For the NASAYERS.

This is for all the Buccaneer and Gruden NASAYERS out there. If you have been a fan as long as me and suffered through seasons like I have, you would understand how great Gruden is. Lets see, how much game film have you watched on these two guys: Davin Joseph, and Jeremy Trueblood? If you listened to the experts today, they think that Davin Joseph will be a Pro-Bowl guard. I will admit that I don't know much about these two players, but as a loyal Bucs fan, I am glad they were drafted by the Bucs. I also have faith in Gruden and Bruce Allen and the scouting department after the last two drafts. Lets see Michael Clayton, Cadillac Williams, Dan Buenning, Alex Smith, Barrett Ruud, Will Allen, and Chris Simms have all been drafted by Gruden. (NOT BAD). We needed offensive players because we were 23rd in the NFL. We did not need Defense players this year, because we were number 1, plus we resigned every defensive player, but one Dexter Jackson (Big Deal, that is twice that he has left). I think some people forgot that the Buccaneers ranked first in the NFL on defense, and 23rd on offense. So the smart thing to do was to fix the offense with this years Draft. Which I must say the Bucs did. If you can't get the draft prediction right, then don't knock Gruden because you are a Sofa ESPN analysts. I think the man knows what he is doing.

The 2006 Rookie Class for the Bucs.
1. G - Davin Joseph - Oklahoma
2. T - Jeremy Trueblood - BC
3. WR - Maurice Stovall - N. Dame
4. CB - Alan Zemaitis - Penn State
5. DE - Julian Jenkins - Stanford
6. QB - Bruce Gradkowski - Tol.
6. TE - T.J. Williams - NC State
7. CB - Justin Phinisee - Oregon
7. DE - Charles Bennett - Clemson
7. TE - Tim Massaquoi - Michigan

3rd Round the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pick...

What did I say during my Buccaneers NFL Draft Preview: I had the Buccaneers needing a wide receiver in the first round. However I was wrong. We did need offensive line first, which we addressed today. However with the 3rd round the Bucs did finally go for a WR, Maurice Stovall from Notre Dame. I told some people we did not need to go defense, I even said that we needed to get younger at WR, which the Bucs did today. Galloway and Hilliard are getting up there in age. Now Simms, Cadillac, Clayton and Stovall can build our future. Man I am so happy with this years BUCS draft. (3 good draft years for Gruden so far.)

NFL Draft Results, BUCS Two New Offensive Linemen.

Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, the Bucs picked two offensive linemen with the 1st and 2nd round picks. I should have never doubted my Bucs. With all the talk of the Bucs picking an offensive linemen in the 1st round with the 23rd overall pick, I was happy. Then talks changed and it was a WR (which would have been ok), then before the start of the draft it was a defensive cornerback, which I was never on board with (matter of fact I hated that Idea). Well with the 23rd overall pick the Bucs drafted offensive guard Davin Joseph from the Sooners. Then with the 2nd round pick 59th overall, the Bucs picked another offensive linemen, Jeremy Trueblood from Boston College. This is great news for the Bucs. We have fixed our weak offensive line. Cadillac must be truly happy. Even though I was on the Marcus McNeill (OT) bandwagon, who went to San Diego, I am really happy that we went O Line for the first two rounds. I am sure some Bucs fans (Bucs Best Blog) might be pissed with these picks, but this is what is best for the Bucs future. As a season ticket holder I can't wait to get in those stands and watch Cadillac run all over teams now behind a better line then the Bucs have ever had.

Coach Grudens thoughts on our 1st round draft pick.

"I think naturally his best position is guard," said Bucs head coach Jon Gruden.
"He played left tackle at Oklahoma last year out of necessity. They lost a
couple of guys to injury and because of his athleticism, he moved out there and
got it done, frankly, at left tackle. I see him naturally as an inside player,
he is explosive and strong. I think his athletic ability will help him as a
puller. We like to do that with our guards. But I think in a pinch situation, if
we need him to go out there and play left tackle, he has proven he can do that.
If we need him to go out there and play left tackle, I'm sure Davin would be
willing to do that. But we pencil him in now at the right guard position, and
we're excited about that."

