Buccaneers Fantasy News

Jamaal Charles will "stack Pro Bowls on Pro Bowls" in new offense
Sunday, June 9, 2013, 6:40pm

“This offense might be the best thing that ever happened to me,” Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles said. “I think this offense will get me open. They’re going to throw me the ball more. I think I’ll continue to stack Pro Bowls on Pro Bowls if I can stay healthy.

“I definitely know my role. I’ve got a lot of stuff to program in my mind right now. There’s a lot of stuff in the Andy Reid offense, the same stuff he did with [Brian Westbrook] and [LeSean McCoy], and I think I fit his scheme as well as they did. Definitely more studying and definitely more knowing the scheme of the defense, especially when I go out there and play another position like wide receiver. I go in there and try to read the defense. I feel like this year it will be more than I catch out of the backfield.”

In drafting Knile Davis, the Chiefs may be preparing for the eventual end of Charles’ career. But judging by how they used Charles in offseason practice, they don’t see that time coming soon.

Saturday, June 8, 2013, 10:44am

Chargers QB Philip Rivers, 31, seems determined to show he can be a better version of the quarterback that once led the NFL in passing yards (2010) and touchdowns (2008), and not the one who threw 25 interceptions, lost 12 fumbles and was sacked 79 times in the past two seasons.

He told USA TODAY Sports he has been reinvigorated by the new offense of head coach Mike McCoy and offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt.

"I think my best football is ahead of me, I really do," Rivers said. "That's being optimistic, because we've had a lot of really good years. I am probably on the second half of my career, the back end, but I think I've got a lot of good football left.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013, 8:58pm

Victor Cruz is eventually going to sign a contract and Hakeem Nicks will soon show up to work, no matter how worrisome those situations may seem.

The reality is big contracts rarely get done until there’s a deadline — such as June 17 when the Giants can reduce Cruz’s tender offer from $2.879 million to $630,000. There remains optimism on both sides that a deal will eventually be reached, and it’s a pretty good bet that he’ll either have a new contract or sign his tender by then

Rivera: Steve Smith looks "like he's 25" in OTAs
Sunday, May 26, 2013, 11:18am

Panthers HC Ron Rivera said WR Steve Smith has looked like he's 25 again during OTAs. Rivera said the veteran wideout has been diving for balls--something the coaching staff isn't wild about. And even though we're more than three months from Week One, he still shows his frustration when the ball doesn't come his way.

Michael Crabtree has a torn Achilles
Wednesday, May 22, 2013, 1:58pm

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree suffered a torn Achilles tendon during organized team activities Tuesday and will soon undergo what could be season-ending surgery, a person informed of the injury told USA TODAY Sports.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the 49ers haven't commented on the injury, which used to be an automatic season-ender but has since become one that can sometimes be rehabbed in a matter of months -- as Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Da'Quan Bowers did last year.

Both players tore the tendon in the spring and returned to the field after starting the year on the physically unable to perform list.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013, 10:15am

The good news for CB Darrelle Revis and the Bucs (and the bad news for everyone they play) is that Revis now has clearance to cut and change directions.

“I feel very confident,” Revis tells Andrea Kremer of NFL Network in the latest installment of Health of the Game: Project Revis. “If Todd tells me to cut, I am cutting. I am not trying to think about [it].”

Revis remains confident that he’ll return to the form that made him the best cornerback in the league.

Schiano "not against" Mike Glennon winning QB job
Monday, May 20, 2013, 10:14am

Buccaneers HC Greg Schiano said he believes QB Mike Glennon “can play quickly” if he is needed. “But our situation will be only if he’s needed,” he said. “Or if he wins the job. Look, I’m not against that. We have a starting quarterback. It’s not like we’re looking to find a starter. But competition is competition. Mike Glennon is a fierce competitor. I knew that when he was coming out of high school. Now being able to work with him a little, you can see it on the practice field.”

