2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Outlook

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers season will be playing their 33rd season this year and will be attempting to improve upon 2007's fair performance of 9-7. They actually played a good season last year, capturing the NFC South Title and returning to the playoffs. The team eventually lost to the New York Giants (as everybody seemed to underestimate this team in 2007) but left Tampa fans excited over the Buccaneers' potential for upcoming seasons. What does the future hold for this former Super Bowl champion?

The team quickly took care of their own early in the year by re-signing free agent Michael Bennett, Antoine Cash, Kevin Carter, Sammy Davis, and Jerramy Stevens. As recently as June 11th, the team was still settling contracts and keeping important players like quarterback Jake Plummer. There were also two notable free agent acquisitions in Warrick Dunn, of the Atlanta Falcons and Brian Griese, of the Chicago Bears. However, the team also had its share of damaging losses. The team had to say goodbye to six regular players including Brian Kelly, John Wade, Matt Lehr, Anthony Becht, Kalvin Pearson and Bruce Gradkowski.

Now, just after head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Bruce Allen have been resigned to a new deal, the team eyes its uncertain future. The draft was a telling sign of what to expect from Tampa this year and the team chose seven big name rookies for development. Their first draft pick was cornerback Aqib Talib from Kansas, followed by wide receiver Dexter Jackson from Appalachian State, and offensive lineman Jeremy Zuttah from Rutgers. The list was rounded off with defensive tackle Dre Moore from Maryland, quarterback Josh Johnson from San Diego, linebacker Geno Hayes from Florida State, and running back Cory Boyd from South Carolina.

Some speculated that the Buccaneers might make a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for Lito Sheppard. However, the team chose to stick with Talib, who some experts describe as an athlete of high risk as well as high rewards. Another object was to enhance the wide receiving position, but Dexter Jackson didn't impress many because of his small size. Fans were more satisfied with the picks of Zuttah, Moore and Hayes. There are mixed feelings to the signing of Josh Johnson; many believe he will eventually become a starter, but there remains question as to whether Tampa can afford to cut their other quarterbacks in order to keep him happy. Boyd was less impressive, and many fans were disappointed by the team's efforts to create a greater pass rushing group.

The consensus is that Talib and Jackson are bankable but at the same time, also carry some heavy risks. Their team's strength will be immediately tested when they face off in preseason games against the Miami Dolphins and then the vengeful New England Patriots in the second week. The regular season begins at the Louisiana Superdome as they take on the New Orleans Saints. It's clear that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a strategy coming into this season. Now fans speculate as to whether it's enough to ward off intense competition.

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2008 Cleveland Browns Outlook

The Cleveland Browns used to be "that good", though to be fair, their last undefeated season was way back in 1948 before they joined the NFL. However, their greatest score of 15-0 is certainly a worthy goal and the Browns hope to score closer to that achievement than last year's 10-6 record. Though last year's end score was far from perfect, season 61 wasn't half bad as the Browns still finished second-place in the AFC North. Are there are major changes that may affect the Brown's performance in Season 62?

The Browns will remain under the direction of head coach Romeo Crennel for the upcoming season. The contract extension was given to Crennel, not provided by request, showing that the team still supports the coach's efforts. They have also extended the contract of offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, who snubbed a Baltimore Ravens' head coaching position to stay with the Browns. However, long-term contracts don't always mean security, as defensive coordinator Todd Grantham found out, after being released only months after signing a two year contract extension. Mel Tucker was given the position, while Cory Undlin was promoted to a defensive backs coaching position.

How about the latest news on players? Currently, there are 19 players on the roster that are free agents in some way, including 13 players that have full rights as unrestricted agents. The team has signed cornerback Terry Cousin, guard Red Hadnot, linebacker Shantee Orr, defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, wide receiver Donté Stallworth and defensive end Corey Williams. Have there been any major releases in preparation of the new season? Yes, defensive lineman Orpheus Roye and cornerback Kenny Wright were both released as unrestricted free agents. The draft was somewhat more promising, though the team did not have a selection in the first three rounds. The team settled on linebacker Beau Bell, tight end Martin Rucker, defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin, wide receiver Paul Hubbard and defensive end Alex Hall.

If you watched the Browns carefully in 2007, you probably remember raising an eyebrow or two as the team gave their best performance in over 14 years. Their 51-45 win over the Cincinnati Bengals tied the franchise record and included five touchdown passes. In fact, they just barely missed the playoffs last season because of imposed tiebreaker rules. Six players earned Pro Bowl recognition and their team efforts were definitely not the shame of the NFL, especially compared to other teams' lackluster performance. What does the future hold?

The Cleveland Browns are more optimistic this season after providing formidable competition in 2007 and strengthening their offense. Players that have earned favorable ink have included quarterback Derek Anderson, wide receiver Braylon Edwards and tight end Kellen Winslow.

The defense is another story, as indicated by Larry Cook's preview of the Browns 2008 NFL Draft needs below. While defense has been lacking, some of the team's draft picks including Ahtyba Rubin and Alex Hall have been promising. What is the final verdict? The Cleveland Browns are an upswing and may prove to be the most competitive team in the AFC North, especially competing against the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens. Their greatest threat will continue to be the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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2008 Jacksonville Jaguars Outlook

The best years for the Jacksonville Jaguars were arguably in 1998 and 1999, under the management of Jimmy Johnson. These were the years that the team captured their two Division Championships for the AFC Central. Shortly after, in the year 2000, the team demolished the Miami Dolphins with a score 62-7, the second highest point margin and total point achievement in playoff history as well as longest run ever recorder in playoff history, with 90 yards by Fred Taylor. However, in later seasons and to this day, the Jaguars have struggled to be taken seriously as one of the NFL's best, though their efforts have been noticed. Last season, the team gave a good performance (and had Patriots fans sweating) and ultimately finished 11-5. This was an improvement over their 2006 record of 8-8, and marked the return of the Jaguars to the playoffs.

What does 2008 and beyond hold for the Jaguars? The team's head coach will continue to be Jack Del Rio and the team will look to improve its winning score against rivals like the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots. The team's first season game will be played against the Tennessee Titans on September 7th. Are there any major changes to be aware of that might influence the Jaguars' success in the new year?

The team has had its share of losses and additions thanks to free agent agreements. Wide receiver Troy Williamson was traded to the Jaguars from the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a 6th round pick in the 2008 Draft. The team also signed another wide receiver in Jerry Porter, from the Oakland Raiders. Meanwhile the team lost a wide receiver in Ernest Wilford, as he went to Miami. The team lost three other players to trading, including defensive tackle Marcus Stroud, traded to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for 3rd and 5th round draft picks, defensive end Bobby McCray, who went to New Orleans and safety Sammy Knight who went over to the New York Giants. On the plus column though, the team signed cornerback Drayton Florence from the San Diego Chargers and quarterback Cleo Lemon from the Miami Dolphins.

What do the fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars say regarding the team's chances of making it to the playoffs? Fans are quite vocal on the team's defense, though this is partly due to many players being injured or off the active roster. Besides injuries, some fans blame aging on the team's decreased level of the defensive line, while others argue that the media is making too much of the defense line problem and that it's really the defensive ends that need work. Jaguar fans are now looking to defensive players like Tony McDaniel and Reggie Hayward to step up to deliver a more solid defense. Draft picks like Derrick Harvey, Quentin Groves, Thomas Williams, Trae Williams and Chauncey Washington are also getting attention for the team.

The Jaguars may find more success this season if their 2007 efforts are any indication, and may bring some football pride back to Florida.

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