2011 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Predictions
The Buccaneers put a disastrous 3-13 season behind them and won 10 games last year. Now, they believe they can win their first division title since 2007.
The team has taken on the personality of its outspoken coach and is ready to silence all those who remain doubters.
Offense: The Buccaneers ranked 19th in the NFL in total offense in 2010 with 335.1 yards per game. They ranked 20th in scoring with 21.3 points per contest. They should be able to improve on these numbers if Josh Freeman continues his growth.
Freeman completed over 61.0 percent of his passes for 3,451 yards with 25 touchdowns and six interceptions last season. The big fella is quickly emerging as one of the best crunch-time players in the league. His 97.4 fourth-quarter rating was third-best in the conference.
The decision to claim LeGarrette Blount off waivers was quite possibly a season-maker. Blount led all rookies with 1,007 yards rushing while averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
Another rookie, Mike Williams, also came up big for the Bucs. The former Syracuse standout led the team with 964 receiving yards and 11 touchdown grabs. Tight end Kellen Winslow had a team-high 66 receptions and finished second with five touchdown catches.
Led by Pro Bowl tackle Donald Penn, the line helped the Bucs average a franchise-record 4.6 yards per rushing attempt. Penn was a big reason why the Bucs ranked a respectable 10th in the league with only 30 sacks allowed.
Defense: Tampa Bay’s stop unit ranked 17th in the league in total defense in 2010 with 332.7 yards allowed per game. It ranked ninth in scoring defense with 19.9 points allowed per contest. The Bucs believe the key to improving on these numbers is improving the pass rush.
Tampa ranked 30th in the NFL last season with 26 sacks but believes Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers can change that. Clayborn rushes the passer with speed and power and is also a strong run defender. Bowers was considered a top 10 pick until questions surfaced about his knee.
The Bucs will miss middle linebacker Barrett Ruud, who has the led the team in tackles the last four seasons. Fortunately, they were able to bring back strong-side linebacker Quincy Black and added Washington standout Mason Foster through the draft.
Ronde Barber continues to be the leader of the secondary. He enters his 15th season with a streak of 183 consecutive starts. Barber finished third on the team in tackles (102) and second in interceptions (3).
Aqib Talib took a lot of pressure off Barber by covering the opposition’s top receiver. He led the team with six picks despite playing just 11 games. His status for the upcoming season remains up in the air as aggravated assault charges could lead to a league suspension.
Prediction: 3rd Place NFC South – Five of Tampa Bay’s 10 wins last season came by a combined 11 points. This is not an explosive offensive team, which means the Bucs will have to win the close ones again to contend for a South division title. NFL odds makers have listed the Bucs at +450 to win the NFC South.
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