Buccaneers defensive capsules

[Times photo:James Borchuck ] Ronde Barber, right, and Shelton Quarles tie up receiver Keenan McCardell in a preseason scrimmage. Both Barber, who played in the Pro Bowl last season, and Quarles will be counted on to provide plenty of defensive stops this season.

By Times staff
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 6, 2002

Ronde Barber.

• HT/WT: 5-10, 184.
• POSITION: Cornerback.
• COLLEGE: Virginia.
• HOW ACQ: D3, '97.
• LAST YEAR: Led NFC with 10 INTs and earned first selection to Pro Bowl.
• ROLE: Starting right cornerback who needs to become the team's interception leader again after loss of Donnie Abraham.

Derrick Brooks.

• HT/WT: 6-0, 235.
• POSITION: Linebacker.
• COLLEGE: Florida State.
• HOW ACQ: D1, '95.
• LAST YEAR: Became all-time leading tackler while earning fifth Pro Bowl selection.
• ROLE: Leader of a defense that finished sixth overall last season.

Chartric Darby.

• HT/WT: 6-0, 270.
• POSITION: Defensive tackle.
• COLLEGE: South Carolina St.
• HOW ACQ: Undrafted free agent, 2000.
• LAST YEAR: Eight tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery in 13 games.
• ROLE: Will back up Warren Sapp at defensive tackle.

David Gibson.

• HT/WT: 6-1, 210.
• POSITION: Safety.
• COLLEGE: Southern Cal.
• HOW ACQ: D6, 2000.
• LAST YEAR: Nine tackles on defense, 10 special-teams stops and a forced fumble.
• ROLE: Will back up John Lynch at strong safety.

Jack Golden.

• HT/WT: 6-1, 240.
• POSITION: Strongside linebacker.
• COLLEGE: Oklahoma State.
• HOW ACQ: Waived NYG.
• LAST YEAR: Played primarily on special teams for Giants with five stops.
• ROLE: Special teams, excels in kick coverage.

Buck Gurley.

• HT/WT: 6-2, 295.
• POSITION: Defensive tackle.
• COLLEGE: Florida.
• HOW ACQ: Free agent, '02.
• LAST YEAR: Released in training camp by Dolphins. Spent two days on Bears practice squad.
• ROLE: Back up for Anthony McFarland.

John Howell.

• HT/WT: 5-11, 204.
• POSITION: Safety.
• COLLEGE: Colorado State.
• HOW ACQ: D4, '01.
• LAST YEAR: Had 26 tackles on defense and 12 on special teams. Had first career start vs. Pittsburgh and had 13 tackles.
• ROLE: Will back up Dexter Jackson at free safety.

Corey Ivy.

• HT/WT: 5-8, 183.
• POSITION: Cornerback.
• COLLEGE: Oklahoma.
• HOW ACQ: Free agent, '01.
• LAST YEAR: Spent most of the season on practice squad.
• ROLE: Will back up Brian Kelly at left cornerback and play kick coverage.

Dexter Jackson.

• HT/WT: 6-1, 203.
• POSITION: Free safety.
• COLLEGE: Florida State.
• HOW ACQ: D4, '99.
• LAST YEAR: Emerged as a starter and contributed career highs with 4 INTs, 78 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.
• ROLE: Starting free safety, must provide more turnovers. .

Brian Kelly.

• HT/WT: 5-11, 193.
• POSITION: Cornerback.
• COLLEGE: Southern Cal.
• HOW ACQ: D2, '98.
• LAST YEAR: Took over as a starter for Donnie Abraham in Week 6 and had 54 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 8 passes defensed.
• ROLE: Starting left cornerback who must improve ball skills after no INTs in 2001.

John Lynch.

• HT/WT: 6-2, 220.
• POSITION: Strong safety.
• COLLEGE: Stanford.
• HOW ACQ: D3, '93.
• LAST YEAR: Had 105 tackles and three INTs to earn his fourth selection to Pro Bowl.
• ROLE: Leader of the secondary in his 10th NFL season.

Anthony McFarland.

• HT/WT: 6-0, 300.
• POSITION: Nosetackle.
• COLLEGE: Louisiana State.
• HOW ACQ: D1, '99.
• LAST YEAR: Had 59 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 2 passes defensed.
• ROLE: Starting nosetackle who anchors the Bucs run defense.

Ryan Nece.

• HT/WT: 5-3, 224.
• POSITION: Strongside linebacker.
• COLLEGE: UCLA.
• HOW ACQ: Undrafted free agent.
• LAST YEAR: Butkus Award semifinalist as standout linebacker for the Bruins. Ranked third on the team with 53 tackles and scored two defensive touchdowns.
• ROLE: Will back up Alshermond Singleton at strongside linebacker and contribute on special teams.

