Buccaneers 2014 Virtual Program: Depth Chart Analysis, X-Factors and More

The Lovie Smith era in Tampa Bay kicks off this Sunday, and he's bringing a transformed Buccaneers roster along with him.

Under Greg Schiano, the Bucs slogged through a disappointing 4-12 season last year, after which the former Rutgers coach and general manager Mark Dominik were promptly fired. Smith, the former longtime Chicago Bears head coach, came in and, along with new general manager Jason Licht, gave the team a serious makeover.

The offense is practically brand new, as only three starters from last year's squad return. Smith didn't make too many personnel changes to the defense, save for cutting cornerback Darrelle Revis, making room for five new players.

The Bucs learned a few things over the offseason, training camp and preseason. First, the offensive line will be a major area of concern. Losing guard Carl Nicks initiated a panic mode that was only quelled when guard Logan Mankins was acquired last week from the New England Patriots.

Second, the defense could be very, very good. Lovie Smith developed a reputation in Chicago for building consistent defenses that forced a lot of turnovers. The Bucs' first-team defense defended Smith's reputation by forcing three turnovers and allowing only one touchdown in 14 preseason possessions.

The new-look Bucs have a lot to prove this year. They haven't had a winning season since 2010 and haven't been to the playoffs since 2007.

Smith's Bears were perennial contenders. The Bucs will try to prove they can be too.

Quarterback

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

Quarterbacks

Starter: Josh McCown

Reserve: Mike Glennon

The Buccaneers' plan at quarterback has been set since the draft. Josh McCown was brought in by Lovie Smith to start, while second-year passer Mike Glennon gets an introduction as to how a veteran, professional quarterback hones his craft.

McCown did not look sharp in the preseason nor did most of the Bucs offense. Adopting offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford's scheme won't be a seamless transition. His absence due to a recent medical procedure per The Tampa Tribune's Ira Kaufman may only make it worse.

Glennon shouldn't see much playing time this season, unless the offense under McCown takes a nosedive. The Bucs are hoping McCown can pick up where he left off in Chicago, where he threw 13 touchdowns and only one interception in eight games last year.

Running Back

Gary Wiepert/Associated Press

Running Backs

Starter: Doug Martin and Jorvorskie Lane (Fullback)

Reserves: Bobby Rainey and Mike James

Doug Martin may be the Bucs' featured running back, but there is no shortage of depth behind him. Returning from a season-ending shoulder injury, Martin will look to return to his rookie form as he again will be a cornerstone of the offense.

The original plan for rookie RB Charles Sims to spell Martin particularly on third down. That idea went out the window when Sims suffered an ankle injury that will likely him on injured reserve with a designation to return per the Tampa Bay Times' Greg Auman.

Martin still has solid backups in Bobby Rainey and Mike James. Both started at points last season and ran hard and decisively. They will likely continue to battle for the main backup spot especially as Mike James becomes healthy per JoeBucsFan.com.

Fullback Jorvorskie Lane stood out during training camp as a lead blocker, but he also brings some pass-catching ability to the offense. With so many new faces and so much uncertainty on the offensive line, the Bucs will need the running back group to gain yardage on its own if the team hopes to have an effective running game.

Wide Receiver

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

Wide Receivers

Starters: Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans

Reserves: Louis Murphy, Chris Owusu, Robert Herron and Russell Shepard

The Bucs got bigger and faster at wide receiver this year. Veteran WR Vincent Jackson remains as the primary receiving target and undisputed leader of the unit.

First-round draft pick Mike Evans brings a similar mismatch opposite Jackson. He will experience growing pains as he did in the Bucs' preseason match-up against the Buffalo Bills where he fumbled a potential touchdown at the goal line.

WR Louis Murphy is another veteran presence while bringing some much needed speed. Provided he recovers from a back injury he suffered in the final preseason game, Murphy will be the Bucs' go-to deep threat.

Chris Owusu is the only other receiver returning from last year. He is big and fast, but he has yet to prove he can play with consistency. His biggest task will be to translate his prowess on the practice field to the actual game.

