Carolina Panthers backup defensive back (and special teams gunner) Dante Wesley has been suspended without pay for one game by NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson for a flagrant violation of player safety rules. Specifically, on a punt coverage play yesterday, Dante left his feet, launched himself like a missile and made shoulder and forearm contact with the neck and head area of Tampa Bay Bucs punt returner Clifton Smith, who had not caught or touched the ball and was in a defenseless posture.
The suspension will sideline Dante for the Panthers game vs. Buffalo this Sunday.
In …read more

The Tampa Bay Bucs chose defensive end Gaines Adams as the fourth overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft. But after two seasons and five games, his career in Tampa is finished. The Bucs traded Gaines to the Chicago Bears for a second round pick in next year’s Draft.
Gaines was widely considered one of the “faces” of the Tampa Bay franchise—hey, he was even one of four players who modeled the throwback orange creamsicle unis this season—so this comes as a shock in that sense. But when you look at his lack of production (13.5 sacks, two interceptions and two …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

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler was upset to hear his name being thrown around in trade talks this weekend. And I can’t say I blame him. Before Matt Cassel was traded from New England to Kansas City yesterday, Jay’s name came up in a proposed three-way deal with the Tampa Bay Bucs that would have brought Matt to Denver (and reunited him with his former offensive coordinator from New England and Broncos new head coach Josh McDaniels) and sent Jay to Tampa Bay. It obviously didn’t work out but the trouble had already started as …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The Tampa Bay Bucs continued to cut into their massive amount of salary cap space today, keeping receiver Michael Clayton on the roster with a five-year, $24 million deal ($10.5 million is guaranteed money). Michael spent some time interviewing with the Lions and Vikings, but cancelled a trip to Seattle when he realized the weather in Tampa was really nice. Actually, the Bucs called him and told him not to get on any plane that wasn’t headed to Tampa. In other words, they gave him what he was looking for financially. Plus, the Bucs appear …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The Tampa Bay Bucs traded the always intriguing “undisclosed draft picks” to the Cleveland Browns for tight end Kellen Winslow today. Kellen’s introductory presser ended just about an hour ago and he said:
“I’m happy to be playing football, happy to have a job. You know, it’s tough. This is just a blessing. Cleveland was great to me (liar). I had a good time in Cleveland (liar) … But, this is a new opportunity.”
In signing with the Bucs, Kellen gets to return to the state of Florida where he spent his college career at the University …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The Tampa Bay Bucs went nuts today, releasing five veteran players in a move that made a firm commitment to the team’s younger players. Linebacker Derrick Brooks, receivers Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard, running back Warrick Dunn and linebacker Cato June were all sent packing. Only Cato is under 30-years-old. And sure, I can accept that the Bucs want to go in a different direction. But when a team loses not only good players but also good people — some of the best in the entire National Football League — it’s hard to imagine it …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The opponents for all 2009 regular-season games have been determined and a complete list of each team’s home and away matchups was issued yesterday by the NFL. The scheduling formula implemented in 2002 with realignment guarantees that all teams play each other on a regular, rotating basis. Under the formula, every team within a division plays 16 games as follows:

Home and away against its three division opponents (6 games)
The four teams from another division within its conference on a rotating three-year cycle (4 games)
The four teams from a division in the other conference on a …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
My heart really goes out to Tampa Bay Bucs running back Cadillac Williams. After suffering a torn PCL in his left knee last year, his career was in jeopardy. Cadillac fought his way back and somehow returned to the Bucs’ roster last month. It was one of this season’s most inspirational stories. This afternoon in a 31-24 loss to the Oakland Raiders, he was having his best day since the injury (12 carries and five receptions for 115 yards) until he hurt his right knee — with perhaps the same devastating results. Cadillac appears to …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Tampa Bay Bucs running back Earnest Graham, who leads the team in rushing yards and touchdowns, might be finished for the 2008 season with an ankle injury. Earnest was hurt on his only carry in yesterday’s 19-13 win over the Minnesota Vikings, limping off after landing awkwardly when he was tackled after a 3-yard gain. Bucs head coach Jon Gruden was not optimistic during his presser today:
“I believe Earnest Graham’s ankle looks to be a serious injury and his status for the rest of the season is very much in question right now. It doesn’t …read more