Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tyrone McKenzie Not on Roster, Is This a Mistake?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released middle linebacker Tyrone McKenzie, according to Anwar Richardson of the Tampa Tribune.

McKenzie entered training camp fully expecting to be the team's starting middle linebacker with Barrett Ruud hitting free agency, but lost out to rookie Mason Foster.

McKenzie was entering his second season after featuring in three games for the Buccaneers as a rookie. Despite losing out to the third-round pick from this year's draft, McKenzie had performed well throughout the preseason.

If nothing else, he had proven himself enough to be considered a capable backup.

At 25 years of age, he still had a chance to develop further. It wasn't a matter of him needing to be a starter or his career would be over. In fact, McKenzie indicated that he would be willing to remain with the team as a backup, when he said: "Whatever I can do to help us win, that's what I've been focused on."

While McKenzie wasn't by any means a proven veteran, he did provide some stability and depth behind Foster. After all, as a rookie, the 22-year-old may struggle with his consistency and his understanding of the scheme as he is further exposed to the NFL in the regular season.

The team will now be looking towards undrafted rookie Derrell Smith and Adam Hayward to provide depth behind Foster. While the Buccaneers are obviously not bothered about going with youthful and inexperienced players on their roster, it would help to bring in a proven veteran in the center as backup for Foster.

As a backup, McKenzie won't be considered a loss to the team. However, one must wonder whether it is really a good decision for the team to let go of the player they expected to be their starter coming into camp.

It would have been understandable had McKenzie struggled through the preseason, but he didn't. Maybe he changed his mind and asked to be released, but that doesn't seem feasible for a player of his limited stature throughout the league. It's not like other rosters will be waiting to jump on him.

The importance of the starting middle linebacker position in any defense is vital. The importance of the backup when the starter is an unproven rookie is greater than you'd think.

He may not be a loss to the team, but this definitely seems like a mistake for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Raheem Morris.