Buccaneer Defense: Competition Abounds

(Today is the second of a two part series. It's the defense's turn to be examined prior to camp in July.)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers worked their way from NFL joke to Super Bowl champions with defense.

When all else failed, it was always the defense that was there for the Buccaneers. It was old reliable, old faithful, we'll-get-you-out-of-this-and-win-the-game-for-us defense.

The Tampa Two became a league standard, a measuring stick. It was the scheme that others copied. 

As the 2009 NFL season approaches, the Tampa Two is gone. Former defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin dwells on Rocky Top with son Lane.

Jim Bates is the new Buccaneer defensive coordinator and there are nothing but questions surrounding the conversion of the Bucs' proudest unit.

Good news is there is huge competition for roster spots on defense.

Bad news is, everyone is new to the incoming scheme of run-plugging, big-body linemen, with a touch of bump-and-run.

Here's how the positions stack up with spots available and rating as to strength and weakness:

Offensive Line

If the season started today, the front four might have Gaines Adams and Greg White at the ends with Chris Hovan and Ryan Sims at the tackles.

This is a deep position for the Bucs. Draft picks Roy Miller (third round, Texas, defensive tackle) and Kyle Moore (fourth round, USC, defensive end) will both make the final roster. 

Add Dre Moore (DT), Jimmy Wilkerson (DE), Greg Peterson (DT), Rashaad Duncan (DT), Chris Bradwell (DT), and Jarriett Buie (DE) and you have competiton galore set for camp. 

The Bucs will evolve from a smaller, faster line of the Tampa Two days to a larger, stronger, more physical group in Bates's scheme.

Final roster spots available: eight.

Preseason condition of the position: strength.

Linebackers

The starters may well be Angelo Crowell at the strong side and converted safety Jermaine Phillips at the weak side, with Barrett Ruud in the middle. But there are questions here. 

Has Crowell recovered sufficiently from offseason surgery to be effective? The Bucs took a gamble signing him. Will Ruud be a holdout come the start of camp? Odds are he will. He's after a new contract and may sit out until he gets one.

Familiar names from last year include Quincy Black, Patrick Chukwurah, Geno Hayes, and Adam Hayward. Guys like Niko Koutouvides, Matt McCoy, and Rod Wilson would be hard-pressed to make the final roster. 

This position needs to be a strength, but there are too many questions, including Crowell's condition, Phillips's conversion, and Ruud's potential holdout.

Final roster spots available: seven.

Preseason condition of the position: weakness.

Cornerbacks and Safeties

It is easier to list the corners that Raheem Morris will start this season. Rhonde Barber, starting his 14th season, is Morris's "guy." Barber survived the veteran player purge and will start with his youthful and troubled counterpart Aqib Talib.

Look for veterans Torrie Cox and Elbert Mack to tie down roster spots.

That leaves a crowd of longshots behind them including seventh-round pick E.J. Biggers (Western Michigan), Kyle Arrington, DeAngelo Willingham, Jarrell Johnson, Evan McCollough, and Marshall McDuffie.

Starting free safety Tanard Jackson embodies everything a defensive player should be—smart, fast, and a brutally-hard hitter. Opposing receivers know who he is.

Sabbi Piscatelli may step into Jermaine Phillips's spot at strong safety, but last season Piscatelli had a hard time and often found himself out of position. Will Allen brings experience to the group and C.J. Byrd is looking for a roster spot.

Don't be surprised if some of the cornerback candidates get a look at safety.

Final roster positions available: eight.

Preseason condition of position: neutral—not strong, not weak.

Watching over this array of defensive players, along with coordinator Bates, will be Joe Barry (linebackers), Joe Baker (DBs), and the duo of Robert Nunn and Todd Wash (DL).

They have their work cut out for them.

Last season, the Buccaneers ranked ninth in the NFL in defense. They'll need to be at least that good this year if this team is to be successful.