutes to go before the half, Mike Vrabel sacked Delhomme forcing a fumble which New England recovered at the Panthers’ 20 yard line.  It didn’t take long for them to capitalize as Tom Brady hit Deion Branch from 5 yards out four plays later to take a 7-0 lead.

Something must have clicked on the Carolina sidelines when the score went up on the board because the offense woke up from their slumber as they put together a beautiful drive with only 3:10 to go in the half.  Taking possession at his own five yard line, Delhomme would guide his team downfield.

With passes eating up chunks of real estate, the Panthers moved the ball to the Patriots 39 where Delhomme would hit Steve Smith with a perfectly thrown pass down the left sideline for the score.  Suddenly, the game was tied at seven.

Carolina had left just over a minute on the clock - it was too much.  Tom Brady would hit Branch again deep down the middle of the field highlighting a furious drive that would move them 72 yards in only 36 seconds.  The drive ended on a five-yard pass to David Givens for a 14-7 lead.

Amazingly, the half still wasn’t over as Stephen Davis was able to break a long run and the Panthers were able to position themselves for a 50-yard field goal by John Kasay to take the game to the half with New England leading 14-10.

The second half started much like the first quarter had started as the defenses assumed control - at least until late in the period when the Patriots offense again awoke to move the ball to the Carolina four yard line.  After a two-yard penalty was assessed, Antowain Smith took the ball to the house giving New England a 21-10 lead.

Jake wasn’t done.  Far from it.  On the ensuing Carolina possession, he would take his team the distance on a 6-play, 83-yard drive that was capped off with a beautiful run by DeShaun Foster from 33 yards out.  Foster took the handoff, started up the middle, cut left, split defenders, cut left again breaking a tackle, then broke free down the left sideline.  He would leave his feet and fly the remaining 9 feet, ball outstretched, parallel to the ground for the score.

Coach John Fox elected to attempt a two-point conversion to cut the lead to 3.  It didn’t work.  Jake Delhomme’s pass down the middle intended for Muhsin Muhammad fell incomplete and the score remained 21-16 in New England’s favor.

An answer followed from Tom Brady.  He drove his team from his own 27 in nine plays to the Carolina 9-yard line.  But Reggie Howard would make a crucial interception two yards deep in the end zone and return it to the ten yard line.  A five-yard penalty on the Patriots would set the stage for one of the single prettiest plays in Carolina Panthers history.

Two incomplete passes would start the next possession for Delhomme and the Panthers but on third down, Jake lofted a perfect spiral down the left sideline, hitting Muhsin Muhammad at the New England 33 in stride.  He would race the distance to complete a Super Bowl-record 85-yard touchdown pass.  Suddenly, the underdog Panthers had the lead 22-21 desite a second failed two-point conversion.

Something special was hapening but everyone watching had to know that Tom Brady wasn’t finished yet.  They were right.

The Patriots would begin at their own 32.  They moved the ball effectively, taking eleven plays, including only two running plays, to re-take the lead.  It was a one-yard pass to Mike Vrabel followed by a rush by Kevin Faulk for the two-point conversion that made the score 29-22 in favor of the Pats.

Jake Delhomme got the ball back with only 2:51 remaining.  He didn’t disappoint moving the team from his own 37 to the New England 12 in 6 plays.  The drive was capped by a 12-yard pass to Ricky Proehl and the game was tied at 29.

Still, how many were looking up at the game clock?  Did everyone watching ask the same question:  Are those 68 seconds left on the clock too much time?

Panthers fans would not receive the answer they wanted.

The ensuing kickoff by John Kasay went out of bounds down the right sideline.  Now, not only did Brady have time but he also had great field position at his own 40.

He would begin the winning drive with back to back 13-yard passes to Troy Brown.  Then a four-yard pass to Daniel Graham and a 17-yard pass to Deion Branch.  Suddenly the ball was at the Carolina 23 setting up Adam Vinatieri for a 41-yard field goal.  This time, he would be dead on and down the center with only 4 ticks left on the clock.

Carolina could muster little on the final kickoff and the game was over as New England had prevailed 32-29.

It was a loss on the biggest stage that professional sports can provide but the Panthers valient effort saw many outstanding individual performances.

