| Written by Jeremy Ormins,
on 03-03-2008 19:45
|
Views : 199  |
Favoured : 53 |
Published in : , Sports |
The Bucs continue to struggle to put together the defense that won them their championship. It seems that perhaps it wasn't the best move for them to get rid of Dungy when they did. Even though the Bucs won a championship that year, clearly that was Dungy's defense that won it for them and Gruden and Monty Kiffin have not been able to maintain the proper personnel to regain that dominating presence they had before. Regargless of that the Bucs continue to be a team good enough to get into the playoffs as they did last season with a 9-7 record (sadly winning their division with that meager record). They have many aging players and no clear cut stars like most teams, however with Jeff Garcia managing the game at quarterback, and the defense usually playing above average, The Bucs always have potential to go farther than their talent as they did last year. They will have a tougher time this upcoming year as I expect both the Panthers and Saints to rebound with winning seasons making this a hotly contested division.
With the Bucs winning their division and making it to the playoffs they have a later first round draft pick in the NFL Draft. The Bucs are drafting #20 and have some holes to fill and definitely some positions they could use some upgrades at. The majority of the draft experts and I are thinking the Bucs go with a defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer out of North Carolina. As we remember Sapp and MacFarland in the glory days of this defense, the Bucs know having an elite front four is vital to the Tampa Two being successful.
2008 NFL Schedule - Week 1- Sep 7 @New Orleans 1:00pm
- Week 2- Sep 14 Atlanta 4:05pm
- Week 3- Sep 21 @Chicago 1:00pm
- Week 4- Sep 28 Green Bay 1:00pm
- Week 5- Oct 5 @Denver 4:05pm
- Week 6- Oct 12 Carolina 1:00pm
- Week 7- Oct 19 Seattle 8:15pm
- Week 8- Oct 26 @Dallas 1:00pm
- Week 9- Nov 2 @Kansas City 1:00pm
- Week 10- BYE
- Week 11- Nov 16 Minnesota 1:00pm
- Week 12- Nov 23 @Detroit 1:00pm
- Week 13- Nov 30 New Orleans 1:00pm
- Week 14- Dec 8 @Carolina 8:30pm
- Week 15- Dec 14 @Atlanta 1:00pm
- Week 16- Dec 21 San Diego 8:15pm
- Week 17- Dec 28 Oakland 1:00pm
Fantasy Top 5
1. Earnest Graham RB- I have been burned by Bucs running backs in the past so I suggest only picking this guy up if you're desperate for a starter and all the good backs are taken. He had over 1200 yards (rushing & receiving) and 10 touchdowns but it remains to be seen if he will be splitting time with a healthy Cadillac Williams who could significantly cut into his stats.
2. Jeff Garcia QB- Definitely not a guy who's going to have a ton of 300+ yards and a ton of touchdowns, however he is very good at not turning the ball over if you are on one of those crazy leagues that penalizes heavily for turnovers although most don't. Garcia had a QB rating of 94.6 so he's definitely very good back there in this system, unfortunately it doesn't translate well to our fantasy teams. I'd pick Garcia up as a 2nd or 3rd quarterback and start him against good match ups if you have to.
3. Joey Galloway WR- He's getting old but this gray beard still is a burner and will continue to have some fantasy value until he retires. He barely eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark last year with 6 touchdowns so he's another guy who'd be good for a spot match up start on a bad bye week perhaps.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defense- Definitely not the dominating defense they were, but a good defense to start against a weak offense as they can rack up the fantasy points in those situations. They will the Falcons on their schedule twice next year so the Bucs D might be worth a late draft pick up.
5. Cadillac Williams RB- I am one of the fantasy owners who bought this Cadillac in his sophmore year and consquently got a lemon. Cadillac continues to show ability however a bad O line, bad scheme, inability to stay healthy, and an ability to run well but never get into the endzone make him a huge gamble. One the good side he should be available late and might be worth the longshot although coming off a bad knee injury last year. For more Tampa Bay Buccaneers and fantasy football analysis.
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