Buccaneers Projected Roster: Getting to 53

It wasn't exactly the best of weeks for the Buccaneers, who flopped in a 30-7 loss to Tennessee that may have had some players feeling a bit nervous about their chances at making the 53-man roster.

Stock rising: S Ahmad Black -- Black provided one of very few bright spots in last week's 30-7 loss to Tennessee, intercepting a Jake Locker pass in the first quarter and returning it deep into Titans territory, setting up Tampa Bay's only touchdown. Black looks like a solid bet to make the roster as the backup behind Ronde Barber at free safety.

Stock falling: RB Mossis Madu -- One of the most crowded position battles on the Bucs roster may be crowding Madu out. Rookie Michael Smith had another strong game against the Titans, rushing for 31 yards on seven carries. LeGarrette Blount and Doug Martin are the clear top two on the depth chart. There just might not be room for Madu.

Throughout the preseason and until the last cuts are made on Aug. 31, we'll take a once-a-week crack at projecting the Buccaneers' 53-man roster.

QB -- In (3): Josh Freeman, Dan Orlovsky, Brett Ratliff. Out: Nobody. Analysis: Nothing changed here against the Titans. No one on the roster will challenge Freeman for the starting job, and Orlovsky is the clear No. 2 man. Ratliff should stick around as an emergency option -- he actually had the highest QB rating of the three last week.

RB -- In (3): Doug Martin, LeGarrette Blount, Michael Smith. Out: Mossis Madu, De'Anthony Curtis. Analysis: If the Bucs keep only three running backs, Madu will be forced out, simply because Blount and Martin are at the top of the list and Smith has been strong both on offense and special teams this preseason. In a close race for the starting spot, Martin may win out, but Blount will certainly see plenty of action as well.

WR -- In (7): Vincent Jackson, Mike Williams, Arrelious Benn, Preston Parker, Tiquan Underwood, Sammie Stroughter, Jordan Shipley. Out: Wallace Wright, Greg Ellingson, Landon Cox, Ed Gant, Armahd Lewis. Analysis: Shipley has impressed coach Greg Schiano with his work in practice since being claimed off waivers. Beyond that, there are no changes here after what was an ugly game for this group -- and truly the entire offense -- against the Titans. No wide receiver caught any more than one pass, and Jackson had the longest grab of the group with a mere 8-yarder.

TE -- In (3): Dallas Clark, Luke Stocker, Zack Pianalto. Out: Collin Franklin, Drake Dunsmore, Danny Noble. Analysis: Stocker has spent little time in action due to multiple minor injuries, but he should still be behind Clark as the backup. Noble was the only player on the roster with more than one reception in the loss to the Titans, catching two passes for a team-high 11 yards.

OL -- In (9): Donald Penn, Carl Nicks, Jeremy Zuttah, Davin Joseph, Jeremy Trueblood, Demar Dotson, Mike Ingersoll, Ted Larsen, Jamon Meredith. Out: Derek Hardman, Bradley Sowell, Desmond Wynn, Moe Petrus, Mike VanDerMeulen, Jermarcus Hardrick. Analysis: So much for feeling good about the starting group, as offensive line struggles were much of the reason for the offense's poor performance against Tennessee. The unit should be bolstered by the return of Penn, who missed training camp due to a calf strain.

DL -- In (9): Michael Bennett, Gerald McCoy, Roy Miller, Adrian Clayborn, E.J. Wilson, Amobi Okoye, Gary Gibson, George Johnson, Da'Quan Bowers: Out: Wallace Gilberry, Frank Okam, Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, Jordan Nix, Quintin Anderson. Analysis: More is expected of this group in 2012 after a poor pass rush was one of many weaknesses for the team's defense last season. Clayborn bolsters that particular area of play, and Okoye is a solid backup at DT.

LB -- In (7): Quincy Black, Mason Foster, Lavonte David, Dekoda Watson, Adam Hayward, Jacob Cutrera, Najee Goode. Out: Brian Smith, Rennie Curran. Analysis: There is some quality depth at this position, as Watson has been a playmaker this preseason and could push for further playing time. Like many other positions on the roster, this one has plenty of young players vying for spots.

DB -- In (9): Aqib Talib, Eric Wright, Mark Barron, Ronde Barber, E.J. Biggers, Anthony Gaitor, Larry Asante, Ahmad Black, Keith Tandy. Out: Myron Lewis, Leonard Johnson, Cody Grimm, Marquese Wheaton, Tramain Thomas, Sean Baker. Analysis: The Bucs opt to keep five safeties, if only because of Tandy's versatility -- he played cornerback in college at West Virginia. Most of the others in this group seem relatively entrenched in their spots.

Special teams -- In (3): Michael Koenen, Connor Barth, Andrew Economos. Out: Eric Guthrie, Kai Forbath, Andrew DePaola. Analysis: No changes here. Koenen and Barth are entrenched as starters at P and PK, respectively, and Economos stands to hold on to the long snapping job. There just isn't room on the roster for anyone else.