Game three…who will it be?

As many Bucs fans are doing this evening, I am anxiously awaiting watching the events unfold in the game against the Dolphins this evening.  The preseason has been rather eventful (for the worse in my opinion) and seems to have picked up from where it had left off with the handling of Derrick Brooks, whom many felt, was the main remaining face of the Bucs glory days which seems quite long ago suddenly. Now with more recent events, two of which were in the same week involving starting safety Tanard Jackson and starting cornerback Aqib Talib, coach Morris is gaining experience in many ways as a first year NFL head coach.

Obviously the quarterback battle/scenario is one topic foremost on many of our minds in which we will be keeping a close eye on as Byron Leftwich and Luke McCown take their turns.  Apparently there must be at least some truth to the rumors of the Bucs front office entertaining offers for at least one of the four quarterbacks on the roster presently. Coach Morris did not at all deny the rumors and basically said that the discussions between team front offices is commonplace this time of year as teams try to get better. Ironically, the latest report I have heard of a trade rumor stated that the Jaguars, Leftwich’s former team, inquired about McCown.

Rumors are just that and certainly nothing to bank on but I feel it would make good business sense to try and deal one of them, especially if one of them doesn’t grab the reins to take over with authority. They couldn’t possibly want to hang onto four quarterbacks going into the season when they have other needs and injury concerns. Keeping four QB’s is something that the former coach Gruden would do but not coach Morris…right? If they can get something for one of them then I think it is a wise choice because they drafted who they feel is the QB of the future in Josh Freeman and he is going to need some reps in order to make any progress in his first year.

The one thing you can say is that it would seem the winner of the QB competition will earn the spot one way or another whether it is by playing his way into the role or by default from a possible trade. I would have to believe that the added pressure of the rumors on top of the position battle calls for some mental fortitude on their parts. I think it was a good idea to extend the competition one more week instead of deciding on someone last week based upon it not being clearly apparent who was leading it. I would expect Morris to make the announcement very soon after the game tonight. We will just have to wait and see if the rumored trade plays a role and to what extent.

Another position with possibly a bit of an overload is running back. Since they paid good money to bring in Derrick Ward as a free agent, you know he is assured a spot. Can they keep both Ernest Graham and Cadillac Williams? Cadillac will see his first game action and it is to be extensive tonight to show off his skills. What will they do if he looks very good? Remember they also have Clifton Smith, our Pro Bowl return man who is also a backup RB. I can’t see him being turned loose.

Finally, last but not least (without mentioning further battles such as at receiver), we have Jermaine Phillips going back to safety now that the aforementioned  Jackson is suspended for some time. Therefore we will now need to look closely at the battle at the vacated outside linebacker spot. You would have to think Geno Hayes, who will start tonight, has the edge with Adam Hayward playing in the backup spot.

Decisions…decisions…the Buccaneer staff really has its work cut out for themselves over the next couple of weeks. Lets hope that the only further drama is on the field and in the decisions to be made.