As Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Camp Rolls Around, Battles Begin To Shape Up

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

It’s May and Organized Team Activities are getting under way. With the start of these voluntary workouts, camp battles officially begin to take shape.

For carry over players and free agents, who have been working out at the facility, OTAs are their first chance to get a glimpse of the fresh meat looking to earn or take a job. 

Every year, the turnover from one year to the next and the installation of new philosophies are the main challenges rookie head coaches encounter when taking over a team.

This year is no different for Tampa Bay Buccaneer’s rookie Head Coach Raheem Morris. In taking the lead job Morris has changed the philosophy on both sides of the ball with the hires of Jim Bates and Jeff Jagodzinski.

With the expedition of key veterans and acquisitions of new talent, battles for key roles are being waged at every position outside the offensive line; which just might be the best offensive line this franchise has had in years, especially with the zone blocking scheme being implemented that fits their skill sets much better.

This competition throughout the roster is exactly what Morris and GM Mark Dominik wanted and will be looking for the new guys to grow and push the holdovers within the system.

Some of the key positional battles being waged are within the front seven along the defensive line and in the line-backing core.

That being said, both defensive tackle spots are up for grabs though one spot will likely be manned by Chris Hovan. The other spot will be a fiery battle between former Chiefs bust Ryan Sims and this year’s third round pick from Texas Roy Miller.

Miller and Sims fit the size and strength prototypes that Bates covets but because of Sims’ underachieving history, I feel that only Miller has the necessary work ethic and desire to occupy double teams and continue to battle as the game wears on.

Hovan provides good veteran leadership and will always give his max effort but I’m not quite sure he can handle the demands of this new defense on a full time basis. Kiffin’s system allowed his tackles to penetrate the backfield and chase plays, where as Bates will ask him to play more disciplined, to fill his gap, and to hold up centers and guards trying to make their way to the second level. 

Needless to say the defensive tackle position is one that is not done receiving a face lift and the team will continue to scour the free agent market and waiver wire.

Meaning the addition of a veteran is quite likely after June first cuts, because counting on younger players such as Miller, Dre Moore, and Greg Peterson to develop rapidly over the course of one season might be asking too much.

Considering the lack of an elite tackle, Hovan’s age, Sims’ underachieving, and Miller’s inexperience; it’s safe to say the Bucs should take the approach of having a rotation that keeps their players fresh in an attempt to maximize the effectiveness of their limited play counts.

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