Tampa Bay Buccaneers Gives Competitive Starting Spot To Rookie

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are getting closer to the kickoff of the season but before they can do that they will have to reduce their 91-man roster to 53. Now the Bucs still have the last preseason game against the Miami Dolphins on Friday and a week to make these decisions. The coaching staff still wants to see what certain players could bring to the team if they were on the roster. So these last seven days are a crucial time for coaches making decisions and players trying to make the squad.

Now we already know the top stars of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be making the roster. Certain positions are on top of the list for the Bucs' and some positions are overloaded with talent. Making the decision on who to keep and who to let go can be hair-pulling for the coaching staff. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had some injuries during training camp that have limited some players trying to make the team. Other injuries have given some players more of an opportunity to show off their talents. One position that isn't in question is the center spot.

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Graham Barton Named Starting Center

When NFL teams draft players in the first round it is with the intent of that player starting and making an impact on the team almost immediately. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got just that with Offensive Lineman Graham Barton. He was named starting center for the team on Tuesday according to Scott Smith. Barton was drafted in the first round by the Bucs this year. The Duke offensive lineman made a great impression on coaches and other players during training camp. Right tackle for the Buccaneers Luke Goedeke was so impressed with his work ethic and had this to say,

"He takes pride in his work, comes to work every day, does all the right things, even as a rookie. That's few and far between. Being drafted as a first-round pick, obviously there's an expectation, and he's definitely met that expectation. He's done a really nice job for us, so I can't wait to see him continue to grow."

The new starting center was competing against Robert Hainsey, who has been with the Bucs for four seasons. Between the two, they have been sharing the responsibility for snaps for the offense during camp and the first two preseason games. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have their first-string offensive line pretty much set with Barton at center, left tackle Tristan Wirfs, Luke Goedeke at right tackle, right guard Cody Mauch, and left guard Ben Bredeson. This will be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive line unit to start on Friday against the Miami Dolphins. However, in what positions is there a fight to make the roster for the season?

Battle To Make The Bucs Roster

Even though the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the offensive line together, other spots are still up in the air. Some positions are loaded and need trimming. One position is the wide receiver spot, the Bucs have young talent that could make the main roster. We all know players like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will be the starting receivers for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A few questions the coaching staff will be asking themselves is, who will be in the third spot and who will be backing the starters. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Jalen McMillan in this year's draft and he has amazed the coaching staff. As of now, the Buccaneers have him in the third receiver spot.

Other wide receivers who have made a mark in the coaching staff's minds are Cody Thompson, Ryan Miller, and Kameron Johnson. Johnson has been out due to rib issues and will be taking the field against the Dolphins on Friday. Johnson showed his skills during training camp and wowed the staff. The wide receiver is the first player from Barton College in North Carolina to make it to the NFL. Coach Todd Bowles is excited to see him on the field and also had this to say about him according to the team website,

"He's very athletic. He's a heck of a receiver. He's got good return skills. I'd like to see him under the lights a little bit to see him play, but he's very athletic."

Conclusion

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaching staff have some big decisions to make regarding the roster. They have seen what most of the players have to offer and with the final preseason game on Friday, decisions will have to be made. Backups for wide receivers, defensive linemen, and defensive backs will be up in the air. Also, how many will the team keep in certain positions? Only time will tell who will be standing once the dust settles.

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Article originally written by J Muscle