Leftwich has a good day

Byron Leftwich had a good day at quarterback Thursday in the ever-tightening race with Luke McCown for the Bucs' starting job.

Leftwich threw several touchdown passes during a red-zone period, including one to tight end Jerramy Stevens. He also connected with receiver Dexter Jackson and tight end Kellen Winslow, Jr., for big plays during a period with the offense backed up near its own goal line.

Winslow beat safety Sabby Piscitelli in one-on-one coverage on the play. Piscitelli broke up a similar pass against Winslow earlier in practice.

McCown also hit Stevens for a touchdown during the red zone drill, but earlier in practice, he was intercepted by cornerback Aqib Talib.

Sure, it's OTA's in May and the real competition will begin at training camp in July and throughout the early part of preseason games in Aug. But there's no question it will be a battle while first-round pick Josh Freeman and second-year pro Josh Johnson gain experience.

"It's a nice fight,'' coach Raheem Morris said.

Comments

[Robert]

Our offense is going to score a bunch of points this year. If we can get average play from our defense I really think we have a chance to be 8-8 this season. I know people are jumping ship and considering this season a lost cause, but I think this team is going to do well as long as either Leftwich or McCown leads this offense. With a great offense in place next year in the draft and FA we will be able to start putting the defense back together.

[WS]

I truly believe that our QB situation is much better than most people think. Hopefully they will shut all these negative so-called Bucs fans. BUC N A!

[JC]

McCown drops back, here fires over the middle, INTERCEPTED.

He drops back, here's the pass, INTERCEPTION, Aqib Talib with the pick.

------------------------

I can hear Gene with the calls now, we will likely here both several times this year...

[BucFandango]

If the NFL would change the Pass Interference Penalty to 15yds like it is in the NCAA, the Bucs could have a top 5 defense. I worry about Sabby getting burned. I think he will make some big plays, but I think he will give up those same big plays, like he did today. The Bucs will go up against some Killer Offensive lines this season and the pressure is paramount, 4,5,6,7,8 man rush, whatever it takes.

[ProzacJM]

I have not problem with the qb situation, i think they will be fine, is the defense what concerns me, the Phillips change doesn't make sense, that d-line doesn't look strong etc.

[Erick]

I'm more than confident with the QB situation. McCown is my pick but I won't shed tears if Lefwich is picked, although I hope he's not. The D is a question mark and Sabby is the biggest question for me.

[Noel (Bahamas)]

Like others above....I am afraid our defense will not toe the line, especially with our schedule. We may have a potent offense this year....but so did New Orleans the last 2 years. Poor defense will kill us. 8-8 would be a respectable start for a 3-4 year reign of dominance.

Here is hoping that the d-fense is solid!

[Noel (Bahamas)]

in the NFC south

[Itch]

I think the D will be in the top 20 and make many plays like they have in the past. We will also get burned more running man like Sabby did today, it will happen. Our offense is still neophite without any proven leader. I think we will be bottom 20 on offense, even though we have some really good players. You need leadership to win.

[Dave]

I don't care how many points our team scores, D wins championships. Too bad our new regime doesn't understand that. Go ask a Saints fan how it feels to have an awesome offense and no D. This team will be lucky if they win 4 games.

[1979 BucFan]

Why does everyone think the Defense is going to suck?
Because you dont recognize the names?
Because if the backups were good enough they wouldnt have been backups??? Really? Like Barett Ruud? Like Earnest Graham?
Because we saw these guys not play well on the line last year but not realizing they are being asked to do different things this year? Because Sabby had to be told where to line up but this year knows as much about where to line up as the guy who told him?

You want to know whos going to have a good defense, the teams that have a good special teams coverage unit, of which ours has been the Best. Why? Because special team headhunters are made up of back up defenders!

This defense may surprise you, maybe not week one, but by week 6, it should be.

[Stephen Holder]

I've not been shy to criticize Sabby in the past (remember last year @ Detroit), but in his defense, I'll say he had excellent position on the Winslow catch. Winslow just made a hell of a play. And, by the way, I must say in hindsight, it was really silly that he was bashed endlessly for skipping five workouts in MAY!! I hear he had a legitimate personal reason beyond the moving, etc. Not sure what exactly.

[Dave]

Well Niko, I think it's because none of us see any type of legitimate pass rush coming out of this D unless it's an all out blitz...

[BucFandango]

Stephen, Sir,
Is there any way to get us some video or good pics from the practices. It would be nice to have something to back up all the reports in this most JONSEING of NFL periods for us fans. If not OK, but I'll take whatever I can get. Thanks.

[David Kilmer]

I agree with a previous comment about our defense. First the offense. Look for Leftwich to win that job. He looked great last year in releif. I agree with J D of NFL N.W. why has this guy been left out in the cold. If we get QB play, 8 and 8 would be like a super bowl. The problem is the D. we have no D line . I don't care how good J. B. is , their is no talent to work with other tha Hovan. Even WORSE , FLIP AT OLB. how do you take a safety who has had major injuries due to his style of play and put him in a place where is assignment is to take on 300 ib lineman and expect him to not have major injuries. Say what you want about SP. at safety, but from last year he's not in the same league as Flip. With this said, how does our defense get off the field, much less try to establish a running game when you don't have the ball. By the way have you seen the offenses we play next year. 8 and 8, sounds like a dream to me. PLease can we put a defense together

[DR]

Thanks Stephen. Apparently people translate family issues with moving. I guess their only family issues deal with moving, lol! When someone says there are family issues, that means issues you only feel obligated to tell people. Winslow should have a sign on the field that says "No Limit Haters" and have most of these bloggers sitting it. Trust me, these hater bloggers will be his biggest fan by the end of the season.

[OAR]

BucFandango, the Buccaneers site has practice photos from every practice so far.

http://www.buccaneers.com/multimedia/photoarchive.aspx?practice=28%20May%202009&type=3

[OAR]

Spin-DR, we can only hope. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
BTW You calling us haters is absolutely hilarious. I burned my nose and sprayed my coffee eveywhere. Thank you though. Good laughs are hard to come by.