Five training camp battles

Hey, nobody's job is safe when you're 4-12, especially Jon Gruden's. That's why there's more competition at every position for the Bucs. The depth of their depth problem was overwhelming at times last season. The five training camp battles to keep an eye on:

By Joanne Korth
Published July 24, 2007

1. Backup quarterback: Chris Simms, Bruce Gradkowski

The battle is for No. 2 behind Jeff Garcia. If Garcia is the leader in the clubhouse, these two are still on the course chasing second prize. It's a shame, really. The only reason Simms, top, hasn't gotten a shot at reclaiming the starting job is he has struggled to recover from surgery to remove his spleen. Well, maybe not the only reason. He has lost his past four games, dating to the playoff loss to the Redskins in 2005. Gradkowski, who is right-handed, mobile and fits more snugly in the offense, has proved he can light it up in the preseason. If Simms hasn't regained his stroke this past month, he could fall to No. 3. And we haven't even talked about Luke McCown.

2. Center: John Wade, Dan Buenning, Matt Lehr

The Bucs spent much of the past two seasons addressing their offensive line needs, but this is one position they have neglected. Wade is 32 and lost some mobility to a dislocated left knee sustained in 2004. Buenning, a starter at left guard when healthy, tore ligaments in his right knee on Thanksgiving against Dallas. He hasn't been able to do much in the offseason. It might be a bad time to ask Buenning to change positions, but you get the feeling the Bucs are pulling for him to make the transition. Finally, Lehr, a free agent from the Falcons, is a nice compromise if Wade and Buenning don't work out.

3. Undertackle: Kevin Carter, Ryan Sims, Ellis Wyms, Jovan Haye, Greg Peterson

It's the most important position in the Tampa Two defense but one the Bucs haven't been able to fill since Warren Sapp left after the 2003 season. Booger McFarland was supposed to be the answer but was dealt to the Colts last season. Wyms, who could be released for salary cap reasons, has struggled staying healthy. Enter Carter, who is probably better suited at defensive end but has never missed a game during his 12-year career. He'll be 34 in September, so who knows how long he'll hold up? Haye had some nice moments last season, and the Bucs are high on Peterson, April's fifth-round pick from North Carolina Central.

4. No. 2 receiver: Michael Clayton, Maurice Stovall, Ike Hilliard, David Boston

Let's agree Joey Galloway is No. 1 and shows no signs of slowing down at 35. He's coming off consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Meanwhile, Clayton is coming off consecutive clunkers. Injuries might be to blame, but the Bucs are losing patience with the first-round pick who has 65 catches and one touchdown over the past two seasons. Stovall, entering his second season, started the final two games of 2006 and was the darling of the minicamps. At 6 feet 4, he's a big target who gets yards after the catch. Reliable Hilliard and Boston, a two-year reclamation project, round out the fleet.

5. Starting safety: Jermaine Phillips, Sabby Piscitelli, Will Allen, Tarnard Jackson

Let's just say safety wasn't the most reliable position on defense last season. That might have something to do with coaching. Raheem Morris takes over for one-and-done Greg Burns. Whatever the reason, Phillips and Allen seemed to lose footraces to the end zone too often. But you know what? Phillips managed to start all 16 games for the first time in his career and had a career-high 124 tackles and two interceptions. Phillips and Allen need to take better angles and wrap up ballcarriers. They will get strong challenges from Piscitelli (second-round pick in April) and Jackson (fourth round). These guys weren't brought in to play special teams. Piscitelli will remind Bucs fans of John Lynch, which is an unfair comparison to live up to. Jackson? How about Dexter Jackson? See where we're going?

 ...and around the NFL

 1. Quarterback, Browns

It's Derek Anderson, left, the favorite by default, versus Charlie Frye, right, the shaky incumbent, versus Brady Quinn, the hometown hero and No. 22 overall pick in April who could be a holdout.

2. Quarterback, Chiefs

It's Damon Huard, left, the savvy 10-year veteran and sentimental favorite, versus Brodie Croyle, the quarterback of the future sure to come with growing pains.

3. Cornerback, Redskins

It's third-year pro Carlos Rogers, left, versus notorious talker Fred Smoot. If nothing else, it should be fun to listen to.

4. Quarterback, Raiders

It's incumbent Andrew Walter, left, versus insurance policy Josh McCown, right, versus April's No. 1 overall pick, JaMarcus Russell, who will play early only if Walter and McCown are lousy.

5. Quarterback, Bears

It's turnover-prone Rex Grossman versus the court of public opinion. A shaky Super Bowl did not exactly put minds at ease about whether Grossman is the answer.

Rick Stroud and Joanne Korth, Times staff writers

[Last modified July 24, 2007, 07:38:40]