Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2013 Season Preview

This is a preview of the upcoming season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The schedule and tickets for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are included.

Last season: 7-9 (Tied for 2nd in NFC South)

Vegas Over/Under: 7.5 Wins

Key Additions: CB Darrelle Revis (TRADE), S Dashon Goldson (FA), WR Kevin Olgetree (FA)

Key Losses: CB Ronde Barber, DE Michael Bennett

Strength of Schedule: 17

In Greg Schiano’s first season as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the team finished at 7-9. Despite the losing record however, the team set a ton of franchise records including total offensive yards (5,820), total points (389), and fewest rushing yards allowed per game (82.5). Josh Freeman also set the franchise records for passing yards and touchdowns, and Doug Martin set the rookie rushing record (1,454). So how in the hell did the Bucs only go 7-9 after having one of the best statistical seasons in team history? Tampa ranked dead last in the league in passing defense, that’s how. So they went out and traded for shut down corner Darrelle Revis, signed stud safety Dashon Goldson, and drafted Jim Thorpe award winner Jonathan Banks out of Mississippi State. When you have to play Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, and Cam Newton six times a year, you have to have a great secondary. In a single offseason, the Bucs turned the worst into potentially one of the best in the league.

Offensively, coach Greg Schiano isn’t convinced Josh Freeman is the answer at quarterback, and it is clear the Bucs are looking to develop third round pick Matt Glennon into a potential replacement. But reports out of camp claim Freeman is much more comfortable in his second year in Mike Sullivan’s offense. Again, this is a guy who broke franchise passing records last season, and if he can be consistent this season Glennon will be the long term backup. Another season with stud wide out Vincent Jackson will improve their chemistry, Mike Williams is a solid number two receiver, and Kevin Olgetree will fit nicely as a third wide out. Dallas Clark is gone now though, and newly aquired Tom Crabtree (a must follow on twitter) has never had to shoulder a full receiving load at the position. The Bucs do have a bright young star in Doug Martin, but he is without a backup with LeGarrete Blount gone. Free agent Brian Leonard, or sixth round pick Mike James will need to step up to fill that void.

The real story of the Bucs offseason was on the defensive side of the ball. They made huge upgrades in the secondary, and are still bringing back all the key pieces that made them the number one defense against the run. Gerald McCoy shed his bust label last season (and some pounds this season), earning a Pro Bowl selection. But DaQuan Bowers and Adrian Clayborn will need to break out this year after losing defensive end Michael Bennett to Seattle. It should be easier to put on a rush now that opposing quarterbacks should have to hold onto the ball longer, resulting in more coverage sacks. The biggest X factor to these plans is how close will Darrelle Revis be to his former self coming off an ACL tear. I’m willing to bet that he will be able to return to form, and we will be seeing him in his same number 24 jersey after buying it off of teammate Mark Barron. He joins new comers Dashon Goldston and Jonathan Banks in the revamped secondary. Ronde Barber also retired after 16 great seasons with the Bucs, and the will be Hall of Famer is joining Fox Sports this season as an analyst.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers open the season against Revis’s old team, the New York Jets at Metlife Stadium. You can be sure Revis will be ready for this one, and you can catch the action here, or check out the rest of the Bucs schedule with tickets prices below:

Bottom Line

Tampa went out this offseason and addressed their most glaring needs in the secondary in the most aggressive way possible. In a quarterback driven league, this is one of the most important aspects of a team. I think the upgrades take Tampa to another level, they finish the year with a winning record, and the over hits.