For one day, the Tampa Bay Bucs turned back the clock to 1976. And for the first time this season, the team tasted victory in doing so. It was a memorable day for the Buccaneers organization as they combined their past with their future. Wearing the infamous (and often ridiculed) creamsicle orange uniforms (complete with Bucko Bruce on the helmet) for the first time since 1996, the Bucs unveiled a Ring of Honor at Raymond James Stadium and inducted Hall of Fame defensive end Lee Roy Selmon as their first member. Meanwhile, rookie quarterback Josh Freeman made his first National …read more

After starting the 2009 season without a win in three tries (and coming off one of the worst offensive performances in team history against the N.Y. Giants yesterday), the Tampa Bay Bucs are switching quarterbacks. Byron Leftwich is out—demoted to the third string—and second-year QB Josh Johnson is in. Bucs head coach Raheem Morris made it clear his decision was not all about Byron Leftwich, saying: “I don’t want us, as an organization, to say that game (vs. the Giants) was all Leftwich. But Byron is suffering the consequences.”
My money has been on rookie Josh Freeman taking over the starting …read more

Byron Leftwich will be the starting quarterback to open the 2009 regular season for the Tampa Bay Bucs. Head coach Raheem Morris made the announcement after practice this morning. After Byron’s mediocre 9-of-17 passing, 100-yard performance in a 10-6 preseason loss to the Miami Dolphins Thursday night, I was a little surprised with this decision, but I know it’s only a matter of time before rookie QB Josh Freeman takes the reigns and establishes himself as the team’s leader. For now, Byron’s talent and NFL experience wins out.
Byron was in a highly publicized competition with Josh Freeman and backup QBs …read more

The Tampa Bay Bucs agreed to a one-year deal with quarterback Byron Leftwich today. Terms of the deal were not immediately released but I can tell you Byron will have the opportunity to compete with current Bucs QBs Luke McCown, Josh Johnson and Brian Griese for the starting job. One of those four quarterbacks will most likely be released before training camp begins later this summer. And I’m guessing that odd man out will be Brian Griese.

Byron should be the favorite to win the starting role in Tampa. Otherwise, why would be have bolted from Pittsburgh? He knows he …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed free agent quarterback Byron Leftwich today. When backup QB Charlie Batch went down with a broken collarbone (he’s out 4-6 weeks) in Friday night’s game against Philadelphia, the Steelers went right to work on obtaining a veteran signal caller to backup Ben Roethlisberger. Enter free agents Byron Leftwich and Daunte Culpepper. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said:
“We made an agreement with Byron Leftwich to sign and be a quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers. We have some familiarity there, because Ken Anderson, our quarterbacks coach, worked with him down in Jacksonville. He’s …read more

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
With about a month to go before NFL training camps open, quarterback Byron Leftwich is without a job. Which is hard to believe considering Byron was the starting QB of the Jacksonville Jaguars a year ago at this time. But after a demotion and release — then a brief, unsuccessful stint with the Atlanta Falcons last season — Byron has been spending his time in a daily workout program at a high-tech training facility near Miami, Florida. NFL players Plaxico Burress, Frank Gore, Anquan Boldin and Fred Taylor have been among those working …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
With the free agent signing period approaching, you’ll see teams releasing players here and there. Yesterday, the Atlanta Falcons took it to a new level, unloading six players in a major rebuilding effort. Gone are four-time Pro Bowl tight end Alge Crumpler, quarterback Byron Leftwich, defensive tackle Rod Coleman, offensive tackle Wayne Gandy, cornerback Lewis Sanders, wide receiver Jamin Elliott and linebacker Marcus Wilkins. In the NFL, it’s all about “what have you done for me lately.”
For the most part, I agree with these decisions. Alge Crumpler had the be the most …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
Jacksonville Jaguars QB David Garrard was making throws he hadn’t made all season. Bad throws. One of the main reasons the Jags were in the playoffs with an 11-5 record was the consistent, virtually error-free play of one David Garrard. That’s the main reason head coach Jack Del Rio sent Byron Leftwich packing and handed the starting job to David. But with a push of playoff pressure, David had already thrown two INTs. Big deal? Well, in the playoffs, it most certainly is. But factor this in — he had only thrown three …read more