Aqib Talib, Raheem Morris, Youngry

Entering the 2011 NFL season, no team was a sexier sleeper pick than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Young stud at quarterback? Check. Physical beast at running back? Check. Super talented and young defensive line? Check. And don’t forget about 35-year-old head coach Raheem Morris, who is currently the youngest coach or manager in the core four American professional sports leagues.

So far the Bucs haven’t done much to dispel the preseason hype. At 3-1, they are tied with New Orleans for the NFC South lead. They beat a solid Atlanta team at home, and their only loss was in Week 1 to a still-undefeated Detroit team.

Against a decimated Indianapolis Colts on Monday night, however, Tampa struggled mightily to move the ball for almost the entire first half and committed a grand total of 14 penalties for more than 100 yards’ loss. The patchwork Colts team — led by quarterback Curtis Painter in his first start and a left tackle recently signed off the practice squad — held a 10-0 lead at one point and controlled the pace for much of the night. While the Bucs did win 24-17 and Tampa players are quick to say that such an ugly affair is precisely how they like it, it’s critical to consider the competition they faced. As well as this team has played in the fourth quarter, it’s mostly been mediocre for the first three.

Quarterback Josh Freeman now has eight fourth-quarter comebacks, more than Joe Montana, John Elway, Roger Staubach, or any other quarterback in NFL history at such a young age (Freeman is 23). But for the Bucs, there’s a fine line between being a team that closes games and a team that gets lucky.

Counting on your ability to take over the fourth quarter after playing a subpar game for the first 45 minutes is not playing championship football, and in a brutal division that also features a revitalized Carolina team, you cannot survive with late game bailouts every week. Through the quarter point of the season, Tampa has scored half as many points in the fourth quarter (28) as it has in the other three combined (56). That can be really good or really bad.

As Atlanta discovered last season against Green Bay in the playoffs, one poor quarter or half can mean the season. The Bucs have a suspect pass defense that ranks 21st in yards allowed and clearly — as evidenced by Painter’s 281 yards and two touchdowns — has some holes. Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is a beast inside and Adrian Clayborn is scary coming off the edge. Both will continue to generate a nasty pass rush, but if you can’t cover in this league, you can’t win. At 36, defensive back Ronde Barber is still a terrific playmaker (e.g., sacks, interceptions) but not a shutdown corner or close to it. And while Aqib Talib shows signs of brilliance, he still hasn’t become someone the coach can fully trust on the perimeter (or off the field for that matter).

Without question, the Bucs are on their way to accomplishing great things. They have what every general manager covets at three skill positions: quarterback Freeman, who in his third year is just now scratching the surface; second-year running back LeGarrette Blount, who is both bruiser and highlight-reel star; and fellow second-year man Mike Williams, a wide receiver with all the tools to eventually become a true No. 1 threat. But let’s not forget that this team is also young, as in the league’s youngest. And with youth comes growing pains.

Despite the win on primetime Monday, what we learned about Tampa Bay is that we really don’t know who or what this team is quite yet. But with a Week 5 road test against division leader San Francisco and a Week 6 match-up with New Orleans, we’ll find out soon enough.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story stated that Tampa Bay’s one loss to date was “on the road” against Detroit. That loss was a home game.

Email me at jordan.schultz@huffingtonpost.com or ask me questions about anything NFL-related at @206Child for my upcoming mailbag.

Plus, check out my brand-new HuffPost sports blog, The Schultz Report, for a fresh and daily outlook on all things sports.

Read More: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers kept pace with the New Orleans Saints for the top spot in the NFC South with their 16-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, and though two other power rankings have the Bucs on the verge of climbing into the NFL’s top 10, Pete Prisco of CBS is slightly less impressed. Prisco, CBS’s Senior NFL Columnist, names Tampa Bay as the league’s 15th-best team at this point in the young season in his power rankings.

Prisco, who ranked Tampa Bay 18th last week, says the Bucs’ victory “serves notice to the NFC South that they will be a factor in the division race.” On the flip side, he dropped the Falcons from 8th the 16th following the game, which may indicate he believes the game says more about Atlanta than it does about Tampa Bay.

The Bucs have a great opportunity to move up even more in the power rankings next Monday, when they host the winless Indianapolis Colts. Prisco ranks Indy 30th of the league’s 32 teams.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer

Posted: Sep 14, 2011 05:42 PM

TAMPA — Plenty has changed since T Donald Penn began his career as an undrafted free agent on the Vikings practice squad five years ago.

But Penn, coming off his first Pro Bowl season, said one thing remains the same as he prepares for his first game back in Minnesota since the Bucs signed him October 2006.

“I still have a chip on my shoulder,” Penn said.

