RateItAll: The Opinion Network

if jeff garcia starts next season they will go to the playoffs again. I sure hope they dont play the texans next season because they got their ass kicked.

I remember Chris Simms at Texas. He was a lot like A-Rod and Peyton Manning; put up great stats, but in the clutch he let his team down. I'm still mad at Mack Brown for starting Simms over Major Applewhite in the Big 12 Championship against Colorado...

Anyway, Simms is a good young QB. He's been solid, but he hasn't given me a "WOW" yet. Cadillac is a great young back, and after tonights pre-season game you have to like what Gruden is trying to do to the offensive line. That has been Tampa's chronic problem for years, and I for one am glad to see this potentially changing.

The defense is great, but I miss the John Lynch/Warren Sapp/Derrick Brooks line up from the Super Bowl. I'm hoping that we will swing for Dwight Smith. I think re-uniting with Monte Kiffin would be great for him, and it would add depth to the secondary.

Barring injuries I think that Tampa and Carolina will once again be the "class" of the NFC South. I think Carolina has more fire power, but I don't trust DeShaun Foster's health.

Masterful move hiring Gruden or was it the the Raiders were just stupid.Every one in Tampa should send Al Davis a thank you card for being the idiot that he is.

..... All I can say is wow. Congratulations Cadillac for showing me the way. I know a good running back when I see one. The first time I watched this guy run a ball, I was stunned with how mature he looked. Let's face it people of the jury. Cadillac Williams is a force to be reckoned with, and you know it. Don't even try to give me this lucky rookie b.s. Maybe you havn't seen this guy run, but I have, all three games now. I'm a Jacksonville Jaguar fan, but frankly, the Bucs are the team to beat this year. Amazing isn't it fellas, how such a (and I quote)"Gay Looking" team can start off the season with a bang. I don't care who they played, all I know is they came, they played, they conquered.

An interesting team with an interesting history. God-awful expansion team that lost its first 26 games clad in orange uniforms adorned with a Pirate that even the dudes from Queer Eye would say is too GAY looking. Then they get Doug Williams and stick a dagger into the hearts of Eagles' fans in the 1979 playoffs -- just 2 years after going 2-12. After that, they stunk for a long time. I used to make jokes about their kicker in the mid-80s, Donald Iguebeaka (sic??). I would contend that he was such a damn good kicker because he was from Africa and frankly didn't know what the Hell was going on in the football game (hence, no pressure). He would kick a 50-yarder straight through the uprights, and I would imitate him going up to Coach Ray Perkins (in a 3rd-rate Eddie Murphy Coming to America accent), Did I do good, coach. The Bucs' fortunes changed when they scrapped the gay orange duds for their present-day, Pewter and red uniforms with the menacing looking skull logo. I rank it #3 as NFL best uniform behind the Raiders and the Eagles. My wife got me a Buc's rugby shirt and I liked it so much, I wore it about 120 days out of the year. She got so sick of it, she threw it out (even my kid drew a picture of me at school wearing the Bucs shirt). The Eagles avenged the Bucs '79 triumph, beating Tampa in the 2001 and 2002 playoffs. But the Bucs turned the tables on Philly and beat them resoundedly in the 2003 NFC Final. It was meant to be for the Eagles. It was freezing cold (Tampa was 0-99999 in games played below 92 degrees or something like that), it was the last game at the Vet, and the Eagles quickly scored after the opening kickoff. But the Bucs comeback with a field goal and then Brad Johnson hits Joe Jureviscus with a 71-yard TD strike that killed the Birds. By far, the worst loss in Eagles history. In the Pirate Bowl, the Bucs killed Oakland. Wierdly, both teams have never played well since. One day, I will see the Bucs actually return a kickoff for a touchdown -- something they have never done.

I've been a Buccaneer fan for a long time. Don't get me wrong, they are a good team, they won the superbowl 2 year ago afterall. They have the 5th best defense in the league, always have had a good defense. They're not bad at scoring, either. Their major problem is due to playing the game too safe. For example, this weekend they were 10 points ahead with 3:33 min. left in the game and chocked at the end and lost. Also, they've had a little bit of a problem with their new coach, Jon Gruden. Tony Dungy is the man who built this Buccaneer team and deserves credit for their Superbowl win, not Gruden. This team has just majorly slipped since their Superbowl win.

the bucs are living on the arm of brian griese.

