Will RB Cadillac Williams bounce back to his rookie form?

2007 Game Plan

Offense

As I have mentioned the offense was pretty bad in 2006 and the Bucs big off-season move to address this was to bring in Jeff Garcia.  Garcia who had great success in Philadelphia last year will need to be successful for Gruden and the Bucs to improve on the offensive side of the ball.  The pairing of Gruden and Garcia could be a huge step up for the Bucs.  Gruden’s West Coast attack pairs well with Garcia and could work a lot like it did in Oakland with Rich Gannon.

With at the very least a competent quarterback it may allow some room for Cadillac Williams to run.  After a great rookie year in 2005 the Williams’ 2006 season can only be described as a disappointment.  He was dinged up and that certainly slowed him down, but he declined in all facets of his game, including scoring only one TD all year.  For the Bucs to bounce back they will be relying a lot on Williams, Garcia, and Joey Galloway.  Galloway, who had another productive year last season, will enter the season at age 36 and will be looked at to lead a weak receiving corps.  A wild card on the Bucs' offense is Maurice Stovall.  With few playmakers in the WR group the second year Notre Dame grad could be a big boost to the offense.

Defense

A defense that isn’t far removed from being considered a top unit in the NFL dropped hard and fast in 2006.  The team lacked play-making ability as they finished with just 25 sacks and only forced 20 turnovers on the season.   

So on an aging defense lacking playmakers what do you do?  Use your high draft pick to get a playmaker.  The Bucs grabbed DL Gaines Adams in the first round and signed linebacker Cato June away from Indy to help reenergize this defense.  They also added veteran Kevin Carter from Miami.  Monte Kiffin has almost always put together a good defensive game plan, so maybe last year was just a down year and these new players will get this defense on the rise again.

Player Spotlight

Cadillac Williams, RB
The Bucs used a very high draft pick in 2005 to get Williams and after his rookie year, where he finished great down the stretch, it looked like a great move.  Coming into 2006, expectations for Williams were very high and he didn’t live up to them.  A number of things factored into that: injuries and more importantly the complete lack of a passing threat due to their QB situation.  Williams could see a nice bounce back with Garcia under center.

Jeff Garcia, QB
Garcia, a 37-year-old veteran, comes to his fourth team in four years.  The good thing for Garcia is that the Bucs offense should not be that unfamiliar to him.  While Tampa won’t pass as much as the Eagles, they will throw often.  Gruden likes the short passing attack and that is something Garcia looked very good at last season.  If the Bucs have any chance to be good, Garcia must provide stability at the QB position and must make defenses respect the passing game.

Gaines Adams, DL
Adams may not be an every down player in his first year as he adjusts to the NFL, but his contribution will need to come on passing situations.  The Bucs need pressure on the QB and Adams can do that.  I don’t expect a high tackle total for Adams, but getting 10 sacks in his rookie year is a possibility.

Ronde Barber, DB
Barber has been a model of consistency in the Tampa secondary.  Barber has recorded over 80 tackles every season since 2003.  He also throws in a few interceptions and by being reliable, he should let coach Monte Kiffin again try to get creative with his rushes to hopefully get pressure back on the QB. 

Franchise Player
None

Transition Player
None

Players Re-Signed
CB Phillip Buchanon
CB Torrie Cox

Players Aquired
QB Jeff Garcia (from Eagles)
FB B.J. Askew (from Jets)
TE Jerramy Stevens (from Seahawks)
G Matt Lehr (from Falcons)
T Luke Petitgout (from Giants)
DE Kevin Carter (from Dolphins)
DT Ryan Sims (from Chiefs)
LB Cato June (from Colts)
DE/LB Patrick Chukwurah (from Broncos)
CB Sammy Davis (from 49ers)

Players Lost
QB Tim Rattay (to Titans)
QB Jake Plummer (retired)
FB Mike Alstott (out for season/injured)
TE/LS Dave Moore (retired)
T Kenyatta Walker (to Panthers)
T Cornell Green (to Raiders)
OL Sean Mahan (to Steelers)
DE Simeon Rice (released)
DE Dewayne White (to Lions)
LB Antoine Cash (out for season/injured)
LB Shelton Quarles (released)
LB Wesley Mallard (to Broncos)
CB Juran Bolden (released)
S Blue Adams (to Bengals)