Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2010 record: 10-6
Last playoff appearance: 2007, 9-7, NFC South Champs, L24-14 NYG
General Manager: Mark Dominik (2009 – current)
Head Coach: Raheem Morris (2009 – current, 13-19 record)
Offensive Coordinator: Greg Olson
Defensive Coordinator: Keith Millard
Defensive alignment: 4-3
2010 NFL Rankings:
OFF: 21.3 PTS (20th) 335.1 YDS (19th) 210.1 PASS (17th) 125.1 RUSH (8th)
DEF: 19.9 PTS (9th) 332.7 YDS (17th) 201.0 PASS (7th) 131.7 RUSH (28th)
Jeremy’s Outlook: Does anyone remember the SNL skit where George W. Bush was asked to summarize his campaign in one word, and he said, “strategery?” What the hell does this have to do with the Bucs? Well, I was reminded of the skit when I was watching video on the Bucs and head coach Raheem Morris said that his team was “youngry.” Anyways, the Buccaneers are the league’s youngest team and are primed for a playoff berth this season…or a fall back to reality. Last year’s schedule was a little on the soft side, but nevertheless, going 10-6 was a great accomplishment.
Offensively, it starts with Josh Freeman. Out of the three first round picks that were quarterbacks in the 2009 draft (Matt Stafford and Mark Sanchez), Freeman has had the most success, in terms of development and stats. The running game was powered by undrafted free agent LeGarrette Blount last season, who broke the 1,000 yard barrier. He went undrafted for the reason that many of us have seen before, but if you haven’t, here’s the video. Mike Williams seemed to have character concerns as well, but the Bucs got another player without seeming to care about that attribute and they were again rewarded with 964 yards and 11 touchdowns. With these big three having another season together, they can only get better. The offense is certainly not as flashy as the Falcons or Saints, but we’ll see if the tougher schedule for the Bucs prevents them from pushing into the playoffs.
Defensively, the Bucs set out to improve their pass rush (their top pass rusher got 4.5 sacks in 2010). The first two picks were defensive ends Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers. I think the Bucs’ defensive line will be much improved this season. Barrett Ruud was allowed to leave, but they drafted Mason Foster, who’s looked pretty good this preseason, to replace him at middle linebacker. Aqib Talib won’t be disciplined by Roger Goodell for some off the field problems during the lockout, so that’s a plus for the team. Rhonde Barber seems to be the second coming of Darrell Green, who played for what seemed like forever. While the offense will show improvement I think, the defense, namely the rush defense, needs to improve. The front seven is young obviously and has players that were mainly brought in to improve the pass rush. We’ll see if they can improve the run defense as well.
Prediction:
I like the Bucs to be competitive in the NFC South, which is probably the toughest division in the NFL now. Looking through their schedule, I see the Packers, Texans, Bears, Cowboys, plus the Saints and Falcons within the division. They’re winnable games, but I don’t know how the “youngry” Bucs will respond to so many tough matchups, since they didn’t really see much more than the division leaders, Steelers, and Ravens in 2010. I see the Buccaneers going 9-7. The defense I think has some uncertainty in the front seven, even though I like the pass rush to improve. The offense returns the offensive line and I’m certain the league rankings in passing and rushing will improve, as well.
Projected Starters:
QB: Josh Freeman
RB: LeGarrette Blount
FB: Earnest Graham
WR: Mike Williams
WR: Arrelious Benn
TE: Kellen Winslow Jr.