Rookies Robert Herron and Russell Shepard are athletically talented but are incomplete football players. Herron's speed could make him a lethal big-play weapon, but only if his hands improve. Shepard is a special teams ace who may not have gotten the credit he was due according to Buccaneers.com's Scott Smith:

"

Perhaps we underestimated the importance of how good Russell Shepard is on special teams. I'm guilty of that. http://t.co/mneCeScMZY

— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) August 30, 2014"

The diversity of the Bucs' wide receiver corps provides the offense with a lot of options. Nonetheless, Jackson is the only proven, reliable option. Evans and the other young receivers will have to grow up in a hurry if the Bucs' are to have a potent passing attack.

Tight End

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Tight Ends

Starter: Brandon Myers

Reserves: Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Luke Stocker

TE Brandon Myers may be listed as the Bucs' starter at tight end per the Tampa Bay Times' Greg Auman, but Tampa's future at the position lies with second-round draft pick Austin Seferian-Jenkins.

It shouldn't be long before the former Washington Huskie joins the ranks of the league's premiere tight ends. Coaches raved over the rookie tight end during camp, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport:

"

Spent the day at the #Bucs facility talking to people. Rookie TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins sounds like the real deal. “A coach’s dream.”

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 13, 2014"

Seferian-Jenkins brings a multitude of tools to the tight end position that the Bucs have not enjoyed in recent history. Clearly his size and strength make him an offensive coordinator's dream for mismatches, but if he continues to improve his blocking, he could be the total package soon.

Until Seferian-Jenkins is ready to ascend to his rightful place, former New York Giant TE Brandon Myers will see a significant number of snaps as the listed starter. He is a proficient receiver, having caught over 100 passes and eight touches over the past two years.

Holdover Luke Stocker is the best blocking tight end in the group. The Bucs must have felt comfortable with what Myers and Stocker showed them in camp to trade away last year's breakout star Tim Wright to the New England Patriots per Fox Sports' Jay Glazer.

All three of the Bucs' tight ends will play significant roles in the offense but make no mistake. The tight end position belongs to Seferian-Jenkins.

Offensive Line

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Offensive Tackles

Starters: Anthony Collins and Demar Dotson

Reserve: Kevin Pamphile and Oniel Cousins

Right tackle Demar Dotson may be the Bucs' best offensive lineman. He was scored as the third-best right tackle in the league by Pro Football Focus last year (subscription required).

Free-agent left tackle Anthony Collins was brought in as an upgrade to Donald Penn. The jury is still out on the Bucs' gamble, especially after Collins' struggles during the preseason.

Rookie Kevin Pamphile has upside, but the Bucs should panic if he is pressed into action this season. Oniel Cousins is listed as a backup tackle, but the last thing the Bucs need is Cousins playing tackle.

Offensive Guards

Starters: Logan Mankins and Patrick Omameh

Reserves: Kadeem Edwards and Rishaw Johnson

The situation at guard looked dire before the Bucs traded for former New England Patriot Logan Mankins. He should help solidify the offensive line and take some of the heat off Tampa Bay's less experienced guards like Kadeem Edwards and Patrick Omameh.

The Bucs traded safety Kelcie McCray to the Kansas City Chiefs for G/C Rishaw Johnson. His main asset is his versatility which may be called into service should the team's other guards struggle early or if center Evan Dietrich-Smith goes down.

Center

Starter: Evan Dietrich-Smith

Reserve: Garrett Gilkey

Former Green Bay Packers center Evan Dietrich-Smith already established himself as a leader on the Bucs offense. He will be the glue to the offensive line and provide solid play in the middle.

The Bucs just claimed Garrett Gilkey off the waiver wire per the Tampa Bay Times' Greg Auman. Gilkey was coached by Bucs offensive line coach George Warhop during his time in Cleveland. He provides depth if little else.

Defensive Line

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

Defensive Tackles

Starters: Gerald McCoy and Clinton McDonald

Reserves: Akeem Spence and Da'Quan Bowers

Arguably the Bucs' strongest unit, the tackles will set the tone on defense, led by Gerald McCoy. The All-Pro tackle could enjoy his best year yet with Lovie Smith coaching the defense.

Clinton McDonald provides solid depth and championship experience. Second-year player Akeem Spence could be a force at nose tackle, if he can stay out of trouble.

Former second-round pick Da'Quan Bowers found new life as a swing defensive tackle, but he will have to get and stay healthy to prove he was worth keeping on the final 53-man roster.

