Description: According to the National Football Post, Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano thought Mike Glennon was the best quarterback in the 2013 NFL Draft and said he "can play quickly" if he is needed.
Insight: Tampa Bay drafted Glennon in the third round. The team did not give Josh Freeman a long-term extension this offseason, so we already know it isn't sold on him as the long-term answer at QB. Glennon could force the issue with a strong summer and preseason, much like Russell Wilson, the man he succeeded at NC State, did with Seattle last year.
Description: Long time Bucs corner Ronde Barber has announced his retirement. SOURCE: Jay Glazer, Fox Sports
Insight: Barber produced 47 picks and 28 sacks in 17 NFL seasons. He didn't miss a single game between 1998 and 2012. Barber will certainly garner some Hall of Fame consideration when he becomes eligible.
Description: According to Tampa Bay Times reporter Stephen Holder, the Buccaneers could look to trade halfback LeGarrette Blount before this week's draft.
Insight: Doug Martin is the lead back in Tampa, which means that Blount is expendable. The former Oregon Duck went over the 1,000 yard mark as a rookie in 2010 but hasn't done much since then (151 yards on 41 carries last season).
Description: Cornerback Darrelle Revis has passed his physical, making the trade to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers complete. The Jets will received the 13th-overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft and a conditional pick in 2014.
Insight: Revis also has agreed to a six-year contract with the Bucs that reportedly will pay him $16 million each year, making him the highest-paid DB in history, but includes no guaranteed money (per Adam Schefter). Tampa Bay and New York have been discussing a Revis trade for months, but the Bucs' unwillingness to part with that draft choice had been holding up the deal. With Revis and Dashon Goldson in place, Tampa Bay potentially will have a game-changing pass defense to combat the likes of Roddy White, Julio Jones, Jimmy Graham, Marques Colston and Steve Smith in the NFC South.
Description: According to USA Today, Buccaneers defensive end Da'Quan Bowers is facing gun charges after bringing a loaded gun into LaGuardia Airport in New York City.
Insight: Bowers hid the gun in his carry-on luggage. He's facing a minimum of three and a half years in prison and a maximum sentence of 15 years behind bars if convicted. Plaxico Burress faced similar charges and took a plea bargain that would allow him to serve 20 months. The 22-year-old from Clemson recorded 13 tackles and three sacks in 10 games last season.
Description: The Tampa Bay Times reports that the Buccaneers do not intend on signing quarterback Josh Freeman to a long-term contract this offseason.
Insight: Freeman is in the final year of his deal and the team will decide what to do with him after the 2013 season. He began the 2012 season strong (95.1 QB rating in his first eight games) before unraveling late in the year (2 TD, 9 INT in his last three games).
Description: Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano was frustrated with Josh Freeman's play late in the season and intends on bringing in a quarterback that can challenge him for the starting job in 2013. SOURCE: Tampa Bay Times
Insight: Freeman's been in the dog house for weeks with fantasy owners and now it appears he's made his way into Schiano's dog house as well. Schiano insisted that he still "really [likes] Josh Freeman" so for now, he remains No. 1 on Tampa Bay's depth chart. But if Michael Vick or Alex Smith become available (this year's batch of college quarterbacks is pretty weak compared to the past few seasons), Freeman's job could be in jeopardy.
Description: Tampa Bay wideout Mike Williams came within four yards of his first 1,000 yard receiving season.
Insight: He needed 69 yards on Sunday and only came up with 65. If Williams had reached the mark, he and Vincent Jackson would have become the first teammates in Buccaneers history to both go for 1,000 yards in the same season.
Description: Tampa Bay halfback Doug Martin ended the season in style, rushing for 142 yards on 28 carries Sunday in a win over Atlanta.
Insight: His 40-yard touchdown sprint was his 11th rushing score of the season. His 1,454 rushing yards this season were the most ever by a Buccaneers rookie.
