TAMPA - For all the talk about competition at receiver and jockeying among the backup quarterbacks, one of the most competitive units for the Bucs is fullback.
Other than veteran Mike Alstott, the Bucs likely will keep one or two others among 10-year veteran Jerald Sowell, 2005 seventh-round pick Rick Razzano and Carey Davis, a second-year player who briefly was part of the practice squad last season.
Alstott's role has been clearly defined as an occasional lead blocker and primary short-yardage back. But the remaining players will be asked to do much more, and the ability to multitask will determine who makes the roster.
"They've all got a little something different," running backs coach Art Valero said. "Now what these preseason games are going to show us is what fits us. With the exception of Mike, it has a lot to do with how they help us as fullbacks and how they help us on special teams. That's what the key is going to be because they have to replace Jameel Cook, who was a special teams machine."
Cook signed with Houston during the offseason. Though largely unsung, he was adept at catching passes out of the backfield and was a leader on special teams.
"He had a huge role," Valero said. "He knew everything. He was smart, and he could get everybody lined up. That's the kind of guy we're looking for."
Sowell hopes to be that guy, and the Bucs believe he can be judging by their efforts to sign him over other suitors during the offseason. But they have invested significant time in Razzano. And Davis has shown flashes of being a capable runner this preseason, gaining 3.6 yards per carry.
"It can go any way," Razzano said. "I just know we have a lot of competition at fullback, a lot of good players."
Said Davis, who also can play running back: "Hopefully (versatility) will help me. The more you can do, the more it helps you in this league."
NOT SO FAST: Though the Bucs return 21 of 22 starters from 2005, you wouldn't know it listening to coach Jon Gruden.
His philosophy is simple: No one has a lock on their starting job.
"There's a perception that the starting lineup is etched in stone," he said. "We're still looking at some competitive situations.
"You don't have to tell players that. I think they look at the film and see there's legitimate competition out there on this team. I think they know with (general manager) Bruce Allen here and the way we go about this, we're going to make sure we have as competitive a camp as we can have. All of us are accountable for putting our best stuff out there each day."
QB LINEUP: Gruden said, barring a late change of heart, the quarterback rotation will remain unchanged Saturday at Jacksonville. That means Chris Simms will start and play an undetermined length of time followed by Tim Rattay and rookie Bruce Gradkowski.
'STRONG' SAFETIES: Though inexperience at safety continues to be a concern, the Bucs have witnessed strong camps from backups Kalvin Pearson and Blue Adams.
Neither has played a full season in the NFL, but the gains they made last season and during the summer have positioned them to have an impact.
Pearson performed under fire last season when multiple injuries pressed him into action. And Adams made a smooth transition from cornerback to safety during the offseason.
"Pearson has had a good camp, not only as a safety, but as a special teams player," Gruden said. "He's stood out.
"Blue is a tough guy. He's a solid special teams guy. He's a football junkie. Those are the guys who make that transition. He's done well for himself. He's proven that he can make the (defensive) calls, handle the adjustments. He's got coverage ability. He'll tackle you. He's getting better and better the more he plays there."