“He has pocket presence, ability to feel the rush and move in the pocket,” Schiano said. “He can extend the play. Can he tuck the ball and run away from people? No. He is not going to be the guy who makes the 30 yard run. Can he tuck it and keep himself safe? Yes, he shows that he does that on college tape a lot. He takes off to run to get out of bounds.”

OC Gruden: Gio Bernard will compete "for the third-down spot"
Saturday, May 4, 2013, 10:03am

OC Jay Gruden loves the pick of North Carolina running back Giovani Bernard in the second round. He's a three-down back, Gruden says, who upgrades the Cincinnati passing game with an exciting sizzle.

"We had a need and we filled it with two guys. Bernard and [Rex Burkhead] are both good in that role," Gruden says. "They'll be competing for the third-down spot."

Gruden covets Bernard's versatility, and his size, 5-9, 205 pounds, he says, is no different than three-down backs coming into the league. Like Tampa Bay's 5-9, 220-pound Doug Martin in the last draft: "(Bernard) ran the ball in and outside zones and caught it as well. A lot of guys his size are doing it."

Josh Freeman the clear starter in Tampa
Monday, April 29, 2013, 10:02pm

HC Greg Schiano on QB Mike Glennon: “Competition and quality depth across our roster is critical for us to be a championship team. I think that applies to every position. I’m looking forward to it; I think that’s going to make us a better football team.

“He fits the things we’re trying to do – run the football, play-action pass, throw the ball down the field like we did this past season. You always want to be able to do that. God forbid something were to happen to Josh, you want to be able to continue with your offensive philosophy if you can. You can’t always do that.”

Patriots acquire LeGarrette Blount
Sunday, April 28, 2013, 12:21pm

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a run at Jeff Demps last year after the London Olympics but had jumped in too late because he already had made a commitment to the New England Patriots.

Saturday, the Bucs got Demps in a swap of running backs, sending LeGarrette Blount to Foxborough in exchange for Demps and a seventh-round draft pick.

Jets, Bucs have trade in place for Darrelle Revis
Sunday, April 21, 2013, 2:30pm

Are the New York Jets close to moving Darrelle Revis? It appears so.

The Jets have granted the cornerback permission to visit with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and take a physical, a Jets source told NFL.com's Albert Breer. ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the news. Breer reported that the physical is expected be given Sunday.

Revis is rehabbing from a torn ACL he suffered last season. The Buccaneers, who will want to know as much about the knee before committing to a trade for Revis, hold the No. 13 slot in the 2013 NFL Draft and likely would have to give up that and a second-rounder. Another later pick is probable. The Jets already own the No. 9 spot.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013, 1:29pm

The Buccaneers signed WR Steve Smith to a one-year deal.

Saturday, March 9, 2013, 11:42am

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed potential restricted free agent LeGarrette Blount to a one-year contract extension.

The team has announced the move. But a source said Blount will receive $1.25 million in base salary. He also can earn a $350,000 reporting bonus and a $150,000 workout bonus.

Monday, March 4, 2013, 10:04am

Former coach Pat Shurmur and his staff were not thrilled with WR Josh Gordon's approach during the 2012 training camp. The coaches taught him how to prepare for practice and film work. He seemed to believe his immense natural talent was enough. By midseason, they thought Gordon had made enormous progress, with former offensive coordinator Brad Childress praising Gordon for "always carrying his notebook" and taking notes.

But at the NFL Combine last week, CEO Joe Banner said: "I think Josh has to keep working hard and improving. ... A top-of-the-second-round pick on a wide receiver, you would hope by the second or third year you'd have a big, big impact player."

Gordon did not finish strong, having only eight catches for 73 yards in his final three games. He had only one touchdown in his last nine games.

Friday, February 22, 2013, 6:24pm

Rams GM Les Snead says WR Brian Quick made big plays during the year, expects more from him in year two. Knew the transition (from a small college) would be an issue.