1. QB Josh Freeman- Uh...the reason why they were above .500 last year. Talk about clutch performers, this guy can ball with the best of them in crunch time.

2. RB LeGarrette Blount- Elusive as hell, you gotta give this guy more credit. I mean, you've punched someone in the face before, right? I hope so, because you've devoided yourself of all manliness if not.

3. WR Mike Williams- The Bucs have a great young core on offense indeed

4. CB Aqib Talib- Mel Kiper Jr. was right on with this guy when he said he had all the tools to make big plays, but lacks the technique and can get beat rather easily. That's not to mention the off-the-field concerns with this knucklehead.

5. DT Gerald McCoy- No offense Mr. McCoy, but you know there's something wrong with the talent level on your team when he is one of your top five best players.

6. LB Quincy Black- An underrated linebacker, but it seems like he is rather high. He isn't, that's the Bucs for you.

7. TE Kellen Winslow- Hey Freeman, buddy, please throw it at this guy some more. He can play some damn good football.

8. SS Sean Jones- Has played great this season after a disappointing year in 2010.

9. DT Brian Price- He and McCoy are pretty good at bringing the heat up the middle.

10. LT Donald Penn- No matter how overrated I think this guy is, he's still not all bad.

11. WR Arrelious Benn- This ranking is based on potential all alone. He's gotta put it together himself so that the picture connects.

12. CB Ronde Barber- Was huge last game and is showing us that he still has some talent left.

13. DE Adrian Clayborn- Was last week his rookie breakout game? He was incredible after two poor weeks to begin the season. Although that game was against the lowly Sam Baker, he was still absolutely dominating.

14. LB Geno Hayes- Yeah, it's the Bucs.

15. WR Sammie Stroughter- No, your mom doesn't play for the Bucs.

16. DE Da'Quan Bowers- Remy Zero, please save me; this job is too tough for Superman.

17. TE Luke Stocker- I think I should just give up on these write-ups.

18. FB Earnest Graham- Party like it's 2007; it ain't the end of the world.

19. LB Mason Foster- You know your bad when I'm temped to put Kregg Lumpkin on this list. I think most of the Bucs best 20 players are young players with potential and nothing else.

20. WR Preston Parker- Now this guy I like as a potential darkhorse. He can play some ball.

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Posted By: Joe Soriano - Category: NFL Rankings, NFL Team Top 20s, Mike Williams TB, Sean Jones, Josh Freeman, LeGarrette Blount, Sammie Stroughter, Kellen Winslow, Donald Penn, Arrelious Benn, Gerald McCoy, Brian Price, Geno Hayes, Aqib Talib, Ronde Barber, Adrian Clayborn, Mason Foster, Luke Stocker

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2011 Week 1 Preview: Lions and Chiefs

September 9th 2011 15:36

While the best game on Sunday is between the Ravens and Steelers, there are still some other noteworthy matchups coming up. One of these games that you should tune into involves the Bucs and Lions.

Both of these teams were once regarded as two of the worst teams in the NFL, but they have both made remarkable turnarounds and have become solid teams. The Bucs were last year's feel-good story, and many people have tabbed the Lions to make the playoffs. While I think the Lions are overrated and there are far too many people saying that they are a sleeper team for them to actually be a sleeper team, they are much-improved.

I think Calvin Johnson is going to have a fun day against a Bucs secondary that doesn't have a cornerback who can keep up with him. Aqib Talib isn't a bad player by any means, but coverage isn't exactly his forte. He's more of a big-play corner, and those are the kinds of guys that Johnson can beat. I think the play of the Bucs safeties will be key, but the secondary won't get much help from an awful pass rush.

Honestly, I don't have high hopes for Jahvid Best as a starting running back. Best is an extremely inefficient rusher who only provides tangible value as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Jerome Harrison should be their starter, with Keiland Williams getting some carries here and there. Harrison is a pretty good back overall, and the Lions need to take advantage of a very weak opposing run defense.