Jon Gruden isn't making good decisions. He is bringing in veterans who are on their last legs and will only perform for one season he has got to think about the future and bringing in youth players.

Someone thinking they might have made a booboo here or there when it comes to personnel this season.

They got manhandled by the Skins.

They could win 8 or 9 games this season, but don't get your hopes up that they will.

They blow! The Panthers beat the hell out of them TWICE! After the Superbowl they fell apart in the worst conference in the NFL.

my all time favorite team since the days of orange when they were terrible - go bucs!

C'mon, they aren't even a .500 ball club. What's up now?

They are the worst

I'm happy they won a superbowl but as far as all-time they still suck

The players on this team as a whole have dropped the ball this past year. The offense may take less of the blame though considering that TB realistically never had a good offense to begin with. Despite some early injuries to key first stringers, the defense has blown some huge games. Their offense, again, sure didn't help them out when they did their job. Gruden's performance as a coach is not the main factor here. He has to look for an offense next year, and get the mindset of his defense back on track again.

You know Gruden did wonderful things with this very talented team last year, and they deserved to win the Super Bowl. They were truly strong on both sides of the ball, although their defense were what won them games by forcing turnovers and stopping the run. My question is, what the hell happened to these guys over the off-season? I hear about Warren Sapp skipping across the field trying to prove something to opponents before games, and bringing that tired 'oh it's because I'm black' argument into the picture. Now I thought Warren was a cool and funny dude, but my opinion of him has changed. Keyshawn I always knew was a sour and callous individual, but Warren? I don't understand these guys. Obviously the Super Bowl went to their head and they forgot about getting it done as a TEAM and not bringing individuals into the spotlight. Poor Gruden, Brad Johnson, John Lynch, and Michael Pittman, who are all team players, are overshadowed by the idiot Sapp and whiny Keyshawn breaking this team down. Those two are supposed to help lead this team to a repeat, and now it looks like they'll be lucky to snag 9-7 and a wildcard??? Just how many sacks does Sapp have? None???

The thing that really ticks me off is all of these people who now say "I've always liked Tampa Bay". Yeah, right! I spent 12 years in the Navy, knew of only four other Bucs fans, and saw one other person walking down a street in Japan with a Bucco Bruce jacket. For those who challenge my knowledge of Bucs history are soundly put in their place. Besides that, I'm enjoying the one thing that I thought would never happen to this franchise: A World Championship!!!!

This is just a band wagon team and I cant stand people who change their favorite team from year to year just because they went to the superbowl.

Good Champs!

They obviously had a great year, but I still have some doubt about this "repeat" talk I hear.

Pretty easy to beat a team when you steal their head coach, aye?

The reason why i'm giving the bucs a 1 is because the Bucs are helpless without Jon Gruden.

the bucks would stomp any team in the GROUND!!!

lets get real...i dont care who they played in the SB...they were not going to lose on that nite...

Ahh, the Bucs. I moved to Tampa area back in 1998, just when the Bucs were hitting their stride. I liked the brand of football they play from day one: tough defense and a tough running game. This made me a fan instantly. Dungy was a good coach but was not capable of taking this team to the next level. He was just too conservative and the players became complacent in his last two seasons here, which caused them to make the coaching change. Gruden delivered the goods, and was able to do it with a poor running game for the entire season, coupled with weak offensive line play. The Bucs also need to get some speed on offense / WR if they want to compete again next year.

The front runners are definitely out.

yeah they won but not the best by a long shot

My fave NFC team! Outstanding coaching, dominating D, average O. Here's hoping they meet the Bills in the next Super Bowl (highly unlikely, but you never know).

this team is ok... it shouldn't have done so great last season.

One of the best defensive teams in NFL history and an offense that tore people up in the playoffs. Gruden finally lived up to his name as an offensive genius, and hopefully the trend will continue. They don't pick until 64th, so they had better do a good job of drafting. With people like Gruden at the helm, I see the possibility for the first mini dynasty in a long while.

John, won't you please take Rex!

