by Joe Tailgate on June 29, 2009
in NFL News
Cadillac Williams is recovering from his second torn patellar tendon in as many seasons but unlike last year, when he tore the patellar tendon in his left knee, the tendon did not rupture. Instead, it tore away from the bone, making the prognosis for a full recovery much shorter. There’s a chance Williams might be cleared to practice sometime in the preseason, but most likely he will begin the year again on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
General Manager Mark Dominik indicated the team has no interest in signing former Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress at this time. The Bucs are looking for receviers to back up starters Antonio Bryant and Michael Clayton.
“We’re going to let Brian Clark, Maurice Stovall and even Dexter Jackson compete and go from there,” Dominik said.
Dominik said he expects linebacker Barrett Ruud to report on time. Dominik maintained his policy of not publicly discussing negotiations. Ruud did attend the team’s mandatory minicamp.
“You saw some little things (he missed), but his instincts took over,” Dominik said of Ruud. “Barrett is a very smart football player. He can pick it up on a chalkboard. A lot of players have to do it on the field. His coaches did a nice job of keeping him up to date with what we were doing.”
Josh Freeman will not be the starting quarterback this season, not right away at least.
“The ultimate goal is to let Josh Freeman sit back and learn,” Dominik said Saturday.
A few weeks ago quarterbacks coach Greg Olson suggested that at his current pace, Freeman might begin the season as the Bucs’ starting quarterback. Dominik hasn’t completely ruled it out, but it’s clear the plan is not to rush Freeman into the huddle.
“I still think he’s a 21-year-old quarterback who came out as a true junior,” Dominik said of Freeman. “You’d like for him to grow and mature into his role and not be forced into it.”
Brian Griese is expected to be cut by Tampa Bay later this week, two sources told FOXSports.com. The Buccaneers added two quarterbacks last month by signing ex-Jacksonville starter Byron Leftwich and using a first-round draft choice on Kansas State’s Josh Freeman and also re-signed five-year veteran Luke McCown earlier this offseason and still has 2008 fifth-round pick Josh Johnson on the roster. Griese hasn’t reported to offseason workouts and hasn’t participated in this week’s OTA sessions held at Bucs headquarters.
Meanwhile…
Antonio Bryant feels he is ready to be a team leader and is looking to silence any doubters about his abilities to be a team player. “I’ve got a lot to prove,” Bryant said. “Last year was for the haters … this year is for the doubters. When you have a year like that, you’re going to get more attention. This year, it might not be about me getting the ball. If that means Antonio has to run 89 comebacks and that’ll get us in the playoffs, then I’ll run 89 comebacks.” Bryant was about to test the free agent market before the Bucs slapped him with the franchise tag in February. He will make $9.5 million this season, and that is quite a consolation prize. “I can’t do anything about that,” Bryant said of his contract status. “It is what it is. I’m here, I’m at my job, I’m doing what I’m supposed to do and I’m gonna do it 110 percent.”
Earnest Graham is ready for the season to begin now. Graham said has fully recovered from last year’s season-ending ankle injury against Minnesota. In addition, Graham said if the season began today, he would be ready to play. “I’m fine. I’m at 100 percent,” Graham said. “I’m ready to rock. I’m good.”
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Buccaneers first-round draft pick Josh Freeman overcame a slightly tired passing arm Saturday and impressed new coach Raheem Morris with his resiliency after Freeman struggled at the start because of arm fatigue. “Early on today, you could see it,” Morris said. “You throw that many balls in your first camp and you get a little tired. You come out today and you’re trying to aim the ball. Josh picked it up the last two periods and threw some nice balls.” Some of Freeman’s best passes of the day were dropped as Tampa Bay receivers struggled on Day 2 of a three-day session at the team facility. “It’s a different type of activity,” Morris said, contrasting Freeman’s drills in Tampa with the February combine at Indianapolis. “He’s not worried about his 40 time anymore. Now, we’re talking about accuracy, timing and precision. Now, Josh is getting back in the groove of football.”
The Buccaneers selection of Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman was not well-received by most fans in Tampa Bay as fans booed when the pick was announced at a draft day event at Raymond James Stadium. But Doug Williams, the team’s pro personnel coordinator and the club’s first franchise quarterback, said he believed the reaction was unfair. “His K-State career was a lot like my Bucs’ career,” Williams said. “If K-State didn’t have Josh Freeman, they might have shut the program down. Josh Freeman was it for them. A lot of people that love the Wildcats might not want to hear that, but it’s fact. I read all the blogs and comments after the draft … I think it’s unfair. There ain’t nobody asking Josh to take the reins today.” Williams says people are too focused on some of Freeman’s numbers, which he argues aren’t as bad as detractors might think. “They can beat this kid up all they want,” Williams said. “I’ve watched the ‘08 tape and every throw he made he got his (butt) hit. He either did that or would’ve taken a lot of sacks.