I was truly shocked when last night I heard the Texans signed Mario Williams over Reggie Bush. Then today a Bucs Fans worst nightmare happened, Bush goes to the Saints. This sucks bad. Now we face him twice a year. At least this will help rebuild the Saints fan base since Katrina. How about Matt Leinart falling to the 10th pick. However he might have came out with the best team. With Arizona's talented WR's and a year sitting out learning the system, he could become the man. MORE TO COME.

The Rumor Mill

With Saturday being the NFL draft, and the speculation of who the Bucs will take with the 23rd pick? Well I went to the source this week and I was told on Monday that the Bucs would decide on whether or not to give free agent defensive back Charles Woodson a contract. I was told that if Woodson signed with the Bucs by Thursday, then the Bucs would draft an offensive linemen, but if they passed on Woodson, then the Bucs would take a corner. But wait hold everything, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lost their bid for Oakland Raiders free agent defensive back Charles Woodson, who agreed to terms on a seven-year, $52 million contract with the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday. So if my source is right, then I would be wrong. I for sure had the Bucs taking an offensive linemen (Marcus McNeill) in the 1st round or even maybe a wide receiver, which I still think is smarter then a corner. However, it seems that Ski over at best bucs blog might have called this one right. Well it is only two days away, and I will be having a huge draft party with most of my fantasy football buddies and families. So I might not get to post until late that night. So to all good luck with the draft.

Thoughts and Prays to the Glazer Family.

I was saddened to learn of The Bucs owner, Mr. Malcolm Glazer suffered a stroke on April 16th and was admitted to a hospital in Cleveland. According to the bucs.com.

"The stroke has impaired Mr. Glazer's speech and mobility in his right arm and
leg."On behalf of the entire Glazer family, I want to thank everyone at the
Cleveland Clinic for their outstanding care," said Joel Glazer. "My father's
spirits are high and doctors expect his condition to improve with
rehabilitation."

As I have stated over and over again, being a Bucs fan since they were established, I have been through the Hugh Culverhouse years as a fan. Although Culverhouse was initially seen as a hero for making Tampa a major-league town, he soon became one of the most detested owners in the NFL. He frequently shifted money from the Bucs to his other investments. He kept the Bucs' payroll one of the lowest in the league. Unfortunately, this kept the Bucs from attracting quality players in an era when teams with large payrolls were all but required to contend. The few who did rarely stayed long; Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon was the only genuine star who stayed with the team for a long time. In most other cases, Culverhouse either traded quality players away or wouldn't pay them enough to keep them in Tampa. For example, he traded Steve Young after his only full season at quarterback.

Malcolm Glazer eventually bought the team. Unlike Culverhouse, Glazer was not afraid to pump money into the team, and the Bucs have been a contender for most of the last decade, including a win in Super Bowl XXXVII. So as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer fan, I have the up most respect for Mr. Glazer, and we wish you a speedy recovery, because we got another Super Bowl to win.

News From Around the League:

Bucs News:
Well I have not fallen off the face of the earth, there just has not been much to write about. Sure I could have told you all that right guard Sean Mahan re-signed with the Bucs, again keeping last season offensive line together, which keeps changing the dynamics of this seasons draft. So who will the Bucs pick with the 23rd overall pick, who knows really? It could still be an offensive linemen, or a wide receiver, or they could move down and trade Simeon Rice, which is rumored. Last years draft, it was rumored that the Bucs where going to send Mr. Rice to the Chargers for one Mr. Rivers. But as we all know that did not happen.

The Bucs also brought in fullback Jerald Sowell, which I think is a good thing. Sowell is the man when it comes to blocking and has helped Curtis Martin of the Jets maintain mutliple 1,000 yard seasons. So he should be a good friend to my boy Cadillac Williams. Sowell, who worked with Bucs quarterbacks coach Paul Hackett and offensive line coach Bill Muir in New York, is expected to fill the void left on the BucsÂ’ roster by FB Jameel Cook, who signed with the Houston Texans earlier this offseason.


NFL News:
The Texans have made contract proposals to both Reggie Bush and Mario Williams, according to ESPN.com, and hope to have an agreement with one of the two in place prior to the draft April 29. Houston had David Carr signed, sealed, and delivered prior to draft day the last time they held the first overall pick. Odds are they're trying to keep the price of their top selection in check by publicly negotiating with both; they're still expected to take Bush, though a trade down that allows them to keep Domanick Davis and take Williams or D'Brickashaw Ferguson seems to make a whole lot of sense.

