Rising and Falling

I'd like to take a quick look at some players who's stock is rising and some players who's stock is falling. I'll take five from Offense, and five from defense. There is no particular order.


Falling:

Torrie Cox - Torrie? Torrie? Torrie? Anyone? Where's Torrie Cox? Is he even in camp? Talk about a guy that has fallen off the face of the earth, I haven't heard this guy's name at all. With the rising level of play by one Alan Zemaitis, Cox is certainly in jeopardy of losing his roster spot. In my humble opinion, Cox has been a guy that has graced the Buccs roster out of necessity rather than due to his ability. With his troubled off field past, I fully expect Zemaitis to take Cox's spot even if Cox has a better camp, as long as the race is close.

Bruce Gradkowski - After a dismal performance once Grads got the opportunity to start last season, many fans expected him to build off of that valuable experience and come into 2007's camp a hungry man. Well the hunger may be there, but the ability sure hasn't been. While he has made some good plays in camp, he has been replaced by Luke McCown when it comes to reps for the back-up spot during drills. He's showing a serious lack of accuracy in his deep throws as expected, but now it seems he can't hit his intermediate throws either. He's been overthrowing, skipping balls off the turf or missing his wide receivers by two or three feet to the right and left. It certainly makes sense that Grads is a better fit in Jon Gruden's scheme, so it's expected that Bruce will claim the third QB spot, but if Simms can recover in time by the end of camp and throughout the preseason Grads could be unemployed.

Jermaine Phillips - JP had a sub-par season last year, often getting caught out of position and allowing receivers to get behind him. Poor tackling also plagued him, which is unacceptable in a Monte Kiffen run defense. Phillips is still expected to start, but it's not etched in stone by any means. Jermaine is feeling some serious heat from rookie phenom Sabby Piscitelli. Many fans feel Sabby will take over the Strong Safety position part way through the season. Sabby keeps making plays and showing flashes of brilliance this preseason, and JP will find himself riding the pine. It's your job Jermaine, elevate your game and claim it.

Ryan Sims - It's hard to say Sims is falling, personally I feel he was never elevated to begin with. Most fans I have encountered couldn't get past his draft status, and therefore expected good things from him simply because he was a high 1st round pick, that's why I'm including him. Personally, I don't see anyway he makes this team. With the emergence of Javon Haye, and the team not ready to give up on the raw talent of Greg Peterson, there simply isn't room in Tampa for him, and his play on the practice field sure isn't making his case.

Jeremy Trueblood - It hurts me to include T-Blood on this list. Trueblood's job is safe, but he has been getting his ass beat on a daily basis by defensive end Greg Spires. Personally I think that has to do more with Spires playing like a man on a mission this year than it has to do with a regression by Trueblood. But it can't go uncommented upon how often he has been getting beaten around the edge. Jeremy has a huge wing span, and once he gets his paws on you, he can effectively take you out of the play, but his biggest knock is slow footwork. If the DE gets the jump on him, he's done and quarterback beware. T-Blood has got to improve his pass blocking for this season to be a success.
...JJC/ABuccsFan