Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers After finishing 9-7 and missing the playoffs in 2008, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers clean house in the offseason. The Bucs released veterans, Derrick Brooks, wide receiver Joey Galloway and running back Warrick Dunn. Their new head coach and GM duo of Raheem Morris and Mark Dominik also decided not to re-sign quarterback Jeff Garcia.

Tampa Bay added free agents Angelo Crowell, Derrick Ward and quarterback Byron Leftwich. To compete with Leftwich for the starting job, Tampa drafted Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman with the seventeenth overall pick in April's draft.

As the new-look Buccaneers head into the 2009 season, odds makers have established the Buccaneers' odds to win Super Bowl XLIV at 50/1. They've also given Tampa Bay 25/1 odds to win the NFC and 5/1 odds to win the NFC South.

With all the changes in Tampa Bay, experts don't know what to
make of the Buccaneers in 2009. Playing one of the toughest divisions in football, (NFL South) does not make them any easier to read. The Saints, Panthers, and Falcons all figure to be competitive this year, so many bettors are staying away from the Bucs.

For years the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been defined by their defense. Now, long-time defensive coordinator Monti Kiffin and his "Tampa 2" is gone. Jim Bates brings a more traditional 4-3 scheme to replace Kiffin and his speed-oriented system.

The only thing for sure in Tampa Bay is uncertainty. It would be silly for anyone to say that the Bucs have no chance at be a good team in the 2009 NFL season, it's just that prognosticators simply don't know what to make of all the changes.

I'll be staying away from the Bucs with my futures bets. There is just too much risk. I have no doubt that the Buccaneers will need some time to adjust to their new system.