Defensive Ends

Starters: Michael Johnson and Adrian Clayborn

Reserves: William Gholston, Steven Means and Scott Solomon

The defensive end position has been a weakness for the Bucs for years. Signing former Cincinnati Bengal DE Michael Johnson may change that though he was not a very effective pass-rusher in the preseason.

Former first-round pick Adrian Clayborn switched to the left end following the signing of Johnson. Clayborn hasn't been an effective pass-rusher since his rookie year. This could be his last chance to prove to the Bucs that he was worthy of his draft position.

Second-year players Gholston and Means are highly athletic, but neither has really proven his worth on the field. Along with Scott Solomon, they will provide depth while developing pass rush skills under defensive line coach Joe Cullen.

Linebackers

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Linebackers

Starters: Lavonte David, Mason Foster and Jonathan Casillas

Reserves: Dane Fletcher and Danny Lansanah

Though Lovie Smith doesn't believe his linebackers are "where we need to be," he has a solid group of players in the middle of the field. Lavonte David could be the second coming of Derrick Brooks, as he stands to prosper playing in Lovie's system.

Middle linebacker Mason Foster took over play-calling duties for the defense, demonstrating Smith's faith in linebacker's leadership. Foster will face competition from Dane Fletcher all year, but it's unlikely he will lose the job.

Jonathan Casillas is the Bucs' starting strong-side linebacker, but he will be rotated off the field frequently in favor of a nickel cornerback. Both he and second-year LB Danny Lansanah will make the biggest impact on special teams.

Defensive Backs

STEPHEN B. MORTON/Associated Press

Cornerbacks

Starters: Alterraun Verner, Mike Jenkins and Leonard Johnson

Reserves: Johnthan Banks, Rashaan Melvin, and Quinton Pointer

The Bucs' starting cornerbacks are getting healthy at just the right time. Former Tennessee Titan CB Alterraun Verner returned to the starting line-up before the third preseason game. CB Mike Jenkins returned to practice just this week per the Tampa Bay Times' Greg Auman and Matt Baker.

It remains to be seen whether Verner and Jenkins' absences during the preseason will affect their play down the line. Lovie Smith says Jenkins' conditioning isn't a concern:

"

Lovie is not worried about the conditioning of CB Mike Jenkins #Bucs

— Tom Krasniqi (@TKras) September 3, 2014"

Nickel corner Leonard Johnson is basically a starter in Lovie Smith's defense. He will see a lot of time on the field in a position better suited for his skill set.

Second-year CB Johnthan Banks will see plenty of action as well especially as Jenkins makes his way back from his hamstring injury:

"

Jenkins is listed as starting corner for Bucs -- Lovie Smith said he won't play every down, and Johnthan Banks will certainly play as well.

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 3, 2014"

Safeties

Starters: Dashon Goldson, Mark Barron

Reserves: Keith Tandy, Major Wright and Bradley McDougald

Last season, free safety Dashon Goldson was known more for his ability to draw a fine than his play on the field. He hired a tackling coach in the offseason but the biggest agent in improving Goldson's play will be Lovie Smith.

Third-year strong safety Mark Barron is on the cusp of fulfilling his status as the 2012 seventh-overall draft pick. Lovie Smith compared Barron to former Bucs safety John Lynch, certainly setting the bar high for Barron.

Keith Tandy returns to reinforce both safety positions. He is joined by Bradley McDougald who remains injured with a knee injury per Jenna Laine of Sports Talk Florida:

"

Not practicing: Da'Quan Bowers (abdomen), William Gholston (shoulder), Bradley McDougald (knee), Rashaan Melvin (ankle), Louis Murphy (back)

— JennaLaineBucs (@JennaLaineBucs) September 3, 2014"

The Bucs also brought back Major Wright after he was cut on Sunday per Greg Auman. Wright's initial cut was surprising considering Lovie Smith's appreciation of his skills:

"

Lovie believes safety Major Wright "will help us win football games this year" #Bucs

— Tom Krasniqi (@TKras) August 14, 2014"

Now back with the Bucs, Wright could be an important contributor to the safety group this season.

Special Teams

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Punter: Michael Koenen

Kicker: Pat Murray

Long Snapper: Andrew DePaola

Punt Returner: Bobby Rainey

Kick Retuner: Chris Owusu

Punter Michael Koenen returns for his fourth year with the Bucs. After a mediocre season in 2013, Koenen looked good during the preseason, dropping nine punts inside the 20 and averaging 43.8 net yards per punt.

