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2008 Team Report: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterbacks
Starter: Jeff GarciaBackup(s): Brian Griese, Luke McCown, Josh Johnson [R] Starting QB: Jeff Garcia has been effective as the starter for Tampa Bay leading them to the NFC South crown last year and a playoff appearance. He tossed 209 of 327 passes for 2440 yards, 13 TDs and four interceptions (35/116/1 rushing). He also appeared in the Pro Bowl last season for the fourth time in his career. However, at 38, it is fair to question how much gas he has left in his tank after nine years in the NFL and five seasons in the CFL (winning a Grey Cup with the Calgary Stampeders). Given last season's passing offense, Garcia is unlikely to be a top-shelf fantasy QB during the 2008 campaign. Backup QB: Brian Griese returns to Florida. He started some games for Tampa Bay back in 2004-05, posting his best season of the last five years there with 2,632 yards, 20 TDs and 12 interceptions over 11 games during 2004. He looks like the Bucs No. 2 guy heading into training camp. He started a few games for Chicago's merry-go-round rotation last year so Griese doesn't have a ton of rust on his throwing arm. Luke McCown mans the #3 job. Last year, he completed 94 of 139 for 1,009 yards, five TDs and three interceptions during five appearances. After the fifth-round selection of Josh Johnson from San Diego (who completed passes at a 68.3 percent clip for 2,988 yards, 43 TDs and just one measly interception as a senior), the Bucs have more QBs on the roster than any other NFL franchise. Johnson is a developmental prospect who may yet still end up on the practice squad; but he survived the initial 53-man roster cut down.
Running Backs
Starter: Earnest GrahamBackup(s): Warrick Dunn, Michael Bennett
Fullback(s): B.J. Askew, Byron Storer Starting RB: Earnest Graham stepped into the starting lineup after Cadillac Williams was lost for the 2007 season due to a patellar tendon injury and played very well. He ended 2007 with 222/898/10 rushing and 49/324/0 receiving. Entering training camp, it looks like the featured back role is Graham's. He's entering his fifth year in the league -- Graham is a seasoned veteran now -- and owns a career mark of 274/1,113/10 rushing (a solid 4.1 YPC) with 50/328/0 receiving to his credit. He is positioned to improve on 2007 now that he's had the benefit of a full training camp as the lead back in Coach Gruden's offense. Backup RBs: Warrick Dunn returned to the team that originally drafted him after six years with the Falcons organization. Dunn had a forgettable 2007 campaign (228/718/4 rushing with 37/238/0 receiving) as Atlanta's offense and coaching staff dissolved around the players. Dunn's 3.1 YPC was the worst mark he'd put up since arriving in Georgia. Hopefully, he still has enough gas left in the tank to contribute to the Bucs as a veteran mentor and role player during 2008. Michael Bennett provides veteran depth and can chip in with some effective plays here and there. He had 60/239/1 rushing and 15/101/1 receiving last year with the Bucs. Cadillac Williams starts the season on the PUP list. Fullback: Last year, B.J. Askew was used sparingly with zero carries and 18/175/0 receiving during his 13 appearances in the lineup. He and Byron Storer will split time at fullback largely depending on which package is on the field.
Wide Receivers
Starters: Joey Galloway, Ike HilliardBackups: Michael Clayton, Maurice Stovall, Antonio Bryant, Dexter Jackson [R] Starting WRs: The Buccaneers have one of the oldest starting tandems in NFL history. Joey Galloway is aging like a fine wine at 36 years of age. He's had three straight 1,000-yard seasons with Tampa including last year's 57/1,014/6 effort on 98 targets -- the 21st ranked WR in the NFL. Ike Hilliard is a spry 32 years old and handled 87 targets for 62/722/1 last year, second among all Buccaneers receivers in yardage gained. Galloway keeps defying Father Time, but given the conservative passing game the Bucs feature with Garcia under center, his barely-over-1,000-yard effort from last year looks like a ceiling at this point in Galloway's career. Don't expect a lot of upside if you draft a Bucs receiver and you won't be disappointed. Backup WRs: Michael Clayton (22/301/0 during 2007) has never repeated his fine rookie effort, stringing together three clunker seasons in which he's failed to go over 400 yards receiving and has scored exactly one TD in 40 games. The guy is a real-world and fantasy bust -- a tough reality for dynasty league owners of Clayton. Maurice Stovall scored more TDs than Clayton last year with less opportunity, posting a line of 10/86/1. Much-traveled Antonio Bryant hopes to latch on with the Bucs after a year out of football; Bryant was suspended to start 2007 due to a substance abuse violation in November of 200. Tampa decided to take a chance on him this year after flirting with signing him a year ago. Dexter Jackson, the team's second-round pick, hails from Appalachian State and faces a steep learning curve as he makes the jump from small-school program to the NFL.
Tight Ends
Starters: Alex SmithBackups: Ben Troupe, John Gilmore Alex Smith held down his top slot on the depth chart last year cranking out career-highs in yardage and yards per reception while tying his career mark in TDs. He had 53 targets for 32/385/3 for a 12.0 YPR -- all this despite competition from now-departed Jerramy Stevens. Smith is entering his fourth year in the league and is in the prime of his career. Hopefully he can play a full slate of 16 games after missing two games per season over the past two years. For 2008, the Bucs signed Ben Troupe to back up Smith. Troupe spent the last four seasons in Tennessee, but was largely an afterthought in 2007 with 9 targets for 5/47/0. It remains to be seen if Troupe can recapture his 2005 form of 80 targets for 55/530/4.
