There are some positions on the 2008 Buccaneer roster that one could deem one of some strength.  Linebacker, special teams but two.  And then there are the receivers.

OK, so it’s not quite as bad as the days when Robb Thomas and Alvin Harper started games, or we had to rely on a bunch of former Gator receivers who couldn’t reproduce their college form in the pros.  And don’t even mention Bert Emanuel here either.

But the 2008 Buc receiving corps has more question marks than a multiple choice paper and there is no such thing as a sure thing on the roster at this point in time.

Joey Galloway will be 37 this November - just how long can he keep up his speed and performance?  When we consider that we got him straight up from the Cowboys for Keyshawn, then one will always regard the deal as a steal, but three straight 1,000-yard seasons was more than anyone could expect.  And now we are hoping for a fourth?

Behind Galloway is the equally veteran Ike Hillard.  The former Giant is best suited as a slot third down receiver, a bit like Wes Welker of the Patriots but without the speed.  When the Bucs have to start Ike, then both parties know they are in trouble.

And no more “Michael Clayton comeback” stories please.  This is getting repetitive.  It’s actually in my colleague Roy Cummings’s contract with the Tribune that he has to do one of them every three months during the year, and always in the first week of camp.  When Clayton has a 100-yard game in the regular season, and goes over 20 receptions on the season before Thanksgiving, then I’ll include him again.

And after this trio are more question marks.  Antonio Bryant - is he for real on yet another team?  Maurice Stovall - is he more than a punt team gunner?  Paris Warren - is he back from injury and is he a real NFL player if he is?

Micheal Spurlock is listed a receiver but in reality is battling rookie Dexter Jackson for a job, as are the likes of Brian Clark and Chad Lucas.  Jackson will of course be on the roster no matter what but speed and a lack of size mean outside play or some kind of offensive scheme work to get him involved.  Any production from an NFL rookie receiver is limited at best.

So sorry Buc fans, I’d love to be optimistic here but this takes me back to the days of 1986 when the likes of Vince Heflin, Leonard Harris and Phil Freeman started games at receiver for the Buccaneers.