Linebacker LaVar Arrington agreed to terms with the Giants on a seven-year, $49 million contract, according to ESPN. Arrington got the $7 mil per year he was seeking, plus he gets to stay in the NFC East and harass his former team, the Redskins, twice a season. And there's a good possibility he'll find a way to get some pub in the media capital of the universe, too. As for the Giants, they fill a large need at linebacker heading into the draft, freeing them up to address other areas.


The Redskins signed wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (who just got there this off-season from the 49ers) to a long-term contract extension on Friday. Terms of the deal were not announced, the team's official web site reported. Lloyd was a restricted free agent this offseason and signed a one-year tender prior to being dealt from the 49ers to the Redskins. The terms are not terribly important for fantasy football owners to know. The big thing is that the two sides got a deal done, and Lloyd won't enter the 2006 season worried about working under a one-year RFA tender. He should enter training camp as the number two receiver alongside Santana Moss, although Antwaan Randle El might have something to say about that.

Ohio State wide receiver Santonio Holmes made a pre-draft visit to Denver, the Denver Post reports. All three receivers considered first-round picks—Holmes, Chad Jackson, and Sinorice Moss—have interviewed with the Broncos. After a trade with the Niners earlier this week, the Broncos now own only one pick in the first round, the No. 15 overall. Neither Holmes nor Moss is expected to command that high of a pick, but the Broncos have made as many draft deals as any team in the NFL, so you never know what's going on in Denver.

image courtesy of Profootballtalk.com

Is there trouble in paradise already:
Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens has not regularly attended the team's voluntary offseason workouts, and rumors surfaced that his lack of attendance might anger head coach Bill Parcells. Owens Jerry Jones addressed the situation on Thursday. "Bill and T.O. have worked that out. Both of them are on the same page as to how he does his workouts and the nature of his workouts. They're on the same page. I know first-hand that they're on the same page and it's not an issue with either one of them," Jones told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson said Thursday he is counting running back Priest Holmes" in" for the 2006 season. "If we had to start today, right now, the doctor would not clear him for contact," Peterson told the Associated Press. "But we don't have to start today." Holmes is still undecided on his NFL future while he recovers from head and neck trauma suffered in the middle of last season. If he does return to the Chiefs, it will most likely be as a change-of-pace to Larry Johnson, the team's unquestioned feature back.

Wide receiver Chad Johnson won't have to sweat any excessive celebration fines after agreeing to terms Thursday on a restructured contract that will pay him $35.5 million over the next six seasons. "As long as I've been doing this, I've never been able to get an extension like this," Johnson's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN.com. "In terms of 'new money,' and just being unique from the standpoint of being able to do something for a player who still had four years left on his [current] contract, it's really monumental." Johnson was slated to earn $5.75 million over the next two seasons; that total will jump to $16 million, including a $5 million signing bonus this year, another $5.75 in workout, reporting, and option bonuses over the next two seasons, and base salaries of $2.75 million in 2006 and $2.5 million in 2007. The restructuring adds two years to Johnson's existing deal, assuming the Bengals exercise the option for the 2011 season. If there were any concerns about lingering animosity between the team and Johnson with regards to the alleged locker room incident at halftime of Cincy's playoff loss, it appears they've been swept under a big pile of dollar bills.

Former Tennessee running back Eddie George, appearing as a guest host on the NFL Network, indicated he thinks ex-teammate Steve McNair is not long for the Titans, either. "Once [Titans owner] Bud Adams makes a decision about you, his mind is made up," George said on the network's "Total Access" program. George knows a little something about being run out of town by Adams; he was released by the club in 2004, when the two sides couldn't agree on a restructured contract, and spent his final season in Dallas. The Ravens are waiting for McNair to be released, which appears more likely with each day the former MVP is locked out of the Titans' training facilities. In Baltimore, he would be reunited with Derrick Mason and most certainly bump Kyle Boller to backup status.

