Tampa Bay Buccaneers Archive
Carpenter, Benn shine as Bucs top Texans
udy Carpenter and Arrelious Benn each had solid performances for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a win against the Houston Texans in the final game of the preseason and did all they could to notch a spot on the final 53-man roster.Carpenter completed 15 of 22 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns, while Benn was the recipient of both touchdown throws in a game where most of the starters and key backups did not see the field.Morris says skill will be divider when final cuts are made
Tampa Bay will travel to Houston Thursday night in the preseason finale, and Coach Raheem Morris--like all other head coaches in the NFL--will have plenty on his mind.The fourth preseason game usually is a showcase for players that are fighting for roster spots on the final 53-man roster that needs to be finalized by Saturday afternoon.Most of the starting and second-team positions are already set in stone, but players fighting it out for spots largely as special teams contributors will get the chance to show their stuff Thursday night.Talib given one-game suspension for violating Personal Conduct Policy
Cornerback Aqib Talib was suspended for the first game of the regular season Tuesday for violating the NFL's Personal Conduct policy. Aqib was also docked an additional game check and will be eligible to return to team activities September 13.The suspension stems from an incident that occurred last August, when Talib got into an altercation with a cab driver in St. Petersburg, Fla. and punched him. He was charged with simple battery and resisting arrest.
Buccaneers Release Running Back Derrick Ward
In trimming their roster down to 75, the Buccaneers released running back Derrick Ward Tuesday afternoon. After rushing for 1,025 yards with the New York Giants in 2008, the Buccaneers signed Ward to a four-year, $17 million contract in 2009. With the emergence of Kareem Huggins, Cadillac Williams’ healthy return and Earnest Graham’s ability to play [...]Freeman has soft cast removed, probable for season opener
Quarterback Josh Freeman had the soft cast removed from his broken right thumb yesterday and is expected to ready in time for Tampa's season opener against Cleveland on September 12.Freeman broke the tip of the thumb in a preaseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second week of the preseason, but feels like his brief rehab for the injury is going according to plan.Clayton’s role, future with Bucs uncertain
Wide Receiver Michael Clayton of Tampa Bay was in uniform for Saturday's preseason game against Jacksonville but did not play.The move was curious for various reasons, especially since the Bucs are still in the process of identifying who will fill the role of "Z" receiver in their offense.Clayton is currently listed No. 4 on the depth chart opposite Mike Williams despite having more experience than the players ahead of him--Maurice Stovall, Sammie Stroughter, and Arellious Benn.Rookie McCoy fitting right in for Bucs defense
Gerald McCoy hasn't looked much like a rookie in the preseason.Although his statistics might not be showing it, his presence has already provided a big lift to the defensive line and enabled it to get much more pressure on the quarterback.McCoy, the third overall pick out of Oklahoma in the 2010 draft, is showing the team he was worth their investment.Johnson eager to start Saturday for Bucs
The other Josh will get his turn Saturday night against Jacksonville. Because of an injury to starter Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay will turn to Josh Johnson to start in the team’s third preseason game against Jacksonville. Johnson played well in last week’s win against Kansas City, but he’s still raw and trying to find his way. Johnson completed [...]
Starters to Play First Half, Stroughter Will Start
Buccaneers starters will likely play the entire first half when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars Saturday night. Maurice Stovall will miss his second straight game with an ankle injury. In his absence, Sammie Stroughter will get the start, and the picture at wide receiver, one of the most highly-contested position battles in camp, will begin to [...]Morris blames Ward’s troubles on lack of conditioning
Derrick Ward was supposed to provide a solid 1-2 punch in the Tampa backfield along with Cadillac Williams, but it hasn't quite worked out that way. Signed as a free agent from the New York Giants after the 2009 season, Ward is now locked in a battle with Kareem Huggins, who is coming on strong.