QUARTERBACK: Starter -- Jeff Garcia. Backups -- Brian Griese, Luke McCown, Josh Johnson.

Garcia provided some stability at the QB position last season. In his first year with the Bucs, he guided a third team to the playoffs and was named to his fourth Pro Bowl. Garcia finished with a 94.6 passer rating after throwing for 2,440 yards with 13 touchdowns and five interceptions. In fact, he went a club-record 197 straight passing attempts without an interception, breaking a club record. Garcia's kamikaze style of play led to some injuries and forced him to miss nearly four games last season.

As insurance, the Bucs traded for Griese, who is familiar with Jon Gruden's offense. He could be a stopgap if there was a short-term injury to Garcia. McCown went 1-2 as a starter last season and could be the quarterback of the future if he cuts down on mistakes. The team also drafted Johnson, who isn't expected to see any action.

RUNNING BACKS: Starters -- RB Earnest Graham, FB B.J. Askew. Backups -- RB Warrick Dunn, RB Michael Bennett, RB Cadillac Williams, RB Byron Storer.

Graham is coming off a breakout season in which he rushed for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns following injuries to Williams and backup Michael Pittman. That earned Graham a $2.5 million contract. Still, Gruden is somewhat obsessed with Dunn and the 33-year-old could have an enormous role as a rusher and receiver. Bennett, who was acquired in a trade with the Chiefs last year at midseason, should be better in his second year in Tampa Bay. Williams will begin the season on PUP while recovering from a severe knee injury.

TIGHT ENDS: Starters -- Alex Smith. Backups -- Jerramy Stevens, Ben Troupe, Doug Gilmore.

Smith will be a free agent next season and needs to have a breakout year, but a series of nagging injuries has derailed his progress. The Bucs re-signed Stevens, an unpopular move with fans. But Stevens had four TD receptions last season in limited playing time. Troupe and Gilmore were big free-agent signings. Gilmore will help out in the running game because of his blocking ability.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters -- Joey Galloway, Ike Hilliard. Backups -- Michael Clayton, Maurice Stovall, Dexter Jackson, Paris Warren, Micheal Spurlock.

Galloway is coming off shoulder surgery but should be 100 percent by the start of the regular season. He's still a vertical threat, but the Bucs need more playmakers at this position. Hilliard led the club with 62 receptions but only one went for a TD. Clayton has shed 15 pounds, but he has just one TD reception in the last three years. Stovall is a big target that struggles to get separation. The Bucs need to develop Jackson as a receiver.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Starters -- LT Luke Petitgout, LG Arron Sears, C Jeff Faine, RG Davin Joseph, RT Jeremy Trueblood. Backups -- T Donald Penn, G/C Dan Buenning, T Anthony Davis.

The strength of the Bucs' offense is their young and talented offensive line, where they have invested a No. 1 and two second-round picks. This off-season, the Bucs added Faine, the Saints free agent who is a big upgrade over John Wade. Petitgout could re-claim his job at LT if he recovers from knee surgery. Run blocking is their forte and a scrambling quarterback certainly helps their pass protection.

DEFENSIVE LINE: Starters -- LE Kevin Carter, DT Jovan Haye, NT Chris Hovan, RE Gaines Adams. Backups -- E Greg White, T Dre Moore, E Jimmy Wilkerson, E Marques Douglas, NT Ryan Sims.

The Bucs' defensive line has to be disruptive for the Cover-2 scheme to work. Getting pressure with the front four is the key. The unit is good, but not great. Haye is an underrated player who led the defensive line with 97 tackles and four forced fumbles. Carter restructured his contract to remain with the team and is versatile enough to move inside on passing downs. Look for White to challenge him for playing time after leading the Bucs with eight sacks.

LINEBACKERS: Starters -- WLB Derrick Brooks, MLB Barrett Ruud, SLB Cato June. Backups -- Quincy Black, Adam Heyward, Ryan Nece, Teddy Lehman.

This unit stacks up as one of the strengths of the Bucs' defense. Ruud led the team in tackles last season and continued to improve in the offseason. June is taking a bigger role, particularly in pass coverage, and is the heir-apparent to Brooks on the weak side. This could be Brooks' last season. Black and Heyward are promising young players.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters -- LCB Phillip Buchanon, SS Jermaine Phillips, FS Tanard Jackson, RCB Ronde Barber. Backups -- S Sabby Piscitelli, CB/S Eugene Wilson, CB Aqib Talib, DB Sammy Davis, DB Torrie Cox, FS Will Allen.

The Bucs had the second-ranked passing defense in the NFL last season. CB Brian Kelly bought out the final year of his contract and signed with the Lions. That leaves Buchanon and Talib, the Bucs' first-round pick, to battle it out at the left cornerback spot. Jackson was an all-Rookie performer last season and a headhunter. Phillips was third on the club with over 100 tackles and four interceptions last season. Look for Talib to have an impact, at least as a nickel back. Piscitelli spent most of his rookie season on injured reserve with a fractured foot. He is expected to compete with Phillips at SS. Wilson, a free agent from the Patriots, will play cornerback in the Bucs' Cover Two scheme.

SPECIAL TEAMS: P Josh Bidwell, K Matt Bryant, LS Andrew Economos, KR Dexter Jackson, KR Micheal Spurlock.

Bidwell matched a club record with 30 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line. He averaged 43.9 yards, one year after being named to the Pro Bowl. Bryant is money inside of 45 yards. His 28 made field goals last season was a career-high. Jackson will serve as the Bucs' primary kick returner. He will return punts and could also be deep on kickoffs while developing as a receiver. Spurlock, who returned the first kickoff for a touchdown in club history last season, also could team with Jackson as the club's kickoff returner.

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