Buccaneers Training Camp Questions
(August 4, 2000)

The Bucs training camp is in full swing and the first preseason game is tonight at Raymond James Stadium against Washington. Since the Redskins are one of the Super Bowl favorites, along with the Bucs, it might be hard not to attach a disproportionate level of importance to the game. Remember, the reason for the preseason is to get ready for the real season.

For a group that came within one touchdown of the Super Bowl, the 2000 Tampa Bay Buccaneers have numerous questions. Will the Bucs make it to the next level? Will the team struggle, such as the 1998 team did after making the playoffs in 1997? Will the Bucs be the first team to play a Super Bowl in its own stadium?

How will Shawn King's sophomore season shake out? Will the young quarterback prove 1999 was no fluke? While on the subject of quarterback, will Eric Zeier provide experience at the backup position? Will Scott Milanovich make the final roster cuts? How does Virginia Tech rookie Joe Hamilton fit into the picture? Should the Bucs have gone after a veteran backup?

Will Keyshawn Johnson justify the trading of two number one draft picks? Will he be the team leader he has been advertised to be? Will he end up complaining about not getting the ball enough and become a distraction? Speaking of wide receivers, what kind of season will Reidel Anthony and Jacquez Green have? Anthony has been inconsistent and Green may be poised for a big year. They both have huge potential. Will Dave Moore benefit by having Keyshawn Johnson at wide receiver? Since defenses may be concentrating more on Johnson, will the tight end be open more? While speaking of tight ends, how will fifth round draft pick James Whalen fit into the mix?

Will Pro Bowl center Jeff Christy provide stability to the middle of the offensive line? Speaking of the offensive line, just how much is left in the tank for Randall McDaniel? The offensive line provides plenty of questions. How about top draft Cosey Coleman, will he see action? Will we actually see Paul Gruber in a Buccaneers uniform? Is there reason to be concerned about Jason Odom's back?

How well will Damien Robinson do as the new starting middle linebacker? In regards to linebackers, will third round draft pick Nate Webster see any action? Will Booger Mcfarland see some playing time and justify spending a first round draft on the defensive lineman last season.

Will the Bucs offensive show improvement under new offensive coordinator Les Steckel? Or, will the team's offensive scheme continue to vanilla?

Will the 2000 Buccaneers miss former Pro Bowlers Trent Dilfer, Tony Mayberry and Hardy Nickerson? Who is Mike Shula? Who is Bert Emanuel?

Preseason games against Washington, Miami, New England and Kansas City will provide some clues. A sixteen game regular season will answer the questions. It is great to the pewter pirates back on the field, but let's not get too excited about tonight's game.