Bucs Try to Return to Prominence With Busy Offseason
Team-By-Team Offseason Roundup
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Players Released:
Kenyatta Walker, T
Blue Adams, CB
Juran Bolden, CB
Shelton Quarles, LB
Free Agents Lost:
Dewayne White, DE
Sean Mahan, C
Cornell Green, T
Tim Rattay, QB
Traded For:
Jake Plummer, QB (retired)
Ryan Sims, DT
Free Agents Re-Signed:
Phillip Buchanon, CB
Torrie Cox, CB
Free Agents Added:
Patrick Chukwurah, DE
Jeff Garcia, QB
B.J. Askew, FB
Kevin Carter, DE
Luke Petitgout, T
Sammy Davis, CB
Cato June, LB
Matt Lehr, G
Jerramy Stevens, TE
Draft:
Rd. 1 (No. 4 overall) Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
2 (35) Arron Sears, T, Tennessee
2 (64) Sabby Piscitelli, S, Oregon State
3 (68) Quincy Black, LB, New Mexico
4 (106) Tanard Jackson, CB, Syracuse
5 (141) Greg Peterson, DE, North Carolina Central
6 (182) Adam Hayward, LB, Portland State
7 (214) Chris Denman, T, Fresno State
7 (245) Marcus Hamilton, CB, Virginia
7 (246) Kenneth Darby, RB, Alabama
Analysis:
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made a push this offseason to return to contender status, bringing in a collection of veteran players that includes free agent quarterback Jeff Garcia. The question is: How much productive football do some of these additions have left in them?
Not only did the Buccaneers sign Garcia, the former Pro Bowler in San Francisco who led the Philadelphia Eagles to the playoffs last season. They also traded for Denver Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer, only to have him announce his retirement. With Garcia, there's room to wonder whether he'll thrive as he did last season in Philadelphia, given that his successful stint with the Eagles came on the heels of far less productive seasons in Cleveland and Detroit.
The Buccaneers signed defensive end Kevin Carter after he was released by the Miami Dolphins, offensive tackle Luke Petitgout after he was cut by the New York Giants and guard Matt Lehr following his release by the Atlanta Falcons. They signed troubled tight end Jerramy Stevens, who no longer was wanted by the Seattle Seahawks. They did add one free agent who still was wanted by his former club, getting former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Cato June.
Fortunately for the Buccaneers, there also was an infusion of youthful talent this offseason, with them having four of the first 68 selections in the NFL draft. The Buccaneers bolstered their defense with the fourth overall choice in the draft and took Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams. He could have an immediate impact as a pass rusher.
The Buccaneers are a relevant franchise again after this offseason's maneuvers. They should be back in the playoff mix. They even could be a contender to go deep into the playoffs if almost all their veteran additions work out. Unfortunately for them, that's usually not the way things work in the NFL, and they'll probably have to settle for less.
By Mark Maske |
June 6, 2007; 7:00 AM ET
| Category:
Buccaneers
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Posted by: Anonymous | June 6, 2007 10:20 AM
Rare error on your part Martin!
You left out the off-season (April) release of their All-Pro Linebacker "Sheldon Quarles', a ten year vet.
Posted by: Doug W | June 6, 2007 1:59 PM
You're right. My mistake. Just fixed it.
Posted by: Mark Maske | June 6, 2007 3:23 PM
oh my garsh
he does respond
you suck
Posted by: pack4life | June 7, 2007 5:52 PM
Coach that built the team then went to the colts and left John Boy with a winner. John Boy has failed to produce. Now he has a QB situation to sort out, two old timers and a young Mr. Sims.
Posted by: tedeee | June 16, 2007 9:12 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
seriously, how much can you expect of a quarterback when he plays for Cleveland and Detroit? Those teams will never be quarterback friendly.