Tampa Bay Fantasy Preview: Any Buccs Worth the Risk?

Coming off a rebuilding 09 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did not offer much in the way of fantasy starters. Jon Gruden was fired and rookie head coach Raheem Morris was making his presence felt early, releasing offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski 10 days before the season even started. Fair to say this wasn't positive eye catching fantasy notes.

Things looked bleak from the beginning, there was a revolving door at quarterback, the running game struggled for consistency and the teams most talented receiver Antonio Bryant was fruitless to make an impact. In reality only one player stood out in fantasy scoring last season, tight end Kellen Winslow. His 77 receptions outshone and lead other Buccs receivers (making close to double second placed Antonio Bryant), kept a steady 11.5 yards per reception and caught 5 passes in the end zone, another stat he topped among receivers.

In 2009 the Buccaneers schedule was unbelievably tough, only playing 3 games against opponents with losing records in 08. This time out things are a bit lighter when it comes to teams with wins, avoiding a majority of the super bowl favorites (except them Saints) . The Rams, Lions and Seahawks all have to come play in our backyard, Raymond James.

So going into the 2010 season, is it really worth taking a risk on some of these Buccaneers players?

Josh Freeman tied down the QB1 role halfway through last season and enters his second season with a taste already for the NFL. He lead the Buccs to there only three wins in his rookie season which included a home debut win against the Packers and a battling road win in New Orleans. Nothing but good news has been coming out of Buccs training camp about Freeman, working hard with the first string and coming in during Rookie camp to watch his new receivers go through their paces. On the downside he only completed 54.6% of his passes and threw 18 picks in his 9 starts. Freeman will make some fantasy teams benches but is not a serious contender for his position this early in his career.

The Buccaneers have not had a running back brake 1000+ yards since Cadillac Williams rookie season in 2005. After being riddled with injury the last few years, he returned to play all 16 games last season. Derrick Ward moved from the Giants last year but surprisingly fell behind Caddy in the order, and I presume that will happen again this year. Optimistic fans believe that another 1000 yard season is reachable for Williams, injuries have slowed him down, however his work effort is unmatchable. Both running backs would cancel each other from starting a fantasy team, Caddy could come alive again and relive his rookie year but don't count on Ward who will eat into his team mates carries and may even lose some game time to the exciting rookie prospect Kareem Huggins. If Caddy is still available in the later rounds, he is certainly worth picking up for a bench spot pushing for that start.

The wide receiver core has gone through the washing machine and come out with a freshened core. Antonio Bryant left via free agency to Cincinnati and Reggie Brown signed from the Eagles, but really the main talking points come from the Buccaneers only 2 offensive draft picks.

Arrelious Benn and Mike Williams (both wide receivers) are coming straight into the league fighting tooth and nail for a starting role, and one of them will get it (It could be both with Bryant leaving the #1 spot open). Benn (Illinios) was taken 39th overall (the 3rd WR) and comes out of college with the reputation to be a play maker. This kid can run with ball in hand after the catch and is an imposing figure at 6'1" 219 pounds. Williams (Syracuse) was drafted after Benn early in the 4th round but is showing more promise and proving his worth. Starting in the first string for the Buccs opening pre-season game @ Miami, Williams linked up with Freeman on a 30 yard pass which showed his athleticism as he tip toed down the sideline. Rumors circulate that he would get the nod ahead of Benn for a starting role if only one was up for grabs.
Still fairly under the radar, Williams is a late sleeper in drafts who I am picking to stand out when given the chance this season. Don't count out the idea of them both starting by the end of the season.

Sammie Stroughter was taken in the 7th round last year, but still made an impact for the Buccs out of the slot. Expected to see a reasonable amount of the ball, it will most likely only be short messy plays from the slot again. As mention before, Reggie Brown comes in and is the most likely wide out with experience to start if the rookies are not prepared. Not the prettiest choice, you would certainly be scrapping the barrel if you have to settle on him in your fantasy side.
 
Kellen Winslow is a safe points option and is the only Buccaneer player likely to start in fantasy teams going into week 1. The chemistry he shares with Freeman is uncanny, constantly picking up yards as if he was the go to man. In the past Winslow has had injury problems, that will always be a concern in the back of his mind but he did start all 16 games last season.

The defence has been strengthened with our first two draft picks, defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Brian Price. However over the years it has begun to fade from the fortress it once was. Reverting back to the successful Tampa 2 defense should help along with the schedule, but it will be seen as a bench dweller and nothing more than that yet. Likely to go undrafted, keep an eye out for them as a bye substitution if they do fire up.