See why NFL analyst Maurice Jones-Drew has some concerns about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season.
On paper, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look like a team ready to play in Super Bowl LV, which just so happens to be at Raymond James Stadium next year.
Tom Brady’s arrival has injected new life and excitement into a franchise and fan base looking for a return to the glory days, when a dominant defense and balanced offense helped lead the Bucs to their one and only Super Bowl win following the 2002 season.
With the Bucs, Brady will have one of the most talented offenses he’s ever worked with in his two decades in the NFL thanks to wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans along with tight end Rob Gronkowski. Plus, the addition of veteran running back LeSean McCoy can’t be overlooked.
But as talented as this team looks, Maurice Jones-Drew over at NFL.com had the Bucs sitting at No. 4 on his list of the 10 most talented teams. Surprisingly, he had both the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons ranked ahead of Tampa Bay at one and two, respectively.
Here’s what MJD said about the Bucs:
“There’s no shortage of talent in the NFC South, with three teams landing in the top four of this list. The Bucs finished third in total and scoring offense a year ago, then went out and signed six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady and traded for future Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski, who came out of retirement to rejoin Brady and the Bucs. This is the scariest passing unit in the league right now, and to be frank, I don’t know how defenses can stop an offense that has Brady, Gronk, O.J. Howard, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Drafting one of the top O-line prospects, Tristan Wirfs, to protect Brady, who’ll be 43 on Aug. 3, only helps. The Bucs’ defense features a linebacking crew full of stars — OLBs Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaq Barrett and ILBs Lavonte David and Devin White — but the secondary is an area of concern. The bottom line with Tampa: The team’s talent pool is top-heavy — which is enough to put the Bucs above both Super Bowl LIV reps.”
MJD is right about the secondary, although there’s reason for optimism. From Week 10 on last season the Bucs allowed 50 less passing yards per game, and the addition of safety Antoine Winfield Jr. should provide a spark for the unit as well.
The battle for the NFC South crown will make this division one of the most challenging this season. Three future Hall of Fame quarterbacks going at it along with a Carolina Panthers team that will look to play spoiler to all three.
Should be a fun watch.
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