The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense heads into 2010 looking for a new direction. Josh Freeman is no longer a rookie, Carnell Williams has proven he can withstand a full season without an injury, and Micheal Clayton is still...well Michael Clayton. The biggest development for the offense should be the return of Greg Olson. Olson replaced Jeff Jagodzinski just before last season's opener against Dallas. The offense struggled with their rythym and the season was a 3-13 disaster. This year, with Olson returning, the Bucs look to have more continuity and more results on offense. Early indications are that Olsen prefers a passing attack, and recent reports have Olson prefering Jon Gruden's dink and dunk approach. While this offense will help Freeman cut down on turnovers, and seemingly make it easier on the second year QB, it is sure to frustrate fans.

I would personally prefer a run oriented attack. We tried the Zone blocking scheme last year, and the results were awful. This year I think Tampa should focus more on the run to help Freeman out in play action. We have two rookie recievers who can make big plays in Arrelious Benn and Mike Williams. Kellen Winslow is one of the best recieving TE's in all of football. Even though we have those weapons in the passing game, I think our success will be predicated on the run. We need to establish the run early and often. Too many times in the Gruden era, and even last year, we went away from the run when it was succesfull. In the 2007 Playoff game against New York we had a great first quearter pounding the rock with Earnest Graham, when inexpliably we went away from the run and started passing. We pay big money to Caddy and derrick Ward, why not use them more. We have two very capable backs, and a great O-Line to establish the ground game.

And of course there is always Cklayton and his great blocking to help us out.

Next year what kind of offense do you prefer, establish the run, or pass your way to victory?

The Bucs once had great rivalries with the Green Bay Packers, St. Louis Rams, and Philadelphia Eagles. The faces have changed and we no longer play these teams ever year. These days I ask, who do you feel is the Bucs biggest rival. The Atlanta Falcons, our closest NFC foe have been a problem recently with the development of Matt Ryan and Mike Smith's defense. The New Orleans Saints, defending Super Bowl Champions have always given us trouble, especially in 2002. The Carolina Panthers started a mini-rivalry in the early 2000's, and have re intensified it in recent years including Dante Wesley's hit on Clifton Smith last season.

Back when Brett Favre was a Packer we would always have fierce battles in the old NFC Central. We all remember Sapp, and his hit on Chad Clifton. The past two seasons we have beaten Green Bay in Tampa, but is this enough to still consider them a main rival?

Philadelphia used to own us in the playoffs. Well at least until Ronde Barber picked Donovan McNabb and tore down th Vet sending the Bucs to Super Bowl XXXVII. Recent games included Matt Bryant's 62 yd FG to beat the Eagles in 2006. This season the Eagles destroyed us 33-14 at the Linc.

However, to this day my most hated team, and the rivalry I loved the most was the old Rams-Bucs rivalry in the late 90's-early 2000's. The 1999 NFC Championship game crushed me. I thought we had it, and out of nowhere comes Ricky Proehl with a TD catch to take the lead, and eventual 11-6 win. The ensuing drive with the Bert Emmaunuel (no)catch killed me. I was 11 years old and my life was Bucs football. After that game it seemed as though we had the Rams number. The 2000 MNF game, which may still rank as the most exciting game in Bucs history with Warrick Dunn and Shaun King willing us to a 38-35 victory. in 2001 another MNF game, this time in St. Louis, but the Bucs prevailed 24-17. In 2002, the last of the Monday night battles with the Rams, the Bucs once again won 26-14, and would go on to win the Super Bowl that had eluded them for so many years.

So Buc fans I ask you, who do you feel as the Bucs biggest rival?

Former Virginia Tech Punter Brent Bowden is hoping to latch on in Tampa after the Buccaneers selected him in the 6th round. Many people questioned the move of selecting a Punter at 172 overall. I like the move, last year we had a rotation of punters, from Dirk Johnson to Sam Paulescu, it will be refreshing to see if Bowden can be in Tampa for many years. Bucs fans were spoiled with Josh Bidwell through the years, and last year the Bucs punted a lot, without a very good punter. Bowden was a three year starter for the Hokies, and was a member of the first tea ALL-ACC. His main strength is angling punts toward the sideline, and pinning opponents inside the 20. Over 33% of Bowden's kicks were downed inside the 20. He should be an improvement for our already good Special Teams unit.

Now that the draft is over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can start looking ahead to the 2010 season. With the roster almost complete we can begin to look at the schedule at possible wins, toughest games, and dream scenarios. Will the Bucs offense improve with the additions of Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn? How will Josh Freeman fare in year 2? What kind of impact will Gerald McCoy and Brian Price make this season? We will argue for months about these questions until we finally see our Bucs in action, but until then here is an early look at the 2010 Bucs schedule.

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ESPN is reporting that QB Byron Leftwich has been traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 7th round pick. The pick gives the Bucs 12 total picks. Although it isn't much the 7th rounder gives the Bucs more ammunition to trade up on draft day, possibly packaging picks for an earlier round selection.

The Buccaneers missed out on yet another star WR after Brandon Marshall was acquired by the Dolphins. The Bucs have now passed on Marshall, Anquan Boldin, Santonio Holmes, and let Antonio Bryant leave. They have shown no interest to veteran free agents like Torry Holt and Terrell Owens. Mark Dominik, Raheem Morris, and company have made it clear that they do not want to give away draft picks. The Bucs have 5 picks in the first 99 and are very confident to get a few players that can start right away.

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