While it's been assumed and insinuated before, Bucs coach Raheem Morris made it clear today that WR Sammie Stroughter is the "lead dog" for the second starting wide receiver spot.

WR Maurice Stovall was listed starter in the first preseason game in Miami, but hasn't played since due to an ankle injury. Morris said Stovall won't play Saturday against the Jaguars, and if he doesn't play the rest of the preseason, it'll be tough for him to hold off Stroughter, and the other competing receivers.

Rookie WR Mike Williams will be starting, but it appears Stroughter has made a strong case to be on the other side. Stroughter, a seventh-round pick in 2009, racked up 31 catches for 334 yards last season.

"He's got the most production in the camp, he has the most production in the season," Morris said. "He's got the most production off the grass for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers."

Morris foreshadowed this last week when, upon discussing his decision to start veteran WR Reggie Brown against the Chiefs, that he had seen enough from Stroughter and knew what he could do. Morris said that, following Stroughter, it'd be Brown and Michael Clayton, with rookie Arrelious Benn following and Micheal Spurlock in the mix.

"There's a bunch of dogs out there and there's one bone," Morris said. "And those dogs are still running around and playing."

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com