(Roster Thread) Bucs Begin Whacking Their Roster

August 30th, 2022

Bucs GM Jason Licht.

[UPDATE: 10:46 a.m.] The cutdowns are coming.

A guy who many Bucs fans high hopes for but he was in a tough spot on a loaded position roster is one of the first Bucs cuts in their quest to meet the Tuesday deadline of an initial 53-man roster.

And that first player is Jerreth Sterns.

Confirmed by Luke Easterling of Bucs Wire, Sterns, who was Bailey Zappe’s main target last year at Western Kentucky, lit up the scoreboard for the Hilltoppers. Joe thought that Sterns got off to a very slow start and was quickly overtaken by Deven Thompkins, himself a bubble player.

Joe would not be surprised if Sterns winds up on someone’s roster that is devoid of receiver talent. The Bears spring to mind.

[UPDATE: 2:03 p.m.] Outside linebacker and seventh-round pick Andre Anthony was cut. He had a nice preseason but just at a loaded position. Saturday night Anthony put out an effusive tweet that made Joe think he was possibly told he made the team. Anthony will likely land on an NFL roster. This was a good gamble by the Bucs. He showed promise early in his career at LSU and then blew out a knee.

Keep checking back right here for further roster updates with recognizable names.

[UPDATE: 10:46 a.m.:] Per Mike Giardi of NFL Network,the Bucs released receiver Tyler Johnson. Also, the Bucs traded LB Grant Stuart to Indianapolis  and swapped late-round picks as well.

[UPDATE: 1:30 p.m.:] Bucs DB Logan Ryan was cut.

122 Responses to “(Roster Thread) Bucs Begin Whacking Their Roster”

  1. Vance Says:

    I have a feeling the JR Sweezy experiment will come back to haunt us

  2. SB~LV Says:

    Maybe it is so he sits on the FA market for 24 hours or whatever the time is so the Bucs can reclaim him.
    Lots of “chicken “ going on with hiding talent hoping they get lost in the massive dump of names in the next 27 hours

  3. Marine Buc Says:

    Who is your favorite comedian?

    I bet its Buddy Whack-it…

    LOL…

    Stearns had a few solid moments during preseason. We might see him back on PS.

  4. Bowles4President Says:

    I must suck, because I don’t recognize Sterns or Thompkins at all.

  5. LongSeason Says:

    If Sterns does not end up on another team’s roster then hopefully he lands on our taxi squad. I know it’s an old fashioned term but I think we could use some old fashioned right about now.
    Watcha think Joe?

  6. Mike Says:

    At least 2 of our WR’s we cut will make it through waivers and come back on the practice squad. Perhaps this is one of those 2.

  7. 99 55 47 20 Says:

    Down to one #9

  8. Joe Says:

    I must suck, because I don’t recognize Sterns or Thompkins at all.

    smh Joe — and others — have written quite a bit about these two, especially in the daily training camp practice notes. Thompkins just may make the roster.

  9. 99 55 47 20 Says:

    Is #10 going to Julio?

  10. Joe Says:

    Watcha think Joe?

    It’s possible but Joe is guessing he has a better shot with other teams. Bears have no wide receivers.

  11. 99 55 47 20 Says:

    Liked Scotty, but could we really count on him any further. Also, hasn’t flashed at all in preseason

  12. 99 55 47 20 Says:

    Thompkins did have the edge over Sterns, wish him well

  13. GOB Says:

    Another thing that goes on this time of year, is information warfare. Many times, a team will claim a player from a club they’ll face in the regular season. Usually it’s for a non division opponent, that a team is unfamiliar with. I think it’s part of the reason teams are so vanilla with their calls in the pre-season.

    Sterns won’t make it past the wire. Good luck to the kid. Keep following your dream!

  14. Caleb lee Says:

    Manifesting that a good OL depth team cuts a Center.. 🙌

  15. SB~LV Says:

    Bunch of Bucs cut already

  16. PassingThru Says:

    Tompkins is my dark horse candidate to make the final roster.

  17. #8 Says:

    I keep scouring threads for released O-Line dudes.
    Do we think we’ll add from scrap-heap, or trade assets for a starter?
    Does Joe have a semi-short list of potentials he thinks will work?

    My list of adds we need is short, and we all know who’s on it.

