Posted by  Greg Mogle, Seminole, florida on 09/02  at  09:10 AM

Sorry, but my beloved BUCS will only go 8 and 8 or 9 and 7 at best. Too many injuries and holes.

Posted by  Matt P, Hermosa Beach, CA on 09/01  at  11:15 PM

Did the starters not play against the Giants either? 
The point being the Houston game exposed the weakness in the Bucs D.  Gameplan being send 1 or 2 WR deep, MLB will follow and clear out short, then throw short to RB, TE or slot WR.  Piecemeal yardage. Giants executed this to a T.  So did Houston. I think/hope Monte’s got this figured out outherwise it will be a long season.

Posted by  BigBucFan, Sarasota on 08/31  at  09:43 AM

I’m down with doomsayers leaving. The Saints, in my opinion suck, & are over-rated. The season is just about to start, thank goodness. A great deal of anticipation this season. Many can relate. We all know the O line & the weapons we have. We may not have the Super-Starpower, but the Bucs are solid(53)from top to bottom. The unity & cohesion seems to be there too. Gustav has lost it’s classic form & weakened some. It may lose more speed now that it is reaching cooler waters. Hopefully it hits as only a Cat 1 & saves the City, the Levees, the Whining & Bush Bashing. Problem is, you can’t save the Saints. Their fate is Sealed, Week 1. All you will here time & again is “Touchdown Tampa Bay”!

Posted by  todd, PSJ on 08/30  at  06:47 PM

Matt pee pee,

You are a dumb ##### !! For one thing our starters didn’t play against Houston. And the Aints winning the division..are you serious ? You are nothing but an idiot Aints fan.  We will whoop that ##### twice this season. You just better hope the Aints have a home next week. They might have to play all road games. If they are smart they will leave the Big Ditch now and run for high ground this time isn’t that right BigBucFan ?..lol. And don’t come running over here because there is no love for ya. 
“GO BUCS” NFC SOUTH CHAMPS STILL !!!

Posted by  Matt P, Hermosa Beach, CA on 08/30  at  06:28 PM

9-7. 
New Orleans and Carolina got waaay better this offseason.  Also, Houston exposed the weakness in Tampa’s D, one that the Giants had no problem exploiting (short passing game) so it really depends on how Monte’s Army handles that. 
Offensively, the injury to Joseph hurts.  Garcia probably isn’t happy w/ the Bucs right now and I don’t blame him.  I’d be pissed at them too.  He’ll do well but I doubt he’ll put forth a mega-pro bowl effort.
I see the NFC going Dallas, Vikings, Seattle, New Orleans.  Let’s hope 9-7 is good enough for a spot in the post season.

Posted by  BigBucFan, Sarasota on 08/30  at  05:33 PM

Has anyone heard the prognosis on Sabby “Bam Bam” Piscatelli? I guess the cuts haven’t made the headlines yet. If Gruden’s last name was Obama, the Bucs would be picked to win the Superbowl by Every Sports writer in America.

Posted by  Mike Oxley, Cocoa Beach FL on 08/30  at  05:01 PM

The bucs are in the right direction. the O-line has gotten better, we have solid running backs, Garcia is gonna do his thing, and i think we need to give the receivers more credit than what people give them. another thing is that you know the defense is gonna do well.
Its true that people dont give any respect, we can be really good, this team has alot of talent, and we will go places.
I say that the bucs go 10-6 or 11-5 this year with a repeat as division champs.

Posted by  todd, PSJ on 08/30  at  04:57 PM

If key injuries doesn’t happen we will make it deep into the playoffs maybe even to the SB period. Sweeping the Saints and the Falcons and splitting one with the Panthers we can do it with our back ups..lol and winning the Division AGAIN !!  10-6 , 11-5 for the season.

Posted by  shawn sudler, greenville on 08/30  at  04:33 PM

im am so tired of getting nothing but “Rodney Dangerfield”—-(no respect), when it comes to people picking us to win anything. but thats cool, i would rather have it that way, because WHEN we win the division i want to see the analysts back track and eat their own words. 11-5, on our way to at least making the SUPER BOWL! we have to be totally consistent and play our best ball at the end of the season.

Posted by  mkurbo, Sarasota on 08/30  at  01:57 PM

DISRESPECT !!!

All of you need to visit the ESPN site and look at the just posted 2008 NFC South Preview & Predictions !

It is truly unbelievable how they have disrespected the Bucs, starting with a “aging defense” among other generic comments…     

It worth a look and comment.

Posted by  Dick Miller, Sebring, FL. on 08/30  at  12:11 PM

The Bucs have everything EXCEPT A GOOD STARTING QUARTERBACK. After Garcia falls on his butt, maybe Griese or McCown can salvage a 8-8 season. No division championship this season.

