Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Photos: 5 Things You Might Have Missed
Gerald McCoy and Vincent Jackson may have turned in the splash plays, but there were some less obvious developments in the game against Miami that might help determine the final depth chart. - Scott Smith
In the first quarter, with the entire first-team defense still very much in play, Solomon came in to replace right end Michael Johnson for a handful of snaps. That alone was noteworthy, but it wasn't the end for the former Rice standout. While various levels of the Bucs' depth chart got their action and then retired, Solomon kept finding himself on the field, in the second, third and fourth quarters. It's pretty clear that the Bucs' coaching staff wanted to see exactly what it had in this unheralded pass-rusher. - Scott Smith
There isn't anything particularly overwhelming about Solomon Patton's numbers in the return game on Saturday night. He averaged 10.7 yards per punt return and 30.3 yards per kickoff return, which is quite good without being anything that makes you immediately start shuffling the depth chart. There is another number that was far more important for the rookie out of the University of Florida on Saturday night: six. That's the number of combined punt and kickoff returns, out of a team total of 11, that went to Patton. - Scott Smith
Oniel Cousins has started the first two preseason games at left guard and it's quite likely he'll make it three in a row on Saturday in Buffalo. If Cousins does start that game, one will have to consider him an overwhelming favorite to be on the field when the regular season starts on September 7, since the third preseason outing is usually the one that most closely resembles the real thing. - Scott Smith
Last year, Danny Lansanah played in one regular season NFL game, his first since the 2008 season. That's an interesting note, but Lansanah would prefer to be more than a piece of trivia. It looks like he has a real chance to stick with the Buccaneers in 2014 and see the most extensive playing time of his long-delayed professional career. - Scott Smith
The Buccaneers started second-year man Rashaan Melvin opposite right cornerback Johnthan Banks. That was in keeping with what has taken place on the practice field in recent days, as Melvin has seen a lot of first-team work. While he's not likely to overtake Verner or Banks, the former Northern Illinois standout could emerge as the team's primary backup to the two outside corner positions. When Melvin left the game, Danny Gorrer was the next man in. He ended up seeing significant playing time with the first-team defense, which only allowed a field goal in about a quarter-and-a-half of work. Gorrer contributed two tackles and broke up a pass and generally looked like he could step in and provide solid cornerback play if necessary. - Scott Smith
