Tampa Bay Rookies Given Fair Shot to Play in Year 1

New head coach Greg Schiano told the Tampa Bay Times that this year's crop of rookies, more than in years past, will be given opportunities for playing time.

“I think there’s great opportunities, maybe more than any other year,” coach Greg Schiano said. “Not because of who they’re competing with but because those veterans don’t have as much of a head start in this scheme. They have a head start in being veteran players, but they don’t have a head start in this specific scheme. So I think our rookies, I’ve told them these are great opportunities to get yourself ready to battle for a job.”

This is not just because the Buccaneers suffered through a 12-loss season last year and the roster isn't filled with top-notch talent. There are many better reasons than skill.

After the debacle of 2011, ownership cleared house among the coaching staff. Enter Schiano, who is instilling a new philosophy on life and football and changing the look and feel of the Bucs' playbook.

Because the rookies have been allowed extra time with the coaching staff at One Buc Place, Schiano thinks some may be a little ahead of their veteran counterparts at learning Schiano's new system.

There's also the fact that Bucs general manager Mark Dominik masterfully navigated the draft in April and landed a superb first-year class of rookies.

Here's a list of the seven drafted rookies and a little about what their role could be:

Mark Barron, S

The Buccaneers moved down in the draft and still landed safety Mark Barron from Alabama.

Barron is expected to enter camp as the starter at strong safety and could be near the top of the stat chart in tackles when the 2012 season concludes.

At 6'2" and 218 pounds, Barron has tremendous size for a safety. But more important are his fantastic instincts to be near the football at all times and his ability to make big-time plays when offered the opportunity. Barron plays angles well and knows how to track the ball down.

2012 Role: As long as Barron stays healthy, he'll be the starting strong safety all season long.

Doug Martin, RB

Third-year running back LeGarrette Blount told the Tampa Bay Buccaneers he wouldn't be terribly happy if the team drafted a running with its first-round pick. The team obliged, sort of.

General manager Mark Dominik grabbed safety Mark Barron with the Bucs first pick in the draft, but then traded back up into the first round to grab Boise State running back Doug Martin.

Blount later recanted his disapproval, welcoming the competition. That's exactly what Blount's going to get.

Even though Blount dropped weight in the offseason and worked to become a more complete running back, Martin already has the tools in place as a well-rounded option.

The battle between Blount and Martin will be fierce in training camp. The victor might be the back who does more with the fewest mistakes.

2012 Role: Martin may not win the starting job in camp, but should wrangle it from Blount at some point this season.

Lavonte David, OLB

The Buccaneers see Lavonte David as a 100-tackle linebacker, and it's easy to see why. He led the Nebraska Cornhuskers in tackles while setting a single-season record in the process.

David is penciled in as the starting Will linebacker. While the job hasn't been won yet, when he shows the coaching staff just how uncanny his ability to get to the football is, it will be his job.

Expect a huge tackle figure out of David as a rookie, and expect him to fly over the field and make jarring hits.

2012 Role: Starting outside linebacker

Najee Goode, ILB

Najee Goode was drafted, among other reasons, because of his versatility to play both the inside and outside in Tampa Bay's linebacker corps. He'll focus on the inside slot because of his ability to attack the line of scrimmage and play well in traffic.

The Buccaneers won't want Goode to drop into coverage or rush the passer all that much, at least not in his first season as he learns the ropes, but he's a good sideline-to-sideline guy who thrives in pursuit.

2012 Role: Goode will act as a key reserve that could get significant playing time.

Keith Tandy, CB

Keith Tandy was drafted out of West Virginia as a corner. But he's showed new head coach Greg Schiano some excellent versatility in the defensive backfield.

"I really like the job he's doing.  He's a very sharp football player, mentally.  He's played nickel, dime, safety and corner; he's played all four, and done it with some efficiency.  Certainly not perfect, but some efficiency.  For a young guy to be able to do that…like I tell them all, 'Make yourself as irreplaceable as you can.'  He's taken that to heart."

Tandy did the same at West Virginia, playing all over the defensive backfield, and now he's focused on learning terminology.

Also on the horizon for Tandy is special teams. Most sixth-round picks make their mark on special teams, and Tandy is no different.

2012 Role: A special teams player who offers depth at all four defensive backfield positions

Michael Smith, RB

For those thinking Tampa Bay's running back competition is a two-horse race, rookie Michael Smith wants you to hear him announce his candidacy (sorry, it's an election year).

Smith argued in the Tampa Tribune that he's ready to make some noise.

"I look at it very differently," Smith said. "Others may see it (as a two-man race), but I'm not out here just to be a third-down back. I'm going to be out here working and (looking) to start, to play immediately and to make an impact on the team."

Even as a seventh-round pick, Smith could make some noise in this race. Not only is he blazing fast, but he's caught the ball well out of the backfield and showed why his powerful running style—low to the ground with quick bursts of acceleration—could work for the Bucs.

2012 Role: Smith won't break into a starting role without an injury or two, but by the end of the season, could see some third-down work with regularity.

Drake Dunsmore, TE

Drake Dunsmore may have a shot at Tampa Bay's 53-man roster because of his versatility, but he's going to have to impress someone on the coaching staff outside of the tight end position.

Dunsmore was a talented pass-catching tight end at Northwestern, but those days are over. He's too small to play tight end in the NFL and better suited at fullback. Plus, there's much less competition at fullback in Tampa Bay.

Either way—tight end or fullback—Dunsmore's shot is a long one at best.

2012 Role: Training Camp casualty