Vincent Jackson

Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans are the clear WR starters and appear headed for great things with the Bucs. Who comes into the game when the Bucs want to go to a three-receiver set, however, is far less clear.

Head Coach Lovie Smith has said on several occasions that this slot receiver is usually a smaller player, one with quickness and shifty moves. That would seem to describe rookie Robert Herron, and indeed Smith mentioned that as a possible role for Herron when he was drafted out of Wyoming in the sixth round in May.

Chris Owusu began the preseason listed as a starter opposite Jackson, which would seem to indicate that he had separated from the pack a little bit in the early part of training camp. He has just two catches for 15 yards through three games, however. After Jackson and Evans, it's veteran Louis Murphy who has the highest receiving totals in the preseason, with five catches for 66 yards. In truth, there hasn't been too much evidence in the three warm-up games to suggest any one candidate has seized control of the slot job.