With the 2021 NFL Draft over and the schedule officially being released, it’s time for my third annual 32 part series where the top three questions will be posed for each NFL team. Here are those three questions for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Be sure to check out all of Heller’s Three Burning Questions.
Can They Run it Back?
After winning the Super Bowl, the team is looking to go back to back. The Bucs’ first goal, after the confetti finished falling and the Lombardi Trophy was done getting tossed around, was to re-sign every key player that had an impact last season, which they did. While many credit Tom Brady with their Super Bowl Championship, Tampa won because they were a complete team. Two solid running backs in Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette, depth at receiver with Mike Evans, Antonio Brown and Chris Godwin, and one of the most complete defenses front to back in the NFL. The defense was led by Jason Pierre-Paul, who recorded 9.5 sacks, a pair of interceptions, and four forced fumbles on his way to his third Pro Bowl selection, his first in eight seasons.
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One signing that looked to be a bust last season at the halfway point, was tight end Rob Gronkowski, who came out of retirement to join his former quarterback in Tampa. But down the stretch when the Bucs needed a key catch, Gronk came up clutch, quieting the naysayers.
Any time Brady is leading a team and steps on the field it’s been proven that his team has much better odds to win on any given Sunday, than almost every other quarterback and their respective team’s in the NFL.
Can the Defense be even Better?
While the unit was led by Pierre-Paul and his resurgence, every player had a meaningful impact at one point or the other. From Ndamukong Suh upfront to linebackers Shaq Barrett, Lavonte David, and Devin White, to the young secondary, that featured rookie safety Antoine Winfield, Jr. and cornerback Jamel Dean.
The expectations for 2021 and beyond are high and rightfully so. The defense as a whole is young, in contrast to their ageless wonder at quarterback. If they can stave off major injuries this unit is a dangerous one and will likely be one of the top five in the league.
Is it Super Bowl or bust Again?
This was the same question asked a season ago. As the defending champs, anything short of the Super Bowl will surely be a letdown. If any team, at least in the NFC, which is full of question marks among the presumed contenders, it’s this team. Bruce Arians‘ team is intact and ready to roll, bull’s-eye on their back and all.
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