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Disclaimer: I am not a professional or a psychic. Your predictions are as good as mine, unless they're something really crazy.
2014 Record: 2-14
Cuts: Michael Johnson, Anthony Collins, Josh McCown,
Losses: Adrian Clayborn, Mason Foster
Trades: Mark Barron to the Rams for a 4th and 6th, a 5th round pick for George Johnson and a 7th, Dashon Goldson and a seventh to the Redskins for a sixth round pick.
Signings: Tim Wright, Sterling Moore, Chris Conte, Henry Melton, Bruce Carter, D.J. Swearinger, Tony McDaniel
Draft Class: Jameis Winston, Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet, Kwon Alexander, Kenny Bell, Kaelin Clay, Joey Isoefa
Questions:
Can Jameis stay on the straight and narrow and make a positive impact on the Buccaneers franchise?
Can the Buccaneers get better play on their offensive and defensive lines?
Defense:
The Buccaneers defense had little talent outside of Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David and the Buccaneers hope that bringing in Tony McDaniel, Henry Melton, and Bruce Carter will give the Buccaneers a better front seven. The Buccaneers also added Sterling Moore, D.J. Swearinger, and Chris Conte (a Lovie Smith draftee) into a defensive backfield that could use some talent. Mix all this in with another year to master Lovie's system, and the Buccaneers' defense should improve in 2015.
Offense:
The Buccaneers biggest need here was a quarterback, as it was obvious that Josh McCown and Mike Glennon were not the answer and they hope that first overall pick Jameis Winston is the answer. The Buccaneers drafted Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet this offseason to help stabilize a line that includes Evan Smith, former Pro Bowler Logan Mankins, and an underrated right tackle in Demar Dotson. The Buccaneers also need something from one of their runningbacks, be he former Pro Bowler Doug Martin or 2014 draft pick Charles Sims. The one thing the Buccaneers do have is big, athletic targets for Jameis to throw to. They have Vincent Jackson, Mike Evans, Tim Wright, and Austin Seferian-Jenkins to go up and catch balls for Jameis.
Predictions:
Austin Seferian-Jenkins has 600 yards and 8 touchdowns this season.
Mike Evans has 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns this season and doubles his number of 100 yard games this season to eight.
Vincent Jackson fails to have 1,000 yards receiving and gets released after the season.
Charles Sims has 800 rushing yards and takes the lead runningback job. The Buccaneers let Doug Martin walk after the season.
Jameis has 3,200 yards passing along with 20 touchdowns and 13 Interceptions.
The Buccaneers defense is 20th overall in the league.
Best Case Scenario: The Buccaneers get better play from their offensive and defensive lines, they start to generate a middle of the pack rushing offense, and Jameis Winston looks like a competent NFL quarterback.
Worst Case Scenario: The offense and defense remain wretched and Jameis is a turnover machine in the NFL.
Wins: Washington Redskins, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers
Losses: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys
Record: 5-11
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