2002 Results

Coach: Jon Gruden Record: (12-4) Passing Offense: 15th, 215.3 yds/gm, 23 TDs Rushing Offense: 27th, 97.3 yds/gm, 6 TDs Scoring Offense: 18th, 21.6 pts/gm Team Leaders Passing Att Comp Yds TDs INTs Rating Brad Johnson 451 281 3049 22 6 92.9 Rob Johnson 88 57 536 1 2 75.8 Shaun King 27 10 80 0 1 30 Rushing Att Yds Avg TDs Long   Michael Pittman 204 718 3.5 1 21   Mike Alstott 146 548 3.8 5 32   Aaron Stecker 28 174 6.2 0 59   Rob Johnson 14 73 5.2 0 21   Brad Johnson 13 30 2.3 0 6                 Receiving Rec Yds Avg TDs Long   Keyshawn Johnson 76 1088 14.3 5 76   Keenan McCardell 61 670 11 6 65   Michael Pittman 59 477 8.1 0 64   Joe Jurevicius 37 423 11.4 4 26   Ken Dilger 34 329 9.7 2 40   Mike Alstott 35 242 6.9 2 44   Rickey Dudley 16 192 12 3 35

2003 Results

Coach: Jon Gruden Record: (7-9) Passing Offense: 6th, 237.8 yds/gm, 27 TDs Rushing Offense: 24th, 103.0 yds/gm, 5 TDs Scoring Offense: 18th, 18.8 pts/gm Team Leaders Passing Att Comp Yds TDs INTs Rating Brad Johnson 570 354 3811 26 21 81.5 Shaun King 22 15 130 1 1 79.7               Rushing Att Yds Avg TDs Long   Michael Pittman 187 751 4 0 17   Thomas Jones 137 627 4.6 3 61   Aaron Stecker 37 125 3.4 0 15   Mike Alstott 27 77 2.9 2 29   Brad Johnson 25 33 1.3 0 13                 Receiving Rec Yds Avg TDs Long   Keenan McCardell 84 1174 14 8 76   Keyshawn Johnson 45 600 13.3 3 39   Michael Pittman 75 597 8 2 68   Charles Lee 33 432 13.1 2 72   Ken Dilger 22 244 11.1 1 48   Thomas Jones 24 180 7.5 0 29   Jameel Cook 20 120 6 1 19   Joe Jurevicius 12 118 9.8 2 22

2004 Fantasy Outlook
Coaches: Jon Gruden (HC), Jon Gruden (OC), Monte Kiffin (DC)
Passing SOS: 1st (1 = Easy, 32 = Difficult)
Rushing SOS: 3rd (1 = Easy, 32 = Difficult)

One of Jon Gruden's top priorities is to establish a better rushing attack in '04. Tampa lost control of their running game last season scoring only 5 (five) TDs on the ground. Changes along the offensive line (possibly 4 new starters) and the additions of Charlie Garner, Jamel White, & Brandon Bennett show that he's looking for answers. Michael Pittman will fit into the mix beginning Week 4 after his league-mandated 3 game suspension is served. The other major offseason story surrounds WR Keenan McCardell who continues to holdout of camp in a contract dispute. McCardell signed a four-year, $10 million contract that included a $2 million signing bonus in June of 2002 but wants to be paid like a #1 WR. McCardell became Tampa's #1 WR after Keyshawn Johnson was suspended in Week 12 last season. This situation does not seem close to a resolution and could elevate the fantasy values of Joey Galloway, rookie Michael Clayton, and Charles Lee. In addition, Tampa if loaded with RBs that can catch the ball out of the backfield... Garner, Pittman, Alstott, & Jamel White can all pick up the slack should McCardell extend his holdout into the season.

Quarterbacks: Brad Johnson, Brian Griese, Chris Simms
Brad Johnson is one of those fantasy QBs that you cherish as a backup but feel a little uneasy about as a starter. You can't argue with last years' numbers... 3800+ yds and a career high 26 TDs; plus the Bucs favorable SOS against the pass looks very inviting. Still, would really feel comfortable with Brad Johnson as your #1 option at QB? I wouldn't. Everyone looks young compared to Testaverde but Johnson is 36 years old and does have a injury history, only making it through 2 full seasons unscathed. The unsettled situation at WR with McCardell, Joe Jurevicius struggles to remain healthy and having to break-in a rookie receiver is enough question marks to make Johnson a risky proposition.

The backup QB position seems to be up for grabs at this point. Brian Griese was brought in during the offseason however Chris Simms seems to be impressing in camp, enough so that some ESPN talking-heads have projected Simms to be starting by mid-season. There's no doubt that Brad Johnson's job is safe for now and he will be the Week 1 starter but keep your on Simms as he is sure to get the bulk of the work in the Bucs' preseason games.

