The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have found themselves in a very bad situation. They've lost RB "Cadillac" Williams to a season ending knee injury and Michael Pittman will be out six to eight weeks with an ankle injury. Now third string RB and fourth year pro Earnest Graham becomes the starter. So far this season Graham has 36 carries for 147yds with 3 TD's.
To help Graham out when he needs a breather the Buc's signed 13 year veteran Zack Crockett Wednesday morning. Crockett is very familiar with Coach Gruden and his offensive scheme, having played for Gruden in Oakland. Also to make room for Crockett the Buc's placed QB Chris Simms on the IR list.
Tampa is tied with the Panthers for the lead in the NFC South. This week they must take on a tough task in the Tennesse Titans. The Titans are 13-1 against the NFC south under Coach Fisher and I look for him to continue that streak this weekend. A depleted backfield may be to much for the Buc's to overcome against a good defense like Tennesee's.
All in all the Buc's may just make it through the season and win a very weak NFC South Division. There isn't one Playoff team from last season left on their schedule other than the Saints whom they already beat at home, with everyone else in the division taking huge impacts due to injury (or felony charges) in their rosters the Buc's could easily go 10-6 and win out to make a playoff birth. To get them their they will need a real strong push from the new running back tandem of Graham and Crockett. Not to mention some smart coaching by Gruden.
QB Jeff Garcia can also be a difference maker for this team. He's smart and very mobile and also has a fairly strong arm to get the ball downfield. With a speedy veteran reciever like Joey Galloway that at times has shown that he still has game left in him, these two vet's should be able to get just enough done to make a push towards the playoffs. This is what the rest of Tampa's schedule looks like starting with this sunday's game. I will mark next to each game my win/lose prediction to show how they might finish.
Home vs the Titans- loss
@ Detroit- win
Home vs the Jaguars- loss
Home vs the Cardinals- win
@ Atlanta-win
Home vs Washington- loss
@ New Orleans- win
@ Houston- loss
Home vs Atlanta- win
@ S. Francisco- win
Home vs Carolina-win
Overall finish 10-6
With six of the next eleven games left at home, I think it's very possible for them to save the season and win the division. They have already beaten Carolina and the Saints pretty soundly. It will not be an easy task for them to accomplish but they have the players and coach to do it.
Defensively is the only question I have for this team. Although they do have six interceptions on the season and 3 fumble recovery's as a team. With all that said I look for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win enough games to make the playoffs but how deep they go is another thing altogether.
I agree husker they are in a good position even without cadillac and pittman. Also Carolina squeaked by new orleans so they aren't that good either. Bucs win the division hands down.
Last edited by gambitxxx on October 10th at 8:30 PM.
I agree with your assessment, the Bucs, barring any more major injuries, should win the NFC South. Their game against the Colts showed them just how far they have to go to become an elite team. I thought they hung with Indianapolis fairly well, but then again several key performers for the Colts weren't on the field. The O line is a work in progress and it was a shame Petitgout went down. He might have kept Fenney out of the Buc's backfield a little longer and Garcia might have been more effective.
The Titans provide another good test. I expect the young Buccaneers to continue to improve. We'll see what happens.
By the way, I understand the Buccaneers will be hoping to use their first round draft pick next April on a top running back. It looks like they believe Cadillac is done...
Wow that's news to me Dwindy1. Alot of teams may look to take Cadillac of their hands.Or are they looking to unload Pittman? somebody has to go if that's the situation.
Crockett is a savvy addition. He will quietly help them in short yardage or just by giving a breather to their lead rusher Graham.
I think they are in better position than you give them credit for. @Detroit/vsJacksonville you might have switched around for the won/loss. It will be tough for them to contain the Lion offense on the turf. The Jags play right into their hands, that's a 13-10 type game which could go either way.
Same goes for vsWas/@NO because I don't think the Saints are totally in the tank while I'm not convinced the Redskins are a powerhouse. Just like the Jags game we're talking 16-13 or something there.
End result should be the same. I see them reaching 9-7 at least, but no better than your 10-6. Their defense is really coming back into form. Kiffin is a mastermind which Raider fans are figuring out now with his son running the show. Try taking one of the worst run offenses in the NFL then making it #1 inside of a year.
Norcafella thx for stopping by your comments are always on point and welcomed. As I see it you can give/take a game here and there but in the end like we both said they win the NFC South easily.
Last edited by gambitxxx on October 11th at 7:54 AM.
The Bucs have the great advantage of playing in the worst division and therfore will, like the Cubs, reach the playoffs as a result of their opposition's ineptitude more than because of their own merits.
I dont really think they will get ten wins, but i am pretty sure that ten wins wont be needed to win the south. Even if the Bucs were healthy, they would only be an average team. Both their offensive and defensive lines, one of which is the most improtant unit on a team, stink. they have a scrappy quarterback, but i really have not gained any respect for the man calles Cadillac. He is more like a lemon. Looks good at the start, but soon shows why it was a waste. He has moves and speed, but his numbers have never been pretty. I love Joey galloway, but he isnt enough.
Looking at their remaining opponents, i see them losing to Tennesee, Jacksonville, Arizona(who will be much better with Warner), Washington, Houston(If Andre Johnson is healthy) and perhaps to the Niners in San Fransisco. I see them at 8-8 or 9-7, either of which will be good enough to take the South. But if they suffer another significant injury or two, I would have to jump on to the Panthers bandwagon.
chitown thx for coming by and as for San fran. they'll beat them I think. Yes another injury could hurt them but unless it's Garcia or Galloway they'll be ok. The Panthers on the other hand are down to a almost 50yr old QB. Hey does geratol(don't know if I spelled that correctly) Count as a performance enhancer?
Last edited by gambitxxx on October 11th at 2:46 PM.
The Bucs always seem at their best while they are at home. Do I think they are a playoff team? You know I learned years ago to never count them out, so it is a possibility.
This was a great article btw! You did a fantastic job with the subject that was given.
i like your article and i agree with it. The bucs will most likely win their division but i question if they could even get pass the first round in the playoffs. The game against the Redskins could be a playoff preview. The Redskins are probally a lock for a wildcard (assuming they cant catch Dallas) and may play the Bucs in the first round. But it is very early to be making predictions like this because anything can happen.
Last edited by nflfreak21 on October 12th at 2:19 PM.
nflfreak21 thx for stopping in and thx for the compliment. Yeah injuries to some other big name on the team could hurt them also. Who knows very crazy football season in both college and the pro's.
You have made my day with your sweet comment. I just wanted you to know that. Also, I wanted to tell you that I am also thankful to be read by such a good blogger such as yourself.
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