2007 Outlook:
The Bucs are coming off a 4-12 campaign where they were decimated by injuries all season. New arrival Jeff Garcia will be the new starting quarterback for the 2007 season and he'll look to bring his winning ways (remember the Eagles last year and the 49ers a few years ago) to Tampa Bay. The offensive line, atrocious in '06, welcomes newcomers Luke Petitgout from the Giants and Aaron Sears from the University of Tennessee. Both will serve to vastly improve a running game that was 28th in the NFL last season. While the defense is not a shut down unit any longer, they are more than adequate to keep games close. The Bucs will be a much improved team this season.
2007 Draft Review:
The 2007 draft was solid for Tampa Bay. With their first round pick, they secured Gaines Adams from Clemson. Adams will provide some youth to the front 7 and draw some attention from perennial Pro Bowler, Derrick Brooks. The Bucs two second round picks are no slouches either. Sears from Tennessee will immediately join the starting lineup and Piscitelli brings back memories of a young John Lynch. They will both be solid contributors for years to come. If Quincy Black can add some strength, he could see time at the weakside LB this season as well. Grade: B+
Key Acquisition:
Luke Petitgout joins the Bucs from the Giants organization this season. Petitgout was a much needed acquisition to improve the fantasy value for all of the Bucs offensive threats. The Bucs ranked 28th in both passing and rushing last season making almost every player on their offense waiver wire fodder. If Petitgout and Sears can improve the line, which they will, Cadillac's and Garcia's values go way up.
Key Departure:
The Lions wasted no time in signing Bucs free agent defensive end DeWayne White. The 6-foot-2, 273-pound White made 14 sacks the last three seasons, playing in 16 games each year for the Buccaneers, totalling 114 career tackles. If rookie DE Gaines Adams cannot adequately replace White, the Bucs defense could drop a few spots. For a team with a limited offense, this was not a player they could afford to lose.
Offensive Preview:
The Bucs entire offensive unit was atrocious in '06 ranking 28th in both passing and rushing yards. In all fairness, they dealt with more injuries to key personnel than any other team, but the offensive line was the Achilles heel of the group all year. Despite their inefficiency, the lone bright spot was Joey Galloway, who put together a solid 2006 campaign. Williams are back healthy, Garcia is fresh off a playoff run with Philly, and the offensive line has some nice additions. This group will not be the 28th ranked group this season as they should improve to around 17th. Williams and Galloway will be contributors, while Clayton and Garcia could be sleepers.
Defensive/Special Teams Preview:
The Bucs' days as a premier fantasy defense are long gone. Last season they were a mediocre squad ranking in the middle of the pack in both rushing and passing defense. The additions of Gaines Adams and Kevin Carter were tempered by the loss of DeWayne White. Cato June will provide some help to the linebackers, but age is a concern for the Tampa D. Kicker Matt Bryant only connected on 77% of his FG attempts last season and returners Ike Hilliard and Michael Pittman do not exactly strike fear into opposing special team units. Look for the Bucs defensive unit to be a middle of the road squad next season worthy of a 9-11 round pick at best.
Season Prediction:
The Bucs have re-tooled much of their team this off-season. While the skill players on the outside leaves one wanting, if their offensive line can play better than last season and Garcia provides valuable veteran leadership, the Bucs could make a push for a .500 season. The schedule is friendly. We will see if the youth can speed up their progress while father time slows for the defense.
Projected Finish
7 Wins, 9 Losses (3rd NFC South)
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