Tampa Bay Bucs Team Analysis
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by Letstalknfl
Let's talk Bucs...
Free Agency:
Grade: B
Blue Adams has potential but has yet to make an impact and Juran Bolden was far too inconsistent. Tim Rattay didn’t pan out as the savvy veteran that John Gruden likes, so Jeff Garcia will take over and provide the Bucs with a solid starter for a couple of years. The only question is whether the Bucs got the Philly Garcia, or the Browns/Lions Garcia. Tampa Bay will miss Dewayne White, and Shelton Quarles who had over 100 tackles the last three seasons. Green was a depth guy, but Mahan was a starter who will be missed. Losing underachieving Kenyatta Walker rounds out an overhaul of the O-Line, which was pretty bad last year, helping the Bucs to finish 28 th in rushing and 26 th in passing. True, the QB play was porous last season, but it all starts up front.
Stepping into contributing roles along the O-Line are veterans Matt Lehr and Luke Petitgout. They provide veteran leadership and upgrades along the line. Kevin Carter should provide depth at DE, but he turns 34 this year and may only have a year or two left. B.J. Askew is interchangeable in the league, and will sit behind Mike Alstott this season. Ryan Simms was a bust with Kansas City, but the Bucs will see if they can channel his talent into a productive season. Jake Plummer may retire before the start of the season, and is just another body in the logjam at QB. Patrick Chukwurah provides solid depth. Jerramy Stevens will contend for playing time but has been a disappointment thus far in his career. Sammy Davis is a bust and likely will not make a difference. The biggest addition for the Bucs is OLB Cato June coming over from the Colts. June is immensely talented, though some say he is a product of the Colts’ defensive system. If that is the case, he should fit right into Defensive Coordinator Monte Kiffin’s system and provides an upgrade at the LB spot.
Overall, the Bucs lost some contributors and gained some as well. It appears as though the additions of Lehr, Petitgout, Garcia, June, and Carter make for a very productive off-season though, as all will likely start on opening day.
Draft:
Grade: A
The Bucs got the second best defensive player in the draft in Gaines Adams. His job will be to learn behind Simeon Rice and be the heir apparent to the DE position. He has great reach, good speed, and sound fundamentals, and he should be a force on the D-Line for years. Aaron Sears will likely be tried at RT, but could also contribute at OG. He’s a good talent with the potential to start as early as this year. Sabby Piscitelli is a hard-hitter, but sometimes takes too many risks. He’s adequate in coverage but will need to improve in order to earn a starting role. Tanard Jackson might be a steal. What he lacks in speed, he makes up for in experience and technique. Learning behind Ronde Barber and under Monte Kiffin, he could develop into a solid starter. Black could play SS or OLB, but either way he’ll need to improve his tackling. Peterson looks like a potential sack specialist, but lacks the strength and technique to play full-time at the DE position. Hayward is a small school prospect with speed, but lacks the size to make an impact. He’ll struggle to make the team. Darby was productive at Alabama and has a slight chance to contribute as a third down back. He’ll have to show he can make an impact on special teams to make the roster though. Hamilton and Denman are both overachieving types who should be viewed only as developmental projects. Overall, the Bucs did a good job in finding five players who could develop into starters, and two that could start as soon as this season (Adams, Sears). The development of their three secondary position choices may be a determining factor when evaluating this draft a couple years from now.
Coaching:
Jon Gruden needs to rebound greatly from a horrible 4-12 season in 2006. With better quarterback play and an improved offensive line this year, Gruden has a very good chance of bringing this team back in contention. However, expectations are going to be high for the coach, and anything short of a playoff berth could result in the Bucs making a coaching change. He’s a great offensive mind though, and will need to maximize the talent he has on offense, while compensating for holes on the interior line and at wide receiver. Bill Muir is the offensive line coach and also serves as offensive coordinator, though Gruden is no doubt in charge.
Monte Kiffin is the defensive coordinator for the Bucs. He’s one of the best in the business and has held the position since 1996. His version of the Cover 2 defense (labeled the Tampa 2) has been one of the most successful defensive schemes over the past decade and he continuously gets the most out of his defensive units. This season, the defense will need to be improved from last year, and Kiffin’s job will be to get the most out of free agent acquisitions Cato June and Kevin Carter, and to try and get value from former first round busts Ryan Simms and Sammy Davis. He’ll also have some new tools from the draft and will no doubt be pivotal in their development.
