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Bucs 2007 Season In Review

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By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 7, 2008

REASONS TO BELIEVE

1. The league's youngest offensive line held up most of the season, yielding only 16 sacks during the first 10 games and powering a ground game that averaged 4.2 yards per carry. Second-year G Davin Joseph and rookie G Arron Sears have a chance to be special.

2. Since the start of training camp July 26, the camaraderie was extraordinary. This was a special group of players who enjoyed each other's company, played hard for each other and cared about the guy in the next locker. That spirit was exemplified when the entire bench emptied to console injured WR Paris Warren in the final preseason game Aug. 30.

3. The defense rebounded from a subpar 2006 season to reclaim its stature as an elite unit. Veterans like Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber and Kevin Carter showed the youngsters how to be a professional and Jovan Haye, Tanard Jackson, Barrett Ruud and Gaines Adams contributed to the NFC's No. 1 unit.

4. The emergence of Earnest Graham as a reliable feature back kept QB Jeff Garcia in favorable down-and-distance situations. Graham scored 10 TDs and ran with confidence, providing a sense of security if Cadillac Williams isn't ready when '08 camp opens.

REASONS TO WORRY

1. Sunday's drab playoff performance reminds Buc fans that when Joey Galloway is ineffective, Tampa Bay lacks enough playmakers to dictate matchups. The other WRs combined for only two TD catches, so another speedy target is the No. 1 offseason priority.

2. Jeff Garcia turns 38 in February and the Bucs are still looking to groom their QB of the future. Garcia is as tough as they come, but he's nearing the end of an accomplished career and Chris Simms faces an uncertain future.

3. Graham gets the yards that are there, but a complementary speed back would give opposing defenses another look and concern. After New York's Brandon Jacobs pounded away against the Bucs Sunday, rookie Ahmad Bradshaw represented an effective change of pace.

4. Until Jon Gruden's contract is extended, free agents will be reluctant to join the Bucs. Tampa Bay isn't the only team with $30 million in cap room and Gruden's lame-duck status needs to be resolved by the beginning of March.

SURPRISE, SURPRISE

1. There were stories everywhere, but none more improbable than DE Greg White, who posted eight sacks and forced seven fumbles after signing a week into training camp. The former Arena Football League standout remains raw, but White boasts pass-rush instincts that can't be taught.

2. When Luke Petitgout went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 4, the Bucs didn't know if they could adequately protect Garcia's blind side. But 24-year-old LT Donald Penn seized the opportunity and played well without requiring a lot of help, taking on the likes of Dwight Freeney, Charles Grant and John Abraham.

3. Gruden dispelled a reputation for mistrusting young players as Jackson and Sears started every game as rookies. Ruud kept his starting job at MLB despite the presence of veteran Jeremiah Trotter and led Tampa Bay with 169 tackles.

4. Micheal Spurlock did it.

PLAYS OF THE YEAR

1. Spurlock did it.

2. Jerramy Stevens made his first scoring catch of the year count, grabbing Garcia's 4-yard flip with 14 seconds remaining for a 27-23 victory at New Orleans. Tampa Bay's fourth consecutive win gave the Bucs plenty of breathing room atop the NFC South and they clinched the division two weeks later.

3. Veteran CB Brian Kelly secured a 19-13 triumph against Washington in Week 12 by picking off a Jason Campbell pass in the end zone with only 17 seconds remaining.

4. After back-to-back losses against Detroit and Jacksonville left the Bucs at 4-4, S Jermaine Phillips triggered a four-game winning streak with a late interception against Arizona's Kurt Warner near midfield to preserve a 17-10 victory.

QUOTES OF THE YEAR

1. ''Seeing that today just makes me think how ridiculous it was that we hadn't gotten one.'' – Ruud after Spurlock's 90-yard kickoff return for a TD against Atlanta Dec. 16.

2. ''At this time, we have seen no objective evidence to support the charges that were brought against him.'' – Bucs GM Bruce Allen shortly after WR David Boston was arrested on a DUI charge Aug. 23. Boston was released Sept. 12, two days after his urine test came back positive for the drug GHB.

3. ''From worst to first – this team is like no other I've ever been a part of.'' – TE Anthony Becht Dec. 16, after the Bucs clinched their third NFC South title in Gruden's six seasons in Tampa.

4. ''We're not going back to the cellar.'' – Brooks on Jan. 7, the day after the Bucs were eliminated by the Giants 24-14 in an NFC opening-round playoff matchup.

BY THE NUMBERS

40-7: Bucs record under Gruden when winning the turnover battle.

5-35: Bucs record under Gruden when losing the turnover battle.

9: Number of Buc starters Sunday who also opened the playoff game against Washington two years ago (Galloway, C John Wade, TE Alex Smith, TE Anthony Becht, DT Chris Hovan, Brooks, LB Ryan Nece, Barber, Phillips).

1: Touchdown catches for WR Michael Clayton in the last 40 regular-season games since his outstanding rookie year.

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