The Sports Rumors

NFC South Preview: Team 3 of 4

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Preview and Prediction

2006 Record: 4-12

Division Ranking: Last

2006 Result: Missed Playoffs

Without a question, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were one of the league’s worst teams last year. Four years removed from a Super Bowl victory, Jon Gruden’s job is on the ropes. This is the life of an NFL coach. Last year’s Bucs team had major concerns at quarterback. Chris Simms went out when his spleen exploded. Then to the rescue came Bruce Gradkowski. Yeah. So that’s your season. But make no mistake about how bad the Bucs were either way. Chris Simms wasn’t exactly Carson Palmer before the spleen injury. The Bucs finished the season ranked 26^th overall in passing. Maybe they would have finished 24^th with Simms healthy. Maybe. They finished 28^th in rushing. That is somewhat surprising considering they have Carnell Williams (I refuse to call him Cadillac, I think it’s one of the dumbest nicknames I’ve ever heard. He’s more Ford Focus than he is Cadillac). You can defend the rushing being 28^th to a certain extent by noting how miserable the passing was and how teams just stacked the line with 8 guys gunning for the running backs. But still, 28^th? That’s pretty miserable.

Defensively, the Bucs were just about average. They finished 17^th overall. They gave up over 115 yards per game on the ground which is pretty alarming for a Tampa Bay city that has gotten used to pummeling running backs. The defense is getting old though and guys like Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber are fighting their body’s time clocks. The defense did go out and get Gaines Adams in the first round which was a very good pick from my viewpoint. That should bolster the line that still had Simeon Rice, Chris Hovan and Kevin Carter. The linebacking corps consist of newly signed Cato June to go opposite of Derrick Brooks. Ronde Barber anchors the secondary. Look for an improved defense this year.

However, the main concern is still the offense. The big addition was obviously the signing of Jeff Garcia. Garcia should flourish in Gruden’s west coast style offense which consists of short slants and dump offs mixed in with plenty of running. Tampa Bay’s style of offense is very similar to that of the Eagles. The Bucs will be looking at Carnell Williams to step up this year and improve from the measly 3.5 yards per carry average of last year. For this offense to be successful, Williams will need to have at least 1100 yards this year. Joey Galloway had a good season last year eclipsing 1000 yards receiving on 62 catches while pulling in 7 touchdowns. But he’s 35 now. There is only a limit to what he can do. Michael Clayton is going to have to step up on the opposite end and make an impact for Garcia to have a chance at being successful.

I think the Bucs will be a much better team than they were last year. They made nice additions on defense and brought in a solid and consistent quarterback to lead the offense. But old age on offense as well as inexperience and inconsistency with the younger players is what’s going to keep the Bucs from being an elite team. That, plus the fact that they are going to play in a division with the Panthers and Saints, both of whom I predicted to have strong seasons. Lucky for the Bucs, it looks likes Joey Harrington will be the starter in Atlanta so that should give them an extra two wins this year. My assessment of the Bucs: Average team that is improving but one big time offensive player away from being a dangerous squad.

First Quarter: 2-2

@ Seattle – Loss

New Orleans – Win

St. Louis – Win

@ Carolina – Loss

Second Quarter: 1-3

@ Indy – Loss

Tennessee – Loss

@ Detroit – Win

Jacksonville - Loss

Midseason: 3-5

Third Quarter: 2-2

Arizona – Win

@ Atlanta – Win

Washington – Loss

@ New Orleans – Loss

Fourth Quarter: 3-1

@ Houston – Win

Atlanta – Win

@ S.F. – Loss

Carolina - Win

Final Record: 8-8

(The clock is ticking louder than ever for Chucky. He can hear it.)