Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2012 Schedule: Downloadable, Printable

Talk about your worst fears coming true last year, if you happen to be a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan. Coming off a season a solid 2010 where young offensive talents like Josh Freeman and then-rookies Mike Williams and LeGarrette Blount all had breakout years in a 10-6 season, it had to be a little concerning that a sophomore slump (second year as a full-time starter in Freeman’s case) could be in the works.

Not only did said players struggle in 2011, but the entire team faced first rapid plunge into the Bermuda Triangle, as the Bucs finished 4-12. Can’t say for sure, but it wouldn’t surprise me if a few of the Buccaneers defenders were on the back of milk cartons by the season’s end, because the play (and scoreboard) seemed to indicate they were playing with only eight or nine guys.

To say it was a bad end to the Raheem Morris era would be kind, as his players clearly mailed it in. And now it’s up to the new coaching staff to turn this mess around.

Forking Out The Money

Coach Morris was probably scratching his head this offseason as Tampa Bay finally opened the check book and started signing marquee free agents like guard Carl Nicks, receiver Vincent Jackson, and even cornerback Eric Wright.

While the addition of Jackson will give Freeman a receiver to take the top off the defense, it’s Nicks that I find most interesting. Tampa Bay already had a good offensive line, and with Nicks, they should have a solid running game. One has to wonder whether they will land Trent Richardson in the 2012 draft if available, especially with the signing of Wright to play opposite Aqib Talib.

This seems even more likely, as LeGarrette Blount had his struggles last year, and his problems with holding onto the football may be the final nail that holds him back from being a true bell cow in this league.

In Richardson, the Buccaneers would have a running back that demands eight-man fronts and that is perfect for a very young Freeman, who clearly needs more time to develop the finer points of the quarterback position. Sucking in the defense will help Jackson test the vertical routes, and his presence in the offense will help Mike Williams on the short to intermediate routes.

To wrap things up, I see hope for the future with the Buccaneers, but it will be up to new head coach Greg Schiano and Co. to turn this team into a winner, even if they have some valuable veteran additions.

Buccaneers 2012 Schedule
Week	Date	Opponent	Game Time
1	Sep 9th	Panthers	4:15 PM
2	Sep 16th	at Giants	1:00 PM
3	Sep 23th	at Cowboys	1:00 PM
4	Sep 30th	Redskins	4:15 PM
5	Bye Week
6	Oct 14th	Chiefs	1:00 PM
7	Oct 21st	Saints	1:00 PM
8	Oct 25th	at Vikings	8:20 PM
9	Nov 4th	at Raiders	4:05 PM
10	Nov 11th	Chargers	1:00 PM
11	Nov 18th	at Panthers	1:00 PM
12	Nov 25th	Falcons	1:00 PM
13	Dec 2th	at Broncos	4:05 PM
14	Dec 9th	Eagles	1:00 PM
15	Dec 16th	at Saints	1:00 PM
16	Dec 23th	Rams	1:00 PM
17	Dec 30th	at Falcons	1:00 PM

Please Note: All Games Are East Coast Time

More 2012 Schedule Info:

Buccaneers Download / Print Version of Schedule

All 32 Teams  

Strength of Schedule vs. Run

Strength of Schedule vs. Pass

Strength of Schedule – Point