Zuttah Grabs Sears' Spot at Buccaneers Mini-Camp

The first day of Tampa Bay's mandatory mini-camp was packed with news.

Arron Sears was a no-show. At first, head coach Raheem Morris said Sears' absence was "unexcused." Later, the organization flip-flopped and announced that he was indeed "excused."

Excused or not, the team wasted little time, inserting the Rutgers flash, Jeremy Zuttah, at Sears' starting left guard position. The Bucs have been extremely pleased with the second-year player who started six games last season, including one at left guard when Sears was out of action.

"I look out there and see his (Zuttah's) number so that's our guy starting for us right now," Morris said.

Linebacker Barrett Ruud dressed out but expressed "disappointment" over the status of any talks toward a new contract.

GM Mark Dominik has the "no comment" policy on player contracts.

Ruud did say that he loves Tampa, loves the community, and wants to be a Buccaneer long-term. He said he skipped OTAs to try and "speed up" the contract negotiation process.

He admitted he was a bit behind his teammates in getting up to speed on the new defense.

Veteran quarterback Byron Leftwich told Tampa Tribune columnist Joe Henderson that he expects to be the starter on opening day, but went on to say the job will be won or lost during the preseason games and training camp.

Then there is the virtual "forgotten man" of the Buccaneers—Cadillac Williams.

Williams has not been cleared to play yet but he proclaimed on Tuesday: "My goal is to be strapped up on Aug. 1," referring to the first day of training camp.

Former Buccaneer Keenan McCardell was a visitor at mini-camp, invited by Morris. McCardell has expressed an interest in coaching in the NFL. McCardell left the Buccaneers as a player when he was promised a new contract a few years ago by then coach Jon Gruden, but never received a word from then GM Bruce Allen.

McCardell said he has no hard feelings from those days.