2010 Roster Cutdown, Part 1

Let's see if we can work out the 53-man roster before Saturday -- first thing is to see who played in the more meaningful preseason games (Note: the fourth game of preseason is a glorified scrimmage between reserves.  If you stand out only in the fourth game of preseason, it's because you are only as good as the reserves of the other team).

So the first data we will use is the following chart, organized by team jersey number, of who played in what game.  The top two sections are the starters (first offense, then defense) and the rest of the list is people who substituted in during the game.  Of course, if you started all three preseason games, you've made the squad.


More data is coming soon . . . .

Week 1	Week 2	Week 3
Starters: Offense
WR 19 M.Williams	WR 19 M.Williams	WR 19 M.Williams
LT 70 D.Penn	LT 70 D.Penn	LT 70 D.Penn
LG 76 J.Zuttah	LG 76 J.Zuttah	LG 66 K.Vincent
C 52 J.Faine	C 52 J.Faine	C 52 J.Faine
RG 75 D.Joseph	RG 75 D.Joseph	RG 76 J.Zuttah
RT 65 J.Trueblood	RT 65 J.Trueblood	RT 65 J.Trueblood
TE 86 J.Stevens	TE 86 J.Stevens	TE 82 K.Winslow
WR 85 M.Stovall	WR 15 R.Brown	WR 18 S.Stroughter
QB 5 J.Freeman	QB 5 J.Freeman	QB 11 J.Johnson
FB 34 E.Graham	FB 34 E.Graham	FB 34 E.Graham
RB 24 C.Williams	RB 24 C.Williams	RB 24 C.Williams
Starters: Defense
LE 94 K.Moore	LE 94 K.Moore	LE 94 K.Moore
DT 93 G.McCoy	DT 93 G.McCoy	DT 93 G.McCoy
DT 90 R.Miller	DT 90 R.Miller	DT 90 R.Miller
RE 91 S.White	RE 91 S.White	RE 91 S.White
SLB 58 Q.Black	SLB 58 Q.Black	SLB 58 Q.Black
MLB 51 B.Ruud	MLB 51 B.Ruud	MLB 51 B.Ruud
WLB 54 G.Hayes	WLB 54 G.Hayes	WLB 54 G.Hayes
LCB 33 E.Mack	LCB 25 A.Talib	LCB 25 A.Talib
RCB 20 R.Barber	RCB 20 R.Barber	RCB 20 R.Barber
SS 21 S.Piscitelli	SS 26 S.Jones	SS 26 S.Jones
FS 36 T.Jackson	FS 36 T.Jackson	FS 36 T.Jackson
Substitutions:
P 1 B.Bowden	P 1 B.Bowden	P 1 B.Bowden
K 8 H.Lawrence	K 8 H.Lawrence		[CUT]
K 10 C.Barth	K 10 C.Barth	K 10 C.Barth
QB 11 J.Johnson	QB 11 J.Johnson
QB 12 R.Carpenter	QB 12 R.Carpenter	QB 12 R.Carpenter
WR 13 C.Brooks			[CUT]
WR 15 R.Brown		WR 15 R.Brown
WR 17 A.Benn	WR 17 A.Benn	WR 17 A.Benn
WR 18 S.Stroughter	WR 18 S.Stroughter
	S 21 S.Piscitelli	S 21 S.Piscitelli
		RB 22 C.Smith
	CB 23 M.Lewis	CB 23 M.Lewis
S 26 S.Jones
CB 27 D.Pasco			[CUT]
	CB 27 T.Williams	CB 27 T.Williams
RB 28 D.Ward	RB 28 D.Ward	RB 28 D.Ward	[CUT]
CB 29 D.Roberson	CB 29 D.Roberson	CB 29 D.Roberson
FB 30 R.Taylor	FB 30 R.Taylor	FB 30 R.Taylor
CB 31 E.Biggers	CB 31 E.Biggers	CB 31 E.Biggers
RB 32 K.Huggins	RB 32 K.Huggins	RB 32 K.Huggins
	CB 33 E.Mack	CB 33 E.Mack
S 35 C.Grimm	S 35 C.Grimm	S 35 C.Grimm
S 37 V.Anderson	S 37 V.Anderson	S 37 V.Anderson
CB 38 B.Anderson	CB 38 B.Anderson	CB 38 B.Anderson
RB 39 C.Brown	RB 39 C.Brown
S 41 C.Lynch	S 41 C.Lynch	S 41 C.Lynch
	S 43 D.Hall		[CUT]
LB 44 R.McCoy	LB 44 R.McCoy	LB 44 R.McCoy
FB 45 C.Pressley	FB 45 C.Pressley	FB 45 C.Pressley
TE 46 R.Purvis	TE 46 R.Purvis	TE 46 R.Purvis
LS 48 A.Economos	LS 48 A.Economos	LS 48 A.Economos
LB 49 L.Robinson	LB 49 L.Robinson	LB 49 L.Robinson
LB 50 J.Alston	LB 50 J.Alston		[IR]
LB 53 N.Koutouvides	LB 53 N.Koutouvides	LB 53 N.Koutouvides
LB 56 D.Watson	LB 56 D.Watson	LB 56 D.Watson
LB 57 A.Hayward	LB 57 A.Hayward	LB 57 A.Hayward
C 59 D.Raiola	C 59 D.Raiola	C 59 D.Raiola
DE 60 J.Ruffin	DE 60 J.Ruffin	DE 60 J.Ruffin
C 61 J.Compas	C 61 J.Compas	C 61 J.Compas
OL 62 M.Dile	OL 62 M.Dile	OL 62 M.Dile
G 66 K.Vincent	G 66 K.Vincent
		DE 67 G.Johnson
T 68 X.Fulton	T 68 X.Fulton	T 68 X.Fulton
T 69 D.Dotson
DL 71 M.Bennett	DL 71 M.Bennett	DL 71 M.Bennett
DE 72 B.Gilbeaux	DE 72 B.Gilbeaux	DE 72 B.Gilbeaux	[CUT]
T 73 D.Hardman	T 73 D.Hardman	T 73 D.Hardman
DT 74 C.Powell	DT 74 C.Powell	DT 74 C.Powell
T 77 J.Lee	T 77 J.Lee	T 77 J.Lee
WR 80 M.Clayton	WR 80 M.Clayton	WR 80 M.Clayton
WR 81 M.Spurlock	WR 81 M.Spurlock	WR 81 M.Spurlock
WR 83 T.Nunn	WR 83 T.Nunn	WR 83 T.Nunn	[CUT]
TE 84 J.Mastrud	TE 84 J.Mastrud	TE 84 J.Mastrud
		TE 86 J.Stevens
WR 87 P.Parker	WR 87 P.Parker	WR 87 P.Parker
TE 88 J.Gilmore	TE 88 J.Gilmore	TE 88 J.Gilmore
	DT 92 B.Price	DT 92 B.Price
DT 95 D.Moore	DT 95 D.Moore	DT 95 D.Moore
DE 96 T.Crowder	DE 96 T.Crowder	DE 96 T.Crowder
DE 97 E.Lorig	DE 97 E.Lorig	DE 97 E.Lorig
DT 98 R.Sims	DT 98 R.Sims	DT 98 R.Sims

