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Ben Ice gives his fantasy take on the 2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
OVERVIEW
While Jon Gruden is known for his complex passing schemes, it was the ground game, led by practice squad player-turned-Superman Earnest Graham, that helped the Bucs avoid a third straight sub .500 season and likely saved the coach's job. Led by one of the most talented offensive lines the Bucs have seen since former All-Pro Paul Gruber anchored the unit, the running game helped the Bucs finish 18th overall offensively. While this might not seem all that hot, remember that the Super Bowl champion Bucs team of 2002 ranked 19th offensively. In 2007, the defense was the big surprise, ranking second overall and in points allowed. So, what does a fantasy player have to look forward to from the Bucs? While the pickings are slim, there are a couple of players worth drafting and some sleepers worth keeping an eye on. Graham is the best value pick by far. He really only played in 13 games, yet still managed to deliver 898 yards rushing with 10 TDs, adding 49 receptions for 324 yards. If you ran out of fingers adding that all up, it works out to 1,222 total yards and 10 TDs in 13 games. If you do a wee bit of extrapolation to a 16-game season, you’ll come up with 1,598 yards from scrimmage, including 64 pass receptions. That is easily a solid RB2 and darn close to a low-end RB1 production, yet his Mock Draft Central average draft position of 34 represents a late third-round selection. For the most part, the rest of the team is a collection of second, third, and fourth tier players who are only viable as backups. However, there are some sleepers worth watching. Joey Galloway is still fast, and as of now, it looks like no one will unseat him as the WR1. But watch Michael Clayton, who is definitely a player that should be on your radar screen. After busting out as a rookie in 2004 with 80 receptions, 1,193 yards, and seven TDs, Clayton burned fantasy owners the following year, never seeming to hit his stride. Fantasy players tend to have very short memories, which will play to your advantage. In 2005 and the early part of 2006, Clayton was hobbled with a series of injuries, most notably his knee. In 2006, having sunk to the bottom of the depth chart, he put too much pressure on himself, going from a sure-handed, hard running WR to a Pewter and Red version of Koren Robinson. Now a five-year veteran, Bucs fans saw the return last year of the hard-nosed, determined WR of 2004. This is the stuff of fantasy GM legend if he pans out, and Clayton won’t cost you much since he is likely an end of draft selection at best. |
PROJECTED DEPTH CHART Players listed in order of fantasy relevance. Recommended round to draft in standard 10 to 12-team leagues with 16 rounds in parentheses. Sleepers marked with a * Quarterback: Jeff Garcia (15), Luke McCown Running Back: Earnest Graham (3), Warrick Dunn (11), Michael Bennett, Carnell Williams Wide Receiver: Joey Galloway (8), Michael Clayton*, Ike Hilliard, Antonio Bryant*, Paris Warren* Tight End: Alex Smith, Ben Troupe Kicker: Matt Bryant  | The weather is hot, but the offense isn't. Photo Credit: neeekster100 |
NOTABLE PLAYER MOVES Additions: RB Warrick Dunn, C Jeff Faine, QB Brian Griese
Subtractions: RB Michael Pittman 2008 ROOKIES TO WATCH Round One: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
Round Two: Dexter Jackson, KR, Appalachian State
Round Five: Josh Johnson, QB, San Diego TOP POSITION BATTLE WR: Ike Hilliard vs. Michael Clayton, Antonio Bryant, Maurice Stovall, Paris Warren 2008 SCHEDULE Top matchups in bold Sept. 7: at New Orleans
Sept. 14: Atlanta
Sept. 21: at Chicago
Sept. 28: Green Bay
Oct. 5: at Denver
Oct. 12: Carolina
Oct. 19: Seattle
Oct. 26: at Dallas
Nov. 2: at Kansas City
Week 10 BYE
Nov. 16: Minnesota
Nov 23: at Detroit
Nov. 20: New Orleans
Dec. 8: at Carolina
Dec. 14: at Atlanta
Dec. 21: San Diego
Dec. 28: Oakland 2008 FANTASY POSITIONAL OUTLOOKS  | | Jeff Garcia can still manage an offense very well. Photo Credit: Bucsfan29 |
Quarterback
With an aging wide receiver corps, the Buccaneers struggled mightily on offense last year. Incumbent QB Jeff Garcia had his worst statistical year as a starter since entering the NFL in 1999 with the San Francisco 49ers. At 37 years old, Garcia is solidly ensconced as the starter, but his scrambling style invites trouble. Garcia has had issues with concussions, and that could open the door for either Luke McCown or recent free-agent acquisition Brian Griese. Expect McCown, who showed excellent mobility, but not the best-decision making last year while substituting for Garcia, to earn the backup job. But don't forget Griese, who will be lurking close by. From a fantasy perspective, expect Garcia, if he stays healthy, to have a better year, but he still rates no better than a low-end QB2. Running Back
