Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Midseason: Here's Their Report Card

Six months ago, there was one word bantered about that most were using to describe the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: lowly.

Six months ago there was a phrase being used to describe Buccaneer head coach Raheem Morris:

In over his head and a short-term solution.

Six months ago, the Las Vegas odds on the Buccaneers reaching the Super Bowl: 300-1.

That was then. The here and now fact is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 5-3 and solidly in contention for the NFC South, even after the heartbreaking 27-21 loss to Atlanta last Sunday.

These Bucs are a most pleasant surprise. Yes, they were underestimated here. That's a fact. Our projected 6-10 record is being hit out of the ballpark.

It's the midway point of the season, and the Buccaneers are halfway home in their "race to 10" as Morris puts it.

This Buccaneer team is fun and a threat and oh so very much improved.

Here's why.

The Offense

Josh Freeman, Josh Freeman, Josh Freeman. There you have three good reasons why this team is doing good things offensively. He is way ahead of where many projected he would be in his development. It became very evident last spring that he would set the work standard at One Buc Place. No one outworks Freeman—and it shows.

Freeman, as young as he is, is already the leader of the offense, and a good one he is. He takes care of the football and has shown he can manage a game and conduct effective fourth quarter comebacks. He has confidence AND tons of talent and ability. Big arm, physically imposing and can take off downfield when it's there for him.

If he keeps developing the way he has, he could become one of the league's best quarterbacks.

Grade: A+

Mike Williams, Mike Williams, Mike Williams. Three good reasons why Freeman is doing well. Steal of the draft. Yeah, I said it (sorry Raheem). Steal of the draft. This guy is big-time and has done everything that has been asked of him. Size and speed. He still drops some catchable balls but then comes up with the big plays when the team needs them.

Grade: A

Rejus Benn is coming, he's developing. Yes, a tad slow, but look at him lately and he's finally getting it. He'll only make Williams better.

Grade: B

The offensive line, is well, fairly offensive. This is the group that has underachieved, and it's the group that for two years was supposed to be the strength of the team. If this team is going to develop a running game, then the offensive line will have to improve.

Jeff Faine is showing that he may never be good for an entire season. Davin Joseph is their best lineman. Jeremy Trueblood is a true underachiever, and Jeremy Zuttah has done what he's been asked to do. Donald Penn is doing okay, but if he were as good as his paycheck, he'd be better.

Overall, this group needs to get better, and it's an area where the team will look to the 2011 draft to improve.

Grade: C-

The running game started ridiculously poor. Cadillac Williams is on his last legs and is certainly not a feature back—his stats back that up. He's become a third down option and a great protector of Josh Freeman; other than that, this may be his last season.

LeGarrette Blount has become the intriguing option, although he has not shown he has the ability to grasp all the blocking and blitz pickup responsibilities. He's shown he is a tough, talented runner who runs with an attitude. The running game will improve only if the offensive line can get better. Obviously the two are connected.  

Grade: C-

The Defense

Here's where things get a little dicey.

The defensive line is a huge problem. Gerald McCoy is coming on slowly, and he needs to have a chat with Josh Freeman and make a Freeman-type of leap next season. It's expected, it's demanded of a player in his draft position. Earn that money, prove yourself, Gerald.

He hasn't had a lot of help around him. The loss of Brian Price hurts, and Roy Miller also needs to up his game. We won't even mention the defensive ends, as that is an area that will be addressed in the draft. Kyle Moore is an underachiever. They can't stop the run, and Morris says it's because they are young.

Grade: D-

The linebackers have been slightly better than the defensive line. There have been some big plays here and there, but not enough. They all need to improve, and this may be the final season for Barrett Ruud in a Buccaneer uniform. They may let him test the free agent waters, and it's not like any other teams will offer him a huge contract, and he may yet end up with the Bucs.

Grade: C-

The secondary is driving this defensive bus. They have 14 picks. Aqib Talib has been really, really good at times, and it's amazing that Ronde Barber is still standing at his age. The safeties are obviously a concern. E.J. Biggers has been a nice surprise. They'll have to have another great half of a season if this team hopes to stop anyone.

Grade: A-

Special teams have been solid, huge at times. Micheal Spurlock has been one of those really, really great surprises on this team, and he's working his way into the receiving corps. You might wonder if Sammie Stroughter was a one-year wonder. With Spurlock's return prowess, you can see why Clifton Smith was expendable.

Grade: A

This team has done really, really well with what they have. Raheem Morris has shown he can lead this team, and he's made huge strides since last season. He's shown ownership that "marked improvement." The Glazers should do the right thing and give him a long-term deal of his own.

They should also make a commitment to upgrading the staff. That's where some improvements need to be made. Yeah, I said it.

This team has done a great job. Heck, they were inches from a 6-2 record.

Now they have the second half ahead of them.

Guess what? Teams will take these Buccaneers seriously.

They better, because this team should only get better.

Great job, guys.