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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Posted: Sun April 19, 1998 at 9:51 p.m.
* compensatory pick
QB - Trent Dilfer has started to show some improvement... he doesn't look like he will ever be able to carry this team, but he's started to make better decisions in the pocket, giving them a much better chance of winning. Look for them to open up the offense a little more this season. Backup Steve Walsh is just a short term answer, and they really need to start grooming another young QB... #3 QB Scott Milanovich is not that guy.
RB - After trading Errict Rhett to the Ravens, they are left with only Warrick Dunn at the RB position. FB Mike Alstott can also be used at the HB spot if needed. Dunn is an electrifying runner, but seemed to wear down late in the year. The team still isn't sure if he can be a 20+ carry a game guy. With Rhett shipped out, look for them to add another RB in the upcoming draft. They also traded for FB Lorenzo Neal from the Jets. Neal will backup at FB, and will see action when they use Alstott as the HB spot.
WR - They have a lot of speed here, but their WR's are not great route runners, and struggle to get open on a consistent basis... they could really use a possessiontype guy that they can rely on in 3rd down situations. It's surprising they haven't signed FA WR Sean Dawkins who lacks speed, but finds ways to get open. WR Karl Williams came on late in the year, and should be Dilfer's go-to guy. Rookie Reidel Anthony was up and down, but should improve in his 2nd NFL season. The Wild Card is WR Horace Copeland. Copeland has lost a step since his knee injury in 1996. His game is to get vertical, and he may not fit into their plans if he can't do that anymore. Look for them to take a WR somewhere in the draft.
TE - This position will also be addressed in the draft if they don't sign a FA soon. TE Jackie Harris has been banged up the past few seasons, so they didn't balk when he signed a FA deal with the Oilers. Losing Harris may hurt though. They don't have a guy on the roster that can stretch the defense. TE's Dave Moore nad Patrick Hape are at their best in the red zone. Wouldn't be surprised to see them take Oklahoma State's Alzonzo Amyes if he is still on the board when they pick in the 1st rd.
OL - Will be a solid unit despite the loss of FA OG Jim Pyne. Pyne was the starter at LG last season. Backup Jorge Diaz also saw action last season at LG, and will likely move into a starting role. The biggest battle should be at RT, where Jason Odom and Jerry Wunsch will fight for a starting spot. Wunsch wasn't ready as a rookie last season, and Odom started every game. The loss of Pyne will hurt their depth at OG, so don't be surprised to see them add some depth through the draft.
DL - One of the better units in the NFL. DT Warren Sapp is the 2nd best DT in the NFL, behind Minnesota's John Randle. LDE Chidi Ahanotu really came on last season, and has turned into a force coming off the corner. If Regan Upshaw develops, this would probably be the best overall unit in the NFL. Depth at DE is the only problem... FA DE Eric Curry has not been re-signed, so they will likely look for another DE in the upcoming draft.
LB - Solid unit. Despite his age, MLB Hardy Nickerson continues to be a dominant force in the middle. WLB Derrick Brooks is one of the best young LB's in the NFL, and is coming off a Pro Bowl appearance. The only weak link may be at SLB, where Rufus Porter seems to have lost a step or two. Nickerson and Porter are both wily veterans, but they need to start grooming some young guys to take over, especially since the Bucs are usually not very active in the FA market. There isn't a backup in this unit who is ready to step onto the field and produce tomorrow, so look for them to add some depth in the upcoming draft.
ST - Other than the cover units, there are some problem areas here. They could think about upgrading the PT/PK tandem of Tommy Barnhardt and Michael Husted. Both were inconsistent last season, and Barnhardt went on IR late in the season. Husted missed 3 XP's, all at home. They have some speed, but it didn't really correlate into a lot of big plays in their return game. WR Karl Williams flashed in the return game, but they need him to focus on becoming their #1 WR. Warrick Dunn could also double as a RS, but they want him to take as few hits as possible, and he wore down late last season. Could add a RS in the upcoming draft.
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