Buccaneers Undrafted Free Agent Signings

We’re going to cover the rash of Buccaneers rookie free agent signings in this space. Though we will try to feature the most interesting pick-ups, with the rosters being expanded to 90 for camp the number of players signed will be extremely high. So with that in mind keep checking back here and we’ll keep updating you on the players the Bucs agree to terms with. Remember, no signing becomes official until Friday so this isn’t set in stone, but here are the players the Bucs have already agreed in principle to sign.

• The Bucs have agreed to terms with Mike Coughlin, a back-up QB from Boise State. Coughlin never really played at Boise, sitting behind Kellen Clemens and Jared Zabransky while he was a Bronco. For his career he threw just two touchdowns, one pick and had just over 210 yards of passing. This is a player with very little game-film, but the timing of the move (hours into the first morning of free agency) seems to indicate that Mark Dominik saw something in this player despite his lack of collegiate PT.
• The Bucs have also added Nick Reveiz, a MLB from Tennessee who played in the Tampa-2 system under Monte Kiffin for a season. Some have already mentioned this doesn’t bode well for Barrett Ruud, I’m not sure I’d go that far I just think that it’s smart for the Bucs to find players who will come into camp familiar with the defense. Even without the OTA work and minicamps, Reveiz at least comes equipped with a rudimentary knowledge of the system.
• Former Oklahoma Sooner RB Mossis Madu will be in camp in Tampa. Madu backed up DeMarco Murray and finished his four-year career with just under 1,000 yards and 9 touchdowns. He should have fresh legs and may challenge for a spot on special teams when he arrives in camp, but his lack of collegiate playing time makes him an interesting choice. Regardless, in Mark Dominik we trust.

UPDATE:

• The Bucs have agreed to terms with Center Matt Allen out of Texas A&M. Allen is a 6’3 279 lb center that was selected 2nd team all-Big 12 in his redshirt senior season. He’ll come to Tampa to challenge primarily for a reserve role, though as Pro Football Focus has pointed out, the Bucs play at center last year did leave something to be desired and that job is hardly unwinnable.
• Tampa also added another guy named Allen as well, former Notre Dame running back Armando Allen. Allen is downright intriguing because had his collegiate career gone the way people assumed it would, he would’ve been selected high in the NFL draft. Allen wowed the Irish faithful with over 1,000 total yards in his freshman campaign but injuries began to pile up by his junior year and he never finished the way he probably would have liked. In Tampa he’ll get a shot to come in and compete at a running back position that, aside from the starter, has very few answers. This is a really good signing for Tampa. Put a mark next to this one Bucs fans, Allen could stick.
• Tampa has come to terms with Raymond Webber, a 6’2 WR out of Arkansas Pine-Bluff. Webber has very little information available on him, coming from a small school, but Mark Dominik clearly saw fit to grab him.
• The Buccaneers also nabbed receiver Detron Lewis out of Texas Tech. Lewis comes out of pass-happy Texas Tech where he cut his teeth catching passes in the Big 12. Lewis is maybe a step slower than some of the other players in the Bucs receiving corps but should still be able to compete for a spot on the practice squad.
• Syracuse linebacker Derrell Smith has also decided to try out in Tampa and will be in camp on Friday. Smith is considered a “tweener” at linebacker, not really at home inside or outside. The 6’0 243 lber comes to Tampa to most likely fill the role of a middle linebacker, though I’m sure he’ll happily play where there’s an opportunity.

UPDATE 2:

• Linebacker Brandon Heath out Louisville is the latest rookie free agent to ink with the Bucs. Heath is an undersized linebacker who may be looking at a transition to safety.
• Cory Brandon is a tackle out of Oklahoma who is just a mammoth at 6’7 318 lbs. He was on the preseason Outland award watchlist and possesses a lot of potential. This may be a guy Tampa tries to sneak on to the practice squad to develop because he could round into a solid player down the road.
• Josh Jasper will come in to compete against Connor Barth for Tampa’s kicking duties. Jasper was a kicker in the SEC for Louisiana State where he was the only consensus all-American at kicker in the school’s illustrious history. Jasper, though a UDFA, could pose a legitimate threat to Barth if Connor starts camp slow. I expect Connor Barth to hold on to his job, but I doubt the Bucs would hesitate to make a change if they think they’ve found something better.