Description: Buccaneers receiver Vincent Jackson's 108 yards Sunday versus St. Louis gave him 1,334 on the season. His previous career high was 1,167 in 2009.
Insight: Jackson's seven catches gave him 69 this season, also a career high.
Description: Buccaneers receiver Mike Williams hauled in a 61-yard touchdown Sunday against the Rams and finished with 132 yards on seven catches.
Insight: Williams saw a season-high 17 targets so his day could have been even bigger. The third-year receiver has made for a reliable WR3 this year with eight touchdowns and 931 yards. He has one game left to get the 69 yards necessary for his first 1,000-yard season. Of course, he had 924 yards going into Week 17 in 2010 but couldn't reach the mark.
Description: Buccaneers QB Josh Freeman let fantasy owners down again in Week 16 with four picks. He did threw for 372 and a touchdown but that wasn't enough to offset the turnovers.
Insight: Freeman has turned the ball over nine times with only one touchdown over the past two games.
Description: Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman probably ruined quite a few fantasy seasons on Sunday. He finished the afternoon with five total turnovers as the Saints demolished the Buccaneers by a score of 41-0.
Insight: Freeman had been on a roll coming into today's game but for whatever reason he was completely out of synch on Sunday. The Saints are one of the easiest teams in the league to score against so we really didn't see this one coming. Perhaps he'll do better against the Rams in Week 16 but for fantasy owners who used him this week, it's probably already too late.
Description: Buccaneers receiver Mike Williams only had three catches for 18 yards Sunday against the Eagles but did catch a one-yard touchdown.
Insight: Williams and Vincent Jackson have made for a dynamic receiving duo for quarterback Josh Freeman. While Williams likely won't reach 1,000 yards (on pace for 906), he's made for a reliable deep-league WR3 with seven scores.
Description: Buccaneers receiver Vincent Jackson hit the 100-yard mark for the first time since his 216-yard game in Week 7 Sunday against the Eagles.
Insight: Jackson added a touchdown, his eighth of the year, and finished with 131 yards on six catches. He's 23 yards away from setting a new career high in receiving yardage.
Description: After a quiet Week 13 against the Broncos, Bucs running back Doug Martin exploded for 128 rushing yards and a touchdown on 28 carries Sunday versus Philadelphia.
Insight: With 1,612 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns, Martin is a bona fide No. 1 fantasy running back. He should be salivating at the thought of facing New Orleans in Week 15.
Description: Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman had his eighth multi-touchdown game in his last nine games Sunday against the Eagles, hitting his receivers twice to save an otherwise poor day.
Insight: Freeman only completed 14-of-34 for 189 yards Sunday. Fortunately he didn't turn the ball over. The fourth-year passer has a 20-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio in his last nine games.
Description: Tampa Bay running back Doug Martin was held under 60 rushing yards for the second consecutive week and had his lowest two-week rushing total seince Week 3 & 4.
Insight: Martin still totaled 98 yards from scrimmage because of 42 receiving yards, but after being so dominant on the ground the past two weeks are concerning. The good news is that Philadelphia and New Orleans are his next two opponents and they are yielding 117.9 ypg and 158.3 ypg., respectively.
Description: Bucs' defensive back Eric Wright, who missed the Week 12 matchup with Atlanta, is doubtful for Sunday's game against Denver due to an Achilles injury.
Insight: Tampa Bay can ill-afford to lose anyone in their already porous secondary. Matt Ryan threw for 353 yards against this secondary so expect a big day from Peyton Manning, Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker in Week 13.
Description: Tampa Bay halfback Doug Martin was held to his lowest yardage total since Week 4 Sunday against the Falcons but punched in a pair of one-yard touchdowns.
Insight: Martin carried 21 times for 50 yards and only caught two passes for 13 yards but the two scores saved his day. The rookie has 1,050 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns through 11 games.
Description: Tampa Bay halfback Doug Martin scrambled for 138 yards rushing Sunday in an overtime win versus Carolina.
