TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
2021 Record - 13-4-0
Head Coach - Todd Bowles
New Additions - Russell Gage (WR), Julio Jones (WR), Fred Johnson (OL), Shaq Mason (OL), Logan Ryan (DB), Keanu Neal (DB), Deadrin Senat (DL)
Offensive Rank in 2021 - 2nd (406 YPG); Scoring - 2nd (30.1 PPG)
Defensive Rank in 2021 - 13th (332 YPG); Scoring - 5th (20.8 PPG)
Tom Brady returns for another season and in 2021, the 45-year old quarterback passed for 5,316 yards with 43 touchdowns and twelve interceptions. Leonard Fournette (812 rushing yards, 4.5 YPC average and eight TD along with 69 receptions for 454 yards and two TD) is the top running back and he is backed up by Ke'Shawn Vaughn (180 yards, 5.0 YPC and two TD). The wide receivers are Chris Godwin (98 receptions for 1,103 yards and five TD) and Mike Evans, who made 74 receptions for 1,035 yards and 14 touchdowns. Others include Julio Jones (31, 434, one TD with Tennessee), Breshad Perriman, Tyler Johnson (36, 360 yards), Scotty Miller and Russell Gage, who had 66 receptions for 770 yards and four scores with the Falcons last season. The tight end is Cameron Brate (30, 245, four TD) who will take over following another retirement by Rob Gronkowski.
On defense, the Buccaneers will look to replace two free agents as Ndamukong Suh and Jason Pierre-Paul left for free agency. Nose man Vita Vea returns along with William Gholston and rookie Logan Hall (Houston). Linebacker Shaquil Barrett (ten QB sacks) is on the outside while Devin White (team leading 128 tackles last season) and Lavonte David (97 tackles) are the inside backers. The safeties are Mike Edwards (three interceptions) and Antoine Winfield, Jr. while Sean Murphy-Bunting and Carlton Davis III (one INT) are the cornerbacks. Jamel Dean (two picks) provides depth along with newcomers Logan Ryan (117 tackles with the Giants) and Keanu Neal, who comes over from Dallas to play safety.
Outlook for 2022 season - There was a changing of the guard in Tampa Bay in the off-season as Bruce Arians left the sidelines and now it's Todd Bowles taking over as the Head Coach for the upcoming season. Plus that guy named Tom Brady announced his retirement and then just over a month later he decided not to retire and will be back for his 23rd NFL season and third with the Buccaneers.
Brady is the unquestioned leader of this team and he has multiple weapons on offense, including two standout wide receivers in Evans and Godwin, although Godwin is recovering from a knee injury and might not be ready by the season opening game. The running game could use a boost (26th in the NFL in 2021) and Fournette has been with the team for three years now and has shown big play abilities during his time in the NFL. Tampa Bay led the league in passing offense last year, so getting more balance would help.
The defense is going through changes and will be looking for help up front with a rookie at defensive end while a cast of veterans round out the front seven. The defensive backfield is solid, but allowed too many big plays and ranked in the bottom third of the NFL in passing yardage defense. The Bucs did have 17 interceptions (plus-10 in turnover category) and piled up 47 QB sacks while also ranking fifth in scoring defense.
As long as Brady and his experience can be on the field, this team will score points and should once again win the NFC South division. One other factor will be protection for the ageless wonder as injuries
during training camp have taken a toll on the offensive line. Once the playoffs begin, the Buccaneers can go as far as their defense will allow them to go because Brady can only do so much. Another Super Bowl run is definitely a possibility.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at Dallas
Week Two - at New Orleans
Week Three - vs. Green Bay
Week Four - vs. Kansas City
Week Five - vs. Atlanta
Week Six - at Pittsburgh
Week Seven - at Carolina
Week Eight - vs. Baltimore
Week Nine - vs. L.A. Rams
Week Ten - vs. Seattle (in Munich, Germany)
Week Eleven - BYE
Week Twelve - at Cleveland
Week Thirteen - vs. New Orleans
Week Fourteen - at San Francisco
Week Fifteen - vs. Cincinnati
Week Sixteen - at Arizona
Week Seventeen - vs. Carolina
Week Eighteen - at Atlanta
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