Training camps start tomorrow and to get you set for the action we’re breaking down the major storylines of every team in the league. Want a closer look at NFC South? Read on for our look at Tampa Bay, and check out our New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons previews for more on this division.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a horrible 2013 that prompted major movements in an offseason that saw them change their coaching staff and bring in several new game-changing players. 2014 could be a whole new era for the Bucs…or could it?
[sc:Football ]Tampa Bay Buccaneers Team Preview for the 2014/2015 NFL Season
Offseason Updates
Former Carolina Panther wide receiver David Gettis was released with an injury settlement after sustaining a lower-leg injury. It is a disappointing loss as Gettis is a talented receiver capable of making waves in the NFL due to his youth. Still, the Bucs still have a deep set of wide receivers led by Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans.
Nevertheless, Tommy Streeter may take Gettis’ spot as a wide receiver. The wide receiver is yet to contribute to an NFL game after being drafted by the Ravens in 2012. However, the wide receiver may make an appearance this year after impressing in this year’s Bucs training camp even getting high-praises from quarterback Josh McCown. If Streeter continues to catch important passes, then his compatibility with McCown may play an important role come the regular season.
Overview
2013 Regular Season Record: 4-12 SU/6-10 ATS
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ total offensive output last year was the worst in the NFL. They were last in total yards with 277 yards per game and in passing yards with 176 yards per game. They were 30th in points, scoring 18 per game.
[sc:NFL240banner ]In 2013, Tampa Bay went 1-5 SU in NFC South, one of the toughest divisions in the NFL. The Bucs were swept by Carolina and New Orleans while splitting their games with the injury-plagued Atlanta Falcons. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ended up last in the NFC South.
With the Atlanta Falcons returning to top form after injury problems last year, the possibility that Tampa Bay loses all its division games this season becomes very real. However, some shuffling in the offseason can help Tampa Bay’s chances this year. The Bucs are +575 to win NFC South.
The Bucs have a tough season ahead of them which makes their winning the Super Bowl at +8,000 a very unlikely scenario. They will be facing two division leaders in AFC North’s Cincinnati Bengals and NFC North’s Green Bay Packers in their 2014 schedule. Tampa Bay won’t exit without a fight as they are moving toward the upcoming season with a plethora of new weapons.
Offseason Highlights
One of the biggest changes for Tampa Bay this year will be an entirely new coaching staff. They will be led by an excellent head coach in Lovie Smith, who kept the Chicago Bears competitive in his time with the team. The team will also have Jeff Tedford taking over the reigns as offensive coordinator. The team will have a new look to their offense as Tedford will run a diverse scheme based on a strong running game. The offense will feature a lot of quick passes and creativity in running the ball.
There will also be a new defensive coordinator in Leslie Frazier. Frazier will likely stick to the Tampa 2 defense. Tampa 2 is a defensive scheme which stresses speed, smarts and tackling. The scheme will utilize the team’s speed in running toward the ball.
Tampa Bay arguably made its best offseason moves bolstering the team’s defense. The Bucs released a top-two NFL cornerback Darrelle Revis in favor of signing another talented corner in former Titan Alterraun Verner who could be better fit to the new coach’s defense. Verner has 288 combined tackles and 11 interceptions over the course of his four-year career. The cornerback also still has the advantage of youth behind him as he’ll only be turning 26 in December.
The Bucs also added defensive end Michael Johnson via free agency. Johnson had a career high 11.5 sacks in 2012. Despite playing well and putting opposing quarterbacks under pressure for most of the 2013 season, the defensive end only collected 3.5 sacks for the year. Johnson will add to a defensive line that was lacking in depth.
Tampa Bay didn’t ignore its problematic offense in the 2013 season. The team also had some key additions to help bolster their offense heading to the upcoming season.
Tampa Bay brought in veteran quarterback Josh McCown from the Chicago Bears. McCown exploded starting for the Bears last season, completing 66.5% of his passes for 1,829 passing yards including passing for 13 touchdowns. The quarterback also has the added advantage of playing under Tampa Bay’s new head coach.
To give the quarterback some weapons, the Bucs drafted wide receiver Mike Evans as the seventh-overall pick. Evans caught 69 passes for 1,394 yards in his final season of college football for Texas A&M. Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins was also drafted as another weapon for McCown. Seferian-Jenkins had 450 receiving yards with eight touchdowns in his final year with the Washington Huskies.
Create a betting account now to capitalize on what will be another outstanding year in the NFL.
Key Betting Matchups
The new-look Bucs have a tough schedule, but are still +575 to win the NFC South. Two games could swing their season significantly though.
Sunday, September 7 – vs. Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers failed to keep their best four wide receivers putting Tampa Bay in prime condition to start the season with a win as Cam Newton gets comfortable with fewer options.
Sunday, December 21 – vs. Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers topped NFC North last year and will be one of Tampa Bay’s biggest challenges this year, bringing an improved secondary and that same old devastating Aaron Rodgers to the table.
Prediction
Tampa Bay built a strong secondary leading to the upcoming 2014 regular season, however their offense is still largely unproven. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will go 6-10 SU overall and stay under their season wins total of over/under 7.0 wins.
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