We here at the Bucstop would like to welcome back a starter, and welcome in at least one future stud.
Armando Allen Jr.
Position: Running Back
Years Pro: Rookie
College: Notre Dame
Acquired: 2011 Undrafted Free Agent
Size: 5’10, 190 lbs
Pros: Work-horse, strong for his size
Cons: Coming off double hip surgery, doesn’t have breakaway speed
2011 Outlook: The Buccaneers need a running back, so if Allen can prove he is healthy and can play special teams, he has an outside chance, but more likely he is a pre-season tackling dummy.
Future Outlook: Allen would have to prove he is healthy, fast, and durable to have a shot to be a long-term player on the Bucs.
Matthew Allen
Position: Center
Years Pro: Rookie
College: Texas A&M
Acquired: 2011 Undrafted Free Agent
Size: 6’3, 295 lbs
Pros: Good size, plus speed for a center, benched 225 25 times
Cons: I honestly couldn’t find much on this guy, which can’t be a good sign
2011 Outlook: Dominik has a knack for turning undrafted offensive linemen into players, and the Bucs may have a need for an interior lineman. If there is an open roster spot, it is Allen’s to gain, or lose
Future Outlook: Allen has a long way to go to become the next Ted Larson. Think about that last sentence for a second. Do you think Ted Larson ever thought in his wildest dreams anyone would utter the phrase “the next Ted Larson”? I thought not.
Quintin Borders
Position: Offensive Tackle/Guard
Years Pro: Rookie
College: Union College (KY)
Acquired: 2011 Undrafted Free Agent
Size: 6’5, 318 lbs
Pros: Versatile, started a game in which his team scored 84 points, huge
Cons: Couldn’t hack it at Colorado, or as Dan Hawkins would say, in “DIVISION 1 FOOTBALL! IT’S THE BIG 12!”
2011 Outlook: Again, this looks like the Mark Dominik special. A lineman who can play tackle or guard and is rather large. Having played in D-1AA (or FCS or whatever it is called this year), he needs to prove himself and could be a project.
Future Outlook: As a project, Borders can be given the time to improve himself. If he takes advantage of this opportunity, Dominik will find a place for him. More likely, he isn’t around the active roster in September.
READ MORE for Cory Brandon, Aaron Feld, Brandon Heath, Devin Holland, Mossis Madu, Jock Sanders, Christian Yount, Quincy Black and Da’Quan Bowers
Cory Brandon
Position: Offensive Tackle
Years Pro: Rookie
College: Oklahoma
Acquired: 2011 Undrafted Free Agent
Size: 6’7, 324 lbs
Pros: Woah doggie, 6’7? Now that is huge! Starter at Oklahoma always means good things
Cons: Dropped from starter and Outland Award watch list to 3rd string during 2010 summer camps
2011 Outlook: There has to be a reason Brandon dropped so far down the depth chart in 2010. If it was physical, Brandon will be gone by September. If it was mental, the Bucs seem to have great motivation tactics and this guy would fit in well.
Future Outlook: I sure am hoping that Brandon’s issues last year are past him, because this guy is a mauler on the line when he plays. If he can get past his issues, this guy is a diamond in the rough, and that rough has to be very big to hide Brandon.
Aaron Feld
Position: Long Snapper
Years Pro: Rookie
College: Mississippi State
Acquired: 2011 Undrafted Free Agent
Size: 6’1, 230 lbs
Pros: He can get the ball back to the punter, proposed to his GF on field (photo)!
Cons: All he can do is get the ball back to the punter, only 5 special teams tackles all of last season
2011 Outlook: Do the Bucs have another healthy long snapper? Nope? You’re hired, unless they find somebody better or Andrew Economos gets healthy.
Future Outlook: Temporary replacement for Andrew Economos until he is healthy.
