The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went just 7-9 in their first season under Bruce Arians, but should improve on that record in 2020 thanks to the addition of quarterback Tom Brady.
The arrival of the six-time Super Bowl champion to the postseason-hungry Buccaneers seems like a recipe for instant success. Brady will be commanding one of the best offenses in the league and will have an experienced head coach in Arians to help make his transition to a new team easier.
Adam Schein over at NFL.com loves the Buccaneers’ roster, and had them at No. 5 on his list of the nine most complete teams entering the 2020 season.
Per Schein:
“Much has been written about the offense. Not surprising, with Tom Brady’s relocation to Tampa. The G.O.A.T is still great — and now he has the league’s premier 1-2 punch at receiver in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. And Rob Gronkowski’s reuniting with the quarterback, while joining a TE group that already included O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate. Talk about a wealth of receiving options! Not to mention, the Buccaneers’ O-line got better with the addition of No. 13 overall pick Tristan Wirfs.
“But the defense is what sells Tampa Bay as a total package. In the second half of last season, when the Bucs’ young secondary started to come into its own, this D was top-tier. Vita Vea and Ndamukong Suh form a brick wall against the run, Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul hunt quarterbacks off the edge, and Lavonte David and Devin White comprise the best linebacking duo in the game.”
Schein makes a great point about the defense. The Bucs’ offense has never been an issue. After all, they finished third overall last season despite Jameis Winston throwing 30 interceptions and getting sacked 47 times.
The question about the Bucs and their ability to compete in the NFC in 2020 has always been about their defense. The secondary came on strong last year, and the drafting of safety Antoine Winfield Jr. should only add to the explosiveness of this unit. Plus, Todd Bowles is one of the best defensive minds in the game today.
This Bucs squad is the real deal, and it seems some think they have what it takes to win the NFC this year.
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