Bucs Announce Roster Shuffling
August 8th, 2019
Fresh linemen arrive
The bottom of the roster churned quite a bit over the past day or so.
A guy who impressed a bit in training camp, undrafted rookie safety D’Cota Dixon, was placed on injured reserve.
The Bucs signed guard Salesi Uhatafe, who was last seen with the Redskins and in the now-defunct AAF. Presumably, he’s the body to replace versatile offensive lineman Mike Liedtke whose season is now lost because of a shoulder injury.
The Bucs also brought back 2017 seventh-round pick defensive tackle Steve Tu’ikolovatu (pictured above), otherwise known as “Stevie T,” who was previously cut in late May.
And as a courtesy to confused Bucs fans who may be returning from a 30-year trip to Siberia, quarterback Vincent Testaverde was signed to the Bucs’ training camp roster. Joe doesn’t want anyone tuning in Friday night and seeing Testaverde and thinking they got caught in a twisted time travel joke.
August 8th, 2019 at 2:25 pm
STEVIE T!
The pride of USC!
August 8th, 2019 at 2:27 pm
Like every year for the past decade the Buccaneers will look good with the starters in but is soon as the first string goes out will be completely out classed because our depth is terrible.
August 8th, 2019 at 2:32 pm
Testaverde was cut yesterday, safety D’Cota Dixon was really had a really impressive camp it too bad he got injured.
August 8th, 2019 at 2:32 pm
Wait, didnt we waive Testaverde yesterday? We signed him again?
August 8th, 2019 at 2:37 pm
Is Dixon done for the year? I really liked his speed and play on the field.
August 8th, 2019 at 2:50 pm
Greg what exactly are you basing that comment from? Have you been to Training Camp and saw us struggling? Or are you basing it off of Dirk’s teams that rarely had depth players prepared to contribute?
Last time I checked we have completely turned over the bottom part of our roster(depth) and they haven’t taken the field for a game yet.And actually they are still turning over the roster which is what the article above is about actually.
So please share what your are crying about cause I’m calling BS on your comment.
August 8th, 2019 at 2:52 pm
Good thing we used the first 4 draft picks in 2019 on 2 OL and 2 DL
August 8th, 2019 at 3:04 pm
Vea is done for they season. That make 4 starter on D that are done for the season. L David, JPP, V Vea, and Evans. Remind me again why we got rid of McCoy
August 8th, 2019 at 3:07 pm
Pittsshore Says:
August 8th, 2019 at 3:04 pm
Vea is done for they season.
is that confirmed?…..
GO BUCS!!!!
August 8th, 2019 at 3:11 pm
Pottshore gets his news from the doomsday prepped star telegram
August 8th, 2019 at 3:20 pm
Let the dumpster diving begin.
August 8th, 2019 at 3:22 pm
813 it’s not confirmed. Pittshore is obvisously a Pittsburg transplant who hates his home team and don’t understand why nobody here cares about his favorite team……This is why he trolls………If I had to guess I would say he is like this guy I know who rides around with a #1 Steelers fan license plate calling them his true home team only to find out he moved to Tampa at the ripe age of 18 months, still in diapers.
The rest of the sports world has a name for fans like this……frontrunner
August 8th, 2019 at 3:26 pm
4th rounder for duke johnson oh ya the bucs have no salary cap room
August 8th, 2019 at 3:30 pm
Vea is perfectly fine. Open your eye man. I mean inner eye when I say that.
August 8th, 2019 at 3:31 pm
The Bucs also signed safety John Battle (6-0, 201) to replace Orion Stewart, who was released last week with an injury settlement. Safety D’Cota Dixon was placed on IR this morning and the Bucs signed OG Salesi Uhatafe 6-5, 320 Utah.
August 8th, 2019 at 3:42 pm
It’s as confirmed as pitts strip club parking lot investigations on JW3.
LVD is expected to be ready for game one.
The latest on Vita is that he already had one MRI (Tues) that looked good but the doctors want to do another Fri because there was swelling that could have hidden some damage. No time table yet on return. The Big news today was that the ‘original prognosis was good’.
August 8th, 2019 at 3:42 pm
A big h$ll no to Duke Johnson. The dude is a whiner even though he has a really good contract/salary.
August 8th, 2019 at 3:43 pm
Duthsty Rhothdes – I can’t believe Cleveland got a 4th rounder (could be a conditional 3rd) for a guy they didn’t want. Anywho if the Bucs want the same thing as Duke, just sign Charles Sims. They’re both great pass catchers, and neither is a full time runner. In any case Ellington fills that role on the team, even if I don’t actually think he’s worth rostering at this point in his career.
