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Posted: Friday July 11, 2003 11:31 AM
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Tampa Bay
BUCCANEERS
2002 Record: 12-4
Head Coach: Jon Gruden
50-30 overall, 5-2 postseason
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TEAM LEADERS
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Passing
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Brad Johnson
281-451, 3,049 yards, 22 TDs, 6 INTs
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Rushing
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Michael Pittman
204 carries, 718 yards, 1 TDs
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Receiving
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Keyshawn Johnson
76 catches, 1,088 yards, 5 TDs
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Kicking
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Martin Gramatica
32-39 FGs, 32-32 PATs, 128 points
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Schedule | Roster |
Statistics | Stadium
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By Ryan Hunt, SI.com
It's a new day in Tampa Bay. And, boy, could this team ever be something if it could just win a cold-weather game. Or if it could just on the road in the playoffs. In Philadelphia. Uh, wait.
In a span of a little more than a month, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers erased every dark cloud in the franchise's mostly sordid 27-year history. OK, about all of them. How 'bout a kickoff return for a touchdown? At least the Bucs still have something to shoot for.
But for the first time, the entire NFL is gunning for the Bucs. How will Tampa Bay respond? The Bucs can hope it's nothing like the offseason, in which three players (Kenyatta Walker, Dwight Smith and Michael Pittman) ran into trouble with the law. The Pittman situation is the most serious, forcing the Bucs to make a deal with Arizona to get Thomas Jones.
Pittman potentially could be in jail by the time the season opens, which makes the running game an even bigger question mark. Jon Gruden wasn't happy with having the league's 27th-ranked rushing offense last season, even despite Pittman's 124-yard outburst in the 48-21 Super Bowl win over the Raiders. Without Pittman, Mike Alstott the aforementioned, underperforming Jones and perhaps Aaron Stecker will have to carry the load.
With Tampa Bay, the story is always defense. But with the Falcons and Saints breathing down their neck, the Bucs will have find some more answers in order to repeat.
C John Wade -- The offensive line took its share of criticism last season, so the Bucs made it an offseason priority to upgrade the talent and depth. With Wade, a former Jaguar, and Jason Whittle, Tampa Bay thinks it accomplished its goal. Wade especially will be an immediate help, replacing the aging Jeff Christy at the center position.
FS Dexter Jackson -- But his loss probably won't hurt as much as you may think. Sure Jackson was the Super Bowl MVP after his two-interception performance. But Jackson had only three regular-season picks. His departure is similar to when Damian Robinson left in free agency, allowing Jackson to earn the job. This time, Jackson's departure paves the way for either Dwight Smith (who also had two Super Bowl picks), John Howell or Jermaine Phillips to the starting role.
WR Keyshawn Johnson -- The bad news: His receptions and yards fell off last season. The good news: He caught five TDs (compared to just one in 2001) and set a career high with a 14.3 yards-per-catch average. Given the unsettled situation at running back, the Bucs passing game may continue to take center stage, with Keyshawn being the focal point of the attack. He'll need to score more TDs, though, to bring his value back up. Six TDs the past two seasons is not all that great after he averaged nearly eight per year in his first five seasons.
RB Michael Pittman -- Forget the surprising 124-yard game at the Super Bowl, Pittman was a very disappointing fantasy option last season, scoring just one TD and never rushing for more than 62 yards in a game until Week 17. However, his legal problems this offseason could take its toll, whether it's a suspension, lack of playing time or even an outright release. The Bucs may be preparing for life without Pittman by picking up Thomas Jones this offseason, and the team still has Mike Alstott to score TDs. Even without the legal problems, it's best to stay away from Pittman.
WR Joe Jurevicius -- While he had just 37 catches for 423 yards last season, he became a force in the playoffs. He had a 71-yard catch-and-run in the NFC title game and a team leading 78 yards in the Super Bowl. Surprisingly, he's become the team's big play receiver, and the team's emphasis on the passing game means he'll get lots of chances to put up big yards. He'd be a great third or fourth fantasy option.
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>> Bucs will make the playoffs because...
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That defense is just too damn good. And the offensive line should be better, which in turn will keep Brad Johnson off his back. In games when the Bucs allowed two or fewer sacks last season, the Bucs were 15-0.
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>> Bucs will not make the playoffs because...
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Brad Johnson gets injured. Last season, without Johnson, Tampa Bay scored only one touchdown in 12 quarters. And the backup situation still is unsettled, with the rehabiliting Jim Miller on track to be the No. 2 guy.
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
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| Signed |
From |
Lost |
To |
| LB Shelton Quarles |
Re-signed |
C Todd Washington |
Released |
| G Jason Whittle |
Giants |
C Jeff Christy |
Released |
| C John Wade |
Jaguars |
QB Rob Johnson |
Redskins |
| QB Shane Matthews |
Redskins |
S Dexter Jackson |
Cardinals |
| QB Jim Miller |
Bears |
LB Al Singleton |
Cowboys |
| TE Rickey Dudley |
Re-signed |
WR Ramondo North |
Released |
| T Roman Oben |
Re-signed |
QB Shane Matthews |
Bengals |
| QB Shaun King |
Re-signed |
QB Greg Zolman |
Released |
| TE Todd Yoder |
Re-signed |
WR Marquise Walker |
Trade w/ Ari. |
| C Ryan Benjamin |
Re-signed |
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| LB Dwayne Rudd |
Browns |
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| WR Jacquez Green |
Lions |
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| RB Aaron Stecker |
Re-signed |
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| LB Nate Webster |
Re-signed |
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| LB Jack Golden |
Re-signed |
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| WR Charles Lee |
Re-signed |
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| WR Chris Taylor |
Giants |
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| RB Terry Kirby |
Raiders |
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| RB Thomas Jones |
Trade w/ Ari. |
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| WR Reggie Barlow |
Re-signed |
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| P Tom Tupa |
Re-signed |
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| Unrestricted |
Restricted |
| T Lomas Brown |
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| 2003 Draft Picks |
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| Rd. |
Pick |
Player |
Pos. |
School |
| 2 |
32(64) |
Dewayne White |
DE |
Louisville |
| 3 |
33(97) |
Chris Simms |
QB |
Texas |
| 4 |
33(130) |
Lance Nimmo |
OT |
West Virginia |
| 4 |
36(133) |
Austin King |
C |
Northwestern |
| 5 |
33(168) |
Sean Mahan |
OG |
Notre Dame |
| 6 |
32(205) |
Torrie Cox |
CB |
Pittsburgh |
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