Despite being maligned and ridiculed Schiano says he is having fun

Has Greg Schiano really lost it?

Despite being maligned, criticized and ridiculed with signs going up all over the Tampa Bay Area calling for him to be fired, the Tampa Bay Bucs head coach says he is having fun.

"Everyday, everyday, I love what I do," Schiano said Wednesday at his daily presser.

"It isn’t always fun for what your family has to go through but as far as my job? It’s the best! What I do for a living, I wouldn’t trade it. I love it. I know I speak for our coaches and players, that’s what makes it exciting," Schiano said.

Okay, everybody has their own idea of what fun constitutes so give Schiano his do. It would be nice if he would win a game, which is probably the only thing Bucs' fans would consider fun.

Winless Tampa has lost seven straight and that number figures to grow to eight when the Bucs visit Seattle on Sunday.

Have fun Greg!

Bad day for Bucs; Adrian Clayborn suffers injury in practice

No matter how you look at the Tampa Bay Bucs practice Wednesday it couldn't be considered a good day.

The deal breaker on this steamy hot day was a groin injury to defensive end Adrian Clayborn, who is carrying the hopes of a Bucs pass rush that really never got there last year and tied for 29th in sacks.

"Today Adrian Clayborn injured his groin.  He couldn’t practice the rest of day and that's not a good sign. He is incredibly frustrated," Bucs head coach Greg Schiano lamented after practice.

This is a huge blow for a pass rush that bordered on anemic last year. The Bucs first round pick in 2011, Clayborn played in only three games last year and is coming off surgery after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. To make things worse, the Bucs allowed defensive end Michael Bennett, last year's sack leader (9), to leave via free agency.

In his 19 career games with the Bucs, Clayborn has 28 solo tackles and14 assists. He led the Bucs in 2011 with 7.5 sacks.

 Clayborn was hurt last year in a game against Dallas when he got tangled up with Gerald McCoy. He suffered his injury today doing individual drills. Schiano said he wasn't sure about the severity of the injury, but didn't sound optimistic.

 

Pro Football Talk stands by story on Bucs player deriding coaching staff

A report in ProFootballTalk.com that a player with the Bucs asked mockingly if the Bucs head coaches could be sent back to college has grown a set of legs.

Some of the Bucs players, including 16 year veteran Ronde Barber questioned the quote and posed the question if it is the truth. Media types scrambled all over the find the source, but came up empty furthering speculation that maybe Barber was right.

But Mike Florio of PFT stands by the story.

Here is what Florio today on the PFT website:

“On Monday we reported in the aftermath of a 41-0 blowout loss to the Saints, punctuated by a sideline brouhaha involving assistant coach Bryan Cox and linebacker Adam Hayward, that one member of the Buccaneers privately remarked after the game, “Can we send these coaches back to college?“

The story prompted a fairly quick response, with the team and multiple members of the Tampa media probing for more details, none of which were provided in the interests of honoring the promise of anonymity.

Now that the Tampa media has had a chance to ask the players about it, two days after the story broke, some players predictably have provided unrealistically sweeping denials.

“That’s a [expletive] made-up quote,” cornerback Ronde Barber told the Tampa Tribune. “No one said that. I can promise you that.”

I promise you that someone did, Ronde.

Who’s in a position to be more sure? The guy to whom it was told, or the guy who has no idea what his teammates have said in the hours after a frustrating shutout loss to one of their biggest rivals? That’s why we opted not to go with the same-old “we stand by our report” when asked for a response by the Tribune, choosing instead something far more pragmatic: “If Ronde is aware of every private communication in which his 52 teammates engage, that’s even more impressive than his Hall of Fame playing career.”

Our guess is that Ronde opted to react strongly due to speculation in the local media that he was the source. As his career in Tampa likely winds to a conclusion, it wouldn’t be the ideal way to make his exit.

Regardless, we won’t say who said it. But I promise you that someone did.

 

 

Schiano least favorite coach! Do you really think he cares!

The Tampa Bay Bucs Greg Schiano was voted the NFL head coach you’d least like to play for in a Sports Illustrated poll of players released today.

Schiano was atop the list ahead of his good friend, Bill Belichick of New England then the New York Jets Rex Ryan. Sports Illustrated said 103 players from 27 teams partook in the poll, which asked a variety of questions.

