TAMPA - Greg Spires was put on injured reserve Monday, two days after the starting left defensive end strained his left shoulder during a 30-28 loss to the Falcons.
Spires was listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Titans, but with the Bucs out of the playoffs it made little sense for him to play hurt.
Corey Smith was signed from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster, and guard Kevin Breedlove was added to the practice squad.
Spires started all 15 games this season with 44 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, four passes defended, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Signed as a free agent in March 2000, Spires played every game of the Bucs' championship season.
A product of Florida State, Spires has played 89 games with 38 starts during six NFL seasons with the Bucs, Browns and Patriots.
Spires is the eighth player put on IR since the start of training camp, joining fullback Mike Alstott, receiver Joe Jurevicius, corners Torrie Cox, Brian Kelly and Tim Wansley, running back Tony Taylor and safety John Howell.
BACK TO FORM: Coach Jon Gruden is not ready to discuss moves the team should make for 2004, but he clearly does not want kicker Martin Gramatica to repeat 2003.
Gramatica, who earned the nickname Automatica his first four seasons, is 14 of 24 on field goals, including 6 of 16 from 30 yards or more.
"I do believe Martin Gramatica needs to have a great offseason, return to health and once again return to the league as the most dangerous and feared placekicker in football," Gruden said.
Gramatica missed much of training camp with a sore groin. The loss of preparation time, Gruden said, likely hurt Gramatica.
"If you don't get down to the bullpen and throw your pitches, why have spring training and why have training camp?" Gruden said. "He missed a lot of work."
Gramatica's woes began in Week 2, when he had two field goals and a potential winning extra point blocked.
"Certainly, the Carolina game early in the season with the rejected balls didn't help him, either," Gruden said. "But he clearly has not been the top-flight, blue-chip kicker that I think he is and once again will be."
Gruden did not say whether he will invite an additional kicker to training camp in July to create competition. That might depend on how Gramatica responds.
"We love Gramatica," Gruden said. "We think he's outstanding. We expect him to be a dominant kicker in this league, but he has to have a great offseason. He knows that and we will work together to get that done."
ROTTEN RHETORIC: The Bucs have a habit of starting slow, rallying late but falling short. Is there a common cause for their inability to get the offense going in the first quarter? "Maybe it's pregame speeches," Gruden said with a wry smile. "It's the horrific pregame speeches being delivered in the locker room before the game."
INJURY REPORT: Right tackle Kenyatta Walker (right knee sprain) is questionable Sunday against the Titans. Center John Wade (right rib bruise) is probable.
