In 2017, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished fourth in the NFC South for the ninth time since the division was created ahead of the 2002 NFL Season.
Since 2002, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have twice followed fourth place finishes with division titles in the following season.
Of course, this team also spent eight straight seasons living in the bottom half of the division as well. So there’s history for both a resurgence and continued struggles.
Which team will we find this year? Well, with off-season programs really just beginning to ramp up we still have a good amount of time before we find out.
But, this hasn’t stopped many from making early predictions. One such prediction has involved all cellar dwellers from last season as Dan Hanzus posted his thoughts about which teams in the NFL could go from worst-to-first in their respective divisions.
Where did the Tampa Bay Buccaneers place? In the ‘High-ceiling/low-floor club’.
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According to his writing found on NFL.com, this category is,
"”Reserved for teams set up either for instant, enviable success or staggering, heart-wrenching sadness. This ain’t 8-8 territory.”"
The Bucs are joined in this club by one other franchise, the New York Giants. Funny enough, the two will face each other. So if this isn’t 8-8 territory like he writes, then perhaps that match-up will be the swing game?
What struck me specifically is the low-floor categorizing of the 2018 Bucs. This is similar to what just about everyone expected last season.
A fully weaponized offense with a defense which finished strong at the end of 2016 looking to get even better one-year later.
We don’t have to further re-hash what transpired.
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Hanzus writes he was offended by the 2017 version of this team, and he wasn’t alone.
This year, the team has a new exciting runnning back to add to their 2017 bloomer, Peyton Barber.
Veteran’s Jacquizz Rodgers and Charles Sims join them to round out a pretty solid looking running back group on paper. Even if you don’t like Sims.
But they aren’t the only offense in the south. In fact, every team in the NFC South is confident in their offense. Even the Panthers.
So, really, it seems defense will likely be the key here. Jason Licht and his staff certainly attacked this side of the ball, but how will all the new additions fit in and fill-out the roster?
Early reports are positive. Even though we’ve yet to see Jason Pierre-Paul with his new teammates, and Brent Grimes hasn’t been around to bond with his shiny new rookies, things are looking good.
The NFC South was a closer division in talent than some of the record differentials may have let on. Hanzus realizes this, and I’m sure the Saints, Falcons and Panthers do as well.
It’ll be a hard fought season, but yes, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are certainly capable of going worst-to-first in 2018.