Here is what one player said: “The thing he did at the end of the game early on in the year, the game where the Giants were killing the clock off and downing the ball, there was no reason for that—no reason at all. Everyone’s worried about injuries and safety and that’s what they are doing?”

A question that wasn’t asked, but might be a good one is “Does Schiano really care?”

All those who believe he cares about being the least popular coach raise your hands: that’s what we thought. Schiano has proven in half an NFL season that he does what he wants and too bad if you don’t like it.

A lot of players on the Bucs seem to buying into what he is selling, which is respectability and accountability. It’s led to a 4-4 first half season after last year’s disaster.

 

 

 

Ronde Barber switch might be Schiano's best move

Tampa Bay Bucs head coach Greg Schiano is looking like a genius these days for many reasons; try Doug Martin, a 4-4 record, Lavonte David and Mark Barron.

Ronde Barber found new life at safety 

But the most astute move the first year coach might have made is switching Ronde Barber from cornerback to safety. It has given the 16 year veteran a new life. You might argue he is beating Father Time, which is undefeated against all of us.

After eight games, Barber has 10 defensive stops on third down, which is the most of any player in the NFL at any position.  Last week in the Bucs 42-32 victory at Oakland Barber was targeted four times on passes. He broke up two and allowed just 19 yards.

Barber is tied for third in the league among safeties with three interceptions and with four passes defended.  He is fourth on the Bucs and second among defensive backs (to  Barron) in tackles with 38.

 

 

 

Bucs ship Talib out of town; now a Belichick headache

Troubled Tampa Bay Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib will no longer be Greg Schiano’s headache. Instead that chore now belongs to Schiano’s good friend New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.

The Bucs announced today that Talib and a seventh round draft pick were traded to New England for a fourth round pick in next year's draft.

Talib was serving a four game suspension for violating the NFL’s drug policy for taking Adderall, a banned substance the league cites as a performing enhancing drug. His suspension was scheduled to end after the Bucs game at Oakland Sunday.

Talib is in the final year of a five year rookie contract and is expected to help a Patriots secondary that has been shaky and is ranked 28^th in the NFL allowing 281.1 yards per game passing.

Tampa Bay ranks 31^st in pass defense giving up 309 yards per game.

In four games this season Talib has one interception, seven passes defended and 21 tackles. He has been inconsistent in pass coverage and was burned early this year when he covered the New York Giants Hakeem Nicks in a game Eli Manning threw for 500 plus yards.

Talib was suspended in 2009 for allegedly assaulting a cab driver. He was accused of assault with a deadly weapon in Texas, but the charges were ultimately dropped.

The Bucs could also lose another cornerback, Eric Wright, to a suspension. He reportedly failed a drug test that involved the use of Adderall. It is unclear whether he will appeal that charge or if the league takes action on him next week.

Shipping out Talib falls into line with the philosophy of Bucs rookie head coach Schiano, who said he wanted to men of character and would not tolerate anything less.

 

 

 

 

Devastating news for Bucs: Carl Nicks out for season

The Tampa Bay Bucs, who were just starting to be talked about in serious conversation about a possible playoff run, released some devistating news today when they announced All-Pro Guard Carl Nicks would be lost for the season.

Bucs All Pro Carl Nicks out for season

The free agent acquistion from New Orleans will require surgery to repair a torn plantar plate in his left toe. He started all seven games with the Buccaneers since joning the team and had recorded 68 consecutive starts.

It's a particularly tough blow for Tampa because the Bucs had already lost , their other highly touted guard, before the season to an injury.

 

With Nicks anchoring the offensive line, the Bucs have allowed the fifth fewest sacks in the NFL and were ranked ninth in the league in points per game. Their run game with rookie Doug Martin has been particularly effective when running from the left side behind Nicks and Donald Penn.

 

In the last three weeks, the Bucs led the NFL in points, total yards, passing yard and yards per play and ranked third in rushing yards.

 

The Bucs also placed TE Danny Noble on Injured Reserve and announced it has elevated guard Roger Allen to the active roster from its practice squad.

 

 Noble (hamstring), a rookie from Toledo, has played in four games and been inactive for three others this season.

Allen (6-3, 325) is in his third season from Missouri Western State after entering the league with St. Louis in 2009. After earning a 53-man roster spot out of training camp, he went on to play in two games that season, including one start.