Quarterback Joey Harrington informed the Lions on Wednesday he wants to be traded to the Dolphins, ESPN reported. "I look forward to joining the Miami Dolphins whenever I am released or a trade is completed," Harrington said in a statement. Harrington negotiated a two-year contract last week with the Dolphins, who have offered a 2007 sixth-round pick in exchange for his services. Lions president Matt Millen could refuse the offer, but he runs the risk of getting nothing in return for Harrington, who will be released before his $4 million roster bonus kicks in June 15.

Could the Bucs Go Wide Receiver with the 23rd Pick?

If you ask Coach Jon Gruden what he wants, and according to the St Pete Times , he would say:

"I would like to add another receiver."

Most of the mock drafts to include mine, have the Bucs picking an OT with their 23rd draft pick. However, due to the recent signings of offensive tackle Torrin Tucker,Guard Toniu Fonoti, and Anthony Davis' contract extension, and Kenyatta Walker resigned with the Bucs, do they really need to go after a OT in the first round. I have seen more and more mock drafts that have the Bucs now picking a wide receiver with their 23d pick. I also find some excitement in the fact that Sinorice Moss might actually drop to the Bucs. It is like I said all along, Coach Gruden loves his star players, and he knows where to find them, and he will not pass on them for a OT, or even a defensive position. Since Coach Gruden has been the head Coach, and when we finally got our 1st round picks after losing them to the Raiders. We have drafted Star Receiver Michael Clayton (hell of a rookie year, but had sophomore Slumps w/injuries, which is all to common in the NFL, plus don't forget the trend in the NFL is that a 3rd year receiver breaks out huge.) Then there was the Stud Carnell "Cadillac" Williams (NFL Rookie of the Year), who I hope does not get the sophomore Slumps. So if I was a betting man, and If Sinorice Moss falls to the 23rd spot, I think Gruden will jump on it. We really only have one WR to lead us into the future and that is Clayton. Galloway and Hilliard are sure to retire within the next couple of years.

Buccaneers Draft Central is Up.

The NFL Draft is 14 days away. Will the Texans take Reggie Bush, will the Jets and Saints trade spots? Will the Titans be forced to take Vince Young, or will Vince Young fall out of the top 5 spots?

Well if you a Bucs fan, you can catch all the draft news at the Bucs Draft Central.

This is a nice draft site that is set up to monitor the NFL Draft. You can look at all the previous Bucs drafts and read about the Draft News. There is even a contest on here, but I looked at the questions and it is not easy. However, this is a great official Buccaneer site, that I will link to my Blog.

Bucs Training Camp Date Announced.

Well it is almost that time of year, where I can drive 20 minutes from my house and see my Bucs practice and get autographs everyday. As a fan or obsessed fan as my wife likes to say, this is a great time to watch free Buccaneer football, drink $5.00 beers, and meet the players. Buccaneer training camp is just a little over three months away. Buccaneer players will arrive in Celebration, Florida on Thursday, July 27 for the beginning of their 2006 training camp.

All of the Buccaneers’ training camp practices will be open to the public. There is generally an admission fee to get into the Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, but fans attending practices are not charged. I go every year and I am looking forward to this year as well. If you get the chance to go, it is a must, but beware the Florida heat is a killer and the price of beer at Disney does not help.

During the two-a-days (practices), I recommend going during the morning hours, because sometimes the afternoon practice is called off due to lighting from the afternoon thunder storms. Believe me I know, I have spent many days at the morning practice then I head over to Downtown Disney for lunch with plains of returning to the practice field only to have it cancelled due to the lighting.

The Buccaneers while in Celebration stay at the Celebration Hotel, which is restricted to team personnel for the duration of training camp.

Anthony Davis gets contract extension

Well good news for the offensive line, today Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed left tackle Anthony Davis to a three-year $4.725 million contract. Davis played really well last season and is a bright spot on the O-line.

Davis would have been a restricted free agent after the 2006 season and an unrestricted free agent after the 2007 season. If he continued to play like he has, a team might have offered him a nice contract. This will not happen, because the Bucs are committed to keeping their players that fit, and Davis fits nicely.

Davis quickly emerged as a force in the run game, and it was usually behind Davis's blocks on the left side that rookie of the year running back Cadillac Williams ran.

"I think this is a good deal for both Anthony and the Bucs," Davis' agent, Jeff
Chilcoat told The Tampa Tribune. "It gives Anthony stability early in his career
and it gives the Bucs some stability at left tackle."