Insight: Martin's day would have been even more spectacular if he hadn't fumbled the ball away on the goal line. He's the first rookie to reach 1,000 yards rushing in 2012.
Description: Buccaneers receiver Mike Williams has emerged as a big-play threat opposite Vincent Jackson this season.
Insight: Williams has looked much better as Tampa Bay's No. 2 option than the top guy. After averaging 11.9 yards per catch and catching three touchdowns a year ago, Williams is gaining 18.3 yards per catch with five touchdowns in the first nine games this season. He's had at least one gain of at least 34 yards in six of nine games this season.
Description: Buccaneers running back Doug Martin was tamed by San Diego Sunday one week after his four-touchdown explosion against the Raiders. Martin finished with 68 yards on 19 carries and added 51 yards on three receptions.
Insight: Martin was due for a down game against a tough run defense after running wild the last three games. He did extend his streak of games with 100 yards from scrimmage to five Sunday.
Description: Buccaneers running back Doug Martin turned in a fantasy masterpiece Sunday against Oakland. On 25 carries, Martin rushed for 251 yards and four touchdowns.
Insight: All four of his end zone visits occurred in the second half and three of them were from at least 45 yards out. Martin might be the favorite for NFL Rookie of the Year honors after this stunning performance.
Description: Tampa Bay running back Doug Martin has been named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Month for October.
Insight: So far in 2012, Martin has bulldozed his way to 543 rushing yards, which ranks second among NFL rookies behind Washington running back Alfred Morris. He's coming off his best game of the season last week against Minnesota when he went off for 135 rushing yards and 79 receiving yards. He also scored two touchdowns as the Buccaneers went on to win by a score of 36-17.
Description: Tampa Bay running back Doug Martin has been named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Month for October.
Insight: So far in 2012, Martin has bulldozed his way to 543 rushing yards, which ranks second among NFL rookies behind Washington running back Alfred Morris. He's coming off his best game of the season last week against Minnesota when he went off for 135 rushing yards and 79 yards receiving. He also scored two touchdowns in the 36-17 Buccaneers win.
Description: The Buccaneers placed G Carl Nicks on injured reserve with a toe injury.
Insight: Nicks is an elite run-blocking guard so this injury could greatly impact Doug Martin's fantasy value. Martin has rushed for 296 yards with 171 receiving yards and three total touchdowns the last three games.
Description: Buccaneers rookie running back Doug Martin may have added value in the future - as the Bucs' goal line back.
Insight: LeGarrette Blount failed three times inside the 5-yard line last weekend against the Saints and according to Roy Cummings of The Tampa Tribune, may have lost the job.
Description: Tampa Bay running back LeGarrette Blount may have lost his goal line carries after failing three times against the Saints last weekend, according to Roy Cummings at the Tampa Tribune.
Insight: If Blount isn't going to get any red zone carries, his fantasy value will be near zero. At this point his only value will come as a handcuff to Doug Martin if an injury occurs.
Description: Buccaneers rookie running back Doug Martin had his strongest fantasy performance since the season opener Sunday against the Saints. Martin rushed for 85 yards and a score on 16 carries and caught three balls for 37 yards.
Insight: LeGarrette Blount had been cutting into Martin's workload and handling goal-line carries in the last two weeks but Martin re-established himself as the team's lead back Sunday. Blount had minus-two yards on five carries.
Description: Buccaneers receiver Vincent Jackson had a team-record 216 yards with a touchdown on seven catches in Sunday's game against the Saints.
Insight: Tampa Bay QB Josh Freeman threw for 420 yards and had three scores for the second straight game, with Jackson being the primary beneficiary. Jackson has been a major force after a slow start, catching 17 passes for 382 yards and four touchdowns in the past three games.
Description: Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman torched the Saints for a career-high 420 yards passing on Sunday.
