Tampa comings and goings

May 30, 2008   ·   Paul Raymond   ·   Jump to comments

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a few minor roster moves today, neither of which should come as any huge surprise. The team re-signed tight end Jerramy Stevens and decided to let Bruce Gradkowski try and find a quarterback job elsewhere. Each move represents something completely different thou, at the QB position the team is very over loaded and it was known they needed to clean out some guys. While, at the tight end position, some may of thought the team was set with the current group but this signing of Stevens may cast some doubt on the cast. Let’s take a look at both.

First, the QB position. It’s been widely discussed all off-season on which guys would get a chance to earn a spot during training camp. Yea, thats right get a chance to earn a spot. The Buccaneers currently, have 6 players on their roster at the position, well technically 5 now with the release of Gradkowski. The team now has Jeff Garcia, Briean Griese, Luke McCown, Chris Simms, rookie Josh Johnson and retired Jake Plummer. Yes, Plummer is still on the roster and the team is still holding out hope that he someday decides to return. General Manager Bruce Allen has said since the beginning no more then 5 of the guys will be brought to Disney when camp starts. Question is 5 active QB’s, or 5 including Plummer?

If its 5 active QB’s then, Gradkowski was an obvious release out of the group. He did start 11 games in 2006, his rookie season, going 3-8 with a QB Rating of 65.9. In 2007, he saw action in 4 games but only threw a total of 24 passes. Bruce thou doesn’t really fit the offense Jon Gruden runs, yes he has mobility, yes he’s very accurate in the short game, but he has NO accuracy downfield. He’s nothing more then a #2 or #3 guy, even in a West Coast system. Being so young, there most likely will be a team who gives him a chance.

If the team decides to go with 4 active, and Jake Plummer as the 5th QB, then we have another release coming some time soon. To me, if this is the situation, would come down to Luke McCown and Chris Simms. Josh Johnson is a rookie, a 5th round draft pick, should get plenty of time in training camp to earn a roster spot. In a McCown / Simms battle, you have to give McCown the advantage. Basically, just off pure appearances in the last year and health. Simms claims he’s healthy, but who really knows. McCown, we know can perform and he did at a good level last year in his 5 games. McCown only went 1-2 as a starter but did have a 91.7 QB rating, throwing for over 1000 yards, with 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. McCown welcomes the challenge of competing for a roster spot too.

“There hasn’t been many times in my football career, be it high school, college or pro that I’m not competing for a spot, for a job, for something. For me, it’s been expected. I almost look forward to it.”

Ok, this article is turning a lot longer then I originally expected it to, but let’s look at the Bucs’ tight end situation now. Stevens had an Ok season last year with the Bucs, catching 18 balls for 189 yards in 15 games. He really didn’t become a threat in the passing game thou, till late in the season when Gruden finally started to utilize his 6′7 frame. He caught 8 of those passes in the teams final two games. Tampa will now go in to training camp with 4 tight ends, the others include Ben Troupe, Alex Smith and John Gilmore.

Only one I’d say guaranteed a roster spot is Smith, he’s been a solid performer and arguably had his best season to date in 2007. Troupe was brought in from Tennessee Titans, where he was virtually a non-factor in 2007. Which is pretty strange seeing how in 2005 he caught 55 balls for over 500 yards, last year 5 catches. Having Bo Scaife will kill his numbers some, but Troupe become non-existent, you have to wonder has he already peaked or just not being used right? Gilmore himself was brought in from the Chicago Bears, where he was purely a blocking tight end.

If Gruden decides to keep one true blocking tight end, then you’d expect the 3rd tight end spot to come to a Troupe/Stevens battle. The winner would most likely be who can help stretch defenses the most down the middle. Both are tall, Troupe is 6′4 and well once again Stevens is 6′7.

One thing that is proved by all this depth, is Jon Gruden wants to keep his players battling for roster spots. Can’t wait to see how it works out for the Bucs.

“I’m going into my fourth year with the Bucs and it’s come to be expected here a little bit to not have a guaranteed position,” McCown said. “Not just at the quarterback position, but they bring in running backs and receivers every year to compete. Coach Gruden feels like that’s the best way to get the best out of a player and I would agree with him.

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