Simeon Rice's departure means the pressure just got turned up on first-round pick Gaines Adams.

With Rice on board, the thinking was Adams would have a nice tutor in Rice, the three-time Pro Bowl selection. Now, it's up to Adams.

"He's a great player and a great teacher," Adams said of Rice. "I would have loved to learn from someone like him."

Instead, Adams has other concerns. His first will be earning the job at right defensive end. It's becoming increasingly clear that Patrick Chukwurah will get a legitimate shot to win the job, too. Chukwurah joined the Bucs as a free agent from the Broncos in March and figured to be used as a situational pass rusher, but Rice's release could mean a more prominent role for Chukwurah. In fact, he was lined up with the first team at defensive end in today's morning practice.

(Pictured: Gaines Adams at camp Friday. Times photo - Brendan Fitterer.)