Bryant wins starting WR spot

Antonio Bryant spent the NFL season last year on his couch. But he will begin the regular season Sunday in New Orleans in the Bucs' starting lineup opposite Joey Galloway.

Bryant, 27, has been a playmaker in the past. He compiled 1,009 receiving yards in 2005 but had some well-documented run-ins with Bill Parcells in Dallas and Mike Nolan in San Francisco. He was suspended for two games at the end of the 2006 season and two at the beginning of 2007, stemming from DUI charges and resisting arrest.

Bryant had been nursing a swollen knee and did not play in the final two preseason games. But he brings an element of more speed and play-making ability.

"He's going to be out there with Joey,' receiver Ike Hilliard said. "That's the decision coach (Jon) Gruden made. He's obviously a guy we're looking forward to taking our offense to another level.''

Bucs coach Jon Gruden said he is sold on Bryant's ability to make yards after the catch. Bryant likely won the job after his performance against the New England Partiots. He had an end around for 16 yards, a reception on a slant pass to set up a touchdown and a 33-yard run and catch.

"We haven't had that, the guy's ability to make plays and run after the catch,'' Gruden said. "The way he runs routes. We're going to try to get him back in the groove here and certainly try to get him and Joey on the field. Nothing wrong with that, if the guy is healthy. Then at the same time, we do have other guys who are going to be key contributors and it's a long season.''

Comments

[DR]

Boy, Clayton, Hilliard, and company got beat out by a guy who hasn't played all preseason and a guy who hasn't played a real game in over a year. They must feel like horse sh**.
It will be interesting to see how well Garcia and Galloway/Bryant do this weekend. If it's anything like the layoff they got at the end of last year, the Bucs are in trouble.

[Adam]

In Ike's defense, he's not competing for that position. Hilliard is a 3rd down back. He's the first one off the bench for 3-receiver sets which would be Galloway, Bryant, and Hilliard. Clayton got beat out by Bryant, which I don't assume would be too difficult to do. Clayton had too many drops in the pre-season. Regardless of his 2 acrobatic catches, if he can't do the fundamentals (like CATCHING the ball) then he's useless (which I've been saying since 2004). And don't give me this "he's a great blocker" story. If he wants to block, let's take him to Sonny's puff him up to 315 and we'll let him play guard. RECEIVERS RECEIVE. END OF STORY. If you can't catch, everything else you do is inconsequential.

[IMISS_No47]

I am very pleased with this move. He's explosive and the Bucs are better off with him starting. Trade Clayton.

[Al Gore]

Chris Simms would really have taken advantage of this situation. He was a "hostage" here, but he was such a great QB, and would have meshed real good with Bryant. Where is Simms at right now btw, he should be signed by someone, right?

[Mike J]

NB, this guy is a true high #2/low#1 WR, more talented than the rest of the crew. His problems have related to things not between the sidelines, but he appears to have straightened out. I think this is very good news!

[DR's Dad]

Antonio Bryant played in the first two preseason games and dominated, started the game against the Jags. I taped the games and have watched them several times. Antonio Bryant should start. Assuming he keeps his mouth shut great pickup. Go Bucs

[Kurt in Charlotte]

Oh my God...DR still thinks somebody cares about what he thinks. HAHAHAHA! Anyway, who didn't see this coming? Bryant played great whenever he was on the field. This coaching staff knows how not to get players hurt in preseason ala TO & Curtis!

[Tim]

DR's Dad ....... It is one thing to tape a game .. albeit preseason .. but to "Watch it several times" ?????!!!!!!!!
You have a serious "Time on my hands" problem ... IMO

[Ibebofa]

Who the hell would want clayton. He is garbage!

[DMS]

Thankfully, Garcia and Galloway will be playing against a rather shaky Saints defense in game 1. Their defense is as bad as our defense is good. Hopefully the rust will be shaken off by the end of the first half. If Bryant's head is in the right spot, it would really work well for the prosperity of the team.

In short, Sunday will not get here soon enough...

[Yoshi]

I agree with this move. Bryant proved himself during preseason and he will compliment jeff and joey. With this move being set in stone, i think stovall should have the third spot over hilliard. He showed soft hands during preseason and he is a much bigger target than ike. Not only that but ike showed signs of aging during the pats game when he should have been able to get away from the DB on some of the plays. Dont get me wrong, he can still catch the ball, i just think hes lost a step or two. Stovall is young and has alot more room for improvement. He could end up being a big weapon for us in the redzone.

[Steve]

Just heard N.O. Mayor Ray Nagin on CNN. Obviously frustrated by the premature flow of people back into the city, he said that Bucs fans would be turned away..."We don't need them down here anyway," he said.

