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2015 NFL Preview: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2014 Record:  2-14

2015 Non Division Schedule:  AFC South, NFC East, Chicago, & St Louis

2014 in review:    Big things were expected with the hiring of Lovie Smith as head coach, but the Buccaneers bottomed out in 2014.  They signed Josh McCown to a 2 year 10 million dollar contract last offseason to be the quarterback.  Both McCown and Mike Glennon struggled as Tampa Bay finished 2-14.   Everything went wrong.  For the second straight year, Doug Martin did not match his 2012 production, and averaged only 3.7 yards per carry.

2015 free agency:  The Bucs signed for depth with their free agent class.  Safety Chris Conte and Cornerback Sterling Moore were signed to bolster the secondary, especially in nickel packages.  Which are needed against Matt Ryan & Drew Brees.  Defensive Tackle Henry Melton was also signed to beef up the defensive live.  The one starter signed was middle linebacker Bruce Carter.  Carter was signed to a four year, 20.5 million dollar deal after playing with Dallas last season.    Carter had 68 tackles last year and an impressive five interceptions from the linebacker position last year.  He will immediately step in as the middle linebacker in the hopes that he can anchor the Tampa Bay defense.

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2015 Draft:  The draft is where the Buccaneers’ season hangs.  Their first three picks netted three starters.  We all know about Jameis Winston, the top pick from Florida State University.  He will be under center week one when the season kicks off.  Protecting him will be the two second round picks Donovan Smith, LT from Penn State and Ali Marpert, G from Hobart.  Both are projected to be week one starters as the Bucs have revamped their offensive line on the fly.

Player on the Hot Seat:  Doug Martin burst onto the scene in 2012, rushing for 1454 yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie.  The highlight of that season was a 251 yard four touchdown performance against the Oakland Raiders.  His 2013 season was over by week six, and his 2014 season was also hampered by injuries.  He has rushed for 3.6 yards per carry since his rookie year, and if you take out the one game mentioned above, his career YPC sits at 3.87.  Martin has to prove he’s not a flash in the pan because the Bucs have some young players in the backfield in Charles Sims and Bobby Rainey.

Players you want on your fantasy team:  Mike Evans is the fantasy star of Tampa Bay, and should be the first Buccaneer off the board in most drafts.  Vincent Jackson will be a serviceable fantasy WR as well.  Their backfield is a mess, as mentioned.  Winston is interesting, but should not be drafted as a starter unless you’re in a 2 quarterback league.  He is definitely worth a gamble as a backup quarterback.

Season Prediction:   The 2015 Bucs will go through plenty of growing pains with their rookie quarterback.  The NFC South is always tricky, and those division games should be tough for all the teams.  They have a chance to get off to a good early start with games against Tennessee and Jacksonville in their first five.  3-2 at the bye week could give them confidence, but it’s a tall order to expect more than six wins from Tampa Bay this season.  The official SFTB prediction:  5-11

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