OT: Donald Penn
OG: Ted Larsen
C: Jeff Faine
OG: Davin Joseph
OT: Jeremy Trueblood
DE: camp competition: Da’Quan Bowers/Michael Bennett
DT: Gerald McCoy
DT: camp competition: Roy Miller/Brian Price
DE: Adrian Clayborn
OLB: Quincy Black
MLB: Mason Foster
OLB: Geno Hayes
CB: Aqib Talib
SS: Sean Jones
FS: Cody Grimm
CB: Rhonde Barber
K: Connor Barth
P: Michael Koenen
Fantasy Performers:
1. LaGarrette Blount RB
2. Mike Williams WR
3. Josh Freeman QB
4. Kellen Winslow Jr. TE
5. Connor Barth K
2011 schedule:
1 Sep 11 vs. Lions 1:00 PM Tickets
2 Sep 18 at Vikings 1:00 PM Tickets
3 Sep 25 vs. Falcons 4:15 PM Tickets
4 Oct 03 vs. Colts 8:30 PM Tickets
5 Oct 09 at 49ers 4:05 PM Tickets
6 Oct 16 vs. Saints 4:15 PM Tickets
7 Oct 23 vs. Bears @ Wembley Stadium 1:00 PM Tickets
8 Bye
9 Nov 06 at Saints 1:00 PM Tickets
10 Nov 13 vs. Texans 1:00 PM Tickets
11 Nov 20 at Packers 1:00 PM Tickets
12 Nov 27 at Titans 1:00 PM Tickets
13 Dec 04 vs. Panthers 1:00 PM Tickets
14 Dec 11 at Jaguars 1:00 PM Tickets
15 Dec 17 vs. Cowboys 8:20 PM Tickets
16 Dec 24 at Panthers 1:00 PM Tickets
17 Jan 01 at Falcons 1:00 PM Tickets
Re-signed:
James Lee OT – 3 yrs, 1.15 million
Jeremy Trueblood OT – 2 yrs
Davin Joseph OG – 7 yrs
Adam Hayward OLB – 3 yrs
Quincy Black LB – 5 yrs, 29 million, 11.5 million guaranteed
Connor Barth K – 1 yr, 1.9 million
Free agent acquisitions:
Michael Clayton WR (Giants)
Michael Koenen P (Falcons) – 6 yrs, 19.5 million, 6.5 million guaranteed
Free agent losses:
Carnell Williams RB – signed with Rams
Maurice Stovall WR – Signed with Lions
Barrett Ruud MLB – Signed by Titans
Picks in 2011 NFL Draft: (overall draft grade: A): GM Mark Dominik set out in 2009 to build the Bucs back into a contender. After 2009, it looked bleak for the franchise that lost its identity. They were slotted at number three in the 2010 draft after a poor 2009. But it appears now, after the 2010 season, that the Bucs have found a new identity. Head Coach Rahim Morris and Dominik have turned the Buccaneers around in a very short time. Excellent drafting has been a huge boost to the franchise as 2009 first rounder quarterback Josh Johnson is the starter and many other young players are contributing early on. As for the Bucs’ 2011 draft, I loved what they did again. Defensive end was a need and it was addressed with players who were at the right value. The defense got the majority of the picks in the draft class and we should see steady improvement. Last season’s 10-6 record doesn’t look like a fluke.
Rd 1, Pick 20 (20) Adrian Clayborn DE, Iowa – Bucs needed a pass rusher and they got one. The condition with his shoulder and lackluster senior season are only concerns.
Grade: B Rated: 23
Rd 2, Pick 19 (51) Da’Quan Bowers DE, Clemson – I didn’t think he should have fallen this far. Although, I don’t have the doctors reports that teams have.
Grade: A+ Rated: 17
Rd 3, Pick 20 (84) Mason Foster LB, Washington – Bucs get one of the most productive tacklers in the draft. Fits a need for them as well.
Grade: A+ Rated: 57
Rd 4, Pick 7 (104) Luke Stocker TE, Tennessee – Luke Stocker TE, Tennessee – There’s nothing behind Kellen Winslow at tight end on the Bucs.
Grade: A- Rated: 83
Rd 5, Pick 20 (151) Ahmad Black SS, Florida – The only thing that has held Black this far down the board is his size. He was one of those prospects who has much better game speed than his 40 speed at the combine.
Grade: A Rated: 126
Rd 6, Pick 22 (187) Allen Bradford RB, USC – big back with quick feet. More of a between the tackles runner and didn’t catch many passes at USC.
Grade: B- Rated: 238
Rd 7, Pick 19 (222) Anthony Gaitor DB, FAU – insurance for when Aqib Talib is let go.
Grade: A Rated: 206
Rd 7, Pick 35 (238) Daniel Hardy TE, Idaho – decent hands and size, will be competing with Luke Stocker for number two tight end.
Grade: C+ Rated: NR
2010 Stat Leaders
Josh Freeman 291-474 61.4% 3451 YDS 7.3 YPA 25 TD 6 INT 95.9 RTG
LeGarrette Blount 201 ATT 1007 YDS 5.0 YPA 53 LNG 6 TD
Mike Williams 65 REC 964 YDS 14.8 YPC 58 LNG 11 TD
Connor Barth 23-28 82.1% 53 LNG
Barrett Ruud 119 TCK
Stylez G. White 4.5 SCK
Aqib Talib 6 INT
Out of Season Storylines
How will Bucs respond to tougher schedule?
Aqib Talib is pardoned by Roger Goodell
Bucs pick up option on Raheem Morris