Another year of 32 in 31. Sports News on Tap takes the month of August to preview the National Football League. We spend every day of the month looking at a new team and how they will fare in 2013
Tampa Bay does not get mentioned when people talk about 'big spending teams' but the Buccaneers spent a good amount of money in an attempt to rebuild this team. They had a 10 win season in 2010, but that was not good enough to get to the playoffs, a place they have not been since 2007. Tampa Bay is looking to get back to the playoffs and prominence, but they will definitely need a couple things to click in the right direction in order for that to happen.
OFFENSEThis is a make-or-break year for Josh Freeman. After a successful sophomore campaign, Freeman struggled in the last two season. They drafted NC State's Mike Glennon to apply some pressure on him. How will Freeman respond with a little bit of heat on him? That's a complete unknown. Some players excel in that situation and others crumble like a cookie. The biggest problem is the interceptions. In his best year, Freeman only had six interceptions and in the other three, he has had at least 17 picked off. He has all the tools to be a solid quarterback, Freeman just needs to put it together.
Doug Martin and his offensive line should be a band. The Muscle Hamster and the Power Lifters maybe? Martin benefits from having one of the best offensive lines in the game. Carl Nicks and Davin Joesph are probably the best guard duo in the NFL. Donald Penn as the left tackle is not shabby either. As for Martin, I do not see a sophomore slump with an offensive line like this one. I expect some teams to get a 'book' on him and start knowing his tendencies better, but Martin seems like he can elevate his way past that. Oh yeah, did I mention his line is very good too?
DEFENSEThe Buccaneers secondary immediately got better when they traded for Darrelle Revis. The last big name cornerback to move teams struggled mightily (First name Nnamdi), but Revis seems to be a different breed. He might miss a little time to begin the year, but Revis should be able to handle all the big receivers in the NFC South. Also the combination of Mark Barron and him is legitimately terrifying to think about for opposing teams plus add free agent Dashon Goldson and they will probably lead the league in fines. The rest of their defense has some pieces, but they are lacking the full starpower to be one of the best defenses in the league.
One of those bright spots is Lavonte David, a rookie last year playing the weakside linebacker position. He was a dynamic force having multiple games where he had 10 or more tackles. David is a player to watch this season and could really emerge as one of the better linebackers in the NFC. He does not not have a lot around him. They added Jonathan Casillias from New Orleans, but he is nothing special. Mason Foster also does nothing for me personally.The defensive line has a ton of big names if you are familiar with college football, but none of them have played like their college football self. Gerald McCoy is the biggest fish being drafted fourth in 2010 and played his first full season in 2012. McCoy needs to keep himself healthy against this year for the Bucs to be successful because the man can play football, we just have not seen the consistency.
SPECIAL TEAMSThe Buccaneers had a kicking competition with Lawrence Tynes and Connor Barth, but Tynes along with other Buccaneer players caught MRSA, a very dangerous bacterial infection. Tynes and the Buccaneers are having an
apparent falling out about the treatment.
KEY ADDITIONSCB Darrelle Revis, LB Jonathan Casillias, S Dashon Goldson, TE Zach Miller, WR Kevin Olgetree, DE George Selvie, RB Jeff Demps - Miller might not have much in the tank, but he could provide another option for Freeman.
KEY SUBTRACTIONSDE Michael Bennett, CB Ronde Barber, CB E.J. Biggers, TE Dallas Clark, RB LaGarrette Blount, DT Roy Miller, WR Roscoe Parrish
BUCS DRAFT PICKSCB Jonathan Banks, QB Mike Glennon, DT Akeem Spence, DE William Gholston, DE/LB Steven Meens, RB Mike James - Gholston had some major attitude issues, but he is a first-round talent when he's playing at the highest level. Don't sleep on him.
GAME TO WATCHSunday December 15th vs. San Francisco 12 pm - They welcome the Niners for a cross-country journey at the end of the year. This game should matter to both teams, and it should be a fun one.
WIN TOTAL 8-9 - Tough team to read honestly because if Freeman gets his shit together, the Bucs will be putting points up on a lot of people but their defense has a ton of questions past Revis and David.
Charlie.
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The SnoTap staff is making their predictions on the NFL season. Odds are one or two of us will be right, but in the end like most people, we will look like idiots. 
