Buccaneers 2008 Outlook
Tampa Bay Gearing Up for 2008-2009 NFL Season
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers look to improve on last season's NFC South Title with key team additions
The NFC South Division has been the league "wild card" since it came into existence. In 2005, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers became the first team to win the division title twice since the introduction of the division in 2002. Regularly, the team at the top of the division will inevitably drop to the bottom the following year, making this division possibly the toughest to predict year in and year out. In only six seasons, all four division teams have been the best, and each has also been the worst.
In 2008, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hope to break the mold and be the first NFC South squad to win back-to-back NFC South Championships. Most "experts" are going with the Panthers to lead the division this year, despite their anemic performance in 2007, while others are picking the star-studded New Orleans Saints. Not many people are talking about the Buccaneers, despite their strong 2007 campaign, which included the revival of their dominating defensive unit.
Monte Kiffin's defense was back on top last season thanks to the emergence of rising star, Barret Ruud, and rookie-sensation, Tanard Jackson. In addition, veteran leaders Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber had outstanding campaigns. But the Bucs haven't sat on last year's surprising effort. They have gone out after key additions to their squad, that they anticipate will make them a Super Bowl contender. As everyone knows, Head Coach Jon Gruden collects quarterbacks like some people collect postage stamps, but it seems like a good idea, considering the Buccaneers quarterback-carousel over the past several years.
In addition to having a troupe of quarterbacks, Gruden has brought back former-buc, and exceptional leader, Warrick Dunn. Dunn should be a great asset to the young running back unit, and contribute to the short-passing game, which is a crucial part of Gruden's West-Coast Offense. While Tampa may not have gotten the big-name guy in the draft fans were wishing for, they did address some of their basic needs. Over the past few drafts, the Bucs have built a solid offensive line, and worked on revamping their defensive line. This year, they focused more on skill-position players and game-breakers, picking up explosive wide-out Dexter Jackson, and shut-down corner, Aqib Talib.
Also, Tampa got a steal, grabbing FSU Linebacker Geno Hayes. Although Hayes has character questions, and is undersized, he is a game-changer and should become a solid starter under the watchful-eye of FSU Great Derrick Brooks. The 2008 Outlook for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is really promising. The Bucs have added some much-needed youth over the past couple seasons, which has refocused and re-energized the veteran leaders.
Finally, they have a solid-starter at quarterback in Jeff Garcia, a scary defense, and some added offensive weapons. The Bucs have a playoff-quality roster, and pose a serious threat to the entire NFC Conference.