Penn will also have a large responsibility on his shoulders, charged with slowing down Vikings three-time Pro Bowl DE Jared Allen. Since entering the league in 2004, Allen has 83.5 sacks, tops among all players during that time frame.

“He’s a game-changer,” Penn said. “I’ve just got to try to play as well as the last time I played him.”

In that matchup, back on Nov. 16, 2008, Penn held Allen sack-less in a 19-13 Tampa Bay victory.

“It was a physical battle, I’ll tell you what,” Allen said. “I was fresh off a busted-up shoulder and I felt it. I’ll never forget that game.”

While Penn said he’s a “totally different player” and more technically sound than he was then, he pointed out Allen is a very smart player, one who studies his opponent’s meticulously. And with the crazed crowd under the dome at Mall of America Field, the noise can give Allen an advantage, meaning Penn will have to anticipate the silent count.

“I really do think it plays a big, big factor in Allen’s game at home, because it’s hard for a tackle to hear,” Penn said. “If a tackle gets off a second late, a second means a lot in this league.”

Allen won’t have his partner-in-crime, DT Kevin Williams (49.5 career sacks), who has been sidelined with a left foot injury, but is excited for the challenge of facing Penn.

“It should be fun — he’s a good player,” Allen said. “Hopefully we can get a few on-on-one looks and have some fun with it.”

TALKING TALIB: Bucs CB Aqib Talib, who played in his first game in about eight months on Sunday, said he came out of it feeling good physically after having battled hamstring issues all preseason.

“I’m good — I’m 100 percent,” Talib said.

As for Talib’s anticipated matchup with Lions star WR Calvin Johnson, which Talib had said he couldn’t wait for, he knew things could have gone better. Johnson racked up six catches for 88 yards and two touchdowns, both on balls that were just over the outstretched hands of Talib. On the first one, safety Sean Jones said he should have been on the backside helping out.

Talib did get an interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter.

“It went all right,” Talib said of the matchup. “I’m going up against one of the best receivers in the league. … I got my seven (points), he got 14. You never want to give that up. But it’s last week, we’re focused on Minnesota.”

HIGH PRAISE: Vikings coach Leslie Frazier sees a lot of potential in the Bucs young defensive line.

“We’ve been really impressed,” Frazier said. “They’ve got some young talent, guys are really flying around, good speed as well. I think the future is bright for the Buccaneers, just looking at their personnel, and how guys are playing this early. … Their defensive front is going to be one to be reckoned with in time.”

GOING LONG: The Bucs waived long snapper Christian Yount and replaced him with long snapper Scott Albritton, who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent this year with Houston before being one of their final roster cuts Sept. 3.

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib, right, missed last season’s game against Detroit — to Calvin Johnson’s benefit.
	[DANIEL WALLACE | Times]

TAMPA — Bucs corner Aqib Talib talked about how tough it was to sit out the final four games of last season with a hip injury, and watching the team’s playoff chances dashed with a 23-20 loss to the Lions on Dec. 19 at Raymond James Stadium.

In that game, Lions star receiver Calvin Johnson — nicknamed “Megatron” — racked up 10 catches for 152 yards in dominating fashion.

But when the teams meet Sunday in Tampa, Talib – who says his hamstring is now healthy — said he “can’t wait” for the challenge of shadowing the Lions’ 6-foot-5, 230-pound playmaker.

“He’s one of the top guys in the league,” Talib said. “Slash, digs, jump balls, boy can do it all.”

The only question is, what will Talib do Sunday, considering he hasn’t played in a game in eight months? Talib sat out all four preseason games, but said his hamstring is “98.5 percent.”

Talib said he’s been doing extra conditioning, but the only way to get back is by getting game reps, and he’ll get plenty, as defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake said he’ll play “every snap.”

“We’re hoping he picks up where he left off last year,” Lake said. “He’s going to be the same guy. He’s the ultimate competitor, and he’d never allow me to take him off the field anyway, so he’s going to be out there every single play.”

Said coach Raheem Morris: “He’s a game-day guy, a show-up-and-play type of guy. He’ll be ready to go.”

Talib is arguably the Bucs’ best defensive player, with six interceptions before an injury cut his 2010 season short.

Among Johnson’s big plays in last year’s game were clutch receptions on the final play of regulation and in overtime’s lone possession, including a 12-yard, sideline-straddling, third-down grab in overtime.

Corner Ronde Barber minced few words afterward, saying Johnson “dominated us,” even with an extra defensive back leaning his direction all day. Morris remembered the first time the Bucs faced Johnson, and on jump-balls, “it looked like (Michael) Jordan.”

“He’s going to make his plays,” Lake said. “We’ve just got to limit those plays. Throughout the game, we know he’s not going to be limited to zero catches. They’re going to throw him the football.”

