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QB Byron Leftwich, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

HT: 6-5, WT: 240, Born: 1-14-1980, College: Marshall, Drafted: Round 1, Pick 7

2009 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of September 7th. [Full ADP list]

Overall: B Scott (244), B Jackson (245), Byron Leftwich (246), D Thomas (247), D Lee (248)
Position: M Vick (218-QB33), D Culpepper (243-QB34), Byron Leftwich (246 - QB35),
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PPR Average draft position

Current as of September 7th. [Full PPR ADP list]

Overall: J Nelson (232), Byron Leftwich (233), R McMichael (235)
Position: J Russell (213-QB30), M Stafford (222-QB31), Byron Leftwich (233 - QB32), M Vick (239-QB33), D Culpepper (255-QB34)
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Best Case

Entering training camp, the Buccaneers are a team without a clear cut starting QB and veteran Byron Leftwich could easily win this job. He gives the team the most experience under center, and he is a more than capable QB with a strong arm, decent accuracy, and toughness in the pocket. It's fairly clear that the position will eventually belong to rookie Josh Freeman, who the Bucs traded up to select with the 17th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. However, if Leftwich plays well in the he should hold off Freeman and veteran Luke McCown for the starting role to begin the season. Provided the team wins games, Leftwich should hold onto the job while their "future" Josh Freeman holds a clipboard. It's easy to see Leftwich get at least seven to eight starts with Tampa and if they win, he'll get a more extended tryout to start elsewhere.

Worst Case

The writing is on the wall that Josh Freeman is the QB of the future and new coach Raheem Morris will ultimately determine how soon that time will come. Morris knows Freeman's abilities as Kansas State's defensive coordinator in 2006, which was Freeman's freshman year. It's a big if, but if Freeman can impress and and not get overwhelmed by the speed and complexity of the NFL, he could very easily be given the keys to the Buccaneers offense as early as this summer. If Freeman gets the job from day one, it could make Leftwich the odd man out on a Tampa organization with a stacked depth chart of QBs. Another scenario that could spell doom for Leftwich is if Luke McCown earns the starting job. Leftwich clearly sees himself as a starting-caliber quarterback and will want an opportunity to show that for at least a season.

Outlook

Despite a very impressive performance by rookie Josh Freeman in the preseason, the Bucs should decide to hold off on the future and name Byron Leftwich the starting QB. The team's best chance to compete in a very competitive NFC South is to go with a QB who has experience and the ability to captain the team - and that's Leftwich. However, don't be surprised to see Freeman get time during the year, especially if Tampa Bay struggles to win games.

Relevant Articles

Why he is a good deep sleeper pick

Matt Waldman - Leftwich is a tough, smart QB with an accurate deep arm paired in an offense with a physical ground game, a big-play receiver, and a pro bowl caliber tight end. He arguably has better offensive weapons in Tampa than at any time he spent with the Jaguars, Falcons or Steelers. The fact he has concrete feet and the tendency to be a human heavy bag in the pocket are legitimate concerns, but he's a more skilled pure passer than at least half the starters in the NFL. I think he'll win the job over McCown and be a huge bargain.

Latest News

Buccaneers | Leftwich limited Friday (Fri Nov 20, 06:05 PM) - Updating a previous report, Roy Cummings, of The Tampa Tribune, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Byron Leftwich (elbow) was limited during practice Friday, Nov. 20. He will be the No. 3 quarterback in Week 11.

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Buccaneers | Talib, Leftwich probable for Week 11 (Fri Nov 20, 01:09 PM) - Charlie Campbell and Jim Flynn, of PewterReport.com, report Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Aqib Talib (hamstring) and QB Byron Leftwich (elbow) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They are listed as probable for Week 11.

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Buccaneers | Leftwich limited Thursday (Thu Nov 19, 03:38 PM) - Jim Flynn, of PewterReport.com, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Byron Leftwich (elbow) was limited in practice Thursday, Nov. 19.

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Buccaneers | Two limited Wednesday (Wed Nov 18, 09:04 PM) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Byron Leftwich (elbow) and CB Aqib Talib (hamstring) were limited during the team's practice Wednesday, Nov. 18.

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Buccaneers | Week 10 Inactives (Sun Nov 15, 12:12 PM) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have declared WR Antonio Bryant, QB Byron Leftwich, FB Chris Pressley, OL James Lee, CB Mike Mickens, OG Shawn Murphy, DL Stylez G. White, WR Yamon Figurs inactive for Week 10.

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More News

2009 Schedule

2008 Game Summaries

Week 9 - Leftwich came into the game at the start of the third quarter after starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger injured his shoulder in the first half. His first pass of the game was a beautiful deep ball to WR Nate Washington that went for a gain of 50 and helped set up the team's second touchdown. Later on in the game, the backup quarterback led a 12 play, 77 yard drive that he capped with a five yard touchdown toss to WR Santonio Holmes.