Bucs Beat: A week of reporting at the Senior Bowl
2010, CLIFF McBRIDE/STAFF
One player who has a chance to turn a good offseason into more playing time in 2011 is LB Dekoda Watson.
By ROY CUMMINGS | The Tampa Tribune
Published: January 28, 2011
MOBILE, Ala. Emptying out my notebook after a week's worth of information gathering at the Senior Bowl:
The players have started to filter back onto the field and into the film and weight rooms at One Buc Place and fans will be glad to know that one of the first to return was QB Josh Freeman.
Word is that Freeman is already breaking down tape of himself and some of next year's opponents. Seems as though success hasn't gone to his head a bit. One of the primary goals the Bucs have for Freeman this offseason is to do a better job getting the offense into the right running play. …
One player who has a chance to turn a good offseason into more playing time in 2011 is LB Dekoda Watson. The Bucs were impressed with Watson as a part-timer last season and are eager to see what he can do with a larger role. The Bucs aren't ready to make Watson their starting strongside linebacker just yet, but he will get the chance to challenge for the starter's job in training camp. …
Should free agency come around, the Bucs will do everything they can to retain RG Davin Joseph. Though Derek Hardman played well in Joseph's absence late last season, the Bucs believe Joseph is an integral part of their offensive line. They don't necessarily feel the same about RT Jeremy Trueblood, but probably will try to retain him anyway. The Bucs don't want to cut into their newfound depth along the offensive front, and letting Trueblood go would do that. …
The Bucs' plan for the 2011 NFL Draft is the same as last year: attack as if they need help at every position. The difference is that the Bucs don't need help at every position. What they do need, of course, is a defensive end who can get to the quarterback, so look for that "need everything'' approach to rule their thought process beginning in Round 2. …
The Bucs want to re-sign RB Cadillac Williams for a variety of reasons. First, he's turning into an exceptional third-down back. Second, he's proven to be a team leader other players greatly admire and respect. Third, the Bucs believe Williams can help set a good example for lead back LeGarrette Blount. Blount will do as others in his position meeting room do, and he'll be just fine following the lead of Williams and Earnest Graham. …
DT Gerald McCoy was cleared to begin working out last week. McCoy is recovering from a season-ending left biceps tear and will spend a good chunk of the offseason working out in San Diego with noted personal trainer/strength coach Todd Durkin. …
The Bucs are pretty confident most of their injured players will be back for the start of training camp, if not offseason workouts. The one they're not quite sure about is RB Kareem Huggins. Huggins is making good progress in his rehabilitation from an ACL tear, but there's a chance he'll start training camp and maybe even the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. …
One of the more difficult decisions the Bucs have to make this offseason involves their linebacker corps. In addition to MLB Barrett Ruud, OLBs Quincy Black, Adam Hayward and Niko Koutouvides are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents. The Bucs don't want to lose two starters and two key special teams contributors, but may let one or two of the latter three go if they believe they can replenish during the draft.
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