First Depth Chart Of 2017
September 6th, 2017
Yeah, the Bucs released a depth chart earlier in preseason that was, as expected, a bunch of hooey.
Yesterday, the Bucs released their depth chart in advance of the first game of the 2017 regular season, whenever that may be played. There are real no surprises, though a few things jumped out at Joe.
* Kendell Beckwith is listed as the starting SAM linebacker. Later today, we should get the first injury reports so we will have an idea if Kwon Alexander, who was dinged in training camp, will be able to go Sunday (if the Bucs play Sunday).
* Both Jacquizz Rodgers and Charles Sims are listed as No. 1 running backs.
* Ryan Smith is listed as the kick return specialist. That thud you just heard is Joe’s head hitting his keyboard.
September 6th, 2017 at 7:21 am
Joe, I’m assuming that Devonte Bond & Jack Smith are in parentheses due to their injury status. Also noticed that Channing Ward is still listed but that Will Clarke isn’t (not yet at least). Probably won’t be too hard to figure out which players won’t dress for the next game, whenever that is. Must say though that Bucs have a pretty decent starting lineup. Some position groups have solid backups (especially WR & TE), but several are downright scary. And yes, QB & CB come to mind.
September 6th, 2017 at 7:39 am
Yea!!!!! Depth charts, Injury reports!!!! Hurricane is on the move!!!! And the distraction of hard knocks is finally over!!!!! All they need is a place to play!!!!!!! The “Real” fans yell, Bring on some Football!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!
September 6th, 2017 at 7:50 am
How long before Reedy replaces Ryan Smith at KR, and I think we can’t go wrong at SAM wether it be Beckwith or Glanton, both of whom looked solid throughout the preseason.
September 6th, 2017 at 8:04 am
Thanks for the link, Joe! Great reference!
September 6th, 2017 at 8:40 am
…and we need more !!!!, Realist.
September 6th, 2017 at 8:44 am
Glad to see the starting offense listed in the “12 personnel” configuration.
Howard and Brate are going to see a lot of snaps together and the more often we use that line up as our “base” – the less predictable our offense out of it becomes. TE is our greatest strength (along w/ LBer according to coach K) We need to utilize that strength as much as possible IMO.
The other interesting note from this depth chart is that Swaggy and McDonald are co-starters at NT.
Will be curious to see whether Benenoch or Wester is the active swing tackle on game days to start the season.
One more thing – Why do I keep seeing Josh Robinson listed as a Safety? Robinson is strictly a CB – right? Is he being trained exclusively at Safety now? Cross trained at S & CB? Anybody know the deal on that?
September 6th, 2017 at 8:58 am
Reedy to will be returning kicks on game day, my guess nod to the veteran.
September 6th, 2017 at 8:59 am
TJ ward not a starter, 5 mil to play backup. Nice.
September 6th, 2017 at 9:09 am
Hey Joe, you may want to remove all references to fan retreat from your site. I mean, it should be a given to anyone who planned on going but you never know. After all, there are people out there who think Doug Martin’s suspension has been shortened because of the hurricane.
September 6th, 2017 at 9:11 am
“TJ ward not a starter”
Duh – he just got here 3 days ago and obviously doesn’t know this scheme that he has never played in before well enough yet.
September 6th, 2017 at 9:16 am
Come on USMC, he’s only been in the building for a couple days. Of course he’s not listed as the starter yet. Some of you guys really have no understanding of how football works. It’s not just like fantasy or madden, geniuses. Or maybe whining is your prefered method of communication, seems to be a common issue on here…
September 6th, 2017 at 9:41 am
I’d like to leave a wake up call for a week from today….
September 6th, 2017 at 9:49 am
I thought Channing Ward was released?
September 6th, 2017 at 10:10 am
I realize many here prefer to see the glass half empty in losing our bye. Again I concede that it might have cost us the Falcons game on the road in Atlanta. A week off before that contest would have been nice. And if the bullfrog had wings he wouldn’t bump his backside jumping the big rocks!
Meanwhile this depth chart makes me take solace in postponing our season for a week. We ASSUME that bye in week 11 would have allowed some injuries to heal…we KNOW that this extra week off will be beneficial to at least TWO of our major stars…Kwon and ME13. It also means TJ Ward has an extra week to master Smitty’s defense and give his own hammy some more rest.
We are locked and loaded guys. If this team is as good as we believe it is we’re ready to rock and roll against Chicago in RayJay.
How much pressure is there on that game? If we lose to the Bears at home with an extra week of preparation…seeing their first game tape…they have none on us…DK was totally vanilla in the preseason….Joe’s Den of Depression moniker will stick. I honestly believe at this point if we lose to the Bears in our opening game at home it will be far worse than that debacle against Tennessee.
September 6th, 2017 at 10:40 am
One more week could help Alexander, Dotson and other players dinged to get much healthier.
That may help for the longer term.
Certainly losing the bye hurts….literally.
But if this team can’t go deep into the playoffs because of no bye, how good are they?
I don’t like it, but sometimes adversity makes for stronger sinew.
September 6th, 2017 at 11:39 am
Am I the only now that would like to see Spence standing up as an outside LB in 3-4 sets?
September 6th, 2017 at 12:13 pm
Mike
No you’re not the only one. It seems sad to send a gifted pass rusher from a down stance across from NFL LT’s….generally the star of their lines…who outweigh him by 50-75 lbs. We saw what happened against Joe Thomas.
September 6th, 2017 at 9:11 pm
Usmc…
Really? The guy hasn’t been able to practice to learn the defense yet. Get a clue
September 6th, 2017 at 9:11 pm
I still do not understand why they have five tight ends.
September 7th, 2017 at 12:27 am
@Dave
Especially when you have small guys like Jackson and Humphries who can get nicked up…