Welcome Total Sports Blog’s NFL Training Camp Previews. Up until the start of the NFL season, we will continue to preview each team, and predict their records. The chances that we predict any of these records to be right drastically decreases when Joe is writing the preview.
Today’s team is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFC South)
2013 Record: 4-12
Passing Leader: Mike Glennon 2608 YDS 19 TD 9 INT
Rushing Leader: Bobby Rainey 532 YDS 5 TD
Receiving leader: Vincent Jackson 78 REC 1224 YDS 7TD
Leading Tackler: Lavonte David 106 Tackles
Sacks Leader: Gerald McCoy 9.5 Sacks
Int Leader: Lavonte David 5 INT
FA losses: QB Dan Orlovsky, FB Erik Lorig, WR Mike Williams, OT Donald Penn, G Davin Joseph, G Gabe Carimi, C Jeremy Zuttah, C Ted Larsen, OLB Dekoda Watson, OLB Adam Hayward, CB Darrelle Revis.
FA signings: QB Josh McCown, TE Brandon Myers, OT Anthony Collins, G/OT Oniel Cousins, C Evan Dietrich-Smith, DE Michael Johnson, DT Clinton McDonald, ILB Dane Fletcher, CB Alterraun Verner, CB Mike Jenkins, S Major Wright.
Draft Picks:
Season Preview:
After an impressive stint last season, Mike Glennon will not be taking over at quarterback this season. Journeyman Josh McCown will fill the role. McCown will have a talented set of wide receivers (Vincent Jackson and rookie Mike Evans) and a quality running back (Doug Martin) to help prove that he is a capable NFL starter. Now McCown did fill in remarkably in Chicago last season when Jay Cutler went down, but it is fair for one to be skeptical of the 35 year old veteran.
Second round draft pick TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins is also listed at 6’5, the same as both Evans and Jackson. Brendan Myers was brought in during the offseason, but was a large disappointment for the Giants last year, so look for Seferian-Jenkins to start and create one of the tallest receiving corps of all time for the Buccs this season.
Doug Martin took a huge step back last season, after an impressive rookie season. He averaged 3.6 yards a carry last year after averaging 4.6 the year prior, and only played in 6 games before a season ending injury. If Martin can find his rookie-form once again, this offense should be much improved.
On the defensive side of the football, the loss of Darrelle Revis will be hard to deal with; however, Alterraun Verner (formally of the Titans) was brought in to help fill the void.
Gerald McCoy will be joined by free-agent signing Michael Johnson (formally of the Bengals) and should create a very talented pass rush that should give opposing quarterbacks trouble fairly regularly.
Prediction:
The Buccs have a difficult schedule, having to play in Chicago, New Orleans, and Pittsburgh. All tough road games. I think this Buccs team is much improved but will have a hard time showing that due to some bad luck of the draw when it comes to scheduling. My gut tells me they finish the season with four more wins than last season, with a record of 8-8.
Agree? Disagree? Please comment below or argue with me on twitter @J_Cioffi