On Monday, Johnson told blogs.detroitlions.com that the win in Tampa last year, one of four consecutive for Detroit to end the season, was “big for us” in the fact they got to spoil the Bucs season.

“We took pride in that — being able to knock those guys out,” Johnson said. “I had a couple nice catches toward the end of that game. Overall, we had a good game at the receiver position. We went out there and took over that game and made a bunch of plays from the beginning to the end.”

Morris said Talib was “upset” he missed that game. There was a danger Talib wouldn’t be around for Sunday’s showdown with Johnson either; the fourth-year corner was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon stemming from a March incident in Texas.

But since Talib found out a couple of weeks ago he wouldn’t be suspended this season by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, his eyes have been on being ready for Sept. 11.

“Anytime there’s a big name or big guy, per se, (Talib is) up for the challenge, each and every week” safety Sean Jones said.

That being said, Jones knows containing Johnson, as well as fellow receiver Nate Burleson — whom Morris said might be one of the best slot receivers in the league — is not just a one-man job.

“(Johnson) has a tight end body with receiver speed,” Jones said. “He can post you up, and box you in that way. Or he can beat you deep. We’re definitely going to keep our eye on him the whole game and try to keep him under wraps. We’re going to have (Talib) on him for most of the game. We’re excited about that.”

While Talib will be back for the Bucs, Johnson will have his starting quarterback, Matt Stafford (after backup Drew Stanton played in last year’s game) coming off a strong 4-0 preseason.

“It’s a premium matchup,” Morris said. “First time (Talib) and (Johnson) get to tango. I look forward to seeing it.”

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.

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By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist

In Print: Friday, September 2, 2011

LANDOVER, Md. — They say it is meaningless, and for those who made it through 3½ hours Thursday night without changing the channel, it probably felt that way.

But here, high above the turf in a suite at FedEx Field, there are certain players who are being studied by Buccaneers coaches and officials. There are discussions taking place. There are life-changing decisions on the verge of being made.

It may feel like a dress rehearsal, but the final game of the NFL preseason is much more than that. It is a final opportunity for a small handful of players on the verge of a dream.

It is a night they will forever look back on, in either gratitude or regret.

No one understands this better than Bucs general manager Mark Dominik, who stood in a hallway outside of his suite during halftime and contemplated the 27 players who will soon be told the sweat and bruises of the past six weeks were not enough.

“I felt like I knew about 45 guys (were on the final 53-man roster) coming in. I wouldn’t let this game play those guys out of a roster spot,” Dominik said. “But there are seven, eight guys who could play themselves into a roster spot or hold on to their spot that they were penciled in at.

“When you look at it that way, this night will have a big impact on our football team.”

So, did Ed Gant turn heads with his big plays against the Redskins? Did Mossis Madu or Armando Allen show a certain elusiveness missing from the backfield? Did Rudy Carpenter sign his pink slip?

Did Kyle Moore and Elbert Mack play themselves back into contention?

By the time the Bucs’ charter flight left Baltimore Washington International Airport after the 29-24 loss to the Redskins, Dominik would have sat down with coach Raheem Morris to go over the roster. This would be followed by meetings with each assistant coach at 30,000 feet.

The plane was scheduled to reach Tampa somewhere around 3 a.m., where Dominik and his staff would make the choice of sleeping at One Buc Place or heading home for three hours. Somewhere around daybreak, they would begin watching a tape of the game.

Then there would be more meetings in anticipation of the roster cuts required by Saturday.

“That’s the worst part of this job,” Dominik said. “There are guys who have worked really hard, guys who have been a part of this team in the past, were part of what we started here in 2009 and were part of a 10-6 season (last year).

“Some of those guys are not going to make this team.”

If you do not think these moments matter, then you weren’t paying attention last year. If the final week of the preseason is heartbreak for some, then it is a second chance for others. For at the same time they are preparing to trim their roster, the Bucs are also looking for ways to supplement their talent.

It was almost exactly this moment in 2010 when the Bucs added Dezmon Briscoe after the Bengals tried to hide him on their practice squad. A day later, the Bucs got Ted Larsen and Kregg Lumpkin on waivers. The day after that, they added LeGarrette Blount.

None of those moves were spur of the moment. Nothing happened by accident.

The Bucs spend time studying the depth charts and the injury lists of every team in the league, and anticipating which prospects might come available. Before heading to FedEx Field, Dominik and his crew were in hotel rooms watching tapes of other games.

A year ago, the Bucs were keeping a close watch on about 30 players around the league. This week they are focused on 15 to 20.

Most of them are players the Bucs had interest in coming out of the draft, but some have shown up unexpectedly in preseason tapes.