 

 

 

Bucs look like an offensive juggernaut behind Doug Martin

The Tampa Bay Bucs 36-17 victory over Minnesota brought head coach Greg Schiano a lot of equity with his players that could jettison the team beyond pre-season expectations.

Doug Martin has career game vs Vikings

It also added credibility to the coach for wanting to move up in this year’s draft and select Doug Martinin the first round. There were a lot questions surrounding that decision and the Boise State product had not done a lot to quell the critics.

But he answered with a resounding thud Thursday night with his performance, gaining 214 yards from scrimmage (135 rushing/79 receiving), which is the fifth highest single game mark in Bucs history. It came on the heels of Vincent Jackson getting 216 total yards against New Orleans.

The fact that Martin and Jackson did this in consecutive games has to make Schiano and maligned GM Mark Domink feel good for bringing in these guys during the off season.

Could this be an offensive juggernaut in the making?

 Martin now ranks sixth all time among Bucs rookie running backs with 543 for the season and figures to move up the list. One of his targets is the man he replaced, LeGarrette Blount, who ran for 1,007 yards in 2010 as a rookie. At the top of the list is “Cadillac” Williams who ran for 1,178 yards in his 2005 rookie year.

Offensive records might be falling quick for the Bucs, who have found a new life in recent weeks. Josh Freeman is now fifth all time in team history with 10,698 yards passing and is sure to pass Brad Johnson soon.

How about this: in the last three games, the Bucs have 416 yards total offense against Minnesota, 463 vs Kansas City and 513 against New Orleans.  

 

200+ YARDS FROM SCRIMMAGE IN A SINGLE GAME (Team History)

Player Opponent-Date Total Yards from Scrimmage

1. RB James Wilder at MIN-11/6/83 239

2. RB Warrick Dunn vs. DAL-12/3/00 221

3. WR Vincent Jackson vs. NO-10/21/12 216

3. RB James Wilder vs. GB-9/30/84 216

5. RB Doug Martin at MIN-10/25/12 214

6. WR Mark Carrier at NO-12/6/87 212

7. RB James Wilder vs. DET-11/23/86 201

8. WR Antonio Bryant at CAR-12/8/08 200

MOST RUSHING YARDS BY ROOKIE - SINGLE SEASON (Team History)

Rank Player Year Yards

1. RB Carnell Williams 2005 1,178*

2. RB Errict Rhett 1994 1,011*

3. RB LeGarrette Blount 2010 1,007*

4. RB Warrick Dunn 1997 978*

5. RB Jerry Eckwood 1979 690

6. RB Doug Martin 2012 543*

7. RB Reggie Cobb 1990 480

8. RB Lars Tate 1988 467*

9. FB William Howard 1988 452

10. RB Ricky Bell 1977 436*

*-Led the team

-MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES (Team History)

Rank Player TDs

1. Vinny Testaverde, 1987-92 77

2. Doug Williams, 1978-82 73

3. Trent Dilfer, 1994-99 70

4. Josh Freeman, 2009-12 65

5. Brad Johnson, 2001-04 64

MOST PASSING YARDS -

(Team History)

Rank Player Yards

1. Vinny Testaverde, 1987-92 14,820

2. Trent Dilfer, 1994-99 12,969

3. Doug Williams, 1978-82 12,648

4. Brad Johnson, 2001-04 10,940

5. Josh Freeman, 2009-12 10,698

6. Steve DeBerg, 1984-93 9,439

7. Craig Erickson, 1992-94 6,094

8. Jeff Garcia, 2007-08 5,152

9. Brian Griese, 2004-08 4,841

10. Shaun King, 1999-2003 4,064  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bucs-Saints game will be televised locally; should we thank Brees

Did Drew Brees make it happen?

The Tampa Bay Bucs might get riveted Sunday when Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints come to town, but don’t blame local fans for breaking out the welcome mat for the man who recently broke John Unitas record for throwing a  touchdown  pass in 48 consecutive regular season games.

Brees (and it is him, let’s not tip-toe around that) creates so much excitement that enthusiasm to see him in person enabled the Bucs, more than anything else, to sell enough tickets that it won’t have to blackout the game.

This is the first time since last December 17 when they faced the Dallas Cowboys that the Bucs sold enough tickets to avoid a blackout. The only other home game televised last year was against the Indianapolis Colts.

 The Bucs sold the needed 85 percent of general admission tickets that allowed the NFL to lift its mandated blackout. The game will be televised on Fox TV at 1 p.m. Former Bucs great John Lynch and Dick Stockton will do the commentary.

