(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
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Adams will anchor the defensive line from the right defensive end position and be joined by fellow linemen Stylez White (formerly Greg White), Chris Hovan and Ryan Sims. Rookie Kyle Moore figures to be in the mix as well, playing on the left side of the Bucs line.
The linebackers surrounding Ruud will be free agent acquisition Angelo Crowell and new starter Quincy Black.
The linebackers surrounding Ruud will be free agent acquisition Angelo Crowell and new starter Quincy Black.
Black will take over for Cato June, who left via free agency to join the Texans, while Crowell will fill the shoes of longtime Buc Derrick Brooks. Jermaine Phillips will also begin his transition from safety to linebacker and rotate with Black.
In the secondary, Jim Bates will have veteran cover corner Ronde Barber to go along with last years first round selection Aqib Talib.
In the secondary, Jim Bates will have veteran cover corner Ronde Barber to go along with last years first round selection Aqib Talib.
Torrie Cox and Kyle Arrington will round out the cornerbacks for the Bucs. At safety, Tampa will once again have the underrated Tanard Jackson roaming around at free safety while Sabby Piscitelli will start at strong safety.
2009 Schedule:
| Sun 9/13 | Dallas |
| Sun 9/20 | at Buffalo |
| Sun 9/27 | NY Giants |
| Sun 10/4 | at Washington |
| Sun 10/11 | at Philadelphia |
| Sun 10/18 | Carolina |
| Sun 10/25 | New England |
| bye | |
| Sun 11/8 | Green Bay |
| Sun 11/15 | at Miami |
| Sun 11/22 | New Orleans |
| Sun 11/29 | at Atlanta |
| Sun 12/6 | at Carolina |
| Sun 12/13 | NY Jets |
| Sun 12/20 | at Seattle |
| Sun 12/27 | at New Orleans |
| Sun 1/3 | Atlanta |
2009 Prediction:
For many years under the guidance of Tony Dungy and Jon Gruden, the Buccaneers experienced a great deal of success, culminating in the team winning a Super Bowl in the 2002 season.
Last year, the Bucs were soaring high, winners of nine of their first 12 games and en route to yet another division title before the bottom fell out.
For many years under the guidance of Tony Dungy and Jon Gruden, the Buccaneers experienced a great deal of success, culminating in the team winning a Super Bowl in the 2002 season.
Last year, the Bucs were soaring high, winners of nine of their first 12 games and en route to yet another division title before the bottom fell out.
Monte Kiffin announced his intentions of leaving the Bucs to join his son at the college ranks, and the defense appeared to leave the Bucs with him. Tampa would end the season on a 4-game losing skid and the Gruden era would officially end.
All great things eventually come to an end, however, and it appears the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will begin a transitional period under the heralded, but still very young, head coach Raheem Morris.
All great things eventually come to an end, however, and it appears the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will begin a transitional period under the heralded, but still very young, head coach Raheem Morris.
Morris, at age 32, is the youngest coach in the league and he will be reliant on Josh Freeman, the young 21 year old quarterback the franchise drafted 17th overall in the 2009 draft.
When Freeman starts will be a major question for Morris, with some believing it could be as soon as the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
When Freeman starts will be a major question for Morris, with some believing it could be as soon as the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
But regardless of Freeman's entry into the starting lineup, this is a Tampa Bay team that is vastly different on paper than many of the previous ones, and as a result this is a team that could take a bit of time to get things going.
It doesn't help that before the teams bye week in Week 8, the young Bucs will not face a team that finished with a losing record a season ago.
As a result, the Bucs figure to have a rough start out of the gate, and likely will see their record take a hit because of it.
As a result, the Bucs figure to have a rough start out of the gate, and likely will see their record take a hit because of it.
2009 will begin the process of returning the Bucs to prominence, but they are still likely a year or two away from resuming their role as lead dog in the NFC South.
Predicted Finish: 5-11, 4th NFC South
Predicted Finish: 5-11, 4th NFC South
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Hassellbeck - VSN Writer
www.virtualsportsnetwork.com
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