“Still Wrestling With A Couple Of Decisions”
September 1st, 2017
Tight end/fullback Alan Cross may not be hugging anyone tomorrow
The Bucs are cutting and evaluating players furiously in advance of Saturday’s 4 p.m., 53-man roster deadline.
This afternoon, Dirk Koetter said the team doesn’t have all its answers yet.
In fact, Koetter said the Bucs’ hierarchy is “still wrestling with a couple of decisions.”
Last night on the Buccaneers Radio Network, Jason Licht specifically mentioned a battle between tight ends/fullbacks Alan Cross and Austin Johnson.
Joe suspects that’s one of the tough calls within the walls of One Buc Palace.
The veteran Johnson was put on the Bucs’ 53-man roster late last season after two years at fullback with the Saints. He’s a special teams ace and a converted linebacker. Cross is more of a pass catcher, but it’s clear his fullback blocking has improved. Last night, the Bucs even tossed a Johnson a short pass which was complete but he came up short of the first-down marker.
Of course, it’s possible they both make the team and undrafted rookie Antony Auclair is the odd man out.
September 1st, 2017 at 4:15 pm
I would never give Cross up..
September 1st, 2017 at 4:18 pm
Reedy sure looked like he wanted to make the Team.
September 1st, 2017 at 4:20 pm
Cross doesn’t look the part but he does everything he is asked to do and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him drop a pass
September 1st, 2017 at 4:22 pm
I’m not so sure the 5th TE spot is really all that big of a deal. I could be wrong, but just saying.
Also carrying 5 TE’s seems like a lot.
September 1st, 2017 at 4:22 pm
Cross seems like a glue player to me, and I haven’t seen anything from Johnson to make me think that he would take someone else’s spot.
September 1st, 2017 at 4:24 pm
Cross and Johnson look like the same player, role guys who are fine with doing the dirty work.
Cross played well last season.
September 1st, 2017 at 4:25 pm
I would totally keep Barber, Cross, and Reedy on this team. Let McNichols go to PS if he clears.
September 1st, 2017 at 4:33 pm
Tiebreaker – Are either of them Rutgers men????
Just kidding. CROSS….by a mile.
September 1st, 2017 at 4:50 pm
Big mistake if we lose Cross
September 1st, 2017 at 5:08 pm
Cross = keeper. Another blocker we can’t lose
September 1st, 2017 at 6:10 pm
If they cut Cross, it won’t take long for him to land with another team. He makes enough plays.
September 1st, 2017 at 6:14 pm
Rod
Agree with you. We are deep at TE. We have a superstar of the future in OJ…we have the leading TD guy for TE’s in Brate…and we have talent in our backups.
At least we have a couple of positions on this team we don’t need to fret over with TE being at the top of the list.
September 1st, 2017 at 6:20 pm
Maybe its time to cut ties with Stocker & his salary. Keep Cross, Auclair & Johnson to PS
September 1st, 2017 at 9:53 pm
Johnson looks big and surprisingly fast, really liked him
cross is solid too tough call
September 2nd, 2017 at 7:49 am
Missed blocks, penalties and dropped passes – dump Auclair. This one’s a no brainer. The only thing he has is size.
September 2nd, 2017 at 10:09 am
@ Bucs Guy: for a guy who never played football at a high level, Auclair is a physical freak. His size, speed and athleticism says to keep him. He’s one guy who I doubt would clear waivers his upside is so high.