NFL preview: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I don't know if 32-year-old Raheem Morris is truly ready to be an NFL head coach, and I don't think Bill Belichick could win with the group of Buccaneers with which Morris debuts.
Projected finish: 5-11 (4th in NFC South)
Tampa Bay won pretty consistently under Tony Dungy and then Jon Gruden during the last decade, but they had talent. Morris inherits a team that looks to be entering a rebuilding mode. Even Derrick Brooks, who had been the Bucs' leader and outstanding linebacker since about 1936, was released following the 2008 season. What's left is a few getting-over-the-hill veterans and a mix of young players that has a slim chance of winning now, especially in the tough NFC South.
Byron Leftwich defeated Luke McNown to be Tampa Bay's starting quarterback. Let's just say that you don't quite have to be Dan Marino in his prime to hold off McCown. Leftwich will remind few in the Florida football faithful of Marino, though he at least looked decent in limited action as Pittsburgh's backup in 2008. Antonio Bryant is coming off a breakout season at receiver, but recently had knee surgery, and Michael Clayton, Maurice Stovall, Sammie Stroughter and Brian Clark are a very pedestrian pile of depth at the position. TE Kellen Winslow has talent few can rival, but he's a risk for both injury and behavior detremental to the team.
Former New York Giant Derrick Ward had a huge 2008, running for more than 1,000 yards and 5.6 yards per carry. He and holdovers Earnest Graham and Cadillac Williams will share carries in a running game that could be strong, and will have to be for the Bucs to move the ball consistently. Donald Penn, Jeremy Zuttah, Jeff Faine, Davin Joseph and Jeremy Trueblood are the likely starters on a line that's without Arron Sears, a 2007 second-round draft pick that did not report to camp due for personal reasons.
Nobody on the Tampa Bay defensive line has reached seven sacks in a single season. The Bucs have a lot invested in third-year DE Gaines Adams, who so far has not reached his potential. Jimmy Wilkerson is the other DE, and Chris Hovan, Ryan Sims and Roy Miller will see much of the time on the interior. MLB Barrett Ruud has more than 110 tackles in each of the last two seasons, but Quincy Black and Geno Hayes will have trouble replacing Brooks on the outside.
Veteran Ronde Barber and young Aqib Talib are a potentially strong starting tandem at cornerback, but there is a serious lack of depth at the position. FS Jermaine Phillips was going to be moved to linebacker, until Tanard Jackson was suspended for the season's first four games. Phillips will instead remain at safety, where Sabby Piscitelli should also start.
