After a breakout season in 2010, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were expected to duplicate their success last year. Instead, they had a major collapse and finished last in the NFC South with a putrid 4-12 record. There are definitely some holes the team needs to address, but despite that, I believe the team is more than capable of bouncing back to have a winning record in 2012. One position where they won't have a problem is at wide receiver, as they went out and signed Vincent Jackson from San Diego. Here are some of the Buccaneers' big additions and subtractions so far in the young offseason, plus a breakdown of their biggest needs heading into the draft.
Additions:
Nfl 2012
WR Vincent Jackson
G Carl Nicks
CB Eric Wright
DT Amobi Okoye
QB Dan Orlovsky
Subtractions:
DT Albert Haynesworth
QB Josh Johnson
WR/KR Micheal Spurlock
S Tanard Jackson
RB Kregg Lumpkin
DE Tim Crowder
Top 5 Needs:
1. Cornerback
In a tough division dominated by the likes of quarterbacks Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton, the Buccaneers' top priority this offseason should be adding a top-flight corner prospect. Tampa was able to re-sign Ronde Barber and add Eric Wright in free agency, but the team has very little depth after those two, since Aquib Talib was sent to prison. Barber continues to play at a high level despite his age, but for how long? LSU's Morris Claiborne could be available with the fourth pick, and if he is available then the Buccaneers should jump on the opportunity to draft him. The team, however, seems more enamored of Alabama running back Trent Richardson.
2. Linebacker
This unit really underwhelmed last season. Rookie middle linebacker Mason Foster either needs to show considerable improvement moving forward or they need to move him to the outside. Strongside linebacker Quincy Black isn't really much of an option for the Buccaneers, and they have yet to re-sign Geno Hayes. Tampa really needs to seriously consider using either their second or third pick, if not both, to fill this need.
3. Right Tackle
Starting right tackle Jeremy Trueblood was a monumental disappointment in his time with the team and the Buccaneers are better off finding someone else to replace him.
4. Running Back
LaGarrette Blount is such a tremendous athlete that it can get so disappointing when he still doesn't know how to pass protect. The guy could be one of the top running backs in the NFL, but as of right now, he is a huge liability in passing situations. He is still quite young, though, and a lot of young backs struggle early on in their career, so I'm looking forward to an eventual turn around for the young talent. The Bucs did lose Kregg Lumpkin in free agency, so I have them addressing this need through free agency.
5. Free Safety
Tampa Bay decided to cut starting free safety Tanard Jackson, and will need to find a replacement. This draft class is extremely thin at safety, so I look for the Bucs to address this need via free agency.
2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offseason Needs
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