Simms a great QB? Yeah! Chris would have taken advantage of the WR's by bouncing the ball of a lineman's helmet into the reciever's hands right? You are a joke if you think Chris is a great QB.

[Matt]

Anyone who knows anything about football knows that the difference in the starters and reserves is typically ONE play; the first one of the game! Who cares who starts; I care who scores!!

[BigBucFan]

That idiot Nagin needs to take a Class in Geography. From Tampa, the Drive North & West would be considered UP THERE, not Down there. By the way, what's CNN doing talking to Nagin? Don't they have a Vice Presidential candidate to Smear?

[DR]

Have you gotten my water yet, waterboy?
"This coaching staff knows how not to get players hurt in preseason ala TO & Curtis!" -Who has this coaching staff put on the field, on offense, that would be a major injury? Are you discounting the fact that Garcia nad the white tiger have been hurt the entire preseason?
You guys know nothing about football and have obviously never played football before. By the end of the season, you will you guys continue to praise this coaching staff for their 4th losing season in 7 years?

[BILL H]

MAYOR RAY NAGIN IS AN IDIOT...MAYBE THE NFL SHOULD MAKE BOTH BUC VS SAINTS GAMES HOME GAMES FOR THE BUCS

[James P Peachinstein]

BigBucFan - NO is below sea level. Tampa is above sea level. Perhaps that is what he meant by 'down here'. Oh, and if you vote for republicans after the debacle of the last 8 years, that kind of makes you a moron. Just fyi.

[Steve]

DR, take a second to read others comments. Albeit Kurt could have worded his sentence better. Kurt said the coaching staff knows "how not to get players hurt". It's a little on the Yoda side but he is saying what you are agreeing with. Our coaching staff isn't going to risk an injury to a key player for the sake of a few more plays for continuity.

[Steve]

Also did anyone hear that the Bucs might not suit up Michael Bennett instead choosing to dress two fullbacks. With all the TE's on the team you think the coaching staff could prepare one for an emergency at FB in order to have 3 backs dress for the game. I hope the article on the Tribune is wrong.

[Al]

Antonio Bryant will be great until his first altercation with the law. Hopefully that isn't until later in the season.

[J Measor]

The Bucs could have saved themselves a whole lot of headache if they selected S.Jackson at RB instead of M. Clayton back in 2004. Jackson was the RB I wanted the Bucs to pick, and could not believe they passed on him when he was available. Running backs are of more value than WR's, and Jackson would've been a solid choice over Clayton. I know, "shoulda, coulda, woulda," but Jaysus, much sturdier than Caddy, who might not EVER play again. Just sayin'.

[James P Peachinstein]

Did I mention that I am a whiny liberal?

[J Measor]

hey guys, I also wanted to add that the sun will rise in the east and set in the west on thursday as well

WAR 20/20 VISION!!!

[Al Gore]

Hey no name, I said Chrissy is a great QB. I know also he was a hostage because it was reported here by Rick Stroud, who is also possibly a Doctor, becuase Bruce Allen said so. I also know that Manbearpig is going to ruin the world unless all you sheeple begin filling my pockets with money to stop it. Now carry on son

[mike]

Blah, Blah, Blah It's a new season so get off your butts and go to the games. Then you could run your mouths!!!!
Like the Rays fans!

11-6 this year! Any takers??

[Math iz Kool]

Mike: are you predicting an 11-5 season and a first round playoff losse?

4-2 in the Division
3-1 against NFC North
2-2 against AFC West
0-2 against Division winners

9-7 Total - conservatively

[Bob]

How Clayton is still on the team amazes me. He has done NOTHING since his rookie year. How many more years is he going to make millions standing on the sidelines or dropping passes?

[Geroge Bush]

Hey Al Gore. Thanks for inventing the internet. It is because of you that we can blog online and tell everyone how great a QB Simms is. You are awesome! Hold on! Wait! I just saw Simms get his ball batted down at the line of scrimmage.

[Al Gore]

No problem shrubby, glad you finally acknowledge my self appointed greatness. Thanks for finally acknowledging manbearpig also, or is that just for the erection that is coming "up" in NOV. I taught Chrissy to throw also, even though his Daddy says he did. I am the man, vote for buhrock in the erection in NOV.

[normal]

A-HOLES,ALL!!Esp DR!!!

[DR's Third Grade Teacher]

DR, how many times have I told you "and" is spelled "and" not "nad". Young man go get the ruler and give me your hand. You're confirming what I continuously told you during you 4 attempts to pass third grade, you'll never amount to anything if you can't spell "and" correctly.

