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Bucs Preseason: The Highs

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 15, 2008

The Battle at Flanker

The competition for the starting flanker job figured to be one of camp's most intriguing, and it was. Antonio Bryant, Michael Clayton and Maurice Stovall all proved to be big playmakers during drills. With unheralded receivers such as Brian Clark and Micheal Spurlock pushing them for playing time, this battle figures to rage for weeks. It's hard to imagine the Bucs being truly formidable without split end Joey Galloway, but the play of Bryant, Clayton and Stovall was enough to suggest the Bucs still could move the ball even if Galloway never plays a down.

The Chris Simms Saga

Chris Simms spent the entire offseason trying to get out of the Bucs organization. He really didn't want to come to camp, but he is probably glad he did. Simms' chances of making this team remain slim, but it could be argued that Simms deserves a roster spot as much as anyone at his position. None of the contenders for the backup job definitively outplayed Simms in drills or in the first exhibition game, though all had the distinct advantage of playing at some point during the past 12 months. Simms appears well on his way to re-establishing himself as an NFL-caliber quarterback. The only question remaining is where in the NFL he will play this year.

The Emergence Of Michael Bennett

The Bucs are eager to get RB Cadillac Williams back, but the need to rush him into the lineup was all but erased by the emergence of Michael Bennett. Arguably the most impressive back in Bucs training camp this year, Bennett had a solid game against Miami in the preseason opener. He is a versatile back with tremendous speed. If he stays healthy and continues to play at the level he did in camp, he will give the Bucs the home-run threat they lost when Williams went down last year with a career-threatening knee injury.

Bucs Undercover

It wasn't a big hit with the fans, because it kept them from watching the workouts. The players loved it, though, and the coaches might never stop raving about it. For the first time, the Bucs used an air-conditioned tent for a great deal of their afternoon practices. Working inside allowed the Bucs to avoid many of the heat-related problems that hampered them in the past. It also allowed them to get in a lot of work they otherwise might not have. If the improved health and extra work allows the Bucs to be better on game day this season, the tent will be in line for some MVP votes.

Stepping Up In The Secondary

Depth in the secondary has been a bit of a problem for the Bucs in recent years. Not anymore. Thanks to the addition of CB Aqib Talib and the return to health of S Sabby Piscitelli, the Bucs could lose a starter in the secondary and not suffer a major drop-off in performance. Talib and Piscitelli were two of the most consistent playmakers in camp and figure to fight for starting jobs in the near future. For the time being, they will help solidify and possibly even strengthen a secondary that was easily one of the best in the league last season.

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