2011 Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Expert Predictions, Picks, 2012 Vegas Super Bowl Odds and Schedule – Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Football Season Preview: Thanks to the emergence of young players on both sides of the ball, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made serious strides last season. They finished the year with a 10-6 record, narrowly missing out on the postseason in a tough NFC South. The question now becomes whether or not Tampa Bay’s young players are ready to take the next step and become stars and whether or not the Buccaneers are ready to take the next step as a team and make the playoffs. The answer to the former will inevitably determine the latter, but this franchise has plenty of promise heading into the 2011-12 campaign.
Leading the youth movement last season was 23-year-old quarterback Josh Freeman. The second-year starter threw for 25 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Freeman is also blessed with plenty of athleticism, and only Mike Vick ran for more yards as a QB last season. Many experts thought the Buccaneers were reaching when they took Freeman in the first round in 2009, but he is on the verge of joining the elite signal callers in the NFL and certainly has the makings of a franchise player. If he continues to improve, the team will follow suit.
Freeman developed immediate chemistry with rookie wide receiver Mike Williams. The two hooked up for 11 touchdowns, and they could become the league’s next great duo. Tight end Kellen Winslow emerged as a reliable option over the middle as well, and receiver Arrelious Benn has the speed needed to be a big play option. As Freeman and his receivers get more reps together, the passing attack should only get tougher for opponents to stop.
Last year’s other breakout star was running back LeGarrette Blount. Best known in college for punching a Boise State player, Blount never looked back after finally getting the starting nod. He topped 1,000 yards in 2010-11 despite just 200 carries. As if the more than five yards per carry weren’t impressive enough, Blount amassed the numbers behind an inconsistent offensive line. The good news for Tampa Bay and for Blount is that the line is filled with talented prospects, and another year of experience should lead to more consistent running lanes. If last season was any indication, Blount could challenge for the rushing title this year, and the Buccaneers should have one of the more balanced offenses in the NFL.
After ranking in the top 10 in both points allowed and passing yards, Tampa Bay spent most of its draft picks retooling a front seven that got torched by opposing running backs last year. Defensive end Adrian Clayborn was the Buccaneers’ first-round pick, and NCAA sack leader and fellow DE Da’Quan Bowers was added in the second round. Linebacker Mason Foster, who led the NCAA in tackles last year, was picked up in the third round. Throw in defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Brian Price – Tampa Bay’s top two picks last year – and the front seven is loaded with potential. The secondary could struggle early in the season as cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Tanard Jackson serve suspensions for off-the-field issues. However, this unit could develop into something special.
Tampa Bay has as much young talent as any franchise in the NFL. With Freeman, Blount and Williams, the Buccaneers have potential stars at all the important skill positions. On the defensive side of the ball, Tampa Bay will put its fate in the hands of several young players. Last year, the Buccaneers snuck up on a lot of teams. That won’t happen this season. Freeman and company have to prove they can handle life as one of the top teams in the NFL, and they have to do so in a division with Super Bowl contenders New Orleans and Atlanta. The Buccaneers should be able to finish above .500 once again. That being said, they will likely have to wait a year for the defense to mature before knocking off the top dogs and making the playoffs.
Preseason 2011 Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 Super Bowl: +4050
Odds to Win 2011 NFC Championship: +2050
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2011 Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Football Schedule
1 Sunday Sep. 11 1:00 PM Lions – – –
2 Sunday Sep. 18 1:00 PM at Vikings – – –
3 Sunday Sep. 25 4:15 PM Falcons – – –
4 Monday Oct. 3 8:30 PM Colts – – –
5 Sunday Oct. 9 4:05 PM at 49ers – – –
6 Sunday Oct. 16 4:15 PM Saints – – –
7 Sunday Oct. 23 1:00 PM Bears – – –
8 Bye Week
9 Sunday Nov. 6 1:00 PM at Saints – – –
10 Sunday Nov. 13 1:00 PM Texans – – –
11 Sunday Nov. 20 1:00 PM at Packers – – –
12 Sunday Nov. 27 1:00 PM at Titans – – –
13 Sunday Dec. 4 1:00 PM Panthers – – –
14 Sunday Dec. 11 1:00 PM at Jaguars – – –
15 Saturday Dec. 17 8:20 PM Cowboys – – –
16 Saturday Dec. 24 1:00 PM at Panthers – – –
17 Sunday Jan. 1 1:00 PM at Falcons – – –
Check out NSAwins.com’s official 2011 NFL Over Under Team Wins Odds and Predictions and 2011 NFC South Odds and Predictions articles.
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