This is going to be fun. Like, for real. The Lions defensive line is going to just bash an offensive line that downright sucks. Detroit possess one of the best defensive lines in the game, while the Bucs O-Line is on the opposite end of the spectrum. Even if Nick Fairley doesn't play, the Lions have six legit defensive lineman who are all capable playing at a more than adequate level.

On the bright side for Tampa, this passing game could really do some damage if Freeman doesn't led the pressure affect him too much. The Lions linebackers are all superb against the run, but none of those guys can cover anybody. Kellen Winslow and Mike Williams could potentially have monstrous days against one of the worst secondaries in the NFL. Eric Wright is the only cornerback on their roster worth starting, and I could also see Arrelious Benn beginning a potential breakout season with a nice game on Sunday.

To me, it is amazing how great LeGarrette Blount was last season with such a great line. However, I think he has a down week against a top run-stopping unit, even though he has tons of talent and moves. Blount is already one of the better backs in the league, but this is going to be a passing game.

This is going to be another tightly contested game, but I have the Lions taking this game 27-20 with Cliff Avril having a huge game against a far inferior opponent in Jeremy Trueblood.

Facing the Bucs

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Posted By: Joe Soriano - Category: NFL Predictions, Mike Williams TB, Josh Freeman, LeGarrette Blount, Kellen Winslow, Jeremy Trueblood, Arrelious Benn, Aqib Talib, Calvin Johnson, Nick Fairley, Jerome Harrison, Cliff Avril, Eric Wright

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3/2011 Team Scope: Tampa Bay Bucs

March 12th 2011 14:35

I realize that there is a lockout, and it obviously both angers and disappoints me that both sides were more concerned in their own pride instead of trying to actually bargain. I know that there were a few people that kept their integrity in all of this, but I also know that there were those that didn't. Regardless, after much deliberation I have decided to continue to write about football. This is another team scope that thoroughly reviews a team's roster and their strengths and weaknesses. Enjoy.

Davin Joseph and Jeff Faine are mainstays in the interior, and I really like Donald Penn at left tackle. The problem with this team is the right side of the offensive line. Their right guard isn't so good, and they desperately need a right tackle. The combination of Jeremy Trueblood and James Lee doesn't cut it. LaGarrette Blount is a good running back that really breaks out of the hole extremely well. He is a physical runner that is extremely explosive. Cadillac Williams has almost the same kind of skill-set, so the Bucs are set with their running game.

We all know how good Josh Freeman and receiver Mike Williams are. Kellen Winslow Jr. is the guy that really opens things up for Williams, and his contributions to the Bucs are beyond what any stat sheet can say. Sammie Stroughter isn't a number two wide receiver in this league, but he can be a number 3 guy. Arrelious Benn has some promise, but I would like to see the Bucs try to draft another receiver in like the third round to put into the mix.

Gerald McCoy and Brian Price look like a nice tandem in the middle of the defensive line for years to come. I love McCoy's upside. However, the Bucs' defensive ends are terrible at generating pass rush. Stylez G. White is serviceable, but they very much need a pass rusher that can actually get to the quarterback. Geno Hayes is a pretty good player, and Barrett Ruud is the heart of this defense. They really need him to stay if they want to still be successful using the Tampa 2.

Aqib Talib is an insanely talented player. EJ Biggers has some talent, but he makes far too many mistakes. Ronde Barber is falling off, but he knows what he's doing. That's an interesting pair up at nickel and 2nd corner respectively. I think the Bucs might want to think about bringing in a corner in the draft because Barber's time in the league is almost up. Tanard Jackson needs to figure out what is going on in his life, but in the meantime, Sean Jones is showing why he was once one of the best safeties in the AFC when he played with the Cleveland Browns. Jones is a very underrated player.

Michael Spurlock is a very good returner that averages nearly 26 yards per kickoff return. Connor Barth is a solid kicker, but I don't really like their punter Robert Malone. I think the Bucs have a solid special teams unit. The Bucs have a solid offense that is anchored by a strong running game. Their defense needs to get a dynamic pass rusher to become relevant again. Overall, the Bucs are a solid young team that will once again threaten for a playoff spot.

Bucs Must Groom A Future CB

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