TB Projections  •  TB Depth Chart  •  TB Stats  •  Latest TB News

All team reports
AFC	BAL	BUF	CIN	CLE	DEN	HOU	IND	JAX	KC	MIA	NE	NYJ	OAK	PIT	SD	TEN
NFC	ARI	ATL	CAR	CHI	DAL	DET	GB	MIN	NO	NYG	PHI	SEA	SF	STL	TB	WAS

2009 Team Report: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Quarterbacks

Starter: Byron Leftwich
Backup(s): Luke McCown, Josh Freeman [R], Josh Johnson

Starting QB: The Buccaneers enter training camp without a clear cut starter at QB. The battle seems to be between two veterans and an upstart rookie. Veteran signal callers Byron Leftwich (who likely has the inside edge) and Luke McCown will try to hold off rookie Kansas State rookie QB, Josh Freeman for the starting job. If you're not familiar with Freeman, he's 6'5, 250 pounds and he can throw the heck out of the football. The Buccaneers thought highly enough of him to trade up at the 17th overall pick and make him their first selection in the 2009 draft. New Bucs coach Raheem Morris, who is a rookie in his own regard, is itching to pencil in Freeman as the starter. Morris is very aware of Freeman's talent from his stint as defensive coordinator with Kansas State in 2006. The experience and depth the team has at QB will bring a healthy competition to determine the starter, but make no mistake, Freeman is Morris' guy.

Backup QB: The Buccaneers have four QBs on the current roster -- Byron Leftwich, Luke McCown, Josh Freeman and Josh Johnson. Leftwich is a proven quality backup QB in the league. He had minimal game action last season with Pittsburgh, but he engineered drives and kept the team more than afloat while starter Ben Roethlisberger rested his injuries. Luke McCown did not have a single pass attempt in 2008, but this will be his third year with the team and he does have NFL game experience that other QBs on the roster don't have. McCown also had a 7.3 yards-per-attempt average in five games in 2007, including an impressive 91.7 QB rating.

Running Backs

Starter: Derrick Ward
Backup(s): Earnest Graham, Clifton Smith, Cadillac Williams
Fullback(s): B.J. Askew, Jameel Cook

Starting RB: The Buccaneers released several veteran players in the offseason, including long-time RB, Warrick Dunn. These moves freed up cap space and opened the door for the team to sign free agent RB Derrick Ward. Last year Ward rushed for 1,000 yards with the Giants, who boasted a three-RB approach. The thought is that if he can rush for 1,000 yards as one of three backs, what can he do if he is the featured back? The early understanding is that Ward will team with Earnest Graham to give the Bucs a solid one-two punch at RB, but Ward is bigger and has more talent than Graham. Ward was the first unrestricted free agent signing by new coach Raheem Morris and GM Mark Dominik. Don't be surprised to see Ward have a solid grasp on the No. 1 spot on the depth chart by the time the season begins.

Backup RBs: With Warrick Dunn out of the picture and Derrick Ward in place as a key free agent acquisition, the Buccaneers will have Earnest Graham and second-year pro Clifton Smith fulfilling backup duties at the RB position. Graham is a capable, yet slightly injury prone back who is coming off a disappointing season compared to his breakout 2007 campaign that included 10 rushing TDs. Smith stepped in as the team's return man in his rookie season and earned a special teams Pro Bowl selection for his efforts. The Bucs also have Cadillac Williams buried on the depth chart, but he is coming off two serious knee injuries and it remains to be seen if he'll bounce back to anything close to his once dominant form.

Fullback: Not much to see here. B.J. Askew and Jameel Cook are fortunate to combine for two touches in a game.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Antonio Bryant, Michael Clayton
Backups: Dexter Jackson, Maurice Stovall, Sammie Stroughter [R]

Starting WRs: The Buccaneers released veteran Joey Galloway in the offseason and re-signed rising star Antonio Bryant and veteran Michael Clayton. Bryant is coming off a stellar 2008 season that saw him really blossom in the second half, catching five of his seven TDs after week 12. He had six games of at least 100-yards receiving in 2008, which was fifth-highest among all WRs. Bryant is expected to be a major contributor in the offense once again. In releasing Joey Galloway, Tampa Bay will turn to veteran Michael Clayton, who is mostly known for his impressive rookie season that resulted in a Top 15 fantasy ranking among all WRs. He hasn't come close to the top 25 since then, but 2008 marked the most receptions (38) since his 80-catch rookie season. Clayton will likely be the teams third down field option behind Bryant and newly signed TE Kellen Winslow, Jr.

