The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a series of moves Monday afternoon that don’t look like much on the surface.
But there’s one transaction in the bunch that could be significant for the Bucs. They signed free-agent defensive tackle Andre Neblett, who spent the last three seasons with the Carolina Panthers. Neblett made the Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2010 and worked his way into the rotation in 2011. But Neblett was suspended the first four games of last season and didn’t get much playing time once he returned.
A fresh start, however, could be good for Neblett and the Bucs. Neblett is a run-stuffing defensive tackle and the Bucs have a little uncertainty at the position next to Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy. There’s hope that fourth-round pick Akeem Spence can develop quickly and that Derek Landri, another free-agent pickup, can contribute.
It makes sense to bring in a guy like Neblett. He isn’t going to suddenly turn into a Pro Bowler, but Neblett can at least compete for a spot in the rotation with Spence and Landri.
In other moves, the Bucs signed North Carolina receiver Jheranie Boyd, Northern Michigan offensive tackle Jace Daniels, Mount Union receiver Chris Denton and Rutgers linebacker Ka’lial Glaud after they made good impressions in the weekend minicamp.
The team also waived defensive tackle Richard Clebert, receiver D.J. Monroe and running back Akeem Shavers, while terminating the contracts of guard Roger Allen and defensive end George Selvie.