 The Bucs have failed to sell enough tickets to avoid blackouts in 16 of their last 18 games. But fans in Bradenton and Sarasota who know where to go have been able to watch the games, which are televised in certain bars, taverns and eateries in Manatee and Sarasota County.

 

  

 

Schiano: Davin Joseph out for season

Tampa Bay Bucs head coach Greg Schiano has confirmed that guard Davin Joseph will have surgery for a torn patella tendon and miss the entire season.

Joseph was injured in the second quarter of the Bucs game against New England on a play when Donald Penn drove Patriots rookie defensive end Chandler Jones into the back of Joseph’s knee.

"It's [a] big [loss], but that's part of what we do, right?" said Schiano. "You mourn, and you move on. That’s what you do. That's what we have to do, and Davin wants us to do that. He's going to be in surgery and then on his road to recovery, and we've got to fix our sights on how we're going to move forward."

This is a tremondous blow to the Bucs, particularly their desire to establish a solid run game. They signed free agent Carl Nicks during the off season in the hopes he and Joseph would give them the best guard tandem in the league.

"We're going to try to work a couple things," said Schiano. "Obviously, Larsen has worked there, and we have other options that we can look at, which we will. We're trying to get the best five on the field. I think we have the answer internally, and that's why we've been trying to build depth at all positions. But we always look outside; that's a constant. If there's somebody we think fits our mold, then we'll try to do what we can to get him."

LeGarrette Blount says he is okay after leaving game because of injury

Tampa Bay Bucs running back LeGarrette Blount, who was forced to leave Friday night's game against Tennessee late in the second quarter because of an injury, said he feels fine.

"I took a hit on my side and tweaked my groin a little bit," Blount said. "It hurt a lot for awhile, but it's not serious. I will be good. I've had a lot of nicks and bruises and is kind of what it is. They are going to check it out (Saturday)."

Blount said despite feeling good he doesn't know if he would play if the season opener was next week, but doesn't see this injury as anything to worry about.

Blount had only 11 yards on eight carries it was a disappointing night for the Bucs all the way around in a 30-7 loss.

"There are a lot of things we have to work on and a lot of things we have to improve on," Blount said. "I feel good now. Offensively tonight we get beat obviously so there is lot we have to improve on and a lot we have to look at film wise. Hopefully we can correct a lot of things.'

Barron will make debut tonight in Bucs matchup against Tennessee

Mark Barron, the Tampa Bay Bucs heralded first round draft makes his NFL debut tonight at Raymond James Stadium agianst the Tennessee Titans.

The safety from Alabama sat out the pre-season opener last week against Miami because of a toe injury, but says he is ready to go full speed tonight. Barron said he has a good understanding of the defense despite missing some practices.

The 6-1, 215 pound Barron was selected seventh overall in this year's draft because of his reputation as a hard hitter, which new Bucs head coach Greg Schiano was needed to help a team that collapsed at the end of last year and looked soft.

Blount shows he is not conceding anything in Bucs pre-season opener

Things to take from Tampa Bucs pre-season opener at Miami:

LeGarrette Blount is not conceding anything to rookie Doug Martin, who everyone is predicting to be the Bucs primary running back.

Their numbers were similar with Blount running for 30 yards on seven carries and Martin picking up 21 yards also on seven rushing attempts. They both scored short yardage touchdowns and had one reception each.

Tiquan Underwood, who has been a standout receiver during training camp, continues to make a case for himself and is starting to generate some conversation that he could be an extremely vital part of the offense.

The former wideout from Rutgers (where else?) led all receivers with three catches for 76 yards, including an impressive 44 yard reception that he gathered in with two defenders draped all over him.

Quarterback Josh Freeman was efficent and safety Cody Grimm looked bad on a missed tackle on the Dolphins first drive, which didn't help his chances of making the 53 man roster.

Interception by rookie linebacker Lavonte David had to make new head coach Greg Schiano happy for many reasons bolstering belief he is the perfect WLB for the Bucs new defense.

What does it all mean?

Not really much considering there a lot of teams that finished pre-season undefeated and failed miserably when the regular season started; remember Jimmy Johnson's 1-15 first year with Dallas
or John McKay's 2-14 team in 1983 that followed undefeated pre-seasons.

