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Bucs' Best Man?

Tribune photo by SCOTT ISKOWITZ

No one questions Leftwich's arm or toughness, but he has some things to prove.

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By JOE HENDERSON Joe Henderson

jhenderson@tampatrib.com jhenderson@tampatrib.com

Published: June 17, 2009

Updated: 06/17/2009 12:22 am

TAMPA - The question was simple and the answer was direct.

"Yes."

Byron Leftwich was asked if he believes he will be the starter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first game of the regular season against Dallas. He didn't hesitate, blink, quibble, equivocate or leave any room for nuance. There was just that simple "yes" - followed by a loud laugh from a confident man.

He isn't declaring victory. He meant no disrespect to his competition for the job. He just believes he will win the job.

"I'm quite sure Luke McCown and both Joshes Freeman and Johnson think the same way, and I have no problem with that. I've always said this thing will be won on the football field," he said.

"They've assured us the best man will be the starter. I'm going to do my best to make sure I'm that guy."

Tuesday was the first day of a mandatory minicamp (as opposed to the mandatory/voluntary workouts that guys are vilified for skipping even though they're not required to be there). We're close enough to training camp that the question of who will win this job is a lot more relevant.

Leftwich has become a trendy name in the vastness of cyberspace for those who care greatly about all things football. There seems to be an eagerness to declare him the winner in the quarterback derby, and this goes beyond the usual bloggerific yammering.

Mainstream news organizations such as Sports Illustrated have weighed in on the subject. Michael Lombardi of the National Football Post wrote last month that the job is Leftwich's to lose. It's dandy fodder for a slow June day, but none of that really means a thing. No one understands that better than Leftwich.

"The quarterback position is not going to be won in shorts," he said. "We all understand that. No matter how well you did in the OTAs, it's not going to be won in shorts. It's going to be won in August, and I accept that challenge."

The chance to challenge is why he turned down a good offer to remain with the Super Bowl champion Steelers. He wasn't going to beat out Ben Roethlisberger, and he isn't in this game just to draw a paycheck - even one that includes bling like a Super Bowl ring.

Of course, not long after he signed here the Bucs spent their No. 1 draft pick on Josh Freeman, but Leftwich knew what he was getting into.

"I knew it was a possibility before I signed," he said. "But once I was assured that no matter who they bring in the best man is going to play, that's all I can ask for. There are no hidden variables you have to deal with.

"Nobody has been given anything; everything is going to be earned. I put it on myself to go out there and try to be the best quarterback on this team."

His new teammates have taken notice.

"He's demanding attention. He's demanding respect in the huddle and that's what you want quarterbacks to do," receiver Antonio Bryant said.

"But he knows there is competition at every step. You've got Luke and you've got tough young guys in Josh and Josh. The best part about it is that all these guys can throw the ball. I like that."

No one questions Leftwich's arm or toughness, but he has some things to prove. He didn't beat out David Garrard for the starting job in Jacksonville in 2007 and was released. He signed that season with Atlanta but an ankle injury led to his downfall, so he wound up in Pittsburgh in 2008 where he played well in a limited role.

He wants more. That's why he is here.

"This was the best fit for me," he said. "I'm just going to come in and try to be myself, the guy I've always been. I'm going to be here early, I'm going to leave late, I'm going to know what to do with the football and I'm going to try to lead the guys."

A leader? Isn't that the job of the starting quarterback?

Oh wait ... he already answered that question.

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