August 8th, 2019 at 3:47 pm
wish people would stop blaming the previous coach for the lousing record when Licht has been in charge and responsible for the roster….the bucs don’t have money for players which really makes Licht and Bucs look stupid .
August 8th, 2019 at 3:58 pm
Pittshore is another neurotic, panic ridden cultist that has infected the fan base like MRSA. “Oh my God, a hang nail?!?!? time to die!!!!!!!!!”
These guys remind me of the short haired soccer moms that always want to talk to the manager or berate the poor coffee barista
August 8th, 2019 at 4:28 pm
@pisswhore Wtf are you even talking about? None of those players are done for the season. You must not be a strong reader…
August 8th, 2019 at 4:32 pm
I have looked all over various media reports on the status of Vea. I’ve seen hints that hec could be out for a very long time or even the entire season. I’ve seen hints that he will out a for only a few days and will be starting on September 8th. In other words long on speculation, short on substance.
Just what the “original prognosis” was I do not know. Let’s see if we have anything of substance to go on twenty-four hours from now. (4:30 PM)
Leaping to a conclusion gets you nowhere as a fan or as a reporter.
____________
Go Bucs!!!
August 8th, 2019 at 4:34 pm
I mean just how soon he will be back was not indicated in the first reports I saw regarding the original prognosis.
August 8th, 2019 at 4:36 pm
Ben it is fair to put blame on Licht for the teams record. But it is also unfair to not put a share of the blame on the coaching staff as well.
-There have been problems directly related to coaching. Accountability of players in the form or drive killing pentalties is not a GM problem. Coaching can make a difference.
-Preperation has been a problem and has resulted in many missed assignments. This is not a GM problem.
-Lack of adjustments & poor playcalling has been prevelant on Gamedays and resulted in seeing Devonte Freeman, McCaffery, & Shaq Barkley twice(probably more that I missed) run the exact same red zone play against us to score untouched TDs. This is not a GM problem.
-Tackling and blocking have lost us games(fundamentals). If we can tackle at a pro level we win at Pittsburg & Sanu doesn’t run 84 yards for a 32 yard score on us. There are countless other examples. Again, this is not a GM problem.
Now if you wanna rattle off a list of GM mistakes be my guest. You will certainly be accurate and none of the above excuses GM mistakes. But the blame is shared. Not one or other should be a scapegoat. The coaching problems have been real and are well documented.
We have been poorly coached and poorly prepared & has resulted in numerous blowouts & a lot of uncompetitive football. On top of all of it we haven’t developed hardly any players outside of pass catchers………You could blame either coach or GM in that department but so far all the early evidence from TC is suggesting coaching. All the sudden we are hearing good things about Cappa, RoJo, Spence, Hargreaves & more. If these guys show up this year it will be proof positive that the last coach staff failed them(and us).
To top it all off the last Head Coach said he didn’t know how to fix problem areas on his team. It’s paraphrase but was an actual quote. Kinda hard to single out a GM for that one dont ya think?
August 8th, 2019 at 4:52 pm
I vote we all team up like a vicious group of social justice warriors and go after Alex Kappa with vengeance! It’s HIS fault for rag-dolling the Hawaiian! If he only would have played dead like the right side of the line usually does and let Vea eat Winston for a late lunch!
Hash-tag KAPPASFAULT!!!
August 8th, 2019 at 5:09 pm
All this roster shuffling and we don’t even take a flyer on Duke Johnson. Man Licht must really want to be fired…
August 8th, 2019 at 5:17 pm
In one of the video’s with Mike Evans he said in so many words ,cutting down on the turnovers and penalties will help the Bucs make a playoff run. Although he didn’t want to use injuries as an excuse he did feel injuries played a part.. When key players go down and the depth players play like the strike shortened replacement players,
then Jason Licht has to take responsibility for an unbalanced roster.
August 8th, 2019 at 5:21 pm
I saw Licht at the International Mall passing out applications to anyone big who played high school ball. He said he can’t pay much but they could say they played for the mighty Buccaneers. Smh
August 8th, 2019 at 5:25 pm
Churning the bottom of the roster is a GOOD thing!
No way to find a jewel if you don’t.
@gobuxfl: Arians has repeatedly stated he is more than happy with the RB situation. Maybe he’s telling the truth…
August 8th, 2019 at 5:54 pm
Bob in Valrico … DEPTH is the key to having a winning season & making a playoff push far as I’m concerned. Every team suffers injuries as we’ve seen for years, but it seems like the Bucs always end up with more than our share of them. I’m convinced that the oppressive heat & humidity here in Tampa during June to October plays a huge role in that. That has to take a toll on these guys’ bodies during these intensive practices day-after-day, regardless of how well-hydrated they stay.
