Every football fan from coast to coast have the same feelings this time of year.  Optimism and hope for their team. The belief that their team can compete for their division title . From the bengals to the patriots.  Belief that the players they picked up in free agency or through the draft is going to make a splash on their team. This could be the year.

   Well in Tampa we have an elephant in the room. Something that everybody knows but doesnt like to say verbally outloud.  Tampa is in the middle of REBUILDING.  We have lost more marquee players than we have signed.  Our big free agent addition is probaly Ward at running back and Kellin Winslow at tight end allegedly two of our strong points at the start of last season. The signing of Michael Clayton is really the only long term deal we have done this year.  While others like Rudd have been told to wait and be patient. Bryant was slapped with franchise tag other than a contract to say your our  guy for awhile down the road. The Bucs seem that they do not want anybody on long contracts right at this moment by still being about 30 million under the cap.

We are rebuilding. Retooling for the future. We drafted the QB. We have started to get bigger at Defensive line with the kid from Texas. Asking Hovan to put on weight,  We moved our hardest hitter in the secondary to linebacker. A new defensive coordinator who wants his guys . An offensive coordinator that wants his guys. So as our jaws were slammed to the floor earlier with the massive let go of players, It will not be the last time. Ronde is on his way out. Rudd and Bryant arent guarnteed to be around next year as well.

But enough being a downer. As anyone knows by watching the Dolphins anything is possible. But the Bucs are rebuilding. Changing the face of the team.  I thought we had a good thing going with a defense named after us.I thought we were doing good when big name players such as Key, and June and Faine and Dunn wanted to play for the Bucs and yes Jon Gruden. But im guessing for now it will be a wait and see situation. Will we once again be able to hoist the Lombardi Trophy over our heads. Or are we back to suffering for decades. Time will tell.  Mckay and Dungy were able to build from the draft. Taking players we will never forget or want to,

So as we are watching this season and we tend to be struggling I suggest daydreaming about an Alstott run. Or maybe a bone jarring hit laid by Brooks or Sapp.  Because some of the people that are playing this year wont be here next year. Some of our wives will be like who is that guy? And the face of the franchise is changing like Dorian gray, We dont have an identity at this point. We dont have a starting quarterback at this point. We have only one former Pro Bowler on defense. I cant remeber the last time that happened.

Long live the Bucs. I will watch. I will deal with the mistakes to come. I will buy my Freeman jersey and hope he turns out like Ryan and not Ryan Leaf. But this year my expectations are not high. Visions of superbowl are not dancing in my head. A Buccaneer is not at the top of my fantasy listing. But I will be rooting my team on and hoping for the best and unfortunatly looking forward to next year and that we will be a player in free agency and the draft. The bucs have work to do and it starts in training camp

Look at your Tampa Bay Buccaneers right now.  We view them as a team. One single unit with similar goals and expectations. Now view them at the end of training camp sitting on opposite sides of the fence. With the current quarterback situation there are sides that are going to be taken. Opinions on who deserves it more. Intense nights among the coaches weighing pros and cons of each player. They all bring different things to the table. A grizzled veteran with incredible heart and good arm but with slow release and limited mobility at best.  The leftover backup, who has been waiting in the wings waiting to get his nod and his time to shine. Above average mobility, decent arm and a hunger to get a shot to shine in the big time. A second year player who might not exactly know where he fits in with the new regime, but not disappointed either having familiarity with the new coach. Exuding potential but knowing there is a new kid on the block. The new kid on the block has experience with Raheem "The Dream " Morris as well. The rookie shining from ear to the ear after being showered with compliments and anointed the next King of Pewter land. Everything you would draw up in a "franchise" quarterback, height, mobility and most important thing promise. As these men of all different backgrounds techniques and styles clash on the new Buccaneer practice facility for their shot to lead the offensive unit, other teammates will be making judgments either verbally or to in their own thoughts. Everyone will have "their guy”. The guy they think should lead the charge after another NFC south championship. Receivers will like one guy’s ball over another’s. Lineman will like ones cadence over another. How one runs the huddle will be noticed and tallied on the chalkboard in their head. Bad passes will be counted and charted. Our loyal fans will flood the practice fields and sports talk radio shows voicing their opinions loud and clear. The newspapers will discuss in detail on a daily basis. We will blog and argue amongst each other pointing out stats and gut feelings about the matter. The pressure will mount on these players and hopefully one shines the brightest early and often and lessens the debate and eases the team into a unified unit. But if not it might divide the troops and put a heavy burden on Morris head.  And even though Freeman is the future, the year is 2009 and we have played this year’s schedule. When the dust settles and the starter is announced for that opening game at Dallas, no matter who starts it is all just an audition for the future.  I bleed pewter, I will watch every game, I'm just wondering will these Bucs all be friends and good teammates afterward

Before you read further..tilt your head back and day dream..Michael Vick under center in a two tight end set with powerful Earnest Graham behind him and Clayton and Bryant lined up on same side..HIKE ..fake the handoff and rolling left breaking a Saints corner ankle and picking up numerous yards..Wake up eventhough i dont think the Bucs and their ever so large salary cap are going to make an attempt to land Michael Vick..Doesnt it make sense.  If you can get past the downright nasty thing he did and concentrate on football only it makes good sense.  This offense under new coordinator wants to run the ball behind our blue chip offensive line use the tight end frequently and go deep on the play action.  Well who could be good at that..  I know no one has seen him on the field in two years but before Vick left he rushed for over a 1000 yards..since his absence the highest qb total in rushing is Garrard from the jags with less than 600.  He would boost up attendance and triple publicity on the Bucs ..now some may be bad publicity but all publicity is good publicity. What could it hurt to give him a two year contract and let him compete against Mcnown and whoever else .. If he performs better give him job till freeman is ready to play..and think if Vick shines he could be trade piece later down the road..and think of the fox game of the week when atlanta plays tampa..twice..