Five players that have question marks heading into camp

Five players that have question marks heading into camp by Gil Arcia July 17, 2014  We are exactly one week away from the veterans reporting to training camp which means Buccaneers football is just around the corner. Excitement and optimism continues to build as we draw near but curiosity remains as to how the roster will look. This offseason brought lots of changes. Tampa Bay took an addition by subtraction approach which not only allowed them to find players to start but also find role players at key positions.Of the newcomers — via free agency or the draft — there are some that still have doubt hovering over them as they head into camp. Let’s look at five players that will have to discredit any doubt that surrounds them.Quarterback Josh McCownTBC PhotoWe’ve heard it numerous times: McCown is a journeyman quarterback. That is true. The veteran quarterback is now on his seventh team as he enters the 12th year of his career. It doesn’t necessarily mean he lacks athletic ability or can’t lead the team.The fact is, head coach Lovie Smith feels his quarterback is very athletic and is more than capable to run the offense. McCown showed he was able to perform very well at 34 years old in Chicago last season when he threw for 13 touchdowns and just one interception in eight games.Another important note is the players love is leadership. The offensive players have been able to communicate well this offseason with McCown and has already begun building a chemistry with them during offseason workouts.There are enough weapons on offense to put something together throughout the season. But it all starts in training camp and that’s where the 35-year old has to prove that age is nothing but a number.Left Tackle Anthony CollinsAfter the coaching staff was done reviewing the game film from 2013, they made it clear that changes would come and those changes would start with the offensive line. They held true to their word.The Bucs went out and signed seven-year veteran left tackle Anthony Collins to replace former tackle Donald Penn. It was a move that was not popular among most of the fan base but it was a move that had to be done due to the errand play across the entire line — which obviously included the poor play of Penn.Question marks are present with Collins in the sense that he has only started 25 games throughout his career. Some view this as a negative while the Buccaneers see it has still having tread on the tires.Running Back Charles SimsWhen the Buccaneers were on the clock in the third round of May’s draft, the consensus was they would draft an offensive lineman with quite a few still available. They didn’t and instead draft running back Charles Sims.The West Virginia product has been compared to Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte due to a similar running style. Sims has good hands and gives Tampa Bay another option in the passing game.The selection was a questionable one since the Buccaneers have plenty of options in the backfield including the return of Doug Martin. Bucs coaches have a plan for Sims and was seen doing several different things during offseason workouts. Sims has to impress in camp and validate the team’s decision in selecting him 69th overall.Cornerback Mike JenkinsJenkins — a bay area native — is now playing in the same stadium he played in throughout college while at the University of South Florida. Will that help the former first-rounder perform at the level many felt he had coming out of college? That remains to be seen.The USF product has nine interceptions as he enters his seventh season. The 29-year old has already faced adversity as he played through an injury-plagued season in 2011.Adversity now resurfaces as he is faced with the challenge of beating out 2013 rookie Johnthan Banks for the second cornerback spot. Both have gotten a lot of work in OTAs with both have flashes of great play during workouts.If Jenkins fails to impress throughout camp, he could find himself fourth on the cornerback depth chart.Defensive Tackle Clinton McDonaldTheBayCave.com is high on free agent acquisition Clinton McDonald. Especially since he will be playing next to Gerald McCoy, the possibility of an incredible interior line duo forming has to make many very excited. Unfortunately, doubters don’t see it that way.While at Seattle, McDonald was part of a rotation of defensive linemen that propelled the Seahawks defense to No. 1 in the league. Used at times in certain situations, the six-year veteran still recorded 5.5 sacks — which is more than several full-time starters throughout the leagueThe Buccaneers want to get after the quarterback and feel they will be able to apply pressure from inside of the defensive line between McCoy and McDonald. We will be able to see if the former Seahawk can live up to those expectations in training camp.    link