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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2008 odds of performing well are quite good with the folks from Sportsbook.com making them a -140 favorite to win OVER 8 games.
In the NFC South, the Bucs are deadlocked with both the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers to win that division in 2008. The Saints are an even favorite while the Bucs are only slightly favored over the Panthers (+200 odds compared to +250 odds for Carolina).
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers odds to win the 2009 Super Bowl have been set at +3500. Some online sports books have the Bucs odds to win the Super Bowl much shorter.
There is reason to be optimistic.
"At the time, it wasn't a blockbuster signing, but bringing in free agent center Jeff Faine should really solidify what looks like an up-and-coming offensive line," writes James Alder of About.com. With guards Davin Joseph and Arron Sears gaining valuable experience last year, along with the continued development of tackle Jeremy Trueblood, this group could take a big step forward this year."
This is a well coached team, something that is very important as the Bucs probably played above expectations last season when they surprised everyone by going 9-7.
From Athlon Sports:
Both Gruden and GM Bruce Allen were rewarded with three-year extensions. Gruden's staff remains largely intact with a few exceptions. Quarterback coach Paul Hackett has been replaced by Greg Olson, who coached Garcia with the 49ers. Running backs coach Art Valero left for St. Louis, so special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia will double as the running backs coach. The Bucs also re-signed defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin. In 10 of the past 11 years, Kiffin's Buc defense has finished in the top 10.
Tampa needs to be looked at carefully as a team that can conceivably win the NFC South even if the payout odds aren't all that great (2 to 1).
Some other food from thought from Athlon:
The Bucs aren't simply aware of the trend; they're responsible for most of it. Tampa Bay has won the division three of the past six years. If past is prologue, they can expect to sink in the standings in 2008. So, can Tampa Bay buck the trend and repeat as champions? "I think we can," says Bucs coach Jon Gruden. "We won the division last year. We wrapped it up in Week 14 and to do that, you have to have some pretty good players. We're hoping some of these guys are healthy and ready to roll."
The Bucs aren't simply aware of the trend; they're responsible for most of it. Tampa Bay has won the division three of the past six years. If past is prologue, they can expect to sink in the standings in 2008. So, can Tampa Bay buck the trend and repeat as champions? "I think we can," says Bucs coach Jon Gruden. "We won the division last year. We wrapped it up in Week 14 and to do that, you have to have some pretty good players. We're hoping some of these guys are healthy and ready to roll."