Depth IMO is more a function of quality coaching than anything else. That seems to be an area where Belicheck & the Patriots excel. I love what BA is doing running 2 fields simultaneously & getting our depth players more reps in training camp. That has to help them improve faster, as well as helping create better competition. ‘Next Man Up’ is a great philosophy, but reality seems to be that there’s almost always a drop-off in performance from 1st to 2nd string.
August 8th, 2019 at 6:26 pm
Every team has injuries……there are some areas where we can improve despite injuries…..Turnovers….Penalties….Kicking game…..
You can make up for less talent with more enthusiasm and intensity…..coaching is the key. I’ll take a hungry rookie making a rookie mistake now & then over a veteran loafer……the enthusiasm spreads…..but so does the loafing.
I suspect BA & Bowles will have none of it.
August 8th, 2019 at 6:31 pm
Before the injuries, Licht put together a DLine of JPP, Vea and Suh- that’s got to be top 10 in NFL
Linebackers will be 100 pct better just based on speed and athleticism and scheme.
Anyone want to trade any of the young Secondary studs for Conte or Grimes?
And this new kicker, IF (big if) he can be consistent, is quite a weapon.
I’m eager to see the season play out.
August 8th, 2019 at 6:38 pm
Watch the video of the injury pansies. His left knee totally collapsed. ACL or patella. Bucs fan since 1979, prior to most of you liberals DOB.
August 8th, 2019 at 6:57 pm
The easy way out is to look at bad player acquisitions and say it’s cause the GM sucks. Reality is that it’s more complex and many Front Offices in the league work with the coaches to get them the players they need.
We will never know why we have signed and drafted a lot of the players we have but quite a few of them have Dirk’s grubby little finger prints all over them. The biggest example being maybe Desean Jackson. Brent Grimes screams Dirk & Smitty since they worked with him in Atlanta(Quiz also)……..Then we got Douglas Martin who Dirk openly lobbied for. We in ested a ton of cash in Doug and got nothing.
At the end of the day Licht still has to take the blame for all of them. That’s his responsibility as GM. The same for the Lovie days but to a lesser extent since Lovie had power of final say.
My long winded point here is that it stands to reason that the decision making process is likely different now that Licht is working with an entire new coaching staff.Because of that we may see player additions making more of an impact then were used to. Let’s just see what Barrett, Suh, & Perriman can do before we condemn the whole operation. Rookies too but only fair to give them some time(which will never happen with some of y’all).
August 8th, 2019 at 7:02 pm
Or look at our RG situation last year. Somebody in that front office evaluated that position and said Benechot was ready to be a starter. Call me crazy but I would think the coaches have a bit of a say in player evaluation. Would also doubt the evaluation says we have no RG and the solution was to draft a low level developemental player.
Just spitballin here but maybe that’s why it’s important to do things like tackling in practice. Seems like it would be hard to evaluate somebodies blocking ability when you aren’t aying physical football in practice.
August 8th, 2019 at 7:02 pm
Who has bought Game Pass?
Joe, I still think you should consider some gameday threads, even if they’re not for the Bucs. I totally get not wanting it to become a general dumping ground for other teams, but I think that would be an issue.
August 8th, 2019 at 7:07 pm
JimmyJack – Last year I suspect that Licht got way too cute and thought he could draft another small school guy like Marpet and just plug him in to the lineup. Personally I think teams are almost always stupid to depend on rookies to be starters, in particular if they’re not a 1st rounder – but guard is considered a position where a young guy can come in and play early.
Problem is Cappa isn’t/wasn’t Marpet, didn’t have those amazing measurables, and it was way too much to have him start early. Hopefully Cappa is a capable starter this year and can hold his own, but doing that in year 1 was a ridiculous ask.
The bigger issue last season was looking at your depth chart and seeing Ryan Smith as your 3rd corner knowing Grimes and VH3 were both injury plagued – and having a disaster like Chris Conte as a starter. Even worse was they had multiple years to make sure Conte wouldn’t make this roster, and yet Licht continued not to sign anyone or improve talent there.
August 8th, 2019 at 7:11 pm
Duke would’ve been a good pick up for a 5th no deal on a 3rd. If you guys don’t understand 500yrds turns into a 3rd so thank you but sorry no deal
August 8th, 2019 at 7:15 pm
Catanzaro missed an XP to start the year for the Jets… haha…
August 8th, 2019 at 7:22 pm
Munch maybe I’m just a sucker(for listening to Me Kiper) but when we drafted Cappa he was reported to be a raw developemental player. Agreed that guards in general can be developed a bit quicker but I don’t think having the goal of him as a future piece was a bad one while he developes as an inactive player for a season.
