Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.
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.
