This is What Scares Me the Most About the Bucs:

[Runnik's Hambones]

Over the last decade, we have watched Tampa Bay become a year in and year out NFL continder. I'm not saying they were Super Bowl bound every season, but other teams feared us at some point of every year. Why? Defense, defense, defense. Over the last decade we have missed the top 10 in defense only once and led the league in defense 2 of those seasons, and ranked 2nd twice.

We're within one week of training camp for the Bucs (which I will be attending, woot!). The more I think about it, the more it kind of hits me: the Bucs are being built to become an offensive team. For the entire length of the last decade, a lot of fans have been screaming for more offense, hell, that's the reason Tony Dungy was fired and Chucky was brought in. People have been swarming sports radio in Tampa begging for a more high powered offense and for more "excitement."

I'm a defensive kind of guy. I found our games very exciting because of the good defense that they played. I love it!

Looking at our defense now, Rode Barber and Barret Rudd are the ONLY members that I trust (Aquib Talib is climbing that trust ladder too). We're still waiting for Gaines Adams to play to his potential and they just moved Jermaine Phillips from safety to fill Derrick Brooks' shoes (good freaking luck!). Now we have Sabby Piscitelli back at safety. IMO, we're screwed on defense.

Let's take a look at the offensive side of the ball: The QB situation is up in the air still, but we drafted what our coaching staff believes to be, the future of Tampa, in the first round. Looking past Josh Freeman though we have McCowen and Leftwitch, so not great, but not bad by any means. In the back field we got rid of Dunn (broke my heart this time too) and we picked up Ward. Still have Graham and Caddy (missing at least two tires tho...), so our back field is looking up. Our offensive line is young and freaking good. Easily one of the best in the league, IMO. WRs are a bit lacking. Bryant coming off of his best year and getting paid this season, however we did sign Winslow at TE and handed him the biggest salary of any TE ever. I can't believe it... The Bucs are going... offense...

This scares the hell out of me. Not because I don't think it will work, but because I'm not used to it. It's way too far out of my comfort zone, and if you know me, you know I like my shit left alone! (That's right, back off! Unless you're a hot chick...). So there you have it. I'm worried because the Bucs are finally commiting to the offensive side of the ball. Everyone around me has been begging for this, for 10 years! Am I the only one that's freaking the hell out over that!? And it's not my fault that I'm not used to good defense and slow, boring offense. I mean Jesus, the Bucs have only been in the top 10 in offense once in the last decade and they were actually only ranked 10, in 2003! I don't know what it feels like to commit to scoring with your offense and frankly, it's scaring the hell out of me!!!

:scared:
:thud:

 

[Little Big Head]

I think there is reason for optimism with Gaines Adams and Sabby Piscatelli. I also like Talib to make a big impact this year. Outside of Rudd in the middle they are a little weak overall at LB.
I think they should have not paid Winslow all that money but he does help relieve pressure off of Bryant and gives McCown/Lefty another check down option.

 

[mudloggerone]

As a Saints fan I am glad to see you moving away from that defense that you've been known for in Tampa Bay. Now we'll see if you can hang with us in an offensive shoot out. Good post!

 

[Miller]

I agree with ya about the D RH, I think they are going to take a HUGE step backwards on D, and I don't see enough promise on the O to make up for it.

 

[Coachnorm]

I am with Khris on this analysis completely. As Miller says the O improvements may not be enough to offset the D decline this year.

It kind of gives me a feeling similar to being caught in the open field by Ronnie Lott while changing your underware.

 

[Mike]

I see this as a team that is in "reloading" mode this year, hopefully it works.

Unfortunately, Ronde Barber will be finishing up his career on a team that is very unlikely to be a contender, when this could have been a contender this year.

Still confused at the offseason movement by this team, but if you don't feel you are going to be able to compete, I guess it is best to look toward the future.

 

[Coachnorm]

The Bucs could do alright but they will have to be the team that catches the lucky bounces more often than not.

 

[Runnik's Hambones]

I don't see us winning more than 6 games, like I've stated before, and I think that's giving them way too much credit. I too agree with Miller in that I do not believe the O will be enough, at least this year, to counteract the loss we suffered this offseason on D (And it was self-inflicted suffering!!).

Mike's right as well in his assesment that the Bucs are in a rebuilding stage. However the best point he made is that if we did not have this "purge," I think we could have very well been contenders this year.

I'll take some pictures at training camp this year and get them posted and I'll write up what I saw (liked, disliked, indifferent about...).

 

[Mike]

I don't see us winning more than 6 games, like I've stated before, and I think that's giving them way too much credit. I too agree with Miller in that I do not believe the O will be enough, at least this year, to counteract the loss we suffered this offseason on D (And it was self-inflicted suffering!!).

Mike's right as well in his assesment that the Bucs are in a rebuilding stage. However the best point he made is that if we did not have this "purge," I think we could have very well been contenders this year.

I think this team was in pretty good shape for short and long term success. This is why their offseason moves still confuse me.

In this era of the NFL, you don't have to "rebuild", unless you are a victim of years of bad management. We have seen too many teams drop off the face of the earth one year, only to content for a division title the next year. Get past that division title and you have the chance of getting on a hot streak in the playoffs, and winning a title. You also gain the interest in seasoned veterans who are looking or a place to end their career and play for a possible title.

Are these teams not paying attention to what New England is doing?

The Bucs were fine where they were. They were a division contender that fell apart in December, and for some crazy reason, that seemed to trigger a decision to blow up the team. I just don't get it.

