2011 NFL Predictions: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Are Ready to Shock the World Again

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had nothing to be ashamed of. Despite falling just short of a playoff spot in 2010, they had more than surprised the rest of the NFL.

People may have called Raheem Morris "crazy" or "non-realistic" when he set the goal of "Race to Ten" for the Bucs, in which he wanted to reach the 10-win plateau last season.

Sure enough, to the shock of every one out of One Buc Place, the Bucs reached 10 victories. Now they're out to shock the league again.

Though Morris' goal of winning the NFC South this year would have been an incomprehensible thought before last season, it now looks like a rather tame statement by the Bucs head coach.

With combining the guru-like coaching skills of Morris, with the gelling of this young, yet sharp squad, the Bucs have the nucleus to go deep into the postseason.

Many of the Bucs showed their commitment this spring by participating in team workouts, which were formed by young, yet highly-adept quarterback Josh Freeman.

Another key to the early workouts during the lockout was the appearances by the Bucs' rookies, like first-rounder Adrian Clayborn.

With Freeman becoming more and more of a leader, day-by-day, right before our eyes, the Bucs have the quarterback they have been waiting for since the days of Doug Williams.

Along with Freeman, is the rest of the young core of future stars the Bucs possess, including Mike Williams and Legarrette Blount on offense, Gerald McCoy and Geno Hayes on defense.

On offense, the Bucs remained rather strong in the passing game in 2010 without having big-name receivers. Dezmon Briscoe, Michael Spurlock, and Sammie Stroughter became fixtures in the offense, providing enough spark to keep the Bucs moving in a progressive direction.

But it wasn't all no-namers on offense. Williams, the so-called "bad boy" ex-Syracuse wide receiver, became a huge factor in the offense, along with Blount, who before reaching Tampa Bay, was more known for a punch than anything else.

Along with those emerging stars, are the likes of Kellen Winslow, a very dangerous target, and Arrelious Benn, who will hopefully go this season injury-free.

With Donald Penn and Jeff Faine on the line to protect Freeman, along with the re-signing of the monster that is Davin Joseph, the Bucs look to have plenty of firepower in 2011.

As far as the defense goes, the Bucs have always won because of it. As much as the offense has improved, that statement still rings true.

If healthy, this could be one of the best Tampa Bay defenses in a while. And that's saying a lot. With the drafting of Clayborn and fellow defensive end Da'Quan Bowers, the Bucs should have, if healthy, one of the more formidable defensive lines in all of football.

The "H" word is an unpredictable word for any team, but if the defense remains healthier compared to last year, it is one of the best around.

Bowers will be a major force if he manages to get back up to the pace he was at in his glory days for Clemson. Brian Price, second-rounder last season for Tampa Bay, was also an injury-riddled player last year, but has great potential, along with the obvious skill of McCoy and Clayborn.

The back of the defense for the Buccaneers has many questions, but should be strong no matter the answer, even if Aqib Talib and Tanard Jackson are not playing.

But planning on the hope that they will, the Bucs have a borderline-great secondary, with Ronde Barber (the old vet), Sean Jones, Corey Lynch, and new-comer Ahmad Black all present.

There is concern that the middle linebacker spot will be a hole for the Bucs in 2011, after they lost Barrett Ruud to free agency.

Tampa Bay doesn't seemed too worried about Ruud's loss, rather putting trust in third-round pick Mason Foster took perhaps take the reigns, as well as other potential suitors in the spot.

Rumors are flying around about the possibility of the Bucs acquiring Seahawks' linebacker Lofa Tatupu, but for now, it's only speculation.

Either way, the Bucs have the defense, and overall team, to compete for a division title, and much more.

You may think a thing like going to the Super Bowl would be far-fetched for the Bucs. But then again, we've been fooled before.