Preview: Buccaneers’ offense has great potential for ‘06

By Connor Byrne  |   Tuesday, August 22, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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In 2005, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFC South title in spite of their mediocre offense. In 2006, that average unit is hoping to turn into one of the league's best, and it's not an impossibility. With a bevy of young, talented weapons, the Bucs could easily find themselves among the NFL's upper-echelon offenses.

For the first time since Brad Johnson was in town, the quarterback position is settled. Fourth-year man Chris Simms has finally been given the opportunity to be the opening-day starter, and he looks to be one of the most underrated young quarterbacks in the game. After coming in for the injured Brian Griese last year, Simms, a former third-round pick from Texas, threw 10 touchdown passes in as many starts and seemed to grow up more with each outing.

In the Bucs' January playoff loss to the Washington Redskins, Simms' numbers were poor, but the 25-year-old showed plenty of veteran poise in a late comeback bid that ultimately failed. However, having learned plenty of lessons from the '05 campaign, expect Simms to become a capable full-time No. 1 QB. Tampa's coaching staff certainly has confidence in him, since the steady Griese was released in the offseason. This will be the season Chris Simms finally emerges from the shadow of his father, Phil, a former New York Giants Super Bowl-winning QB.

At the running back position, Tampa Bay is in even better position with Cadillac. Second-year man Carnell Williams enters the season with some of the highest expectations in the league. The ex-first-round pick won the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in '05, rushing for an impressive 1,178 yards.

Williams, a former Auburn star, clearly wore down last season since he wasn't used to the rigors of carrying the load in the pros. Now, thanks to being in better shape, the 5-foot-11, 217-pounder should be more than durable enough for this year. And that's undoubtedly good news for the Buccaneers.

Not surprisingly, the fullback position is once again locked down by cagey veteran Mike Alstott. The 248-pound bruiser began to show signs of age last year (he's 32) but still managed to cross the opposing goal-line six times. If Cadillac can't roll into the end zone because of injury or exhaustion, look for Alstott to bang his way into plenty of defenders for some key touchdowns.

When it comes to the Bucs' aerial attack, the abovementioned Simms will have quite a few capable targets at his disposal. The wide receiver position is held down by Michael Clayton and Joey Galloway at the starting spots, with some solid backups behind them.

Clayton, a star in 2004, his rookie season, was bogged down by injuries last year. His health seems to be coming back, which should enable him to close in on regaining his rookie form. The 34-year-old Galloway, meanwhile, likely won't near his totals from '05 (83 catches, 1,287 yards, 10 touchdowns), but a Clayton renaissance would at least balance things out.

Tampa also has one of the better tight end tandems in the game, with second-year man Alex Smith and 29-year-old Anthony Becht. The 258-pound Smith is the more adept pass catcher of the pair, having caught 41 in his rookie year. Becht, a six-year veteran, is the better blocker, however. The 272-pounder is essentially an extra offensive lineman for head coach Jon Gruden and offensive coordinator Bill Muir.

The Buccaneers' offensive line was porous in the pass blocking department last season, allowing a total of 41 sacks to Griese and Simms. The front five still remains a concern, with a group of no-names helming the current starting group. Tampa lists Anthony Davis, Dan Buenning, John Wade, Sean Mahan and Kenyatta Walker as its hogs up front. The key positive to take from the group is the players' extraordinary ability to stay healthy. All five No. 1's started in each of the Bucs' 16 games last year, which should lead to further cohesion and more consistent performance this season.

Davis, the left tackle formerly from Virginia Tech, was mediocre last year, taking eight penalties and allowing an unimpressive 7 ½ sacks. Second-year man Buenning, the left guard, was extremely promising as a rookie. The former fourth-rounder out of Wisconsin was sturdy up front, taking five penalties and giving up only two sacks.

Wade was also solid at center, being charged with only two penalties and surrendering three sacks.

Right guard Mahan needs to cut down on his seven penalties taken, but he made up for it in the sacks allowed department (three). Finally, Walker has been the biggest disappointment of the group. A first-round pick in 2001, the 302-pounder took an eye-catching 10 penalties and gave up 5 ½ sacks in the process - certainly not good enough for the RT position by Tampa's standards.

Outside of their solid group of starters on offense, the Buccaneers' depth is obviously top notch. Running back Michael Pittman and receivers David Boston, Ike Hilliard and Maurice Stovall come to the fore at the skill positions, while 350-pounder Toniu Fonoti and rookies Jeremy Trueblood (second-round RT) and Davin Joseph (first-round RG) stand out on the o-line.

With their up-and-coming offensive attack, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers seem to have what it takes to compete for a second straight NFC South crown. It isn't going to be easy, but the unit has a terrific mix of veterans and youngsters worthy of experiencing big-time success.

Final prediction: There's no way this group finishes 20th in points scored and 23rd in total yardage, respectively, like it did last season. Instead, look for the offense to approach the top half of the league, but don't be shocked if it ends in the front dozen.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com.

Realfootball365.com will present a 2006 defensive preview for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week.
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