Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Expectations for 2009

I believe the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have their worst season since the orange crème cycle days of Bucco Bruce.

Coming off a 9-7 campaign, one would think the Bucs would be playoff contenders for the 2009 season but I just don’t see it with the way the roster is shaping up.

The most glaring question is at QB. Who will it be on opening day? We can pretty much narrow it down to Luke McCown or Byron Leftwich. Sorry Josh Freeman.

Tampa added Kellen Winslow Jr. to bolster its passing attack and Antonio Bryant should build off of his breakout season from a year ago.

But who else can step up at WR? Michael Clayton? I think not.

The running game should be solid with Earnest Graham and Derrick Ward and the OL should be steady.

The defense is a whole different ballgame. The secondary should be the teams strength even after losing Philip Buchanon to the Detroit Lions. It still has Ronde Barber and Aqib Talib at the corner positions with Jermaine Phillips and Tanard Jackson at safety.

But other than Barrett Ruud at LB, where are all the playmakers Bucs fans have grown accustomed to seeing? Where's Derrick Brooks when ya need him? Oh yeah, he was waived for some reason.

The key will be Gaines Adams as he enters his third season with huge expectations as the former No. 4 overall pick. If he doesn’t get to the QB on a consistent basis, the Bucs will be in big trouble.

With Tampa being in a much improved division and having a brand new coaching staff led by the the young and unproven Raheem Morris, expect the Bucs to finish 5-11 in a rebuilding year.

But at least they won't be wearing bright orange jerseys this time around.