Kyle Moore Emerging Quickly

With 10 days of training camp in the books some trends are starting to emerge and some trends are continuing. 

One of those continuing trends is the stock of the Buccaneers 2009 Draft Class.  Not just because first round pick Josh Freeman is showing leadership and keeping a firm grip on the starting quarterback position.  Not just because third rounder Roy Miller is continuing to develop into a dominating physical presence inside.  Not just because seventh rounder Sammie Stroughter could be an opening day starter.

The big boost to the power of the 2009 draft class is the player showing the most improvement during training camp of all the 2nd year players:  2009 fourth round defensive end Kyle Moore.

Moore has been a consistent force from the right end position during camp.  He shows no signs of the nagging injuries which haunted his rookie year.  And he looks every bit the part of an emerging difference maker.

His improvement shows the faith placed on him by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will reap deep rewards.  Those rewards are easy to see --  without such faith, the Buccaneers would not have one of defensive tackle Brian Price, wide receiver Arrelious Benn, cornerback Myron Lewis, or wide receiver Mike Williams, opting instead to draft another defensive end with one of those 2010 picks.  Considering all four of those players have worked their way into the two deep (with two possibly starting on Week 1), the value of Kyle Moore and the importance of his emergence becomes obvious.

Solid play by Moore can also bring another benefit -- Tim Crowder can continue to backup Stylez White, putting the Buccaneers top two sack producers in a rotation at right defensive end.  Keeping the pressure coming from the right puts the heat right in the quarterback's face and will help the Buccaneers improve their defensive performance in 2010.

