Know They Enemy: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Thursday, December 31, 2009 8:00 AM
- Written By: NFL Blog Blitz
Here is a breakdown of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who will host the Falcons on Sunday.
Record: 3-12 (1-6 at home), 4th in NFC South
Last Week: Stunned the NFL by beating the Saints 20-17 in overtime for their second straight win.
Last Game vs. Falcons: Falcons won 20-17 in a Week 12 contest in Atlanta, as backup quarterback Chris Redman threw a last-minute touchdown to Roddy White.
Key Injuries: DE Jimmy Wilkerson and RB Earnest Graham have been placed on injured reserve. RB Derrick Ward (knee) and G Jeremy Zuttah (toe) didn’t practice Wednesday, while TE Kellen Winslow (knee) was limited.
Players to Know: QB Josh Freeman (55.2 CMP%, 1,683 YDS, 9 TD, 16 INT), RB Cadillac Williams (781 YDS, 4.1 AVG, 4 TD), TE Kellen Winslow (72 REC, 828 YDS, 5 TD), LB Barrett Ruud (125 TACK, 1 INT, 7 PASS DEF), DE Stylez G. White (42 TACK, 6.5 SACK), CB Aqib Talib (58 TACK, 5 INT, 13 PASS DEF)
Ranks: Offense – Pts/G: 28th, Pass: 25th, Run: 23rd. Defense – Pts/G: 27th. Pass: 11th, Run: 30th
Storyline: After a miserable start to the season, the Bucs have won two in a row. Will it be enough to save the job of first-year head coach Raheem Morris? Morris seems well liked by his players but could still be dumped for a more experienced leader. Former Steelers coach Bill Cowher has been among those mentioned.
Additional Reading: The rumor mill in Tampa has been busy of late, thanks to the coaching situation.
-- ANDREW SIMON