 

[DearbornDolfan]

Here's what I think. I think Morris knows what he's doing and really isn't looking to win this year and frankly Tampa Bay did the right thing with the purge. Tampa Bay was starting to remind me of the early 2000 Dolphins, lots of talent on paper and plenty of "promise" that wasn't going to be realized.

I think you guys are going to have a top five draft pick and land Dez Bryant, which will give Freeman the kind of YAC guy he'll need. Your guy's line is, as you stated, really freaking good and so you're set there. Give it a couple years and you'll have all the pieces for a championship run. Btw, remember that Raheem Morris is a defensive guy, so he's probably going to go heavily defensive in the next draft or two.

 

[WesDawg]

As usual, I'm looking at this from a slightly different angle than the norm. This transitional period has way less to do with player movement, and everything to do with coaching. Ya'll were able to barely keep your heads above water after the ongoing losses of guys such as Gruden (like him or not), Dungy, Lovie, and Herm (am I missing someone?) because you had pseudo-coaches on the field such as Derrick Brooks (one of my alltiime fave non-Steeler players, btw) and to a lesser extent, Jeff Garcia. Now that the youth movement is in full-swing on the field AND the sidelines, a rough period is to be expected. I've stated before that this team is simply not making the postseason again in 2009 so it's time to set up for future success. As we all discussed at length over draft weekend, Freeman was not the smartest selection for the Bucs, with so many other areas of need. DD is right about a high draft pick being imminent for next year, but it should've been a QB they were looking at after passing on one this past April.
Another aspect to look at is the rest of the NFC South. Atlanta is making all the right moves after the Vick disaster, Carolina drafts almost better than anyone from year to year, and the Saints' defense only has to be league-average for them to be a legit Super Bowl contender. TB is simply the odd man out.
I am in the minority in that I think their defense could be potentially stout again, but some things have to happen. Their secondary could wind up being top-5 quality with stalwart Barber lining up opposite young hotshot Talib at CB, with Sabby and Tanard Jackson (LOVE this kid!) patrolling the deep middle. Ruud is a borderline elite MLB and if Gaines ever turns on the light bulb he could annually contend for the league lead in sacks. It's just a work in progress at this point and some unsung heroes need to emerge from the depth chart.
Khris, as a lifelong Pittsburgh fanatic, it warmed my heart to read your initial post because I was also brought up in the world of 14-10 victories and I was damn proud of those. Regardless of what most may consider an outdated cliche'.. offense may win regular seasons, but defense still wins championships.
Just ask the 2007 Patriots.

 

[DearbornDolfan]

As we all discussed at length over draft weekend, Freeman was not the smartest selection for the Bucs, with so many other areas of need. DD is right about a high draft pick being imminent for next year, but it should've been a QB they were looking at after passing on one this past April.

See, I don't know that I necessarily agree with this. Yes, on another team Freeman could've ended up a disaster. But Raheem Morris knows Freemen, knows everything about the kid. He can be confident building an offense around Freemen and can compensate for his weaknesses. He really can't say the same about any QB in the 2010 draft.

Tampa doesn't really have a passing game and it doesn't really have a running game (sorry, Caddy, but Saban made the right call there). Those are the things Tampa can reliably draft after this season. Hell, if Morris is smart he or whoever runs the draft can trade down at a reasonable price for the other team and build from there. There will be stupid teams desperate for a QB who will trade into the early first round (I'm looking at you, Jets) and will be doubly eager to do it with this class.

 

[Little Big Head]

Tanard Jackson (LOVE this kid!) patrolling the deep .

forgot to mention Jackson. Hes a good ball hawking FS, and he was good from the start

 

[RZR]

great post khris. ive been feelin the same way ever since the day my heart shatted at the loss of brooks (my all time fav player even from his FSU days) and my head spun about firing garcia and gruden. not that i was sad about either.. garcia's happy feet and gruden's broken promises. but i too am very attached to our D... the #7 ranked defense of all time (2002 team as per NFL network's top 10). that very D team scored more TD's in our SB victory than our offense. ya'll make convincing arguemnts & i hope ur right bout morris.

 

[joefan71]

Looking at our defense now, Rode Barber and Barret Rudd are the ONLY members that I trust (Aquib Talib is climbing that trust ladder too). We're still waiting for Gaines Adams to play to his potential and they just moved Jermaine Phillips from safety to fill Derrick Brooks' shoes (good freaking luck!). Now we have Sabby Piscitelli back at safety. IMO, we're screwed on defense.

Considering Tampa has a new head coach, new DC, and a tough schedule the defense may not fare too well this year. Under the new defensive scheme man-to-man, bump-and-run for the backfield look for Rhonde Barber's production to drop off some but Talib should improve dramatically. This scheme will give Sabby Piscitelli and Tanard Jackson the opportunity to shine at their respective safety positions. Overall they should play well together once they have adjusted.

Of course linebacker is another story, it would be great if Brooks would come back. Phillips should excel at blitzing, which the Bucs will be doing more of, but that doesn't help Ruud against the run. Their are lots of good defensive draft picks available next year.

On offense I would like to see Antonio Bryant pick up where he left off last year and you guys have a gem in seventh round pick Sammie Stroughter out of Oregon State who could immediately contribute in the passing game.

I really don't know what to think of your QB situation, hopefully training camp and pre-season will clarify that picture.

This is a rebuilding year for the Bucs so I don't have great expectations for this season but 2010 or 2011 should be a different story.

 

[Cerberus]

Ha HA you have Leftwich. As long as Byron is in consideration for QB, TB will go nowhere. With the QB options TB has, it might not be a bad idea to throw Freeman in as QB. His worst will still be better than Byrons best.