Watch for Moore (#94, left defensive end) on the first defensive series Saturday night against the Dolphins.  It could be the next piece of a nasty pass rush falling into place.

2010 Offseason: The Defensive Front

The Buccaneers defensive line was in need of an overhaul after the 3-13 season of 2009.

Interior defensive linemen accounted for just 3.5 sacks (Hovan 0.5, Sims 1.0, Miller 2.0, D. Moore 0.0) and 159 tackles (Hovan 57, Sims 48, Miller 54, D. Moore 0.0) last season which averages out to less than 0.25 sacks per game and around 10 tackles per game.  The unit was ravaged by teams with strong rushing attacks. The edges of the defensive line were in a constant state of flux last year.  The defensive ends as a unit were not nearly productive or disruptive enough to put real teeth into opposing offenses.

But by far the most disturbing defensive statistic for 2009 was the Buccaneers giving up 158.2 rushing yards per game -- worst in the NFL.  No wonder the Buccaneers used the first two picks (and their last pick) in the 2010 draft to update the front wall of the defense.


Defensive Ends

Name	Strt/Gms	H/W	Acquired
Gilbeaux, Brandon	0/0	6'3" 270 lbs	(2010 College Free Agent)
Johnson, George	0/0	6'4" 265 lbs	(2010 College Free Agent)
Ruffin, James	0/0	6'4" 263 lbs	(2010 College Free Agent)
Lorig, Erik	0/0	6'3" 281 lbs	(2010 Draft Pick)
Evans, Maurice	0/0	6'2" 265 lbs	(2009 Waiver Wire)
Bennett, Michael	0/7	6'3" 274 lbs	(2009 Waiver Wire)
Moore, Kyle	0/8	6'5" 272 lbs	(2009 Draft Pick)
2009 Final Game Starters:
LE: Crowder, Tim	4/15	6'4" 275 lbs	(2009 Waiver Wire)
RE: White, Stylez	8/15	6'3" 270 lbs	(2007 Signee (Arena))

The rebuilding frenzy over the past year at this position is obvious.  General Manager Mark Dominik literally rebuilt this unit from the gound up during the 2009 season.  The men who started Game 1 of the 2009 season, Jimmy Wilkerson (gone to the Saints) and Gaines Adams (traded to Chicago before his tragic passing), are no longer with the team.

There are signs of progress, however.  White was the sack leader last year with 6.5 sacks while only starting half the season.  Crowder contributed 3.5 sacks and finished the season as a starter after being claimed off the wiaver wire (from Denver) after the first game in 2009.  Kyle Moore had a rough rookie season working through some nagging injuries but, along with Micheal Bennett, started to come on late in the 2009 season.

Tampa carried four defensive ends on the 53 man roster last year.  Based on experience alone White, Crowder, K. Moore, and Bennett are the front runners this offseason.  With the drafting of Lorig, however, the team may opt to keep a fifth this year to give the rookie time to develop or may try to transition him to the practice squad.


Defensive Line

Name	Strt/Gms	H/W	Acquired
McCoy, Gerald	0/0	6'4" 295 lbs	(2010 Draft Pick)
Price, Brian	0/0	6'1" 303 lbs	(2010 Draft Pick)
Moore, Dre	0/7	6'4" 305 lbs	(2008 Draft Pick)
Miller, Roy	1/15	6'2" 310 lbs	(2009 Draft Pick)
2009 Final Game Starter:
DT: Sims, Ryan	16/16	6'4" 315 lbs	(2007 Trade - Chiefs)

The other 2009 Final Game Starter was Chris Hovan, who was released by the Buccaneers shortly after the 2010 draft.  With an open starting spot here the competition will be fierce.  Keep in mind this is a "group position" for Tampa Bay so the quality of depth is as essential as the starting pair.  Will the Buccaneers give five roster spots to this position in 2010 (only four were carried on the active roster in2009)?  McCoy and Price will be involved starting with Game 1 of 2010, but how much will they be able to contribute?

This will be a telltale offseason for Dre Moore.  Most defensive tackles have a magical third season where everything starts to come together.  Fortunately for Moore this is his third season and he will need the magic to compete with the talent and experience around him.

