The Buccaneers’ quarterback competition is an open battle with just a few weeks to go until the start of the training camp, and it could take some time before a front-runner emerges. There was talk, fueled in part by comments from Bucs QB coach Greg Olson, toward the end of the team’s final minicamp in June that rookie Josh Freeman might vault to the starting spot by Week One, since neither Luke McCown nor Byron Leftwich had done much to separate himself from the pack, but Bucs GM Mark Dominik did his best to crush that sentiment, saying he’d rather have Freeman sit back and mature rather than be pushed into things right away. Dominik said the competition between McCown and Leftwich is very tight, but we hear McCown continues to hold on to a slight edge, which he enjoyed throughout the offseason, thanks to his familiarity with the club’s personnel and Leftwich’s issues with a groin injury.

Kickoff is coming! Be sure to buy copies of the Pro Football Weekly/Yahoo! Sports 2009 NFL preview magazine, as well as the Pro Football Weekly/Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football Guide 2009, both of which are now available at bookstores, newsstands and retail outlets where magazines are sold. Or order your copies online at PFWStore.com.