I'm new to the site, so I may just be echoing some of the already popular ideologies on this board. That said, here are some things to think about, or laugh at, as kickoff on August 8th grows closer every minute.Opening day depth chart:QB- Josh McCown, Mike Glennon*Glennon has a great chance to carve up some back up secondaries in preseason. Especially considering that he should have guys like Evans, ASJ, Mike James, Rainey, Demps and Charles Sims at his disposal. That said, I think McCown is the starter no matter what barring injury. At least for now.RB- Doug Martin, Mike James, Charles Sims, Jeff Demps, Lonnie Pryor, Javorskie Lane*Rainey is the odd man out. Unless he proves to be heads and shoulders above the rest of the team on kickoff returns. TE- Tim Wright, ASJ, Brandon Myers, Luke StockerWR- Vincent Jackson, Mike Evans, Louis Murphy, Chris Owusu, Robert HerronOT- Anthony Collins, Demar Dotson, Kevin Pamphile, Matt PatchanG- Anthony Boone, Jamon Meredith, Patrick Omameh, Kadeem Edwards*Anthony Boone is acquired through a trade with SF that send them a 3rd round pick in 2015C- Evan Dietrich-SmithDE- Michael Johnson, Adrian Clayborn, Will Gholston, Daquan Bowers, Steve MeansDT- Gerald McCoy, Clinton McDonald, Akeem Spence, Euclid CummingsLB- Lavonte David, Mason Foster, Johnathan Casillas, Dane Fletcher, Kalil GlaudeS- Mark Barron, Dashon Goldson, Major Wright, Bradley McDougaldCB- Alteraun Verner, Johnthan Banks, Mike Jenkins, Leonard Johnson, Deveron Carr, Danny GorrerP- Mike KoenenK- Conor BarthLS- Jeremy CainWeek 1 TB vs CARThe division champs of 2013 look to get off to a fast start, but they'll have to do so against a much improved Tampa Bay organization. Carolina has a dominant front 7, led by the likes of Luke Kuechly and a ferocious pass rush that includes Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy (who may end up being suspended to start the season). Where the Panthers are hurting on defense is in their secondary. There are plenty of question marks throughout and if McCown can get the ball out quickly, our receivers should be poised to make some plays, which could in turn set up the run and give us the much needed diversity in our play calling. Offensively, Cam Newton should be 100% coming off of ankle surgery, but it's unclear who he'll be throwing to. Meanwhile, their Offensive line, having lost key players, should struggle mightily, especially right out of the gate. Prediction: After a slow start in the first half, the Bucs come back in the second and break away on the scoreboard thanks to a big Gerald McCoy sack fumble followed by a 12 yard pass to Tim Wright in the back of the end zone.Bucs win 20-10 (1-0)Week 2 TB vs STLOnce again, the new offensive line will be tested by one of the best pass rushing teams in the league. The Rams have a juggernaut of a defensive line, and McCown will have to be able to move around in the pocket and get the ball out of his hands quickly. Like the week before, I think our receivers can take advantage of mismatches and one on ones. The Rams are dangerously thin at safety, which bodes well for guys like Evans and Jenkins. Their offense doesn't scare me, especially with Bradford returning at QB. Tavon Austin is fast but we can contain him. Defense shows up big time.Prediction: This one could really be tough, but if we can limit the effectiveness of their pass rush we can come away with win number two.Bucs win 17-6 (2-0)Week 3 TB @ ATLI am in the majority that expects the falcons to continue to struggle this season. Losing Tony Gonzalez takes them from an elite passing offense to an above average passing offense. Outside of Ryan, Jones, and White the dirty birds look downright thin all across the board. They have a questionable run game and I don't expect rookie Devonte Freeman to be very good right off the bat. Their pass rush will still be limited and their offensive line, despite the addition of Mathews is going to underwhelm. Prediction: Tampa Bay quiets the Georgia Dome as they steamroll the Falcons behind huge performances from both the offense and defense.Bucs win 31-13 (3-0)Week 4 TB @ PITLovie vs Tomlin. Much respect between these two, and a good game is to be expected. Both teams come in to the game at 3-0. McCown is able to find