Insight: Freeman has thrown for an outstanding 748 passing yards and six touchdowns over his past two contests. Granted those games were against two pitiful defenses (New Orleans and Kansas City) but Freeman is still playing at an extremely high level right now.
Description: Buccaneers receiver Vincent Jackson is on the injury report for a calf problem, but it is not expected to keep him out of Sunday's game with New Orleans.
Insight: Tampa Bay's passing offense will have to keep up with New Orleans this week which should mean big days for Jackson and Mike Williams.
Description: Tampa Bay QB Josh Freeman had his best game of the season. He completed 15-of-26 passes for 328 yards, three touchdowns and one interception against the Chiefs.
Insight: Freeman was a little lucky on two long passes, but he consistently went to Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams who came up big. With a game against the Saints' mediocre pass defense in Week 7, there is hope for him to build some momentum.
Description: Buccaneers CB Aqib Talib has been suspended four games for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing substances, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Insight: Talib used the banned substance Adderall, the same stimulant that got Browns cornerback Joe Haden suspended for four games this season. Tampa Bay is already last in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game and the absence of Talib won't help. Talib will miss games against the Chiefs, Saints, Vikings and Raiders.
Description: Coach Mike Shiano said Bucs running back LeGarrette Blount was practicing much better the last couple of week, according to Stephen Holder of the Tampa Bay Times.
Insight: Blount has played second fiddle to rookie Doug Martin, but may be in line for a bigger share of the workload now that he appears to be in the coach's good graces. The rookie is averaging 3.5 ypc, while Blount in limited action is averaging 3.4 ypc.
Description: Buccaneers receiver Vincent Jackson caught six passes for 100 yards and a touchdown Sunday against the Redskins.
Insight: Tampa Bay's passing offense started out poorly against the league's worst pass defense but rebounded in the second half. Jackson's production has been predictably disjointed. He had 100-yard games and a touchdown in Week 2 and 4 and 76 yards on five catches combined in Week 1 and 3.
Description: Buccaneers defensive end Adrian Clayborn will miss the remainder of the 2012 season after tearing a ligament in his right knee Sunday against Dallas.
Insight: The second-year DE out of Iowa faces a long recovery and might not be ready for the start of next season. His absence weakens an already reeling Tampa Bay pass rush.
Description: Tampa Bay slot receiver Preston Parker injured his ankle in Sunday's game against the Giants and is questionable for next Sunday's game against Dallas.
Insight: The fact that the Bucs signed Jordan Shipley likely means Parker won't be ready to go this week. With only two targets and no catches in the Bucs first two games, Parker has not shown that he is fantasy-worthy.
Description: Buccaneers receiver Mike Williams already has two receiving TDs after catching just three all of last season.
Insight: Williams only has five catches in two games so he's not someone you want to be starting but he could be a decent bye-week fill-in due to his touchdown potential.
Description: Buccaneers receiver Vincent Jackson took advantage of an injury-ravaged Giants secondary Sunday, catching five passes for 128 yards and a touchdown.
Insight: Jackson only produced 47 yards on four catches in Week 1 but he was targeted 10 times and he exploded Sunday. The first two weeks should tell you all you need to know about how much Tampa Bay plans to utilize its new weapon.
Description: Injured Buccaneers running back LeGarrette Blount returned to practice on Thursday.
Insight: Blount suffered a stinger in Week 1's win over the Panthers. He should be fine to play on Sunday though he's of little value in fantasy now that rookie Doug Martin has claimed ownership of the team's starting halfback role. He ran the ball just three times for eight yards Sunday compared to Martin's 24 carries for 95 yards.
Description: Buccaneers rookie running back Doug Martin may see another big workload in Week 2 with backup LeGarrette Blount dealing with neck and back issues. Martin had a solid day in his pro debut, putting up 118 yards from scrimmage on 28 touches
Insight: The Giants, Tampa's opponent on Sunday, were ranked 19th in 2011 yielding 121.2 ypg and the Cowboys DeMarco Murray ran for 131 yards against New York in Week 1.
