Crowell making his play for starting spot

Meanwhile, back on the field, the battle for the starting strongside linebacker job became a little more heated Thursday. The reason was the presence of Angelo Crowell, the veteran free agent the Bucs signed in the spring to man that spot.

Crowell missed most of training camp with a sore hamstring but he returned to the field this week. Plans call for Crowell to get his first game action Saturday against the Jaguars, and Coach Raheem Morris says he is eager to see how Crowell looks.

"I am excited about that," Morris said. "He's looked as good (the last few days) as he has since he's been here, so I'm fired up to see what he can do."

Crowell was on his way to becoming one of the better linebackers in the game when he suffered a knee injury two years ago. He missed all of last season and has been slowly working his way back into playing shape. His biggest competitor for the starting job is Quincy Black.

All grown up

Josh Freeman was a "giggly" freshman at Kansas State the last time Morris coached him. He has grown in a lot of ways since then, Morris said, but especially as a football player.

"When he was at Kansas State I think he kind of felt like he knew he was better than everybody, his arm was better, and that was going to be the deciding factor," Morris said. "He was like, just get out of my way.

"When he came here, he saw stuff he respects about Luke (McCown), stuff he respects about Byron (Leftwich) and stuff he respects about Josh (Johnson) and now he is trying to steal those things and make himself better. That's kind of the maturity I'm talking about."

In and out

Ankle injuries could force the Bucs to play the Jaguars on Saturday without starting DE Gaines Adams and starting RB Earnest Graham.

Adams and Graham both "tweaked" their ankles during workouts Wednesday at One Buc Place, according to Morris, and their status for the game is uncertain.

The Bucs also aren't sure whether C Jeff Faine (groin), WR Dexter Jackson (ankle) or WR Kelly Campbell (quad) will play.

One player who is sure to make his way back following an injury is WR Michael Clayton, who missed the first game and several workouts with a hamstring strain.

Roy Cummings