With the return of center Jeff Faine impending the Buccaneers will open up a competition for a couple of spots on the offensive line. Faine will have to compete with Jeremy Zuttah at center while Zuttah will also compete at left guard with Ted Larsen. Faine has missed four games with a quad injury. Larsen replaced veteran Keydrick Vincent in the lineup due to injury, but the team released Vincent and kept Larsen as the starting guard while Zuttah played for Faine at center.

“It is a battle you have to say because Larsen has played so well,” said Morris. “Zuttah has played really well at center. It is going to be a battle for Faine after awhile of those guys competing and doing a really good job. Faine is one of our leaders and one of our captains but he has to go out there and play better and right know he has to get out there when he can. Zuttah can easily move to left guard. We’ve seen him do it all last year. He has no choice but to go out there and be better than he was last year just based on experience and what he’s been able to do the last two weeks. We look forward to the competition. It is a really good problem to have two guys that can go out there and let your offense function at center, and at guard, and to have the depth that we have there is a nice thing.”

Morris said that Faine would have to show that he is ready after being out a month and prove that he is in football shape. Morris said that could lead the team to being a little more hesitant to put Faine back in the lineup. Faine was optimistic that he will be able to play on Sunday when the Bucs host the Carolina Panthers.

“It is feeling pretty good, and obviously a lot better than last week,” said Faine. “I was rotating in there and feeling pretty good. It is a pretty good shot. Once I wake up tomorrow we may know. We got pretty physical today.

“When I came in today it felt the same as it did yesterday. After the work yesterday it wasn’t as physical. The true test is going to be tomorrow. We got pretty physical today and I stressed it a lot more than I did yesterday. If I can go tomorrow it is a pretty good chance (for Sunday).”