Description: The Bucs Josh Freeman only passed for 138 yards on 24 attempts in Week 1, but newly acquired wideout Vincent Jackson was targeted a team-high 10 times.
Insight: Jackson only produced 47 yards on four catches, but it's encouraging to know that Freeman was looking his way so often. This is not the time to trade Jackson in a panic move.
Description: Buccaneers rookie running back Doug Martin had a solid day in his pro debut, putting up 118 yards from scrimmage on 28 touches.
Insight: The Bucs leaned heavily on Martin, giving him 24 carries; he also caught four passes. The important thing for fantasy owners is that this is no timeshare -- backup LeGarrette Blount handled just three carries.
Description: According to the Tampa Bay Times, Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano confirmed Tuesday what we all knew already, that rookie running back Doug Martin outplayed LeGarrette Blount this preseason.
Insight: Schiano commended Blount for being a team player and said the third-year back "sees that he got outperformed" by Martin when watching the game tape from this preseason. Consider Martin a high-upside RB2 and Blount nothing more than waiver wire fodder going forward.
Description: Buccaneers guard Davin Joseph has been placed on injured reserve and will miss the entire 2012 season after suffering a broken kneecap and a torn patellar tendon in Friday's preseason game against the Patriots.
Insight: Joseph's absence could further hinder a Tampa Bay rushing attack that finished third-to-last in yards a season ago.
Description: Tampa Bay rookie running back Doug Martin is making his case to be the every down back by rushing for 53 yards on 13 carries and catching three balls in the Bucs most recent preseason game against New England.
Insight: It's looking more and more like Martin will get the 15-20 touches a game needed to become a "workhorse running back." Barring injury, LeGarrette Blount's days with significant fantasy value are over.
Description: Tampa Bay right guard Davin Joseph suffered a serious knee injury in Friday's exhibition game against the Patriots.
Insight: With Joseph out indefinitely, the Buccaneers offensive line could have a hard time protecting quarterback Josh Freeman from the pass rush this season. Joseph was selected to his second Pro Bowl last year and has long been considered the anchor of Tampa Bay's O-line. The Tampa Bay Times is reporting that Joseph's injury could be season-ending,
Description: Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano said it's not fair to compare rookie running back Doug Martin to Ray Rice yet even though Martin has "definitely reminded him of Rice at times" this preseason, according to the team's official Twitter page.
Insight: Rice played for Schiano at Rutgers and is now a superstar NFL running back. While it would be nice if Schiano could push Martin to those heights this season, the presence of LeGarrette Blount makes that unlikely. Still, Martin should be a solid RB2 this season.
Description: Buccaneers running back LeGarrette Blount (groin) was back at practice on Monday, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.
Insight: When you are fighting for your starting spot, there is no time to sit on the sidelines and heal. We still believe that rookie Doug Martin will win the majority of the workload by season's end, but at the start of the season he may share time with Blount.
Description: Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano said that running back LeGarrette Blount actually suffered a groin injury against the Titans, not a knee injury, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.
Insight: Blount was holding his knee when he left the field Friday, but he seems to have escaped with a minor groin injury. Still, he may miss the team's third preseason game and is running out of time to impress the coaching staff.
Description: Buccaneers halfback LeGarrette Blount was carted off the field after suffering a left knee injury Friday night in Tampa Bay's preseason game versus Tennessee.
Insight: Blount was seen on the sidelines without ice or a knee brace following the injury, which is definitely a good sign. We should know more about the extent of Blount's injury after the game. He finished the evening with 11 yards on eight carries.
Description: Tampa Bay receiver Mike Williams is apparently having a good training camp, including an improved work ethic, according to receivers coach P.J. Fleck.
