2009 NFL Preview: #26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Offseason Additions: Kellen Winslow Jr. (TE); Angelo Crowell (LB); Derrick Ward (RB); Byron Leftwich (QB); Mike Nugent (K).
Offseason Losses: Jovan Haye (DT); Derrick Brooks (LB); Jeff Garcia (QB); Phillip Buchanon (CB); Kevin Carter (DE); Joey Galloway (WR); Cato June (LB); Warrick Dunn (RB); Ike Hilliard (WR).
Player to Watch: Kellen Winslow Jr., TE.
The Bucs didn’t trade their second round pick in April’s draft to have Winslow block. As long as he stays healthy, the new coaching regime expects Winslow to play a big role in the Bucs’ passing game. Winslow will not only line up at tight end, but also in the slot in efforts to create mismatches on slower linebackers. Considering he’s Tampa’s second best receiving option after Antonio Bryant, Winslow should see plenty of targets this season from new quarterback Byron Leftwich.
Team Strength: The Bucs have one of the most underrated offensive lines in the NFL. Earnest Graham and Derrick Ward should see plenty of running lanes thanks to Tampa’s zone-blocking scheme and a quintet of athletic linemen. Of the five starters, right guard Davin Joseph is the most talented and excels in pass protection. Right tackle Jeremy Trueblood doesn’t have the quickest feet, but he more than makes up for his shortcomings with a nasty demeanor that aids him in one-on-one matchups. Donald Penn (an agile, technically sound tackle) and Aarron Sears are on the left side, although former third round pick Jeremy Zuttah could unseat Sears for the starting left guard position at some point. Jeff Faine gives the group a smart, instinctive center.
Potential Weakness: At least at the start of the season, the secondary is going to be a major question mark. Emerging star Tanard Jackson was suspended four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy and his replacement, Will Allen, is a major downgrade. Jermaine Phillips, who was in the midst of making a transition to linebacker before the coaches moved him back to safety, will be a 230-pound defensive back that could struggle in coverage carrying all of that extra weight. It’s hard to criticize cornerback Ronde Barber for how great he’s been throughout his career, but he’s going to have a tough time switching from the Tampa 2 to man-to-man now that former Bucs’ defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin is coaching at the University of Tennessee. Teams aren’t going to be scared to throw Barber’s way this season. At the other corner spot is the highly talented, but volatile Aqib Talib. The former first round pick is a perfect fit for Tampa’s new defense, but he’s already been arrested on simple battery and resisting arrest charges this offseason, and also had to be punished for punching teammate Torrie Cox in practice. Yikes.
Outlook: For a team that was a four-game losing skid away from winning the NFC South last year, the Bucs are in trouble. Leftwich is inconsistent and even though he has a great O-line to protect him, chances are that he’ll still hang onto the ball too long in the pocket. Winslow and Bryant are solid weapons in the passing game, but can they both stay healthy? The running game will be the backbone of the offense, although neither Graham nor Ward will keep opposing D-coordinators up at night. Defensively, the secondary has a slew of question marks and on a whole, new coordinator Jim Bates doesn’t have the personnel at this point to execute his scheme. Losing free agent acquisition Angelo Crowell for the year doesn’t help things either.
Overall, new head coach Raheem Morris is going to have his work cut out for him. Tampa plays in one of the toughest divisions in football and they have the most questions of any team in the NFC South. Expect a crash and burn season while the new coaching staff and front office tries to change the direction of the organization.
2009 Prediction: Fourth, NFC South.
I’m not really going to comment on the ranking, because I don’t really disagree with it, but I should note a few things for you…
1. Crowell was about to be cut before that injury; Quincy Black unseated him before he had any say.
2. Ronde is probably going to play the slot for most of the season and we have a few unknown CBs that will be solid enough to get through the season in Elbert Mack and Kyle Arrington.
3. Phillips moving back to safety (for a short time) means that they will have Sabby on the field with him, and Phillips is going to play Free.
4. Aside from Hovan not being optimal for the DT in bates system, everyone basically fits the system outside of Barber.
5. Zuttah will be starting on day 1 because Aaron Sears is having depression issues, and likely wont even play this year, possibly ever again..and Zuttah never would have taken his job had this not happened.
6. Look out for Sammie Stroughter, Roy Miller, Geno Hayes, Cadillac Williams, Peanut Smith, & don’t count out the evil rapist Jerramy Stevens, even if he is a jaggoff.
and to throw it out there: I expect the Bucs to go 6-10.
KINGGS,
I’m going to take your comments as part constructive criticism, part fan frustration and part your own projections (#6). Either way, you always bring a knowledgeable take to the site and I’m glad you’re back for the football season.
1. You’re right – Crowell’s loss isn’t huge, which is why I left it as “it doesn’t help.” I liked the signing in the offseason (although thought they were generous with the signing bonus) and thought maybe he could resurrect a once promising career. But as you said, Black and Hayward were ahead of him on the depth chart, so you can chalk up my comment as an overstatement due to my personal favoring of Crowell.
2. I think once the regular season starts, teams are going to pick on Mack because of his size. He’s the Bucs’ preseason version of Brent Grimes. I’ll watch out for Arrington though (haven’t watched him play much to have an opinion either way).
3. I think Piscitelli has some obvious upside and Phillips is a talented, extremely versatile player, but you don’t think he’s going to struggle in coverage carrying that extra weight?
4. Hovan, Barber and I would argue Ryan Sims as well, who at least in my opinion, is more of a one-technique than a guy that’s going to shoot the gap. I know Miller is going to get a shot in a rotation, but Sims isn’t an ideal fit for Bates’ system either. So you have half your defensive line that doesn’t fit the scheme, one of your top cornerbacks and a S trying to move to LB in Phillips (after he gets done filling in for Jackson, that is). I know I used a blanket statement, but I don’t think I was that far off in saying Bates doesn’t quite have the personal yet.
5. Sounds good. I mentioned Zuttah in the preview, but didn’t know he had unseated Sears yet.
6. I like Geno Hayes and don’t think Caddy is done.
I wouldn’t be surprised with 6-10, although you’ve got to convince me that Leftwich can get you 6 wins. Plus you just fired you’re offensive coordinator 11 days before the start of the season.
I wasn’t aware of the firing until about 5 minutes ago. I don’t know what to think yet; none of the feelings I have right now are positive, I can tell you that.
I agree with your post especially that Caddy isn’t done.
I’ll have to re-visit this post or at least this idea of the bucs winning 6 games after we play the cowboys.
Jagz didn’t call the plays though, apparently…so I don’t think we’re going to lose THAT much ground…I just don’t know yet.
As a Fan I am more concerened about the front Office and coaching changes right now than anything else. They are a mess, the new Coach has no experience, the offensive guy is gone and you have a bunch of players that ran the last Coach away.
This crap will make its way to the field. 8-8