How To Bring the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Back to Greatness

Ever since the home loss against the lowly Oakland Raiders that knocked the Tampa Bay Buccaneers out of the playoffs in the last week of the season in 2008, Buccaneer fans have had little to cheer about. 

A three-win 2009 season doesn't exactly scream that a bright future is in store for the Bucs. 

Here is my opinion on how to turn things around.

Strengths

Before taking a look at the major needs, lets take a look at what isn't necessary.

Quarterback : Josh Freeman has had a bit of an up and down rookie year, but he has flashed greatness at times and has all the physical tools to be a Pro Bowler. 

Freeman is the future of the franchise. 

Tight End: Tampa Bay gave up second- and fifth-rounders to get former Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow, Jr. 

He has been a bright spot on a poor team during 2009. With 72 catches for 828 yards and five receiving touchdowns, Winslow leads the team in all three categories. 

At only 26 years old and with six years left on his current contract, Buccaneer fans can look forward to watching their "Soldier" catch passes for a long time.

Inside Linebacker: Barrett Ruud has quietly been one of the NFL's best middle linebackers during the past two years. 

He has arguably been a two-year snub for the Pro Bowl, consistently playing well in Tampa's Cover 2 scheme. 

2009 is a contract year for Ruud, and the Buccaneers would be wise to lock him up long-term.

Well...that's really all for the positions that aren't needs. Everything else is either a major need, or a position that has room to be improved this offseason.

Dead Weight

Here are a couple of players to cut in the offseason.

Byron Leftwich: Leftwich's contract is up in 2011, but he is scheduled to earn $2 million during that period. He is also due a $3.5 million bonus in March, so, since he won't be starting, he should be cut before that time.

Derrick Ward: Ward was signed as a free agent in March, and, after leading the NFL in yards per carry in 2008, he averaged just 3.6 yards per carry with one touchdown in 2009. Ward is due $13 million over the next three years, and the Bucs should unload him in the offseason.

Re-Signings

Next are impending free agents who need to be re-signed.

Donald Penn: Penn has been a very good left tackle this year, protecting a whole trio of Buccaneer quarterbacks. He has been valuable to the organization and, at only 27, Tampa Bay should get him locked up to a long-term deal as soon as possible.

Cadillac Williams: Williams was the leading rusher of Tampa Bay this season, and posted his best rushing season since 2005, his rookie year. Coming off of a torn patellar tendon in his left knee, he rushed for 821 yards and four touchdowns. 

Re-signing him to a mid-level contract should come to be a priority for Tampa Bay.

These players will be restricted free agents, barring a new CBA deal getting done, which isn't looking good right now. So as a result, they will be easier to keep. 

Penn and Williams are important to Tampa Bay's future.

Free Agency

Now, I'm not usually a fan of going out and getting big name, top-flight free agents, but, when there will be no salary cap in 2010, some spending is fine by me. 

Again, though, less big-name players will be available because free agents now need six years to become an unrestricted free agent, so if any Bucs fans want to make a list of free agents they want, go ahead and put that in the comments because I've only got one here.

Julius Peppers: The Buccaneers were ranked 26th in the league in sacks, with only 28. Julius Peppers can bring a force off the edge that hasn't been seen around Tampa since Simeon Rice. 

He will command a large long-term deal, but, with 25 sacks in the last two years, he is worth it. Peppers will be an unrestricted free agent in 2010, no matter what deal does or does not get done.

The Draft

Tampa Bay has the third-overall choice in the draft, and there will be many options.

Ndamukong Suh: One of the most dominating defensive tackle prospects of all-time, Suh would fill a huge need and help free up Julius Peppers. 

He accounted for an unbelievable 17 tackles for loss in 2009, and would consistently stuff the run and rush the passer for the next decade in Tampa. However, it is very likely that Suh will be off the board by the third pick.

Eric Berry: Berry is the best defensive back prospect since Ed Reed of Miami in 2002. 

He could come in and start for Tampa at the strong safety position, ahead of Sabby Piscitelli. With 14 career interceptions and five returned for touchdowns, he could bring a turnover threat at the back end, again similar to Ed Reed.

Gerald McCoy: If Berry and Suh are gone, then McCoy would be a great pick here.  He brings all the same attributes as Suh, just on a lesser level. 

In the second round, getting a playmaker at wide receiver is a big need. Players like Golden Tate of Notre Dame, Arrelious Benn of Illinois, or Mardy Gilyard of Cincinnati would provide a downfield threat for Josh Freeman to throw to. 

In the third or later rounds, getting a corner to play opposite improving corner Aqib Talib would be great. 

Trevard Lindley of Kentucky would be ideal in the third. 

Also, getting someone to play right offensive tackle is important, as this coaching staff has pretty much given up on Jeremy Trueblood. 

Tampa Bay needs to decide what their defensive scheme is going to be for the future. They moved away from the Cover 2 this year, but when the defense plummeted and the players looked out of position and awkward, the Cover 2 was reinstalled.

The Buccaneers have had a rough year, but, by following my advice, Raheem Morris can be the one holding the Lombardi Trophy in February.