2007 Results: 9-7
2008 Projected Cap Status: $26,049,700 under the cap
2007 Season Recap:
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFC South title and the 4th seed in the NFC play offs, they lost to the Giants in the wildcard game. The team limped into the post-season after losing three of their last five games. During the Buccaneers last victory of 2007 Micheal Spurlock returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown becoming the only player in Tampa Bay’s 32-year history to do so.
Team Needs:
1. Cornerback – With Brian Kelly signing with the Detroit Lions this off-season, Phillip Buchanon in the last year of his contract and Ronde Barber is getting older the Buccaneers could use a early pick to bring in a cornerback for depth and to groom for the future
2. Quarterback – This unit is the largest group of quarterbacks on one team in the NFL with Jeff Garcia, Brian Griese, Chris Simms, Luke McCown, Bruce Gradkowski and Jake Plummer. Jeff Garcia has one year remaining on his contract and the talent behind him is mediocre at best. Now would be a good time to draft a quarterback with the intention of being their next starter
3. Wide Receiver – If the Buccaneers pass on a cornerback in the first round, the wide receiver position may be where they utilize their selection. Antonio Bryant has been signed, but Tampa needs playmakers at this position. Michael Clayton has been a letdown, Joey Galloway will be 37 this season and Ike Hilliard and the rest of the unit haven’t stepped up when given the opportunities.
2008 Draft Picks:
1st Round – 20th overall
2nd Round – 52nd overall
3rd Round – 83rd overall
4th Round – 120th overall
5th Round – 154th overall
Free agency status:
UFA:
WR Mark Jones
RB Michael Pittman
TE Jerramy Stevens
LB Jeremiah Trotter
RFA:
DT Jovan Haye
ERFA:
DE Charles Bennett
LS Andrew Economos
WR Chad Lucas
S Donte Nicholson
LT Donald Penn
WR Micheal Spurlock
FB Byron Storer
DE Greg White
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
DE Marques Douglas: 49ers
RB Warrick Dunn: Falcons
C Jeff Faine: Saints
TE John Gilmore: Bears
QB Brian Griese (trade Bears).
LB Leon Joe: Bills
LB Teddy Lehman: Lions
LB Matt McCoy: Saints
TE Ben Troupe: Titans
DE Jimmy Wilkerson: Chiefs
CB Eugene Wilson: Patriots
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
RB Michael Bennett: UFA
DE/DT Kevin Carter: FA
LB Antoine Cash: RFA
CB Sammy Davis: UFA
WR Paris Warren: ERFA
PLAYERS LOST
FB Mike Alstott: retired
TE Anthony Becht: Rams
CB Brian Kelly: Lions
C Matt Lehr: Saints
SS Kalvin Pearson: Lions
C John Wade: Raiders
PLAYERS RELEASED
DE Greg Spires
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Bernie Marshall