More NFL News:

Peerless Price, who forced his way out of town for more money in 2003, is a Bill once again. According to SportsTicker, Price agreed to a one-year contract on Monday. Terms of the deal were not released. Price ditched Buffalo after a career year in 2002, when he grabbed 94 receptions for 1,252 yards and nine touchdowns. After three shockingly unproductive seasons with the Falcons and Cowboys, he'll battle for a spot as the No. 2 man opposite Lee Evans in Buffalo. Considering the Bills offense and personnel looks nothing like it did when he left and that he offers a very similar skillset to Evans – namely a vertical deep threat – it's tough to get too excited about this signing. Actually, scratch that – it's tough not to scoff and shake your head in disapproval at this signing.

In the wake of recent reports that wide receiver Ashley Lelie is not working out with the team this offseason, rumors have surfaced that he is possibly on his way out of Denver. According to the Denver Post, Lelie will be a free agent at the end of the season and has not progressed as anticipated in the Broncos offense. We already know that the Broncos have expressed at least some interest in both Terrell Owens and Javon Walker this offseason, and it is possible that Lelie could be packaged in a deal for the disgruntled Packer wideout. Having said that, it's likely that too much is being made of Lelie's independent workouts, as participation in the Athletes Performance program in Arizona isn't all that uncommon.

Running back Ricky Williams should find out the consequences of his latest positive drug test on Monday (today), when the NFL holds a hearing in New York to consider his appeal, ESPN reported. Williams faces a one-year suspension from the NFL after testing positive for a banned substance toward the end of last season. He has tested positive for marijuana three times in his career. Williams' fantasy value had been on the rise in the second half of 2005 until reports surfaced in December of a fourth positive drug test. If his appeal is denied, his budding comeback will be reduced to seeds and stems.

Pewter Report tells the Truth.

The official magazine of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers "Pewter Report" blasted holes in the Tampa Tribunes article about the Bucs Dead Cap Money and why the Bucs can't afford free agents. Thanks to Pewter Report for shedding light on this topic. Basically the Tribune told Bucs fans that the Bucs were so salary cap strapped due to dead cap money that it couldn't afford to re-sign quarterback Brian Griese and sign free agent offensive tackle Tom Ashworth (New England). Pewter Report tells us what really happened with dead cap money/free agency .

Basically the Bucs have $10 million to spend, but are taking a reserved approach and making sure they resign last season starters first. Second the Bucs only have $12 million in dead cap space, which is actually at or just below the league average amount of dead cap money.

I agree with the Bucs approach this off-season. In 2004, the Bucs went crazy by over paying old free agents that hurt our salary cap for the next season. The Bucs have learned from their mistakes and are making smart decisions this season.

Buccaneers 2006 Schedule/ Player News.

Martin Gramatica has reemerged in football. The Patriots have signed kicker Martin Gramatica, reports the Associated Press. The Patriots are hoping that Gramatica can once again become Automatica, which he was known as here in the Bay area. Gramatica, who was out of football in 2005, will try to replace departed Super Bowl hero Adam Vinatieri, who defected to the Colts earlier this offseason. Terms of the deal were not released. Gramatica was a super nice guy, who's autograph I also have that goes with my collection of many Bucs Players and Coaches. I hope he does well with the Patriots and comes back as a big (little) kicker.

The Buccaneers got their man on Thursday when the Cowboys failed to match their offer to restricted free agent offensive tackle Torrin Tucker before the midnight deadline. The Tampa Tribune reports that Tucker signed a two-year, $2.6 million offer sheet with the Bucs.

Well it is that time of year, we got opening Baseball season, NHL Playoffs, but leave it to the NFL to keep making news during the off-season. The NFL Network on Thursday had a big to do about the NFL 2006 Schedule. There is some big games this season, and while it is said that the NY Giants and Bengals have the hardest schedule this up coming season, the Buccaneers are up there with a tough schedule.


