Buccaneers Now Face The Unkindest Cuts Of All

The only Bryant on the 53-man roster for the 2009 Tampa Bay Buccaneers is named "Antonio." Matt Bryant won't be there come Saturday at 6 p.m.

Raheem, a name that means "compassionate," will be a name without compassion after Friday night's final preseason game against Houston.

There is no room for compassion when it comes to picking the 53-man roster, no room for Raheem Morris to be the nice guy. Nice is nice and business is business and choosing the players that will face the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 13 is strictly business.

Morris told Bryant this week that he'd have to put aside his sore hamstring and play if he holds any hope of making the team.

Bryant declined, opting to invest in his leg long-term rather than short-term.

While one Bryant prepares to make his exit, the other Bryant, Antonio, was back at practice this week, as was the team's no. 2 receiver, Michael Clayton.

Neither will play Friday. Neither will most of the starters.

And that begs the question: Why bother to play a fourth preseason game?

It's a simple matter of money. Players receive 16 game checks during the regular season that total their respective salaries. The preseason is a time of low payroll and full ticket prices, a windfall for the owners.

Those patient, devoted fans who attend these final "scrimmages" pay full till for the right to see a lot of players who won't be around come Sunday.

Rosters now stand at 75. The Bucs will trim 22 players.

And there's strong talk going around that Morris will keep all four quarterbacks: Byron Leftwich, Luke McCown, Josh Freeman and Josh Johnson.

And you thought Jon Gruden was nutty.