The Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Here's The 2009 Prediction!

"...A lot of people are sleeping on us because we're young with a new coaching staff and a new system."

   Tampa Bay Buccaneer defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson

This is what you've waited for. It's what you have demanded, dreamed about.

This IS the prediction for the 2009 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

No, Jimmy Wilkerson, we are not "sleeping" on the Bucs. Nor are we making our playoff reservations quite yet.

We're breaking this thing down after OTAs, mini-camp, training camp and four preseason games.

Here's what we've got.

Preface the prediction with two scenarios:

THE ULTIMATE OPTIMIST: Byron Leftwich turns into Tom Brady. Cadillac Williams, Derrick Ward and Earnest Graham combine to rush for 3,000 yards. Kellen Winslow Jr. actually plays an entire season and makes splash plays. Michael Clayton climbs out of Jon Gruden's dog-house and is born-again as the second coming Jerry Rice. The team goes virtually injury-free all season. The Buccaneer defense racks up 30 sacks, terrorizes the NFC South, NFC East and AFC East.

Buccaneers go 12-4 and deep, deep into the playoffs. Raheem "The Dream" Morris is declared the second coming of Mike Tomlin and Tony Dungy combined.

THE ULTIMATE PESSIMIST: Leftwich is a total bum, throws seven interceptions in the first four games, get "planted" standing in the pocket and Josh Freeman is forced into action. The running game is stifled by tough NFC East defenses, Williams, Ward and Graham rush for 1,000 yards COMBINED. Antonio Bryant gets double-teamed. Clayton is dogged all season by a hamstring injury. Winslow Jr. suffers an ankle sprain in Game Two and is ineffective the entire season. The team is riddled with injuries. The defense spends too much time on the field thanks to no offense and wears down in most games.

Buccaneers go 4-12. Fans call for the head of Raheem Morris. Season ticket sales drop to an all-time low.

Okay, perhaps reality is somewhere in between.

Here's our "SCIENTIFIC" breakdown:

Games the Bucs have a decent chance to win:

at Buffalo; Jets; Green Bay; at Miami; Carolina; Dallas; at Seattle.

They will win FIVE of those games.

Games the Bucs have a much lesser chance to win:

at Carolina; Atlanta; at Atlanta; at Washington.

They will win ONE of those games.

Games the Bucs have little-to-no chance to win:

Giants; at  Philly; New England (in London); at New Orleans; New Orleans.

They will win ONE of  those games.

Wow, that adds up to SEVEN WINS. That's 7-9.

Could have been better but the suspension of Tanard Jackson for the first four games will be costly. With Xavier Fulton on injured reserve and the guy from Alabama with mental problems, Aaron Sears, not reporting for duty, the offensive line suddenly lacks the depth  that was anticipated.

There you have it.

SEVEN WINS, NINE LOSSES.

We're not sleeping on the Bucs, just sitting back, relaxing and ready to watch and see.