Backup WRs: Depth is not something the Bucs have a lot of in their receiving corps this year. Expect the passing game to be centered on Antonio Bryant, Kellen Winslow, Michael Clayton and even the duo of RBs Derrick Ward and Earnest Graham. Second-year speedster Dexter Jackson figures to have more of a role in 2009. Fourth-year WR Maurice Stovall rounds up the depth chart, but he has not had more than ten catches in a season in his three year career.

Tight Ends

Starters: Kellen Winslow, Jr.
Backups: Jerramy Stevens, John Gilmore

The Buccaneers bolstered their TE position by trading for and signing standout TE Kellen Winslow, Jr. Winslow figures to be a major contributor in the Bucs offensive plans -- provided he rebounds from a less than acceptable 2008 season that included five missed games due to assorted injuries. When healthy, Winslow is a very dependable target that will add a new facet to the Buccaneers offensive game plan that didn't exactly feature the TE in previous seasons. Look for Winslow to rebound as a top five fantasy TE in 2009. Veteran Jerramy Stevens will occupy the team's backup TE role behind Kellen Winslow, Jr. Stevens, who has been a primary receiving TE in prior seasons will take a back seat to Winslow, but don't be surprised if they both see the field at the same time during red zone opportunities. His presence should result in an improvement compared to last year's dismal red zone production. The Bucs also have veteran John Gilmore, who is coming off his best year of his seven-year career.

Place Kicker

Matt Bryant, Mike Nugent : Matt Bryant is coming off back-to-back solid seasons with the Bucs. In 2007 he made 28 of 33 (84.8 percent) field goals and added 34 PATs. The 118 points placed Tampa at 10th in kicker scoring. Last year he made 32 of 38 (84.2 percent) field goals plus 35 PATs, for a total of 131 points and a 4th-place ranking. After a strong 2006, Mike Nugent took a step backwards in 2007 with the Jets, hitting only 80.6 percent (29 of 36) on field goals -- although three of the misses were from 50+ yards. Last year he suffered a thigh injury during the first game, and subsequently watched Jay Feely from the sidelines for the rest of the year. Although he was healthy enough to kick again later in the season, the Jets opted to continue using Feely who was kicking well at that time. Nugent to test out free agency, and was signed by the Bucs. Whoever wins the job will be relying on scoring opportunities provided by an offense starting anew.

Kick and Punt Returners

Kick Returners: Clifton Smith, Brian Clark, Michael Clayton, Torrie Cox, Earnest Graham, Derrick Ward

Second round draft pick WR Dexter Jackson began last year as the return specialist. Undrafted RB Clifton Smith took over the job for the final nine games, and never looked back. In just half a season's work he managed to end up as the 3rd ranked fantasy returner and go to the Pro Bowl as the kick returner. He averaged 27.6 yards on 36 kickoff returns and scored once. Potential backups and upmen include WR Brian Clark (3 returns, 18.0 avg.) and WR Michael Clayton (3 returns, 23.0 avg.). CB Torrie Cox led the Bucs in kickoff returns in 2004 and the first part of 2005. Since then he has served as a backup (2 returns, 20.5 avg. in 2007). RB Earnest Graham (4 returns, 22.5 avg. in 2007) is also available as a backup if needed. Free agent acquisition RB Derrick Ward posted very strong numbers in a backup role for the Giants in 2004, and then supplanted Chad Morton for the starting role for the latter part of 2006 (23 returns, 20.3 avg.).

Punt Returners: Clifton Smith, Aqib Talib, Ronde Barber

Clifton Smith had impressive results in college, averaging 16.6 yards on 47 punt returns and scoring five TDs. Last year he proved that was no fluke, averaging 14.1 yards on 23 returns and scoring once. Backups include CB Aqib Talib who had one return for no gain last year, and CB Ronde Barber who averaged 3.5 yards on two returns in 2006. After many 1years of futility, the Bucs vaulted to third in fantasy returns last year.

Offensive Line

Projected Starters: LT Donald Penn, LG Arron Sears, C Jeff Faine, RG Davin Joseph, RT Jeremy Trueblood
Key Backups: T Anthony Alabi, G/C Sean Mahan

The Buccaneers offensive line is young, talented and just starting to emerge as a force. All five starters are back from last season, and it is likely that this group will play even better this year - perhaps elevating into the Top 3 at the position in 2009.

