2007 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Predictions & Season Preview
Our 2007 Bucs predictions show the team heading towards the bottom of the NFC South as other teams are getting better while Tampa seems to be treading water. The team finished last in the division for the second time in three years and their 4-12 record was the franchise’s worst since 1991. Defensively this team was once admired and copied by everyone else in the league but now the Bucs are showing their age on that side of the ball. Offensively, Jon Gruden is supposed to be a genius but in his 6th year with Tampa he just can’t seem to get the players he needs to work his system. Of course, all of the injuries aren’t exactly helping him either.
The Bucs could possible be set at quarterback if Jake Plummer decided not to retire, but otherwise the team has two capable guys in Chris Simms and Jeff Garcia. Simms has been giving the lead, largely because he is the one familiar with Gruden’s hugely complex offensive playbook. Garcia re-emerged as a starter last year when he took over for Donovan McNabb in Philadelphia. The running backs are led by Cadillac Williams, but Cadillac has been injury prone in his first two NFL seasons. Michael Pittman is a reliable backup who is better at catching passes, but isn’t as strong of a runner. Joey Galloway has been decent, but he’s getting up there in age with his thirteen years in the league. Michael Clayton has been disappointing and this is last chance, but hopefully some stability at quarterback can improve his stock. Jerramy Stevens comes over from Seattle to play tight end, and he’s a great pass catcher if he gets his act together.
When it comes to the defense, the front four needs to be better this year for this team to have a shot. Gaines Adams was used with the fourth overall pick and should give the team some help. He’ll battle with Simeon Rice for who will start at end on the opposite side of Greg Spires. At nose tackle Chris Hovan can be a beast when he wants to be. At linebacker the team still has Derrick Brooks, but the ten-time Pro Bowler is proof of just how old this side has become. Barrett Ruud can hold his own but needs work to make it to the elite level and Cato June was picked up from the Colts to serve in the middle. The team drafted a pair of safeties in order to put pressure on Will Allen and Jermaine Phillips. The corners are Ronde Barder and Brian Kelly who are both in double digits as far as time served in the league. Phillip Buchanon needs to step up to serve as a replacement if either goes down.
We love the UNDER for this team at 7 wins. Tampa’s chances of getting to 8-8 are far less than their chance of a repeat of last year. Jon Gruden is on the hot seat and if the team performs like we think they will this year then you can expect him to be looking for work elsewhere following the season. The defense got seven of ten draft picks, but they’ll develop after Gruden’s tenure.
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