State of the Tampa Bay Bucs Heading into Training Camp

(Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Everywhere you look, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are written off. Beat writers talk about this being a rebuilding year. National pundits scratch their heads and wonder who the heck this Raheem Morris guy is and why in the world would they blow out Jon Gruden for him?

Add to the dismissal of veterans Joey Galloway and future hall of famer Derrick Brooks, as well as an apparent daunting schedule and four wins appears to be a bit high for an over/under on wins for 2009.

The Bucs are a younger football team, there's no denying that. But are they better? As we move closer to Training Camp, opening July 31 at One Buc Palace in Tampa—let's take a look at the major moves the Bucs made this offseason and do a little pigskin prognostication of our own.

 
Quincy Black, Jermaine Phillips, Geno Hayes and Angelo Crowell vs. Derrick Brooks and Cato June

You can never replace a leader like Derrick Brooks. In the locker room and in the community, few Buccaneers are as beloved and admired as Brooks. That admiration makes it very difficult for fans to accept the truth about their favorite player.

Brooks is done—he just doesn't know it yet. As much as Buc fans love No. 55, it was Brooks' pride that contributed to the Bucs defensive collapse at the end of 2008.

He was injured but refused to come out and opponents exploited the one legged linebacker, who had no where near the speed to fill the gaps and cover as he once did. He was beaten unmercifully and at times it was painful to watch him.

Can Jermaine Phillips or Geno Hayes replace him? You don't just replace a Derrick Brooks, folks. But that's only if we're talking about Derrick Brooks of 2002. Derrick Brooks of 2008 was expendable.

Neither Phillips or Hayes will have the vast amount of knowledge Brooks used to diagnose plays and make an impact. Still athletically, they will be far superior, returning to the defense the sorely missed speed they've lacked the last couple of years.

Under new defensive coordinator Jim Bates, the linebackers will be called on to blitz a lot more off the edge. Phillips and Hayes are built to do that.

As for Cato June, let's face it—June was an overrated football player at Indianapolis and was invisible in Tampa Bay. Quincy Black is a former third round draft pick with speed to burn and a desire to live up to his draft status. He will finally get that opportunity to compete for the starting spot with free agent Angelo Crowell.

Determination: Upgrade.

McCown, Leftwich, or Freeman vs. Jeff Garcia

Jeff Garcia has the heart of a champion, no doubt. What he lacks is height, the ability to see open targets down the field and the courage to stand in the pocket that extra second to deliver the ball.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Garcia lacks courage overall—on the contrary, he would make some gutty runs and bled for this football team. I'm saying that the decision to run always seemed to come too quickly and he lacked the trust in his line or his receivers to stand in the pocket that extra second to make a play.

Luke McCown is the polar opposite. In fact, it has been said he makes his decision too slowly and while he waits for plays to develop, he gets himself sacked.

Still, athletically McCown has a better arm than Garcia ever had, he may be one of the best athletes on the football team and has established a trusted relationship with many of the team's weapons.

Byron Leftwich has the most experience among the starters but his inability to get the ball out could be a major issue for him in the competition. With no rush in his face, Leftwich is deadly accurate, with a cannon to get the ball down the field.

Unfortunately a hitch in his throwing motion not only delays getting the ball out but tips off corners and safeties when the ball is coming.

Josh Freeman has all the physical attributes you'd want for your quarterback with the exception of one important one—experience. The only way you get experience is to play the game but we all know the horror shows that are rookie QBs indoctrination into the league.

Freeman was supposed to redshirt this year but either by the failure of the two other QBs or his own merits, he's forced Buccaneers management to rethink their position on the rookie's development track. In the end, its likely in the best interest for the team to keep Freeman on the bench for the short term.

Determination - Downgrade.

Kellen Winslow, Jr, Kelly Campbell, Sammie Stroughter vs. Alex Smith, Joey Galloway, and Ike Hillard

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