2006 Buccaneers Season Schedule
-- Preseason --




Fri. Aug. 11 N.Y JETS 7:30 p.m. WFLA-TV (NBC)






Sat. Aug. 19 MIAMI 7:30 p.m. WFLA-TV (NBC)






Sat. Aug. 26 at Jacksonville 8:00 p.m. CBS (national)







Thurs. Aug. 31 at Houston 8:00 p.m. WFLA-TV (NBC)





-- Regular Season --



Sun. Sept. 10 BALTIMORE 1:00 p.m. CBS






Sun. Sept. 17 at Atlanta 1:00 p.m. FOX






Sun. Sept. 24 CAROLINA 1:00 p.m. FOX





Sun. Oct. 1 -- Bye Week --



Sun. Oct. 8 at New Orleans 1:00 p.m. FOX







Sun. Oct. 15 CINCINNATI 1:00 p.m. CBS






Sun. Oct. 22 PHILADELPHIA 1:00 p.m. FOX






Sun. Oct. 29 at N.Y. Giants 1:00 p.m. FOX






Sun. Nov. 5 NEW ORLEANS 1:00 p.m. FOX






Mon. Nov. 13 at Carolina 8:30 p.m. ESPN (national)







Sun. Nov. 19 WASHINGTON 1:00 p.m. FOX






Thurs. Nov. 23 at Dallas 4:15 p.m. FOX (national)






Sun. Dec. 3 at Pittsburgh 1:00 p.m. FOX






Sun. Dec. 10 ATLANTA 1:00 p.m. FOX








Sun. Dec. 17 at Chicago 1:00 p.m. FOX






Sun. Dec. 24 at Cleveland 1:00 p.m. FOX






Sun. Dec. 31 SEATTLE 1:00 p.m. FOX


As a season ticket holder, I love the ten home games that I get to see this year. I also love the fact that The Bucs will open and close the 2006 season at Raymond James Stadium.

The Bucs open at home against the Ravens, then on to 2 divisional games, a bye week, which comes way to early this season. Then another division game. I like the fact that the division games are early, it will get the division under way and possibly give us a little breathing room near the end of the season when the Bucs have 3 very cold-weather games in December: Super Bowl XL champion Pittsburgh on the 3rd, at NFC North champion Chicago on the 17th and at Cleveland on the 24th.

The Bucs are back on Monday Night Football this season. On Nov.13 at Carolina, the Bucs must face receiver Keyshawn Johnson adding drama to an already heated matchup.

The Bucs then Play on Thanksgiving day against none other then the Dallas Cowboys, which is looking like I might be there. If my Buddy, who goes once a year to see his Cowboys, gets the tickets.

Now matter what happens, it looks to be a good season. I am glad that I will have front row seats.

Moulds Will Make the Texans a Better Team.

It seems like an eternity that Eric Moulds has been a Buffalo Bill, but not no more.
The Bills have informed wide receiver Eric Moulds that he will be traded to the Texans. Official terms of the trade have not been released, but the Bills are expected to receive either a fourth or fifth-round pick in return, ESPN's John Clayton reported.

Moulds is a sure fix for the NFL's worst team in 2005. The Texans have signed several players this offseason, and now they got WR Eric Moulds. Moulds will complement the Texans star receiver Andre Johnson very nicely. Free agent wide receiver Jerome Pathon has also worked out for Texans coaches and would be a nice number 3 receiver. Free agent center Mike Flanagan signed a three-year contract worth about $9 million, helping the Texans offensive line. The Texans also bolstered their passing game on by signing free agent tight end Jeb Putzier.

The Texans also have the 1st pick in the 2006 draft and more then likely will pick Reggie Bush. Texans fans must be getting excited. This is a team that could go from worst to playoffs right away. Fantasy wise, I think David Carr's stock is getting ready to climb. With Andre Johnson, Eric Moulds, Jeb Putzier and Reggie Bush, Carr is sure to be a sleeper at least.

Buccaneers NFL Draft Preview:

The Buccaneers finished the season 11-5 as the NFC South Champions, only to lose in the 1st round of the Playoffs to Washington. The Buccaneers are finally back on the right track since winning Super Bowl 37. The main reason for the Buccaneers success comes from the relationship between GM Bruce Allen and Head Coach Jon Gruden. GM Bruce Allen who is considered the top salary cap manager in the league has fixed the Buccaneers salary cap woe’s that GM Rich McKay left behind. GM Bruce Allen has final say on player personal (Lynch, Sapp and McCardell), however Allen consults closely with Gruden before any decision is made. Coach Jon Gruden is the instrument that has restructured the Buccaneers into a power offense that turns ordinary quarterbacks into fantasy Studs ( Rich Gannon, and Brad Johnson in 2002). Of course you can’t talk Buccaneer football with out mentioning Monte Kiffin’s Number 1 defense.

