Fansided

Which NFL bottom feeders are primed for a turn around?

By Andrew Garda

Dec 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) on the sideline against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) on the sideline against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith talks on the sidelines as the New Orleans Saints beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith talks on the sidelines as the New Orleans Saints beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports /

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2014 record: 2-14

1st 2015 NFL Draft pick: No. 1 overall

Key Free Agency Acquisitions: Henry Melton, Bruce Carter, Chris Conte

Turnaround in 2015? No

Remember at the front of this thing, when I said sometimes it’s the moves you don’t make which are the best? Along with that is the idea that sometimes you make moves you didn’t need to.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense struggled a lot with new head coach Lovie Smith’s defensive scheme to begin the season, but by December they had become one of the most improved in the league according to BucsNation.com’s Sander Philipse.

That’s not to say they couldn’t be improved with some additions—you have to like their pursuit of Trent Cole and Derrick Morgan even if neither panned out—but Chris Conte isn’t much of a compliment to Dashon Goldson (who is still grossly overpaid for what he does) and the defense lacks a premiere pass rusher.

That said, this defense should be better—much better—than it was last season. Smith is a very good defensive coach and with a year in his scheme, the Bucs should be more comfortable.

The offense was just as baffling as the defense. Of course, many suspected going into the season with Josh McCown as the starter was courting disaster, even if the coaching staff didn’t like Mike Glennon either.

McCown was just as awful as expected, and Glennon wasn’t much better when McCown was hurt and out of action. Hopefully this team drafts Jameis Winston, as he could step right in and play. With weapons like Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans at his disposal, this could be a potent passing offense.

For that to happen though, the Buccaneers also need improved offensive line play. As they made zero moves in free agency to address this, and will probably not see a top tackle or guard sitting there at the start of the second round, this is a huge concern and it’s going to have a huge impact on the play of the quarterback, as well as hamper the chances that Doug Martin and company of getting this offense up and running.

There’s a part of me that feels like the Bucs should be much better this year and back on track. There is talent on both sides of the ball, so it shouldn’t really be a stretch. The problem is that where there are holes—especially on offense—that make it hard to buy in completely.

If Winston is their guy and if he plays very well and if the line can be much better than last year and if the run game gets back on track and if the defense can carry them, sure this team can top 8-8.

But that’s a lot of ‘if’s and if any of them go wrong, you’re looking at potential disaster.

Next: Washington

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