SB Nation Tampa Bay - Morris: Stroughter Suited For Slot Receiverhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49019/tb-fave.png2010-08-27T19:24:23-04:00http://tampabay.sbnation.com/rss/stream/13601892010-08-27T19:24:23-04:002010-08-27T19:24:23-04:00Buccaneers To Line Receiver Sammie Stroughter Up In Slot
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<p>Despite being just 5’10" and only 180 pounds, the <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/tampa-bay-buccaneers-receiver-sammie-stroughter-to-line-up-in-slot/1117777" target="new">Tampa Bay Buccaneers play to deploy wide receiver Sammie Stroughter in the slot</a> this coming season. Head coach Raheem Morris has stated that Stroughter is the most likely candidate to be named the No. 2 receiver opposite Mike Williams, but Morris feels like Stroughter is well suited to do work over the middle of the field:</p>
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<p>“Inside that slot, it takes a little bit of a different man,” Morris said. “It takes a guy with a big heart to go in there and who is not afraid.”</p>
<p>Stroughter, a seventh-round pick in 2009, also has potential to be a dynamic kick returner. He averaged 29.5 yards on 11 kickoffs last season. But if Stroughter starts at receiver, he might return punts and kicks only in certain situations to take some wear and tear off of his smaller frame.</p>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/8/27/1654839/tampa-bay-buccaneers-to-line-receiver-sammie-stroughter-in-slotMichael Bean2010-08-19T21:44:18-04:002010-08-19T21:44:18-04:00Raheem Morris Doesn't Want To Hear About Low Expectations
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<p>Yes, the Tampa Bay Bucacneers are one of the NFL’s youngest and least experienced teams. And yes, the Bucs are coming off a season in which they won just three games under first year head coach Raheem Morris. But that doesn’t mean that Morris is willing to accept a dismal fate for his team in 2010. Just two days before his team’s second preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2010/aug/19/bc-fbn-buccaneers-preview/?sports&nfl">Morris reiterated that he believes that his young group can make big strides and be competitive each week</a>:</p>
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<p>“Last year doesn’t matter right now. We’re 0-0,” Morris said, adding that dwelling on 2009 does about as much good as pointing out the 2002 Bucs won the Super Bowl.</p>
<p>“You can’t go back and dig up a championship, just like you can’t dig up a bad season. The message that I give these guys is we’re getting ready to get in the starting blocks … and it’s a race to 10 wins for the whole league. Once you get there, you give yourself a chance to get into postseason play.”</p>
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<p>Hey, it may be a longshot to think about playoffs for this year’s squad, but like Morris said, everybody’s 0-0 and in the hunt for now.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/8/19/1632621/tampa-bay-buccaneers-preseason-raheem-morris-doesnt-want-to-hearMichael Bean2010-08-18T11:27:42-04:002010-08-18T11:27:42-04:00Clifton Smith Battling Injury, Huggins, Ward
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<p>From <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bucs/content/bucs-clifton-smith-battling-tight-competition">Tampabay.com</a></p>
<p>Running back Clifton Smith said he plans to get back on the field this week after missing last week’s practices and the preseason opener with a hamstring injury.</p>
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<p>“I’m going to definitely go this week,” Smith said. “I was counting back and it’s been about nine months since I last played in a game (he went on IR last season after two concussions). I’m excited and I’m ready to get back out there and play. I’m tired of sitting out and watching my teammates have fun.”</p>
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<p>But Smith is attempting to fight off some competition, too.</p>
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<p>In the backfield, he has stiff competition from Kareem Huggins, who has probably overtaken Smith for now and is a threat to No. 2 Derrick Ward, too. And even as a return man, Smith acknowledged he has work to do in his effort to retain his kick- and punt-return duties. That’s where he’s fighting with accomplished returners Sammie Stroughter and Micheal Spurlock as well as newcomer Preston Parker.</p>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/8/18/1629522/clifton-smith-battling-injuryGregg Burrage2010-08-13T12:00:28-04:002010-08-13T12:00:28-04:00Morris: Bucs Ready For Action
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<p>Thursday Camp Notes: The Bucs’ young and enthusiastic roster passed a Raheem Morris test Thursday, telling the coach his <a href="http://prod.www.buccaneers.clubs.nfl.com/news/article-1/Willing-and-Able/cd5cb52a-eb2f-4c55-ac36-75207eee26f4">players are ready</a> for the upcoming games.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/8/13/1621413/morris-bucs-ready-for-actionGregg Burrage2010-08-12T14:42:47-04:002010-08-12T14:42:47-04:00Rookie Wide Receiver Mike Williams Not Satisfied With Early Accomplishments
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<p>Rookie wide receiver Mike Williams fell to the fourth round of the 2010 draft this past April for reasons unrelated to physical talent and ability. Injuries and character concerns were responsible for sliding down teams’ boards. So it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that <a href="http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/aug/12/rookie-wr-williams-not-satisfied-starting-spot/sports-bucs/" target="new">Williams has for now earned himself a starting role in Tampa Bay’s young offense</a>. It certainly doesn’t to him.</p>
