Jeff Garcia has been participating in the workouts, but Graham has been told to sit out to avoid injury. Graham has said that he cannot comment on the situation. It seems like he wants to rejoin the team, but is sitting out because his agent is telling him that this is the best solution.

Here’s what upsets me. I love Earnest Graham, and will always be grateful of what he did for the Bucs last season, but does he really deserve to hold out? Last season was his best, having never been much but a special teams guy before. He didn’t even have a full season to prove himself, and while he ran for almost 1,000 yards, does that really qualify him for a huge extension? How do we know that he wasn’t a one-hit wonder? I hate to think this way about him, but it seems to greedy to me.

On the other hand, is this all the doing of his agent? We all know Rosenhaus to be a blood-thirsty shark with no regard for human life. The possibility of him brainwashing Graham to believe he deserves the extension is more likely than Graham believing that he is worthy of it.

Whatever the problem is, I hope that the Bucs can fix it soon. They’ll need Earnest Graham, especially if Warrick Dunn suffers injury. The quicker this is resolved, the better. That way, Graham can get in all the workouts he needs.

“It’s a long progress, but I’ve come a long way,” he said. “Earlier on, there were bumps in the road. But now, things are starting to smooth out. I’m starting to do things on the field, a little cutting here and there. I’m just taking it day by day, just continuing to work and seeing how the process goes. We’re going to make a decision in July and take it from there.”

There is a chance that the Bucs will place him on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which will take him off of the roster. Being on this list however, he can return to the active roster when he is ready.

“Didn’t finish it in Tampa, didn’t get 100, didn’t catch Lee Roy.”

The 100 refers to 100 career sacks; Sapp retired with 99. When he said that he didn’t catch Lee Roy, he is referring to Lee Roy Selmon, who holds the Buccaneers sack record with 78.5. Sapp left the Bucs with 77. He may be going into the Hall of Fame as a Raider, but knowing that he regrets leaving Tampa eases the pain. 

The Bucs added a quarterback to their roster, possibly leaving Simms out in the cold. They will only take five quarterbacks to training camp, and Simms would be on the shortlist. A very popular theory as to why the Bucs didn’t trade Simms away, is because they don’t know his trade value. He was out all of last year and the majority of 2006. All they have to go on is his performance from 2005, when he led the Bucs to an NFC South title. There is also the possibility that the Bucs will hold onto him throughout training camp, or at least until his stock rises, and a better deal is offered.

Simms has been working out on his own for five months now, and skipped the first round of voluntary workouts. He is either being really selfish, and wants out of Tampa, or he truly believes that what he is doing works.

Aqib Talib: #25 (#3 in college)

Dexter Jackson: #1 (#2 in college)

Jeremy Zuttah: #76 (#71 in college)

Dre Moore: #67 (#92 in college)

Josh Johnson: #11 (#11 in college)

Geno Hayes: #45 (#10 in college)

Cory Boyd: #39 (#3 in college)

Many of the numbers are conflicting, either because they are already occupied, or that position player can’t wear that number. As a cornerback, Talib can’t wear #3. As a running back, Boyd can’t wear #3. There would be a problem with the two of them competing for that number. Also, that number is currently worn by Matt Bryant. Dexter Jackson can’t wear #2, which is worn by Chris Simms. However, that number might be freed up before long. The numbers 71 (Zuttah) and 92 (Moore) are both taken, worn by Jovan Haye and Charles Bennett, respectively. Geno Hayes can’t wear #10 as a linebacker, not to mention the fact that #10 is being worn by Taye Biddle. Josh Johnson was lucky enough to get his number.

As most Bucs fans know, Dexter Jackson is the name of a former player, one Super Bowl MVP. This is not the first time that has happened. On the Bucs all-time roster, there are four namesakes that have appeared twice.

• Steve Young was a quarterback for the Bucs, and an eventual Hall of Fame member. The other Steve Young was a tackle on the inaugural Bucs team. He started eleven games.
• Anthony Davis was a Heisman winning running back at USC, where he played under John McKay. He played in eleven games in his Tampa career. The other Anthony Davis is a tackle who is still on the team. He played in only 9 games last year, after playing all 16 the previous two years.
• Brian Clark was a kicker in the 1982 season. He played in one game with the Buccaneers, but didn’t attempt an extra point or a field goal. The other Brian Clark was promoted from the practice squad, only to play in one game in 2007. He recorded three special teams tackles in the postseason.
• The first Dexter Jackson was a safety for the Bucs from 1999-2002, and then 2004-2005. He had 8 interceptions and 274 tackles in his time with Tampa. He will always be celebrated as the MVP of Super Bowl XXXVII.

Only time will tell what this Dexter Jackson can do. Also, Aqib Talib is probably safe as the only Aqib Talib to be on the Bucs all-time roster.

Chris Clark, OT, Southern Mississippi

Jonathan Hefney, S/CB, Tennessee

Elbert Mack, CB, Troy

Carl Stewart, FB, Auburn

Tyrice Thompson, TE, Arizona State

There is no word yet as to whether or not they are still with the team. Among the 38 others, some of the notables are:

Tommy Blake, DE, TCU

Art Carmody, K, Louisville

Sam Keller, QB, Nebraska

The Bucs draft picks all participated in the weekend rookie mini-camps, many of them to great compliments. Dexter Jackson was limited for much of it, due to what is being called a hamstring injury.

Update 5/06:

The Bucs have signed four of their tryout players to free agent contracts. They are:

Amarri Jackson, WR, USF

Chris Bradwell, DT, Troy

John Rochford, C, Miami

Clifton Smith, RB, Fresno State

The Bucs seventh round pick, Cory Boyd, didn’t participate in the rookie mini-camps because of injury. If Smith can prove to be an asset, he just might stick around. There is also a lot of attention on Jackson, a USF product. A local favorite, he might stick around on the roster if he proves to be quality.

