The Pewter Plank
FanSided

Predictions for every Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp battle

By Cory Kinnan

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: Cornerback Vernon Hargreaves #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 38-33. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: Cornerback Vernon Hargreaves #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 38-33. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 29: Cody White #7 of the Michigan State Spartans battles for yards while being tackled by Sean Bunting #3 of the Central Michigan Chippewas aftar a first half catch at Spartan Stadium on September 29, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 29: Cody White #7 of the Michigan State Spartans battles for yards while being tackled by Sean Bunting #3 of the Central Michigan Chippewas aftar a first half catch at Spartan Stadium on September 29, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Cornerback

Ryan Smith was suspended last week for the first four games of the year for the use of Performance Enhancing Drugs, pulling the Buccaneers a bit short staffed at the cornerback position. Vernon Hargreaves is finally healthy, at least for now, Carlton Davis returns, and rookies Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean join the fold as well.

During minicamp, Hargreaves and Davis were working as the starters outside the numbers with Murphy-Bunting working in the nickel. However on occasions when both Hargreaves and Davis sat out, Dean and Murphy-Bunting took over the starting roles. The Buccaneers, again, have flexibility at this position, but the corners they have starting have disappointed in the past so are they really going to run them back?

The suspension of Smith almost guarantees Hargreaves hangs around, as he could have been a potential target to be traded from the Buccaneers after he has failed to earn the trust of the organization over the first three years of his career. Can he work to earn the trust of this new coaching staff that has praised him to this point in the offseason?

Prediction: The Buccaneers use a variety of defensive looks, but will start Davis and Murphy-Bunting on the outside with Hargreaves as their predominant nickel cornerback.

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