Grade: B+
Quarterbacks:
Jeff Garcia will likely win the starting job over Chris Simms, who is coming off a ruptured spleen injury that left him on IR for most of last season. While Simms is a prospect and could still rebound and have a solid NFL career, Garcia is more of a Gruden-type of quarterback. Simms provides the Bucs with an above-average backup though. Garcia is an aging, mobile quarterback who scrambles well, makes good decisions, and makes excellent throws on the run. He definitely fits the Rich Gannon mold from Gruden’s offensive powerhouse in Oakland and should find similar success for a season or two. There is the risk that the Bucs will be getting the Garcia from Detroit or Cleveland rather than the one from San Francisco or Philadelphia last year, but it’s more likely that he’ll fit very well into Gruden’s system. With the experience gained last year, Bruce Gradkowski will contend for the backup job, but will likely remain a solid third-stringer. Gruden is still trying to lure Jake Plummer out of retirement, but Plummer would only create a logjam at the position. The Bucs are better off with Garcia behind center, and allowing Simms and Gradkowski to be the backups.
Grade: D+
Running Backs
Carnell “Cadillac” Williams is coming off a very down year, in which he rushed for only 798 yards and one lonely touchdown. Additionally, his rushing average was a paltry 3.5 yards per carry. This was a huge drop-off after winning rookie of the year in 2005. Last season, there were O-Line issues, and a rookie quarterback leading the Bucs offense. This created eight and nine defensive players in the box on almost every down, so indications are that this drop-off was not all Williams’ fault. Expect Williams to breach a thousand yards again this year and show numbers more similar to those of his rookie season. With an improved line and a veteran quarterback, it’s likely that Williams will find more room to run.
The Bucs have a very capable backup in Michael Pittman. He returns kicks, he’s a valuable change of pace runner and he’s also capable of filling in should Williams miss any significant time. Rookie Kenneth Darby and fourth year player Earnest Graham will vie for a roster spot, with one likely relegated to the practice squad, and neither finding much playing time.
Mike Alstott returns for another season at fullback. He has always been a great starter and is a fan favorite, but is not the player he once was. He will likely share time with free agent acquisition B.J. Askew, but he'll continue to get some short yardage carries.
Grade: B+
Receivers
The Bucs have one very good receiver in Joey Galloway. He’s 35 years old, but he still seems to have excellent speed and he’s been very reliable the last two years. It is reasonable to believe that he still has at least one or two good seasons left in him. The Bucs need a second receiver to fill a possession role. After a very promising rookie season in 2004, Michael Clayton now looks like a bust. He’s struggled with injuries over the past two seasons, but even when he’s been on the field, he’s struggled greatly. He hasn’t been able to overcome his lack of speed, struggles against press coverage, and lacks any kind of explosiveness. Huge second year player Maurice Stovall out of Notre Dame could potentially move into the starting lineup. He has questionable speed, but at 6-4, 220 he’s a massive target across the middle and in the red zone. If he can fine-tune his route running and prove to have consistent hands, he could become a reliable second option for the Bucs. Ike Hilliard is still on the roster, but is little more than a slot receiver. All in all, the Bucs have a serious hole at wide receiver opposite Galloway. It’s surprising that they ignored the position in the draft and in free agency.
Anthony Becht will start at tight end, but Alex Smith will see plenty of playing time. Becht is one of the best blocking tight ends in the game, but isn’t much of a threat as a receiver. Smith has softer hands and runs better routes. If Smith continues to develop, then the TE position becomes a strong one for the Bucs offense. '
Grade: D+
Offensive Line
The Bucs offensive line was dismal last year and Cadillac Williams suffered because of it. Gone is disappointing Kenyatta Walker, and in steps Luke Petitgout who will start immediately at LT. Petitgout is a consistent starter and a huge upgrade. Newcomer Matt Lehr will provide depth along the interior line. John Wade is the returning starter at Center, and is adequate, but will be pushed by Lehr. Jeremy Trueblood starts at RT and is a massive young player who should continue to build upon a solid rookie season last year. Rookie Aaron Sears should win the job at LG and he has the potential to be a star in this league. Davin Joseph begins his second year at RG and looks like a budding young star in the league. With his continued progression, the line looks like one that will greatly improve overall. The Bucs have a young group of starters who will continue to get better as they learn to play together as a unit. Anthony Davis started at OT last year and will provide depth, but the rest of the line is pretty thin (after Lehr). Depth could be an issue, but overall look for the Bucs offensive line to be much improved over last season and continue to get better.
