Eric Wright Suspension Could Force Ronde Barber Back To Safety

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers penciled in free agent acquisition Eric Wright as one of their starting cornerbacks for the 2012 season. His arrest this week on felony suspicion of driving under the influence in Los Angeles could force Tampa head coach Greg Schiano to alter his plans, should Wright face a suspension. The Tampa Tribune reports that Ronde Barber could move back to corner if Wright is suspended.

Barber, 37, moved to safety this spring to help shore up the position for the Bucs. Barber's knack for the ball and declining skills at corner made it a natural move. If Wright is out for an extended period of time, Cody Grimm could take Barber's place next to rookie Mark Barron in the safety pairing.

Though to some it may read like a minor inconvenience, the player shuffling could be detrimental to the Bucs in the early season with matchups against Carolina, Dallas, Washington and the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

Tampa's other cornerback, Aqib Talib, is not out of the woods with the league yet either. A Texas judge dismissed his assault case in June, but he could still face league discipline.

For more on Eric Wright and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, visit SB Nation's Buccaneers blog Bucs Nation.

Buccaneers Issue Statement On Eric Wright DUI Arrest

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have issued a terse statement on the news of cornerback Eric Wright's arrest. The veteran corner was arrested early Monday morning in his native Los Angeles near the Staples Center on suspicion of felony DUI. The Bucs quick statement indicates that, like the rest of the world, they are aware of it and will be dealing with it accordingly. Via Bucs Nation:

"We are aware of the arrest and are in the process of gathering information. We take such matters very seriously and will handle it appropriately."

Wright has run into off-the-field issues before, specifically in his hometown in LA. With potential school disciplinary action coming, he transferred from USC to UNLV after being arrested on suspicion of rape. In that same investigation, police later reported finding 136 ecstasy pills in his apartment but charges were never filed against Wright. That incident dogged him during the 2007 pre-draft process but by all accounts, he had an exemplary career off the field at UNLV.

On Monday, Wright refused to submit to a field sobriety test or take a breathalyzer. It's unclear what the potential league and team action will be coming out of the incident.

For more on Eric Wright and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, visit SB Nation's Buccaneers blog Bucs Nation.

Eric Wright DUI: Buccaneers CB Arrested In L.A.

Buccaneers cornerback Eric Wright was arrested for a felony DUI on Monday morning, according to a report.