<p>Williams, who will be the team’s ‘X’ receiver during Tampa Bay’s first preseason game against the Miami Dolphins, had this to say about the accomplishment:</p>
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<p>“I’m not satisfied. Even if I was to go out there and be No. 1 on opening day, that’s not my goal,” Williams said. "My goal is to be rookie of the year and help this team. I’ll be satisfied after that and proving all those people wrong about me off the field.</p>
<p>“I’m not satisfied with that [depth chart]. That’s just a step toward the right direction.”</p>
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<p>Talk is cheap, but for now, Bucs’ fans have to be excited about the young kid’s confidence, talent and drive to be great.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/8/12/1619866/tampa-bay-buccaneers-training-camp-rookie-wide-receiver-mike-williamsMichael Bean2010-08-10T19:33:30-04:002010-08-10T19:33:30-04:00Cadillac Williams Continues Quest To Get Career Back On Track
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<p>When he first stormed onto the scene as a rookie in 2005 and rushed for over 1,110 yards, it appeared that running back Cadillac Williams was destined for a monster career. Well, things change in the <span class="caps">NFL</span>, particularly at the running back position where it’s so remarkably difficult to stay healthy. Williams played a full 16 game schedule last year for the first time in his career, but the Cadillac had been kept in the garage for the most part in ’07 and ’08 when he played a total of only 10 games.</p>
<p><a href="http://sportsradiointerviews.com/2010/08/10/the-caddy-is-out-of-the-garage-and-is-looking-to-be-one-of-the-top-running-backs-in-the-league/" target="new">Williams joined the airwaves in Tampa on Monday</a> to talk about staying healthy again this year and putting up even better numbers now that Tampa’s offense appears like it will be more versatile and consistent in ‘10. Here’s an interesting quote or two from the Caddy during the interview on <span class="caps">WDAE</span>.</p>
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<p><b>On how big it has been for him this offseason to not have to deal with injuries</b>:</p>
<p><i>"Oh wow. That’s big. Coming from two knee injuries and rehabbing to get ready for the season not kinda knowing how my knee is going to react and not really working on my skills, but just really working to get back on the field and then this offseason a little more me. Working on my skills and at the same time continuing to strengthen my knees, but more or less focusing on my skill set. It’s a totally, totally different mindset."</i></p>
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<p><b>On whether or not he feels like he can be the featured back in Tampa Bay</b>:</p>
<p><i>"First of all, I think the opportunity is going be there for me to do it this year at an elite class. I think as a whole and as team we’re going to play much better. Coach Olsen came in with his scheme, we’ve been in it, we’re clicking like an offense, and I think we’re going to be much more competitive, we’re all gonna get more carries and things. I feel the more carries I have, the more I’m going to produce."</i></p>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/8/10/1616502/tampa-bay-buccaneers-training-campcadillac-williams-eager-to-getMichael Bean2010-08-10T19:24:01-04:002010-08-10T19:24:01-04:00Buccaneers Add Two, Drop Two On Tuesday
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<p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have <a href="http://www.digitalsportsdaily.com/nfl/news/2816-buccaneers-add-tight-end-.html" target="new">claimed reserve tight end Martin Rucker</a> off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles and signed safety Vince Anderson, who became the first <span class="caps">NAIA</span> player to ever sign a professional contract in the <span class="caps">NFL</span>. The Buccaneers released defensive end George Johnson and wide receiver Mario Urrutia to make room for the two additions.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/8/10/1616484/buccaneers-add-two-drop-two-onMichael Bean2010-08-10T13:24:35-04:002010-08-10T13:24:35-04:00Bucs Practices Hot, Hot, Hot
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<p>Which <span class="caps">NFL</span> teams have to battle the heat the most each summer? Compiling National Weather Service 1971-2000 average August temperatures, high temperatures, and number of 90-degree days, The Weather Channel came up with a list of the top <a href="http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/news/articles/football-top10-hottest-training-camps_2010-07-25">10 hottest <span class="caps">NFL</span> training camps</a>.</p>
<p>Your Tampa Bay <a href="http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/news/articles/football-top10-hottest-training-camps_2010-07-25?page=9">Buccaneers have the third-hottest training camp in the <span class="caps">NFL</span></a>:</p>
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<p>During the regular season, Tampa has the league’s most 90-degree days of any <span class="caps">NFL</span> city without a retractable-roof or domed stadium (19 days). With an average August high of 90 degrees and morning lows in the muggy middle 70s, training camp isn’t a breeze either.</p>
<p>This may serve the Bucs well in their 2010 schedule. All four pre-season games are in the heat of Florida or Texas. Two of their first three regular season games are at home. The other, in potentially warm Charlotte against the Carolina Panthers.</p>
<p>Tampa is also the wettest <span class="caps">NFL</span> training camp site, on average. While taking an edge off the heat, you could argue the typical Florida thunderstorm simply adds to the humidity.</p>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/8/10/1615634/bucs-practices-hot-hot-hotGregg Burrage