The Continuing Saga of Tampa Bay Buccaneer Fan!

As the hardcores know, this coming Tuesday represents the first "cut" day in the NFL, when teams are required to trim roster spots by fifteen, from 80 to 65. That means that for some players, they must have a boffo game this week if they are going to stick around. Others - probably the guys you won't see much if at all - are already as good as gone. For this reason, the third preseason game always carries a bit more intensity than the first two, and can be a bit melancholy...After all, there are a handful of guys you may see tonight who you will never see again.

QB:
There won't be any roster changes to this position, unless someone gets hurt. Former Florida Atlantic star Jared Allen was cut a couple of weeks ago, leaving only the three guys who will be on the final roster - Brian Griese, Luke McCown, and Chris Simms.

RB/FB:
This is an interesting position, bubble wise. Carnell is obviously off limits. Michael Pittman is expected to be safe, as Gruden loves his versatility, and wants to have a solid backup. Charlie Garner is only still with the team because there is little cap upside to cutting him this season. I wouldn't be shocked to see him go with the last wave, if Gruden is sold on a youngster, but it won't happen Tuesday. Mike Alstott may retire, but that's doubtful at this juncture, and he will not be cut, simply for decorum's sake. The staff likes Jameel Cook, and so do I. That leaves a 4th running back job, and a backup fullback position (maybe) up for grabs. Fullback first. Former Nebraska Cornhusker Steve Kriewald is the guy in the running for the backup fullback job, which will only exist if the team chooses to use Alstott as a situational running back, and not a primary fullback this season. In that case, you'd see Cook as the fullback and Kriewald as the backup. Even so, Kriewald needs to prove the team should bother. I don't expect him to do so - he was a limited player at Nebraska, and he isn't really need on special teams here.

The last running back job is an interesting battle indeed. It comes down to three guys - Earnest Graham, to whom I devoted a post to earlier, unheralded Ian Smart, a second year scatback from football powerhouse CW Post, and Derek Watson, who is the Cecil Collins of his generation. Graham has an edge, I think. He's a local hero, and this is his third training camp with the team, so he knows the offense. He's taken a good number of reps at fullback, so he can fill in there if need be, and he's having (another, see my post) a strong preseason (17 carries, 82 yards, 2 TDs). In any case, if he is cut, It will be an upset if it happens this early in camp. Watson is also having a strong camp (16 carries, 69 yards). If it were a matter of talent, Watson would have been drafted, probably in the first five rounds. Unfortunately, he's a thug. He was kicked off of his college team, by Lou "anything goes" Holtz at South Carolina, and suspended by the division II school he transferred to. He's been in trouble for brawling, cheating, and pot. Luckily for him, Jon Gruden doesn't care. Look for his upside to keep him around. That makes the odd man out Ian Smart. Smart made the most of his only carry with the team last year, scampering for 25 yards. His lack of size and speed probably means the ride ends Tuesday.

WR:
This is THE most interesting spot this preason. The first three jobs are locked up, with Michael Clayton, Joey Galloway, and Ike Hilliard. So is the 4th, barring major coup, with Edell Sheppard. Sheppard was in the fray early in camp, but a strong preseason, combined with familiarity in the offense, means he'll hold down the 4th job. That leaves two spots for a host of guys. Draft picks Larry Brackins (who's just now getting healthy), Parris Warren, and JR Russell, are all safe for the time being, though one will likely be cut or put on the practice squad before all is said and done. That leaves former USF star DeAndrew Rubin, former Saint Derrick Lewis, former camp cut Kevin Youngblood (and earlier in the camp, sensation - they have a short memory this time of year), and Southern University's Chris Davis fighting to, well, fight another day. Rubin is safe, because he may be the answer at punt returner. Any number of the others may meet the axe, but at least one will. I'm betting on Chris Davis and Derrick Lewis, with Youngblood around till next time. Of course, that could change with a strong game by any of them, or an injury.

TE:
The first two jobs are locked, with road grader Anthony Becht and third round tweener Alex Smith in tow. The third job is almost locked up to, with long time Buc Dave Moore expected to also serve as the holder. What does that mean? Essentially, that this is another "buy yourself a little more time" sort of thing. Will Heller and Nate Lawrie both on the bubble - one will likely be cut on Tuesday. My money is on Heller. While he's shown some athleticism in limited duty, Lawrie showed a great deal of improvement this offseason and may have a future at fullback.

OL:
The turk won't knock as hard as he might otherwise, because of the injury bug to this unit. Doug Buckles, Sam Lightbody, newly-aquired Phil Bogle, and Sam Wilder are all on the bubble. A job may open up if Derrick Deese is put on IR or cut outright, which seems like a possibility. Even so, there are only two jobs open. Look for Wilder and Lightbody to hand in their playbooks on Tuesday. Bogle was just acquired and has started in the league before, Buckles was an excellent college player who slipped through the draft.

DL:
There weren't a ton of jobs to begin with. McFarland, Hovan (now that he's playing passably), Rice, Wyms, White, and Spires were all locked in. That's three defensive tackles, and three defensive ends. Josh Savage has played well, and will probably be the fourth defensive end. With the two jobs (tops) that are left, Brian Save, Lynn McGruder, Delbert Cowsette, and Bryant McNeal are in heated competition. McNeal is a former Bronco draft bust, and there is little evidence the light is now on. McGruder lacks NFL size, though he reminds me of former Buc Brad Culpepper. That may save him another week. McNeal will be cut, and so will either Cowsette or Brian Save.

LB:
Jermaine Taylor is as good as gone - he didn't play major college football and is small even by Buc backer standards. Either Matt Gootegoed or Josh Buhl will join him. It'll probably be Buhl. Gootegoed can play middle linebacker, and is a bit more stout at the point of attack than is Josh Buhl, plus he's younger.

DB:
There are a few guys who aren't out of harms way - Blue Adams, for one, and Royell Whitaker. That said, James Patrick, who like Jermaine Taylor is slight and from a small program, is the most likely cut on Tuesday. The lack of depth in the defensive backfield will limit the turk's touch this early in camp.

P/K:
The kicker battle has not yet been decided. I'm sure Gruden wishes it had, so he could devote this spot to another position, but thems the breaks. With camp nearing an end and Josh Bidwell never in real danger, Brian Simnjanovski is dead man walking.