mismatches in the passing game, thanks to a respectable performance from Martin who rushes for 98 yards and 2 tds on 17 carries. Our defense struggles to contain the speed between Antonio Brown and Dri Archer, and the game comes down to the wire.Prediction: The game is tied in the 4th and the Bucs are driving with 5:00 to go. A costly pick from McCown ends up in Ben running down the clock and the steelers kick a game winning field goal.Bucs lose 21-24 (3-1)Week 5 TB @ NOThe first of two meetings with the Saints goes through New Orleans. Drew Brees has his team at 4-0 atop the division as the Bucs get their first big test of the season battling for the division lead. The Saints have a deep group of receivers and a solid line. Their offense is tough to keep up with, but their defense takes major strides as well. This game comes down to which team plays better defense. Prediction: This game won't be easy and in the end the Saints are just more prepared and they get the win.Bucs lose 20-28 (3-2)Week 6 TB vs BALBaltimore comes in having a very stout defense. It will certainly be tough to get a run game going against them if we can't win in the passing game. The tight ends need to step up in this one and Martin/Sims need to bring their A game as far as catching out of the backfield. Baltimore looks good on offense as well having signed Steve Smith to help out Flacco and Tory Smith. This ends up being another battle of the defenses.Prediction: This one is a low scoring defensive battle. Our defense holds off the Ravens offense at the end to add another W in the win/loss column.Bucs win 17-13 (4-2)Week 8 TB vs MINMinnesota should be improved on defense with Mike Zimmer taking over as head coach. The Vikings just aren't ready in year one to win a whole lot of games. Bridgewater will go through some growing pains, and our secondary will benefit from it. If we limit Peterson we should have no problem exploiting their paper thin secondary and getting the victory.Prediction: Bucs win in a non-competitive matchup.Bucs win 31-17 (5-2)Week 9 TB @ CLEI'm sure Manziel will be startimg by week 9 and our defense will be chomping at the bit to get after another rookie QB. They will try to lean on a running game but Tate and West won't be hard to contain. Pressure Johnny Football and give him a reason to wanna go out and get wasted. Offensively we have to play conservatively. The Browns, while weak on offense, are pretty stacked on defense. It will be a take what you can get kind of day.prediction: The Browns can't find the end zone against our defense. Doug Martin has a pretty good day rushing for 140+.Bucs win 19-9 (6-2)Week 10 TB vs ATLSame story as in week 3. Atlanta can't hang, and we win pretty handily.Bucs win 30-16 (7-2)Week 11 TB @ WASWashington is an interesting team. On offense it's going to be worth watching how RGIII does surrounded by Alfred Morris, Desean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, and Jordan Reed. They could be a top 5 offense this season, which puts their success on the backs of the defense. Can their secondary hold up against our trio of big bodied receivers? Can their linebackers stop Doug Martin? I like our defense to pressure Griffin and force some ugly passes.Prediction: This one goes back and forth. The Bucs trail in the fourth but come back to force OT. We win the coin toss and score on a 40+ yard reception by Mike Evans.Bucs win 26-20 OT (8-2)Week 12 TB @ CHILovie's big homecoming. Both offenses match up well: Marshall/Jackson Jeffery/Evans Bennett/Jenkins Forte/Martin. I like the fact that our defense is a lot better than theirs, and let's face it, Lovie will have the team fired up for this one. Prediction: Bucs continue to roll, as the Bears defense ends up blowing an early lead.Bucs win 28-24 (9-2)Week 13 TB vs CINThe Bengals are a very underated team. I predict they will shock some people and make it to the Super Bowl this season. Their offense is potent on the ground and through the air. And their defense is pretty good too, especially if rookie corner Darqueze Dennard can round out their secondary with productive play. The Bucs just can't get it going on this Sunday afternoon however and we suffer an ugly loss.Prediction: The Bengals whoop up on us and bring us back