Back to the Future WHY GO FOR 3 INSTEAD OF 7?! We have the worst offense in pro football. That’s worse than Arizona and Oakland. That’s how bad we are. The Steelers game was a joke, and we made them look like Super Bowl winners. As I predicted… As I don’t fancy deliberating on the mess that was Sunday, and as you’ve all read other takes on it, I’m going to leave my commentary on it at that, and instead see where the light is at the end of this long, 3W shaped tunnel. Last week I touched on where I think the Bucs as an organisation were headed, this week I’ll take you on a rundown on the players we have now and if they’ll be here or not come late September, the players available in free-agency, position-by-position weaknesses and the draft. The Bucs need a fully blown overhaul, of that I think that the majority of Bucs fans agree on. What I’m about to suggest is not a full waiver list for this season – merely the players I think should leave the Bucs once replacements of a higher standard are found. Similarly, my predictions for next season will not include random non-Buc players. Merely those available in Free Agency or via the draft. First up, the skill players on offense (QB, RB, WR, FB - * means practice squad) Quarterback Currently: Bruce Gradkowski, Tim Rattay, Luke McCown, Chris Simms (IR) Gradkowski is the starter, for the time being, and along with Luke McCown are the only QBs we have signed for next year, with Simms having been offered a new two-year deal, and Rattay awaiting news of any description. Some reporters have been calling for Rattay this past week, saying that whatever ability Gradkowski does have, is being destroyed by the team’s results. Rubbish. Firstly, if he’s getting upset because of losing and playing badly to the extent he’s lost all faith in himself, then release him. If a player can’t take the rough with the smooth (albeit hardly baby’s bottom smooth at the moment), then he doesn’t deserve to be in the NFL. Go and join a soccer team if that’s your attitude Bruce, although I doubt it is - Gruden would have him lynched if it was. (Shame we haven’t got a Lynch around really…) Secondly, why should a QB who’s doubtful over getting a new contract play? Put Luke McCown in if we need a replacement, sure he’s not reached peak fitness after his injury, but why take him off the PUP list if it was doubtful he’d be ready? Gradkowski and McCown are not at this moment ready for the starting life of the NFL, barring a wake-up call of massive proportions in Training Camp. As such, we should re-sign Chris Simms. If this fails, Byron Leftwich is the only viable option, unless we go for Matt Schaub who would cost an arm and a leg to obtain. If we don’t sign a QB, I do expect us to take a QB as our first round pick. Sure, we have other more pressing needs, and we’ve tried and failed before, but we need a QB who’ll relish being thrown in the deep end. Prediction For Next Season: Chris Simms, Bruce Gradkowski, Luke McCown (If not Simms, Schaub or Leftwich, Brady Quinn, Troy Smith or JaMarcus Russell) Running Back Currently: Cadillac Williams, Michael Pittman, Earnest Graham, *Lionel Gates* Caddy is our go-to guy here, with Pittman having seen most of his time this season split as kick-off returner and receiver, both positions where he’s played well, if not set the league on fire. Caddy is in a funk. He’s lost confidence, but still knows he’s got the ability to be a major player in the NFL. I think he needs to be nurtured this off-season, mentally, and not used only for a couple of downs in pre-season. I know pre-season is largely a waste of time and effort, but if he had played more, stayed healthy and played well, his mind-set could have been improved on opening day. He’s our starting RB next year, and Pittman and Graham will stick around, as both have deals that last the year, with Graham having signed a new contract this past month. Prediction For Next Season: Carnell ‘Cadillac’ Williams, Michael Pittman, Earnest Graham Wide Receiver Currently: Joey Galloway, Michael Clayton (IR), Ike Hilliard, Maurice Stovall, Paris Warren, Mark Jones, *Chas Gessner*, *Chad Lucas* Where do I start? In an ideal world, Joey G would pick up all the deep balls, with Clayton catching the short to mid yardage throws, with Ike in the three receiver sets. Sadly, in this Bucs team nothing goes according to plan. Galloway is still ridiculously fast, particularly for a seasoned-vet, but one day his speed will catch up with him – for now though, that’s not an issue. What is an issue is Michael Clayton. Last season? No passes thrown to him. This season? Slightly more passes thrown, a lot more dropped. This is one guy who needs to be rebuilt as a whole package this off-season, or I expect 2007 to be his last one with us. There’s no doubt somewhere tucked away the man has talent, 2004 was not a fluke season, but the longer his drought of play-making games goes, the more inclined I’ll be to believe it. Something needs to click with Michael Clayton this off-season, and maybe ending the season early could help. Ike Hilliard is Mr Reliable. Few, if any drops, consistent on 3rd downs, and generally a good roster guy. I believe he’ll stick around for a few more years. Stovall is my biggest annoyance of the season, in part down to the fan-fare his acquisition brought. He’s been active for five games, has one catch (11 yards) and nothing else. Now Clayton’s gone for the year, I expect him to be our number two or three wideout, with Paris Warren getting a few snaps too. Jones has been resigned purely as backup, and I don’t envisage him being here next year. Prediction For Next Season: Joey Galloway, Michael Clayton, Ike Hilliard, Maurice Stovall, Paris Warren Fullback Currently: Mike Alstott, Jerald Sowell, *Jon Goldsberry* A-Train is leaving, Sowell will probably follow him, unless Gruden knows something we don’t. Meaning this is one skill position we need to take a look at this off-season, in a big way. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Pittman being given a trial run out here, but I think a 4th position for him would be a bit much! Justin Griffith is the only fullback of any note available this free agency, and with the Falcons being the leading rushers this year, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him suit up in Tampa next year. Brian Leonard (Rutgers) has been compared to Alstott this year, but by all accounts could bulk up a little. A reason I can’t see the Bucs taking him is that they need an immediate fix at that point. Prediction For Next Season: Justin Griffith, Rookie. Based on my bit of analysis, our skill players won’t change that much this off-season, which is good – we do have talent there, it just needs a wake-up call and a dose of maturity and experience at certain positions, namely QB and FB (where we’ll need anyone – wonder if Gruden ever looks to the UK?) Next week, I’ll take a look at the Offensive and Defensive lines. As a result of column length, there will be no NFL Watch this week folks. Richard Lowe December 2006