First-year general manager Mark Dominik said he was prepared for the negative reaction by many fans that disliked the decision to take Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman with the 17th overall pick.

"I was very aware," Dominik said Sunday. "I've been part of this organization for 14 years and I got to start with it when (Derrick) Brooks and (Warren) Sapp stepped in the door, so I understand this town and how impo

rtant defense is to it. And the year before I got here is the last time we took a quarterback in the first round. So I knew that there was going to be some reservations about that considering what this town is so used to and what they're about. But I'm excited about what we did yesterday in terms of the direction and long-term plan for this franchise."

More of that plan was revealed Sunday. The Bucs began by adding two important pieces to their puzzle on the defensive line -- Texas defensive tackle Roy Miller (third round, 81st overall) and Southern Cal defensive end Kyle Moore (fourth round, 117th). Both were voted captains by their teammates and provide versatility against the run or the pass.

The 6-1, 315-pound Miller bench presses 500 pounds and is primarily a run-stuffer that will be part of a rotation at defensive tackle with Chris Hovan and Ryan Sims. Moore (6-5, 272) has a long wingspan and can play left end while moving inside to defensive tackle on passing downs.

In the fifth round, the Bucs took Illinois left tackle Xavier Fulton, a player they hope can back up at either tackle spot. Having dealt their sixth-round choice to Cleveland Saturday to jump two spots up for Freeman, the Bucs concluded the draft by selecting Western Michigan cornerback E.J. Biggers and Oregon State receiver Sammie Stroughter in the seventh round.

The Bucs believe the 6-foot, 180-pound Biggers is physical enough to play bump-and-run and his 4.34 speed in the 40-yard dash will allow him to cover ground.

Stroughter (5-9, 185) caught 70 passes for 1,040 yards and seven touchdowns last season and will provide a slot receiver.

No matter what becomes of those players, this draft will be judged by the decision to draft Freeman. Morris, who coached at K-State one season, drove the bus on the choice but Dominik insists he, the scouts and coaches didn't just come along for the ride.

Dominik said he got to see Freeman work up close at a K-State-Kansas game last season.

"I walked up on the pre-game down on the field and I was amazed at his size, his delivery, his arm strength -- all the pre-game stuff," Dominik said. "You're sitting there going, 'Wow, this guy has got a lot of talent.' There were certain questions you just couldn't answer. And as we have walked through him from the start of draft preparation to taking him with our first pick this year, he continued to check the boxes of the things that were important to us."

Dominik says the Bucs don't plan to rush Freeman into the lineup.

"I understand he's 21 and I've seen it where it helps for them to sit," Dominik said. "But I've seen it last year where the guys played themselves onto the football field (Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco) But I do realize he's a young quarterback and ideally you'd like those guys to at least learn a little about how to prepare and get caught up to the game. We'll see how the preseason goes."

So while the debate on the direction of the Bucs rages on outside the walls of One Buc Place, inside it was quiet as a lagoon.

"You know, it's funny, they call upstairs the war room," Dominik said. "I can imagine, and I've been part of some fun ones before, but truthfully I can imagine why it got nicknamed that war room. But if you do the work with your coaches, I've got to credit our scouts for spending a lot of time on the road to get this draft prepared, to get me up to speed to where I wanted to be, but it wasn't a war room up there. We had a good time. It was loose. It was comfortable. We had good dialogue, good discussions. We felt like it was a very productive draft for us."

BEST PICK: QB Josh Freeman. If Freeman isn't a franchise quarterback, it could wind up costing GM Mark Dominik and coach Raheem Morris their jobs. At 6-6, 250-pounds, he has more physical tools at the position than any of the four QBs under contract for the Bucs. This is a smart move only if Freeman becomes the starter and wins games by 2010.

COULD SURPRISE: Texas DT Roy Miller was a highly productive player in the Big 12 who dominated at times. He comes to Tampa Bay with a chip on his shoulder for being bypassed until the third round. He'll see lots of playing time in the rotation with Chris Hovan and Ryan Simms.

A closer look at the Buccaneers' picks:

Round 1/17 -- Josh Freeman, QB, 6-6, 224, Kansas State

Freeman is the first quarterback to be drafted in the first round by the Bucs since Trent Dilfer in 1994. He might need to develop a year or two before taking over the reins, but Morris is so effusive in his praise of Freeman that it's not out of the question that he'll start some time in 2009.

Round 3/81 -- Roy Miller, DT, 6-1, 315, Texas

Run-stuffer will be a welcome addition to the defensive line rotation. Gained 25 pounds since the end of the season. Has a chip on his shoulder for being overlooked until the third round of the draft.

Round 4/117 -- Kyle Moore, DE, 6-5, 270, Southern Cal

Moore was overshadowed by more celebrated Trojans defenders like Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga and Clay Matthews, Jr. Will project to a left defensive end in the Bucs' defense.

Round 5/155 -- Xavier Fulton, OT, 6-4, 302, Illinois

Began his career at Illinois as a defensive end before tearing a knee ligament. Gained a medical redshirt in 2006 and switched to left tackle. Underwent surgery on his right shoulder after the Combine. Could be an eventual replacement for LT Donald Penn, who will become a free agent at the end of the 2009 season.

Round 7/217 -- E.J. Biggers, CB, 5-11, 180, Western Michigan

The 6-foot, 180-pound Biggers has the size to play bump coverage with 4.34 speed. Will compete with Elbert Mack for playing time as a nickel back.

Round 7/233 -- Sammy Stroughter, WR, 5-9, 185, Oregon State

Stroughter was very productive as a senior and will provide a speedy slot receiver while competing for playing time on special teams as a kick returner.