If the Buccaneers are going to repeat as the NFC South Champions and possibly go to the Big Game, here is what needs to happen:

Building Blocks: RB Cadillac Williams: WR Joey Galloway: LB Derrick Brooks: CB Ronde Barber: DE Simeon Rice: QB Chris Simms: K Matt Bryant: DT Chris Hovan:

Need to Improve: WR Michael Clayton: Offensive Line:

Game Plan: The Buccaneers are one strong draft from returning to the Super Bowl. The Bucs could deal away one of their fifth round picks since they have two, they also lost their sixth round to the 49ers for the Tim Rattay trade last season. However, the Bucs were rewarded 3 more picks from the NFL. The Buccaneers need WR, OT, DE, CB, and DT during this draft.

Top Targets: #1 Wide Receiver, Yes I said WR, sure we have Galloway, who was outstanding and had his best season yet, but the fact is he is old and could retire within the next couple of seasons. Michael Clayton, who was a star rookie faded last season due to injuries and you never know how he will bounce back. 3rd Receiver Ike Hilliard is also getting up there in age and is normally injury prone. Sure we have Edell Shepherd and Mark Jones, and Shepherd has the speed to replace Galloway, but does he have the size to be an every-down receiver. There is a lot of mock drafts out there that have WR Sinorice Moss, the younger brother to Santana Moss falling into the Bucs hands with the 23rd overall pick. Some idiots have said

“To start out we can toss out the idea of drafting a receiver in the first
round. Maybe if Matt Millen was running the team this would be a viable option,
but the Bucs don't need to spend another first round pick on a receiver.”

Well let me tell you something, if you know Coach Gruden at all, you should know that he would never pass up a playmaker like Moss. You must think about the future and Galloway and Clayton sure does sound nice for the next 5 years, but the fact is Galloway is closing in on retirement. So Moss and Clayton sounds great.

Tampa could really use a #3 option to add depth and they could easily find a solid lineman in the 2nd round. It’s said they love Davin Joseph and he could be realistically available for them in round 2. Another thing to look at is Jon Gruden is a disciple of Mike Holmgrem and the general philosophy they follow is draft the best player available.

#2 Offensive Tackle/Guard, sure the Buccaneers have made some off-season moves at this position by bringing in Guard Toniu Fonoti, and by signing offensive tackle Torrin Tucker, a restricted free agent, to an offer sheet. Lets just say for a second the Cowboys allow Tucker to leave, and the Bucs have resigned sorry ass Kenyatta Walker, we still need help at this position if the Bucs really want to be a power house team. Last Season Rookie Dan Buenning and Anthony Davis was the only bright spots on the line. If the Bucs are able to draft OT Marcus McNeil Auburn, who is Cadillac’s old blocker or Eric Winston from Miami. With a talented tackle like Winston, the holes will be larger for Cadillac to drive through. Winston is coming off a serious knee injury, but seems to have recovered well and is an equally adept run and pass blocker. Gruden likes tough players and Winston clearly fits the bill while filling a hole for the Bucs.

#3 Defensive End, Greg Spires and Simeon Rice are both over 30, and Dewayne White, a special teams stud is waiting in the back ground, but many feel he is not an every-down end. The Bucs could afford to find a nice DE in the later rounds of the 1st day or even perhaps during the 2nd day of the draft.

#4 Cornerbacks, again this position is aging. Sure Ronde Barber, Brian Kelly and Juran Bolden form a great trio, but they are 30+ . The Bucs could use this draft to find a CB to start developing. Of course this could happen in the later rounds. Then next years draft we could find another CB.

#5 Defensive Tackles, we are looking good up front with the Bucs resigning Chris Hovan, and Booger restructuring to remain a Buc. However, Ellis Wyms struggles against the run. Anthony Bryant, the 2nd year 6-3, 337 lbs Dt could fit in nicely. He is said to remind people of Green Bays Gilbert Brown. However the Bucs could still draft a good DT in the later rounds.