My big gripe is that they ever thought Benechot could start as a guard in this league. He been on the team for Dirk’s entire tenure. They should have known exactly who he was and replaced him. Cappa as a raw converted tackle doesn’t count. Somebody in the Front Office botched that position big-time.
I do agree the secondary was the bigger issue but always like to add the LBs into that discussion because they deserve no passes for getting abused in the passing game too.
Relying on Ryan Smith and Conte was a part of the problem but not realizing that C.Davis & Whitehead were better players was also a problem. They took too long making the switch. Only reason they went to Carlton as soon as they did was because they were forced. Not by design. Same thing with Conte who had to become a national embarrassment vs Pitt. before they were forced to replace him.
August 8th, 2019 at 7:27 pm
And we lost the Pittsburg because we couldn’t tackle if you ask me. And if we start Whitehead over Conte I bet we win that game.
And we win that game we go 3-0 and ride momentum. The coaching staff blew it in Pittsburg by having our worst players on the field and it single handely lost us the season………..The year before they had New England on the ropes and couldn’t figure out how to finish them.
Both them ges were our turning points. Twice outcoached.
August 8th, 2019 at 7:30 pm
@!Rod Munch: I’ve had GamePass since it first came out. It’s how I bet my NFL Jones fixed in the DR.
It keeps getting better every year.
August 8th, 2019 at 7:41 pm
Man, watching Monken calling the plays in Cleveland makes me wish stupid Dirk hadn’t taken away his playcalling.
August 8th, 2019 at 7:49 pm
JimmyJack – I don’t have an issue with Cappa at this point, but he was overdrafted, I have no doubt he’d have been there in the 5th. In any case we don’t know. However the issue I had last year was thinking he was a day 1 starter, and I’m fairly convinced that Licht thought he’d be just like Marpet and play early, that was Licht getting too cute and thinking he’s the smartest guy in football. I’m interested to seeing what he can do when it matters, but it’s going to be hard for him to do worse than what we had last year.
As for the DB’s, Licht didn’t give the coaches a chance with the lack of talent. That’s not being a Mike Smith apologist, but if we had Sapp and Rice on the d-line with Hardy and Brooks behind them – that defense would still have been the worst in football with those DBs – in particular when they’re playing 15 yards off the LOS.
August 8th, 2019 at 7:51 pm
Cobraboy – Yeah, I’ve had it as well since year one. Such a cool service. I wish they’d add their entire library to the service, I’d love to see full games from like 1986 or something. Yes, you can find a lot of them on YouTube now, which is cool, but they should add it to archives, just every game they have available.
August 8th, 2019 at 7:59 pm
“Monken playcalling is the modern day playcalling which is successful
Monken is 10x more qualified than Leftwich
The vertical deep passing game is extinct and gets QBs killed
its a copycat league where production and winning is everything and the only thing
the Bucs are always 5 years behind”
Kobe Faker
August 8th, 2019 at 8:02 pm
Agreed letting monken go was a mistake but wtfdik
August 8th, 2019 at 8:04 pm
Dirk took like 7 plays inside the 6 yard line to get a TD, and it only happened because of a PI… Typical Dirk.
August 8th, 2019 at 8:07 pm
Kobe – Yeah, giving up Monken could end up being a big mistake – but it’s part of the deal to get Arians, so I think it will be worth it.
Also for all those complaining about the running game last year, remember it was Monken NOT calling run plays (because the Bucs sucked at running) is why Dirk took over play calling duties. Dirk was the run it up the middle for no gain on every first down guy – so those who complain about the running game, you’re the ones siding with Dirk. Monken meanwhile didn’t care about running, he cared about scoring points, which is the goal of football.
August 8th, 2019 at 8:09 pm
I do like Licht I’ll admit. He’s a cool guy and wants to win more than anything. His draft strategy has gotten the best of him several times though. Besides the obvious mistakes he has a tendency to draft finesse players. This is code for I won the NFL lottery and I’m doing as little as possible. See the NFL is a MANS game and there is NO room for finesse. Licht has figured this out with the removal of McCoy and replacing him with Suh. Also drafting white in the first shows the arrow is pointing in the right direction. I hope it’s not too late I’d like to see him here for stability in the organization.
August 8th, 2019 at 8:11 pm
Hump had 4 reactions on the first drive, and another 2 passes that he couldn’t get (not his fault – bad passes), he was also used as the punt returner. In the preseason there is no one better than Hump.