“There are three, four guys we have found that we did not have on the map that we did not consider drafting,” Dominik said. “When we watch tape, we don’t just single out certain plays by guys. Let’s take LeGarrette Blount, for example. We didn’t just focus on his runs at Tennessee last year. We try to watch the whole game to make sure nobody else flashes and catches your eye.

“If we see someone like that, then we go back in and really hone in on that one player. ‘Oh, okay, it’s that guy from Fiji State. Well, wait a second, we didn’t have a big report on him.’ So we go back in and buzz through all the preseason games and decide if he’s claimable or a practice squad candidate or an emergency-use guy.”

This week likely will be different from last year. The Bucs have fewer spots on the roster they feel need to be upgraded. They are less likely to make last-minute moves.

“That’s a good thing,” Dominik said. “Ideally you come to the point where you’re just making tough cuts and people are taking your players. And I feel like we’re getting really close to that point. Really close.”

John Romano can be reached at romano@sptimes.com.

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bucs Report

By Joe Smith and Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writers

In Print: Thursday, August 25, 2011

FOSTER FINED: Mason Foster was fined $20,000 by the league for this hit on the Patriots’ Chad Ochocinco. Foster’s forearm and shoulder at one point appeared to hit Ochocinco’s head.
	[CHRIS ZUPPA | Times]

TAMPA — Bucs CB Aqib Talib declined Wednesday to provide details of his meeting with commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday in New York.

“I’m going to keep all the details between me and the commissioner, if you all can respect that,” Talib repeated four times in response to media questions about the meeting.

Talib, who missed the first two preseason games with a hamstring injury, hopes to play Saturday against the Dolphins.

“I’m trying to just get healthy, trying to see if I can go and just get right,” Talib said. “I’m almost there. I’m trying to get healthy enough to play. That’s my goal. I’m almost there.”

As for his problems off the field, the latest of which include him being charged in a March shooting in Texas?

“My life isn’t different than any of ya’ll,” Talib said. “There’s obstacles. … You’ve got to know how to handle it.”

FINE WITH FINE: Rookie LB Mason Foster has picked up his first league-issued fine.

Foster found out he was fined $20,000 for a hit on Patriots WR Chad Ochocinco in Thursday’s exhibition game. Foster’s agent, Steve Caric, said he would appeal.

Foster was called for a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty after his forearm and shoulder appeared to go into the head of Ochocinco, breaking up a pass.

“Just got to pay it and keep on going from there,” Foster said. “Learn from it.”

Ochocinco has praised Foster on Twitter, calling the hit great and offering to pay the fine if one was assessed. According to league rules, Ochocinco isn’t allowed to foot the bill, but he reiterated in a Twitter message Wednesday that he intends to reimburse Foster.

“Dad, no disrespect, but I don’t agree with (the) fine,” Ochocinco sent in a tweet aimed at Goodell. “I’ll be reimbursing him personally. Please feel free to contact me.”

Foster appreciated the respect.

“Definitely, growing up when you’re younger, (Ochocinco) is one of the guys you always see on TV,” Foster said. “So it was cool to get respect from another guy. But, at the same time, it’s just playing football. I try to go out and hit everybody.”

Also, rookie free agent S Devin Holland was fined $10,000 for a shot on Patriots RB Danny Woodhead, Holland’s agent, Ben Gibson, said. The NFL determined Holland used his helmet to strike Woodhead, who was wobbly and had teammates rush to his aid.

HIGH PRAISE: S Cody Grimm was playing at a high level before a broken leg cut his season short last year. And coach Raheem Morris said that after his rehabilitation and recovery, Grimm looks like he did before the injury.

“I think he’s right there,” Morris said. “I can’t wait to get him into full-time, game-time mode. … He continues to play well every time he gets the opportunity. He’s one of those guys that is practicing well, one of those guys that are very opportunistic.”

NEXT STEP: Morris said he’d like to see a faster start against Miami than the Bucs had against the Patriots.

The starting unit is expected to play the entire first half.

“We’d like to see better speed, better poise, and execute a drive,” Morris said. “How many teams go right up the field and score a touchdown? You don’t want to put that kind of expectations, but you’d like to get your tempo going, a groove going, where you pick up two first downs and keep it moving, keep the chains moving.”

BLACKOUT: As expected, the Miami game will be blacked out on local television. Ch. 10 will show the game on tape delay at 11:30 p.m. Saturday and again at noon Sunday.

POWER UP: Morris has been impressed with DE Da’Quan Bowers, saying he’s starting to notice the power in the rookie’s game on film.