The Bucs were clearly in better condition than the Dolphins and that was a factor, which might not be an advantage when the regular season starts or heads into the stretch run.

The "worst performer" award has to go to fumble prone Preston Parker (8 last year), who fumbled a punt and was guilty of personal foul after a play was whistled dead.

With his 74 yard kickoff return rookie speedster Michael Smith brings a lot of hope and Luke Stocker had a nice third down catch in traffic. Two starters in the secondary, cornerback Aqib Talib and safety Mark Barron did not play because of injuries.

Did Schiano pull the trigger too quickly on Briscoe

Is Greg Schiano getting too quick on the trigger for his own good?

Did Bucs give up Briscoe too quickly?

The new Tampa Bay Bucs head football coach is intent on unloading players he feels don’t fit his mode that he apparently he released receiver Dezmon Briscoe without checking to see if he could get anything in return.

 SB Nation reports that Adam Caplan on WCHE1520 said he talked to two teams that were willing to give up a draft pick for Briscoe and neither team received a call from the Bucs. The report said one of the teams was willing to give up a conditional fifth round pick.

The Briscoe release Friday came on the same day that the Bucs traded former second pick defensive tackle Brian Price to the Chicago Bears for a seventh round selection.

There is no doubt Schiano has taken a hard stance on getting rid of players who don’t fit the “Buccaneer Men” that the coach wants on his roster.

Bucs GM Mark Domink has already been under fire from several sides on Brian Price. Critics say it was a huge error in judgment to select Price in the second round of the 2010 draft and others argue he should not have let Price go to the Bears for so little compensation.

Tampa Bucs lose Benn for four weeks with MCL sprain

The Bucs experienced their first major casualty of spring camp when wide receiver Arrelious Benn suffered a sprained MCL and is expected to miss four weeks.

The Bucs final pre-season game is August 29^th so he could return for the season opener against Carolina on September 9th. The 2010 second round pick out of Illinois started 14 games for the Bucs last season catching 39 passes for 441 yards and three touchdowns. He tore his ACL in 2010.

With the acquistion of free agent Vincent Jackson, Benn's role figured to diminish even more from last season.

Martin inks pact with Bucs, only Mark Barron remains unsigned

With Doug Martin (right) under contract,
only Mark Barron (left) remains unsigned
from Bucs 2012 draft list

And now they are down to one.
The Tampa Bay Bucs today signed the Boise State running back Doug Martin to a five year deal, leaving only one of the players it drafted in 2012 unsigned.

Martin was a person the Bucs coveted. They moved up into the first round to get him (31^st overall pick) as their number two pick after indirectly giving up a chance to take heralded cornerback Morris Claiborne.

The Bucs have now signed six of their seven draft picks leaving only top pick, safety Mark Barron (7^th overall pick) from Alabama as the only one who has not put his name on a contract. He has been working out with the team, but unsigned draft picks are not allowed to report to regular camp without a signed contract.

New Tampa head coach Greg Schiano has repeatedly stated he wants to improve the Bucs running game and considers Martin essential. LeGarrette Blount, last year’s featured back, has been a disappointment with his fumbling and inability to play on third downs because of deficiencies in blocking and understanding the plays.

Martin ended his college career with 3,431 yards and 43 touchdowns (5.6 avg). Last season he ran for 1,299 yards and 16 touchdowns. The only questions marks with him regard Boise’s weak schedule, which allowed the Broncos and Martin to put up numbers that might have more to do with a poor quality opponents than anything else.

Bowers injury a major blow to Tampa Bay Bucs

Da'Quan Bowers could miss all of 2012 season

One of the brightest off seasons in a long for the Tampa Bucs quickly turned dark Thursday when the club annoucned that second year defensive end Da'Quan Bowers tore the Achilles tendon in his right leg.

Though he tweeted that he will play in 2012, the second year product out of Clemson  is expected to be lost for the entire season and surgery has been scheduled for Friday. He suffered the injury will participating in the Bucs' off season conditioniong program.

Its the second major injury for Bowers, who slid into the second round of the NFL draft last year because teams were leery of a torn ACL he suffered in his left leg. Bucs GM Mark Dominik decided to take a chance and gambled on Bowers with the 51st overall pick, while most other teams felt he was not worthy of the second round because of his ACL injury.

Bowers head 25 tackles and 1.5 sacks last season. Fortunately for the Bucs, they signed defensive end Michael Bennett to a one year deal before the start of free agency. Bennett played in 14 games last season, starting in 10.

