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| | Tuesday, August 22 Buccaneers: Getting offensive | |||||||||||||||
| By Tom Oates Special to ESPN.com Despite reaching the NFC Championship Game, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn't sit still. They added three perennial Pro Bowlers and a new coordinator to their pedestrian offense. They also piled on more expectations than this rising franchise is used to. The Bucs are the odds-on favorite to win the division title and are expected to challenge the Redskins and Rams for NFC supremacy, but only if quarterback Shaun King can improve upon his impressive rookie performance and take the pressure off the league's best defense. If he can't, the Bucs could be a limousine in search of a driver. If he can, that limousine might be taking the short trip to Raymond James Stadium, site of Super Bowl XXXV.
King was 5-2 once he replaced Trent Dilfer and Eric Zeier as the starter, displaying poise, savvy and a knack for the big play beyond his years. However, he has a suspect arm and is an inconsistent passer, deficiencies that were exposed in the playoffs. Now he has to learn a new offense under coordinator Les Steckel, who arrived from Tennessee to replace the ousted Mike Shula. Key position battle Defensive tackle Anthony McFarland, last year's first-round draft pick, had an impressive debut playing behind NFL defensive player of the year Warren Sapp and Brad Culpepper. He would start on most teams, but he'll have trouble beating out Culpepper, who is vastly underrated and works particularly well in concert with Sapp. Biggest adjustment When the Bucs traded two first-round draft picks to the Jets for wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, they ran out of excuses for their pitiful passing game. Johnson is a proven, 90-catch-per-year performer who can make big plays. With center Jeff Christy and guard Randall McDaniel -- both Pro Bowlers with the Vikings -- joining the offensive line, the Buccaneers also ran out of excuses for their disappointing running game. Finally, the pieces are in place for the offense to be successful. Now they just have to do it. Rookie report Both first-round picks were dealt for Johnson, but second-rounder Cosey Coleman could challenge Frank Middleton at right guard. Third-round linebacker Nate Webster might be pressed into duty if Jamie Duncan can't adequately replace Hardy Nickerson at middle linebacker. Smallish tight end James Whalen could help in two-tight-end sets, a Steckel favorite.
| ALSO SEE Bears: Windy City changes Lions: Ready to move on Packers: Sherman takes control Vikings: Daunte is in the fire AUDIO/VIDEO   Mike Golic breaks down the Tampa Bay running game.RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1 Marty Schottenheimer breaks down the Bucs outlook on offense.RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1   Warren Sapp will miss having Brad Culpepper beside him.wav: 90 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 John Lynch reacts to the release of his friend.wav: 137 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Tony Dungy explains why the Bucs released Brad Culpepper.wav: 106 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Keyshawn Johnson says he can bring experience to Tampa Bay.wav: 99 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Mike Alstott says the Bucs have many weapons.wav: 108 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Inside training camp with Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy.wav: 716 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Dungy is happy with the Bucs' offseason acquisitions.wav: 680 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Dungy answers questions about the Bucs' QB situation.wav: 704 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 | |||||||||||||||