“I felt great about where Bowers is going,” Morris said. “You see him get better and better every practice. He’s coming off (January knee) surgery as well. You see him get stronger. He’s really starting to develop his power rush, and he’s really starting to understand that it’s going to be probably one of his big-time tools in this league. He’s a (Michael) Strahan-looking, Kevin Carter-looking type of guy, and those guys went on strength and power.”

PRICE might play: Morris thinks DT Brian Price (pelvis) could play Saturday, saying it’s been “one of his better practice weeks since he’s been back.”

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.

Preseason schedule

Saturday: vs. Dolphins, 7:30, Ch. 10 (local blackout due to NFL rules)

Sept. 1: at Redskins, 7:30, Ch. 10

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Rick Stroud and Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writers

Posted: Aug 23, 2011 02:25 PM

As Aqib Talib met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in New York Tuesday and braced for a possible suspension, Tampa Bay Buccaneers players prepared to be without arguably their best defensive player.

Talib, 25, has missed both Bucs preseason games due to a sore hamstring but was scheduled to play in Saturday’s preseason game against the Miami Dolphins.

“I don’t know if he’s going to be here or not as far as this upcoming game,” cornerback Elbert Mack said. “I mean, he’s the best corner we have on the team, so obviously, we want him to be around. I’m praying for the best for him.”

The Bucs have learned to adjust without Talib in the lineup. Last season, he was suspended the first game by Goodell for assaulting a St. Petersburg cab driver in 2009.

Talib also missed the final four games of 2010 after suffering a season-ending hip injury against Atlanta. He still led the Bucs with six interceptions.

E.J. Biggers, a seventh-round pick by the Bucs in 2009, has held down the left cornerback spot in Talib’s absence. Biggers, who normally serves as the Bucs third defensive back on passing downs, finished with 53 tackles and one interception. Mack has moved up to take over the nickel cornerback role from Biggers.

Mack returned an interception for a touchdown in the Bucs’ 31-14 loss to the New England Patriots last Friday.

“It gives us a chance to get out there and get to move around,” Mack said. “Obviously, when two five (Talib) gets back, it bumps everybody back a spot from where ever you were. You know, it limits your playing time or it can give you more. You just never know. You’ve just got to go out there and make the best of your opportunity. I’m just thankful for the play I did get.”

Here’s what general manager Mark Dominik had to say in his first comments on the matter:

“Obviously, in the preseason, we’ve had an opportunity to see a lot of young guys play and step up. I think a couple guys have played well for us in the preseason. It is what it is in this league. Sometimes you have tough injuries you have to deal with. Sometimes you have other things that could affect your football team. As coach (Raheem) Morris said, next man up. That’s how we’ll handle it.”

The Bucs have gotten no indication on a timeline from the league office on possible punishment for Talib.

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The Bucs open the preseason Friday night at Kansas City, and Foster is eager to show he belongs.

“It’s one of those things where I’ve just come in and want to be the best player I can be,” the 6-foot-1, 241-pound native of Seaside, Calif., said.

“I feel like if I play to my standards, go out there and do what I can do, they’re going to find a way for me to play somehow. If it’s starting, if it’s coming in nickel (situations) or whatever, I know if I play to my ability they were going to find a way for me to get on the field.”

As the middle linebacker, it’s part of Foster’s duties to be quarterback of the defense, a role that also includes relaying plays to teammates and making sure every lines up in the right spots. He fits right in on a unit that at this point features just three starters who have more than three years of NFL experience.

Foster is one of two rookies who listed as first-string two weeks into camp. The other is defensive end Adrian Clayborn, Tampa Bay’s first-round draft pick.

“It’s exciting to be out there with the twos (second-teamers), let alone the ones. … Out there with the ones, you’re playing with guys I watched as a little kid,” Foster said, referring to cornerback Ronde Barber, who’s preparing for his 15th season and at 36 is even older than Morris, who turns 35 in September.

“I just want to play as hard as I can, do whatever I can to help the team win,” Foster added. “Every day you step out there, there’s competition. You’ve got prove yourself. It’s a privilege to be on this team, and I approach it like that. I feel like I’ve got to work on my overall game. NFL is totally different than college. I’m working on everything.”

A team captain at Washington as a senior, Foster led the Pac-10 in tackles and was named defensive MVP of the Huskies’ Holiday Bowl victory over Nebraska with 12 stops, including three for losses and two sacks. He set a school record by forcing six fumbles in 2009, ranking third in the nation.

“I’ve really just come in and competed at the highest level possible, played as hard as I can and stood out to them,” Foster said. “I worked as hard as possible to get my head in the playbook, learn everything and try to be the quarterback of the defense. Everybody’s helping me out — all the veterans — and it’s paying off.”

As the youngest coach in the NFL, Morris has not shied from using young players. He guided the league’s most youthful roster to a 10-6 finish in 2010, even though the stunning turnaround from a 3-13 record the previous season didn’t produce a playoff berth.

