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Bucs searching for dependable help at WR

Tribune file photo by CLIFF McBRIDE (2008)

The Bucs are hoping enigmatic Maurice Stovall - or someone else - can develop into a solid third receiver.

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By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 9, 2009

TAMPA – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers expect Antonio Bryant and Michael Clayton to start at receiver this season.

Who plays alongside them is still being determined.

Bucs receivers coach Richard Mann said Maurice Stovall and Brian Clark are the leading candidates for more playing time when he was asked on Tuesday. Tampa Bay will enter this season without receivers Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard, who were released earlier this year.

"Those spots have to be filled," Mann said. "We got a lot of guys in contention for that position. Mo [Stovall] is one of them. If he stays healthy, Mo has always looked good since he's been here. It's just that he gets hurt and it goes down the tube, but it's been legit injuries. If we can keep him healthy, he might have a shot to be in one of those two places.

"Right now BC [Clark] is looking OK. Again, I haven't seen BC play in a lot of games, but I think a lot of that is because he had to wait his turn. ... Now BC's time has come. Now it's time to step up and grab one of those spots and right now I think he's on schedule."

Mann said receiver Dexter Jackson has shown signs of progress, but still needs to evolve.

Jackson was drafted in the second round last year to return punts, but lost his job to Clifton Smith. If Jackson doesn't stand out as a receiver this offseason, he likely will not make the team.

"He has a long way to go, but he's gotten better at being a receiver," Mann said. "The return stuff, I don't know anything about that, but he's gotten better as a receiver.

"Is he where he needs to be? No. He has gotten a little bit better. In other words, he's made some improvements. He's working at it."

Mann also said rookies Amarri Jackson (USF) and Pat Carter (Louisville) have shown impressive work ethics, while Sammie Stroughter (Oregon State) has also caught his eye. He also thinks Kelly Campbell has potential, but Mann needs to see more of him now and during training camp.

"We have two more days of OTAs [voluntary workouts], then we have our minicamp and when we come back, we hit the ground running," Mann said. "By then, either they have it or they don't."

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