As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to tweak their 90-man offseason roster in anticipation of training camp, the defensive line welcomed two new members to start the first week of June.
Fifth-year veteran Wallace Gilberry and seventh-year man Jayme Mitchell, both ends, arrived on Monday in time to participate in the team's next three upcoming organized team activity (OTA) workouts on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Both Gilberry and Mitchell agreed to one-year deals with the team. To make room on the roster, the Buccaneers released defensive end Hilee Taylor and waived rookie defensive tackle Myles Wade.
Both Gilberry and Mitchell entered the NFL as undrafted free agents, the former with the New York Giants in 2008 and the latter with Minnesota in 2006, but were able to establish themselves as productive players in the league. Mitchell started 13 games for the Cleveland Browns last year and produced 34 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Gilberry completed a four-year run with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2011, contributing 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and three passes defensed in 16 outings.
The 6-2, 268-Gilberry played in 53 games during his time in Kansas City, including all 48 the past three seasons, starting three times. During that span he contributed 46 tackles, 14.0 sacks, five passes defensed, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. His most productive campaign was 2010, when he finished second on the team with 7.0 sacks despite making only two starts. Gilberry started his 2008 rookie season on the Giants' practice squad but was signed off that crew to the Chiefs' active roster in November, after which he saw action in five games.
A native of Bay Minette, Alabama, Gilberry played his college ball at the University of Alabama, appearing in 50 games and recording 188 tackles, 60.5 tackles for loss and 21.5 sacks.
Mitchell (6-6, 285) started his rookie campaign on the Vikings' practice squad but was there only briefly before being promoted to the active roster and appearing in 13 games with three sacks. He got into 10 games with the Vikings in 2007 and record nine tackles and one sack but then spent the 2008 season on injured reserve. After appearing in four games in 2009, Mitchell was traded to the Browns in October of 2010. He did not see any playing time for Cleveland that season but last year assumed a starting role and had his most productive season to date. Overall, Mitchell has recorded 56 tackles, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two passes defensed.
Mitchell hails from Jackson, Mississippi and he played four seasons at Ole Miss, racking up 105 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks.
