The defense was very impressive last year. They were able to stop the run up front and able to compete against the passing game. The defense lead by Cornerback Ronde Barber, and Linebackers Cato June & Derrick Brooks is a fierce squad ready to lay some hurt on its opponents. The Bucc defense was by far the best part of their team last year and with this year’s draft, they only improved upon it. In the first round, the Buccs picked Cornerback Aqib Talib out of Kansas. This will easily provide the Buccs with another playmaker on the defensive side of the ball. He does play on the same side as Ronde Barber, but with a little moving around, time sharing, and Dime defense, both men can produce for this team. It was a good defense last year. I think it will be great this year.
The recievers are either too old or untalented for this team. Don’t get me wrong, Joey Galloway is a pro-bowl candidate every year. He is still a fantastic playmaker, but he is losing a step. He used to be one of if not the fastest wide recievers in the game, but you can tell by watching him play, that he is slowing down. His body is wearing down and it may be time for this great player to call it quits... that won’t happen this year though. He will still get the ball, he will still make plays, and hopefully those plays can help get this team back to the playoffs. I don’t feel the same about Ike Hilliard. He’s old and in his career he hasn’t been all that impressive. He’s only got 31 Touchdowns in 11 seasons. Thats not at all impressive. The recievers are old, but the Buccs did draft Dexter Jackson this year. He is a stand out from Appalachian State. I’ve got to be honest. I did not see much of App. State. Last year. The one game I did see was a showcase for Quarterback Armanti Edwards. I don’t really know what Dexter Jackson can do, but I’m hoping for the sake of the Buccs, It’s fantastic. Still, fresh talent is always a good sign.
Under coach Jon Gruden, the Buccs have been about pounding the rock. Well last year, that didn’t serve them very well. They lost 2 running backs last year, the most notable being Cadillac Williams. It was a nasty injury. When you saw it, you knew his season was over. It was bad. I don’t know if Cadillac can play this year or if he can be as good as we all know he is if he does. Warrick Dunn is coming home to the Buccs this year at tailback, but the problem with that is last year’s emergence of Earnest Graham. Dunn will be nothing more then a 3rd stringer unless he can win a position battle. However, If I’m the Buccs, I don’t stray away from Graham. He carried the running game on his back and provided more then anyone could have expected him too. He is a tough kid that can play some football. Dunn is an all-time great without a doubt, but he’s old. Graham is the better option right now.
Jeff Garcia is an amazing quarterback. He just makes some amazing plays, he’s accurate, he can move with the ball, and he flat out knows how to kick some butt on that gridiron. However, Garcia can’t win when it matters. Despite his ability to play the quarterback position well, he hasn’t gotten the job done. That was no different last year when he helped the Buccs lose their first playoff game. Right now there is no doubt that Jeff Garcia is the man for this team. Other then him, the Buccs have Luke McCown, who’s not horrible, but not the right choice and Brian Griese, really bad option for any team. However, there have been rumblings that Brett Favre could become a member of the Buccs this year. This Brett Favre situation has got me annoyed and I didn’t want to talk about it, but the fact is, he may become a Bucc, he also may become a Jet. We don’t know where Favre is going to end up, but should he end up in Tampa Bay, this team automatically becomes a top playoff contender. Favre can win, we all know that, but can he win with this team? We’ll have to wait and see how it all unfolds.
Lets be honest. 9-7 isn’t great. They made the playoffs because they were lucky enough to be in a bad division. It’s not indicative of a great team and if they continue to play like they do, they aren’t going to make an impact on the playoffs. Considering only one team represented the NFC South last year, I don’t think the Buccs will be that team this year. They have some talent, but its all really old talent. There needs to be some new blood on this team. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see this team draft Tim Tebow next year if he declares. I think they may just do what they gotta do to get him. I don’t see the playoffs in their near future. Their schedule is too hard and I don’t think New Orleans lies down like it did last year. We will have to wait and see of course, but I won’t bet on the Buccs making the playoffs again.
Keywords: Aqib Talib, Brett Favre, Brian Griese, Cadillac Williams, Derrick Brooks, Dexter Jackson, Ernest Graham, Green Bay Packers, Ike Hilliard, Jeff Garcia, Joey Galloway, Luke McCown, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Warrick Dunn