It may have come as some surprise that former Fordham kicker Patrick Murray beat incumbent K Conner Barth for a roster spot. Per the Tampa Bay Times' Greg Auman, the decision was a tough one for Lovie Smith:

"

Lovie Smith on new kicker Pat Murray: "Patrick performed every day he was on the field. Simple as that." Barth kicked well, tough decision.

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 1, 2014"

Once again, the Bucs roll the dice on a newer, less expensive player over a sure thing in Barth. Murray impressed Lovie Smith during the preseason and has the versatility to kick field goals and punt.

The Bucs' current depth chart list RB Bobby Rainey as punt returner and WR Chris Owusu as the kick returner. It's possible the Bucs could also call up practice squad WR Solomon Patton at some point as he handled both duties throughout the preseason.

X-Factors

Brian Blanco/Associated Press

Chemistry

One element of a good NFL team that should never go unappreciated is chemistry. The individual players on a team only become a team once they can operate as a unit.

The Bucs are returning only 29 players from last year's roster, adding 24 in free agency and the draft. The unit seeing the greatest turnover is the offensive line, which is as reliant on chemistry as any group on a team.

After his trade from New England last week, G Logan Mankins told reporters per the Tampa Bay Times' Gary Shelton, "I've never played with any of these guys, and they've never played with me. So we'll be learning on the fly." A top-flight lineman like Mankins knows as well as anyone that there's more to building a strong offensive line than just plugging a guy into a spot.

Fortunately for the Bucs, Mankins is adjusting quickly according to the Buccaneers' website:

"

"This locker room is starting to feel like home" - New #Bucs G Logan Mankins: http://t.co/ftmgvvpiAC pic.twitter.com/IvcOITVZ9T

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) September 3, 2014"

Mankins is only one piece of the pie. Even beyond the line, the Bucs offense will have to jell quickly if it hopes to be an impactful unit.

Jeff Tedford

Odds are good that the Bucs will field a strong defense this season if Lovie Smith's resume is any indication. The Bucs' offense does not instill the same level of confidence in no small part due to the uncertainty surrounding offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford.

Tedford was head coach of the California Golden Bears between 2002 and 2012 before he was hired by the Bucs. Over his career he developed quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers, David Carr and Joey Harrington. From 2003 to 2006 Cal's offense under Tedford was a top-25 team in total yards and points. Tedford is the winningest coach in Cal's history.

It is important to remember that Tedford was eventually fired by Cal. The Golden Bears were rolling off a cliff leading up to Tedford's dismissal in 2012, finishing with a 3-9 record.

Tedford has never coached in the NFL. It remains to be seen whether his system can translate to the pro game.

More immediately Tedford may not be able to call plays for the Bucs first game per the Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud. Tedford may return for the game or soon after, but uncertainty is the last thing a refurbished offense needs especially coming from its playcaller.

Biggest Games

Bill Haber/Associated Press

vs. New Orleans Saints, (Oct. 5) and at New Orleans (Dec. 28)

All roads to the NFC South title lead through the New Orleans Saints. The Saints should remain the favorites to again win division so long as Drew Brees is under center.

After a tough 14-16 loss to the Saints at the start of last season, the Bucs ended the year on the wrong end of a humiliating 42-17 blowout.

Though the Bucs defense should be improved under Lovie Smith, the Saints' also got better by signing stud safety Jarius Byrd. The Bucs are unlikely to win a shootout with Brees, who finished last season with 39 touchdowns.

The Bucs can't expect to win both matchups against New Orleans, but they cannot expect to win the NFC South without winning at least one.

at Chicago (Nov. 23)

Lovie Smith may insist this game is no bigger than any other. Don't be fooled. It will be.

The Bears' former head coach has some reason to want a little payback. After finishing the 2012 season with a 10-6 record, Smith was fired.

Since Marc Trestman took the reins in Chicago, the Bears offense has taken off, thanks in part in 2013 to the efforts of current Bucs' starting QB Josh McCown. When Jay Cutler went down with a groin injury, the Bears offense didn't skip a beat under McCown who threw 13 touchdowns to only one interception and completed 66.5 percent of his throws.

Smith should have motivation to beat his old team. McCown could be the key by providing insight into the mechanics of Trestman's offense for this intraconference game.