Where Do the Bucs Go From Here?
(January 4, 2005)

After becoming the first team in history to have back-to-back losing seasons after winning the Super Bowl, the questions is where do the Tampa Bay Buccaneers go from here? In a year when two 8-8 teams made the playoffs, all the miscues, inconsistent play and late game collapses are really brought home. Most of this season's games were painful to watch and the Bucs sometimes even looked worse than their final record of 5-11 would reflect.

So, where is this franchise headed. Back to its recent history of success? Doomed to digress to the days of the Yukes? One thing that is certain is that there will be changes. There always are. If the team wants to keep a waiting list for season tickets, the changes better be for the good.

Lets start with the head coach. There may be whispers of Jon Gruden leaving, but the Super Bowl victory should have bought him at least one more season. The Bucs were 12-4 in 2002, 12-20 since, so Gruden has a regular season record of 24-24 with Tampa Bay. While his 3-0 postseason record will keep him around another year, beyond that who knows.

Since the Bucs defense finished second in the NFC, it is should be easier to predict what will happen on that side of the ball. The secondary may be the area of concern. Dwight Smith wants to play cornerback and plans to test the free agent market. Dexter Jackson and Brian Kelly will want more money and the team will have to rework Rhonde Barber's contract. The Bucs may have trouble keeping linebacker Ian Gold, who had an outstanding season, and may have to try to restructure Derrick Brooks contract. Chartic Darby and Ryan Nece may end up as salary cap casualties.

On the offense they are already packing up lockers. Brad Johnson is gone and the Bucs will try to sign Brian Griese to a long term deal. The team will want to keep the combination of Michael Clayton, Joey Galloway and Joe Jurevicius together, but Galloway is a free agent and Jurevicius may have to take a pay cut. Tim Brown may retire and Ken Dilger, Charles Lee and Dave Moore are free agents. Michael Pittman, despite the fumbles, will probably be given another second chance. Mike Alstott, since Jon Gruden has never really figured out how to use him, will likely have to restructure his contract to stay. Charlie Garner could actually be on next year's roster because of the cap hit his release would cause. On the offensive line, Todd Steussie, Derrick Deese and Matt Stinchcomb are likely gone. Jay Taylor played well, but the Bucs may continue to look at place kickers.

The Bucs have the fifth pick in the college draft, and eleven total picks, so some much needed youth will be in camp next year. Restructure a few contracts, fill some holes through free agency, and the team could co from worst to first. Staying healthy would be a key to the teams rebound. Another interesting off season is about to begin. It sure would be great to watch some hockey about now.