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This just isn’t going to happen. The Bucs should be better than last season but they would need Jeff Garcia to play like a Pro Bowler all season to win more than 7 games this season. The Bucs did improve the defense in the draft and free agency so they could surprise. But, I would bet on the under.
The oddsmakers think this is a little of a mis-match as the Seahawks have been installed as a 6-point favorite. But a closer look at the match-ups paints a little different story. Look for the Buccaneers to come out running the football behind the right side of their offensive line (RG Davin Joseph, RT Jeremy Trueblood) with RB Cadillac Williams and FB Michael Pittman. The Bucs offensive line must be able to reach the linebackers on running plays as they are the three best all-around players on the Seahawks defense. OLBs Julian Peterson and LeRoy Hill are good at containment on run plays and they are good pass rushers. MLB Lofa Tatupu is undersized but he makes plays sideline to sideline. New left DE Patrick Kerney must put pressure on QB Jeff Garcia when he drops back to pass because the CBs Marcus Trufant and Kelly Jennings don’t inspire confidence in the coaching staff. Lucky for the Seahawks that only the ancient Joey Galloway can get down the field as the rest of the receivers are a tad slow for the Bucs.
The Seahawks have some issues on their offense. The only better than average OL on the entire roster is Pro-Bowl LT Walter Jones and the Seahawks are going to run Shaun Alexander behind him until the Bucs prove they can stop it. DT Chris Hovan will likely be called on to battle Jones to free up OLBs Cato June and Derrick Brooks to make plays on the perimeter of the defense. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Bucs got Jeremiah Trotter a lot of playing time inside to help out against Alexander despite only being in Tampa for a week. The Seahawks will likely try to stretch the field with Deion Branch and D.J. Hackett but CBs Ronde Barber and Brian Kelly match up well with them. The Seahawks will also try to stretch the seam with TE Marcus Pollard. The safeties must be able to contain him and SS Jermaine Phillips and FS Will Allen are solid players.
The Bucs must be careful when kicking the ball to Nate Burleson who stepped up last season in that role.
PREDICTION: This game will be closer than most people think. Still, the Seahawks will win the game but they will not cover the pointspread.
The Buccaneers have released LB Jamie Winborn and CB Alan Zemaitis. Winborn made 5 tackles this pre-season and Zemaitis had 6. Winborn played in 14 games last season with the Bucs and he made 12 tackles while Zemaitis never saw the field in his rookie season. The Bucs won’t miss either of those guys in the 2007 season.
The Bucs have signed MLB Jeremiah Trotter to a 1-year contract. Trotter played well last season for the Eagles as he played in all 16 games and he made 113 tackles, defensed 4 passes, forced a fumble and had an interception. Trotter has had an outstanding NFL career to date and he should help the Bucs’ run defense big-time. Trotter has now played in 131 games in his NFL career and he has made 861 tackles, defensed 51 passes, had 12.5 sacks, forced 9 fumbles and he has intecepted 9 passes that he has returned 163 yards. Two of his interceptions were returned for TDs by Trotter. To make room for Trotter on the roster the Bucs waived WR/KR Taye Biddle.
It’s kind of surprising that Darby made it through waivers based on his play in the pre-season for the Bucs. He carried the football 33 times for 135 yards (4.1 ypc) with 1 TD run and he also caught 5 passes for 36 yards (7.2 avg). Darby will probably get a chance at some point this season based on the brittle backs that the Bucs employ.
The Bucs have claimed WR/KR Taye Biddle off of waivers from the Panthers. Biddle was outstanding in the pre-season for the Panthers. He caught 7 passes for 190 yards (27.1 avg) with 2 TD grabs. He also returned 1 punt for 18 yards and 2 kickoffs for 38 yards (19.0 avg). He will likely get a shot to contribute for the Bucs because they need help at WR.
The Bucs looked pretty darn sharp in their last pre-season game on Thursday Night. Luke McCown was outstanding despite throwing an interception that Texans’ CB Jamar Fletcher returned 35 yards for a TD. McCown completed 15 of 20 passes for 203 yards with 3 TDs and the one interception. Bruce Gradkowski completed 13 of 20 passes for 141 yards with 1 TD pass. Lionel Gates led the Bucs in rushing with 26 yards on 8 carries (3.3 ypc) and he also caught 2 passes for 13 yards and a TD. Earnest Graham (5 car, 23 yards) and rookie Kenneth Darby (6 car, 19 yards) both pitched in running the ball for the Bucs. WR Paris Warren was outstanding for the Bucs with 7 grabs for 110 yards (15.7 avg) with 2 TD grabs. TE Jerramy Stevens also had his best game by far for the Bucs with 7 catches for 100 yards (14.3 avg). The Bucs finished with 76 yards rushing on 24 carries (3.2 ypc) and they completed 28 of 40 passes for 314 yards.
The Bucs only allowed 17 points on defense as they put forward a decent effort. The Texans rushed for 125 yards on 24 carries (5.2 ypc) and they also completed 17 of 27 passes for 167 yards.