Team Defense

The Bucs were a Top 5 fantasy performer last season on the strength of solid finishes in most of the major defensive categories. They forced 30 turnovers, scored seven combined defensive and special teams touchdowns and ranked in the Top 10 in both yardage allowed and points against. The offseason was full of turnover for this unit as longtime defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin left to join his son at the University of Tennessee and soon-to-be Hall of Fame WLB Derrick Brooks was released. The Tampa-2 playbook used for more than a decade has gone with them, and Jim Bates will install his own distinctive brand of 4-3. Also gone are veteran OLB Cato June and CB Phillip Buchanon. The Bucs added former Buffalo OLB Angelo Crowell to bolster the front seven and will try former starting SS Jermaine Phillips at the WLB position vacated by Brooks. Bates has been very successful in most of his many NFL stops, but there are enough question marks throughout this defense to make it unlikely that the Bucs will return to the top five in any scoring system. Expect no more than solid DST2 upside from this crew in 2009.

Defensive Line

Starters: DE Gaines Adams, DT Chris Hovan, DT Greg Sims, DE Stylez White
Backups: DE Jimmy Wilkerson, DE/DT Greg Peterson, DT Roy Miller [R]

Starting DL: The Bucs defensive line will be an area of transition under new defensive coordinator Jim Bates, who prefers big bodied defensive tackles over the quick, penetrating group Monte Kiffin used in the Tampa-2. Gaines Adams returns as the weak side end and should be successful in the new scheme, aligned a little further outside the tackle to improve his edge rushing angle. Tampa wasn't able to add much in free agency or the draft, however, and will go to battle with pretty much the same personnel at the other positions. Stylez White will likely get the bulk of the snaps at the other end position and should fit well as a pass rusher on the strong side. Chris Hovan and Greg Sims are the projected starting tackles. Both have a little size, but aren't the stout man-mountains that Bates will eventually want playing tackle.

Backup DL: Jimmy Wilkerson and Greg Peterson will rotate at end and both may help out inside as well. Expect a couple of post-draft veteran signings to bolster the size and depth across the line. Roy Miller, at 6'3" and 310 pounds, will be part of the transition at tackle and could see significant snaps as a rookie.

Linebackers

Starters: WLB Jermaine Phillips, MLB Barrett Ruud, SLB Angelo Crowell
Backups: LB Quincy Black, LB Niko Koutouvides, LB Geno Hayes, LB Matt McCoy, LB Adam Hayward

Starting LBs: Barrett Ruud will be the centerpiece of this defense with Derrick Brooks no longer on the roster. He will thrive under the new philosophy, which could push him to career highs in tackles. The OLB positions have been totally revamped. Gone are veterans Brooks and Cato June. Angelo Crowell, who missed all of last season after being placed on injured reserve by Buffalo with a knee injury, is currently slated to play the strong side. Former strong safety Jermaine Phillips will get first crack at replacing Brooks, but will be pushed by Quincy Black. If Phillips can't make the transition, either Crowell or Black could play on the weak side.

Backup LBs: Quincy Black and Geno Hayes were patiently waiting their turn behind Derrick Brooks and Cato June as undersized backers with the speed, range and cover skills favored by Monte Kiffin. Black is a better fit than Hayes in the new defensive scheme, and may still get a chance to start and contribute heavily if Jermaine Phillips doesn't work out on the weak side. It's unlikely that any of the other players will see more than rare duty without major injury issues to the top four. They'll be battling to make the team based on special teams production.

Defensive Backs

Starters: CB Ronde Barber, SS Sabby Piscitelli, FS Tanard Jackson, CB Aqib Talib
Backups: CB Torrie Cox, S Will Allen, S Donte Nicholson, CB Elbert Mack

Starting DBs: Ronde Barber returns for his 14th season as the last surviving member of the great Tampa-2 defenses of recent memory. He should transition reasonably well to the new philosophy, which will still use plenty of zone coverage looks, though he's clearly not the player he was three seasons ago. Aqib Talib will take over for Phillip Buchanon at the other corner spot and will need to keep from giving up big plays if the front four struggles to keep pressure on the quarterback. Sabby Piscitelli inherits the strong safety job from Jermaine Phillips. He struggled in an every-down role last season, but is expected to improve this season. Tanard Jackson returns as a playmaking, roving free safety with better than average run support skill.

Backup DBs: The Bucs are very thin behind the starting unit. Torrie Cox could struggle in the nickel cornerback role, but has only young and unproven talent behind him. Will Allen has had an up and down career and will be the first man off the bench if Sabby Piscitelli or Tanard Jackson are injured. Donte' Nicholson has been on and off the roster in recent years. He has never proven himself in the base defense, but should provide good special teams play.

Last modified: 2009-08-31 14:07:36