Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Key Additions: WR Reggie Brown, WR Arrelious Benn, S Sean Jones, DT Gerald McCoy, DT Brian Price,
Key Subtractions: WR Antonio Bryant, DE Jimmy Wilkerson, DT Chris Hovan
The Bucs are looking to improve this year on their rushing defense that ranked dead last in the NFL last season. They allowed over 2,50 yards and opponents averaged 4.8 yards per carry. They selected 2 premier tackles in the draft, McCoy and Price ,to plug up the holes up front and released veteran Chris Hovan. The Bucs did alright last year against the pass with Talib and Barber at corner, and now with the addition of S Sean Jones, the Bucs are now becoming a more balanced defense. Jones has 16 interceptions in the last 4 years. Look for the Bucs to be more aggressive this year in pursuing the quarterback. Price and McCoy will help with that, but pressure off the edge must be there as well. They only recorded 28 sacks last season.
Josh Freeman begins his second season as the Bucs starter, and he lost his number one receiver Antonio Bryant to free agency. The Bucs drafted two wide receivers in the draft that must get comfortable with Freeman and the offense quickly if they are going to have a balanced attack on offense. Freeman completed 54.5% of his passes in 10 games last season and looked well in spots. The running game was inconsistent last year and free agent addition Derick Ward did not live up to expectations. Cadillac Williams rushed for 823 yards and averaged 3.9 yards per carry vs. Ward who rushed for only 409 yards. Both of those players need to play at a much higher level this year if Freeman and the offense are going to move the ball and put points on the board.
Schedule:
1 Sunday September 12 Browns
2 Sunday September 19 at Panthers
3 Sunday September 26 Steelers
4 BYE
5 Sunday October 10 at Bengals
6 Sunday October 17 Saints
7 Sunday October 24 Rams
8 Sunday October 31 at Cardinals
9 Sunday November 07 at Falcons
10 Sunday November 14 Panthers
11 Sunday November 21 at 49ers
12 Sunday November 28 at Ravens
13 Sunday December 05 Falcons
14 Sunday December 12 at Redskins
15 Sunday December 19 Lions
16 Sunday December 26 Seahawks
17 Sunday January 02 at Saints
Fairly light schedule facing the Bucs this season as they have the 25th hardest schedule and opponents were 123-133 last season. Besides catching the Saints twice, they face the AFC West, not exactly a strong division, but do catch the AFC North, known for tough defenses. Their play in the division must be better as they went 1-5 last year. Don't be surprised if they grab a few more wins this year than expected.
Washington Redskins
Key Additions: QB Donovan McNabb, WR Joey Galloway, WR Bobby Wade, RB Willie Parker, OT Trent Williams, RB Larry Johnson
Key Subtractions: RB Ladell Betts, DT Cornelius Griffin, WR Antwaan Randle El
The Washington Redskins pulled off the trade of the year as they acquired QB Donovan McNabb from the Eagles. Mike Shanahan takes over as head coach and the success will depend on how well Donovan grasps offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's system. Shanahan was the offensive coordinator in Houston, who had a prolific passing attack. They must be balanced though, and the addition of Willie Parker and Larry Johnson will make them that, however Johnson must improve on his numbers that have fallen significantly since his days with the Chiefs. Donovan immediately makes the team better, and Santana Moss, Bobby Wade, and Joey Galloway will benefit from his presence. However, the line must keep McNabb off his back. The Skins were fifth worst in the league last season in sacks, allowing 46. Not a whole lot McNabb can do starring at the turf half the game. They drafted Trent Williams this year to solidify the line and moved out three lineman improve on that problem.
Shanahan hired former Saints coach Jim Haslett as the defensive coordinator and will implement the 3-4 scheme. Albert Haynesworth is the key to the teams success up front. If he can play nose, the Skins will do well. If he can't, all bets are off. Brian Orakpo and London Fletcher need to continue to play at a high level and make plays in the running game. The Redskins strength on defense has been in pass defense. They ranked 8th in the NFL last year, however they do not take away the ball enough. They recorded only 11 interceptions last year. The Skins need to take the ball away more and create some better field position for the offense.
Schedule:
1 Sunday September 12 Cowboys
2 Sunday September 19 Texans
3 Sunday September 26 at Rams
4 Sunday October 03 at Eagles
5 Sunday October 10 Packers
6 Sunday October 17 Colts
7 Sunday October 24 at Bears
8 Sunday October 31 at Lions
9 BYE
10 Monday November 15 Eagles
11 Sunday November 21 at Titans
12 Sunday November 28 Vikings
13 Sunday December 05 at Giants
14 Sunday December 12 Buccaneers
15 Sunday December 19 at Cowboys
16 Sunday December 26 at Jaguars
17 Sunday January 02 Giants
The Skins schedule is brutal out of the gate. Besides games against the Lions and Rams, the remaining games leading to the BYE are brutal. They have the 8th toughest schedule and opponents were 134-122 last season. They catch the NFC North and AFC South. The Skins did not win one game in divisional play last season, going 0-6. That is not the recipe for success, and Mike Shanahan is going to have his hands full completing that schedule above .500.
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