down to earth a bit in a rare letdown from the defense.Bucs lose 13-34 (9-3)Week 14 TB @ DETThe Bucs run right into another potent offense, but this time the defense rises to the occasion and Banks shuts down Megatron like he did last season in the second half of that game. Detroit still has a weak secondary and the linebackers don't look a whole lot better.Prediction: In a game with playoff implications, Tampa marches into Detroit and marches out with their 10th win of the season.Bucs win 23-17 (10-3)Week 15 TB @ CARTampa leads the division by tiebreaker, as the Saints sit equally at 10-3. Carolina much like ATL regresses, and by week 15 they're no longer in the playoff hunt. They make it a very tough game however. Their defense smothers us and they force OT.Prediction: Carolina plays a good game defensively and forces OT with a late drive and a gutsy performance by Cam. In the end a field goal from Barth ends the game with the Bucs sweeping the Panthers.Bucs win 16-13 (11-3)Week 16 TB vs GBRodgers and company come into town needing a win to keep pace with Detroit. Rodgers is in playoff mode already and he plays a hell of a game finding his receivers and throwing them open. On offense, we have to rely on the run game which may not be as effective as desired.Prediction: GB has the luck on their side as their secondary comes away with 3 interceptions that make the difference in an exciting game.Bucs lose 16-27 (11-4)Week 17 TB vs NOThe season finale is as good as it gets. The Bucs sit at 11-4 while NO leads the division at 12-3. The Bucs have a 4-1 division record having swept Atlanta and Carolina. The winner of this one wins the division and gets a first round bye. The loser plays on wildcard weekend. The Saints are ready and Brees and Graham are damn near unstoppable.Prediction: The Bucs stay within reach until the fourth quarter where the Saints return a pick for a game icing touchdown.Bucs lose 21-31 (11-5)Wildcard Weekend TB @ WASRematch time. The first matchup between the Bucs and Skins saw the Bucs win in OT. This time the game is played in cold weather. Washington is prepared on offense with a good gameplan, and defensively plays better than before. Martin struggles to find running room and the QB faces a lot of pressure as our line doesn't play it's best game.Prediction: An ugly game here as the score stays low. In the 4th the Skins take the lead off an Alfred Morris td with 1:42 to go. Bucs need a FG and thanks to a key reception by ASJ on 4th and 10 we are able to give Barth a shot at a 52 yarder which he makes to win the game.Bucs win 24-23Divisional Playoffs TB vs SFTampa Bay hosts the 49ers who knocked off the Packers in the wildcard weekend. SF gives us a good game but our defense once again rises to the occasion and shows up big time.Prediction: A defensive battle at it's best. Kaepernick has a rough day against us coming into the game banged up as it is. In the end a Mark Barron interception over Vernon Davis on 4th down sends the Bucs to the conference championship game.Bucs win 19-12.Conference Championship TB @ NONew Orleans beats Seattle to advance to the conference championship and the Bucs have to go into the superdome and come out with plane tickets to Phoenix. Prediction: Unfortunately the Saints are too much for us to overcome this year. The Saints get the win and go on to the Super Bowl to face the Bengals.Bucs lose 10-24After an incredible 11-5 season sweeping Atlanta and Carolina, and a serious playoff run knocking off the Redskins and 49ers, the Bucs fall one game short of the Super Bowl losing to the Saints. Projected stats:Josh McCown- 61% completion 24tds-13int 2652 yards 2rushing tds 204 rushing yardsMike Glennon- 68% completion 4tds-1int 670 yards Doug Martin 1077 yards 6 tds 265 receiving yardsASJ 424yards 5tdsTim Wright 410yards 2tdsVincent Jackson 1010yards 10tdsMike Evans 731yards 5 tdsLavonte David 4int 4sacks 169 tackles 20 tfl 2ff 1tdGerald McCoy 11 sacks 3ffMichael Johnson 9 sacks 1int 1ffAdrian Clayborn 7.5 sacksClinton McDonald 3.5 sacks 1ffMason Foster 2 int 123 tackles 1td 2 sacksAlteraun Verner 6ints 17pbu 2tdJohnthan Banks 4ints 15pbu 1tdMark Barron 3int 1ff 2 sacks 1tdDashon Goldson 1int 2ffSacks: 43Interceptions: 24Forced Fumbles: 12Defensive TDs: 6