[Drew]

Heard Chris is writing a book "Get your damn helmet out of the way". The book is about a conspriracy amongst NFL players to ruin his career. Come on, a conspriracy. Right!!! Nice try Chris, change the title to "Just throw the damn ball over the OL" and I might buy it.

[jason]

Hell yeah! I really like the pickup of Bryant and Bennett. Both have showed some explosiveness that we havent seen in a while. As a Bucs fan, I am getting really tired of waiting for Clayton and Caddy to return to form. But at least Clayton is on the field and not PUP.

[Valrico Rick]

All you yahoos might find it interesting that Buccaneers.com states that nobody has been given the starting WR position opposite Galloway, and that it more than likely will be a rotation. You guys do remember what the blog subject was that you were posting on, don't you?

[Sarah Palin]

Ok, seriously, Mr. 3:20 PM - you're ruining the good name of James P Peachinstein. If you had watched the RNC tonight you would have noticed that it was conservatives whining - "waaah, the media! They're sooooo mean! WaaaahhH!!!! They were mean to me! WaaaahhhH!!!! Somebody call the waaaaahmbulance!"

[George Bush]

Thanks for understanding Drew. At least someone knows some facts. I think the book is called, "I am 6'5" and I can't get the ball down field."

[Tex Mex]

Putting Bryant in is a good move. Shake up the rest of the reciever crew and see if they can respond!

DR, Do you just like abuse or are you just too dumb to feel pain?

[DRs Rectum]

A sphinchter say what? SSSSPPPPPHHHHHLLLLLTTTTT!

[DR]

Texican loser, take abuse from who? A queer like you who loves donkies and isn't remotely funny? If you ever provide insight to any of these blogs, maybe I would be insulted, but really, only a few of you have any clue about football.
All you guys want to hear is how great the Bucs are and how much they have improved and you guys hate the Rick Stroud's and myself for being honest. Just because these guys are reporters for the ST Pete times doesn't mean they need to praise every move the local teams make. Honesty is the best policy even if it means offending the morons on this blog. Just in case you morons didn't notice, the Bucs won the Super Bowl in 2002 and haven't won a playoff game since. The Bucs have had a losing record since 2002, but wait, the Bucs are the best ever.

[Al Gore]

Wow DR, you and Rick Stroud both have the same credentials as far as reporting on the bucs? is that what you are trying to convey? Bwahahahahahaha, I think Rick has an agenda, to sell papers, and draw controversy to the online part of the company, but I don't think he is a Cowblow fan, maybe Atlanta, because his buddy Rich is still there cleaning toilets. He doesn't play with, and sleep with a Tony Romo doll, and have a dollhouse featuring pacman, and Jessica like you.
Now as far as your hate for Gruden, yea I can see that similarity.

[Tex Mex]

DR, the only thing honest about your view points is how anti-Bucs you are - honestly! You hold yourself in much higher esteem than your image in themirror tells you that you should. Comparing yourself to the insight of a Rick Stroud - just another self image inflation. I do not mind critical insight on the Bucs, and am more than happy to give it myself. But I do not fancy myself as a Rick Stroud or Stephen Holder. No need to kid myself, following the Bucs is a hobby. Making fun of you is a sport.

Here Donkey, Here Donkey! HeeeeHawwww!

[Yoshi]

I still dont get why DR talks about us not winning a Playoff game since the super bowl when his cowgirls have that same exact stat only double the time.

[DR]

You guys are nothing but babies. I have proven you losers wrong time and time again, it gets tiring. You all think Galloway is a great WR when he is a little bit above average. Stats prove that and yet, you all still want to think he is Jesus in a Bucs uniform. You all are sewer trash fans who hailed Garcia but ripped him to pieces because of his honesty. He thinks he got shafted in his contract and he is entitled to his opinion, and you girls cry like babies and prayed for Favre to replace him.
even before the super bowl season in 2001, I had to sit there and watch the fat slobs in the front row with their foam swords calling Donovan McNabb fat even though your very own QB Brad Johnson had the mobility of a sloth and couldn't run faster than McNabb crawling. Of course, the classy fans you all are proud to be, for whatever reason, were throwing some of the Bucs beads on the sidelines after McNabb, Fred Mitchell, and others mocked you and made you look stupid. I was actually rooting for the Bucs but was hoping the eagles would win after dealing with the stupid fans on their sidelines. The Eagles won, the meaningless rescheduled game.

[Michel Harris]

I honestly would have dumped Clayton two years ago; but with his poor play after his Rookie year, (supposedly because of a shoulder injury), no teams were beating a path to the Bucs for him. Every once in a while, Clayton plays one or two plays with the passion, that earned him his number 1 draft pick. But I've been disappointed in his play for a long time. He'll make a good back up. Bryant looks very strong and fast, with good hands.