Could Michael Pittman Return To The Buccaneers?

If you think the Buccaneers backfield is a settled issue, think again.

Yes, the steady Ernest Graham is back and healthy again.

Sure, the Bucs did well when they picked up former New York Giant Derrick Ward to replace the aging Warrick Dunn.

Outside of that, there are few certainties with the running game.

The new coaching regime will emphasize the running game in 2009.

Why not?

The NFL is a copycat league and the two best teams in the NFC South, Atlanta and Carolina, ranked second and third respectively in the NFL last season behind the league leading New York Giants.

The Falcons averaged 152.7 yards per game and Carolina 152.3.

Tampa Bay wants on that bandwagon. If the rushing bandwagon is going to roll, Graham and Ward need backups.

And that begs the question: Could former Buccaneer Michael Pittman possibly return to Tampa Bay this year?

Pittman was last seen having a more-than-casual conversation with new coach Raheem Morris at Mike Alstott's golf tournament in April.

The fact is, the Bucs could use a hybrid runner like Pittman. He can play fullback and there is no certainty at that position going into training camp.

B.J. Askew and Jameel Cook are both question marks. The Bucs don't know for sure what they can do.

Pittman is accomplished; he runs, blocks well, can pick up the blitz, and has great hands that allow him to be a superb option in the passing game. His speed makes it difficult for linebackers to match up with him.

He was an integral part of the Buccaneers Super Bowl-winning team.

Morris knows what Pittman can do for the team.

The only question that really remains: Is Pittman too long in the tooth for the Buccaneers?

He suffers from the dreaded "OTR Syndrome"—meaning, "Older Than Raheem".

Pittman will turn 34 in August, Raheem is 33 in September.

The current Buccaneer roster is not packed with experience.

Only three players (Ronde Barber, Josh Bidwell, and Chris Hovan) have double-digit years of NFL experience.

Nineteen players fall in the six-to-nine year category.

Pittman's experience would help.

That and his enormous biceps might motivate the rookies to pump more iron.

Pittman back in Tampa?

Possible, perhaps, but not probable.

Check the roster again in August.