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USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Where do the Buccaneers two Super Bowl wins rank among the best since 2000?
The Super Bowl remains the greatest game and prize in all of sports, sorry to everyone and everything else that has a favorite in something else. It is the most watched game, paired with the best teams and players in the world, all while competing for a legendary trophy and ring to go down in history. Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon took up the monumental task of ranking each Super Bowl-winning team and discussing why they landed where they did. For the Bucs, they have two teams to rank with wins in Super Bowls XXXVII and LV. The Bucs' victory over the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII earned them the seventh spot in the rankings done by Gagnon. He writes up the team's ranking, saying, "The defense was right there with the 2000 Ravens and 2008 Steelers in terms of points allowed (second to only 2000 Baltimore at 196) and yards per play allowed (second to only 2008 Pittsburgh at 4.2). Four members of that unit went on to make the Hall of Fame: Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, John Lynch, Ronde Barber. And like Baltimore, they obliterated the postseason competition with three blowout victories." Meanwhile, the Bucs' victory over the Kansas City Chiefs buzzsaw in Super Bowl LV got the 11th spot in the rankings. While it is still a respectable number, it falls outside the top ten. Gagnon writes up the positive reasoning behind the rankings, citing, "Only they and the 2009 Saints averaged more than 30 points per game (30.8), as this Tom Brady-led Bucs squad felt a bit like an NFL superteam at times." As for the cons, he explains the Bucs regular season ups and downs held them back from being higher. "Still, they lost a handful of regular-season games and posted a mere 1-4 record against opponents with winning records. And only two defenses on this list (2011 Giants, 2006 Colts) allowed more points per game (22.2), although that unit did get it together down the stretch. They had just one Pro Bowler (Jason Pierre-Paul) and no All-Pros." Interesting argument against the LV team but it is an argument nontheless.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Buccaneers need to utilize all of their running backs in 2025
As the Buccaneers enter the 2025 season, third-year running back Sean Tucker remains one of the most underutilized talents on the roster. While Rachaad White and Bucky Irving are expected to headline the backfield, Tucker's 2024 efficiency suggests he's more than worthy of a larger role. Tucker's breakout came in Week 6 of the 2024 season, when he erupted for 136 rushing yards on 14 carries (9.7 YPC) and added 56 receiving yards on three catches, scoring touchdowns both on the ground and through the air. That performance earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors and showcased the explosive potential he brings when featured. Over the full 2024 campaign, Tucker totaled 308 rushing yards on just 50 carries, averaging an incredible 6.1 yards per carry. He also caught nine passes for 109 yards, adding versatility to his résumé. Despite logging just 112 offensive snaps, which is roughly 10% of the team's total, he consistently delivered chunk plays and moved the chains when called upon. In games where he saw increased reps, Tucker's impact was clear. His ability to hit top speed quickly and finish runs through contact set him apart from the Bucs' backfield. The Buccaneers would benefit from incorporating him into their offensive game plan more regularly, especially with Rachaad White entering his contract year and possibly looking to become a feature back elsewhere beyond 2025. As Tampa looks to build on last year's efficient offense, expanding Tucker's role is a logical step. He's not just a depth piece; he's a dynamic runner whose true potential is waiting to be unlocked.
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Could a Buccaneers rookie takeover for a veteran starter on defense?
