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Buccaneers have signed running back LeGarrette Blount

Posted Sep 6, 2010 by Anwar S. Richardson

Updated Sep 6, 2010 at 08:55 PM

TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed running back LeGarrette Blount and released receiver Reggie Brown.

The Buccaneers have come out swinging as they finalize their opening-day roster.

Tampa Bay on Monday signed controversial running back LeGarrette Blount and punter Chris Bryan, and waived receiver Reggie Brown and recently drafted punter Brent Bowden, the latest moves since making final cuts on Saturday.

On Sunday, Tampa Bay signed offensive lineman Ted Larsen and running Kregg Lumpkin off waivers, and released offensive lineman Derek Hardman and former Pro Bowler Clifton Smith. Those moves came after Tampa Bay released a pair of veterans last week, running back Derrick Ward and receiver Michael Clayton.

In addition, the Bucs signed receiver Dezmon Briscoe, tackle Will Barker and tackle Derek Hardman to the practice squad.

“We did spend a lot of time with him prior to the draft,” Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said. “We interviewed him at the Senior Bowl. We interviewed him at the combine and bought him in for a predraft visit and felt really good about him.

“The situation is different now is Derrick Ward was obviously our big back who is on our roster at the time and once we made the decision, we’ve been scouring the waiver wire over the last couple of days to acquire some big backs.”

Blount, a former Oregon running back, is best known for punching Boise State defensive end Byron Hout after a Sept. 3, 2009, game. He was suspended by the school for eight games, and although Blount totaled 159 carries for 1,066 yards and 19 touchdowns in 16 career games, he went undrafted.

The Tennessee Titans signed Blount, but his anger problem became an issue again during an Aug. 19 practice when he punched defensive end Eric Bakhtiari after having his helmet ripped off for the second time in as many plays. Titans coach Jeff Fisher downplayed Blount’s punch. Dominik said Bucs coach Raheem Morris spoke with Fisher about the incident and his team is not concerned about Blount’s violent tendencies.

“I think Coach [Morris] talked to Coach Fisher today,” Dominik said. “If I was very concerned about it, we would not have made the move. Obviously, he has a lot of ability and we’re looking forward to him helping the Bucs as we move forward.”

Blount survived final cuts and made Tennessee’s 53-man roster but was released Sunday. He had 118 rushing yards and two touchdowns during the preseason.

As Tampa Bay said hello to Blount, it parted ways with Brown.

Tampa Bay sent a 2011 sixth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Brown during the offseason. Brown had 780 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2007 but struggled in his final two seasons in Philadelphia.

The Bucs hoped Brown would revive his career with Tampa Bay, but he struggled during practice and four preseason games. He finished with four receptions for 57 yards this preseason before his release.

“It speaks volumes about the guys we have on the team now,” Dominik said. “I think over the last 48 hours this organization has picked up Ted Larsen, LeGarrette Blount, Larkin, guys like a Briscoe, Barker. Those guys are draft eligible picks in my mind, guys we considered strongly in our draft. If I have to trade a sixth rounder for the ability to have the guys [like Blount] can provide, then I think it’s a good value for us.”

Bowden, a sixth-round draft pick in 2009, had a disappointing preseason. He averaged 36.5 yards on 20 punts and struggled to get any air under his kicks. The Bucs are interested in signing him to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Bryan, a native of Australia, was signed by Green Bay on March 16 after spending four seasons in the Australian Football League. He averaged 42 yards with a long of 57 during the preseason with Green Bay.

“With Bowden, the reason for the change right now is consistency,” Dominik said. “We evaluate every position on our football team, including the punter. I still have a lot of hope and belief in him, but at this point I am looking for more consistency.”

Brooks to meet Michelle Obama

Former Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks will meet First Lady Michelle Obama during a youth clinic to launch a partnership between her Let’s Move! initiative and the NFL’s Play 60 campaign on Wednesday in New Orleans.

Other’s participating in the event will be NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, former Bucs coach and current NBC broadcaster Tony Dungy, and former players Eddie George, Rodney Harrison and Deuce McAllister.

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425.