TEAM OVERVIEW
Strengths: QB Tom Brady (right) led the
NFL in completions, attempts, passing yards and touchdowns last season. It’s not difficult to envision the high-scoring offense being formidable again with WRs Julio Jones and Russell Gage and TE Kyle Rudolph joining an already impressive group of playmakers that includes WRs Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, RB Leonard Fournette and TE Cameron Brate. The run defense anchored by linemen Vita Vea and Akiem Hicks, in addition to LBs
Devin White and Levonte David, is among best in the league. Bowles is also counting on second-year LB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and rookie DL Logan Hall to bolster the pass rush led by LB Shaquil Barrett.
Weaknesses: Injuries decimated the offensive line during training camp, spawning questions about how well the Bucs will be able to protect the 45-year-old Brady. C Ryan Jensen went down with a knee injury on the second day of camp and is sidelined indefinitely. Aaron Stinnie, the top candidate to replace the retired Ali Marpet at left guard, suffered a seasonending knee injury during the second preseason game. Barring a decision to seek help from outside, second-year pro Robert Hainsey is the leading option to open the season at center, with rookie Luke Goedeke and second-year pro Nick Leverett competing to replace Stinnie at left guard. Expectations: Brady cited “unfinished business” as one of the reasons for ending his brief retirement, and the Bucs remain committed to trying to surround him with everything the seven-time Super Bowl champion needs to win an eighth ring. In addition to acquiring Jones and Rudolph, general manager Jason Licht signed
Hicks to replace Ndamukong Suh on the defensive line, traded for former Patriots OL Shaq Mason to fill an opening at right guard and re-signed Godwin,
Jensen, Fournette and CB Carlton Davis III.