Morris cautioned that not much should be read into initial depth charts, but conceded that Foster has had the best camp of any player at his position. Second-year pro Tyrone McKenzie and rookie free agent Derrell Smith are listed behind him.

“He’s doing well. It’s hard to say the job is his, and you’ve got to go through the (preseason) games,” the coach said. “You’ve got to go out there and prove yourself. But you want to give him an opportunity to win it.”

McKenzie was signed to Tampa Bay’s practice squad last November after entering the league as a third-round draft pick of the New England Patriots in 2009.v He was promoted to the active roster in December and appeared in the final two games of the season.

When the Buccaneers decided Ruud, who signed with the Tennessee Titans, not longer fits into their plans, McKenzie seemed like a likely frontrunner for the starting job because of his familiarity with the defensive system.

The second-year linebacker from South Florida said he’s trying to keep the decision to place Foster at the top of the depth chart in perspective.

“You respect it,” McKenzie said, “and do what you have to do for the team to get better.”

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released their depth chart for the first preseason game, it confirmed what’s been apparent since the opening day of training camp. The NFL’s youngest team is counting on rookie Mason Foster to be its starting middle linebacker.

Despite coach Raheem Morris insisting the third-round draft pick is not being handed the job, the former University of Washington star has quickly settled into the spot vacated by free agent Barrett Ruud, who led the Bucs in tackles the past four seasons.

The Bucs open the preseason Friday night at Kansas City, and Foster is eager to show he belongs.

“It’s one of those things where I’ve just come in and want to be the best player I can be,” the 6-foot-1, 241-pound native of Seaside, Calif., said.

“I feel like if I play to my standards, go out there and do what I can do, they’re going to find a way for me to play somehow. If it’s starting, if it’s coming in nickel (situations) or whatever, I know if I play to my ability they were going to find a way for me to get on the field.”

As the middle linebacker, it’s part of Foster’s duties to be quarterback of the defense, a role that also includes relaying plays to teammates and making sure every lines up in the right spots. He fits right in on a unit that at this point features just three starters who have more than three years of NFL experience.

Foster is one of two rookies who listed as first-string two weeks into camp. The other is defensive end Adrian Clayborn, Tampa Bay’s first-round draft pick.

“It’s exciting to be out there with the twos (second-teamers), let alone the ones. … Out there with the ones, you’re playing with guys I watched as a little kid,” Foster said, referring to cornerback Ronde Barber, who’s preparing for his 15th season and at 36 is even older than Morris, who turns 35 in September.

“I just want to play as hard as I can, do whatever I can to help the team win,” Foster added. “Every day you step out there, there’s competition. You’ve got prove yourself. It’s a privilege to be on this team, and I approach it like that. I feel like I’ve got to work on my overall game. NFL is totally different than college. I’m working on everything.”

A team captain at Washington as a senior, Foster led the Pac-10 in tackles and was named defensive MVP of the Huskies’ Holiday Bowl victory over Nebraska with 12 stops, including three for losses and two sacks. He set a school record by forcing six fumbles in 2009, ranking third in the nation.

“I’ve really just come in and competed at the highest level possible, played as hard as I can and stood out to them,” Foster said. “I worked as hard as possible to get my head in the playbook, learn everything and try to be the quarterback of the defense. Everybody’s helping me out — all the veterans — and it’s paying off.”

As the youngest coach in the NFL, Morris has not shied from using young players. He guided the league’s most youthful roster to a 10-6 finish in 2010, even though the stunning turnaround from a 3-13 record the previous season didn’t produce a playoff berth.

Morris cautioned that not much should be read into initial depth charts, but conceded that Foster has had the best camp of any player at his position. Second-year pro Tyrone McKenzie and rookie free agent Derrell Smith are listed behind him.

“He’s doing well. It’s hard to say the job is his, and you’ve got to go through the (preseason) games,” the coach said. “You’ve got to go out there and prove yourself. But you want to give him an opportunity to win it.”

McKenzie was signed to Tampa Bay’s practice squad last November after entering the league as a third-round draft pick of the New England Patriots in 2009.v He was promoted to the active roster in December and appeared in the final two games of the season.

When the Buccaneers decided Ruud, who signed with the Tennessee Titans, not longer fits into their plans, McKenzie seemed like a likely frontrunner for the starting job because of his familiarity with the defensive system.

The second-year linebacker from South Florida said he’s trying to keep the decision to place Foster at the top of the depth chart in perspective.

“You respect it,” McKenzie said, “and do what you have to do for the team to get better.”