  18. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    These early cuts are out of respect of the players….giving them more of an opportunity to get picked up……class act by Bucs…..

  19. 99 55 47 20 Says:

    If Scotty makes the team it will be the 7th WR as a punt coverage gunner

  20. Stanglassman Says:

    They could be cutting these guys early in hopes that they clear waivers. Both seems like good practice squad candidates.

  21. geno711 Says:

    Practice squads are 16 players. NFL teams will be able to protect four players from Tuesday to Sunday each game week, but they’re free to sign (on Mondays) with another team’s 53 each week before the protection is set.

  22. PassingThru Says:

    OG Hutcherson was waived

  23. BillyBucco Says:

    So it pains me to say we STILL have a terrible Teams unit.
    That speaks volumes to Dardens return “capabilities”.
    I’m hoping we only saw guys fighting for a few positions, but did we see anybody out gun Scotty Miller?
    Did we see anybody play better than Stuard does every snap?
    I like these guys at receiver depth, but who is DT gonna block?
    Can Geiger or Johnson tackle?
    Perriman can play teams Bowles said, but did we see it and was it effective?

    I’m saying it now, We are gonna lose a couple games because of our “Special” teams. Anybody watch what Turbin did in the preseason?
    Now that is a guy to get excited about and a Teams unit way better than ours!!

  24. Cobraboy Says:

    EVERY team is looking for better OL dudes, #8.

  25. Cobraboy Says:

    I remember back in The Day when the Bucs feasted on other teams’ garbage. How we relished cut-down day to get a bunch of trash that was better than want the Bucs had…

  26. BillyBucco Says:

    I’ll back that up with it’s logical that most superior talented teams struggle on Special Teams because the big time players don’t play it.

  27. Maniac Buc Says:

    @Geno, if you’re going copy and paste Auman’s tweet, at least cite him, even in a comment section…

  28. BigMacAttack Says:

    I think it’s awesome that going on year 2 with the Bucs is Mr Irrelevant, Grant Stuart out of UH

  29. Defense Rules Says:

    Cobraboy … Granted all teams are scouring the wires for OLinemen right now, but the Bucs may just have an advantage this year. Players’ handlers know full well right now that the Bucs are a contender AND that we need quality OLinemen for depth probably more than most teams. I’d think that experienced OLinemen would love to come into a situation like that. Provides decent opportunities for not just this year, but for follow-on years.

  30. Defense Rules Says:

    BillyBucco … Good point about starters not playing Special Teams. I wonder though if Special Teams overall performance MAY be an indicator of the quality of a team’s DEPTH players. For many if not most, S/Ts is their bread & butter (primary reason they made the team?).

  31. Listnfrmafar Says:

    I really like the kid Laird, actually more so that White & Vaughn. He’s a smart tough runner that can catch the ball. He is a sleeper.

  32. Infomeplease Says:

    I hope JS clears wavers!! Would make a good PS guy!

  33. Cobraboy Says:

    @DR: of course they would like to be a Buc.

    IF they clear waivers. IF. Bucs are way low on that list.

  34. Crickett Baker Says:

    I thought Anthony held a LOT of promise. I hope we can keep him on the PS but I bet another team may snatch him.

  35. Defense Rules Says:

    Cobraboy … Good point about the waiver wire (I keep forgetting about little details like that). From what I found though, IF we’re looking for the more experienced OLinemen, shouldn’t be too much of a problem …

    ‘A player who has accrued less than four years worth of seasons in the NFL is waived. On the other hand a player with four or more accrued seasons is released. When a player is waived, their contract is not yet terminated. In actuality they go on the ‘waiver wire,’ making them available to be ‘claimed’ by other teams. If another team does in fact claim the player then he joins said team with the conditions of his current contract. If no team claims him in a designated period – stereotypically by midday the next day – his contract is terminated and he becomes an unrestricted free agent. If a player is released, their contract is terminated effective immediately and they to sign with any team they like from that point on.’

    So many danged rules nowadays. In any event, players with over 4 years will HOPEFULLY be looking towards the Bucs.

  36. Vern Newsome Says:

    I know everyone is concern with the bucs offense line but do not forget about the WR,’s. We only have two health WR and both of them are coming off hamstring injuries. The other two top WR are still healing. We should be more concern about the WR’s than the offensive line.

