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Bucs Beat: Rookie not only ones with something to prove

Tribune file photo by JAY CONNER

Maurice Stovall is one of several Bucs with much to prove in 2009.

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By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 3, 2009

TAMPA – There will be two basic elements to Tampa Bay Buccaneers players and coaches this season.

A chip on their shoulders and something to prove.

The chip comes from the criticism Tampa Bay has received this offseason. Some seem to believe first year coach Raheem Morris will coach no better than Goldie Hawn in Wildcats, while general manager Mark Dominik's moves have been questioned more than a South Carolina governor returning from a trip to Argentina.

There are also players with more to prove than Sarah Palin in a geography competition. Whether his name is Luke McCown or Marshall McDuffie, every player has something to prove when training camp begins on August 1.

Of course, some have more to prove than others. Here are six players who have a lot to demonstrate going into this season:

DEFENSE

Ronde Barber, CB – Barber is boycotting the media for its criticism of him last season, and questions about why he was retained this offseason when linebacker Derrick Brooks was released. This year, if Barber can defend receivers better than he did Chicago's Brandon Lloyd or Kansas City quarterback Tyler Thigpen, or tackle better than his attempt to bring down Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart on Monday Night Football, handling the media will be his easiest task.

Stylez G. White, DE – Stylez "Robbie Maddison" White survived his motorcycle accident this summer, but needs to start putting quarterbacks on the ground. White had eight sacks in 2007 and seemed to be a Disney movie in the making – former Arena Football League standout succeeds in the NFL. After recording 3.5 sacks in Tampa Bay's first three games last season, White recorded only 1.5 more in 13 games. He might be the team's best pass rusher, but has to start playing that way.

Sabby Piscitelli, S – He was a second-round pick in 2007, but was outplayed early and lost a possible starting job to fourth-round pick Tanard Jackson before finishing the season on injured reserve. Piscitelli has sustained unfortunate injuries the past two seasons, plus struggled at times when he was on the field. Morris moved Jermaine Phillips to linebacker and has handed Piscitelli the starting job, but Piscitelli still has to validate the move.

OFFENSE

Antonio Bryant, WR – After 83 receptions for 1,248 yards and seven touchdowns, nobody can question Bryant's playmaking ability. What Bryant still has to prove this season is that he's listening to some sort of meditation tapes that will prevent him from throwing a sweaty jersey at his coach (see Bill Parcells incident). If Bryant continues to do all the right things and stay out of trouble – which he has done extremely well so far – he will be rewarded with a lucrative long-term deal.

Maurice Stovall, WR – Stovall has 20 receptions for 213 yards and one touchdown in three NFL seasons. That is nowhere near the productivity a third-round pick should have, and Stovall is the first to admit it. Stovall has been an outstanding special teams player, but with Brian Clark seemingly moving ahead of him for the third or fourth receiver position, he needs to cling onto the football like his job depends on it. Because it does.

Matt Bryant, K – Put Bryant within 40 yards of the goalpost, and he is nearly automatic. Start going further back, and Bryant struggles. Bryant was 27 for 27 on field goals of 39 yards or less, but only 5 of 11 kicks from 40 yards or more last season. He was 0 for 3 on attempts from 50 yards or more. Tampa Bay signed K Mike Nugent to compete with Bryant in training camp, and Bryant will have to kick his way onto this year's team.

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425

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