We are looking good at LB and do not need to daft at this position:
With Derrick Brooks and Shelton Quarles being the old guys, the Bucs still have Marquis Cooper, Ryan Nece, Wesly Mallard, Antoine Cash, Jermaine Taylor, Barrett Ruud, and they just added veteran Jamie Winborn from free agency. Winborn is a former San Francisco 49er and Jacksonville linebacker, a second-round draft pick in 2001.

The outlook for the Buccaneers is great in fact, most sports writers are now picking the Bucs as a possible NFC Team to be in the Super Bowl.

Gruden trying to Get Phil more active with Bucs.

It is not every family tree that produces a Super Bowl winning quarterback let alone two, but that could happen for the Simms; If Chris Simms becomes the quarterback that his father once was. I think the Buccaneers are on the right track and I think Chris Simms will be our quarterback of the future. I have been down on Simms in the past and even one point last season, I would have preferred Tim Rattay. However, Chris Simms silenced this critic and turned me into a fan. I am so glad Simms is the starter and Griese is gone. But like Coach Jon Gruden, I wish Phil Simms would get more involved with the Bucs and help coach his son. Here is what Coach Gruden had to say.

Gruden he hopes to convince Simms' father, Super Bowl-winning quarterback Phil, to have some level of involvement with the Bucs.

"He doesn't come around," Gruden said. "We're trying to get him to come around
some more because I'd like to be around Phil Simms. He gives me confidence
being around guys like that." It might be tricky with Phil working for CBS
during the season. Plus, as Gruden said, Phil "likes to stay in the
background."

That won't stop Gruden:

"I'm trying to encourage him to get a little closer to the situation
because I think he could help us."

This could be huge is Gruden could somehow get Phil Simms to assist the Bucs and his son Chris Simms even if it was only for a few days. I am not sure it will happen with Phil Simms busy schedule, but even a couple days at training camp would be nice.

Chris Simms has said several times that it is an honor being Phil Simms son and he has no problem with that tag.

Other New: My good blog buddy JD over at JDs chronicle is back up and running. He has a nice Patriots Blog, and talks a little other NFL football too. He also had Super nice things to say about this Blog and Cutthroat Pirate, so if you get a chance check his blog out. It makes for good reading. Welcome back JD

NFL News:
What are the Dolphins doing. I am not sure I agree with this move, but Lions quarterback Joey Harrington was leaning toward agreeing to a contract proposed by the Dolphins on Saturday, according to the Miami Herald. The deal is reportedly for two years and would be worth about $2 million this season. The Bengals also have an offer on the table to the former first-round pick. Once Harrington agrees to a deal, the Lions and Dolphins will need to work out a trade that will likely net the Lions a Day 2 pick. Miami doesn't have a fifth- or sixth-round pick this year, but they could trade away one next year. Harrington prefers South Beach to Cincinnati because he and his agent, who also represents Carson Palmer, think he has a better chance of getting playing time in Miami this year while Daunte Culpepper recovers from his knee injury and learns a new system.

Here is one for JD: The Patriots are interested in acquiring the services of free agent wideout Peerless Price, who played in Dallas last season before being cut in November, according to ESPN.com. This could help the Patriots in depth at WR. Price had a few good season in Buffalo as the number two wide out behind Moulds, but when he arrived in Atlanta, he never had what it took to be the man. So with Branch as the Pats number one guy, Price could be a nice number 2 again.

Nate Burleson will be running routes for the NFC champs this season. The Vikings confirmed to the Minneapolis Star Tribune late Friday afternoon that they are not matching the contract offer that the Seahawks made to their restricted free agent wide receiver. Burleson will make $49 million over the seven year deal. The contract, which includes a pair of "poison pills" that prevented the Vikings from matching, is back-loaded, so Burleson will make $14.5 million over the first four years. As compensation, the Vikings will receive the Seahawks third round pick in next month's draft. Burleson appeared on the verge of becoming a super star after his breakout 2004 campaign, but injuries and the general ineptitude of the Vikings offense limited him to 328 yards and one touchdown in 2005. The Vikings now have five picks in the first three rounds of April's draft.