Pencil this in: Much is unsettled

Tonight, the Bucs learn more about QBs, receivers and the No. 1 pick.

By JOANNE KORTH
Published August 10, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Brendan Fitterer | Times] Jeff Garcia drops back to pass during afternoon practice at Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports.

Despite a training camp loaded with distractions - the dismissal of Simeon Rice, injuries to Chris Simms and Luke Petitgout, Thursday's injury announcement by Mike Alstott - the Bucs must turn their attention to the field tonight for their preseason opener against the Patriots.

While some decisions have been made, many others remain.

Here's our list of players, positions and formations worth keeping an eye on:

The backup quarterbacks

Jeff Garcia, 37, is the unquestioned starter and coach Jon Gruden is eager to interact with him in game conditions. But the bigger issue is how Gruden feels about the backups. Simms is not ready to compete, still trying to regain his throwing rhythm after last season's emergency splenectomy.

That leaves the No. 2 spot to Luke McCown, whom Gruden knows little about. McCown hasn't taken a snap in a game of any sort since the 2005 preseason because of a right knee injury.

McCown, 26, has shown a lively arm and good mobility at practice. He'll relieve Garcia early tonight and play the rest of the first half. The second half likely will belong to Bruce Gradkowski, 24, who struggled in 11 starts last season.

The competition at receiver

Second-year pro Maurice Stovall is the starter opposite Joey Galloway, at least according to the first preseason depth chart. But this is easily the most competitive position in training camp, with Stovall, Michael Clayton, David Boston and Ike Hilliard vying for playing time. Hilliard, 31, is proven and won't get much preseason work. Stovall, Clayton and Boston have the most to prove. Stovall, at 6-5, is a terrific target. Clayton, the 2004 first-round pick, has had health issues the past two seasons. Boston, 29 on Aug. 19, was out of the league last year after serious knee injuries in 2004 and 2005.

Rookie DE Gaines Adams

The Bucs signed the No. 4 overall pick in the draft to a six-year, $46-million contract, but Adams is not the first choice to replace recently released Rice. Training camp has been an eye-opening experience for the 6-5, 260-pound Adams, who has been less than dazzling. It will be interesting to see if he can flip the switch in a game situation.

The offensive line

Petitgout, 31, a free-agent left tackle, will not play after missing more than a week of contact drills because of a chronic back problem. Without him, the starting offensive line looks a lot like the 2006 version the team was so determined to upgrade: right tackle Jeremy Trueblood, right guard David Joseph, center John Wade, left guard Arron Sears and left tackle Anthony Davis. The only new name there is Sears, the 6-3, 319-pound second-round pick from Tennessee. Coaches are impressed with his power, but there will be growing pains with any rookie lineman. That was the case last year with high draft picks Joseph and Trueblood.

New looks on offense, defense

There could be two new formations in the playbook: one designed to protect their quarterback, the other designed to put pressure on the opponent's.

The shotgun, never before a part of Gruden's system, has been a staple during the offseason and in training camp practices. It buys time for the quarterback and adds flexibility to the pass protection schemes. But Gruden still wants to see if it works.

On defense, the Bucs mustered a measly 25 sacks last season with their Cover 2 scheme. Coordinator Monte Kiffin and his staff spent the offseason devising ways to create pressure, including installing a 3-4 alignment that takes advantage of the team's versatile outside linebackers.

The formation made its way into the practice plan this week, primarily in the nickel package. Using it in a game will signify another level of commitment.

Joanne Korth can be reached at korth@sptimes.com or 727 893-8810.

Fast Facts:

Tonight

What: Bucs vs. Patriots

When/where: 7:30; Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

TV/radio: Ch. 8; 103.5-FM, 620-AM

[Last modified August 10, 2007, 00:04:13]