Perhaps no team surprised us as much in 2007 as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While we felt that their offensive line was in better shape, the rest of the offense lacked the firepower we've seen in the past from Jon Gruden's teams. Defensively, there was no question that they were an over-the-hill gang that would either piece together a good year or begin to decline.
Instead, the team was efficient on both sides of the ball, and when you turn the ball over as little as Tampa Bay did in 2007 (20, the third fewest in the NFL), you tend to win games, even though the Bucs topped 24 points in just three games.
The addition of Jeff Garcia was one of two big keys for Tampa Bay's offense. A career West-Coast Offense guy, Garcia was consistent and did a good job not turning the ball over. Only three times did he not complete 60 percent or more of his passes, and one of those games was a short day for him (vs. Washington, when he hurt his back, which cost him two games). Moreover, Garcia ended 2007 with four interceptions, a career-low for him in seasons where he's started at least 10 games. While his yardage totals weren't always high, and while he was expected to throw just one touchdown a week, Garcia posted moderate Fantasy totals for much of the year.
The other key to the Bucs' 2007 success was Earnest Graham taking the starting RB job by the horns once Cadillac Williams suffered a major knee injury. Totaling 1,222 yards from scrimmage with 10 rushing touchdowns, Graham went from short-yardage/goal-line back to do-it-all phenomenon. In games where Graham had at least 17 carries, the Bucs were 6-1, and all three of his 100-yard outings came in those games. Not bad for a guy who had 53 total touches in his first three seasons.
With Garcia and Graham playing well, the rest of the Bucs offense fell into place. On defense the club got exceptional line play -- but not from who you'd expect. Instead of first-round pick Gaines Adams tearing things up, ends Jovan Haye and Greg White totaled 14 sacks (Adams added six to make 20 between the three of them). Haye was a castoff from Carolina and White an Arena League refugee. Their play combined with Barrett Ruud stepping up from the middle linebacker spot and continued strong performances from Ronde Barber, Brian Kelly and Jermaine Phillips -- and a surprisingly strong year from Phillip Buchanon and a big first season from Tanard Jackson -- made the Bucs a tough defense to beat. In four of their wins, they held their opponents to seven or fewer points.
Looking to 2008
Tampa Bay has several key players in contract years in 2008, which means that their attitude might be to go for broke and spend the next year or two rebuilding. That especially goes for the club's quarterbacks as Garcia and Luke McCown will both be free agents after '08. Speculation is such that the Buccaneers will draft a quarterback in April to sit on the sidelines for a year, learn the nuances of the position and become the starter in 2009.
But that's two years ahead. Let's stick to 2008.
The team is back almost in full this offseason. Offensively, the club may consider adding some RB depth with Michael Bennett and Michael Pittman scheduled to be free agents, and the same thing goes at tight end where just about everyone but Alex Smith will be let go. It cannot be underscored enough how significant it is that the club's first-string offensive line will be (mostly) back together. We expect Tampa's passing game to get a shot of youth this offseason as well. Garcia won't be any better than a No. 2 Fantasy QB, though, and Galloway is a top-end No. 3 wideout.
And just like the offense, Tampa Bay's defense will mostly return its starters. CB Brian Kelly will be let go, and Jovan Haye is a restricted free agent. Other than that, the first-team defense will be back in full.
In all honesty, the Bucs are in a terrific position this offseason. With so many players returning and the club reportedly $25 million under the salary cap, there's no reason the team can't improve on their 2007 stature. Even with their first-place schedule, they'll still see the rebuilding Falcons twice along with games with the AFC West and NFC North. Better yet, their only long road trip will be to Denver -- every other game they have will be in the Eastern or Central time zones. No multiple West Coast trips this season.
The only gist is that the Bucs are an old team. Garcia, Galloway, DE Kevin Carter, Barber and LB legend Derrick Brooks will all be over 33 years old when the '08 season starts, and WR Ike Hilliard and left tackle Luke Petitgout will be 32. Jon Gruden loves his veterans, but if they show their age, it could really set the team back.
Fantasywise, the stud here is Earnest Graham, who is not old but one of the key Bucs who is in a contract year. With Williams' torn patellar tendon expected to sideline him into the start of the regular season, Graham is in line to get the bulk of the work in Tampa Bay -- if the team doesn't draft a running back first. Assuming that doesn't happen, Graham is a safe middle- to low-end No. 2 Fantasy rusher.
Do you agree with Dave? Send your thoughts to DMFantasyFootball@cbs.com and we'll post the best responses. Be sure to put Attn: Offseason in the subject field. Include your full name, hometown and state.
