Though things can change significantly between now and the start of the 2009 regular season, several of the Buccaneers' newcomers have decided upon jersey numbers to don in pewter and red.
Running back Derrick Ward wore #34 with the New York Giants but his new squad already has an established player in that jersey, and it happens to be his primary backfield mate, Earnest Graham. Ward has elected to wear #28, which was recently vacated by released RB Warrick Dunn. Safety Tanard Jackson wore that number in 2007 as a rookie but gave it up to Dunn upon the running back's return to Tampa in '08. Jackson is now established as #36.
Tight end Kellen Winslow wore #80 while a member of the Cleveland Browns for the last five years, but that jersey remained occupied when unrestricted free agent Michael Clayton re-signed with the team last week. Several other numbers in the 80s were available to Winslow, but he chose a different path, reversing his college number of 81 and going with 18.
Others of note: Nugent has elected to trade in his #1 from New York and go with #5. Wearing #1 instead will be returning receiver Paris Warren, who has previously worn 82 and 18. Newly-signed linebacker Niko Koutouvides will wear #53, once made famous by Pro Bowler Shelton Quarles.
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