The free agent pickup of Jackson was a major factor in the almost uniform optimism that the Buccaneers were a talented team and would likely compete for a playoff spot. This optimism was largely media created as the Vegas linesmakers only projected Tampa to be an 8 to 9 win team. It is not unusual for teams that take a big jump--in our case to 9 wins--to regress the following year. Look at what is happening to Oakland, to Tennessee, to Dallas, and Atlanta (which could easily be 0-5 now). Look what happened to Carolina last year The talent on offense is there, as is the yardage gained--we're a top 5 or 6 offense--but the defense is sorely lacking in talent at several of the most important positions, defensive end, cornerback, and safety. Time of possession is killing the Buccaneers as is third down conversions. You can blame the coach and we can bring in a new one yet again, but this is a team that isn't all that more talented than it was last year (and probably less talented on defense) and without Alexander on defense doesn't have leadership on that side of the ball. Are we more talented than Minnesota. NO! Are we more talented than New England? No. Do we have better defensive personnel than Chicago or Arizona? No. You can blame the quarterback and the coach but the problem goes deeper. I'm not giving up on the season until I see how they play when Alexander returns. The NFL is crazily mediocre this year. The Giants go into Denver and maul the Broncos; the Steelers are crushed by the Jaguars and beat the Chiefs; the Bears beat the Steelers and the Ravens. The Falcons lose to the Dolphins and Bills AT HOME. There is no super team. How many teams right now look like 12 win teams? The Chiefs? That's about it.