2007 TampaBay Bucs

The Tamps Bay Buccaneers were awful last season going from first in the NFC South with 11 victories in 2005 to worst with just four wins in 2006. Since winning the Super Bowl, head coach Jon Gruden’s team has endured three losing seasons and two trips to the NFC South cellar. Gruden does have two division titles in just five seasons with the Bucs, but management’s focus is on the two last place finishes and three losing seasons. With that in mind, Jonny boy goes on the hot seat officially this season.

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The fact that Jon Gruden’s job is in jeopardy is not fair in my opinion. Two division titles in five seasons and a Super Bowl victory are things that 20 other teams around the league would kill for right now. I think management needs to take a chill pill. Gruden is hoping that an aggressive offseason will give his team the quick fix they need to make another worst to first turnaround.

Tampa Bay’s biggest problem offensively is that they do not have a trusted leader under center. Bruce Gradkowski clearly is not NFL starter material and Chris Simms appeared on the verge, but suffered an injury to set him back last year. Hopefully, signing free agent Jeff Garcia, who led the Eagles into the playoffs last season, is a quick fix the Bucs can bank on. Running back Cadillac Williams endured a sophomore slump last season due to a bad year by the line. The offensive line and Cadillac will need to be back at the top of their games in 2007 if this team wants a shot at doing some damage. Wide receiver Joey Galloway can still fly and gives the Bucs a coveted deep threat, but someone else will have to emerge so that teams can’t simply double him. Garcia’s ability to scramble should help the Bucs as he is able to make plays to come up with first downs that other QB’s such as Gradkowski and Simms aren’t going to make on a consistent basis.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense has been the class of NFL defenses for 10 years now. For the first time in a decade they fell out of the top 10 in total defense. It appears that age is starting to catch up with this core group of All-Pro players like Simeon Rice, Derrick Brooks, Shelton Quarles, Greg Spires, Ronde Barber, and Brian Kelly. These guys have never had a dominant offense to go with them or we might have seen Tampa become the dynasty that New England is. The Bucs are going to have to bring a pass rush to the table this season. They finished next to last in sacks last year. This aging “D” will especially benefit from an offense who is able to move the football. A terrible offensive season left the defense on the field too much last year. Give these vets some time to rest and find out that they can still get the job done.

By Jeff Alexander – 7/24/2007

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2007 TampaBay Bucs

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