So Training Camp Opens When?

Well, the Super Bowl has concluded less than 48 hours ago, and I'm already looking towards the opening of training camp. Yes, we'll have the combine, the draft and the OTA's of various teams, but lets cut to the chase football fans, none of those events are going to fill our desire to watch actual football being played.

As a Buccaneers fan, I've watched some pretty miserable football over the last 36 years, and unfortunately, we've reverted back to those seasons in the 1980's where 7 win seasons seemed like a successful year.

Looking at the upcoming schedule, the Bucs will have a difficult time meeting or surpassing the .500 level next season. Yes, free agency hasn't happened yet. Do you expect there will be a major signing by the Bucs? Yes, the draft hasn't happened yet either, but do you think 10 rookies are going to push the Bucs over the top in the coming 2010 campaign? I think the answer is no to both questions.

Fans love to look at the upcoming schedule of their favorite team and make predictions of how the next year's season will unfold based on this years outcome. In my opinion, it's a foolish waste of time to make predictions until squads are finalized and the toe will be about ready to hit the leather prior to opening weekend.  Of course, the Bucs have the mandatory 3 home and away games with division opponents Carolina, Atlanta and New Orleans. Visiting Ray Jay this year will be Pittsburgh, Seattle, St. Louis, Detroit, and Cleveland. On the road, the Bucs travel West to play Arizona and San Fransisco, as well as Baltimore, Washington and Cincinnati.

Other than division opponents, are there two teams that Tampa has played in the last 10 years more than Seattle and Washington? They might as well move into the NFC South division and get it over with.

Bodog opened the lines for odds on who wins next year's Super Bowl and the Bucs shot right out the gate at 100-1. Before worrying about the Buccaneers and playoffs or a Super Bowl, they need to worry more about getting some team leadership focusing on a winning record first.

It was a painful year to watch the Buccos go 3-13 after 9-7 in 2008, but hopefully there is a plan in place to move the franchise forward, although I didn't see one as the year unfolded. At many times the Bucs appeared to be taking the "flying by the seat of their pants" approach to game planning and the nightmares of the 1980's teams came rushing back to view.

Hope springs eternal, and August is 6 months away. So I guess for the next 6 months, I'll have to content with cruising the internet for news surrounding my beloved Buccaneers. Pewter Report.com, Buc Power.com and Buccaneers.com are great. There's also a new writer over at whatthebucs.com who doesn't pull any punches either. Check it out.