Place Kicker
Matt Bryant : During a dismal 2006 season, the Bucs provided Bryant with the fewest kicker scoring opportunities in the league. He hit only 17 of 22 (77.3%) field goals and added 22 PATs. In 2007 they turned things around significantly. Bryant made 28 of 33 (84.8%) field goals and added 34 PATs. The 118 points placed Tampa at 10th in kicker scoring. It was their first top ten finish since 2002. The one negative for Bryant last year was missing all three of his attempts from 50+ yards, after having nailed a 62 yard game winner the year before. The last two years Bryant and his hamstrings played full 16 game seasons for the first time since his rookie year. After a slow start to his career, Bryant has evolved into a decent kicker.Kick and Punt Returners
Kick Returners: Dexter Jackson The Buccaneers quest for a return specialist continued last year with Chad Owens not panning out and Mark Jones being lost to injury. They subsequently promoted WR Micheal Spurlock to the active roster. His 90-yard kickoff return for a TD was the first KR for a score in the Buccaneers' 32 year history, but it wasn't enough to keep a roster spot. The job goes to rookie Dexter Jackson. The majority of Jackson's experience is on punt returns, however he did average 17.2 yards on 11 career kickoff returns at Appalachian State. Punt Returners: Dexter Jackson Dexter Jackson averaged 7.4 yards on 63 punt returns during his college career, and will be the Bucs lead punt returner role. A possible backup is WR Joey Galloway (3 returns, 4.7 avg.), although his numbers have declined in recent years. CB Ronde Barber averaged 3.5 yards on two returns in 2006.Offensive Line
Projected Starters: LT Donald Penn, LG Arron Sears, C Jeff Faine, RG Davin Joseph, RT Jeremy TruebloodKey Backups: OT Anthony Davis, C Dan Buenning, OG Jeremy Zuttah, OT James Lee Commentary coming soon.
Team Defense
What looked like a defense in transition last preseason became a very respectable fantasy option by midseason. After a very poor '06, the Buccaneers finished in the top five in points, yardage allowed and in takeaways. The solid play of young players like DE Gaines Adams, DE Greg White, MLB Barrett Ruud and FS Tanard Jackson eased the loss of edge rusher Simeon Rice and the inevitable slow decline in play from veteran CB Ronde Barber and LB Derrick Brooks. Adams looked to be improving on a weekly basis at the end of his rookie season and should be even better this year. The addition of DB Eugene Wilson, a good fit in the Tampa-2 scheme, should further improve the unit. The team will face a more difficult schedule this season, but should remain a solid No. 2 defense with potential to break into the top 12 if Adams emerges as an elite defensive force.Defensive Line
Starters: LDE Kevin Carter, LDT Chris Hovan, RDT Jovan Haye, RDE Gaines AdamsBackups: DE Jimmy Wilkerson, DE Greg White, DT Ryan Sims, DT Greg Peterson Starting DL: Adams finished 2007 strongly and could become the edge rushing threat the team hoped they were getting to replace Simeon Rice last season. Douglas was signed in free agency. The former 49er likely has the early lead in the competition to start opposite Adams. Kevin Carter gets the "starting" nod because of his veteran status, but he and Greg White will split time liberally. Hovan returns for another season as the nose tackle. Though undersized, he's been a valuable and consistent player inside. Haye will get the majority of the snaps in a deep rotation at the undertackle position. Backup DL: Greg White came out of nowhere to have a very productive season and will get plenty of snaps. 2nd year DE Greg Peterson has received high praise from the coaching staff and shows a strong motor. Sims and Wilkerson are a pair of Chiefs castoffs who are trying to make a new home as backups on a far superior defense.
Linebackers
Starters: SLB Cato June, MLB Barrett Ruud, WLB Derrick BrooksBackups: OLB Quincy Black, ILB Matt McCoy, OLB Geno Hayes [R], OLB Adam Hayward Starting LBs: Brooks returns for yet another season as the weak side linebacker. His skills aren't what they once were, but he was still an effective every down player last season. Ruud started very well last season before being hampered by various nagging injuries. He should improve in all phases in his second year as a starter. June brought about what the team expected to the strong side position and looked better late in the season when the team changed up its nickel packages. Backup LBs: Quincy Black will have an increased role if and when Derrick Brooks' play finally tapers. His long-term position will be outside, but he can back up Barrett Ruud if needed. Rookie Hayes was drafted to improve the depth and is likely seen as a long term option at WLB. Matt McCoy is a former Combine killer and Eagles part-time starter. His intensity is there, but the discipline - so far - hasn't been.
Defensive Backs
Starters: LCB Ronde Barber, SS Jermaine Phillips, FS Tanard Jackson, RCB Phillip BuchanonBackups: CB Aqib Talib, S Sabby Piscitelli, S Will Allen Starting DBs: Like Derrick Brooks, Barber's skills have fallen off but he remains a talented zone corner who will return to his long time starting role. The team drafted Aqib Talib to compete with Phillip Buchanon at the other corner spot, but Talib's off-the-field maturity has likely set him back for at least a season. Phillips was in danger of losing his job at various points over the past two seasons, but had his best season last year at strong safety. The emergence of safety Tanard Jackson at the free safety spot freed Phillips up to play to his strengths. The ball-hawking Jackson has a physical style that's well suited to the Bucs scheme. Backup DBs: Aqib Talib has all the talent in the world, but needs to keep his head on straight in order to fulfill his considerable potential. He could start over Phillip Buchanon soon, but for now he's not done enough to win the coaching staff over. Sabby Piscitelli will provide solid depth and should be ready to step in if Jermaine Phillips regresses. Last modified: 2008-09-01 23:05:57
