bucs training camp begins this weekend
Maybe it’s because the Rays are playing so well, or maybe it’s because the playoff loss left such a bitter taste, but the Buccaneers training camp really snuck up on me this year. To be honest, over the last few months (with the exception of draft weekend) I haven’t given much thought to the Bucs. Which is somewhat odd, considering I have made my blogging bread and butter writing about the local NFL collective writing.
Anyway, here’s my best attempt at an off-season recap before training camp begins…
KEY ADDITIONS
Center Jeff Faine
Running back Warrick Dunn
Quarterback Brian Griese
Tightend Ben Troupe
Receiver Antonio Bryant
NOTABLE ROOKIES
Cornerback Aqib Talib
Defensive tackle Dre Moore
Kick returner/receiver Dexter Jackson
PERSONNEL LOSSES
Running back Michael Pittman
Cornerback Brian Kelly
Center John Wade
Tightend Anthony Becht
Of the additions Faine is clearly the best, and gives the Bucs a bulldozer at the center position. Outside of Faine, I like the Troupe signing the most since Troupe; A) is a better receiver than his time in Tennessee indicates (Vince Young is vastly overrated as a quarterback), B) makes Jerramy Stevens more expendable, and C) is a former Gator. Dexter Jackson has the best chance at contributing as a rookie in a Devin Hester/Dante Hall-like kick return role. And I don’t think the Bucs are losing sleep over any of their departed players (as much as I liked Michael Pittman, Warrick Dunn provides essentially the same value as a third down back).
An explanation of the random Jeff Garcia with his long lost brother pic after the the fold…
Oh yeah; Plus Brett Favre nonsense.
The above picture was from last weekend and was taken by my buddy Plugs out in LA. A couple of my friends were hanging out at an upscale martini bar in Manhattan Beach when who strolls through the door but Jeff Garcia and some of his friends. Apparently nobody at the bar recognized Garcia except Plugs who hung out with the Bucs quarterback for a bit. Garcia was cool about it all, gave my drunk idiot friends high fives and bought a round of drinks for everyone. And no they did not ask Garcia any questions about the Bucs (bastards).
Speaking of Bucs quarterbacks…
BRETT FAVRE
No NFL offseason story has been covered more thoroughly than his Favreness, so it was probably only a matter of time before Favre was linked to Tampa Bay. A few days ago I would have said there is no chance in hell Favre plays for the Bucs. Why would the Bucs trade a high draft pick(s) and pay a good deal of money for a 38 year old quarterback with career 61.4 completion percentage when they already have a 38 year old quarterback with a career 61.2 completion percentage. More importantly, why would the Bucs risk poisoning the locker room by further alienating Jeff Garcia? But a trade of Garcia plus a draft pick for Favre is a possibility, although the trade makes littles sense for the Bucs.
Pat Yasinkas, the NFC South “Blogger” for ESPN, argues the Bucs should trade for Favre to help fill seats at Raymond James. According to ESPN (the same company Yasinkas works for) the Bucs had 99.5 attendance percentage last season. But I guess Favre can get them that last 0.5 percent. If Yasinkas keeps pumping out this drivel we might have to go FireJoeMorgan on him this season.
With the exception of big news (like Favre being traded to the Bucs) I won’t be blogging much about the Bucs during training camp. But for updates from Orlando your best source is BucStats, who must have a “Deepthroat-like” source at the Wide World of Sports.
Tags: buccaneers, orlando, training camp
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July 27th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
i would not consider michael pittman a key loss to the team, matter of fact, they are a better team without him.