Posted by  kyle f, kansas on 08/30  at  10:42 AM

With a deep backfield and O-line we go 11-5, and make the 2nd round of the playoffs. I think kicking game, and the QB positions will be fine, as well as the WR spots.  Go Bucs!!!!

Posted by  rick charlton, st.louis mo on 08/30  at  10:29 AM

I think 11-5 will do just find to win the division. Just gotta hope for luck in the playoffs.  GO BUCCS

Posted by  Travis Kennison, Fort Meade, MD on 08/30  at  09:03 AM

A few streaks will be broken this year.  Bucs will go 11-5 and be the fist to win the NFC South back to back.  They’ll sweep the media darling Saints.  Split with Carolina, and sweep Atlanta too.  Depending on if 11-5 gets a bye this season, Bucs will win at least one playoff game.

Posted by  jimlo, Austin Tx on 08/30  at  08:48 AM

10-6. Enough to win the division and lose in the first round. Still love the Bucs though.

Posted by  Mitch R, NYC on 08/30  at  07:33 AM

Hey Kinzer, can you include one post that doesn’t include the words “Clayton” and “Drops”? 

For my prediction, 9-7 at worst, 11-5 and divisional championship at best.  Defense will keep us in every game and if we can run the ball successfully and put 6’s up on the board, we will get to the 11 win mark.

Posted by  mike mauldin, bushnell, fl. on 08/30  at  04:37 AM

#1 defense in the league will lead the bucs to an 11-5 record, winning the division back to back, 1st round bye, beat minn. in 2nd round, lose a close nfc championship game at rj to the cowboys

Posted by  walter j croll, sun city center, fl on 08/30  at  03:34 AM

10-6….that record will win their division

Posted by  Rodney A Westmoreland, Germany on 08/30  at  01:32 AM

Gruden and Allen have no more excuses so this year it’s going to be fun to watch.  I really think they can go all the way.  Their depth at every position is ridiculous so even if we lose a player here and a player there we will still be dominant.  I agree the BUCS have had a lot to overcome with what they gave up for Gruden, but I think Gruden is one of the most innovative coaches out there, and this year he will prove why he is one of the best coaches in the league.  My prediction 13-3, First Round Bye, Beat the Giants in the NFC Championship game and become the real “Redemption Team” Then beat the Jags in the Super Bowl to become the first team to win a hosted Super Bowl.  GO BUCS!! Fire those Cannons and let’s get this season going.

Posted by  Michael Caudill, Naples,Italy on 08/30  at  12:05 AM

I have seen alot of doubters, and don’t know why. I think the Bucs have improved on defense and offense. enough said about the defense, but for the offense. Graham one more year from a great season will do even better. Have you seen the holes the offense line have been opening? Those holes have been San Diego like. Better WR’s with addition of AB. Clayton seems to be back. I see first pick Pro Bowl for Garcia. 10-6, winning the division. Deeper into the playoffs. Go Bucs

Posted by  todd, PSJ on 08/29  at  08:30 PM

We will go 10-6…Win the NFC South. Win the first game in the playoffs..then get beat in the second. I am praying we make it to the superbowl and be the first team to host it.  Time will tell.
The Saints are going to get their ##### kicked. Those are the games I can’t wait to see. “GO BUCS” !!!

Posted by  Andy Grosh, Greencastle PA on 08/29  at  08:25 PM

I’m thinking 11-5 due to the depth the Bucs have this season.  Drew Brees or Jake Delhomme go down and they are done, we have much better back ups.

Posted by  T. Stew, New Jersey on 08/29  at  04:13 PM

The Bucs will finish either 10-6 or 11-5. Either way, they will win the NFC South going away and at least make it to the NFC Title Game. The running game,surprisingly timely big plays on offense and top 5 defense will propel Tampa Bay to a possibly Super Season. The Aints (as always) are overrated because the so-called experts feel so so so sorry for them. That defense and crunch time choking keeps them out of the playoffs. The Hillbilly Kitties will fall on their faces when Delhomme gets hurt again ending any hopes of a winning season. The Stinky Birds will do just that and wind up in the basement.

Posted by  yansen C, sergeant bluff on 08/29  at  03:47 PM

9-7 but i can also see 10-6. second in the division, but earns a wild-card spot beating someone in the NFC east. hope im wrond and they get 1st again.

Posted by  John Carter, Merritt Island on 08/29  at  03:41 PM

Say fella’s, I’m a huge Buc’s fan but alway fall back on conservative outlooks with my bucs. S, with that said: 8-8 & second in the division.