FanHouse AngeloCrowell

After releasing Cato June and Derrick Brooks to open the offseason, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have quite a need for some help at the linebacker position. Apparently, they're not only willing to scour the free-agent market, but also think outside the box -- or blindly throw darts at the wall, depending on your perspective -- when it comes to improving the position.

On Wednesday, the team signed free-agent linebacker Angelo Crowell, formerly of the Buffalo Bills, to compete for the strongside linebacker spot. The Buccaneers also plan to move safety Jermaine Phillips to weakside linebacker.

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Training camps are underway, the NFL season is right around the corner, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: The J.P Losman era has come to its logical conclusion. Which is to say, he probably won't be around after this season. Trent Edwards, the team's 2007 third-round pick is now the starter, and if the Bills are to have any chance to improve on last year's 7-9 record, it will lie largely with him. Heat Index: 5

Running backs: Marshawn Lynch had a relatively quiet offseason until he accidentally ran over a pedestrian and bonked out before the cops showed up. The case has been settled, and he won't miss any time, which is great news for a Bills offense that can't afford to lose one of its best players. I suspect the hit-and-run victim might feel differently, however. Fred Jackson is more than capable behind Lynch. Heat Index: 8

Taking into account that it's the preseason, many of the players sitting on the sidelines tonight would normally be on the field if it was a meaningful game. With that said, I'm sure most fans would like to know who they should expect to see this evening. For that reason, I've done by best to create an accurate injury report -- official reports are not posted until week one of the regular season.

Atlanta Falcons:

Out: Running back Warrick Dunn (back), tight end Alge Crumpler (knee) and defensive tackle Rod Coleman (thigh).

Questionable: Linebacker Demorrio Williams (pectoral), running back Jerious Norwood (illness) and wide receiver Dante Hall (back).

Probable: Guard Kynan Forney (back).

The Buffalo Bills have done a whole lot of linebacker shuffling so far this offseason but finally appear content with what they have. The final adjustment came recently when they moved Angelo Crowell from the weak side to the strong side.

If that sticks, and I have every reason to believe it will, the Bills starting linebacker trio will be Crowell (strongside), Paul Posluszny (middle) and Keith Ellison (weak side). That's quite a young and formidable group if I do say so myself.

Obviously they all have a lot of learning to do. Poz is a rookie, Ellison is in his second year and Crowell is at a new position. There could potentially be some struggles but once they all hit their groove, watch out; all three will become household names very soon.