Stephen F. Holder, Times staff writer

In Print: Saturday, August 6, 2011

Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib, right, says that one positive from his injury last year was that some of his teammates in the secondary earned valuable experience, including E.J. Biggers, No. 31.
	[DANIEL WALLACE | Times]

TAMPA — Things could be better for Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib off the field, where he is facing a felony charge in his hometown of Dallas for which he’ll stand trial in March.

But the guy bouncing around One Buc Place, trash-talking receivers and baiting quarterbacks, looks like he doesn’t have a care in the world.

That’s because Talib is back where he feels most at ease: the football field.

It’s a place he had not ventured for quite some time, and not only because of the NFL lockout. Sidelined for the final four games of 2010 with a hip injury, Talib was robbed of a chance to play in the season’s most critical and contested games.

“It’s not good to have to watch those games, man,” Talib said this week. “Especially when you’re competing to go to the playoffs.”

Now, Talib is trying to make up for lost time, even if that has proven to be a process.

“I’m getting there,” he said. “I tore my hip flexor. Tore it off the bone. So I just had to let it heal and then slowly but surely get back into working out. But when you’re working out in the offseason, you don’t really do workouts like this. Now I’m getting used to doing these real long, strenuous workouts. It’s getting there. I’m doing good. I think in about a month I’ll be there (100 percent).

“I’m not really limited. … There’s some soreness there, but it just comes with getting that muscle back strong.”

In the meantime, Talib isn’t behaving like a guy who suffered a injury of such consequence.

“It’s a credit to him,” said defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake, noting Talib hasn’t skipped any practices. “He’s easily one of the top competitors I’ve ever coached. When the lights come on, he’s going to be ready to compete.”

That’s provided his legal predicament doesn’t get in the way.

The Bucs remain hopeful that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will allow Talib to play at least until he stands trial for the charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, punishable by two to 20 years in prison (Talib will not comment about the case on the advice of his attorneys).

But answers remain elusive because negotiations between the league and the NFL Players Association this week resulted in Goodell retaining the power to personally decide disciplinary measures for violators of the league’s personal-conduct policy.

“I know he has to go through a whole bunch of legal stuff and all that jazz, but I don’t think anything will happen as far as the league (is concerned),” coach Raheem Morris said. “I don’t have any idea of what’s going on with the league office.

“But I would think they wouldn’t pass judgment until something happens legally. They do a great job up there handling all those situations, and I’m sure they’ll handle this no differently.”

Talib’s absence in 2010 actually helped the team find depth that could turn out to be pivotal for this season.

After his injury, backups E.J. Biggers and Myron Lewis took on prominent roles. Talib, who had six interceptions in his 11 games, took great pride in watching them perform, knowing he had played at least a small role in helping groom them.

“I look at the bright spots,” Talib, 25, said. “(The injury) gave (Biggers) and (Lewis) a chance to get in the game and play in some games that meant something and really get some NFL experience. … Hopefully that’ll be big for us this year.”

But neither can boast of being nearly as talented as Talib, by far the Bucs’ best pure cover man.

He routinely is assigned to opponents’ best receivers and is as intuitive a player as you’ll see. And he continues to take his knowledge of the game to higher levels.

“It makes the game slow down that much more when you really understand things like route concepts and understand what the NFL is all about,” he said.

The outcome of Talib’s legal issues will be decided later. So, too, will his availability to the team.

All the while, Talib vows to continue his road back.

“What I can control is, when the alarm goes off in the morning, I get to my meetings on time and do what I have to do,” he said. “I come out and practice hard, get my body right. That’s the stuff that I can control. I’m just concentrating on that.”

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3377.

[Last modified: Aug 05, 2011 11:27 PM]

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For well over four months, fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had the opportunity to prognosticate about what the organization would do with their various free agents when the lockout finally came to an end. Well, that day has finally come, and as of Tuesday morning, all 32 teams will be free to begin the process of negotiating with former players as the league frantically tries to solidify the shape of their rosters prior to the start of training camps a bit later in the week.

For the young Buccaneers, free agency won’t be quite as frenzied or important for their fate in 2011 as it will be with other squads around the league, but there’s still a number of restricted and unrestricted free agents who the Bucs will have to make quick determinations about in the proceeding days. Let’s take a look at the list.

Buccaneers Restricted Free Agents (3+ years accrued service)

Buccaneers Unrestricted Free Agents (4+ years accrued service)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers alternate player representative WR Maurice Stovall is a free agent and won’t know if he’ll stay with the team until as early as tomorrow. But whatever the outcome of his negotiations with the Bucs, he said he is already proud of being part of the deal that was reached this morning.

The agreement ending the lockout between the NFLPA and the owners is “historic,” Stovall said.

“Speaking with my teammates, and different guys from around the league, and other player reps, everyone’s excited to get back to camp,” he said.

