Turnover in Tampa - The Jordan Scott Legacy

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Jon Gruden has quit the Tampa Bay Bucs to become an ESPN analyst. The Bucs announce his replacement, Jordan Scott, an assistant coach at Indiana University. Scott coached in a style very similar to the Bucs' Tampa 2 at IU and will continue to run that defense in Tampa. The only changes are he wants more well-rounded corners and wants his defensive tackles to focus on stuffing the run. On offense, he will retain the Bucs' scheme, but traditionally he employed blocking fullbacks at IU compared to the ball-carriers, such as B.J. Askew and Mike Alstott, that Gruden usually looked for. It will be interesting to see how the season takes shape for the new coach in Tampa.

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Jordan Scott's first free agency period was a wild one.
He started off by putting the franchise tag on Jeremiah Trotter, which was surprising to some that an aging linebacker would be paid $8 million a season.
Once the period got underway, his methods became known. He started wheeling and dealing and getting the team some major upgrades.
He started off by overhauling the wide receivers and offensive line. He acquired Andre Johnson from Houston for QB Jeff Garcia and a 5th round pick. Then he went for Calvin Johnson from Detroit, in exchange for DT Chris Hovan, LOLB Ryan Nece and HB Kevin Faulk, who was acquired from New England along with a 6th round pick for CB Phillip Buchanon.
On the offensive line, he flipped Trotter and the 52nd pick this year for RG Shawn Andrews from the Eagles, who will be moved to left tackle. At center, Nick Mangold was acquired from the Jets for 3rd and 4th round picks next year. Finally, the Bucs sent LT Luke Petitgout and HB Kolby Smith (acquired from Kansas City for two 6th-round picks) to San Francisco for LT Joe Staley, who will be moved to RT.
On defense, WR Ike Hilliard, RG Dan Buenning, and a 4th round pick were also shipped to San Fran for MLB Patrick Willis.
The Bucs also acquired RE Osi Umenyiora from the Giants, in exchange for SS Jermaine Phillips and FS Jimmy Williams (acquired from Atlanta for QB Brian Griese).
The Bucs also made a major upgrade across from Ronde Barber, stealing Chris Gamble from divisional rival Carolina for two seventh-round picks.
The Bucs also made a big upgrade at punter, acquiring the Chargers' Mike Scifres for a 2nd round pick.
Finally, the Bucs traded a sixth-round pick for Colts running back Kenton Keith and then flipped him to the Browns for quarterback Brady Quinn, who is expected to start after the trades of Jeff Garcia and Brian Griese.
The Bucs also flipped a couple players for picks, including Titans QB Kerry Collins, who was acquired for a 5th rounder and flipped to the Bears for a 3rd and 7th. The Bucs also swapped P Josh Bidwell for Dolphins HB Lorenzo Booker and then traded him to the Panthers for the 67th pick. Finally, the Bucs traded FB BJ Askew to the Colts for DT Ed Johnson and flipped him to the Steelers for a 4th round choice.

Later on in the free agency period, Coach Scott decided to try to sign and trade some free agents, specifically kickers and punters. Here are some of the moves he made:
Rob Bironas - to Detroit for the 45th pick
Jason Elam - to Seattle for a 2009 2nd
Josh Brown - to Houston for a 2009 2nd

Michael Koenen - to San Diego for FB Lorenzo Neal
Todd Sauerbrun - to Cincinnati for CB Deltha O'Neal

More moves are also in the works but are not official yet.

Heading into the draft, the Bucs are looking for depth at quarterback, running back, receiver and tight end, as well as at defensive tackle, linebacker, cornerback, and strong safety. The Bucs made the following cuts:
QB Chris Simms
QB Bruce Gradkowski
QB Luke McCown
HB Carnell Williams
WR Michael Clayton
WR Paris Warren
LT Donald Penn
LG Anthony Davis
RE Patrick Chukwurah
DT Ryan Sims
DT Greg Peterson
LOLB Quincy Black
FS Will Allen

The next update will be before the draft.