Tampa Bay Buccaneers: What happened?
Notable Free agents: CB Ronde Barber, S Sean Jones
This team was an exciting young team rising to the top of the NFC in 2010, then in 2011, they just stopped. QB Josh Freeman looked like a confident dual-threat in 2010 and suddenly transformed into someone who was timid and indecisive. RB LeGarrette Blount, when he wasn’t injured, wasn’t the ground and pound back he was his rookie year in 2010. WR Mike Williams went from a star in the making in 2010 to a mediocre option in 2011. And the entire defense was just weak.
So where do the Bucs go from here? Their coach, Raheem Morris went from Coach of the Year in 2010 to fired after last season. Will a new coach (former Rutgers head coach) Greg Schiano’s regime help? The Bucs better hope so. They spent their first two picks last year on the defensive front seven (DE Adrian Clayborn and LB Da’Quan Bowers) and the #3 overall pick two years ago on the D-line (DT Gerald McCoy) and they were still dead last in rushing yards allowed. Their offense left their mojo in 2010 and the team was just listless.
Word has it that former Giants receiver Mario Manningham will join the Bucs, which will help, but the offense needs to find their swagger and fast. The Bucs need more help on defense and the players they have on offense should keep the team competitive.
That’s why the Bucs need to draft some help in the secondary and hope their offense can get it together. CB Morris Claiborne is the best bet since 15-year veteran CB Ronde Barber and S Sean Jones are probably gone anyway. They need to revamp their secondary and Claiborne can do that immediately.
The biggest thing for the Bucs is to get their swagger back and remember what made them so good back in 2010. If they can do that, then they’ll at least have a decent shot at an 8-8 record.
On the Clock: Washington Redskins (Pick #6)
