NFL 2000 Preview - NFC Central
By: James AlderDateline: August 17, 2000
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This is the year the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been waiting for. This is the season they plan on paying everyone back for the years they have suffered as the NFL doormat. After leading the league in defense a year ago and adding Keyshawn Johnson the Buccaneers are feeling real good about their chances of winning it all.Tampa Bay is another NFC Central division team that is depending on the development of a second-year quarterback. Shawn King was impressive in his rookie season, showing a lot of poise in winning five of the seven games he started, after taking over for the ineffective Trent Dilfer. King will have the added advantage this year of having wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson to throw to, but he will also have the added pressure of knowing the Buccaneers need him to continue to develop if they are going to attain their goal.
Johnson dramatically improves the talent level at wide receiver this year and with the emergence of Jaquez Green last year the Buccaneers may actually have a decent passing attack. And a decent passing attack is all they need. Reidel Anthony is another speed burner that may benefit from Keyshawn's presence.
On the ground, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers feature the best one-two punch in the league. Mike Alstott is a bruising fullback that can pound the ball down your throat all day long. Warrick Dunn provides the perfect change up at halfback with his quick feet and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. The Bucs have also upgraded their running game by adding free agent linemen Jeff Christy and Randall McDaniel from division rival Minnesota.
Tampa's running game is the perfect compliment to their dominating defense. Alstott and Dunn keep the chains moving, keeping the ball away from opposing offenses while allowing their own defense to rest.
The defense in Tampa Bay starts with Warren Sapp, the most dominating defensive tackle in the game today. Sapp recorded 12 sacks last year and was an intimidating run stopper. Brad Culpepper, Steve White, and Chidi Ahanotu join Sapp as starters on the defensive line, and look for second-year tackle Anthony McFarland to get more playing time this year.
The linebacking crew took a hit in the offseason with the loss of middle linebacker Hardy Nickerson so, Jamie Duncan will be given a shot at Nickerson's slot in the middle and Shelton Quarles will line up as the strong side linebacker while team MVP Derrick Brooks lines up on the weak side. Brooks led the team in tackles last year with 153 including three forced fumbles.
Perhaps the most dangerous job in the NFL is catching a pass in the Buccaneers secondary. Tampa Bay's defensive backs are probably the hardest hitting group in the league. Donnie Abraham and Ronde Barber are the starting cornerbacks and Damien Robinson is the starting free safety. John Lynch recorded 110 tackles last year and developed a reputation as one of the hardest hitting defenders in the league.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are definitely one of the best teams in the league this year, but they have got to get a better performance out of their offense if they want to go to the Super Bowl. If Shawn King continues to progress and Keyshawn Johnson becomes the weapon they hope he will be, then Buccaneer fans can start lining up for Super Bowl tickets now.
Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Minnesota Vikings
How Will they Finish?
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