2006 Bucs Football

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Youth on offense and experience on defense defines the 2006 Bucs football team. You are going to see a lot of familiar faces with Tampa Bay this season as they return 21 of 22 from the NFC South champions of a year ago. The only new face in the starting lineup is Davin Joseph on the line, their no. 1 draft pick out of Oklahoma. Head coach John Gruden liked his team chemistry so the organization spent almost all of their off-season money on re-signing key guys, including Derrick Brooks who took a major pay cut in order to try for another Super Bowl title. The only names coming in this season were for depth on the offensive line and Jamie Winborn, a linebacker from the Jags. The team may feel the hurt from losing Brian Griese and Dexter Jackson, but youngsters Chris Simms and Will Allen proved to be adequate replacements.

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Chris Simms proved to the Bucs faithful last year that he can lead this team into the future. He came if after Griese got injured in the 6th game of the year and went 5-1 in the tough NFC South. The team has depth at the position with Tim Rattay and Luke McCown battling it out for the backup spot. Cadillac Williams is going to be one of the best running backs in the league and Tampa just hopes that he comes into his own during this season. He had some durability issues, but it should help that Pittman returns this year as a solid 3rd down back and Mike Alstott will be back blocking for him. The receiving corps should be in good shape with Joey Galloway and Michael Clayton. Clayton was solid two years ago, but injuries plagued his sophomore season and the organization is expecting a return to 2004 form this year. Galloway has been around the league for 11 years now but is still a threat to the opposing secondary.

The 2006 Bucs football team is hoping to build on having the best defense in the league last year, according to total yards allowed. The defensive line is going to be tough again this year with Simeon Rice keeping up his amazing pass rushing abilities, Chris Hovan being a force against the run, and Greg Spires should return to form after struggling to stay healthy last season. At linebacker the team still has Brooks, Shelton Quarles, and Ryan Nece. Quarles and Nece should stay motivated to make plays with Winborn and Barrett Ruud breathing down their necks. Ronde Barber is in a contract year at corner so expect a big season out of him, but the secondary is aging, which could catch up to the Bucs this season.

Tampa has one of the toughest schedules in the league, which won't help the young offense come together quickly. Another problem they will face in repeating is how they decided to stick with what they had, whereas the other three teams in the division made major off-season moves to improve. With all that being said, Gruden is one of our favorite coaches and he finds ways to win. Bookmaker has the team Over 8.5 wins listed at +155 and we are going to take it.