Thursday, 5:30 a.m.
So how good are they?
They have 10 rookies. They have free agents. They have new corners and new defensive ends.
But how good are they?
There are young stars – Jameis Winston and Mike Evans and Kwon Alexander. There are established players – Doug Martin and Gerald McCoy and Lavante David. There are imported impact players – Brent Grimes and Robert Ayers and Daryl Smith. There are talented rookies – Vernon Hargreaves and Noah Spence and Roberto Aguayo.
But how good are they? Really?
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How fast? (Medium speed). How deep? (Not very according to their last preseason game. How hungry? (Very, one would imagine, since not winning a playoff game since 2002).
Like most teams that have been below .500 in the NFL, there are depth problems. At receiver. At running back. At safety. But the Bucs can do some things. The points didn't measure up, but the offense was top five last year.
Still, the question lingers. How good is this team.
NFL teams separate players according to color codes: Blues and reds and golds, purples and browns and oranges. Pinks and yellows. Greens and blacks.
Assessing the Bucs:
Blue (Franchise player. Future Hall of Famer.): None.
Red (May make ocassional Pro Bowl): Jameis Winston, Gerald McCoy, Lavonte David, Doug Martin, Mike Evans.
Gold (Solid productive starter): Kwon Alexander, Ali Marpet, Vince Jackson, Cameron Brate, Donovan Smith, Robert Ayers, Brent Grimers, Vernon Hargreaves, Chris Conti, Bradley McDougald, Joe Hawley, Clinton McDonald, Demar Dotson.
Purple (Productive contributor in his role): Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Evan Smith, Luke Stocker, Vincent Jackson, Roberto Aguyo, Bryan Anger, Andrew PaPaola, Noah Spence.
Brown (solid backup): Charles Sims, Mike Glennon, Adam Humphries, Mike James, Jaquies Smith, Akeem Spence. Alterraun Verner, Daryl Smith, Kevin Pamphile, Keith Tandy.
Brown: (Developmental potential): Ryan Griffin, Caleb Benenoch.
Orange: (Emergency backup): Alan Cross, Howard Jones. Jude Adjei-Barimah, Josh Robinson, Johnthan Banks, Brandon Myers, Gosder Cherilus, Devante Bond, Ryan Smith, Russell Shepard.
Pink: (Roster filler): Devonte Lambert, Channing Ward, Leonard Wester, Adarius Glanton.
Yellow (No redeeming qualities): None
Green (Need more information): None.
Black: (Injured player): Louis Murphy, J.R. Sweezy.
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