Tampa Bay starts life without ex-Clemson standout Adams

CHARLOTTE -- By shipping defensive end Gaines Adams to Chicago on Friday night, Tampa Bay admitted a previous mistake and began preparing for the future.

The Bucs picked up the Bears' second-round pick next year for the player taken fourth overall in 2007. The former Clemson star had 13.5 sacks in 37 games for Tampa Bay.

The Bucs now have 10 picks in next year's draft, and might not be finished dealing. They also gained New England's fifth-round pick (for tight end Alex Smith) and a conditional pick from Jacksonville (for quarterback Luke McCown).

Meanwhile, the Panthers have just five picks next year.

They sent their first-rounder to San Francisco to move up to get defensive end Everette Brown in last year's second round. They also sent their seventh-rounder to Green Bay for long snapper J.J. Jansen. The Panthers did pick up an extra sixth-rounder next year from Oakland, in a draft-day trade down that netted them cornerback Captain Munnerlyn in last year's seventh round.

Another pick, which was undisclosed, went to Cleveland for defensive tackle Louis Leonard (and was likely one of those sixth-rounders).

ODDS AGAINST THEM — Not only have the Panthers disappointed themselves this year, they're letting Vegas down as well.

According to the sports gambling Web site bodog.com, the Panthers have taken one of the biggest hits in terms of adjusted odds for their season.

Going into the year, the over-under for Panthers wins was 8.5, pegging them in the middle of the field. It's now moved to 5.5, as not many expect them to make a big run considering the challenging schedule in front of them (at least once they get through the next two weeks).

It would be the biggest drop in the league, if not for Tennessee. The Titans' over-under was nine wins at the beginning of the year, and their line has moved to 5.5 as well.

EXTRA POINTS — With Adams gone, the Bucs are expected to start Stylez G. White (nee Greg White) at right defensive end today. White, a former Arena Leaguer, has 13 sacks in 37 NFL games, a half-sack less than Adams. None of White's sacks have come against the Panthers.

For the record, his name change was reportedly done in honor of a character in the movie “Teen Wolf.” ...

Nevermind Reggie Jackson, quarterback Jake Delhomme is Mr. October. He has won 11 of his past 14 games in the month, along with eight of his last 10 starts against Tampa Bay.