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Tampa Bay Buccaneerswww.tampabaybuccaneers.comLocation:
Tampa, Fla.
Camp Opens
July 30
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Will the wide receivers step up?
Tampa Bay had the 24th-ranked passing attack in the NFL last year partially due to rookie QB Josh Freeman, but it certainly had much to do with the wide receivers, too. TE Kellen Winslow is a hybrid player who could be treated like a wide receiver instead of a tight end with his 77 receptions, but there wasn't much beyond him. Look for the Bucs to put two rookies on the field at wide receiver, Arrelious Benn and Mike Williams. Benn is a big, physical guy who blocks well and can break a tackle. Williams is a very talented athlete who always seemed to have problems in college. Both youngsters have a long way to go to earn starting spots, and this training camp will be critical to their development.
Can two rookie DTs play effectively in Tampa's scheme?
The Bucs made two excellent choices at defensive tackle when they picked Gerald McCoy and Brian Price. Both have quickness to penetrate, can pursue plays and chase down quarterbacks, but both will now be pitted against veteran NFL offensive linemen. If both come out of camp healthy and ready to go it may be unrealistic to think they will generate more than 30 tackles and three sacks each in their first season. Warren Sapp had three sacks his rookie season and busted the double-digit sack number in his third. Don't be surprised if you see a lot of Roy Miller and Ryan Sims during camp and all season long as the two rookies work more in a rotation than as full-time starters. Sapp only started eight games his rookie season.
Does defense have shot at returning to prominence?
The Bucs were long known for their defense but gave up more first downs than all but three teams in 2009. Coach Raheem Morris made a mistake in hiring Jim Bates as his defensive coordinator, trying to convert a quick penetrating front package into a stout two-gap tackle system. Morris' instincts led him back to what he knew best and what his players could do best. In the last three weeks of the season the Bucs went 2-1 and gave up just 44 points. I have talked to a number of Bucs who say they are excited to go to camp in their old defense and stop the run with seven in the box and play a lot of the Tampa 2. Keep a close eye on the third-down defense, which has to get better after letting opponents convert 40 percent of their third downs.
-- Pat Kirwan
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 -- Jenna Laine, Blog Blitz Blog Blitz has you covered, with a fan's view of your favorite team. For more on the Buccaneers and the every other team in the NFL, check out the latest from our team of bloggers. » Blog Blitz WR Mike Williams
Rookie Arrelious Benn is expected to start for the Buccaneers, but fantasy owners should also watch out for another rookie, Mike Williams. He was a real standout during OTAs and could earn a prominent role in the pass attack. While neither receiver will make a truly significant statistical impact in 2010, both Benn and Williams are well worth a late-round look in drafts.
-- Michael Fabiano 
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