DEFENSIVE LINE:
LE Jimmy Wilkerson (Starter) – 42 Solo Tackles, 24 Assists, 2 Pass Deflections, 3 Forced Fumbles
NT Chris Hovan (Starter) – 27 Solo Tackles, 30 Assists, 0.5 Sack, 1 Forced Fumble
DT Ryan Sims (Starter) – 28 Solo Tackles, 20 Assists, 1 Pass Deflection, 1 Sack, 1 Fumble Recovery
RE Stylez G. White (Starter) – 36 Solo Tackles, 18 Assists, 1 Pass Deflection. 6.5 Sacks
DE Michael Bennett (Backup) – 4 Solo Tackles, 1 Assist, 1 Sack
DT Roy Miller (Backup) - 33 Solo Tackles, 21 Assists, 1 Pass Deflection, 2 Sacks
DT Dre Moore (Backup) – 4 Solo Tackles, 7 Assists
DE Tim Crowder (Backup) – 37 Solo Tackles, 10 Assists, 2 Pass Deflections, 3.5 Sacks, 1 Fumble Recovery
DE Kyle Moore (Backup) – 8 Solo Tackles, 6 Assists, 1 Pass Deflection
DE Maurice Evans (Backup) – Practice Squad
The Bucs made a mistake thinking any of these guys would be suited for Jim Bates' two-gap system. It was square pegs in round holes. The Bucs didn't want to bring in any players who had played Bates' system. So 10 games into the season, Morris took over the play-calling duties on defense and re-installed the one-gap front. Miller and Crowder look like players. Moore was hurt much of the season. The Bucs need an overhaul at this position.
Unrestricted Free Agents – None
Restricted Free Agents – None
LINEBACKERS:
Quincy Black (Starting SLB) – 58 Solo Tackles, 35 Assists, 1 Interception, 5 Pass Deflections, 1.5 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble
Barrett Ruud (Starting MLB) – 107 Solo Tackles, 35 Assists, 1 Interception, 1 Forced Fumble, 8 Pass Deflections
Geno Hayes (Starting WLB) – 90 Solo Tackles, 46 Assists, 3 Sacks, 2 Interceptions, 7 Pass Deflections, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Fumble Recovery
Adam Hayward (Backup) - 9 Solo Tackles, 5 Assists
Matt McCoy (Backup) – 6 Solo Tackles, 3 Assists
Rod Wilson (Backup) – Injured Reserve
Lee Robinson (Backup) – Practice Squad
Niko Koutouvides (Backup) – Special Teams - 11 Solo Tackles, 7 Assists
Angelo Crowell (Backup) – Injured Reserve
The Bucs had a big shake-up in the offseason, cutting Derrick Brooks and Cato June. That was to enable Hayes and Black a chance to play. Hayes proved to be an impact player once Morris took over the defense. Black showed improvement. Ruud had more than 200 tackles, but most were of the drag-down variety. The Bucs aren't sure what to do about Ruud. He's smart and effective, but he lacks the splash play-making and leadership skills.
Unrestricted Free Agents – None
Restricted Free Agents – Barrett Ruud, Rod WIlson
DEFENSIVE BACKS:
LCB Aqib Talib (Starter) – 62 Solo Tackles, 7 Assists, 5 Interceptions, 17 Pass Deflections, 1 Fumble Recovery
RCB Ronde Barber (Starter) – 67 Solo Tackles, 26 Assists, 7 Pass Deflections, 3 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Fumble Recovery
SS Sabby Piscitelli (Starter) – 71 Solo Tackles, 20 Assists, 2 Interceptions, 4 Pass Deflections, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Fumble Recovery
FS Tanard Jackson (Starter) – 57 Solo Tackles, 28 Assists, 5 Interceptions, 10 Pass Deflections, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Fumble Recovery
S Corey Lynch (Backup) – 1 Solo Tackle, 1 Pass Deflection
CB Branon Andweson (Backup) – Practice Squad
CB Elbert Mack (Backup) – 24 Solo Tackles, 6 Assists, 3 Interceptions, 4 Pass Deflections
CB Torrie Cox (Backup) – 10 Solo Tackles, 2 Assists
CB Derek Robertson (Backup) – 2 Solo Tackles, 1 Assist
CB Stoney Woodson (Backup) – Practice Squad
S Will Allen (Backup) – 14 Solo Tackles, 7 Assists
S Jermaine Phillips (Injured Reserve) – 6 Solo Tackles, 5 Assists
Talib is everything the Bucs hoped he would be -- on the field, anyway. He tied for the club lead with Jackson with five interceptions. Remember, Jackson missed the first four games with a suspension. Piscitelli was a huge disappointment, a bad tackler who takes bad angles and rarely makes a play on the ball. He had just two interceptions and three passes defensed despite starting 15 games. Barber, who is declining at 34, did not have an INT for the first time since his rookie year.
Unrestricted Free Agents – Jermaine Phillips, Will Allen
Restricted Free Agents - None
SPECIAL TEAMS:
PK Conner Barth – 14-19 Field Goals, 12-12 PAT, 1 Punt 46 Yards
P Sam Paulescu – 24 Punts, 1022 Yards
KR Sammie Stroughter – 11 Kick Returns, 324 Yards, 29.5 AVG, 1 TD, 12 Punt Returns, 119 Yards, 9.9 AVG
PR Clifton Smith – 23 Punt Returns, 232 Yards, 10.1 AVG, 31 Kick Returns, 902 yards, 29.1 AVG
P Josh Bidwell (Injured reserve)
P Dirk Johnson (Injured reserve) 62 Punts, 2558 Yards
The Bucs had the top special teams unit in terms of kick returns and kick coverage, but they're specialists were a mess. Barth was the Bucs' third placekicker; Paulescu was their third punter. Bidwell went on injured reserve with a hip injury. PK Mike Nugent was released after going 2-for-6 on field-goal tries. His replacement, Shane Andrus, was worse. Barth stabilized the position and will be asked to return in 2010. Johnson was ineffective before going on IR.