The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were one of the most interesting teams in the NFL last season, as they had the best ranked rush defense but ended up with the worst passing defense, leaving them angling to improve in the offseason, which is exactly what they did in the trade for Darrelle Revis.
Head coach Greg Schinao loves what he has in his team and despite the fact that they struggled at times during the year, he is confident that the Bucs can make the playoff jump in 2013. One of the biggest factors for the Buccaneers in improving in 2013 is to shore up the pass defense and after trading for Revis from the Jets without giving up too much and signing Dashon Goldson in free agency, the team is likely to get those numbers down. The team gave up nearly 300 yards per game in the air and this season the play of the secondary could hinge on cornerback Eric Wright, who was signed to a big contract but was a disappointment in 2012 after dealing with poor play and a suspension. According to Pro Football Talk, Wright is ready for a bounce back year and said that he is ready to play much better in 2013 to give the team a chance to win.
The team focused on the secondary in free agency and added Revis as well as Johnthan Banks in the draft, meaning Wright will have pressure on him to play well this year. Wright said he is ready to compete and prove himself again after years in the league and he feels that he can be an elite player at his position. Ronde Barber is no longer in the fold and the team will try and keep the first ranked rushing defense the same while overhauling the pass defense.
The Bucs will get off to a quick start on the schedule with game against the Jets, Saints, Patriots and Cardinals before a bye in week five and then things don't slow down for a while, as the team will face off against the Eagles, Falcons, Panthers and Seahawks. The team got good numbers from Vincent Jackson and rookie Doug Martin and after 4,000 yards and 27 touchdowns from Josh Freeman, he looks ready to take the next step despite throwing too many interceptions last season. The Bucs selected Mike Glennon to sit behind him, but if Schaino likes what he sees, there is a good chance that he could end up starting a game or two in 2013.