Brandon Heath
Position: Linebacker
Years Pro: Rookie
College: Louisville
Acquired: 2011 Undrafted Free Agent
Size: 6’1, 228 lbs
Pros: Hybrid between LB and Safety, versatile
Cons: Too small to be linebacker, too slow to be safety
2011 Outlook: Brandon, I suggest you practice kickoff and punt coverage if you want a shot
Future Outlook: Keep practicing kickoff and punt coverage
Devin Holland
Position: Safety
Years Pro: Rookie
College: Mcneese State
Acquired: 2011 Undrafted Free Agent
Size: 5’11, 197 lbs
Pros: Fast, runs a 4.3 40
Cons: Needs some size to play his natural position, Strong Safety, in the pros
2011 Outlook: His speed will stand out, but will need to make sure he makes tackles on special teams to make the team. He could be an early-season replacement for the suspended Tanard Jackson
Future Outlook: I am curious if this guy can learn to play Cornerback, because with his speed, he can be an asset down the road. My guess is he struggles to hang in September.
Mossis Madu
Position: Running Back
Years Pro: Rookie
College: Oklahoma
Acquired: 2011 Undrafted Free Agent
Size: 5’11, 200 lbs
Pros: Can also return kicks, has speed, runner up for best name of new acquisitions
Cons: Has fumblitis, has history with the law (DWI)
2011 Outlook: Madu has the makings of an NFL running back, if he can hold onto the football. If the Bucs just hadn’t inked Spurlock, he would compete for starting KR job. He is probably competing for depth or practice squad as RB and KR.
Future Outlook: If he catches a few lucky breaks, Madu can get his shot to crack the lineup this year or next. As Bucs fans, we should hope he doesn’t catch those breaks, as those will probably involve some legs.
Jock Sanders
Position: Wide Receiver
Years Pro: Rookie
College: West Virginia
Acquired: 2011 Undrafted Free Agent
Size: 5’6, 181 lbs
Pros: Durable, fast, and a producer, wins the contest for best name of new acquisitions
Cons: Small, very small, comes from non-pro offense
2011 Outlook: With the WR depth the Bucs have, Sanders needs to wow some people with his ability to catch balls in traffic and make the difficult catch to have a shot
Future Outlook: With his size, I don’t see Sanders as a long-term solution as WR for the Bucs
Christian Yount
Position: Long Snapper
Years Pro: Rookie
College: UCLA
Acquired: 2011 Undrafted Free Agent
Size: 6’0, 258 lbs
Pros: First Long Snapper to make the Playboy pre-season All America team
Cons: His life peaked when being named to Playboy pre-season All America team
2011 Outlook: Mr. Yount, meet your competition, Mr. Feld
Future Outlook: See: Future outlook of Aaron Feld
Quincy Black
Position: Outside Linebacker
Years Pro: 4
College: New Mexico
Acquired: 2007 Draft, 3rd Round
Size: 6’2, 240 lbs
Pros: Very strong tackler, can penetrate the line, plus blitzer, experienced
Cons: Coming off an injury, part of the cursed 2007 Buccaneer draft
2011 Outlook: Black can be written in pen as the starting Strong Side Linebacker
Future Outlook: With the payday Black just received, the Buccaneers made a statement Black is their guy at Strong Side Linebacker for the next 4 years minimum
Da’Quan Bowers
Position: Defensive End
Years Pro: Rookie
College: Clemson
Acquired: 2011 Draft, 2nd Round
Size: 6’3, 280 lbs
Pros: All purpose animal, explosive, strong, motivated
Cons: Coming off a major injury that caused him to slide to 2nd round, long-term durability a question
2011 Outlook: Rookie defensive linemen usually take some time to get ready for the season, unless that rookie is a man-beast. Look for Bowers to have an immediate impact, much like Mike Williams did on offense last season
Future Outlook: The biggest question-mark will be Bowers’ long term durability, as his knee injury will eventually force surgery. The Bucs should expect 4 quality years out of Bowers, and the rest is bonus. This stud will be a lot of fun to watch for those 4 years.
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