Up next in the team needs features for the draft section are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. THN will be filling in all of the needs’ pages throughout February, so keep checking back for your favorite team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2005 Results: 11-5, 1st in NFC South
2006 Projected Cap Status: $75,000,000
2005 Season Recap:
Tampa Bay claimed the NFC South with an 11-5 regular-season record. The Buccaneers began the season 5-1 with QB Brian Griese under center, but Chris Simms lost to the 49ers in his first start and all hope was lost for most Dolphins fans. As the season played out Simms settled down and guided the Bucs to wins in five of their last seven games to close the regular season. RB Cadillac Williams, the fifth overall pick, had an instant impact in Tampa. He ran for more than 100 yards in each of his first 3 starts, and the Bucs were 6-0 when he broke a 100. DT Chris Hovan plugged the hole in the Bucs’ run defense and the defensive unit finished the year ranked first in the league.
Team Needs:
1. Tackle. The Bucs’ best OL is an unrestricted free agent (T Kenyatta Walker). The team also needs to improve its pass protection.
2. Cornerback. Cornerbacks R. Barber and B. Kelly are both getting up there in age and Juran Bolden is a unrestricted free agent.
3. Receiver. Michael Clayton had an off year so the jury is still out on him, and Joey Galloway had 10 TD catches and over 1000 yards but with Ike Hilliard headed out as a free agent the unit is in need of some new blood.
2006 Draft Picks:
1st Round –23rd Overall
Free agency status:
UFA: CB Juran Bolden, PK Matt Bryant, FB Jameel Cook, TE Will Heller, WR Ike Hilliard, DT Chris Hovan, S Dexter Jackson, T Kenyatta Walker
RFA: QB Chris Simms.
ERFA: DT Jon Bradley.
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Bernie Marshall