Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Defense 2008

Under defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have more often than not been a top-10 unit. Kiffin's now famous Tampa-2 (based on the cover-2 scheme) has been a mainstay of the team for over 10 years now.

It all starts with the defensive line. Though the team is yet to reach the kind of heights experienced in 2002 (with a line that included Simeon Rice and Warren Sapp in their prime) the Bucs seem to be on their way back up with a mixture of rookies, veterans and some relative unknowns. With front-four pressure, the Tampa-2 becomes a very dangerous scheme for opposing offenses. However, more pocket-pressure from this group is needed if the Bucs are to become a real playoff threat.

Jovan Haye, 26, made 6 sacks last year at the under-tackle position, which is designed to create most of the inside pressure. Haye is still raw, but he showed good signs in rushing the passer, something which is key at his position.

Chris Hovan is a leader on the team. He won't make many splash plays (he got 1 sack last year) but his ability to draw double teams with his size and aggression makes him a very useful player. He plays the one-gap scheme well, allowing his teammates one-on-one match-ups as often as possible. Though unflashy, Hovan's grit is more than useful for an otherwise inexperienced front four.

At defensive end, Gaines Adams had a solid rookie year, improving rapidly towards the end of the season, making 6 sacks. He has toned up over the off-season, and is expected to improve further. Adams has the ebility to reach double-digit sacks this season, as his technique will gradually get better with age and playing time.

On the left side is former Arena League star Greg White. At 28, White is no spring chicken, but his rookie season in the NFL registered 8 sacks and 7 forced fumbles. Getting around the tackle and finding the quarterback is a skill, and White has the edge speed and hands to keep the job ahead of veteran Kevin Carter, who is more adept against the run as opposed to a pass-rushing threat.

Carter, Ryan Sims, Greg Peterson and Marques Douglas from San Francisco are the back-ups, they will contribute in rotation. They are not expected to win the starting jobs in training camp, though Kevin Carter might, should Greg White holdout over a contract dispute.

Moving up to linebacker, the Bucs remained as strong as ever. Derrick Brooks continued his high standards (now at 35), making 109 tackles. Brooks isn't the dynamic playmaking threat he once was, but his knowledge and ability to diagnose plays quickly makes him the heartbeat of the defense. Expect him to play less 3rd-downs than ever before this year, as Cato June takes over more weakside responsibilities.

June, currently starter at strongside, also had a solid season, his first with the team. A free-agent pick-up from the then Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts, June pitched in with 69 tackles and 1 interception. June is brash, cocky and plays with intensity, and has good knowledge of the Cover-2 from former head coach Tony Dungy. Expect to see more of Cato June this season.

This time last year, longtime middle linebacker Shelton Quarles retired, leaving his heir apparent Barrett Ruud, a 3rd-year pro out of Nebraska to take over. There were some doubts over Ruud's ability to step up by fans, but 114 tackles, 2 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles later, Ruud is set to be a star in this unit for many years to come. MLB in the Tampa-2 is the "quarterback" of the defense, and Ruud will carry the microphone in his helmet this year.

In reserve the Bucs have Ryan Nece, Quincy Black, Adam Hayward and Geno Hayes. Nece and Black will see the field this season in rotation or injury, whilst Hayward and Hayes will almost certainly be on special teams. Nece and Black are strong contributors there also.

Tampa was ranked second overall in the league against the pass last year, and plaudits must also go to the secondary. At cornerback, veteran Ronde Barber still has the quickness and hard-hitting to make plays (2 picks, 58 tackles) and opposite him is former Oakland Raider Phillip Buchanon (3 picks, 61 tackles) who too performed well, but is not the quite finished article in zone coverage. Brian Kelly spent much of his time injured, and eventually bought himself out of his contract, joining Rod Marinelli (former Buc defensive line coach) in Detroit.

At nickel this year is a battle between former Patriot safety Eugene Wilson and 2007's first-round pick Aqib Talib. Talib is the favourite to get the nod, as he has excellent hands and ability to return the ball after a turnover, something he displayed in Kansas. With turnovers key to any defense, look for Talib to make more splash plays as he  acquaints to the system, eventually taking Ronde Barber's position in two year's time (injury permitting).

Finally we reach safety, where play seriously dropped off in 2006 but was restored to excellence in 2007. This is a pairing of two hard-hitters in Jermaine Phillips (4 picks, 3 forced fumbles and 83 tackles) who had a Pro Bowl year and rookie Tanard Jackson, a college cornerback with Syracuse converted to a thunderous free safety (just ask Dallas Clark). He made 2 picks and had 1 forced fumble, and if he can avoid the sophomore slump, he is sure to improve with his knowledge of the system.

Behind them is Sabby Piscitelli, who spent all of last season on Injured Reserve with a foot problem, but is now fully healed and ready to go. He has been likened to John Lynch for his ferocious tackling and 4.44 40-yard dash speed. He will push to start in training camp, but expect to see him as a special teams standout. Will Allen backs up Tanard Jackson, but his poor 2006 dropped him to special teams, where he put up 19 tackles. He will almost certainly be there again this year.

Despite the Buccaneers constant image of an aging side, the actual average age of the defense is 26. With that in mind, the Bucs have an excellent combination of hungry rookies with wise veterans, and competition in every position. The Bucs should almost certainly be a top-10 defensive unit again, which is a must if the Bucs are to keep New Orleans from the division crown.