| The Bucs completely fell apart down the stretch in | | | | of upside and is well worth taking a shot on after the |
| 2008 culminating with a devastating 31-24 loss to the | | | | top 2 tiers of RB's are gone. Ward has been going |
| Oakland Raiders at home on the last week of the | | | | consistently around the same time as rookie |
| season to miss the playoffs. Were there some strong | | | | Knowshon Moreno, Lendale White, Willie Parker, Larry |
| ramifications after the loss? You bet as Tampa fired | | | | Johnson, and Cedric Benson and out of this group I like |
| Head Coach and former Raider Head Coach Jon | | | | Ward and Benson the best. Keep and eye on Ward |
| Gruden who led the team to unthinkable heights in | | | | and if you can snag him around the 6th round you are |
| 2002 when the Buc's destroyed the Raiders 48-21 in | | | | committing grand larceny. Graham seems appeased |
| Super Bowl XXXVII. Replacing Gruden will be 32 year | | | | to be back at FB but don't kid yourself folks he will get |
| old Raheem Morris who takes the position after | | | | some reps and certainly will see some goal line carries |
| coaching the Bucs DB's. I like Morris but he will have | | | | which equates to TD's and fantasy production. Again |
| growing pains as all other rookie coaches and players | | | | keep an eye on Graham as some of the mock's I |
| that step into the NFL. The Bucs also made some | | | | have been doing he has fallen to the 12th round and |
| noise in the draft by selecting Kansas State QB Josh | | | | beyond and he would be a great value at that position. |
| Freeman in the first round. Freeman is rumored to be | | | | The Bucs receiving corps has been lacking for years |
| putting up quite a battle for the starting job. However, I | | | | and that is one of the main reasons Winslow was |
| am here to talk fantasy people and now I'll examine | | | | brought in. Although, listed as a TE Winslow when |
| the Bucs fantasy prospects heading into 2009. | | | | healthy provides more big play ability that all of |
| Along with Freeman Tampa has veterans Luke | | | | Tampa's WR's with maybe the exception of Antonio |
| McCown, and Byron Leftwich heading to camp making | | | | Bryant who had a career year in 2008. Bryant caught |
| for a 3 headed QB battle coming to Florida's Gulf | | | | 83 passes for 1248 yards and 7 TD's but I am |
| Coast in a few short weeks. Regardless of who wins | | | | skeptical of him posting similar numbers this year for a |
| this job none are worth drafting in August and | | | | couple reasons. First, Bryant has historically |
| represent only waiver wire emergency options as the | | | | underachieved and has had numerous run in's with the |
| season goes on. Well, I take that back if Leftwich wins | | | | law for a variety of offenses. With Commissioner |
| the job he would have the most fantasy potential out | | | | Roger Goodel laying the hammer down regarding the |
| of the three by far. A true gutsy veteran, Leftwich has | | | | leagues new personally conduct policy Bryant is just |
| always had a cannon arm and is a proven leader. | | | | one mishap away from a suspension. Furthermore, as |
| McCown has had some fine moments in the NFL but | | | | mentioned I believe the Bucs do not possess a reliable |
| needless to say there are far better options even at | | | | enough QB to get Bryant the ball consistently like Jeff |
| the number 2 QB position than McCown. Freeman is a | | | | Garcia did last year. Right now treat Bryant as a |
| rookie and 99% of rookie QB's struggle as Matt Ryan | | | | number 3 WR or a Flex option but don't reach for him. |
| and Joe Flacco are the exceptions rather than the rule. | | | | The Bucs have been waiting for Michael Clayton to |
| Keep on eye on this battle in training camp and hey | | | | show his true potential for the last 6 years and are still |
| this is the NFL where anything can happen and I could | | | | waiting and quite frankly I cannot believe this slug |
| be completely wrong but I would strongly advise | | | | hasn’t been cut yet. I mean this is the team that |
| against resting your fantasy hopes on any of the Buc's | | | | fired Gruden and released long time Pro Bowl LB |
| QB. | | | | Derrick Brooks correct? Clayton has underachieved |
| Free agent pick up Derrick Ward acquired via the NY | | | | since day one and don't expect anything different in |
| Giants this off season figures to be the Buc's best | | | | '09. The former LSU standout and NFL dud should be |
| fantasy player along with another newbie TE Kellen | | | | considered only in 16 team leagues. No other Buc WR |
| Winslow who Tampa traded for from the Cleveland | | | | warrants any draft consideration at this time. |
| Browns in part of the "Mangenious" house sale that | | | | Getting back to Winslow it will be interesting to see |
| took place when the former Belichek disciple came | | | | how he readjusts back to life in Florida. The former |
| aboard. Ward gets his chance to shine now as he is | | | | Miami product clearly wore out his welcome with the |
| Tampa's number one option at RB with Earnest | | | | Browns and is looking to rejuvenate his career in |
| Graham moving to FB though who knows how long | | | | Tampa. If Winslow can stay healthy he could be a |
| that will last as Graham has some definite running | | | | steal for fantasy owners this year as he has been |
| abilities. For years Ward has been in the shadow of | | | | going in the neighborhood of the 10th-12th rounds in |
| Brandon Jacobs and has still been pretty productive. | | | | CBS mocks. If you miss the on the high end TE's and |
| Last year witnessed Ward eclipse the 1000 yard mark | | | | are still hoping to get a playmaker at the position then |
| for the first time in his career finishing with 1025 yards | | | | Winslow is your guy. |
| and 2 TD's. Ward represents a player that has plenty | | | | |