While the talk in fantasy circles surrounds the recent signing of former Buccaneer Warrick Dunn, Earnest Graham is the starter and shouldn’t lose any touches. Graham showed a hard-nosed running style that kept many a Tampa drive alive last season, and Gruden would be foolish to tinker with that success. Dunn projects more as a flanker, playing the role of former Buc Michael Pittman. Michael Bennett, while fast, struggled to learn the playbook and is likely no more than a change-of-pace back to keep Graham fresh throughout the season. Graham is the only RB worthy of a draft pick and should easily outperform his current ADP of 34. Wide Receiver
Joey Galloway spent most of his early career bouncing back and forth between the active list and the IR. He’s been healthy for the last three years, and while his receptions have dropped steadily since his breakout 2005 season, his yards per catch (YPC) has risen from 15.5 to 17.8. At 36 (he’ll turn 37 on November 20), it doesn’t seem as though he’s lost a step. However, if he has health issues due to age and an off-season shoulder surgery, the Bucs could find themselves scrambling to find his successor. Ike Hilliard is another veteran who revived his career last year, proving to be the most reliable possession receiver on the team and Garcia’s go-to guy on third downs. He’ll be pressed hard by fifth year pro Michael Clayton, who improved steadily last year and looks to make a move for the No. 2 spot. Maurice Stovall is a big target but has had problems creating separation. He likely projects more as a special teams and bench depth player. Antonio Bryant has been impressive during the off-season and could play a key role in three and four WR sets, but the real gem to watch is Paris Warren. Warren was the darling of the 2007 camp, before breaking his ankle in the last game of the preseason. It was widely assumed that he had easily won the WR2 spot on the team, showing excellent route-running skills and acceleration after the catch. Warren is likely to be submerged on the depth charts in the early going, as he tests his healed wheels, but watch him closely as a possible breakout candidate. Rookie Dexter Jackson has 4.36 speed and will likely debut as the team’s kick returner, but if he develops, he could provide another burner for the Tampa offense. Tight End
Tight ends are not fantasy-friendly in Gruden's system. Tampa has three serviceable pass catching TEs in Alex Smith, Jerramy Stevens, and Ben Troupe, but he never relies on any one of them for a discernable number of plays. Kicker
Matt Bryant reprises his role as the Buccaneers kicker, but he rarely hits one from outside 50 yards. He is nothing more than a bye week replacement. Defense/Special Teams
Tampa’s defense was one of the most underrated fantasy units last year. Free agent acquisitions Kevin Carter (DL), Jovan Haye (DL), and Greg White (DL) combined for 17 sacks, 137 tackles, and seven fumble recoveries. Rookie Gaines Adams showed marked improvement coming off the edge, and after starting out on the bench, he finished strong with six sacks. The strength of the defense is still among the linebackers, led by future Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks. Cato June, acquired in 2007, returns healthy to team with MLB Barrett Ruud, the teams leading tackler. Last year, the Bucs owned the second-best pass defense in the league. Unfortunately, starting CB Brian Kelly bought out the final year of his contract to play for Detroit, leaving a gaping hole that will likely be filled by either rookie Aqib Talib or Phillip Buchanon. The best value for IDP players after Ruud comes via second-year free safety Tanard Jackson, who fills the highlight reels with bone-jarring tackles. It wasn’t uncommon last year to see opposing WRs suddenly get gator arms when Jackson was nearby. Overall, the defense likely slips a few notches, as opposing QBs will test the weakened LCB spot. Offensive Line
The offensive line will be the strength of the team this year. Former first-round pick Davin Joseph and second-rounders Jeremy Trueblood and Aaron Sears played extremely well as a unit. The addition of Jeff Faine, who is one of the most physical centers in the game, and the return of former Giant Luke Petitgout give them a young (average age 24.5) and physical front line that can punish opposing defenses in the running game and provide above-average protection on passing downs. Averaging a little over 310 across the front, this could be one of the most improved offensive lines in the NFL. Former undrafted free agent and part time starter Donald Penn, Anthony Davis and Dan Buenning provide excellent depth. Ben Ice is the grand poobah of RotoExperts.com and still enjoys cranking out some fantasy analysis when he isn’t busy making deals to expand the RotoExperts empire. If you need some quality content, have an invite to the Playboy mansion for him, or just want to talk fantasy football, e-mail Ben at
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