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Wyche expects no more major roster changes

 
Published Oct. 15, 1992|Updated Oct. 12, 2005

The Tampa Bay Bucs will not receive any more major roster overhauls this season, just a few minor tuneups.

"We've done what we could do, we've selected this group to be the Bucs of '92," coach Sam Wyche said.

The Bucs made their final deal of the season Tuesday, sending defensive lineman Reuben Davis to Phoenix for a third-round draft pick as the trading deadline ended.

Although the Bucs have two roster spots open, they likely will be filled this week from players eligible to return from injured reserve.

Chief among them is guard Ian Beckles, who worked out with the club for the first time since training camp and is nearly fully recovered from two minor knee surgeries.

"Ian Beckles practiced and looked very good," Wyche said. "There's a chance, a pretty good chance depending on how he goes the rest of the week, that we could move Ian up. That would really give us a boost because going out of the off-season we thought he'd be the starting guard and it brings him back in the lineup. He's just so anxious, he says he's ready to go."

Other strong candidates to be activated from injured reserve are offensive guard Scott Dill, defensive back Rogerick Green and defensive end Reggie Rogers.

Wyche said the passing of the trading deadline had a profound effect on how well his team practiced Wednesday in preparation for Sunday's game at Chicago.

"I told the team today the trade deadline's over and all the uncertainty that comes with a new coaching staff coming to a team that hasn't been winning and the anticipated changes that are going to be made, that's all behind us now," Wyche said.

"There will be some movement between developmental and injured reserve. But unless there's an emergency, this is going to be our football team here. They don't have to look over their shoulder or look around the room and see who's new in the meeting. Now we just settle down and have our year. And I think that they felt good about that on the field. You could tell that they had a totally different approach to practice than they've had in several weeks.

"This is our team. I told them, "Let's get ourselves into a rhythm and a routine every week of preparation. Where I don't have to look for some secret message right before kickoff to give you. This is our deal now, let's go out week after week consistently ready to play."

Injuries

Tom McHale (ankle), Gary Anderson (shoulder) and Keith McCants (knee) are probable for Tampa Bay. Chicago defensive end Richard Dent (rib) is questionable, and offensive tackle Troy Auzenne (shoulder), linebacker Ron Cox (hamstring) and tight end Keith Jennings (calf) are probable.

_ RICK STROUD