Tampa Bay Buccaneers add veteran TE Dallas Clark

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made national news on Monday when veteran TE Kellen Winslow took to The Opening Drive on SiriusXM radio and reported that the Buccaneers informed him over the weekend that his services were no longer needed in Tampa. Events transpired quickly on Monday as the Buccaneers added veteran TE Dallas Clark to the roster while Winslow was shipped out of town. Winslow landed in Seattle with the Seahawks in exchange for a conditional draft pick, reportedly a seventh-round pick with the possibility of becoming a sixth-rounder.

Rookie head coach Greg Schiano has quickly established a completely new attitude surrounding the Buccaneers. S Tanard Jackson has been released because of his lack of participation in offseason activities and poor attitude. Winslow was very vocal with his displeasure of the team hiring Schiano and has not attended offseason activities as well.

Gone in Tampa is the attitude that the coach is the player’s friend and someone to hang out with socially after the work on the field has been completed.

The Buccaneers needed to add a veteran tight end and this year’s free agency pool was very weak at that position. Many pundits have questioned this offseason as to what Clark has left in his tank and the fact that Clark has played only 17 games in the last two seasons has to be a concern as well for the Buccaneers. Tampa has several tight ends on the roster, but none of them with any significant NFL playing experience.

Since we have yet to see full workouts or any preseason games, there is only speculation as to what style of offense the Buccaneers will be operating under in 2012. A strong running game will be focused on but it’s very possible that the tight end position will not be a focus in the passing game with the Buccaneers going more of a three-wide set.

Regardless, it has not take Greg Schiano long to set the tone of this offseason and establish what is expected from his players and exactly what won’t be tolerated.