  37. David Says:

    Anthony definitely showed some promise but this team is deep.

    As for Sterns, him and Thompkins are the same receiver and Thompkins looks better. If Thompkins makes it that means either Perriman, Miller, or Darden don’t, and that’s if they keep 7 WR

  38. D-Rok Says:

    It’s Whack-A-Mole time. Hopefully the coaching staff is well-rested and make quality decisions about our final roster.

    I’m confident the best possible roster will take the field in 2 weeks against The Boys.

    Gonna be a wild ride ride this year, folks – better buckle up!

    GO BUCS!!!

  39. Alvin Scissors Harper Says:

    Let’s cut Darden as the next WR – please…….

  40. Coburn Says:

    David think if they keep 7 and Thompkins makes it they only keep one out of those 3
    Evans
    Godwin
    Gage
    Julio
    TJ
    Thompkins
    #7

  41. SB~LV Says:

    Is the 4th QB Flynn going to make it again?
    Is he going to become a coach?

  42. 99 55 47 20 Says:

    Darden looks better and had a strong offseason/preseason. He’s our #6

  43. 99 55 47 20 Says:

    Tyler Johnson is our # 5. Hope Thompkins sticks as #7

  44. Listnfrmafar Says:

    Darden turtles, the last thing Bucs needs is a returner/WR with alligator arms.

  45. 99 55 47 20 Says:

    Cooper gone too

  46. AbucAway Says:
  47. LongSeason Says:

    @SB~LV Who is QB Flynn? Fourth QB is Ryan Griffin.

  48. TAMPA BAY DEMON Says:

    TYLER JOHNSON cut.

    WTF????!!!!!

  49. Earl Bedford Says:

    I read the Bucs traded Stuard to the Colts and a seventh round pick for a sixth round pick!!

  50. Mybucsdontbucaround813 Says:

    This is weird

  51. TAMPA BAY DEMON Says:

    He was far & away our best WR in all of camp & preseason.
    I am extremely confused by that one.
    He is not our #5??

    I can tell you the Bears will scoop him up ASAP.

  52. SB~LV Says:

    TJ cut
    Yep
    With the luxury of the first 4 WR’s
    The Bucs can take a chance on rookie potential

  53. Steven007 Says:

    Stuard traded to the colts for a 6th round pick.

  54. Dooley Says:

    Johnson had no special teams value, with Evans-Gage-Godwin-Jones WRs 5 & 6 have to contribute on special teams otherwise you’re just occupying a roster spot.

    Alternatively for Stuard the special teams contributor, you’ve got to be dependable depth and not just an special team ace. Not so shocking when you think of it in that regard, also doesn’t mean anybody not cut yet is immune either.

  55. Infomeplease Says:

    WOW, I Thought Tyler Johnson, looked very good this camp, The team must be going with Perriman or Thompkins. I hope it’s Thompkins!!

  56. 99 55 47 20 Says:

    Johnson’s drop from Brady sure didn’t help

  57. Bucsfanman Says:

    Not surprised by the TJ cut. Showed great promise in spurts but when the team needed him the most last year…well.

  58. gotbbucs Says:

    Cutting Johnson seems strange, especially with Godwin coming off injury and Julio being a pulled hammy away from missing half the season. I’m guessing they got frustrated with a lack of development and wanted to invest more time in younger guys. Still, I thought he was a lock for the roster.
    That leaves Miller, Thompkins, and Darden for the last two spots. I’m leaning towards Thompkins and Darden. Miller can’t stay healthy and he runs three routes.

  59. Steven007 Says:

    Joe, it would be helpful if you ordered today’s updates above the updates from yesterday.

  60. Bucsfan13 Says:

    Cutting TJ is egregious. He had a great preseason. We better not keep Miller. The guy is living off that GB catch. If they planned on cutting TJ, they should’ve traded him. He had value. Teams wanted him. The locker room will be furious. TJ was popular.

  61. 99 55 47 20 Says:

    It’s clear, Brady fingerprints all over TJ cut. If the GOAT wanted him he’d have been retained. Interesting cut day so far

  62. SB~LV Says:

    Teenie Bopper Buc fans are getting their panties in a bunch after their fav’s are cut

  63. PassingThru Says:

    Kind of surprised at Tyler Johnson getting cut. He has a tendency to drop very catchable passes, and yet make excellent catches out of off-target throws.