Mike Minter had broken his foot in the third quarter yet he played on totalling 14 tackles; Jake Delhomme put up 323 yards passing while throwing 3 TDs; Muhsin Muhammad had 4 catches for 140 yards and 1 TD; Dan Morgan had a game-high 18 tackles while Will Witherspoon added 13 of his own.

The day belonged to New England but the Carolina Panthers gained the world’s respect in defeat.  It was a bittersweet end to an amazing season.

Top Ten Moment in Panthers History - Number Ten

Top Ten Moment in Panthers History - Number Nine

Top Ten Moment in Panthers History - Number Eight

Top Ten Moment in Panthers History - Number Seven

Top Ten Moment in Panthers History - Number Six

Top Ten Moment in Panthers History - Number Five

Top Ten Moment in Panthers History - Number Four

Top Ten Moment in Panthers History - Number Three

Top Ten Moment in Panthers History - Number Two

Camp Breakdown - Sam Linebacker

This is a tough spot for the Buccaneers.  Last season Cato June was supposedly the starting SLB, but primarily played the Will spot on every down but first down.  We have a few hybrid players that can play this position.  This is one of the few spots on the entire Buccaneers roster that I believe is open for competition come training camp time.  It became obvious to anyone watching the Bucs last season that Derrick Brooks had lost a step (I love Derrick Brooks, so hopefully nobody tries to Duemig me and say I hate the guy).   Cato June could permanently move to WLB, with someone stepping up and taking over this SLB spot on a more permanent basis. 

Currently on the Roster - Cato June, Ryan Nece, Charles Bennett, Quincy Black

Gauranteed Roster Spots - Cato June, Quincy Black

As I stated previously I think the coaching staff has high hopes for Quincy Black.  Would our defense be much worse if Cato moved to the WLB spot and Quincy Black won the SLB spot outright in camp.  DB could still get 20 snaps a game on defense, and his leadership is still top notch.     This should be a great camp battle in my opinion. 

No Chance - All have a chance to make the roster

Battling for Spots - Ryan Nece, Charles Bennet

Ryan Nece would make the perfect 5th LB on a corp that consisted of Ruud, DB, Quincy Black and Cato June.  Nece has the ability to play all 3 spots on our LB corps.  Former Clemson LB Charles Bennett, a 7th round draft pick of the Bucs in ‘06 is battling Nece for the 5th LB spot.  He brings some versatility to the table ala Ryan Nece.  He was on the IR last season with a knee injury so he will have to prove to the Bucs that he is healthy and able to supplant a guy in Nece where we know what he is capable of bringing to the table. 

Camp Breakdown - Mike Linebacker

The emergence of 3rd year MLB Barrett Ruud truly solidified our LB corps last season.  He finished the season with 114 solo tackles and 31 assists, to go along with 2 INT and 3 fumble recoveries.  We had to morph our standard Tampa 2 defense into a more traditional Cover 2 with Ruud though.  Previous MLB Shelton Quarles was much more adept in coverage whereas Barrett reminds me of Zach Thomas, a tackling machine.  The defense seemed to integrate seamlessly into this style though, as more emphasis was put on the coverage skills of Tanard Jackson at FS.  The Bucs signed multiple MLB free agent’s this summer who all should have to battle for roster spots. 

Currently on the Roster - Barrett Ruud, Adam Heyward, Teddy Lehman, Matt McCoy

Gauranteed Spots - Barrett Ruud

Ruud is entrenched at the starting spot, and the rest of the members of this crew will be battling it out for the backup MLB spot in camp. 

No Chance - All have a chance to make the roster

Battling for Spots - Adam Heyward, Teddy Lehman, Matt McCoy

Adam Heyward has the upper hand on recent FA additions Teddy Lehman and Matt McCoy.  He proved to be an invaluable member of our special teams, and saw some spot duty as the backup Mike position.  He was also a draft choice of the Bucs in ‘06 so we have a little more vested in him than we do in Lehman and McCoy.  McCoy has been a solid special teams player throughout his career and if either of these guys are going to make the roster, it is going to be primarily in that role.  Lehman is kind of a poor mans Ruud, but the ability of Ryan Nece to play the backup MLB spot, as well as my opinion that in our defense, Derrick Brooks would make a solid Mike Linebacker, Lehman has the longest odds of anyone of making the team. 

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