The Tampa Bay Buccaneers welcome head coach Jon Gruden back for his 5th season. The Buccaneers were able to regain their playoff form in 2005 and Gruden looks for the team to improve on their 11 – 6 record.
Chris Simms took over last season as the starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after Brian Griese went down with a knee injury. After two losses, Simms went 6 – 2 and got the team into the playoffs. Simms earned the starting quarterback position for 2006. Simms completed 191 passes in 313 attempts for 2,035 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2005. The Bucs will rely on running back Cadillac Williams to be the work force of the offense. Williams racked up 1,178 yards and 6 touchdowns last season. Joey Galloway and Michael Clayton will be the starting wide receivers for the Bucs. Tampa Bay should improve on offense this season since Simms has more experience as the field general.
Bet on the Tampa Bay Bucs to win the NFC South at BetRoyal.
The Bucs have always had a strong defense but needed to generate some pass rush help for defensive end Simeon Rice. Rice racked up 14 sacks last season to lead the team. Veterans Shelton Quarles, Ronde Barber and Derrick Brooks return to help Rice and Tampa Bay get back into the playoffs and hopefully to another Super Bowl. The defense should continue to shut teams down assuming all of the veterans stay healthy all season.
Head Coach: Jon Gruden
Offensive Coordinator: Bill Muir
Defensive Coordinator: Monte Kiffin
Division: NFC South
2005 Record: 11 – 6
Field: Raymond James Stadium
2006 Tampa Bay Bucs Draft Picks:
Round 1 – Davin Joseph – Guard – Oklahoma
Round 2 – Jeremy Trueblood – Offensive Tackle – Boston College
Round 3 – Maurice Stovall – Wide Receiver – Notre Dame
Round 4 – Alan Zemaitis – Cornerback – Penn State
Round 5 – Julian Jenkins – Defensive End – Stanford
Round 6 – Bruce Gradkowski – Quarterback – Toledo
Round 6 – TJ Williams – Tight End – North Carolina State
Round 7 – Justin Phinisee – Cornerback – Oregon
Round 7 – Charles Bennett – Outside Linebacker – Clemson
Round 7 – Tim Massaquoi – Tight End – Michigan