    This solidifies my hunch that Thompkins will make the final roster.

  64. timbucs2 Says:

    Tyler Johnson, the pride of North Minneapolis High! We will never forget his circus catch vs. the Saints, nor his beautifully stretched jersey vs. the Packers.

    Seriously though, he woulda made the cut in a normal receivers room. I am guessing he lands somewhere in the NFC North, closer to home.

  65. Bucfan1988 Says:

    There’s something more going on with Tyler Johnson situation…He could have been traded??? Hmmmm, wonder if there’s a criminal case coming out here??
    Really shocking..:

  66. TAMPA BAY DEMON Says:

    ^^ LOL, SB~LV…

    Who said anything about favorites? People are just commenting on the process. Pretty frikkin normal for an NFL team blog page.

  67. lambeau Says:

    Puzzling–Johnson had a great camp, by reports. What’s the story, Joe? Call ’em.

  68. TAMPA BAY DEMON Says:

    PassingThru Says:
    “This solidifies my hunch that Thompkins will make the final roster.”
    ______________

    Hope you are right man. That kid really showed me something and I think he has promise.

  69. TAMPA BAY DEMON Says:

    lambeau Says:
    “Puzzling–Johnson had a great camp, by reports. What’s the story, Joe? Call ’em.”
    ___________________

    Greg Auman theorized on his Twitter feed that it is possible that the reason the BUCS got the news out so early that they intended to cut TJ, is that it could cause a team to try and throw a last minute trade at them with a late round pick.

  70. ZZBUC Says:

    I really find TJ out, pretty reasonable…Not becaause he is a bad player, just because we are loaded on that posiition….

    the definition on who was cut or not was going to be made by small details….

    I think he is going to be picked pretty fast…..

    Good luck TJ, Ill never forget that big cath you made on 20202

  71. Buc50 Says:

    Tyler doesn’t play special teams. When you are not the top 3 WRs only your team you have to find a way to add value and he doesn’t.

  72. Killian Says:

    Surely Johnson was a tradeable asset. Why not get a draft pick for him instead of outright releasing him?

  73. TAMPA BAY DEMON Says:

    GREG AUMAN (from Twitter)

    “Part of me wonders if Bucs making it known that WR Tyler Johnson has been informed he’s being waived might get another NFL team to realize value and send Tampa Bay a late-round pick. That’s the logical reason to get news out there 5 hours before deadline.”

  74. Ash Says:

    Got to have a partner to trade seems they didnt have one. Like so many have mentions think it’s largely due to his lack of special teams play need to be a special teams asset at that spot and he is slow which doesn’t help.

  75. TAMPA BAY DEMON Says:

    Ash, I definitely agree with you if he is on OUR team because he would be a #5. But I do believe on some other teams (BEARS) he could actually be a #3.

  76. Colin in Canada Says:

    The Bills cut OJ Howard wow.

  77. Ash Says:

    @tampa bay demon I could see that the bears definitely need wrs that’s for sure.

  78. Buddhaboy19 Says:

    Pats waived Malcolm Butler
    Jets waived Caleb Benecoch
    Dolphins waive Sony Michel
    Titans cut a center Daniel Munyer
    Raiders cut Demarcus robinson for the Gators fans, lol
    Duke Johnson cut
    Darquez Dennard cut

  79. Buddhaboy19 Says:

    kenyan drake cut too, visiting buffalo, possibly to replace Duke Johnson

  80. Ash Says:

    They cut Devin thompkins kinda bummed out on that one hoped he would make the roster.

  81. SB~LV Says:

    Well my camp underdog record is still intact, never had a keeper and Devin Thompkins is gone, I hope he makes it back to the PS !
    Good kid !

  82. PassingThru Says:

    That’s too bad about Thompkins, he had a nice preseason. Since he’s a UDFA, there’s a chance he can clear waivers and end up on the Practice Squad.

  83. TAMPA BAY DEMON Says:

    Disappointed to hear about Deven Thompkins.

    Thank you Buddhaboy19 for the notes around the NFL. Jets cut Caleb Benenoch. I have forgotten. Was he here at all with our current offensive system, or was he with Dirk Koetter?

