MORE
Most Recent Entries
- Bucs Q & A: Tribune sports columnist Martin Fennelly
- Camp Q&A Recap: Roy Cummings
- Q&A With Roy Cummings: Aug. 8
- Camp Q&A With Roy Cummings
- Q&A With Roy Cummings
- What About Petitgout?
- Caddy Back On The Road?
- A Frustrating, Anxious Time
- Bucs Will Lean On Clayton, Stovall
- Bucs Love Flacco
- Fitzgerald Staying In Arizona
- Focus On The Draft
- Kelly's Likely Destination: Detroit
- June Will Eventually Replace Brooks
- Speed Is Bucs' Top Draft Priority
Monthly Archives
|
Q: Hey guys, just wanting to know if there is any news on the Jake Plummer situation. The Bucs and the Broncos were both trying to get back the signing bonus. When will the NFL make a ruling? Thanks.—Kenny Spindola, Wellington
A: Nothing new on Jake, Kenny.
Q: Roy or Ira, I am glad the Bucs are winning and have a big game with their rivals in Carolina this week. I am still worried about the pass rush. Am I being overly concerned or is there reason to worry? I miss the days when you knew the Bucs were going to get at three or four sacks from the front four.—Joseph C. White, Port Charlotte
A: The Bucs are off to a very good start despite a mediocre pass rush. Putting more pressure on the QB was the No. 1 offseason priority, but it hasn’t happened yet. Ultimately, a better pass rush will be necessary for the Bucs to enjoy a successful season. Monte Kiffin is blitzing more than ever, but guys like Gaines Adams and Patrick Chukwurah have to step up. Perhaps Chukwurah can act as the catalyst when he returns from injury.
Q: Roy or Ira, could you explain the logic in letting Ellis Wyms go? He has always been a contributor in the defensive line rotation. Were other people just having better camps than him?—Joseph C. White, Port Charlotte
A: Wyms didn’t develop as rapidly as the Bucs envisioned when they signed him to a decent contract back in 2004. The coaching staff didn’t see the big upside they once imagined for him. They didn’t believe his production would match his compensation, so he’s now a member of the Seahawks.
Q: What is the green sticker on the backs of all of the quarterbacks’ helmets for? I’ve noticed it in every game this preseason.—Dave Burnett, St. Petersburg
A: The green stickers signify which helmets are equipped with radio transmitters to handle signals from the sidelines.
Q: Everyone seems concerned about LG and LT, but with L. Petitgout, D. Penn, A. Sears, A. Davis and D. Buenning. I think the depth there is good. Who are the main backups to Trueblood and Joseph on the right side? That side looks weak to me as far as depth.—David Crum, Englewood
A: Assuming Sears is ready to go Sept. 9, Davis will serve as the swing tackle on either side behind Petitgout and Trueblood. If Buenning doesn’t beat out Wade at center, he’ll be the first option at guard behind Sears and Joseph. Buenning might be the forgotten man right now, but he’s going to play a lot of football this fall.
Q: How good is the Jets guard Pete Kendall? Is he better than anyone we have slated to play left guard? What do you think of trading for him? - Mark Stephens, Land O’ Lakes
A: Kendall talks a better game than he plays. You can’t shut the guy up and he’s always chirping about something. The Bucs are committed to Sears and Joseph as two cornerstones of the offensive line. Those guys are the starters for the foreseeable future, so anyone else who comes to Tampa arrives as a backup.
Q: Hey guys, thanks for keeping updated here in Canada. Quick question: What are the chances of trading for Mike Strahan or do you think they don’t want another ‘’retired’’ player fiasco? Keep up the good work.—Mark O’Donnell, Brampton, Ontario
A: Not sure how much Strahan has to offer at this point. Can’t see the Bucs wanting to get older on defense. Also, Strahan is looking to get PAID. He won’t come cheap and the Giants are going to make every effort to get him back in their uniform. They tried to use Simeon Rice as a prod to get Strahan back on the field, but that tactic didn’t work. The Bucs are looking for players, but Strahan may not be the right fit.
Q: Hey guys. I’m curious what your prediction will be for the Bucs LB crew this season. With what appeared to be very successful and productive camp for both June and Ruud, add Brooks to that, it seems like there’s potential for an extremely strong year from this group. This group appears to be primed for contributing to stopping both the run and the pass. I’m curious to hear your thoughts. Thanks as always!—Frank Stazzone, Long Island, N.Y.
A: June was a savvy free agent pickup, especially at the price the Bucs paid. Brooks isn’t the same player he was in 2002 but he’s still effective. Ruud will struggle at the start, especially in deep coverage. That’s where the Bucs will miss Quarles’ versatility. There’s good depth on the edges with Nece and Winborn, but asking Nece to back up Ruud is a tall order right now. June still has to prove he can be a stout force against the run.
Q: Roy or Ira, any chance if Greg Spires gets beaten out for a defensive end spot, whether the Bucs would use him from the DT spot in certain passing situations? — Joseph C. White, Port Charlotte
A: Good question. And you seem to have answered it yourself. The Bucs still love Spires, especially when he doesn’t have to deal with a double team. But there is a chance someone such as Kevin Carter beats him out and starts at left end. I think it’s a slim chance, but it could happen. If it does, then Spires would automatically become a candidate to play at under tackle. He’s filled in there before and fared well.
Q: Why isn’t Chas Gessner as exciting to everyone else, as he is to me? Why can’t anyone else imagine the unbelievable threat of Galloway, Gessner, Stovall, Clayton AND Smith? Will we see the ‘Goose’ get loose? — John A. Valenti, Tampa
A: Chas tends to turn a lot of heads during training camp and when the pads are off. He’s not as much of a threat when the lights go on for real. As a result, he’ll always struggle to retain a roster spot.
Q: I am not really hearing a lot about Kevin Carter. How is he looking, and are the Bucs going to keep him around? He seems to fit the Bucs’ D well. — Charles Pruitt, New Orleans
A: Carter has been working out all across the defensive line, but many believe he will get his playing time mostly at under tackle. Look for him to get a lot or snaps at a lot of different spots.
Q: Do you have any idea what the Bucs are going to do with Cato June, since Brooks is the starter at his postion, and Gruden rule out him playing safety? — Mike Smith, Tampa
A: June is slated to start at strong-side LB. He will battle incumbent Ryan Nece for that spot, but the likelihood is that he will win the starter’s nod.
Q: Roy or Ira, with Derrick Brooks getting up in age, will Coach Kiffin give him a rest and play a second-team LB to keep Brooks fresh for the fourth quarter? — Joseph C. White, Port Charlotte
A: That’s an interesting idea, especially with Jamie Winborn chomping at the bit for more playing time. It will all depend on how long the Buc defense has been on the field in a particular game. Brooks doesn’t want to miss any snaps, but he’ll likely benefit from some rest.
Q: I know we have all the QBs one could ask for in camp now, but is there any interest in bringing in Daunte Culpepper? — Charles Pruitt, New Orleans
A: Jon Gruden is always interested in adding more quarterbacks. But he’d like them to be healthy. There’s concern whether Culpepper will ever be right again. He’s certainly not right now.
Q: How dose Bruce Allen feel about bringing in Donnovan Darius? He would be a nice upgrade over the Bucs’ starting safeties so what do you think the chances are of the Bucs landing Darius? — Tyler Ellrodt, Seminole
A: Bruce briefly discussed Darius recently. He said the Bucs have been in contact with him but added that it was only window shopping. Darius apparently called the Bucs with some questions. My guess is the Bucs will pass.
Advertisement
