Josh Freeman: Buccaneers Place Him One Good Hit From The Starting Role

For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the dye is cast.

The team is chosen, including the "Chosen One."

The roster is set, players have been released and serious business is at hand.

This Buccanner team is set to start the 2009 season with new coaches and a lot of new faces on that roster.

The quarterback lineup shows that fact.

For all intents and purposes, it appears it's Byron Leftwich followed by Josh Freeman then Josh Johnson.

That was set up by a late trade Saturday that sent backup Luke McCown to the struggling Jacksonville Jaguars for a draft pick that will probably turn out to be a fifth or sixth round selection.

Fact is, the Bucs were fortunate to find a taker for McCown. It helped them dump more than $4 million in salary.

And it helped them roster-wise by keeping three quarterbacks rather than a crazy Jon Gruden-like total of four.

There were no huge surprises when it came to the cuts.

Kick Matt Bryant knew he was on his way out with his sore hamstring.

Two surprise roster winners were offensive linemen Demar Dotson and University of South Florida product Marc Dile.

Running back Kareem Huggins didn't make it but will probably be back on  the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Rookie Xavier Fulton went on injured reserve with a bad knee and safety Tanard Jackson is off the roster for the first four games under suspension by the league.

But the story goes back to the quarterback trio.

Leftwich, who has been known as the fragile-type, is one good hit away.

He's one good hit away from the backup taking over.

We all know Byron is not the quickest guy around. He's vulnerable in that pocket.

He'll be vulnerable to some very strong defensive lines that make up  the NFC East and NFC South competition.

It all starts this week.

Dallas will arrive in seven days.

Raheem Morris has his roster, and his hopes and dreams.

And he has Byron, Josh, and Josh.

By gosh.