  84. PassingThru Says:

    Josh Rosen got cut, again. It’s akin to that ancient Chinese torture, “Death by a thousand cuts”.

  85. Coburn Says:

    If Thompkins is cut that means we are keeping Darden and Miller or Darden and BP or would we actually only keep 6 since we need extra OL on roster? Would seem thin with some guys nicked up

  86. Marine Buc Says:

    @ PassingThru

    “Death by a thousand cuts”

    good one. lol

  87. Tony Says:

    Starting to wonder about them again because it seems like they’re cutting some players they should probably be hanging onto.

  88. Buddhaboy19 Says:

    @Tampa Bay Demon, I believe Caleb Benecoch was here for a year with Bruce. Pre Tom Brady however.

    Tons of cuts on the O-LIne. Hoping we can find some Gems out of the pack.

  89. TAMPA BAY DEMON Says:

    Thank you Buddhaboy19, might be a good pick up for some veteran depth with a guy who knows the system.

  90. SB~LV Says:

    Wow
    Logan Ryan
    Hit the bricks!

  91. Killian Says:

    Where are the update Joe?

  92. gotbbucs Says:

    If anybody is thinking that a starting caliber offensive lineman is going to fall into our lap through waivers, keep wishing in one hand and pooping in the other. See which one fills up first.
    When you’re almost last on the waiver wire it’s slim pickings expecting a unicorn to fall through the cracks. And the veterans that are sitting out there at this point are sitting there for a reason.
    Every club knows how important offensive line depth is and nobody throws away good players at those positions.

  93. D Says:

    I can’t believe Logan Ryan got released. We have to assume that they know what they are doing. There was so much praise about him and TJ from the coaches. What a shocker. In Licht we trust.

  94. PassingThru Says:

    Logan Ryan was released. Bear in mind he’s a vet, so he’s been released and not waived. That means no team can claim him. I think the release means that the Bucs are trying to create some room on their 53 man roster to claim a couple of waiver wire players. After they claim them, the Bucs can simply waive or release another player, and re-sign Logan Ryan.

  95. Irishmist Says:

    If our offensive line situation is so bad that we feel forced to pick up Benenoch, I’m going to slit my wrists.

  96. HC Grover Says:

    I have resisted the urge to say…well u know.

  97. D Says:

    Where are the clowns that were screaming for Kellen Mond over Trask during the draft last year? Well, he was just cut by the Vikings. Someone might pick him up, doubt it’s the bucs.

    Saints just got weaker in the secondary as they just traded Chauncey Gardener for peanuts.

  98. PassingThru Says:

    Yeah, too many teams are on the lookout for waived OGs and OCs this season. I doubt anyone decent falls down far enough for the Bucs to claim them.

    That might be the reason why Licht announced that Tyler Johnson and Deven Thompkins will be waived. He might be trying to see if another GM is interested enough to swap out a backup OG or OC for either of their services.

  99. Coburn Says:

    Keep in mind the vet OC and OG would not go to waivers based on same logic. Right? So if they want to go to a contender and play with Brady they’re fair game if they’ve been around at least a few seasons. So there is a chance

  100. Marine Buc Says:

    Thompkins cut according to NFL dot com…

  101. Marine Buc Says:

    Here is all the cuts so far according to NFL dot com

    QB Ryan Griffin
    WR Cyril Grayson
    RB Patrick Laird
    G John Molchon
    WR Deven Thompkins
    WR Kaylon Geiger
    WR Jerreth Sterns
    EDGE Andre Anthony
    TE Bug Howard
    S Troy Warner
    WR Vyncint Smith
    G Sadarius Hutcherson
    CB Kyler McMichael
    S Chris Cooper
    WR Tyler Johnson
    LB Genard Avery
    S Nolan Turner
    K Jose Borregales
    DL Benning Potoa’e
    DB Logan Ryan

  102. Marine Buc Says:

    *** all the cuts so far…

  103. Cobraboy Says:

    @DR: another consideration about grabbing a veteran is in many cases, an older vet has his entire salary guaranteed if he’s on the roster on opening day.

    Some guys with an injury history (like Tretter) may be off the market until the week of Game 2 in a purely financial move.

  104. Cobraboy Says:

    I’m surprised about Molchon, but many of those “cut” will be back on the PS shortly.