SOURCE: Rick Stroud, Tampa Bay Times
Insight: Offseason reports had Preston Parker challenging for the spot. Even an improved Williams may not get back to 2010 levels (65-964-11) due to the arrival of Vincent Jackson and a head coach who loves the running game.
Description: Rookie running back Doug Martin didn't start, but was the third-down back for starter LeGarrette Blount before taking over with the second team. Martin rushed for 21 yards on seven carries and a score and caught a pass.
Insight: Blount is currently on top of the Tampa Bay depth chart, but that doesn't mean much in mid-August. Martin has the talent to be an every down back whereas Blount has never been part of the passing game. We like Martin to have the better fantasy season.
Description: According to an interview with coach Greg Schiano on WQAM-AM 560 in Miami, the Bucs head coach hopes that Martin wins the running back competition with LeGarrette Blount.
Insight: Blount is currently on top of the Tampa Bay depth chart, but that doesn't mean much in mid-August. Martin has the talent to be an every down back whereas Blount has never been part of the passing game. We like Martin to have the better fantasy season.
Description: After months of speculation that Doug Martin would be Tampa Bay's primary ballcarrier, LeGarrette Blount was listed as the No. 1 running back on the Buccaneers' first preseason depth chart Tuesday.
Insight: Both Martin and Blount have impressed in camp, but Martin has reportedly received most of the first-team reps (per team beat writers). We expect Martin to eclipse Blount on the depth chart sometime in the preseason.
Description: Tampa Bay receiver Mike Williams was listed as a starting receiver opposite newly acquired Vincent Jackson in the Bucs first depth chart release.
Insight: Offseason reports had Preston Parker challenging for the spot and that still may happen. Williams caught 65 balls for 771 yards and three scores in 2011 which was a significant drop from 2010 (65-964-11).
Description: According to official Buccaneers blog PewterReport.com, there is no clear-cut winner between LeGarrette Blount and Doug Martin for the starting running back job.
Insight: According to Bucs beat writer Dory LeBlanc, Martin's vision and anticipation set him apart from the other backs on the roster. Blount, meanwhile, had a nice block on Josh Freeman's blind side which allowed Freeman to complete a pass downfield. We expect Martin to get the job eventually, as he appears to be the more talented back as well as a fresh face that new coach Greg Schiano can sell to the fan base as they try to move away from last season's debacle.
Description: According to the Tampa Bay Times, Buccaneers rookie running back Doug Martin is taking a large majority of the first-team reps in practice, and he also received the bigger share of the reps when the Bucs ran a pass-protection drill Sunday.
Insight: While Tampa Bay won't release a depth chart for at least another week, it is looking more and more like Martin will be the lead back over last year's starter LeGarrette Blount.
Description: Eric LeGrand retired from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thurday. LeGrand, who was paralyzed from the neck down after an on-field collision playing for Rutgers University two years ago, had signed with the team on May 2.
Insight: Obviously LeGrand was never going to play because of his injury so he decided to retire to free up a roster spot as the Buccaneers begin training camp. LeGrand has made great strides in his recovery and was honored earlier this month at the ESPYs with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.
Description: Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back LeGarrette Blount has shown a great work ethic in the off season and new coach Greg Schiano may use him more than many expect. Amazing what the thought of losing your job to a rookie can do for your work ethic.
Insight: First-round draft choice Doug Martin has been the hot topic in the Bucs backfield, but Schiano is a big run-first guy and Blount may also be able to sustain a level to be fantasy-worthy. This one will be worth watching at camp and into the exhibition season.
Description: According to Scott Reynolds of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers blog PewterReport.com, Bucs running back LeGarrette Blount has been taking the majority of first-team reps at Tampa Bay's OTAs and the three-day mandatory mini-camp.
Insight: First-round draft choice Doug Martin has been worked in occasionally. Blount said he's been working on pass protection and hopes to impress as a pass-catcher this season as well. However, with Martin around Blount may have a difficult time duplicating the 1,007 yards he rushed for in 2010.