Jermaine Phillips.

• HT/WT: 6-1, 214.
• POSITION: Free safety.
• COLLEGE: Georgia.
• HOW ACQ: D5, '02.
• LAST YEAR: All-SEC first-team selection and defensive team captain. Finished second on the team with 80 tackles, 3 INTs and 4 forced fumbles.
• ROLE: Will back up Dexter Jackson at free safety and contribute on special teams.

Shelton Quarles.

• HT/WT: 6-1, 225.
• POSITION: Middle linebacker.
• COLLEGE: Vanderbilt.
• HOW ACQ: Free agent, '97.
• LAST YEAR: Started 16 games at strongside linebacker and finished with career-high 77 tackles with 2 sacks and 1 INT.
• ROLE: Switched to middle linebacker and will make defensive calls. Also will remain on the field in passing situations.

Simeon Rice.

• HT/WT: 6-5, 268.
• POSITION: Defensive end.
• COLLEGE: Illinois.
• HOW ACQ: Free agent, '01.
• LAST YEAR: Led team in sacks (11) in his first season with Bucs. Named Defensive Player of the Month for December. His 64 tackles ranked first among defensive linemen.
• ROLE: Rice should improve his sack total in his second year in Bucs system.

Warren Sapp.

• HT/WT: 6-2, 303.
• POSITION: Defensive tackle.
• COLLEGE: Miami.
• HOW ACQ: D1, '95.
• LAST YEAR: Struggled with a torn rotator cuff but had six sacks and was named to fifth straight Pro Bowl.
• ROLE: Needs to return to 2000 form, when he was named Defensive Player of the Year with career-high 16.5 sacks.

Alshermond Singleton.

• HT/WT: 6-2, 228.
• POSITION: Strongside linebacker.
• COLLEGE: Temple.
• HOW ACQ: D4, '97.
• LAST YEAR: Came off bench in all 16 games for 32 tackles and one sack. Also had 10 special-teams tackles.
• ROLE: Has earned role as starter at strongside linebacker, taking over for Shelton Quarles.

Corey Smith.

• HT/WT: Defensive end.
• POSITION: 6-2, 250.
• COLLEGE: N.C. State.
• HOW ACQ: Undrafted free agent, '02.
• LAST YEAR: Had 54 tackles, 6 sacks and 6 forced fumbles as a senior for the Wolfpack.
• ROLE: Will back up Simeon Rice on right defensive end.

Dwight Smith.

• HT/WT: 5-10, 201.
• POSITION: Cornerback.
• COLLEGE: Akron.
• HOW ACQ: D3, '01.
• LAST YEAR: Had 22 special-teams tackles, most for a defensive back in the NFL.
• ROLE: Will play nickel back in passing situations.

Justin Smith

• HT/WT: 6-0, 218.
• POSITION: Linebacker.
• COLLEGE: Indiana.
• NFL EXPERIENCE: Rookie.
• HOW ACQUIRED: Free agent, '02.
• ROLE:

Greg Spires.

• HT/WT: 6-1, 265.
• POSITION: Defensive end.
• COLLEGE: Florida State.
• HOW ACQ: Free agent, '02.
• LAST YEAR: Started four games for the Browns with 32 tackles and four sacks.
• ROLE: Will begin season as starter at left defensive end for injured Marcus Jones.

Tim Wansley.

• HT/WT: 5-8, 180.
• POSITION: Cornerback.
• COLLEGE: Georgia.
• HOW ACQ: D7, '02.
• LAST YEAR: First team All-SEC selection and had 69 tackles with two INTs.
• ROLE: Will back up cornerback Ronde Barber and serve on kick coverage teams.

Bucs linebacker Nate Webster will start the season as a backup and likely play most on special teams. [Times photo: Toni L. Sandys]

Nate Webster.

• HT/WT: 6-0, 230.
• POSITION: Linebacker.
• COLLEGE: Miami.
• HOW ACQ: D3, 2000.
• LAST YEAR: Split time at middle linebacker with Jamie Duncan, had one start. Finished 10th on team with 53 tackles.
• ROLE: Will back up Shelton Quarles at middle linebacker and contribute on special teams.

Ellis Wyms.

• HT/WT: 6-3, 279.
• POSITION: Defensive end.
• COLLEGE: Mississippi State.
• HOW ACQ: D6, '01.
• LAST YEAR: Played in four games and the playoff game at Philadelphia. Had seven tackles.
• ROLE: Will back up Greg Spires at left defensive end.