“To Me, He Looks Like A Starter”
August 29th, 2014
Ronde Barber gives a reference
Lovie Smith signed inconsistent veteran cornerback Mike Jenkins this offseason and has never once wavered on the importance of Jenkins, who was atop Lovie’s cornerbacks depth chart all summer.
But the problem is Jenkins hasn’t been on a field since July because of an undisclosed leg injury.
Joe chatted with defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier roughly three weeks ago about the cornerbacks and Frazier referenced how it’s been more challenging with “our top guys out,” referring to Jenkins and Alterraun Verner.
Returning starter Johnthan Banks, however, has played and practiced and looked pretty good. He’s never gotten a “starter” label from Lovie, but he got one from a Bucs icon last night.
During the WFLA-TV broadcast of the Bucs-Skins preseason game, Ronde Barber seemed to dismiss colleague Chris Myers’ chatter about Jenkins and wanted to talk about Banks. “To me, he looks like a starter,” Barber said.
And Joe must agree. Banks is the second best cornerback on the roster. Jenkins can’t be in any kind of football shape, and his career has been suspect at best since 2009. In his last 45 starts, Jenkins has four interceptions, and it’s not because teams haven’t thrown in his direction.
Joe can’t imagine a scenario that ousts Banks from the starting lineup in nine days.
August 29th, 2014 at 10:29 am
Banks is a star and if lovie can’t evaluate that then we’re in big trouble.
August 29th, 2014 at 10:36 am
MACABEE’S BUCS PROJECTED ROSTER
QB – 2
Josh McCown
Mike Glennon
RB – 5
Doug Martin
Charles Sims
Mike James
Bobby Rainey
Jeff Demps
FB – 1
Jorvorskie Lane
WR – 6
Vincent Jackson
Mike Evans
Louis Murphy
Chris Owusu
Robert Herron
Russell Shepard
TE – 3
Austin Seferian-Jenkins
Brandon Myers
Luke Stocker
OT – 4
Anthony Collins
Demar Dotson
Kevin Pamphile
Jamon Meredith (I would cut him)
OG –
Rishaw Johnson
Kadeem Edwards
Patrick Omameh
Logan Mankins
CENTER – 2
Evan Dietrich-Smith
Josh Allen
DE – 4
Michael Johnson
Adrian Clayborn
William Gholston
Larry English (could be Scott Solomon)
DT – 4
Gerald McCoy
Clinton McDonald
Akeem Spence
Da’Quan Bowers
LB – 5
Lavonte David
Mason Foster
Jonathan Casillas
Dane Fletcher
Danny Lansannah
CB – 6
Alterraun Verner
Johnthan Banks
Mike Jenkins
Leonard Johnson
Rashaan Melvin
Quinton Pointer
Safety – 4
Dashon Goldson
Mark Barron
Bradley MacDougald
Keith Tandy
Special Teams – 3
Connor Barth – K
Michael Koenen – P
Andrew DePaola – LS
August 29th, 2014 at 10:40 am
As a non-season ticket holder who has decided to sit on the home team side, club seat level @ the 40, I just want to see our season start with no delay of games and two time outs. That is how hard it will be to surpass our last season opener. I’m very hopeful from what I have seen this off season. Excited to see how our NEW team looks. Glad that Cam, the pouty whiner, decided to play. Only two cracked ribs? That leaves plenty more for the stout defense to crack.
WHo knows what we have, but our team is building. Don’t think the bitch teams in our division (all of them) haven’t been watching. PLAY BALL!
August 29th, 2014 at 10:52 am
@Macabee Says:
“MACABEE’S BUCS PROJECTED ROSTER
OG –
Rishaw Johnson
Kadeem Edwards
Patrick Omameh
Logan Mankins
Where is Richie on your list? LOL
August 29th, 2014 at 10:53 am
@Macabee
That look spot on with how the preseason games have gone. Yeah I would cut Jamon Meredith too for a younger FA. I know there is a kid who will get cut that has the talent, but the team is log jammed at Tackle. I would consider Patton Solomon in the WR mix, since he has shown promise in the Return unit.
August 29th, 2014 at 10:54 am
Can’t wait to see McCoy taking down Cam in the opener!
August 29th, 2014 at 11:03 am
Sneedy16,
I did this about a week ago and added Mankins of course. But I think you’re right about Solomom Patton. I think he makes it. But at whose expense? Demps maybe? Had fun playing with it but it can go several ways.
August 29th, 2014 at 11:07 am
@ Macabee
I didn’t count but Charles Sims IR will probably free up a roster spot….&
No Major Wright?
Otherwise….I think you are on target….
August 29th, 2014 at 11:14 am
TBBF,
Pretty sure I missed some, but this started out as fun but after so many iterations i just quit. Not easy to do. Glad I don’t have to really decide. lol
August 29th, 2014 at 11:20 am
@Macabee
Here’s how I think the actual roster will differ:
Remove Shepard and add Patton since he’s our KR/PR and also a WR.
Remove Jeff Demps as I believe he’s going to the practice squad.
Add Magee to your list of LB’s.
Remove English and add Means at DE.
You’ve got 10 o-linemen where it’s rare for teams to keep more than 9. I’d remove Allen since Johnson can also play center.
You’ve got 8 d-linemen where many 4-3 teams keep 9. I’d add Talley or Masifilo.
Of course it’s just opinion and we’ll know by tonight.
August 29th, 2014 at 11:31 am
Scour the waiver wire (Possible cuts)
Denver’s
• #32 Tony Carter CB (28yrs) 5-9 (175lbs) Florida State
• #63 Ben Garland OG(26yrs) 6-5 (308lbs) Air Force
Tennessee’s
• 97 Karl Klug DE 26 6-3 278 4 Iowa
The big question I have is can L & L pull off a trade for Philly’s DT Fletcher Cox.
August 29th, 2014 at 11:32 am
Frankly, I can’t understand how Jenkins even makes the roster. Wasted roster spot, imo.
August 29th, 2014 at 11:35 am
I think there’s a good chance Murray beats out Barth, too. They look pretty evenly matched but Barth takes up too much cap space.
August 29th, 2014 at 11:35 am
Nate Askew was released, hopefully he’s a practice squad
August 29th, 2014 at 11:45 am
Macabee – is the “prototype” DE Means injured? Or just not cutting it?
August 29th, 2014 at 12:12 pm
Banks needs to improve his tackling, but yes, I agree, he looks like a starter to me.
August 29th, 2014 at 12:28 pm
Kramer,
Jenna Laine/STF said that Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-year defensive end Steven Means got off to a fast start this preseason, sacking quarterback Blake Bortles and finishing with two tackles for a loss in the first preseason game. But a groin injury slowed him and in this fourth and final preseason game against Washington, he hoped to get back on track and clinch a spot on the 53-man roster.
It’s a toss up between Means, Solomon, and English. I picked the former 1st rounder. Could be either of them.
August 29th, 2014 at 1:07 pm
Good Job, Maccabee! Of course if I was doing it, Glennon would be the first cut. Kafka has outperformed him, but that doesn’t mean Lovie will do the right thing there. Glad you also did not keep Warhop’s pet, Cousins! LOL. I do think Major Wright will still be there, as well.
August 30th, 2014 at 4:54 am
Hate to say it Joe but Lovie and Leslie Frazier have talked about Jenkins as the starter the whole offseason. While he might not be in shape to start week one don’t be surprised to see Jenkins starting down the road