The Bucs only want 5 quarterbacks to take to training camp, and they have 6 right now, not including Jake Plummer. Jeff Garcia and Brian Griese are safe. Luke McCown will probably keep his job. They just grabbed Josh Johnson, and I don’t think they drafted him just to trade him. Chris Simms has more value than Gradkowski, so if someone doesn’t make the cut, it should be Gradkowski. Unfortunately, he probably doesn’t have enough value to be traded. In my opinion, they should just let him go, and cut their losses. Other teams are inquiring interest in Simms, Griese, and even McCown. The latter two won’t go anywhere.

This could turn into an interesting situation. The Bucs knew that they only wanted 5 quarterbacks in training camp. They also probably knew that they were going to draft one. Why didn’t they just cut Gradkowski before the draft and save themselves the headache? Simms hasn’t played in almost two years, so hanging on to him might prove to be a questionable move. I like Simms, and if I had it my way, he would stay. Gradkowski is worthless, and there is no team dumb enough to take him. Cut him, and let him make a living playing Arena Football.

Dan LeFevour, QB, Central Michigan

One of the hidden gems in college football, LeFevour is a real star. In case you didn’t know, LeFevour became only the second player in Division 1 FBS history to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a single season. He will only be a junior, but he already holds Central Michigan’s career records for passing yards, completions, touchdown passes, and total offense. He is seventh in school history in rushing touchdowns. He also holds single-season records for passing yards, completions, attempts, touchdown passes and total offense. He ranks second in single-season rushing touchdowns and touchdowns scored. He has earned several conference and player of the week awards. In two seasons, he has completed 64.7% of his passes for 6,683 yards and 53 touchdowns, for a QB rating of 138.80. He has also run the ball 320 times for 1,643 yards and 26 touchdowns. A true duel threat, LeFevour had better stats than Tim Tebow, the Heisman Trophy winner. Look for this kid to be a big star.

Chase Daniel, QB, Missouri

Finishing 4th in the Heisman Trophy race, and leading his team to their best season ever, Chase Daniel is truly a good quarterback. He was named the 2007 Offensive Player of the Year in the Big 12, the first Missouri player to have that honor. In three years, Daniel has completed 66.3% of his passes for 8,044 yards and 62 touchdowns. His quarterback rating is the best in Mizzou history, at 145.75. Daniel owns several records, and needs only 620 yards to become Missouri’s all-time passing yards leader. He had a record setting 2007 season, throwing for 4,306 yards and 33 touchdowns. He completed 68.2% of his passes. He will be a pre-season Heisman and All-American favorite. He is a tremendous player, and could be one of the top quarterbacks in the draft.

Graham Harrell, QB, Texas Tech

Harrell is another underrated quarterback who needs to be known. The guy throws for almost 600 yards every game (or at least it seems like it!) In his sophomore season, he threw for 4,555 yards, the third-most for a sophomore QB in NCAA history, and was the first to do so in Big 12 history. The highlight of that season was the Insight Bowl. Trailing 38-14, Harrell led his team to an overtime victory, winning the game 44-41. It was the largest come-from-behind victory in NCAA FBS bowl history. He was the MVP of the 2007 Gator Bowl, after leading another come from behind victory over Virginia, as the Red Raiders scored 17 points in the 4th quarter. In three seasons, Harrell has completed 69.4% of his passes for 10,682 yards, averaging 333.8 yards per game. He threw for 400+ yards in all but two games in his junior season, recording 14 career 400 yard games. The Sammy Baugh award winner will be a Heisman favorite this season, and will leave Texas Tech with every passing record.

Rudy Carpenter, QB, Arizona State

In a division where he is overshadowed by other quarterbacks, Carpenter is one of the best in the nation. The leader among active Pac-10 quarterbacks in pass attempts, completions, yards, and touchdowns, he completed an NCAA freshman record 68.4% of his passes. In playing three years and starting 31 consecutive games, Carpenter has completed 61.2% of his passes for 7,998 yards and 65 touchdowns. His 65 touchdowns is second in school history. Carpenter could be one of the breakout stars of the draft.

Ian Johnson, RB, Boise State

If you don’t know this guy, you’re probably living under a rock. I think you all remember his heroics in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. I think you also all remember his romantic side. In his sophomore season, Johnson led his Boise State Broncos to a perfect 12-0 season, and a shocking upset over the Oklahoma Sooners in the Fiesta Bowl. After the 2006 season, he led the NCAA with 24 touchdowns. In that season, he set the Boise State single-season rushing record with 1,713 yards. He was second in the nation in rushing yards. In his junior season, he ran for 1,030 yards and 16 touchdowns, despite a bruised kidney. He became just the fourth rusher in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards in two separate seasons. He is fourth in career rushing at the school, and second in rushing touchdowns. So far, Johnson has run the ball 599 times for 3,406 yards and 46 touchdowns. A dark horse candidate, Johnson could bust out of the gates at any time.  

Tyrell Sutton, RB, Northwestern

Even though he has been bothered by injury, Sutton is still one of the top backs in the nation. In only two full seasons, he is the Big 10’s second active rusher, and holds his name in several places in Northwestern’s all-time lists. In his career, Sutton has ran the ball 547 times for 2,996 yards and 25 touchdowns, averaging 96.6 yards per game. Still a big powerhouse, Sutton has one more year to prove how valuable he can be.

Maybe one of these days these players will wind up with the Buccaneers. Maybe they could be outstanding stars. Maybe they’ll all be busts. One thing is for sure. The 2009 Draft Class is looking exciting already.