Bucs release depth chart with a few surprises
Dirk Koetter and the Bucs released the first pre-season depth chart this week and there were a couple of surprises. Most of the media did not make a big deal of this and I understand it’s pre-season and Koetter dosen’t want to tip his hand, but here are my questions about the depth chart.
Jameis Winston is listed as the starting QB. Everyone in the world knows that Ryan Fitzpatrick is going to be the Bucs starting QB the first three weeks of the season. So why not just list Fitzpatrick as the starter and Griffin as the No. 2?
At RB, Peyton Barber is listed as the starter and Jacquizz Rodgers as the back-up. What about Ronald Jones? He is listed as No. 3 on the depth chart. For all the good words and coach praise about Jones in training camp, he obviously still has a lot of work to do to work his way up the depth chart.
At WR, DeSean Jackson is listed at No. 2 behind Mike Evans. Koetter has said repeatedly that he looks at the WR position as having 4 No. 1 starters. Evans, Jackson, Godwin and Humphries. Again all indications are that Godwin is having an excellent camp. I have been there and have seen first hand the incredible catches that Godwin has made.
It is only practice, but Godwin is light years ahead of where he was last year. He is making the tough catches, his route running has improved, and he is able to get good separation from the DB’s. I think Godwin beats out Jackson for the No. 2 spot by opening day. Also, Fitzpatrick seems to have a better touch on the deep ball with all the receivers than Winston does. And Winston is known for having the bigger arm.
On defense not to many surprises as Curry, McCoy, Allen and Pierre Paul are listed as the starters on the DL. The injured Vita Vea is The No. 3 DT behind McCoy and Allen.
Adarius Taylor is the starting LB in place of the injured Kendall Beckwith. It looks as if David and Taylor will start on the outside, with Kwon Alexander starting on the inside.
At DB, Vernon Hargreaves is listed as the starter opposite Brent Grimes, while Carlton Davis is the backup to Brent Grimes with MJ Stewart as the third string CB behind Davis.
Koetter always says don’t read anything into the first depth chart of the season. It looks as if Koetter just wrote some names down on a sheet of paper and turned it in and called it a depth chart.
The OL has been hampered by injuries so far in camp as three potential starters may not play in the game on Thursday night. That could alter the game plan as Koetter adjusts to the dearth of healthy Offensive lineman.
Raise your hand if you want to take the 9,000 calorie a day challenge with Noah Spence? Spence Is trying to get his weight to the 255-260 range, which is up about 25-30 pounds over his last years playing weight And is eating 9,000 calories a day.
Let’s see 9,000 calories a day
-30 cheeseburgers
-30 hot dogs with bun
-1500 sticks of celery (for you folks that like to eat healthy)
I wish Spence well in his quest to put on weight. But 9,000 Calories a day would take the joy out of eating for me.
Bucs have no practice Wednesday as they travel to Miami and get ready for the first pre-season game on Thursday night.