  105. Cobraboy Says:

    I’m surprised about Molchon, but many of those “cut” will be back on the PS shortly.

    @Passing Thru: expect Ryan (released, not waived) back after the team puts Jensen on short-term IR.

    No doubt the team had a handshake-and-a-wink dealio.

  106. gotbbucs Says:

    As you watch the names and positions on the cut lists in the coming hours, notice how few of them are offensive and defensive linemen.
    If you do your homework and know what you’re doing scouting as an organization you absolutely can’t go wrong drafting an offensive or defensive lineman at the top of every draft. Maybe not a D-III player every time, you can only tap that well so many times before you look like a fool eventually.

    I will say this though, they are absolutely playing with fire by not bringing in at least one if not two veteran offensive linemen at some point here early in the season. You can not allow pressure up the gut against Brady and Geodeke is not ready yet.

  107. Rod Munch Says:

    Vikings released G Wyatt Davis, a 3rd rounder last year.

    I’ll be shocked if someone doesn’t claim him, and the Bucs should be in on him – although, obviously, I’d defer to Licht on all offensive lineman since he has a track record there.

  108. George Says:

    Bucs got some nice value for Grant Stuard

  109. Tony Says:

    Really thought the Stuard trade was stupid. Dude had the talent & played well on special teams, too!

  110. Cobraboy Says:

    @Rod, the chances of a decent OL on waivers falling to the Bucs is practically nil…

  111. Cobraboy Says:

    @Tony: Stuard was fun to watch with his high energy, but was seriously outplayed by rookie UFA Fatukasi. Plus, Stuard was slow, and a liability on D.

    Getting a 6th for a 7th & him was a nice trade.

  112. Coburn Says:

    Was kinda surprised stuard didn’t beat out Britt just did to special teams play. Did Britt have a strong camp? I saw nothing out of him during preseason or is it just draft status here?

  113. geno711 Says:

    Michael Schofield III was released by Chicago. He is a veteran so he was released not waived. Meaning he can sign with any team that he wishes.

    I think that he is a good depth fit for the Bucs as be has played a lot of snaps in his career at both Guard and Center.

    907 snaps last year with 3 penalties and 2 sacks.

  114. Rod Munch Says:

    @Tony: Stuard was fun to watch with his high energy, but was seriously outplayed by rookie UFA Fatukasi.

    ——

    Fatukasi was putting up some remarkable stats in the preseason. I know it was against future Applebees dishwashers, but still, when you have 2013 Lavonte David like stat lines, against anyone, it’s impressive. Stuard was just too slow to be anything but a special teams guy, and while he was fine there, I didn’t think he was amazing or anything. Getting anything for a guy you’re going to cut is impressive.

  115. Rod Munch Says:

    Cobraboy Says:
    August 30th, 2022 at 3:13 pm
    @Rod, the chances of a decent OL on waivers falling to the Bucs is practically nil…

    ——-

    Likely, just saying the Bucs should be in on him. I liked him coming out of college, and I don’t know why he busted so quickly with the Vikings, but I’d certainly take a flyer on him if it’s an option.

  116. PassingThru Says:

    Kody Russey, a UDFA Center who did well during the preseason has been cut.

    Sign him.

  117. PassingThru Says:

    Or rather, place a claim on him.

  118. Anonymous Says:

    Sad sad Raiders already cutting their 1st round OL Leatherface from last year. I wonder if he is worth a look for the Bucs.

  119. AbucAway Says:

    Hey Joe we are past the deadline (?) for cuts. You have a complete list to throw us?

  120. mark2001 Says:

    Coburn. Stuard just is too slow to ever be a starter or good backup on this team. Special teams is the ceiling in this system. Wish him luck.

  121. Coburn Says:

    Mark yeah I just figured fatukasi might be more likely to take Britt’s job than stuard..since he was pretty darn good in his niche there. Not sure if fat and Britt play much of a role there or not.

  122. Rod Munch Says:

    I can’t believe the team kept Darden, that’s Licht just protecting his draft record – there’s nothing Darden on the field that would make you want to keep him on this team. That’s stunning. I had no issues getting rid of TJ, but that was assuming you’re only keeping 6 WRs, there’s no way Darden should have been kept over Thompkins, and certainly not over TJ.