TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

DEFENSE STARTERS

ADVERTISEMENT

Ira Kaufman

The Tampa Tribune The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 7, 2008

DE Kevin Carter
No. 93

Ht.: 6-6 Wt.: 305

Age: 34

NFL seasons: 13

Notable: Two-time Pro Bowl pick lends experience and leadership up front ... Has missed only five starts in his distinguished pro career ... Ranks second among active players with 100.5 sacks ... Very active in the community and serves as an executive with the NFL Players Association.

DE Gaines Adams
No. 90

Ht.: 6-5 Wt.: 258

Age: 25

NFL seasons: 1

Notable: Fourth overall pick of the 2007 draft led all rookies with six sacks ...Added bulk and strength in the offseason and appears poised for a big year ... Registered five tackles and a sack against the Giants in Tampa Bay's playoff loss ... Set to start on the right side.

S Tanard Jackson
No. 36

Ht.: 6-0 Wt.:200

Age: 23

NFL seasons: 1

Notable: A converted college CB at Syracuse who ranks as one of the steals of the 2007 draft ... This fourth-round pick started every game and quickly developed a reputation as a savage hitter from the FS spot ... First Buc rookie to start on defense in Week 1 since DE Regan Upshaw in 1996.

S Jermaine Phillips

No. 23

Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 220

Age: 29

NFL seasons: 6

Notable: One of the few Bucs remaining from the 2002 championship team, he will start at SS for the fourth consecutive year ... Nicknamed "Flip," this hard hitter rebounded from a disappointing 2006 season to set a career high with four interceptions last fall ... Led the Bucs with 14 stops against the Giants in an NFC wild-card playoff setback.

LB Cato June
No. 59

Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 227

Age: 28

NFL seasons: 5

Notable: Rangy veteran tied for third on the team with 120 stops in his first year with the Bucs ... Left Indy as a free agent after earning a Super Bowl ring ... A foot injury sidelined him for Tampa Bay's playoff game against the Giants ... Registered 10 interceptions in his final three years with the Colts but had only one pick with Tampa Bay in 2007.

LB Derrick Brooks
No. 55

Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 6-0, 235

Age: 35

NFL seasons: 13

Notable: Ten-time Pro Bowl selection and the prototypical OLB of his generation ... Excels in diagnosing plays before the snap and still has the quickness to cover in space ... NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2002 ... Unquestioned team leader, on and off the field.

LB Barrett Ruud

No. 51

Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 241

Age: 25

NFL seasons: 3

Notable: Replaced Shelton Quarles in the middle and promptly was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September ... Led the club with 169 tackles ... Smart and instinctive player who added two picks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries ... An avid golfer whose father, Tom, played for Monte Kiffin at Nebraska.

DT Jovan Haye

No. 71

Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 285

Age: 26

NFL seasons: 3

Notable: This native of Jamaica made a huge impact in his first year as a starter with 97 tackles, most by a Buc lineman since the late David Logan in 1984 ... Added six sacks and four fumble recoveries ...Didn't play football until his junior year in high school.

DT Chris Hovan

No. 95

Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 296

Age: 30

NFL seasons: 8

Notable: Has started every game for the Bucs since arriving as a free agent in 2005 ... A noted free spirit with the Vikings, he has changed his outlook since the birth of a son and twin daughters ... Solid run stuffer who occupies multiple blockers ... Outstanding prep lacrosse player in Ohio.

CB Ronde Barber

No. 20

Ht.: 5-10 Wt.: 184

Age: 33

NFL seasons: 11

Notable: Four-time Pro Bowl selection and recognized as perhaps the premier slot corner of his era ... First CB in league history to post 20 career interceptions and 20 career sacks ... Has scored 12 career TDs, including four in the past two seasons ... Has missed only one start since 1999.

CB Phillip Buchanon

No. 31

Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 186

Age: 27

NFL seasons: 6

Notable: This first-round pick by Oakland in 2002 has resurrected his career since joining the Bucs as a free agent in '06 ... Terrific quickness and agility, but developed a reputation as an indifferent tackler with the Raiders and Texans ... Held off first-round pick Aqib Talib as the starter on the left side, opposite Barber.

P Josh Bidwell

No. 9

Ht.: 6-3 Wt.: 220

Age: 32

NFL seasons: 8

Notable: Has averaged 42.6 yards per punt in his distinguished career, including a 43.9 mark in four seasons as a Buccaneer that ranks first in franchise history ... Only two of his 650 NFL punts have been blocked ... Missed his entire 1999 rookie season in Green Bay after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Ira Kaufman

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT