I see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a team that has a lot of pieces. They still feel one step behind the Detroit Lions in terms of a rebuilding effort, and they need to go out and take a major step forward in 2010 on the field. They have the pieces to do that, but they need another really good draft to truly be a legitimate contender each week. I still have big questions about QB Josh Freeman; if he works out things will be great, if not the Bucs will be set back another two to three years. The D line should be very good, and the defense overall should be all right.
Freeman leads the offense, and he has an unsteady backfield behind him. Carnell Williams has flashes of greatness but is an injury risk. I am not sold on Derrick Ward. He has an under whelming group of receivers in Reggie Brown, Sammie Stroughter and they drafted Arrelious Benn to help improve that group. Kellen Winslow is the TE, but he is also an injury risk. The O line should do well, as they have a pro bowl caliber RG in Davin Joseph.
Gerald McCoy and Brian Price were drafted to improve a terrible D line. I have yet to see them play in the pros, but they have big impact potential. There will be a position battle at LDE between Tim Crowder and Kyle Moore. The secondary is staffed by Corners Aqib Talib and Ronde Barber, with Myron Lewis set to develop. The safeties are Tanard Jackson and Sean Jones. I am not sold on their LB crops, and that may be were they turn their focus in the next draft.
On special teams Connor Barth looks to be the kicker, with Brent Bowden handling the punting duties. Clifton Smith should be this team’s featured punt and kick returner.
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