Bucs Sign Four Tryout Players

Miami center John Rochford could win a backup job in Tampa Bay (Getty Images)

Miami center John Rochford could win a backup job in Tampa Bay (Getty Images)

The Buccaneers announced they signed contracts with Miami C John Rochford, South Florida WR Amarri Jackson, Troy defensive tackle Chris Bradwell, and Fresno State running back Clifton Smith.



Four try-out players impressed the Buccaneers enough to earn contracts with team following last weekend's rookie mini-camp. Miami center John Rochford, South Florida wide receiver Amarri Jackson, Troy defensive tackle Chris Bradwell, and Fresno State running back Clifton Smith.

Rochford has been mostly a center for Miami, but he also spent time as a long-snapper and fullback. In his senior season the 6-foot-2, 273-pound Rochford started every game for the Hurricanes at center.

Jackson played three seasons for the Bulls and compiled 70 receptions for 891 yards and four touchdowns. The Sarasota product Jackson, impressed throughout the weekend, and has the size attributes that head coach Jon Gruden likes in his wide receivers. Jackson (6-5, 202) hauled in 22 passes during his senior season for 256 yards with two touchdowns.

Bradwell is the second undrafted free agent from Troy to sign with Tampa Bay. Prior to the last weekend's camp the Buccaneers signed cornerback Elbert Mack. Bradwell appeared in four games for Florida State as a freshman before leaving the Seminoles. He played in community college before ending up at Troy. Bradwell (6-4, 280) made 36 tackles with four sacks as a senior.

Smith had an injury-plagued career at Fresno State. Prior to his senior season he only had two carries and one reception. Last season Smith had 100 carries for 625 yards and scored two touchdowns. He also caught 33 passes for 352 yards. One of his best attributes is his punt return ability. Smith averaged 16.6 yards per return and took five returns in for touchdowns. In his career he brought back 47 punts for 782 yards.

Of the four players Rochford may have the best chance to make the team. The Buccaneers do not have a natural center backing up free agent addition Jeff Faine. Tampa Bay has been cross-training guards Dan Buenning, Arron Sears, and third-round pick Jeremy Zuttah for the center position.

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Comments

buccaneerNW

Rochford is camp chum... (1) Check the numbers game on the OL. With probably 9 spots you have Trueblood, Joseph, Faine, Sears, Penn, Petitgout, Zuttah, Davis, Buenning... Is Rochford going to beat out any of them when he only plays only one position? (2) The dude is 273 lbs.? That's extremely undersized for the OL... That's a good sized fullback these days.

11:50am, May 6, 2008

tnl1990

CC, SR, JF,

with the bucs still having a need for a pass rushing DE, why wouldn't they take a low risk gamble on a player like tommy blake? he has a huge upside if he can control his ricky williams disease....

1:10pm, May 6, 2008

cbgb

buccaneerNW, Rochford can compete with Economos for long snapper .

Rochford up the gut ! :-)

3:21pm, May 6, 2008

orlandobucsfan

I've seen some hi-lites of Clifton Smith running back both punts and kick-offs for touchdowns...one against Boise State. He also scored on a 9-yard direct snap as a RB. He can really fly although his 40 times have ranged from 4.3 to 4.6. Seems to me of the four, he has the best chance to make it, although the real chances for any of them are slim and none.

4:34pm, May 6, 2008

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