Tampa Bay Buccaneers news and notes

The brownout?

Although the news is good for WR Reggie Brown, one of seven receivers on the roster, he has work to do. The six-year veteran isn't a big special teams contributor and likely will have to improve that part of his game or be one of the team's top three wideouts to be active on Sundays.

"Reggie is going to have to have a good week of practice to get a hat on because I do believe — and I think Coach (Raheem) Morris has the same philosophy, as well as (offensive coordinator Greg) Olson and (special teams coach Rich) Bisaccia — that you have to play special teams to play," GM Mark Dominik said. "Or you have to be one of those three receivers that go out on every down.

"So that is where Reggie has to come on and see if he can get a hat on every week. That is going to be up to him to see if he can."

Long shots

Every year, a player or two can come out of nowhere to make an NFL roster.

This year, it was WR Preston Parker and T Derek Hardman. Okay, Parker wasn't unknown. He starred at Florida State until off-field problems got him kicked out and he finished at Division II North Alabama. But he signed as an undrafted free agent and was signed from the rookie camp. Hardman, an undrafted player from Eastern Kentucky, showed versatility by starting for Davin Joseph at guard in the preseason finale at Houston.

Rick Stroud, Times staff writer

Regular-season schedule

Sept. 12: Browns, 1, Ch. 10 *

Sept. 19: at Panthers, 1, Ch. 13

Sept. 26: Steelers, 1, Ch. 10 *

Oct. 10: at Bengals, 1, Ch. 13

Oct. 17: Saints, 1, Ch. 13 *

Oct. 24: Rams, 1, Ch. 13 *

Oct. 31: at Cards, 4:15, Ch. 13

Nov. 7: at Falcons, 1, Ch. 13

Nov. 14: Panthers, 1, Ch. 13 *

Nov. 21: at 49ers, 4:05, Ch. 13

Nov. 28: at Ravens, 1, Ch. 13

Dec. 5: Falcons, 1, Ch. 13 *

Dec. 12: at Redskins, 1, Ch. 13

Dec. 19: Lions, 1, Ch. 13 *

Dec. 26: Seahawks, 1, Ch. 13 *

Jan. 2: at Saints, 1, Ch. 13

* Subject to blackout