The Tampa Bay Bucs fell flat on their faces last season. Head Coach Jon Gruden's job is in jeopardy if the Bucs fail to have a winning season. The key to this season will probably be Quarterback production and defense. Bodog.com has the Tampa Bay Bucs at 45 to 1 betting odds to win the 2008 Super Bowl XLII.
Gruden runs a complicated West Coast offense that new QB Jeff Garcia is familiar with. Garcia is not a world beater but he should be a good fill-in guy this year. Garcia is still a competitor that is agile and smart. The Bucs have an all-around back in Cadilac Williams. Williams is a stud that can make this Tampa Bay's offense mean when he is healthy. WR Joey Galloway is a 4.3 burner that can still stretch defenses. Galloway is one of the few receivers that can beat defenders with his pure speed.
The Bucs run out of the 4-3 and must generate more pressure on the Quarterbacks this year. The Defense as a whole is The team spent their #1 pick on DE Gaines Adams who should provide an instant upgrade. Adams is an established pass rusher with terrific athleticism. On the other side DE Simeon Rice is looking to rebound after missing 8 games in 2006. Rice is a bit one-dimensional as a pass rusher but what a dimension he has in that area. Rice at his best can beat any Tackle in a one-on-one matchup.
The Bucs added Cato June to the team with Derrick Brooks at the Outside Linebacker position. Both June and Brooks are undersized backers that can fly to the ball. Ronde Barber teams with Brian Kelley as a formidable Cornerback duo. Both guys are playmakers that can contain most good receivers. Kicker Matt Bryant is one of the games best with his strong leg. Punter Josh Bidwell is almost impossible to block and his punts are booming.
Brad Marchetti Opening Day Tampa Bay Bucs Power Ratings: 20-80 Scale
20- Poor
30- Well Below Average
40- Below Average
50- Average
60- Above Average
70- Very Good
80- Great
Coaching: 55
Quarterback : 55
Backs : 65
Receivers : 55
Offensive Line : 55
Defensive Line : 60
Linebackers : 60
Secondary : 60
Special Teams : 60
Atlanta Falcons 60/1
Baltimore Ravens 18/1
Buffalo Bills 100/1
Carolina Panthers 25/1
Chicago Bears 15/1
Cincinnati Bengals 15/1
Cleveland Browns 125/1
Dallas Cowboys 20/1
Denver Broncos 20/1
Detroit Lions 70/1
Green Bay Packers 38/1
Houston Texans 100/1
Indianapolis Colts 15/2
Jacksonville Jaguars 30/1
Kansas City Chiefs 50/1
Miami Dolphins 55/1
Minnesota Vikings 50/1
New England Patriots 8/5
New Orleans Saints 14/1
New York Giants 30/1
New York Jets 38/1
Oakland Raiders 70/1
Philadelphia Eagles 18/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 25/1
San Diego Chargers 6/1
San Francisco 49ers 15/1
Seattle Seahawks 18/1
St.Louis Rams 40/1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 45/1
Tennessee Titans 50/1
Washington Redskins 40/1
