| Tampa Bay Buccaneers News: |
| Rookie DE Gaines Adams has gotten sprinkles of playing time during the first half of his rookie season. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in return, have gotten sprinkles of results -- if that.
But with veteran Greg Spires (calf) hobbling and expected to be sidelined a few weeks, Coach Jon Gruden acknowledged it might be time to lay a little more responsibility at the feet of the Bucs' first-round draft pick and let Adams try earning that $47 million contract. A nice starting point would be in the Arizona backfield Sunday -- preferably standing over a sacked Kurt Warner -- when the Bucs (4-4) host the Cardinals (3-4) in a game they need badly to remain in solid standing with regard to the NFC postseason hunt. 'Whatever they have in mind, I'll be up for,' Adams said Wednesday. No doubt, both the Bucs and Adams have in mind more than the 1 1/2 sacks and 20 tackles the fourth overall pick in the draft has amassed through eight games. Roster moves For the second week in a row, the Bucs lost their return specialist for the season, as Torrie Cox (knee) -- who doubles as Tampa Bay's most outstanding tackler in kick coverage -- was placed on the injured reserve list with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Last week, it was Mark Jones, who led the team in kickoff and punt returns, who went on IR with a torn patellar tendon. Meanwhile, the Bucs signed WR Chas Gessner, a training camp favorite at Disney's Wide World of Sports, to the active roster and released WR Chad Lucas Injury update Spires was the only player that was held out of practice entirely Wednesday, while CB Brian Kelly (groin), DE Patrick Chukwurah (shoulder), rookie LB Quincy Black (hamstring), RB Michael Pittman (ankle) TE Alex Smith (ankle) and WR Michael Clayton (ankle) were limited in their work. |
| Event | Date | Tickets | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
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Miami Dolphins
vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
7:30 pm
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Dolphin Stadium
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
vs. New England Patriots
|
8:00 pm
|
Raymond James Stadium
|
|
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
|
7:30 pm
|
Raymond James Stadium
|
|
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Houston Texans
vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
7:00 pm
|
Reliant Stadium
|
|
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New Orleans Saints
vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
12:00 am
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Louisiana Superdome
|
|
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
vs. Atlanta Falcons
|
4:05 pm
|
Raymond James Stadium
|
|
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Chicago Bears
vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
12:00 am
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Soldier Field
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|
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
vs. Green Bay Packers
|
1:00 pm
|
Raymond James Stadium
|
|
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Denver Broncos
vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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2:05 pm
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Invesco Field
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
vs. Carolina Panthers
|
1:00 pm
|
Raymond James Stadium
|
|
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
vs. Seattle Seahawks
|
8:15 pm
|
Raymond James Stadium
|
|
|
Dallas Cowboys
vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
12:00 am
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Texas Stadium
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Kansas City Chiefs
vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
12:00 am
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Arrowhead Stadium
|
|
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
vs. Minnesota Vikings
|
1:00 pm
|
Raymond James Stadium
|
|
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Detroit Lions
vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
1:00 pm
|
Ford Field
|
|
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
vs. New Orleans Saints
|
1:00 pm
|
Raymond James Stadium
|
|
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Carolina Panthers
vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
8:30 pm
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Bank of America Stadium
|
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Atlanta Falcons
vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
1:00 pm
|
Georgia Dome
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|
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
vs. San Diego Chargers
|
8:15 pm
|
Raymond James Stadium
|
|
|
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
vs. Oakland Raiders
|
1:00 pm
|
Raymond James Stadium
|
| More Tampa Bay Buccaneers News: |
| I really believe that when we got Griese last year early, all the pre-training camp work we got done helped him go out and play, said Gruden. I think for another veteran to come in and have the same opportunity Brian had, youve got to get him signed early. Youve got to start that process.
Were working on confirming a couple guys to bring in and look at. Gruden expounded a bit on Carter because he was asked, but he didnt predict the signing of one particular player or another. He also didnt say the Bucs would stop with one new quarterback. Even though the draft offers some potential in that area, Gruden would rather get a few players in and look at them over the next month to see if they can fit into the system. If it works out, great; if it doesnt, the draft looms. But, as was made clear with Grieses rapid development last year, theres good reason to believe it can work out. The Bucs are loaded with valuable QB mentors, beginning with Gruden the schoolmaster himself. We have, I think, an interesting environment for a quarterback here with [Paul] Hackett coaching the quarterbacks and Doug Williams here, said Gruden. Weve got some people, I think, who can really be a good network for whoever we bring in to develop and manage. In 1996 Tony Dungy, a former defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, was hired as the Buccaneers head coach. He rebuilt the team with young, talented players such as running backs Mike Alstott and Warrick Dunn, quarterback Trent Dilfer, and cornerback Donnie Abraham. Tampa Bay began the 1997 season with five consecutive wins and finished the season with a 10-6 win-loss record, advancing to the playoffs for the first time in 15 years. After defeating the Detroit Lions in the first round, the Buccaneers lost to the Green Bay Packers, the eventual NFC champions. After the 1999 season the Buccaneers reached the NFC Championship game for the first time since 1979, but lost to the Rams. In the playoffs following both the 2000 and 2001 seasons Tampa Bay lost in the first round. Team officials then used money and draft picks to lure coach Jon Gruden away from the Oakland Raiders. The move paid off as the next year Gruden led the Buccaneers all the way to the Super Bowl, where they beat the favored Raiders, 48-21. 2003 Super Bowl XXXVII Defeated Oakland Raiders, 48-21 |