Grade: B-
Defensive Line
Simeon Rice is still valuable as a pass rusher, even though he was limited to just two sacks in eight games last year. He will be pushed by rookie Gaines Adams, and may be in his last season as a Buc. Greg Spires will likely start on the left side, with free agent pickup Kevin Carter being an active part of the rotation. Carter is up there in age, but will be a great fit as a situational player. He provides excellent depth and will also aid in the development of Adams. Chris Hovan and Ellis Wyms look to start on the inside. Hovan is a little undersized, but has had a very good career overall. He’s a reliable player inside and he plays hard. Wyms is also undersized and isn’t suited for an every down role. The Bucs will try to get the most out of former first round bust Ryan Simms, who has great potential but hasn’t been able to utilize it. The Bucs would love for Simms to move into a starting position or at least become a consistent part of the line rotation. Depth is thin, and the Bucs will need their young players to develop into contributors for the interior line to hold up.
Grade: C+
Linebackers:
Derrick Brooks is still a dominant force in the league. He recorded 100+ tackles last year for the tenth consecutive season. He is a leader on and off the field, and though he’s 34, he still has a few good years left in him. Cato June will start on the opposite side. June was very productive for the Colts in a similar defensive scheme. He is sometimes called a “system” player, but since he’s moving from the Cover-2 to the Tampa-2, it is reasonable to assume he will continue to be a great defensive player and provide an upgrade for the Bucs. The Bucs believe that third year player Barrett Ruud is ready to take over in the middle, so they let Shelton Quarles go. Ruud has a load of potential and has gained valuable experience as a fill-in player over the last two seasons. Ruud is a high effort guy, versatile, and is wraps up the ball carrier very well. To succeed in the middle though, he’ll have to improve his coverage skills and learn how to shed blocks. Rookie Quincy Black figures to win the backup job behind Ruud and the Bucs hope he can prove to be excellent depth. Jamie Winborn, Patrick Chukwurah, and Ryan Nece provide adequate depth on the outside. Overall, if the starters stay healthy, and if Ruud can develop well in the middle, the Bucs will have an excellent linebacking corps.
Grade: B+
Secondary
Ronde Barber is one of the more consistent corners in the league. He’s a very good tackler, and plays excellent zone coverage in the Tampa-2 scheme. He rarely allows the receiver to get behind him, and is capable of man and press coverage when needed. Brian Kelly likely will start opposite Barber and is a very good cornerback for the Bucs defensive scheme. His zone coverage is solid, and he’s a sure tackler. Providing depth is Philip Buchanon and Torrie Cox. Cox is a solid nickel corner and would be fine filling in should one of the starters miss any time. Buchanon has loads of potential, but hasn’t shown it in recent years. If Gruden and Kiffin can maximize Buchanon’s talent, then the Bucs will have one of the deeper cornerback groups in the league. Also in the mix is rookie Tanard Jackson. Jackson looks ideal for the Tampa-2 scheme. What he lacks in speed, he makes up for with his awareness and tackling ability. He could contribute on special teams and in dime packages this season, and even develop into a reliable starter down the road.
Starting SS Jermaine Phillips is underrated. He’s versatile enough to blitz and is a great tackler. His coverage skills could use some work, but in the Tampa-2 scheme, his hard-hitting style makes him a great fit. Will Allen starts at FS, but could be pushed by Kelvin Pearson for playing time. Also in the mix is Sabby Piscitelli, who could vie for playing time at either position. Piscitelli is a classic overachiever, but he hits hard and has the potential to be a very good starter at the NFL level. He’ll need to improve his coverage though, and Kiffin will definitely try to help him develop that aspect of his game.
Grade: B
Special Teams:
Matt Bryant kicked a game-winning 62 yard field goal last year against the Eagles in a dramatic win. Outside of that though, he’s been too inconsistent to be considered a solid starting kicker. His powerful leg opens up opportunities for the Bucs though, and it’ll be up to special teams coach Richard Bisaccia to improve upon the 77.3 percent that he kicked last season. Josh Bidwell is one of the better punters in the game. His 43.5 yard gross and 36.8 yard net averages are solid, and he dropped 20 kicks inside the 20 last year. The Bucs would like for him to work a little less in 2007. He tied for second in the league in the number of punts (93) last season.
Ike Hilliard is not the answer as a punt returner, and Michael Pittman is only adequate returning kicks. This is an aspect that the Bucs need to improve upon. They failed to score a touchdown last season, and their return yardage averages were modest at best. The Bucs would like for someone to step up and add some explosiveness to the return game, but for now they’ll probably have to suffer with poor field position again.
Grade: D
Overall Analysis:
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers certainly are not a dominant force in the league right now. Their record last year was dismal, and they have several holes on the team. They should however be greatly improved over last season and could potentially finish second or third in their division. The playoffs seem an unlikely hope for them, though they do benefit from playing in the NFC. Still, it’s hard to see them doing any better than .500. With the development of the offensive line, and a few young stars on defense though, the Bucs could be heading in the right direction for the future; if only they could secure a franchise quarterback.
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