The Pewter Plank
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Buccaneers on the Bubble: Running Backs

By David Harrison

Jun 14, 2016; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) works out during mini camp at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2016; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) works out during mini camp at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 24, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Mike James (25) runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 25-11. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 24, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Mike James (25) runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 25-11. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

MIami(FL). Mike James. 25. player. 48. . 4th Year

I don’t know if there’s a true favorite to clinch a roster spot, but if there were it would have to be Mike James simply based off of experience alone.

Drafted in the sixth round in 2013, James came out of Miami(FL) and was able to impress in limited opportunities.

Year two he saw a decrease in touches, and in his third season as a pro James found himself on the practice squad for much of the year.  Not exactly the trajectory a player wants for their career.

He knows the culture on the team, it’s his second year under new head coach Dirk Koetter, and he has the advantage of on field NFL experience while not having a ton of miles on his body.

However, there’s also a reason he has sunk in his two seasons since being a promising looking rookie and those reasons may be the reason he misses the cut in 2016.  With many young guys hungry to show they can be impact players, James may be one of the odd men out if he can’t take control of his destiny in the pre-season.

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