The Buccaneers have been collecting QBs this off-season to compete for the starting job.  It would appear that Luke McCown would be penciled in as the starter heading into training camp.  He has some experience playing in the Bucs’ system and he’s looked very good at times.  He has all of the tools needed to succeed as he has a good throwing arm and nice mobility.  Byron Leftwich probably has the best resume’ out of this group of QBs.  But, he has had problems staying healthy since injuring his ankle against the Akron Zips in his last game at the Rubber Bowl.  Still, if healthy Leftwich has the best combination of arm strength and experience on the Bucs’ roster.  Rookie first round pick Josh Freeman could be the Wild Card this season if the Bucs’ want to throw him into the fire.  He definately looks the part with a good arm, nice size and good mobility.  But in college he threw a lot of pickoffs and that part of his game will need to improve if he’s to get on the field as a rookie.  The Bucs like what they saw out of Josh Johnson last season but he could be caught in a numbers game here.  Brian Griese appears to be the odd man out as the Bucs have been trying to trade him.  Griese still would be a good backup QB but his days as a starter appear to be behind him.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON:  D

The Buccaneers have traded 26-year old TE Alex Smith to the Patriots for a undisclosed 2010 NFL Draft Pick.  Smith played in 14 games for the Bucs last season and he caught 21 passes for 250 yards (11.9 avg) with 3 TD grabs.  In his three seasons with the Bucs, Smith played in 58 games and caught 129 passes for 1,252 yards (9.7 avg) with 11 TD grabs.  When Kellen Winslow was acquired from the Browns Smith’s days were numbered.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded up two spots with the Cleveland Browns costing them a 6th round pick (#191 overall) for the right to select QB Josh Freeman.  It was surprising to me that the Bucs selected a QB when they had so many other needs.  Freeman is a little raw and will likely take time before he’s ready to start in the NFL despite Coach Morris saying that he will compete with Byron Leftwich and Luke McCown for the starting job.  Freeman is a good athlete standing at 6′6″, 240 pounds and he runs a 4.8 40.  There’s no doubting that Freeman has a big time arm but he often throws the ball where he shouldn’t.  Freeman played in 35 games (32 starts) in his 3 years at Kansas State and he completed 680 of 1,151 passes (59.1%) for 8,078 yards with 44 TD passes and 34 interceptions.  Unless Freeman turns out to be a franchise QB (doubtful) then the Buccaneers should have picked someone else in the first round.

The Buccaneers have signed 29-year old QB Byron Leftwich to a 2-year contract.  He will battle Luke McCown for the starting job in the pre season and training camp.  Leftwich is a hulking QB at 6′5″, 250 pounds and he has a rocket arm.  Last season he played in 5 games for the Steelers and he completed 21 of 36 passes (58.3%) for 303 yards with 2 TD passes and 0 interceptions (104.3 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 4 times for 7 yards (1.8 ypc) last season.  Leftwich has now played in 54 games in his NFL career and he has completed 842 of 1,438 passes (58.6%) for 9,624 yards with 54 TD passes and 38 interceptions (80.3 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 130 times for 378 yards (2.9 ypc) with 9 TD runs in his career.  This was a good signing for the Buccaneers as it forces Luke McCown to earn the starting job if he gets it.  Brian Griese will likely lose his roster spot with the Bucs going with young and promising Josh Johnson as their #3 QB in 2009.

1st round pick (CB) Aqib Talib could move into the starting lineup as a sophomore.  Talib played in 15 games (2 starts) for the Buccaneers last season and he made 23 tackles, defensed 9 passes and had 4 interceptions.  He could wind up being a impact player down the road for the Bucs.  WR Dexter Jackson was a complete bust for the Bucs in 2008.  He played in 7 games (0 starts) for the Bucs last season and he didn’t make any catches.  He returned 14 kickoffs for 327 yards (23.4 avg) and 20 punts for 97 yards (4.9 avg) before being replaced in both roles.  Offensive guard (3rd round) Jeremy Zuttah played in 12 games (5 starts) as a rookie for the Bucs.  He could develop into a starter in the near future for the Bucs.  DT Dre Moore (4th rounder) spent his rookie season on the practice squad.  5th rounder (QB) Josh Johnson was drafted as a project for the future.  He didn’t make it to the field in 2008 for the Bucs.  Outside linebacker (6th rounder) Geno Hayes played in 9 games (0 starts) for the Bucs last season and he made 13 tackles and defensed a pass.  Running back Cory Boyd (7th rounder) played in 1 game (0 starts) for the Broncos last season.

GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  D+

GRADE FOR THE FUTURE:  C