It's no secret that the Bucs have been looking for a spark in the return game for some time now, perhaps since the brief but impressive run of Clifton Smith. The job has turned over quite a bit since Smith's departure, and will do so again in 2013. Make that two jobs, actually, unless one returner is impressive enough this summer to win the job for both punts and kickoffs. Apparently on the list of candidates: Chris Owusu, David Douglas, Michael Smith, Branden Smith, Eric Page and perhaps even Jeff Demps when and if he reports to the squad.

The player who will line up next to Pro Bowl DT Gerald McCoy will be manning the "tilt-nose" position that was primarily the jurisdiction of Roy Miller last year, and Miller is now a Jaguar. The Buccaneers brought in one candidate for that spot through free agency in Derek Landri, and another through the draft in Akeem Spence, joining 2012 holdover Gary Gibson. Head Coach Greg Schiano said on Monday that Spence has performed well in camp, but he has very strong competition from the two veterans.

Actually, the primary player who will join Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams on the field in three-receiver sets won't always be in the slot, as they will all be cross-trained to play inside or outside. Still, an ability to operate over the middle of the field will be important, as will be speed to stretch the field. Tiquan Underwood held that job for much of last year, and he won't give it up easily, but the Bucs brought in Kevin Ogletree believing he was a good fit for that job, and second-year man Chris Owusu has also looked good in camp.

The question here goes beyond the first name on the depth chart, and not only because the use of two-TE sets almost means there are two starting jobs to be filled. Luke Stocker seems like a real breakout candidate in 2013 but hasn't been on the field yet during training camp due to a minor injury. Tom Crabtree, formerly of the Packers, has played a lot with the first team but the Bucs also have Nate Byham, Danny Noble, Zach Miller and converted receiver Tim Wright in the mix.

Greg Schiano gave a bit of a hint to that answer on Monday when he discussed the importance of versatility in that role. Schiano said that, unless a team happens to have a real strong 1-2 punch of pure runners at the tailback position, the backup(s) need to be able to contribute in a variety of ways, including lead blocking, pass receiving, pass blocking and, yes, toting the rock. If the #2 behind Doug Martin is Peyton Hillis, Brian Leonard or perhaps even Mike James, fullback is likely to be part of the job description. Michael Smith could help himself on the RB depth chart if he can return kickoffs.

This is a two-parter, but those answers are obviously linked. Darrelle Revis will man the left corner spot, obviously, but there are quite a few possibilities on the other side. And, what happens at right cornerback will directly affect who gets the nickel back job, as well. Rookie Johnthan Banks has come on strong over the last three practices or so, and second-year man Leonard Johnson has looked like a man who doesn't want to give up the job he earned last year. Danny Gorrer has also received praise from Coach Schiano, and undrafted rookie Rashaan Melvin has emerged as an intriguing dark horse.

Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers are the presumptive starters at right and left end, respectively. Still, defensive end is a position that usually involves a rotation of at least three players, and sometimes more. While it's not always easy to get extra pass-rushers into helmets on game day, when you have only 46 spots to work with, it's a safe bet the Bucs will find a way to involve any players who show an ability to get to the quarterback. Rookies William Gholston and Steven Means are trying to prove they're in that category and fourth-year man Aaron Morgan is a player to keep an eye on, as well.

Schiano is certain that, given the improved depth on the roster, his team will have to cut some strong players this year in order to get down to a 53-man roster for the regular season. That topic often comes up when the coach is discussing the team's safety corps. Free agent prize Dashon Goldson and 2012 first-rounder Mark Barron are the clear starters, but Ahmad Black, Keith Tandy and Cody Grimm are all players who have proven themselves to some degree, as well. Given that safeties can help quite a bit on special teams, and the Bucs do have some three-safety packages on defense, there might be cause to keep this position extra deep.

This is really a critical question for the Buccaneers, and not only because that #2 quarterback is always just one mishap away from starting at the most important position in the NFL. Tampa Bay brought back last year's primary reserve, Dan Orlovsky, but also spent a third-round draft pick on North Carolina State's Mike Glennon. Since the removal of the "inactive third QB" spot on game day, many teams, including the Buccaneers last year, have gone from carrying three passers during the regular season down to just two. Could Glennon win the primary reserve job as a rookie and, if so, will the team still only carry two or expand the position to three?

Dekoda Watson may have seen a little more time with the first team than the other candidates so far, but the Bucs are still high on free agency import Jonathan Casillas and they happen to have a veteran who started five of the last seven games of 2012 at that spot in Adam Hayward. Schiano said Monday that Watson and Casillas have a lot of similar traits and that both play the game fast.