by Billy Rich
2013 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2012 Record: 7-9 (Tied for 2nd with the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers).
Head Coach: Greg Schiano (2nd year).
I am old school and have known the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since their entry into the NFL in 1976 as part of the AFC West. The following year the team moved to the NFC. Unfortunately, the Bucs, as they are affectionately referred to by fans, did not begin to experience sustained success until the late 1990s, culminating with a Super Bowl victory in 2002. Since that time they are no longer perennial bottom of the barrel, but are far from any era of prominence.
Taking a look at 2013, the Bucs’ 2nd year head coach Greg Schiano continues to build a team concept around a no-nonsense coaching philosophy that could grow old for some veteran players and be misunderstood by new ones. His no-nonsense style does not accept bad play from a coaching standpoint–with a coach that likes to vociferously let his players know it. That works for Bill Belichick in New England where winning is consistent, but the style can get old where it is not working.
First and foremost,on the docket is the QB position in Tampa and the play of Josh Freeman. Life is like a box of chocolates and as with that, you have Josh Freeman: you never know what you are going to get. He will need to be more consistent this season for the Bucs to succeed. Will he be the 25 TD, 6 INT player of 2010? Or the 5 TD 9 INT QB over a shorter span in 2012 (at one point with back-to-back 4 INT games)? Without solid sustained improvement, he will be benched, likely for the Bucs’ 3rd round pick, Mike Glennon from NC State. If that happens, the Bucs could experience real trouble running the offense on the field. Yes, Freeman had a good stretch in 2012, but ending at 7-9 will not cut it again.
Other offensive highlights for 2013 could see continued success for 2nd year RB Doug Martin, running behind a decent offensive line. If he can build on last year’s 1000+ yard season, it could take some of the heat off the QB.
Defensively, the Bucs acquired highly sought after (by some teams anyway) former Jet DB Darrelle Revis and, with a returning Dashon Goldson (who I do not know too much about), these two could strengthen a secondary that needed help after getting beat a lot last year. Additionally, the Bucs’ defensive line allowed the fewest yards and yards-per-attempt last year. If that can hold up, an improvement on 7-9 is likely.
The biggest upside for the Buccaneers in 2013? They still play in a warm climate and can’t possibly be worse than 7-9 again. A healthy Darrelle Reevis will help them a lot in shoring up any flaws in the secondary.
Bill’s Biggest questions for the Bucs in 2013: Which Josh Freeman will show up? His inability to sustain good play for an entire season is a valid concern in Tampa, and we know he tends to play poorly in stretches.
Bill’s Final Buccaneers Thoughts and Prediction:
Bill’s 2013 Bucs Prediction: 8-8 (Tied with the Panthers for Third/Last in NFC South) Let’s take the high road and give the Bucs a disappointing but improved season. It’s not a rebuilding year and it’s not a year of decline, so expect another mediocre season from a team whose division rivals will play tough. The Falcons will win it, because they want to prove they are the class of the division, and the Saints and Panthers have something to prove, because 7-9 for them is not good enough either.
Edited by: Todd LaPlante