Tampa Bay plays New England in London on Oct. 25.

Smith, a third-round pick out of Stanford in 2005, became expendable when the Bucs traded two draft picks (second rounder in '09, fifth in 2010) to the Cleveland Browns for tight end Kellen Winslow, Jr. in February.

Smith, 26, had only one year remaining on his contract.

In four seasons, Smith played in 58 games and caught 129 passes for 1,252 yards and 11 touchdowns.

In 2005, he led all rookie tight ends with a career-high 41 receptions for 367 yards and two touchdowns. But the 6-foot-4, 258-pound Smith was plagued by a series of leg and ankle injuries and missed at least two games in each of the past three seasons.

Last year, Smith played in 14 games and caught 21 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns.

The Bucs have three veteran tight ends on the roster -- Winslow, who is expected to be a featured receiver next season; Jerramy Stevens, who led all Bucs tight ends in '08 with 36 receptions for 397 yards and two TDs; and John Gilmore, who is primarily a blocking tight end.

--Several players from this weekend's rookie camp could earn a spot on

the team, at least for the time being. A couple of those spots will be taken by players who apparently have been promised rookie free agent deals, such as University of Tennessee cornerback DeAngelo Willingham and Richmond running back Josh Vaughan.

The roster flexibility will enable the Bucs to consider signing players in whom they see potential, something that has paid dividends in the past. It was at this time last year the Bucs latched onto running back Clifton Smith, who excelled in the rookie camp and was given a contract. The rest, as you probably know, is history -- literally. Smith went on to make the Pro Bowl as the NFC's return man.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I love Josh, but if we're looking for a guy to come in here and play tomorrow, let's get (Mark) Sanchez. But ask me who has the most upside, it's Josh Freeman. Bar none. I've seen them all play." -- Bu

cs pro scouting coordinator Doug Williams.