TAMPA —

Michael Bennett started the last two games of the 2010 season at left end for the Buccaneers, and if their initial depth chart is any indication, he’ll start the first game of the 2011 season there as well.

Though the Bucs drafted Da’Quan Bowers in the second round with the intention of starting him on the left edge of their defense, Bennett was listed as the starter in the first official depth chart released Monday.

“It’s no big deal really,” Bennett said of his spot on the depth chart. “It could change in a hurry. Besides, I anticipate (us being in) a big rotation anyway. It’ll probably be (a) 60-40 (split of snaps) or 50-50 at least.”

Bennett’s spot on the first team was the only real surprise on the depth chart, which listed rookies Mason Foster and Adrian Clayborn as the starting middle linebacker and right defensive end.

“I just came out and competed at the highest level possible and played as hard as I could and I guess it stood out to them,” Foster said of earning the first-team nod over second-year pro Tyrone McKenzie.

“Coach told me days ago (about the decision to put Foster at the top of the depth chart), so you have to respect it and just do what you can to get better and help the team,” McKenzie said.

On the offensive side of the ball, veteran Jeremy Trueblood was listed as the starter at right tackle and Kregg Lumpkin was listed as the backup to starting running back LeGarrette Blount.

Trueblood lost his starter’s job to James Lee while he was down with a knee injury last November, but his experience makes him the man to beat in one of the more important training camp position battles.

Lumpkin, meanwhile, has the edge on the backup running back job, but that job could still go to Earnest Graham if Erik Lorig can prove himself capable of playing the lead fullback role that currently belongs to Graham.

At MLB, Foster inched ahead of second-year pro McKenzie during workouts last week, but Bucs coach Raheem Morris said that battle will be decided during the preseason games.

For starters

The first preseason game doesn’t usually offer fans any more than a brief glimpse at their team’s starters. This year’s first preseason game will be a little different for Bucs fans, however.

In an effort to make up for some of the practice time lost during the lockout and the reduction in padded training camp practices, the Bucs are planning to work their starters a little longer during Friday’s opener at Kansas City.

For example, instead of playing starting QB Josh Freeman for just a series or two, Morris said he plans to get Freeman into as many as 20 plays against the Chiefs.

“I want to try to get him 20 plays or so, about a quarter, maybe a quarter and a half,” Morris said of Freeman. “It’s a little bit more than you normally would.”

Morris said the first-team offensive line will play as long as Freeman does, but some skill position players, such as tight end Kellen Winslow, may get pulled after a series or two as normal.

Morris said backup quarterback Josh Johnson and the second-team offensive line will also get about a quarter and a half of work and that he’ll likely finish the game with Rudy Carpenter at quarterback.

Trading places

Turning former college defenders into fullbacks is becoming something of a habit for the Bucs. They did it a year ago with Lorig, a former Stanford defensive end, and now they’re doing with former Tennessee LB Nick Reveiz.

“The first couple of practices I was at linebacker, but they switched me over after that, and it’s been all fullback since,” Reveiz said. “I’m just trying to work my hardest at it and make the team any way I can.”

Playing fullback isn’t anything new for Reveiz, the son of former NFL kicker Fuad Reveiz. He played the position in high school. He’s relying on that experience and Lorig to help him now.

“Erik’s been great for me,” Reveiz said. “He’s been a great mentor and role model. I ask him questions all the time. The bottom line is, they asked him to learn fast and so that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Injury update

The Bucs are hoping Lorig will heal in time from his Achilles tendon injury to play significantly in Friday’s preseason opener at Kansas City. … Bowers (offseason knee surgery) was given the afternoon practice off Monday, but he said he hopes to play at Kansas City. … DT Gerald McCoy (strained right rotator cuff) participated in the morning walk-through and the individual portion of Monday’s padded practice but skipped the contact drills.

Roy Cummings