Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2008 Season Preview

Football Betting Lines

08/26/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The defending NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers won't be entering the 2008 season with history on their side.

Since the NFL adopted the current eight-division format in 2002, no NFC South team that captured the title the previous year has been able to retain its crown. In fact, not a single one of those clubs made the playoffs -- or even finished with a winning record -- the following season. Only one, the 2005 Atlanta Falcons, managed to make it to the .500 mark the year after coming in first place.

The Buccaneers know these facts all too well. It was just two seasons ago that the franchise tumbled precipitously to a 4-12 record, one year after winning 11 games and edging Carolina on a tie-breaker to earn top honors in the division.

Tampa Bay wasted no time in picking itself back off the canvas, however, as Jon Gruden's gritty squad surprised nearly all the pundits that were forecasting another non-contending finish with a 9-7 campaign that was good enough to regain the catbird's seat in a weakened four-team grouping. The turnaround was sparked by a resurgent defense that ranked second in the NFL in yards allowed (278.4 ypg) and third in points surrendered (16.9 ppg), along with a remarkably efficient season from quarterback Jeff Garcia in the savvy veteran's first year as a Buc.

Garcia's addition brought needed stability to an offense that compensated for a lack of big-play capability by minimizing mistakes and capitalizing on those of the opposition. The Buccaneers had an NFC-low 20 giveaways in 2007 and also topped the conference with a plus-15 turnover margin. Garcia was intercepted just four times in 327 pass attempts, the second-lowest percentage among starting quarterbacks.

Tampa Bay may have to duplicate those outstanding numbers, as well as continue to play shutdown defense, in order to reach or surpass last year's win total. The Buccaneers won't be just battling negative trends in 2008, but the forces of father time as well.

Garcia is now 38 years old and missed some time with a minor calf injury during training camp. The top two receivers from last year's group, Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard, will be 37 and 32, respectively, during the upcoming season. And the linchpins of Tampa's fearsome stop unit, linebacker Derrick Brooks and cornerback Ronde Barber, are in their mid-30's as well, although both decorated defenders continued to play at a very high level during last year's playoff run.

On the flip side, Tampa Bay has done well to replenish its talent base, particularly along the offensive and defensive lines, through the last few drafts.

Below we take a capsule look at the 2008 edition of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:

2007 RECORD: 9-7 (1st, NFC South)

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2007, lost to N.Y. Giants, 24-14 in NFC First-Round

COACH (RECORD): Jon Gruden (48-48 in six seasons with Buccaneers, 86-74 overall)

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Bill Muir

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Monte Kiffin

OFFENSIVE STAR: Jeff Garcia, QB (2440 passing yards, 13 TD, 4 INT, 116 rushing yards, 1 TD)

DEFENSIVE STAR: Ronde Barber, CB (58 tackles, 2 INT, 1 sack)

OFFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 11th rushing, 16th passing, t18th scoring

DEFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 17th rushing, 1st passing, 3rd scoring

KEY ADDITIONS: QB Brian Griese (from Bears), QB Josh Johnson (5th Round, San Diego), RB Warrick Dunn (from Falcons), WR Dexter Jackson (2nd Round, Appalachian State), WR Antonio Bryant (free agent), TE Ben Troupe (from Titans), TE John Gilmore (from Bears), C Jeff Faine (from Saints), OL Jeremy Zuttah (3rd Round, Rutgers), DE Marques Douglas (from 49ers), DE Jimmy Wilkerson (from Chiefs), LB Matt McCoy (from Saints), CB Aqib Talib (1st Round, Kansas), DB Eugene Wilson (from Patriots)

KEY DEPARTURES: RB Michael Pittman (to Broncos), TE Anthony Becht (to Rams), C John Wade (to Raiders), G Matt Lehr (to Saints), T Luke Petitgout (released), DE Greg Spires (to Raiders), LB Jeremiah Trotter (not tendered), CB Brian Kelly (to Lions), S Kalvin Pearson (to Lions), RS Mark Jones (to Chargers)

QB: Garcia's (2240 passing yards, 13 TD, 4 INT in '07) toughness and intelligence under center were missing elements during Tampa Bay's forgettable 2006 season, and the gutsy old pro's intimate knowledge of the West Coast offense is unparalleled. His brittleness is a concern, however. The aging signal-caller sat out two games last year due to an ailing back and hasn't played a full 16-game schedule since 2002. The Bucs don't lack for options in case he goes down, though, since Gruden stockpiles quarterbacks as if it's a hobby. Five were on the team's preseason roster, including Chris Simms, the starter on Tampa Bay's 2005 NFC South winning squad who hasn't played in two years due to injuries and an extended seat in Gruden's doghouse. Luke McCown (1009 passing yards, 5 TD, 3 INT) performed capably while Garcia was sidelined last season and seems firmly entrenched as the main backup, although Gruden brought in veteran Brian Griese (1803 passing yards, 10 TD, 13 INT with Chicago) for a second go-round with the organization to add competition. Rookie Josh Johnson, a raw fifth-round project, is the only one of the group with any upside and figures to have a spot on the 53-man roster. That could leave Griese out of the mix, although it would surprise no one if the Bucs keep four quarterbacks. Simms is almost certain to be on another team's roster come opening weekend.

