Storyline: With a new head coach and key players all around, Tampa Bay looks to be a playoff contender in the NFL South.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the formula to make the playoffs this season. They weren’t as active in free agency thi year, focusing on the draft and re-signing their own players.
Courtesy: tbo.com
I was surprised when they fired Head Coach Lovie Smith, but I applaud the corresponding move of promoting OC Dirk Koetter to the head job. That means Koetter and QB Jameis Winston can build on the relationship–and success–they had last year.
I like the roster, which includes a mix of talented young players and veterans with experience, leadership, and locker room presence. The move to re-sign RB Doug Martin early in free agency was smart. It means the Bucs retain the “Big 3” on offense–Martin, Winston, and Mike Evans.
The smartest move, though, was the one they didn’t make–not touching Vincent Jackson. Jackson, considered by many to be an aging receiver, was rumored to be traded or released. But the Bucs kept him. That’s important because veteran leadership is a must in a NFL locker room.
Brent Grimes (photo, sportingnews.com)
And veteran leadership is one of the reasons they bought in CB Brent Grimes, a player who has shown good leadership throughout his career. Grimes will help bolster a defense with Gerald McCoy, Lavonte David, and Kwon Alexander–three guys Tampa will build around.
The Bucs had a solid draft. Two key picks were CB Vernon Hargraves and Roberto Aguayo, both of whom are plug-and-play starters.
With a mix of young talent and veteran leadership the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should make a decent run at the Playoffs. And who knows? A NFC South title may be in store.
