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

The Bucs have signed 27-year old linebacker Angelo Crowell to a contract.  Crowell played in all 16 games for the Bills last season and he made 126 tackles, defensed 4 passes, had 2 sacks, forced a fumble and intercepted a pass.  Crowell has now played in 65 games in his NFL career and he has made 344 tackles, defensed 17 passes, has 7 sacks, forced 4 fumbles and he has intercepted 5 passes.  This was a outstanding move for the Buccaneers who had a big need at linebacker that Crowell should be able to fill.

The Buccaneers have signed 27-year old placekicker Mike Nugent to a 1-year deal.  Nugent missed his only field goal attempt last season for the Jets as he was injured most of the season.  Nugent has played in 49 games in his NFL career and he has made 75 of 92 field goals (81.5%) and 83 of 85 extra points.  Nugent does have a stronger leg than 33-year old incumbent Matt Bryant, but, Bryant has done a good job for the Bucs since coming to Tampa.  Bryant played in all 16 games last season for the Bucs and he made 32 of 38 (84.2%) field goal attempts and he also made 35 of 36 extra points.  With that performance, Bryant tallied 131 points for the Bucs last season.  It will be interesting to watch the battle for the starting job in training camp for the Bucs.

The Buccaneers have signed 28-year old running back Derrick Ward to a 4-year, $17 million dollar contract ($6 million guaranteed).  Ward played in all 16 games for the Giants last season and he carried the ball 182 times for 1,025 yards (5.6 ypc) with 2 TD runs.  He also caught 41 passes for 384 yards (9.4 avg) last season.  Look for Ward to share the load in the running game in 2009 for the Bucs with Ernest Graham which means the Bucs are going to have a power running game.  Ward has now played in 51 games in his NFL career and he has carrried the ball 342 times for 1,750 yards (5.1 ypc) with 5 TD runs.  He has also caught 69 passes for 576 yards (8.3 avg) with 1 TD grab.  In a pinch Ward could also help the Bucs returning kickoffs as he has done that 40 times in his NFL career resulting in 923 yards (23.1 avg) and a TD.  This was a great signing for the Buccaneers as Ward seems to have a lot of tread left on his tires.

The Buccaneers have signed 27-year old linebacker Niko Koutouvides.  Koutouvides played in 14 games (0 starts) for the Broncos last season and he made 12 tackles.  He has now played in 73 games (2 starts) in his NFL career to date and he has made 123 tackles, has 1 sack and he has defensed one pass.  Look for him to provide depth at linebacker but his forte’ is being a special teams demon.