RB: The Buccaneers' running game looked to be in dire straits when former NFL Rookie of the Year Carnell Williams (208 rushing yards, 3 TD) suffered a career-threatening torn patellar tendon in the season's fourth game, but seldom-used special teamer Earnest Graham (898 rushing yards, 10 TD, 49 receptions) helped save the season when called upon. The fifth-year pro delivered 100-yard efforts in three key midseason wins and flashed sound receiving skills as well as impressive durability. He enters this season with a new four-year contract and the starting role, with declining 33-year-old Warrick Dunn (720 rushing yards, 4 TD, 37 receptions with Atlanta) returning to his original team to serve as Graham's understudy and a third-down back. Tampa also re-signed former first-round pick Michael Bennett (241 rushing yards, 15 receptions, 2 total TD) to a seasoned and crowded backfield. The Bucs haven't ruled out Williams returning at some point this season, although that appears to be a long shot. Underrated fullback B.J. Askew (18 receptions) was a Pro Bowl alternate last year and a quality contributor on special teams.

WR/TE: Galloway (57 receptions, 1014 yards, 6 TD) continues to be a dangerous deep threat despite his advanced age, with the speedy wideout posting his third straight 1,000-yard season as Garcia's top target last year. The 14th- year vet has been bothered by a groin injury during camp, however, and will be monitored closely over the coming months. Hilliard (62 receptions, 1 TD) had a solid year as well and remains a reliable possession receiver, although he's best suited for the slot at this stage of his career. His role will be curtailed if the underachieving Michael Clayton (22 receptions) can build upon a strong preseason. The former first-round choice had 80 catches and nearly 1,200 yards as a rookie in 2004, but hasn't come close to matching those numbers since. Another intriguing option is Antonio Bryant, a former 1,000- yard wideout in Cleveland who sat out the entire 2007 season due to some off- field issues. He's probably getting along fine with troublesome tight end Jerramy Stevens (18 receptions, 4 TD), who will miss Tampa's first two regular-season games while serving a suspension for violating the NFL's drug policy. The talented 28-year-old may not make the team anyway, as the Buccaneers are deep at tight end with incumbent starter Alex Smith (32 receptions, 3 TD) and free-agent signees Ben Troupe (5 receptions), a one-time starter in Tennessee, and ex-Bears blocking specialist John Gilmore (3 receptions). Also in the mix at wide receiver is 6-foot-5 holdover Maurice Stovall (10 receptions) and rookie Dexter Jackson, a fleet-flooted second- round pick who may also help out on returns.

OL: The Buccaneers have invested heavily in this area via the draft in recent years, using high selections on guards Davin Joseph (1st round, 2006) and Arron Sears (2nd round, 2007) and right tackle Jeremy Trueblood (2nd round, 2006). The moves paid off well last season, as the five-man group paved the way for Graham's breakthrough season and provided solid protection for Garcia. The team also may have found a hidden gem in Donald Penn, an undrafted free agent who stepped in and did a nice job replacing injured veteran Luke Petitgout at left tackle in early October. Penn's play led to Petitgout's release during the preseason. Tampa went to the free-agent well to further strengthen the unit over the winter, signing sturdy center Jeff Faine away from division-rival New Orleans to supplant the aging John Wade. The club didn't ignore the line in this year's draft, however, snaring Rutgers guard Jeremy Zuttah in the third round to supply depth along with tackle Anthony Davis and center/guard Dan Buenning, both of whom have prior experience as starters. Petitgout's ouster could open a roster spot for tackle Dennis Roland, who's toiled on the team's practice squad the last two years.