Anyways those 6 targets on that opening drive resulted in 24 yards and 0 points.
For PPR fantasy football Humphries might be a good pickup, he seems to already be the outlet for the incredibly inaccurate Mariota – and it doesn’t matter if he’s only getting 4 yards per target if he’s getting 12 targets a game and catching 8 of them.
August 8th, 2019 at 8:15 pm
Also the Giants rookie QB looked fantastic on his opening drive, but there was no pressure on him at all. Still the passes were dead on accurate and he just looked like a seasoned NFL QB, although he did just stare down his receiver and was playing the Jets 2nd team defense. But for fantasy, the concern with the offense players is that sooner or later this year the rookie will play and Eli will get benched and the offense might screech to a halt, but in terms of optics and ball placement, he looked really good. Game one of the preseason so it means very little, but it’s better than if he looked like Bruce Gradkowski.
August 8th, 2019 at 8:18 pm
“Mariota cant throw deep
Defenses/safties are going to jump routes and punish nipples Hump
Hump wont last 12 games”
Kobe Faker
August 8th, 2019 at 8:20 pm
You can win some games with a one dimensional offense but if you ever plan to make a Super Bowl run you are likely going to have to beat somebody that is going to be able to shut down your pass attack.
You likely going to come up short Everytime unless you can win a game in another way. Don’t mean you have to have a big running game but you better have a defense that can do some things to win you games.
Right now the Bucs have a pass attack and are bad at all other phases. If that changes this year maybe we can get over the 5 win plateau.
August 8th, 2019 at 8:20 pm
Pittsshore Says
“Vea is done for they season. That make 4 starter on D that are done for the season. L David, JPP, V Vea, and Evans.”
You are either trolling or overreacting.
Vea won’t be known until Friday’s MRI, but it is just a precaution, as the first MRI looked like a minor injury.
Levonte David will be ready by the start of the season.
Justin Evans is not a starter on the team, and he Might be put on Pup/IR, meaning he can return week 7. But it won’t be a big loss anyway.
JPP is the biggest worry, however, we have the guys that can fill in for him.
August 8th, 2019 at 8:21 pm
Kobe Faker, Hump will be the next Wes Welker.
August 8th, 2019 at 8:23 pm
Hump is the #1 WR in Tennessee……It’ll be good for fickle fans who wanna cry over spilt milk cause he will put up numbers………But it’s pretty obvisous watching Tennessee that Hump looks like the TE(safety blanket) for a rookie QB.
The Bucs offense is moving onto bigger and better things then paying a safety blanket WR $10M per.
August 8th, 2019 at 8:31 pm
Bonzai I will not disagree that Hump could be the “next” Wes Weller…….But that just aren’t going to happen in Tennessee.
Let’s forget about Tom Brady for a second. Look at Tennessees roster and tell me who will be the Gronkowski for Hump on the Titans?……Or Randy Moss from the pre-Gronk days?
August 8th, 2019 at 8:54 pm
The only way the Bucs could have kept Molken is to make him the head coach. Arians wouldn’t take the job if he couldn’t bring his own staff.
August 8th, 2019 at 9:09 pm
This happens every year with some Buc fans. Y’all get jealous over some of the most pathetic teams in the league. Last year one commentor was actually jealous of the 49ers cause of John Lynch. Now the Browns?
Good grief if your are going to be jealous of somebody at least pick a successful team.
I don’t always quote tmax but when I do I drink Dos Equis. And tell some of y’all to please rise your standards.
August 8th, 2019 at 10:01 pm
I didn’t know Liedtke was injured and that’s awesome the Bucs signed Vincent Testaverde Jr. to the PS. I actually thought he looked pretty good. He throws a beautiful spiral.
August 8th, 2019 at 10:58 pm
@Rod Munch: I watch the Bucs games three times: once live as a fan, great bonding time 91 y.o. Mom CB (whose father was the first All American football player from the south in 1911 with Vanderbilt).
Then I watch the coaches film twice, once to focus on the offense and O ST’s, and once defense and D ST’s.
The coaches films are worth the price of admission.
August 9th, 2019 at 12:55 am
Ben coaches will tell you if im cooking the meal let me pick the groceries. Its a team effort coaches and GM owners and sometimes scouts. But Licht is an idiot any ways and is only here because of BA. I think Licht is on a shorter leash now that BA is here. Every team has a defrent way to evaluate tallent. And the Bucs change what there vision is yearly it seems like.
August 9th, 2019 at 7:45 am
The Bucs don’t have a practice quad. It doesn’t happen until after they do cut downs. 🤯