I'M MAD. I'VE BEEN A BUCS FAN SINCE THE EIGHTH GRADE AND NOW I'M ALMOST A SOPHMORE IN COLLEGE AND NNNNNOOOOOWWWWW EVERYONE JUMPS ON THE BAND WAGON. BY THE WAY ALSTOTT RULES

The 2002-2003 Defense was one of the top 5 in NFL HISTORY. Gruden took a team of possession receivers (sorry Keyshawn), an unreliable offensive line, and an anemic running game and blew out everyone in the playoffs. I've been waiting for this for 7 years. Go Bucs.

great team im glad they whooped the raiders in the super bowl

Warren Sapp is my nieghbor and a really great guy. The Bucs paid their dues and are World Champs...GO FLORIDA!

tampa is almost as good as THE Miama Dolphins

The Bucs are the team to beat. They dominated in the Playoffs, and with the Addition of Jon Gruden to their already incredible defense they were able to win the Super Bowl for the first time in Buccaneers history. With the defense intact and the offense clicking, things will only get better. I look forward to a repeat next year with even great domination.

I've been a Buc's fan since year one, and finally they have not only won the Big Game, but offer the best chance at a repeat in YEARS.

The Bucs are good, but Warren Sapp is a big fat loudmouth. Because he won't shut up and because Gruden, who is almost as bad, won't do anything about Sapp.

Excellent defense, and the offense is right up there now, too. Looks like they've learned how to finally win some big games. They have now become my second favorite NFL team, by beating San Francisco and then the Eagles (pronounced Iggles).

Hey! What happened to the BEAGLES? All that bulls**t you Beagles fans were spouting must now be shoved up your asses! Get plenty of KY Jelly boys. Go BUCS! BEAGLES SUCK! 27-10 FINAL SCORE.

Screw the Bucs! Go Birds!

They have the best defense in the league, they have the defensive player of the year, and Jon Gruden is making their offense click! This team will dominate!!

they went from a really awful looking team to an even worse looking team, why do teams keep changing their uniforms to actually look worse!

the top team of the year! thanks to dunge's departure!

The Bucs have come a long way. I love Gruden, he really knows how to coach our team and bring out each player's potential. GO BUCS!

Paper Champions

This team has came a long way since '76. Now with Jon Gruden at the helm, they will be going places for sure.

This team has passed it's window of opportunity,and I think will slip this year.

The Buccs are the team to watch if you get turned on by hard hitting, ball batting, QB sacking gridiron action!! One word:DEFENSE!! Sapps' speed and agility (not to mention vertical leap- how many forced fumbles is that!?) make him the most exciting DT to watch. Lynch - Gotta love a crazy white boy at free safty! and your always in good hands with ALSTOT!! players to watch M. Jones, J. green and gotta give some luv to DUNN. GO BUCCS!!!!!

Go BUCS. I've been waiting for a Superbowl for years. With the change at quaterback and some chance taking---who knows?

Overrated. I must admit that I love the way they play defense, but you also need an offense. Warrick Dunn is too small, Keyshawn has too big of an ego, and the have a major Quarterback controversy in the making. If you put the Bucs defende with the Rams or Vikings offense, then you would have something really good.

Maybe the team needs a little work but I has great potential, it has great fans, and if you've never been to a bucs home game you don't know what your missing!

You go Tampa. Probably overall the best team in the USA. Great coach, fantastic defense, King is new, inexperienced but loaded with talent. Exciting team to watch. And Number One stadium in the country. Love the cannons!!

the will be in the super bowl againist the colts

One of the best defenses in Football last year. Guess what, they are lighting up the score board this year. I pity the fool that has to play them. I don't even like the Bucs, but I know a monster when I see it.

The Bucs have proven they are the team to beat. Thier defense is the same great defense we have seen for the last couple of years but the offense of Sean King and Keyshaun is making them the elite team in the NFL. Instead of winning games 14-10, they are now blowing opponents out of the water. King is playing like a veteran QB, and not forcing the stupid mistakes, becuz he knows he has the defense to back him up as long as these errors are avoided. The only question is who are they going to play in the Superbowl.

The Bucs have almost all the components needed for a great team. Their only problem is at QB. However, with King waiting in the wings, it will be just a matter of time before Dungy finally replaces Dilfer. Otherwise, they have the best backfield and the best defense in the league.

The Bucs have the best defense since the '85 Bears!

Bucs are going to win it all. With that kind of D-line (Nickerson, Sapp) you can't lose. Mike Alstott is the best FB in the game.

DEFENSE SUPERB. RUNNING GAME NEEDS IMPROVEMENT TO MAKE A 5 STAR RATING.

Tampa Bay offers the best defense in the league. Players like Lynch, Sapp, and Brooks command such respect that opponents are limited offensively. The Buccaneers have the best backfield in the nation with the explosive Warrick Dunn and the powerful Mike Alstott. Just get rid of Trent Dilfer!