(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Note: This is the first of a two-part series previewing the Buccaneer 2009 offense and defense.
There is no video testimony as to what the 2009 Tampa Bay Buccaneer offense will look like. None.
That didn't stop former Buccaneer Warren Sapp from giving us his declaration on the NFL network.
"They have a championship offense. Now they got to get their defense back on that level," claims Sapp.
Championship offense? Really?
Let's take a position by position look and rate each as a strength, weakness.
Quarterback
Okay, where's the "championship level" quarterback?
You have untested Luke McCown, former Jacksonville starter, most recently Pittsburgh backup Byron Leftwich, practice squad squatter Josh Johnson, and the Golden Boy—first-round draft pick Josh Freeman. Brian Griese is still on the roster but hopes of getting anything for him have faded and he is not in the Bucs' 2009 plans.
McCown signed a contract extension, and while wasn't given NFL starter money, he was given Jeff Garcia money. McCown has publicly declared the starting position is his to lose.
Leftwich was signed with no bonus and is an inexpensive competitor for McCown. You have to wonder if the Bucs are really intent on keeping both. Perhaps not.
Summer camp will produce a starter between Leftwich and McCown, loser may be traded or released. Look for Raheem Morris' love affair with Josh Freeman to get in full-bloom come training camp. Freeman may well be the backup, with Johnson again on the practice squad.
Total QB final roster spots: Three.
Preseason condition of position: Weakness.
Running Back
Offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski will put new emphasis on the running game. These are his runners: Ernest Graham, Derrick Ward, B.J. Askew, Jameel Cook, and Clifton Smith.
Look for Graham (5'9", 225 lbs.) and Ward (5'11", 228 lbs.) to split the load with Cook (5'10", 237 lbs.) and Askew (6'3", 233 lbs.) to block for them. Clifton Smith emerged as a special teams Pro-Bowl selection star last season and will fill that role.
What about Cadillac Williams? The fragile knees of the Cadillac have both been surgically repaired and his future is still a question mark but Morris will give him a full shot at a comeback.
With Williams possibly back and perhaps six roster spots for running backs, suddenly there aren't that many jobs available here. Graham and Ward need to perform and perform at a high level and stay healthy for the offense to have any hope whatsoever.
Total running back roster spots: Six.
Preseason condition of position: Strength.
Offensive Line
How many teams have an offensive line that is better known individually than the other positions? The Buccaneers may be one of them. Morris' success or failure as a head coach could well be determined by his offensive line. If the Bucs are going to run first, then these guys need to excel:
Jeff Faine (center), Sean Mahan (guard), David Joseph (guard), Donald Penn (left tackle), Aaron Sears (right tackle), depth: Jeremy Trueblood and Jeremy Zuttah (flexible, can play different positions), Lee James (guard), Anthony Alabi (tackle), Andrew Exonomos (center).
Look for fifth-round draft pick Xavier Fulton of Illinois to compete and make the team. There are also tackles Maurice Miller and Julian Wilson and free agents Robert Bruggeman (center, Iowa), Marc Dile (tackle, South Florida), Demar Dotson (tackle, Southern Miss).
This is the team's deepest and most reliable position and needs to step up for the Buccaneers to have any hope for success this season.
Total offensive line roster spots: Eleven.
Preseason condition of position: Strength.
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