Good catch-up article in Sunday's Tampa Tribune breaking down the Buccaneers'
off-season activity so far:
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/mar/23/sp-have-bucs-upgraded-their-roster/?sports-bucs
While the Bucs have not chased many high-profile free agents this winter (and
have landed none), they do appear to have helped themselves in most areas. The
one position where you would think they'd still want an upgrade is at wide
receiver. The Bucs were not deep in that spot behind Joey Galloway last season,
a fact made painfully obvious when Galloway got hurt in the first quarter of
their playoff loss to the Giants, and Jeff Garcia had absolutely no one to throw
to afterwards as a result. (Remember, the Bucs led 7-0 after one quarter, with
the Giants only gaining about three yards net, before Eli Manning successfully
went to a short passing game in the second quarter. Who knows, if both Galloway
and linebacker Cato June had been healthy all through that game, maybe you'd see
a lot of "Patriots Perfect Season" T-shirts all over the place. Perhaps we can
get that game recap in a future Harry Turtledove novel ... but, we digress.)
Back to the wideout spot ... the Bucs did sign Antonio Bryant over the
winter, a man with a knack for getting open on the field, and getting in trouble
off the field. Bryant's a lottery ticket; he could help the Bucs immensely, or
he could be in custody at Tampa's Orient Road jail when the Bucs cut him in
August. (BTW, note that Bryant's four-game substance abuse suspension was
considered officially completed by the NFL when Bryant sat out the 2007 season.)
It looks as if the Bucs will have to look for a breakthrough from Maurice
Stovall, a resurgence from Michael Clayton, or help in the draft (DeSean Jackson
from Cal, maybe?) to bolster their wide receiver corps.
Is this Tampa Bay team good enough to win the NFC South again in 2008? What
do you think?
Posted by Gus Papadopoulos at 3/24/2008 9:14:00 AM
