The Pewter Plank
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Buccaneers Trim Roster to 53

By David Harrison

Aug 26, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter looks on against the Cleveland Browns during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter looks on against the Cleveland Browns during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 20, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Tashaun Gipson (39) tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Charles Sims (34) during the first quarter of a football game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Tashaun Gipson (39) tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Charles Sims (34) during the first quarter of a football game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Running Backs

Doug Martin

Charles Sims

Mike James

The two-headed monster which is Pro-Bowler Doug Martin and Charles Sims is back after making it through the Bucs’ pre-season healthy.

They’ll look to terrorize opponents all season long with big runs and consistent effort as they try to repeat and build upon their 2015 production which gave Tampa the fifth ranked rushing attack in the NFL.

Joining them as the Bucs’ third back is fourth year running back Mike James. James was drafted in 2013 by the franchise and has seen limited regular season action during his previous three seasons spending last year on the practice squad.

This year he’s on the active list and beat out a very competitive undrafted rookie by the name of Peyton Barber who many may remember as the Auburn running back who left college early to support his struggling family.

Fans love his story and his passion, but unfortunately his efforts fell just shy of landing him an active spot coming into the regular season.

He should however, be an obvious addition to the practice squad should he clear waivers and with Sims III looking like a 2017 departure candidate himself it’s fully possible fans in Tampa have not seen the last of this Bucs’ Barber.

After leading the team in rushing for the pre-season it was fully possible the undrafted rookie could have overcome James for the third spot on the running back depth chart. He just didn’t do quite enough and was unable to cash in on a chance to dominate the Redskins defense in the team’s final showing.

Fellow undrafted free-agent Russell Hansbrough was also waived from the roster, though his was a much more predictable outcome.

Next: Wide Receivers

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