2010 Buccaneers Team Belongs to Josh Freeman

Quarterback Josh Freeman looks good going into his second year in the NFL. While I do not think that he will become the next Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, this is the first time that I have been excited about a quarterback in Tampa Bay since I became a fan in 2003. Hopefully Freeman does in fact get back in time for the season opener after suffering a thumb injury in week two of preseason.

Last season, Freeman did not start a game until after the Bucs' bye week when the Buccaneers faced the Green Bay Packers, which also coincidentally was the first win of the Buccaneers' 2009 season. Josh Johnson was unable to lead the team to any victories in the four preceding games and Byron Leftwich also failed in the first three games; moreover, Byron Leftwich was subsequently traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers last April for a seventh-round pick.

Cadillac Williams should be a solid back for us again assuming that the man can remain healthy. With the release of running back Derrick Ward, Kareem Huggins has become the number two running back in Tampa. Last year I went to a Buccaneers training camp and had the chance to observe Kareem Huggins. Huggins is a very explosive player and will contribute as a great chance of pace back. The rookie wide receiver Mike Williams has been connecting well with Josh Freeman which is much needed after the departure of Antonio Bryant. Arrelious Benn, the rookie receiver drafted two rounds ahead of Williams (fourth-round pick), is a nice big receiver with staying potential in Tampa.

Without looking at the schedule, I would predict that we get a few more wins this season with Josh Freeman under center. Our defense looks relatively the same as it did last season. Corey Lynch's performance in the preseason finale helped him make the team: Lynch intercepted two passes, one of which was a nice long pick six (note: it was Dan Orlovsky that threw the interceptions so perhaps that brings down the significance of Lynch's performance a little). While I do not foresee the Buccaneers making the playoffs in the 2010-11 season, they will not be the laughing stock of the league either, assuming Josh Freeman does not miss more than one or two games in this upcoming season.