Tampa Bay Buccaneers Predictions & 2008 NFL Picks
July 29, 2008
-Brad Marchetti
A good 2007 team remains laregly intact from the 2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers playoff team that made and early exit from the playoffs with a 14-24 loss to the NY Giants. No NFC South team has ever won the division in back-to-back seasons and head coach Jon Gruden wants to change that. With a top-5 NFL defense the Bucs are usually in most games and the surprising play of 39-year old QB Jeff Garcia still keeps Superbowl hopes alive in Tampa. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL betting odds to win the 2009 Superbowl are at 50-1 odds.
Jeff Garcia efficeiently runs a pass heavy attack that relies on short timing throws to backs and receivers. The supersmart Garcia operates behind a young and gifted line that is one of the top units in the NFL. A true competitor the 39-year old Garcia is still quick on his feet with the ability to make accurate throws on the run. This season Garcia will be counted even more with star RB Caddilac Williams expected to miss half the season due to injury. In Willaims place was 5’9 225 LB firpug Earnest Graham. Graham is a downhill runner that possess great upper-body strength bench-pressing over 450 Lbs. Added to the running game was 32-year old scatback Warrick Dunn from Atlanta to backup Graham. WR Joey Galloway is still the focal point of the offense entering his 13th season. Galloway has great 4.35 40-speed but he is coming off a shoulder operation. The Bucs lack a true #2 wideout behind galloway and they need someone to step up. newly added TE Ben Troupe could be the red-zone threat that the Bucs so deperately need.
Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin is one of the best in the biz at running his Tampa-2 defense with a top-10 defense in 10 of his 11 years coaching. The Bucs will be a load to handle upfront with DE Greg White (8 Sacks in 07″) and 2007 1st round draft choice Gaines Adams (6 Sacks in 07″). 6’2 285 Lb. DT Jovan Haye is also a budding star in the mold of a young Warren Sapp. Veteran DE Kevin Carter and Marques Douglas are also productive. Flying under the radar is the Bucs linebacking crew that was a huge part in Tampa being the #1 defense in the NFL last season. Derrick Brooks, Barrett Rudd and Cato June make up one of the finest groups in the NFL. The secondary is fast heavy hitting group led by CB Ronde Barber. Barber is a sure tackling machine that will team with CB Phillip Buchanon. Buchanon has great speed but is only an average cover man and will be pushed by new addition Eugune Wilson. Safties Jermain Phillips and Tanard Jackson are both studs in run support. The special teams has two top-10 NFL legs in punter Josh Bidwell and kicker Matt Bryant. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL betting odds OVER\UNDER WINS TOTAL is at 8 wins with the OVER at -145.
2007 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Record: 9-7 ATS
2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Predictions Power Ratings
Coaching: 7
Quarterback: 7
Running Backs: 7
Offensive Line: 8
Wideouts: 6
Defensive Line: 8
Linebackers: 9
Secondary: 7
Special Teams: 7