PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS

NO. 18

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

We actually think the Bucs are going to be pretty good this year, even though we can't justify putting them any higher than No. 18 for now.

The franchise made some great moves in free agency, picking up guys like Jeff Garcia and Luke Petitgout and Cato June without having to cough up a lot of money. 

And the sense of urgency is there, since coach Jon Gruden knows that a poor showing will be the end of his time in Tampa.

The defense is still sufficiently adequate to get the job done; the challenge is to turn around an offense that was dreadful in 2006.  Running back Cadillac Williams had a significant drop in production, due in large part to the fact that there was no passing game to pull a safety away from the line of scrimmage.

Garcia will be asked to duplicate a strong performance in Philly from a season ago.  Given what Gruden did with Rich Gannon in Oakland, we fully expect Garcia to play well -- and to ignite an attack that averaged only 13 points per game a year ago. 

We wouldn't be surprised by a berth in the postseason.  At a minimum, we think that the Bucs will be better in 2007 than they were in 2006.

Key departures:  OT Kenyatta Walker, G Sean Mahan, DE Dewayne White.

Key arrivals:  QB Jeff Garcia, LT Luke Petitgout, LB Cato June, FB B.J. Askew, DE Kevin Carter, DE Patrick Chukwurah.

Draft pick most likely to make an impact:  S Sabby Piscitelli.

Coach's current job security:  Day to day.