According to a report on ProFootballTalk.com, the Buccaneers are shopping ten-year veteran defensive tackle Chris Hovan. Hovan, 31, signed with the Bucs as a free agent in 2005 and has been Tampa Bay's starting nose tackle all five seasons with the team.

"Per a league source, the Bucs are shopping Chris Hovan. Hovan is under contract through 2010. He's due to earn a base salary of $4 million this year."

Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Mike Florio

PewterReport.com's Take: After Tampa Bay drafted Gerald McCoy with the third-overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and selected Brian Price with the 35th pick in the second round, the defensive tackle position became crowded. The Bucs now have six defensive tackles on the roster. That group is made up of McCoy, Price, Roy Miller, Chris Hovan, Ryan Sims, and Dre Moore. Veteran starters Hovan and Sims are both candidates to be released or traded, and Hovan's name has already surfaced in trade discussions. Brian Price has the ability to play nose tackle and the three technique, and Roy Miller is also part of the team's long-term plan at nose tackle, making Hovan expendable.