With major injuries on both legs, Bowers future has to be considered questionable and it is unlikely he will play next season, though he insists otherswise.

Ex Buc Jackson joins fired Bucs head coach Raheem Morris

Cut four days ago by the Tampa Bucs, safety Tanard Jackson signed with the Washington Redskins on Friday.

It means Jackson will join forces again with Redskins secondary coach Raheem Morris, the former Bucs head coach who was fired after last season's debacle.

The Bucs cut Jackson for many reasons, including reports they were not happy about how he was going about his rehab following off season shoulder surgery. He also showed a lack of discipline on the field in leading NFL safeties in missed tackles last season.

Now Jackson reunites with Morris, who was criticized for running a loose ship in Tampa, which caused the Bucs to deflate into a league embarrassment last season.

Before last season Jackson had served a 56 week suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. The Bucs didn't want to take a chance on Jackson despite his modest $2 million salary and the team's lack of experience and talent at the safety position.

Now he become Morris' problem or headache, which ever way you look at it. Or maybe he will find a way to gain the trust of NFL teams with a good season. He could succeed in Washington with head coach Mike Shanahan, who is considered a no-nonsense type of person.

How much will Sean Payton's suspension help the Tampa Bay Bucs

A question floating around these parts is how much Sean Payton’s one year suspension will help the Tampa Bay Bucs.

When you look at head to head competition it appears the affect will be minimal. But it’s the overall success Payton has had as the New Orleans Saints head football coach that will affect the Bucs the most next season.

Payton is 6-6 against the Bucs, though a couple of those losses were games some believe he just threw away because they were at the end of the season and he was resting players for the playoffs.

From the Bucs standpoint the most impressive thing about Payton is that he is 13-5 in the NFC South Division the last three years wining two division titles. During that span, which included the Saints 2010 Super Bowl championship, Payton is 3-3 against the Bucs.

The thing is when Payton beat the Bucs in two of the three times since 2009 he beat them bad, 31-6 in 2010 and 27-16 last year in a game that was a lot more one-sided then the final score indicates.

Bucs spending frenzy ignites fan base

The Tampa Bay Bucs are on a signing frenzy and their long time suffering fans couldn’t be happier.

Less than 24 hours after signing Vincent Jackson, the top free agent receiver, the Bucs followed it up with two more deals that included a blockbuster.

The Bucs came to terms with New Orleans Saints Pro Bowl guard Carl Nicks, who signed a reported five year deal worth $47.5 million with $31 million guaranteed.

The deal was done quickly. Nicks reportedly arrived in Tampa on Tuesday night and by morning agreed to terms. For the Bucs this is an unheard of amount of money, particularly mind boggling coming off the Jackson signing, which guaranteed him $26 million over two years.

It also means the Bucs are serious about establishing an interior running game that new head coach Greg Schiano says is his staple. As a bonus they steal a guy who played an instrumental role in Saints quarterback Drew Brees to put up those astronomical numbers.

Nicks is also durable and has consistently graded out among the top guards in the league. The 6-5, 343 pound, 27-year-old hasn’t missed a start in the last three years. He joins the Bucs Davin Joseph, another Pro Bowler (who signed a $53 million deal last summer).

The Bucs also signed cornerback Eric Wright, who played for Detroit last year and had four interceptions to give him 14 for his five year NFL career. He played four years for Cleveland until signing with the Lions last season.

The 26-year-old Wright is not considered among the top 10 free agent cornerbacks and would be a risk if the Bucs cornerback situation wasn’t so bad, particularly with the possibility Ronde Barber and Aqib Talib won’t play next season.

The 5-10, 196 pound Wright was a favorite target among league quarterbacks last year though part of it might be he covered the slot in nickel situations.

Wright was thrown at 120 times last year, only one less than the Saints Jabari Greer, and his 75 receptions allowed was the most among cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus, which didn’t have him in its top 100 cornerbacks.

Wright gave up 842 reception yards, which was the sixth highest among cornerbacks in yardage allowed, his 11.2 yards per catch was the eighth highest and his 14 missed tackles was fifth highest among cornerbacks.

But he is an improvement anyway you look at it for the Bucs considering many factors. Among those E.J. Biggers gave the seventh highest passer rating for quarterbacks throwing into a cornerback’s coverage area (119.2).