What is the deal with the former Buccaneers’ defenders?

Dec 17, 2015 St. Louis, MO, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Mike Jenkins (24) against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2015 St. Louis, MO, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Mike Jenkins (24) against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
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As training camp approaches there are still four previous Buccaneers’ defenders that still have yet to find a job.  All four players saw significant action last year for the Bucs, so what is the deal?

Just this past Tuesday, Mike Jenkins, the former starting corner for the Buccaneers, put pen to paper and signed with the Arizona Cardinals.  Jenkins was able to go unsigned throughout the start of the free agency period, and now it looks like he will have to be able to fight for a job.  Lovie Smith brought in Jenkins during his first year in the Bay, but his signing proved to be a bust.

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This brings up the question of why the last four Buc defenders still have yet to sign a contract to a new team.  Are their skill-sets just not as strong as the other free agents on the market?  What does this say about Lovie’s past defensive rosters in Tampa?  Was he not the judge of talent that he was cracked up to be?

Let’s look at these four players and explore.

Next: Henry Melton

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