Ryan Sims has his experience to fall back on but will that be enough to keep the youth from overrunning the position?  If the Buccaneers decide to only keep four defensive tackles on the active roster this season I believe it will come down to a decision between Sims and Moore.  Considering the youth, however, I am pulling for all five men to play in 2010.  Since nobody on this unit is even a consideration for the practice squad there will be a lot of learn-by-playing at this position.

All four of the positions in the defensive trenches will be closely watched this offseason.  Significant improvement here could make all the difference in the 2010 season.

Walk The Draft With The GM

Get a review from the GM himself -- Tampa Bay General Manager Mark Dominik held a press conference after each draft session.  Hearing them in order gives a great sense of what went on during the draft.  Also, meet Gerald McCoy and hear Head Coach Raheem Morris' analysis of the full draft.  Enjoy!


Round 1:
Rd 1: Gerald McCoy, Defensive Tackle, Oklahoma
GM Mark Dominik Post-Round 1 Press Conference
Introducing Gerald McCoy

Rounds 2 and 3:
Rd 2: Brian Price, Defensive Tackle, UCLA
Rd 2: Arrelious Benn, Wide Receiver, Illinois
Rd 3: Myron Lewis, Cornerback, Vanderbilt
GM Mark Dominik Post-Round 3 Press Conference
 
Rounds 4-7:
Rd 4: Mike Williams, Wide Receiver, Syracuse
Rd 6: Brent Bowden, Punter, Virginia Tech
Rd 7: Cody Grimm, Safety, Virginia Tech
Rd 7: Dekota Watson, Linebacker, Florida State
Rd 7: Erik Lorig, Defensive End, Stanford
GM Mark Dominik Post Draft Press Conference
Head Coach Raheem Morris Post Draft Press Conference

Buccaneers Solidify The Roster With 2010 Draft

How did the Buccaneers do against the identified needs list?

Four picks in the first three rounds:
Defensive Lineman - Round 1, Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
Corner - Round 3, Myron Lewis, CB, Vanderbilt
Safety - Round 7 Cody Grimm, S, Virginia Tech
Wide Receiver - Round 2, Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
Three picks in rounds 4 through 6:
Center or versatile Guard - None
Another Defensive Lineman - Round 2, Brian Price, DT, UCLA
A Middle Linebacker - Round 7, Dekota Watson, LB, Florida State
Four picks in the 7th round:
Wide Receiver - Round 4, Mike Williams, WR, Syracuse
Tight End - None
Running back - None
Another Linebacker - None

The Bucs actually had 12 picks when the draft started.  They traded two of the 7th rounders for a 5th Round Pick in 2011 and used their 5th rounder to move up in the 2nd round leaving nine total selections. Seven of the nine selections were at positions previously identified as a need.  Two later selections which fell outside my needs chart were:
Round 7, Erik Lorig, DE, Stanford
Round 6, Brent Bowden, P, Virginia Tech

The Buccaneers valued a second defensive lineman and second wide receiver more than I did.  I valued an interior offensive lineman more than the Buccaneers this year.  We pretty much agreed on the other 7 bringing youthful depth to the roster.

A considerable amount of talent has been added to the Buccaneers roster.  McCoy was rated by some as the top player in the entire draft and Price and Benn were widely regarded as having first round talent.  That means the Buccaneers scored three drafts worth of top flight talent.  If these players reach their NFL potential, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are two years ahead of where they would be after a draft with "normal" talent levels.

Mike Williams and Myron Lewis are also considered more talented than their draft position as well.  Williams, in fact, had a value which had been lowered by many teams due to factors which are not football related.  If indeed these factors are behind him he could be a significant talent for a fourth round pick.  These players represent additional acceleration of the Buccaneers talent beyond a single draft year.

The late picks were specifically targeted for special teams play according to GM Mark Dominik.  This is typical of any draft.

If you consider this draft class in three pieces, arranged by "normal draft talent", it could look like this:
A) DT McCoy, CB Lewis, S Grimm
B) DT Price, WR Williamis, LB Watson
C) WR Benn,  P Bowden,  DE Lorig
Sprinkle in some 2010 undrafted free agents into each group as "normal late round picks" (Tampa signed a dozen), and you can see how this comes close to three years of solid drafting all wrapped up in one package.

In one weekend, the Buccaneers moved forward in the rebuilding process by at least one extra year.  And that makes looking forward to this fall a lot of fun!!