Guarantees that protect players in case of injury, a minimum salary, no rookie wage scale, reduction in OTAs and a “spring semester off” so players can return to school or explore other career options post-football, are all parts of the collective bargaining agreement that Stovall rattled off up eagerly.

Rejecting the 18 game-season and the elimination of two-a-day practices, Stovall said, helps both sides.

“For players, there’s less chance for injury. For the owners, they’ll get more out of their players during the season, and guys won’t be so worn down. Guys will last longer during the season,” Stovall said.

He admitted rookies and future rookies may not understand the difference between the old and new CBAs. But the veterans, he said, give props to NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith, the executive board and all the player representatives for not buckling to pressure to approve a deal before they were ready.

“Also a huge shoutout to fans for being patient, local vendors and different companies that benefit from the NFL. Local bars are happy that the league is back on this track. For the most part, I felt that the economy couldn’t suffer another huge loss and the NFL is a huge part of the economy of America,” Stovall said.

G Davin Joseph, another alternate player representative, tweeted, “I’m excited for everyone involved! It’s a great day for owners, players, and fans. I’m ready to get back to work. Hopefully the Bucs and I can come to an agreement soon. I love the team that Dominik and Morris put together.”

Stovall said he hopes he still has a place on a team roster – Buccaneers or another.

“I definitely would like to see the benefits of this 10 year agreement. If not, at least I know I was a part of something beneficial for players to come,” he said.

BRADENTON –

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were united during a recent minicamp at IMG Academies in Bradenton.

Players flew in from as far away as California to participate in drills. They sacrificed three days in hopes of becoming a better team this season. More than 50 players showed up because they believe Tampa Bay is on the brink of something special after finishing 10-6 last season.

That camaraderie is why players believe the Bucs need to re-sign their free agents after the NFL lockout ends.

“If they (Bucs front office) were to say they were committed to signing back guys we played with last year, it would definitely influence me to stay,” Bucs potential free agent David Joseph said. “Guys like (Jeremy) Trueblood, guys like James Lee, guys on defense like Barrett Ruud.

“If you’re bringing guys like that back here, I know it’s a sign in the right direction instead of trying to switch up the whole roster to make it different. That’s not going to work to our benefit. Maybe in the long run, but we’re in a position where we can win now.”

Tampa Bay general manager Mark Dominik will have to make several important decisions when free agency begins.

Joseph, Trueblood and Lee are key components on Tampa Bay’s offensive line. Trueblood and Joseph have started for Tampa Bay since being drafted in 2006. Bucs left tackle Donald Penn became a starter in 2007, while center Jeff Faine joined the team as a free agent and started in 2008.

Lee, a restricted free agent, became a starter late last season and Dominik faces the task of keeping Tampa Bay’s offensive line together or revamping it. Tampa Bay’s offensive line helped the team gain 146.1 yards per game last season, ranked sixth in the NFL, while allowing only 30 sacks, 10th fewest the league.

“Davin, James and Truebloood, those are big holes to fill,” Penn said. “We’re so close. Me and Davin were talking about it. We’re going into our sixth year. We remember when we were rookies and guys said they were going into their sixth year and we were like, ‘You’re old.’ Now I look at it as we’re the old guys.

“We’ve been in the league together for six years, and Faine has been with us for five, so we don’t want to break that up. Hopefully, we don’t have to. Hopefully we can end this together. It would really be great, a fairytale ending.”

Joseph and Ruud are expected to receive big contracts this offseason, whether in Tampa Bay or elsewhere, but Dominik must also decide the worth of other key players.

Running back Cadillac Williams, linebacker Quincy Black, linebacker Adam Hayward, receiver Maurice Stovall and defensive end Stylez G. White will potentially become unrestricted free agents after the lockout. Stovall was a third-round selection by Tampa Bay in 2006, but is unsure if he wants to re-sign with the Bucs.

“I’m back and forth with it,” Stovall said. “I’m going to weigh my options. Most importantly, it’s a tough decision. I have been here for a number of years, but at the same time, you want to be somewhere where you have a better opportunity of playing. With that, I’ll just get on my knees and pray and whatever happens, it happens for a reason.”

Bucs players have been united this offseason despite the lockout.

That is why they believe it is important to keep their team together.

“I love the coaches here, I love the players, love the community, but at the end of the day, it’s a business,” Joseph said. “That’s the heartbreaking part about it. There are some guys that you’ve trained next to for five years and now you have to say goodbye because at the end of the day it’s a business.

“Hopefully, everything makes sense with me getting back here in Tampa, bringing my buddy Blood (Trueblood) back and making sure things work out well for the team and making sure everything is going forward because after having such a great year last year, I would hate to think we would make too many changes.”