Sikkema’s Recap

Depth Chart

I mean, just look at the depth chart. It speaks for itself. See ya, everybody!

Just kidding, you know I wouldn’t pass up a good opportunity to brag about something I’ve created.

Let’s start with a look over at the competition. If we’re talking about threats, I think Scott’s team poses the most danger to mine. His linebacker corps. is not to be messed with. Two legends, and a well-on-his-way legend at the second level will make running the ball difficult, even with two good running backs. His safeties and corners also don’t bode well for my offense, which is pretty boom-or-bust – though, I do have the height advantage with my receivers across the board. Though Mark probably has the best all-around offense with Winston at quarterback, Evans and Galloway at receiver, Giles at tight end and Dunn and Alstott out of the backfield, I think my own offense has a pretty good shot at keeping up since his defense is pretty suspect.

But all of this comparing and contrasting with skill players, runners and run stoppers is all futile. You know why? Because neither of these two teams could gain a yard against mine.

Bucs DE Simeon Rice and DT Warren Sapp – Photo by: Getty Images

The reason for that is because I assembled nearly the best possible defensive line in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history; Warren Sapp and Gerald McCoy on the inside with Simeon Rice and Michael Bennett on the edges – that’s the No. 2, 3 and 4 all-time sack leaders for the Buccaneers. The only possible way it could have been better is if you sub out Michael Bennett for Lee Roy Selmon. I went into the draft with pass rushers as my main focus. The reason for that is because I think a dominant pass rush trumps everything, even a good quarterback in this scenario, and this is why.

When I looked at the Buccaneers’ current and historical offensive linemen, there wasn’t a single one I would put one-on-one against my fearsome four, and the only one that I might have, I drafted in Paul Gruber. So, when I look at the other two offensive lines Scott and Mark assembled, I can’t help but see their teams’ medical insurances sky rocketing due to future casualties in the backfield.

From the defensive line out, my team plays some agressive football. I chose Aqib Talib for my shutdown corner, and Brian kelly to play opposite him wherever. Jermaine Phillips is a good support safety, and Tanard Jackson will take your head off. With a lockdown corner and a head hunter in the secondary, that should buy all the time I need for my defensive line to swallow up a pocket. My linebacker group is the weakest part of my defense, but I’m OK with it. Shelton Quarles brings good experience, Barrett Ruud can tackle a red wood tree to the ground, and Broderick Thomas is basically just there to be a fifth pass rusher because the rich get richer on my team – Thomas is ninth in team history in sacks, and is the only linebacker in the Top 10.

Bucs WR Vincent Jackson Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Flipping sides, my offense is, well, kind of playing best-ball at all times. Doug Williams was a streaky passer, but it’s OK because I gave him big, athletic, talented targets to chuck the ball up to. Keyshawn Johnson is one of the best wide receivers in Bucs history, Vincent Jackson is one of the best offensive free agent acquisitions in Bucs history, and O.J. Howard might just be the best tight end in Bucs history. When you throw in the smash and dash combo of Doug Martin and LeGarrette Blount, I’m totally fine with being a little boom-or-bust with my offense. That’s especially with an offensive line that features Gruber where it counts, experience with Jeff Faine in the middle, and big-time strength on the interior with Davin Joseph and Ian Beckles.

Finally, special teams, the place where I think I really separated myself. Martín Gramática speaks for himself. He’s the Buccaneers’ all-time leading scorer, and was the most clutch kicker in team history. I also think I have a good chance at winning the field positioning mini game with Josh Bidwell as my punter – the only Bucs punter to ever make a Pro Bowl. On top of that, I have a player who lifted 32-year curse by becoming the first player in franchise history to return a kickoff for a touchdown in Michael Spurlock. I thought about getting cheeky here and taking DeSean Jackson just as a kick returner, but since we don’t know how much of that he’ll even be doing in Tampa Bay, I decided against it.

Former Bucs head coach Tony Dungy – Photo by: Getty Images

For the head coach of my quad, I drafted the man who many called the Godfather of Tampa Bay’s 2002 Super Bowl, Tony Dungy. Dungy was the team’s coach from 1996 to 2001. In 1997, he won the Maxwell Football Club Coach of the Year. He has the second-most wins in franchise history (just three behind Gruden), has the most playoff appearances, and has the highest winning percentage overall.

Though my team has a little bit more flair to them than Dungy did as the coach, I think that spark is what set the 2002 team over the top, and that spark can exist on this unique team, even without Gruden. Dungy with this roster combines aggressive nature with well-planned, even-keeled execution.