Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Preseason Preview - Offense

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Tight Ends

Pretty cut and dry here. The Bucs made a big gamble by giving up a No. 2 draft pick for Kellen Winslow Jr., then signing him to a new contract. They plan on teaming him with Jerramy Stevens.

This position needs to be very productive for the offense to perform. Winslow comes with enormous baggage and questionable knees. Veteran John Gilmore should be the third tight end, but will get competition in camp from newcomers Ryan Purvis (6'4", 260 lbs.) from Boston College and Jason Pociask (6'3", 259 lbs.) from Wisconsin.

Total tight end roster spots: Three.

Preseason condition of position: Strength.

Wide Receivers

Now things get real testy for the Buccaneers. Gone are Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard. John Gruden reclamation project Antonio Bryant is the go-to guy, the No. 1. 

It's hard to believe that the team gave Michael Clayton $10 million in guaranteed money. Clayton's production the past two seasons has been pitiful, but his status as the current No. 2 receiver is reflective of the problems at this position.

If the season started next week, seventh-round draft pick Sammie Stroughter might be the third receiver as he's another guy that Morris has fallen in love with.

Then there's 2008 second-round pick Dexter Jackson, who took on the appearance last season of a complete bust. He did nothing and couldn't perform as a special teams player and his future is in total doubt. 

Maurice Stovall has been a stalwart on special teams but not much a contributor in the passing game.

Competition for this position is wide open to the other players like Amarri Jackson, Kelly Campbell, Pat Carter, Cortez Hankton, Brian Clark and Joe Filani.

Look for GM Mark Dominik to be busy on the phone. He's already inquired about Plaxico Burress—an indication of the team's desperation at this position.

Total wide receiver roster spots: Six.

Preseason condition of position:  Weakness.

There you have it. That's your championship-calibre offense, according to Sapp.

Sapp, the self-proclaimed "QB Killah" in his playing days, might have a ball against the 2009 Buccaneer quarterbacks.

Unless Josh Freeman has a Matt Ryan cape in his closet, the lead position is the team's weakest position, if not the least experienced.

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