Remember Lovie Smith’s chosen three Buccaneers?

They’re the men who represent the only unrestricted free agents re-signed by Tampa Bay this offseason, out of 19 possible Schiano-Dominik free agents.

Lovie watched the film and wanted these guys back, and one has a huge opportunity tomorrow night in Jacksonville.

With injuries to Alterraun Verner (hamstring) and Mike Jenkins (leg), look for Danny Gorrer to start at cornerback with Johnthan Banks. And given how the Bucs are ailing at the position, Gorrer should get loads of playing time.

In last year’s preseason opener, Gorrer intercepted Joe Flacco while playing with the Bucs’ first-team defense. Minutes later, he blew out his groin, and then went under the knife and lost most of the regular season. But Gorrer, who entered the NFL undrafted in 2009 (Saints), showed enough on film to Lovie and general manager Jason Licht to get a contract put in front of him.

Gorrer plans to make the most of it.

“You’re always auditioning for all the other teams in preseason, and even though I want to be here, that’s the way this business is. You don’t know what’s going to happen and I want the best film I can out there on Friday, to impress my coaches and everyone,” Gorrer said.

Lovie likes speed at all positions, and Gorrer ran a 4.4 40-yard dash out of college, but Lovie also likes long cornerbacks and joked the other day about how Gorrer was trying to convince him he was 6 feet tall. But Lovie wasn’t buying it.

Joe asked Gorrer about his height and he was eager to continue the debate.

“I don’t understand how if I’m towering over a guy that’s 5-11, how am I not 6 foot?,” Gorrer said. “Coach and I had some fun with that. I’m definitely 6 foot.”

(For the record, Gorrer measured at 5-11 1/2 out of college. Perhaps he grew?)

Regardless, it looks like with veterans banged up early, the Bucs cornerback depth will be tested again this season. A guy like Gorrer, who also is pegged as a special teams starter, is the kind of player the Bucs will need to step up.