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Tampa Bay Buccaneers2009 record: 3-13 (Fourth in NFC South)
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Vic Carucci
The Bucs are young, but should make some strides. Josh Freeman must prove the flashes he showed as a rookie were no fluke.
Prediction: 7-9, third in NFC South
Steve Wyche
Bucs could make fairly sizeable strides because they have talent at key spots. CB Aqib Talib should emerge in hunt for Pro Bowl spot.
Prediction: 7-9, third in NFC South
Pat Kirwan
Josh Freeman will lead Bucs to great things, but not this season. Receivers have to be better and defense is relying on rookies.
Prediction: 4-12, last in NFC South
Bucky Brooks
Although they finish at the bottom of the division, the progress shown behind a talented, young nucleus provides hope for the future.
Prediction: 6-10, last in NFC South
Jason La Canfora
They dn't have the horses to compete yet. If the rookie wide receivers don't step up ASAP it could be really bleak for Bucs.
Prediction: 4-12, last in NFC South
Michael Lombardi
Buccaneers are extremely young and do not have the experience to play well for the entire season.
Prediction: 5-11, last in NFC South
10
The number of field goals Tampa Bay kickers missed last season. The Bucs' 62 percent conversion rate on field goals was worst in the league. Given how difficult it might be for their young offense to consistently score, they cannot afford to miss that many kicks.
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Raheem Morris
Morris' leadership skills were called into question after he fired both of his coordinators during his first season last year. His hands-on work with the defense during the final half of the season quited the critics, however, and showed that he had the tactical acumen to get the job done. Morris is expected to unveil a dramatically improved squad in his second year on the job. Aqib Talib
Talib is quietly on the verge of becoming one of the league's elite corners. A natural ball hawk with outstanding instincts and awareness, Talib has snatched nine interceptions in two seasons. Although he is most comfortable playing with vision in zone coverage, he has made tremendous strides in man-to-man and his improvement has allowed the Bucs to move to a more varied coverage scheme. With a legitimate playmaker in the secondary, the Bucs have the freedom to bring more pressure and force more errant throws.
A receiver to watch in Tampa
The Buccaneers have never been known for their wide receivers -- Mark Carrier actually has the most receiving yards in franchise history -- but fantasy owners should keep an eye on rookie Mike Williams. He's a deep sleeper in an offense that could feature him.
Three pivotal games
Oct. 24 vs. St. Louis
Highly-touted rookie DT Gerald McCoy, the third overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, will finally get a chance to take down "King Sam". Rams QB Sam Bradford, the top pick in April's draft, was teammates with McCoy at Oklahoma, and McCoy has said for months he is looking forward to hitting Bradford after not being allowed to for four years at Oklahoma.
Nov. 7 at Atlanta
Last season, the Bucs were swept by the Falcons and finished just 1-5 in the division. For Tampa Bay to make a jump in the standings and improve on its 3-13 record from a season ago, it must start by improving against NFC South opponents. After this Week 9 matchup, their third divisional tilt of the season, the Bucs should know where they stand.
Dec. 19 vs. Detroit
What better measuring stick for Bucs QB Josh Freeman, picked 17th in the 2009 NFL Draft, than Lions QB Matthew Stafford, picked first in the same draft. Both Tampa Bay and Detroit are hoping to take a major step forward this season, and this game will provide the Bucs an opportunity to see where they are in comparison to a similar team. |
