NFL Predictions for 2010 Season: Seeking a Buccaneers Edge

A significant improvement from a meager three wins in the entire 2009 NFC South season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might seem like a daunting task, or at best difficult. The youthful Buccaneers are happily charged with the undertaking. A young head coach, Raheem Morris, leads them smiling.

As training camp closes and the preseason commences so that the best can be chosen, Bucs fans can get a sense about possibilities of the regular season by watching key players on offense and defense. Also worthy of observation are some some uncontrollable factors too.

The object is to uncover an edge in the development stage.

The Bucs draft has been judged above average, now it’s time for the top draft picks to play above standards. 

Defense wins championships. These rookies have the ability and the opportunity to impact a rebuilding defense:

DT Gerald McCoy (93)
DT Brian Price (92)

Speed, sure hands and the capability to adapt quickly to a complex offense and relentless defenses separate productive wide receivers from mediocre players running patterns.

These rookies have the ability to boost QB Freeman’s numbers:

WR Arrelious Benn (17)
WR Mike Williams (19)

Recent comments by Coach Morris www.buccaneers.com show he understands the goals of practice and preseason.

“You've got to come out and be able to play at a high tempo without taking each other to the ground," Morris said. “Nothing prepares a player for full-contact games like full-contact practices, of course, but it's impractical to run too much of your field work with that kind of hitting. The increase in injury risk is too great, and while injuries are a part of the game – teams are obviously loathe to hurt themselves if they don't have to.”

Not all Bucs are young, the roster has veteran talent too and key to a better season is their health and strength holding up for all 16 games. As Morris mentioned bruises, sore muscles and strains are expected in the NFL, but injuries to key players always take a toll. These veterans can be as nearly valuable as mentors as they are as players.

While many Pro Bowl players at age 35 will follow 2010 plays with a remote control, five-time Pro Bowler Ronde Barber looks to suit up all season. Stalwart at center snap after snap, Jeff Faine, makes a difference. The huge 6-5, 325-pound 10-year veteran guard Keydrick Vincent, moves opponents. At 6-4, 240 pounds, sure-handed tight end Kellen Winslow is a load to bring down.

A productive quarterback brings an edge that can carry any team. At 6-6, 248 pounds, Josh Freeman has the shoulders to stand above any crowd. His task is to remain above the tall group on NFL field.

After a tough season it’s hoped that Freeman had beneficial off-time to study as well as keep in shape. He showed promise toward the end of last season and has his rookie year behind him now. Many eyes will be focused on Freeman.

Others on the roster will rise to the challenge as well, some will fall short, but focusing on rapid development of select players may be telling.

It’s said champions make their own luck, but nearly every champion knows the existence and influence of luck. 

It obvious every play of every NFL game has 22 mostly giant players and one little football, but sometimes the forced fumble bounces to the team, sometimes it bounces away. If a tipped pass is snared by the offense instead of the defense, luck played a role.

The drama intensifies when that lucky occurrence is in the last minute of the game, of course, but the best way to view luck is not hoping for it while working with it.

Throughout the season though, keeping tabs on how the team capitalized on luck can be interesting. Hustle works well with luck.

Many factors define an edge that takes a team to the playoffs. Viewing key team elements will show an edge fast, if it exists.

Perceiving is better than hoping. 

Photo credit: Raheem Morris by Dwight Drum @ Racetake.com