Projected Stats
Brad Johnson - 3,578 yds, 22 TDs, 14 INTs; 49 rush yds, 1 TD; 277.8 FF Pts
Brian Griese - 189 yds, 0 TDs; 0 INTs; 14 rush yds, 0 TDs; 10.8 FF Pts

Running Backs: Charlie Garner, Michael Pittman, Jamel White, Brandon Bennett
Fullbacks: Mike Alstott, Greg Comella
The Bucs have lost RB Michael Pittman to a three-game league-mandated suspension due to his involvement in a domestic violence incident last May in which he rammed his Hummer H2 into a car that his wife, 1-year-old son, and a babysitter were riding in. As a result, Charlie Garner is expected to open the season as the Bucs starting RB but Pittman continues to work with the first team in practice. He'll need the reps early since by league rule he cannot practice with the team during his suspension.

Pittman was the Bucs leading rusher a year ago, but his suspension opens the door Garner who is a perfect fit for Jon Gruden's offense. Don't forget the Bucs signed Garner to a six- year, $23 million deal just days after he had surgery in March. He's quick, has good speed, and catches the ball out of the backfield with ease. On the negative side, he is coming off knee surgery (torn left meniscus) and hasn't proven to be an every-down back. He's most valuable getting 15 to 18 touches a game which is why you'll likely see Garner and Jamel White (shoulder) be used in a committee approach the first 3 weeks of the season, then Garner & Pittman will make up the committee once Pittman returns from suspension. "We haven't had anybody like him since I've been here,'' said Gruden, who also coached Garner during stints in Philadelphia and Oakland. "He's a thick, quick football player who I hope gives us a shot of energy and some playmaking.''

FB Mike Alstott is coming off of neck surgery but has been cleared for contact and is participating in camp. So far so good, but it remains to be seen how much he will be used this season. He could be featured at the goaline stealing valuable carries away from Garner or Pittman.

Projected Stats
Charlie Garner - 996 yds, 5 TDs; 57 rec, 458 yds, 2 TDs; 187.4 FF Pts
Michael Pittman - 449 yds, 2 TDs; 22 rec, 159 yds, 1 TD; 78.8 FF Pts
Mike Alstott - 266 yds, 3 TDs; 11 rec, 65 yds, 0 TDs; 51.1 FF Pts
Jamel White - 43 yds, 0 TDs; 8 rec, 50 yds, 0 TDs; 9.3 FF Pts

Wide Receivers: Keenan McCardell, Joey Galloway, Joe Jurevicius, Charles Lee, Michael Clayton, Bill Schroeder
What a messy situation this is. With the suspension of Keyshawn Johnson a year ago and his ultimate release, the Bucs were counting on Keenan McCardell to be their number option this season. Problem is, he wants to be paid like a #1 WR and is currently holding out of training camp in a contract dispute.

Joe Jurevicius underwent surgery to repair a herniated disc in his lower back and could possibly be back sometime during September. "It could be a couple weeks, it could be six weeks; it all depends on how quickly he responds to the rehab.'' Jurevicius, who has been rehabbing a knee injury that cut short his 2003 season, injured his back while catching a pass in the Bucs' June minicamp.

That leaves Joey Galloway, first-round pick Michael Clayton, and Charles Lee as Tampa's top receiving flavors of the moment. Galloway left practice Saturday with a sore right knee, Clayton missed workouts because of a bruised sternum, and Charles Lee also skipped practice with a hamstring injury. Luckily its still early August so these guys have time get healthy but the McCardell situation is the key topic to keep your eye on. Should his holdout linger into the season (the two sides are nowhere close at this point) a starting lineup of Galloway and Lee would make sense with Clayton filling the #3 role until he's ready for full-time, perhaps midway through the season.

Projected Stats
Joey Galloway - 52 rec, 814 yds, 4 TDs; 105.4 FF Pts
Keenan McCardell - 54 rec, 686 yds, 4 TDs; 92.6 FF Pts
Charles Lee - 29 rec, 474 yds, 1 TD; 53.4 FF Pts
Michael Clayton - 27 rec, 448 yds, 0 TDs; 44.8 FF Pts
Joe Jurevicius - 17 rec, 226 yds, 1 TD; 28.6 FF Pts

Tight Ends: Dave Moore, Rickey Dudley, Ken Dilger
Its hard to determine fantasy value for this 3-headed monster as Gruden won't hesitate to use anyone of his tight ends in the passing game. The Bucs offense calls for a lot of play-action passes around the goaline but since TE-by-committee is in full-effect, trying to guess who will benefit most is almost pointless. Look elsewhere for your fantasy TE, but should injuries take their toll on one or two players in the group, those left standing will at least have marginal value.

Projected Stats
Dave Moore - 15 rec, 147 yds, 2 TDs; 26.7 FF Pts
Rickey Dudley - 12 rec, 136 yds, 1 TD; 19.6 FF Pts