DL: Tampa Bay's vaunted Cover 2 scheme is at its best when it's getting consistent pressure along the edges, and the Bucs possess a pair of good young rushers in second-year ends Greg White (26 tackles) and Gaines Adams (38 tackles, 6 sacks). White, a former Arena League Player, racked up a team-best eight sacks and an eye-popping seven forced fumbles in a situational role last season. Adams, the fourth overall pick in the 2007 draft, came on like a house on fire late in the year after a slow start. Under tackle Jovan Haye (68 tackles) added six sacks in a surprisingly productive first season as a starter. White is expected to yield to 35-year-old Kevin Carter (43 tackles, 3 sacks), whom the Bucs brought back for a 14th NFL campaign, on early downs. The durable two-time Pro Bowler will be counted on to anchor the run defense along with fellow vet Chris Hovan (48 tackles, 1.5 sacks) at the nose. Free- agent additions Marques Douglas (71 tackles, 3 sacks with San Francisco) and Jimmy Wilkerson (23 tackles with Kansas City) are versatile performers who can fill in at either end or tackle, while rookie Dre Moore (4th round, Maryland) and Chiefs first-round washout Ryan Sims (16 tackles, 1 sack) both figure in the interior rotation.

LB: This excellent three-man unit is headlined by the future Hall of Famer Brooks (109 tackles), the defense's unquestioned leader in the huddle and arguably the greatest player in franchise history. The 35-year-old had a string of 10 consecutive Pro Bowl honors end in 2007, but he's still a factor on the weakside and never misses a game. Brooks relinquished his yearly reign as the team's top tackler to emerging middle linebacker Barrett Ruud (114 tackles, 2 sacks), the youngest member of the trio that also includes athletic ex-Colt Cato June (69 tackles, 1 sack), an All-Pro choice with Indianapolis in 2005. Quincy Black (24 tackles) and Adam Hayward (15 tackles) each got their feet wet as rookies last season and could be in line for increased time this year, which puts veteran Ryan Nece's (12 tackles) job in possible jeopardy. The Buccaneers signed Eagles and Saints castoff Matt McCoy (9 tackles) in the offseason and have been working him as Ruud's backup, while also adding a potential future contributor through the draft in Geno Hayes (6th round), who played collegiately at Brooks' alma mater, Florida State.

DB: The Buccaneers finished first in the NFL in pass defense (170.5 ypg) on the strength of an airtight secondary that coaxed another outstanding season out of Barber (58 tackles, 2 INT, 14 PD) and got a Pro Bowl-caliber year from hard-hitting strong safety Jermaine Phillips (83 tackles, 4 INT, 1 sack). Tanard Jackson (56 tackles, 2 INT, 13 PD), an overlooked fourth-round selection in last year's draft, blossomed into a starter at free safety and should be a fixture there for years to come. One of the defense's few weaknesses was at nickel back, where veteran Brian Kelly endured an injury- plagued campaign and wasn't re-signed. That prompted the team to take Kansas corner Aqib Talib with their first-round selection in April. The flashy rookie has some attitude concerns but also the size and ball skills to eventually replace returning starter Phillip Buchanon (61 tackles, 3 INT, 10 PD), who's entering the final year of his contract. Tampa's also high on second-year safety Sabby Piscitelli, who got into just two games as a rookie before going on injured reserve with a fractured foot. Eugene Wilson (31 tackles, 1 INT), a corner/safety hybrid who started on two Super Bowl-winning teams in New England, was signed in March to further deepen an already formidable backfield. Cornerback Sammy Davis (19 tackles) and safety Will Allen (19 tackles) return to reprise their positions as reserves.

SPECIAL TEAMS: This was another area of strength for the Buccaneers in 2007. Punter Josh Bidwell (43.9avg) has a Pro Bowl nod on his resume (in 2005) and is one of the NFL's most highly respected performers at his position, while Tampa's coverage units ranked among the league's best last year. Kicker Matt Bryant was almost automatic from inside 50 yards, connecting on 28-of-30 field goal tries in those situations. Return specialist Micheal Spurlock came through with the first kickoff runback for a touchdown in team history, a 90- yard score against Atlanta in Week 15, and averaged a very good 27.8 yards on his 16 touches. The club wasn't as successful fielding punts, but Dexter Jackson, a dynamic return man for FCS power Appalachian State, could make an immediate impact there. Long snapper Andrew Economos got some long-term security when the Bucs inked him to a five-year contract in June.

PROGNOSIS: The Buccaneers reached a goal of making it back to the playoffs last season, but didn't wow anyone in doing so. Factor in the topsy-turvy nature of the NFC South, a challenging upcoming schedule and the team's age concerns at several key positions, and you won't find many prognosticators pegging Tampa Bay for an encore performance. This isn't a team that should be completely tossed aside, however. The Bucs are well-coached and fundamentally sound in most phases of the game, and are fully capable of pulling off a few surprises down the road. Tampa may not be the team to beat in the division this time around, but the defense ensures the pewter and red will stay in the hunt.