Can the Bucs Compete in 2009?

Just two seasons ago, the NFC South was viewed as one of the worst divisions in NFL history and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took full advantage, as they made the playoffs after clinching the division title.

But they will have no such luck this season.

With the emergence of the Atlanta Falcons, the offensive firepower of the New Orleans Saints, and the great rushing attack of the Carolina Panthers, the division is now the second best division in the NFC, behind only the NFC East.

Unfortunately for Bucs fans, that means for the second consecutive season, a playoff birth probably won’t be in the cards even though they're coming off of a 9-7 campaign.

Expect a drop in wins this season after a curious offseason overhaul which saw both the best player in franchise history (Derrick Brooks) and the only Super Bowl winning coach in franchise history (Jon Gruden) looking for new homes.

This much we know:, the Bucs are going to be a running team with Earnest Graham, Derrick Ward, and possibly Cadillac Williams, if his leg doesn’t fall off before the season starts. We also know Tampa has about 18 QBs on its roster.

But the defense will be a huge question mark for the first time in more than a decade. And that’s not the only problem the Bucs will have entering training camp.

Which of their 18 QBs will start? Can any WR step up opposite Antonio Bryant? Will Kellen Winslow Jr. still consider himself a “solja” if he keeps dropping balls? Can anyone get to the QB? Will Ronde Barber be 45 years old this season?

Add all that to the fact that it used a first round pick on a QB (Josh Freeman) who probably won't play at all this season, and you can see why Bucs fans won’t have much to cheer about in 2009.

But hey, maybe the Rays can make it back to the World Series.