2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Off-Season Review

Lovie Smith speaks as he is introduced as the new coach of Tampa Bay Buccaneers at a press conference January 6, 2014 at at the team training center in Tampa, Florida.  (January 5, 2014 - Source: Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images North America)

After a frustrating 4-12 campaign in 2013, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went a lot of ways during free agency; however, it was clear the direction they were taking in this year’s NFL Draft and that approach was to make the Buccaneers an offensive friendly team similar to the likes of their division foes, the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints. After firing Coach Greg Schiano, Tampa’s first off-season move was hiring a head coach, and they made a huge splash acquiring former Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith. Smith, in his second stint with Tampa Bay, was a linebackers coach under Coach Tony Dungy and there, he developed the infamous Tampa 2 defense. Smith’s last job was as the head coach of the Chicago Bears and he posted a (81-63) record, won three NFC North titles and a NFC championship back in 2006. Adding the experience of Smith along with their new GM Jason Licht, there is a new formula in place and Tampa Bay wants to start winning now. Smith is now the third head coach Tampa Bay has acquired since Jon Gruden left in 2008 and has a tough task ahead for a team that was (28-52) combined with their previous two coaches. Starting this season, the new regime looks to change the culture around Tampa Bay as well as adding and subtracting some new and old faces.

Veteran starter Josh McCown says he has been impressed with Mike Glennon's work ethic and skill set and believes the second-year pro will be successful in the NFL.

DANIEL WALLACE | Times

In the NFL Draft, Tampa Bay owned sole possession of six draft picks, which was used strictly for to improve their offense. After ranking near the bottom of most all offensive categories last season including passing (176.2) which was last in the NFL, total yards (277.0) which was another league low, and points per game (18.0) that ranked 30th in the league; you see the concerns from the coaching staff and front office on the stress for offensive production. In free agency, Tampa took a new but older route at the quarterback position with veteran Josh McCown. McCown, at age 34, was predominantly a backup in his 12-year career after a rough beginning of his career in Arizona; however, he shined enough last season in the absence of Jay Cutler that Smith gave his former back-up an opportunity in his new city. Lovie knew McCown dating to their days in Chicago, and from the start, Coach Lovie Smith made it clear that McCown is the starter, but, Mike Glennon is the future quarterback in this organization. They didn't trade their second year quarterback, but put faith in him that behind McCown for a few years after a pretty decent stretch as a starter could help him develop into a solid quarterback in the future.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-round draft pick Mike Evans, center, holds up his jersey with general manager Jason Licht, left, and head coach Lovie Smith, right, after an NFL football news conference Friday, May 9, 2014, in Tampa, Fla. Evans, a wide receiver from Texas A&M, was selected seventh overall in Thursday's draft. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Prior to the draft, there was a lot of speculation of the Bucs taking Johnny Manziel with the seventh pick in the first round after Manziel was still on the board ;  but the concern to add  more explosive offensive weapons was the team’s biggest necessity. Instead, Tampa took the talented athlete who coincidentally was Manziel's main target during his days at Texas A & M, Mike Evans. Evans, a 6'5 wide receiver is physical and can be a mismatch for an opponent due to his size and length. Evans was a Biletnikoff Award finalist last season and in just two 2 seasons as an Aggie piled up almost (2,500) receiving yards and (151) catches. With the second round pick, Tampa added another 6'5 athlete in tight end Austin Seforian-Jenkins. He’ll be groomed this season under veteran tight end Brandon Myers, who was acquired during the free agency from the Giants as another option to go with Tim Wright; but Seforian-Jenkins is a man-child. Seforian-Jenkins is an excellent blocker in the run game and is a reliable target when the ball is thrown in his direction, giving McCown some explosive weapons to have in their offense this season. Since Tampa Bay traded WR Mike Williams to Buffalo due to off the field issues, they struck gold with their new receiving core. Between Evans, Seforian-Jenkins to go with Vincent Jackson who will be in the third year of a 5-year contract, Tampa should be a defensive coordinator’s nightmare in the red zone. For an offense which ranked worst in the league in red zone efficiency a year ago and with players that all you can have the luxury of throwing lob passes or watch make acrobatic catches, Tampa Bay’s red zone has become a fun zone at the new sombrero.

Tampa Bay's free agency class in 2014 

Moving along, Tampa Bay also upgraded their rushing attack in the third round by taking Charles Sims from West Virginia. Sims bounced around in college, but found a home with the Mountaineers where he posted (3,465) rushing yards, (40) rushing touchdowns, and in the passing game had (203) career receptions for (2,108) receiving yards and (11) touchdowns. The running back position wasn’t one of Tampa’s critical needs for with an already loaded backfield that consist of Doug Martin, Mike James, Bobby Rainey, and Jeff Demps. Martin and James both sustained injuries last season while Rainey was the dark horse carrying the load down the stretch. Certainly Martin will be the starter once again but Demps can be used in special teams with his dynamic speed. Rainey and/or James will more than likely be released with so much depth at the position. Sims brings a different style to the Buccaneers offense, which in some way is similar to how Darren Sproles impacted the New Orleans Saints in his tenure there.  Sims is a speedy back that can catch the ball and can be utilized in the open field. He has soft hands and is very athletic, just his durability may be in question. Tampa Bay followed by taking two offensive linemen in the fifth round and wrapped up their 2014 draft by selecting WR Robert Herron from Wyoming to. Tampa’s two rookie guards Kadeem Edwards and tackle Kelvin Pamphile may jump into a starter role with all-pro Carl Nick’s continuous health concerns. Personally, I don't think you want your fifth round pick protecting the most important position on the field in the season opener against the Carolina Panthers, especially if they aren’t prepared. The Bucs signed offensive linemen Evan Dietrich-Smith, Anthony Collins and Oneil Cousins in free agency as they let some of the older veterans depart to get younger up front. Robert Herron could possibly receive playing time but more than likely as a reserve wide out. He’s a smaller receiver at 5'9 and would fit in the slot if he would take routes across the middle but his small frame hinders the thought. Don’t be surprised if Tim Wright, who really wasn't a TE to begin with, transition to the slot guy. At 6'3 he and the rest of the receivers set up some skyscrapers for McCown to work with.

Overall, I believe the Bucs did a solid job in the draft. Although, I would have taken an offensive lineman higher in the draft with their needs at that position, but, overall it was a solid class. The defense bulked up during free agency with some interior lineman alongside some value in the secondary after the departure of Darrelle Revis, Tampa Bay appears to be heading in the right direction this season. Despite the improvements, the NFC South remains one of the toughest around the NFL with New Orleans adding to their receiving core and Atlanta taking care of gaps in their offensive and defensive lines will make this a competitive division once again. Carolina is the mystery as their defense will have to back-up their coming out party from last year, but how they will get the ball down the field still has me puzzled? Remember this,;no team has won the NFC South in back to back years since the NFL implemented the four divisions for each conference in 2002. One thing is for certain, if healthy and they get “manageable” play at QB watch out NFC South, “THE BUC STOPS HERE”!!!!!!!!