Why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Won't Make the Playoffs in 2011

Every great empire falls.

The problem for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is they just started building that empire and already they appear to have lost their building blocks.

The Buccaneers came into the 2011 offseason after improving from 3-13 to 10-6 and barely missing the postseason. They began their rise under young star quarterback Josh Freeman and a rookie receiver and running back in Mike Williams and LeGarrette Blount, respectively. They had an impressive second-year coach in Raheem Morris. Above all, they had an organization that cared about what it was doing.

But after an offseason of virtually doing nothing, you wonder where that organizational pride has gone, and if it will ever be found again.

Let's be clear: the Buccaneers had plenty of money to work with this free agency, more than most teams in the NFL. But the biggest noise they made was letting inside linebacker Barrett Ruud go, who was coming off a solid season of 118 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception.

They didn't give Freeman another threat opposite Williams, which should have been one of their main goals. And while they had a good draft by nabbing defensive ends Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers, they should have gone out and grabbed a veteran defensive end to help with their ailing pass rush while the two rookies worked their way into the NFL.

This is a very young team. Sure, they're a very talented young team, but by thinking they can get into the postseason without much veteran leadership is denying one's chances to actually get there.

The Buccaneers had an impressive season in 2010 with this young team, but in a division sporting the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons, they needed to do more, not sit on the sidelines while the favorites in the NFC South added key veterans like Aubrayo Franklin and Ray Edwards.

It's so odd a team that was one of the great comeback stories of 2010 could be so lackadaisical in 2011.

Where is the passion? The desire to be the best? The desire not to settle?

The Buccaneers made headlines last season, but they likely will be making them for an entirely different reason this season: taking a step backward.