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You Be The Bucs' GM: Pick The Defensive Backs
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Who would you choose to man the Bucs' secondary: Tanard Jackson, Ronde Barber or Aqib Talib?
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Published: February 22, 2009
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Pick The Running Backs- Pick The Linebackers
- Pick The Offensive Line
- Pick The Defensive Line
- Pick The Quarterbacks
Defensive Backs
Regardless of contract status, impact on the salary cap or position on the depth chart, who do you want to see on the Bucs next season?
CB Ronde Barber
CB Torrie Cox
CB Elbert Mack
CB Aqib Talib
S Tanard Jackson
S Donte Nicholson
S Sabby Piscitelli
CB Phillip Buchanon
S Will Allen
S Jermaine Phillips
Ready, Bucs fans? You be the general manager.
The NFL free agency period begins at 12:01 a.m. Feb. 27. For seven consecutive days, The Tampa Tribune and TBO.com will feature one position each day. We'll provide an analysis and list the players to consider: Bucs under contract for 2009, and Bucs and notable NFL players scheduled to become free agents.
The Bucs are roughly $40 million under the projected $123 million salary cap, so they have money to spend.
What would you do?
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The secondary has become an area of strength for the Bucs. It will stay that way if they can re-sign their own free agents. Safety Jermaine Phillips and cornerback Phillip Buchanon both could hit the market, but the Bucs will probably try to get deals done for both before free agency begins.
If they succeed in those two endeavors, look for the Bucs to spend the majority of their free agent dollars elsewhere. If they fail, they'll obviously have to bring in replacements, especially for Buchanon.
The Bucs are pretty high on undrafted cornerback Elbert Mack, but he may not be ready to patrol the left corner of their defense on a regular basis. That means dipping into the market, which is fairly deep at corner.
Should the Bucs fail to re-sign Phillips, they can turn to Sabby Piscitelli as a starter and lean on Will Allen and Donte Nicholson as reserves. Beyond that they can fill in with draft picks or other undrafted free agents, so look for the Bucs to possibly target a corner, but little else here.
Bucs Under Contract For 2009
CB Ronde Barber: Still as good a nickel back as there is in the league.
CB Torrie Cox: Spent past two seasons on injured reserve.
CB Elbert Mack: Earned roster spot with superb 2008 training camp.
CB Aqib Talib: 2008 first-round pick met expectations as a rookie.
S Tanard Jackson: Soft-spoken two-year starter is dynamic playmaker.
S Donte Nicholson: Backup and special teams contributer.
S Sabby Piscitelli: Has shown knack for making the big play.
Bucs Potential Free Agents
CB Phillip Buchanon: Has become a complete player while in Tampa.
S Will Allen: Joined late-season rotation after Phillips was injured.
S Jermaine Phillips: Gets hurt a lot, but hurts others a lot, too.
NFL Potential Free Agents
CB Nnamdi Asougha, Raiders: Could be best cover corner in the game.
CB Jabari Greer, Bills: Good option should Buchanon go elsewhere
CB Kelvin Hayden, Colts: If available, the Bucs should pounce.
CB Adam "Pacman' Jones: Trouble would surely follow him to Tampa.
CB Bryant McFadden, Steelers: Aggressive playmaker fits best in Cover 2.
CB Dunta Robinson, Texans: Franchise tag means he'll stay a Texan.
S Mike Brown, Bears: An impact player, though injuries a concern.
S Brian Dawkins, Eagles: Among the NFL's best for many years.
S Dawan Landry, Ravens: Baltimore likes this promising youngster.
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'You Be The GM' Categories
Tuesday: Quarterback
Wednesday: Defensive line
Thursday: Offensive line
Friday: Linebackers
Saturday: Running backs
Sunday: Defensive backs
Monday: Receivers/Tight ends
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