Benjamin Morrison, the highly touted rookie out of Notre Dame, is already getting hyped for what he could be for the team, and veteran Jamel Dean should be feeling the pressure. With Dean's recent injury history and declining consistency, Morrison's rise could force a shake-up in the Bucs' secondary sooner than many expected. Jamel Dean has been a solid contributor for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 2019, known for his size, speed, and ability to hold his own in man-to-man coverage. However, the last two seasons have been a struggle. He's missed time with toe injuries, a concussion, and lingering lower-body issues that have limited both his availability and effectiveness. Dean appeared in just 11 games last season and was noticeably inconsistent when on the field, particularly against faster receivers. At age 28 and with multiple injuries stacking up, Dean's grip on a starting role is no longer set in stone, especially not with a talented rookie in Morrison being drafted in the second round of the 2025 draft. Benjamin Morrison wasn't just one of the best cornerbacks in college football; he was also one of the smartest and most instinctive. At Notre Dame, he showcased elite ball skills, clean footwork, and awareness for route concepts that often made him look like a veteran. If he continues on this trajectory, it's not hard to imagine head coach Todd Bowles making a change, especially if Dean isn't fully healthy or struggles early in the regular season. Bowles has a history of trusting young defensive backs who prove themselves in practice, and Morrison is clearly on that track. This isn't just about depth, it's about the future. The Buccaneers didn't draft Benjamin Morrison to sit, but his health will be a big factor in determining when he can make the impact they are hoping to get out of him. If Jamel Dean can't stay healthy or sharp, Benjamin Morrison could move into the starting lineup before the Bye Week.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bucs' DL Cracks Top 10 of Impressive Offseason List
Bucs' DL Cracks Top 10 of Impressive Offseason List originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Tevita Tuli'aki'ono Tuipulotu Mosese Va'hae Fehoko Faletau Vea, more commonly known as Vita Vea, has been an anchor on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defensive line since the team drafted him in the first round with the No. 12 overall pick in 2018. Advertisement The former Washington Huskies defensive tackle was a key piece of the Bucs' 2020 Super Bowl championship run and continues to be an important part of the incredible run of four straight division titles and five consecutive postseason appearances. Vea has boasted two Pro Bowl nods in 2021 and 2024, with the most recent season setting career marks. That's part of the reason Vea has appeared at No. 9 on ESPN's list of the top 10 defensive tackles in the NFL. The list was compiled by Jeremy Fowler's interviews of executives, coaches and scouts in the league. "Vea slimmed down last offseason, and the result was a career-high 7.0 sacks along with his usual run-stopping ways," Fowler wrote. "But the stats don't tell the story with Vea, whose raw strength is undeniable. 'He's the kind of guy where if you don't have him [on your team] for a while, playing defense is a lot tougher,' a veteran NFL assistant coach said. 'A true difference-maker.' Advertisement "Vea's 10 tackles for loss also marked a career high. Head coach Todd Bowles is unafraid to drop the 347-pound Vea into coverage, where he makes open-field plays." Last season, during Vea's career year, he posted 42 total tackles with 27 solo and 10 for loss with seven sacks and one pass defended while earning his second career Pro Bowl nod. Related: Buccaneers' Offensive Line Gains High Ranking Ahead of 2025 Related: Buccaneers Could Lose Coach in Unwelcome Trend This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
07-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Analyst suggest Buccaneers extend offensive starter ahead of training camp
The Bucs' offensive line is among the best in the entire NFL, and they didn't get there overnight. The team is anchored by All-Pro tackle Tristan Wirfs, who joined the team in 2020, when it needed to protect Tom Brady. He did so all the way to a Super Bowl win, and now he has become the only player in the history of the NFL to be an All-Pro at bith right and left tackle. When he moved permanently to left tackle, the team needed a long-term answer on the right side and they have seemingly struck gold again with Luke Goedeke. Now, heading into the 2025 season, which is the last for Goedeke under contract with the Bucs, an extension between the two would make sense. ESPN's Aaron Schatz wrote up one final offseason move for each team, and for the Bucs, it was getting an extension done with the veteran right tackle. He writes, "Tristan Wirfs is the anchor of the Tampa Bay offensive line, but Goedeke has been playing very well recently. Last season, he ranked 27th among qualifying tackles in pass block win rate (89.5%) and was above average in run block win rate (75.3%). Goedeke has one year left on his rookie contract, so it would be good for the Bucs to lock him in long term." Goedeke is set to be a free agent as we mentioned, and at just 26 years of age, he could be staring down a massive payday. Whether that ends up coming from the Bucs is yet to be seen, but we would be willing to think it will, as Jason Licht has done a tremendous job in recent years of retaining the team's top talent. As Schatz eludes to, whether it be sooner or later, look for Goedke to be wearing pewter for the foreseeable future.
