”I’ve been told I will be starting, so we’ll see what happens,” Clayton said. “It’s a lot of opportunity for every wide receiver that will be out there…This is one I’ve been waiting for. It’s a tremendous opportunity. It couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s early in the season, so I’ll get a lot of plays out there.”

“I mean, look, everybody goes in and says, ‘These are Rod’s guys’ or whatever. We’re football players. We were brought here to play football. So if Rod was here or Rod wasn’t here, the type of defense we play just so happens to be the type of defense we played in. I’m … We’re getting real sick of hearing this whole ‘Rod’s guys.’ Everybody in this room is Rod’s guys.”

Sorry for the lack of posts this weekend.  I just returned from a business trip to beautiful Denver, and was feeling a bit under the weather.  I will try and get you updated as much as possible. 

• Joey Galloway (still), Jeff Garcia, and Jovan Haye did not practice all weekend.  Antonio Bryant returned from missing Sunday’s practice to Monday’s morning session. 
• Monday’s afternoon session was cancelled, as the players went to see the Dark Knight.
• Backup QB Luke McCown fumbled two snaps, to the ire of HC Jon Gruden:

“Well, Luke McCown had [two fumbled snaps],” Gruden said. “We don’t get out here early every day all year and get the center-quarterback exchanges for any other reason. That’s the fundamental in this game. At this point in time, it’s ridiculous.

• McCown appears to be flashing signs of brilliance every day, but also continues to make stupid mistakes (fumbles, picks).  Gruden will not tolerate said mistakes. 
• On the backup QB situation:

“I really feel good with the way Brian Griese is moving this football team right now,” Gruden said. “He’s making a lot of throws, really good decisions and he’s handling the no-huddle offense extremely well. I like the flash that Luke McCown has. He’s got some real flash playmaking ability. We’ve just got to harness it a little bit better. We’ve got to do a bit better job coaching.”

• On the improvement of DE Gaines Adams:

“I see a lot of what I saw last year in the second half of the season,” Gruden said. “I see a guy that not only can rush the passer and has speed to get the corner, but he’s also becoming a much more complete player. We’re running the ball left in our 9-on-7 drills more than we ever had, just to try to get him ready for the regular season and obviously we want to try to become a better running team, left and right, inside and out. He’s a more complete player and he’s got great upside.”

• Mike Alstott will be honored at halftime of the Seahawks game on October 19th.  According to PewterReport, the game will have a special commemorative ticket, a Mike Alstott commemorative gate giveaway, and there will be the halftime ceremony for Alstott.
• Monday’s training camp summary from BucsStats.com:

Jeremy Zuttah is probably as far along now as Arron Sears was after a few regular season games. I think Sears is still a lock to start at left guard, but he better watch out.

Aqib Talib had another good day in practice. He’s still inconsistent, but when he’s on, he’s really on.

Charles Bennett had to leave practice because of dehydration.

• Sunday’s training camp summary from BucsStats.com

Ryan Sims‘s size makes him an excellent partner for Chris Hovan. They were nearly unblockable today.

Ryan Nece is doing everything possible to stick around by excelling in special teams drills. Nece is clearly on the bubble because of linebacker depth, but he refuses to go quietly. It’s kind of inspiring.
Gruden punished some penalties and missed assignments by making them run sprints (or “gassers”) across the width of the field.
Gruden singled out Brian Griese as having a particularly good day in the blitz pickup department.

Ben Troupe played some H-back today, lining up in the backfield and blocking as a fullback.

• Saturday’s training camp summary from BucsStats.com

With Jovan Haye out with a groin strain, Ryan Sims has been getting a lot of action at starting under tackle and is really doing a nice job. He’s not as quick as Haye or Dre Moore, but he’s got a nice blend of functional speed and power.

The dropped passes didn’t stop when Brian Griese finally took over. Really, just about every receiver that was thrown to had a dropped pass.

Gaines Adams nearly took Warrick Dunn‘s head off when he got stuffed on a running play. Not in a bad way, though. Adams has the chance to be one of the elite pass rushers in the league if he keeps up progress like this.

• Did we draft Dexter Jackson to be Devin Hester or to replace Joey Galloway:

“If he’s doing his job as a returner, that’s what he was brought here to do,” receivers coach Richard Mann said. “So, whatever else we get, that stuff is gravy. I think with the juice that he’s got, when (coach Jon) Gruden goes back to his little laboratory, he’ll come up with some creative ways to get him the ball.”

• A nice piece from The St Pete Times dealing with the 5 most impressive players of the first week.

Those players are Brian Griese, Michael Clayton, Jeremy Zuttah, Aqib Talib and Michael Spurlock. 

Currently on the Roster – Daniel Fells, John Gilmore, Alex Smith, Jerramy Stevens, Tyrice Thompson, Ben Troupe

Gauranteed Roster Spots – John Gilmore, Alex Smith, Ben Troupe

John Gilmore was brought in to replace the blocking that Anthony Becht brought to the table.  Gilmore is an excellent run blocker, and a solid chip blocker on passing downs.  Alex Smith will start for the 2nd straight season, and looks to expand on his 32 catch, 385 yard season.  He has yet to establish himself as a go to downfield threat, or even a red zone threat at this point in his career.  Three touchdowns for a tight end in our offense is not sufficient.   Ben Troupe has a ton of upside, and a ton of speed.  He has the ability to stretch defenses down the middle of the field.  He had a 55 catch 530 yard season in 2005, but has been plagued by injuries since then.  A tag team receiving tandem of Alex Smith and Ben Troupe has the ability to really open up the sidelines for our receivers on passing downs. 

No Chance – Daniel Fells, Tyrice Thompson

Battling for Roster Spots – Jerramy Stevens

Stevens finished the season real strong for the Bucs, that culminated in the game winning touchdown vs the Saints.  The last two games of the season he had 8 catches for 103 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Everyone has harped on his troubled past, and rightfully so, but the coaching staff and players seem to like Stevens.  He should have a solid chance of making the team, although I’m not sure who he might unseat!