NFC South
Major issues: QB - going with Chris Simms was questionable; the loss of Simms to spleen surgery was fatal. Bruce Gradkowski was thrown to the wolves and the wolves feasted. Meanwhile, Cadillac Williams has looked more like a Geo, and Michael Pittman has been lame. So, with no running attack and no passer, the "O" has been nonexistent. Part of that is due to the patchwork OL that started out bad and didn't improve. Major changes will be needed here in the offseason. Hell, they were needed last offseason. WRs are fairly solid with Michael Clayton returning to form and Joey Galloway (surprise, surprise) having a second consecutive respectable year. Alex Smith is solid but very unspectacular at TE. I can't say much about the XK position cuz the Bucs haven't been in scoring position much this year. The defense continues to age: Sheldon Quarles has been hobbled much of the year, and Ronde Barber and Brian Kelley haven't been much better. Anthony McFarland was traded away, but Chris Hovan has taken up the slack at DL. Simeon Rice is getting old and slowing, and the other DE, Greg Spires, is a non-factor. Derrick Brooks seems ageless, but his decline is bound to come, too. The whole "D" needs an injection of youth, and it had better happen soon, or Bucs fans are in for some long seasons.
Minor issues: Wonder Boy Jon Gruden seems to be losing some of his magical powers. His teams have struggled in recent years; one wonders how long the Bucs will put up with that. But, in fairness, much of the problem seems to be in the front office. How can they fail to repair the crappy OL and the aging defense? How can they go to war with Chris Simms, backed up by even more forgettable Bruce Gradkowski? Luckily, Luke McCown is getting well. Maybe he'll be a savior for the rest of the season at QB.
Overall: It looks like another mediocre (or worse) season for the Bucs. They are making me look good as a prognosticator - they are living up to my low expectations.
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