Countdown to the Draft: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NFC South (11-5)

When he arrived in Tampa Bay, John Gruden was pretty much set. He had Tony Dungy’s players who were all well-coached and hard-working. After winning the 2003 Super Bowl, he made for himself a reputation of being somehwat of a genius. He was so young, yet already so accomplished.

After the 2003 Super Bowl, however, things pretty much started to fall apart in the Tampa Bay organization, and people began to wonder if maybe he was the one responsible. Had the Bucs missed out on the playoffs this year, it’s very possible he would have gotten the axe. However, they didn’t miss out, but they fell in the first round at home to the Redskins.

I think they pretty much have their quarterback of the future with Chris Simms. Sure, he has a few things that he could work on, but so do Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Getting Cadillac Williams where they did last year was an absolute steal, and with a couple other guys behind him, they’re set at running back. They could probably use a reciever or two, because their receivers are all aging fast and their most productive reciever is Joey Galloway. They might also try to grab a lineman, as they did have issues last year with having enough protections and big enough holes for the running game. At tight end they’re doing pretty well, as, strangely enough, they got the best Alex Smith in the draft in the third round.

On defense they were good last year, but you can always be better. A good corner could really help them out, as could a defensive lineman.