The Pewter Plank Roundtable: Looking towards training camp

Which player on the roster bubble needs the strongest performance in camp to remain on the team?

Horan: I think that Ryan Smith is going to need a big camp in order to stick around for the season. The Buccaneers aren’t exactly deep with established talent at cornerback so Smith does have some slack to work with, but with the arrival of both Carlton Davis and M.J. Stewart, the Bucs are suddenly less desperate to keep any corner with a pulse. Smith has disappointed after moderate expectations as a rookie and his solid physical skill-set still exists. But if Smith hasn’t shown any improvement in this year’s camp, I think the Bucs will avoid playing out the same story for the third year in a row and let Smith try his fortunes with a new team.

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Doyle: Charles Sims is on thin ice and he will need a massive performance in training camp to make the final 53. The Buccaneers appear set to give the vast majority of the carries to Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones. Sims’ skill set makes him a quality option as a third down back, but if Jones proves he can fill that role, there doesn’t appear to be a spot for Sims. As Shaun Wilson and Jacquizz Rodgers are also in the fold, I’m not sure how Sims makes the team everyone is healthy.

DeFeo: Charles Sims to me feels like a guy that could be on his last legs with the Buccaneers this offseason. He recently resigned with the team on a one- year, $1 million deal with only $200,000 guaranteed. The Buccaneers recently drafted Ronald Jones from USC to compete with Peyton Barber to be the lead back. Jacquizz Rodgers is also back and has been a productive player while on the field. The Buccaneers have also brought in an undrafted rookie running back Shaun Wilson from Duke. Wilson could be retained for his returning ability and he is a productive receiver as well. Sims has really only been used as a pass catching back and defensive can almost always know to defend the pass when Sims is on the field. The Bucs may want more versatility when one of their main guys isn’t out there and Sims really only brings one perk to the offense.

Quesenberry: I believe Charles Sims needs a great Training Camp to stick around. I honestly don’t understand why he is on the training camp roster. In my mind, Ronald Jones will have a big year and surprise everyone with his pass catching abilities. With that in mind, Sims needs to make big plays wherever he can. He could always emerge as a quality return man, though. If he can make an impact on special teams that may be the key for him sticking around.

Stalheim: I believe that a player who was a starter last season for ten games could lose his job if he does not perform during training camp and the preseason. That player is Ryan Smith.  Given a chance to start at outside corner last season with  Grimes injured and Hargreaves struggling he struggled greatly with just five pass breakups.  With additions of Stewart and Davis the Buccaneers are really trying to strengthen their corner position and also get the best players out there. In the end, I do not believe that  Smith is one of those options.  With cornerback still being a hit or miss process for the Buccaneers, Smith could stick on in a reserve role, but I think after the Bucs tried him at two different positions they may have to admit that he has not developed into the player they hoped he would.