Who is going to replace Raheem? The Bucs decided to part ways with head coach Raheem Morris after a disappointing 4-12 season that saw them lose their last ten games. Just one season removed from a 10-6 season, the team regressed in almost every category, and seemed to have given up once December rolled around, dropping their last five games by a combined 117 points. Whoever general manager Mark Dominik brings in will need to rule with a heavier hand than Morris, who was very much a player's coach, and was something that seemed to be taken advantage of by some of the players on the team.
Why did Freeman free-fall? Like the Bucs, Freeman seemed destined for big things entering the 2011 season, as the year prior he had a 25 to 6 touchdown to interception ratio, and had a great 95.9 quarterback rating. The lockout no doubt played a part in his struggles,and being a young team you often times use O.T.A's and mini-camps in order to continue to grow as both a player and team, but the talent that led him to a great 2010 is still there, but will need to put in work with the rest of his teammates in order to return to form in 2012.
How to fix the run defense? Inexperience in the front seven was probably the single largest contributor to the Bucs league-worst rush defense, which allowed 156.1 yards per game. In the front four, rookie defensive ends Da'Quan Bowers and Adrian Clayborn saw significant time (Clayborn was an opening day starter), as did Gerald McCoy (before tearing his triceps again) and Brian Price. The departure of Barrett Ruud in free agency hurt, as it thrust rookie Mason Foster into the starting role at middle linebacker. Another problem with the linebacking corps was their overall lack of size as Foster (6'1, 240), and fellow starters Geno Hayes (6'1, 226) and Quincy Black (6'2, 240) are much better suited for pursuit and coverage than taking on blockers. Like most of the team, their front seven is extraordinarily young, and should be able to take steps forward with a full off-season to look forward to.
Can Mike Williams return to form? While part of his problems can be attributed to the struggles of his quarterback, Mike Williams seemed to regress in effort as much as stats. When at Syracuse, Williams found himself in trouble, being suspended for the 2008 season due to academics, and actually quit the team in November of 2009 after he found himself in violation of team rules after a car accident. Because of this, he actually slid into the fourth round of the 2010 Draft before Tampa took a chance on him. Williams will need to provide more consistent effort on the field, as he definitely took plays off, and at times looked disinterested if he wasn't targeted early in the game.
Cornerback questions? Were it not for the lockout, the odds were very good that cornerback Aqib Talib would have been released after being indicted on May of this last year for aggravated assualt with a deadly weapon, his second run-in with the law since 2009. Former coach Raheem Morris was able to calm down management enough that when the lockout ended, Talib remained with the club. With his biggest ally now gone, Talib could soon be on his way out as well depending on who the new head coach is. Also of concern is the impending free agency of team captain Ronde Barber, who will turn 37 before this April's draft. Barber was outspoken in his support of his former head coach, and has said he would consider retirement depending on what happens. Barber has been a consummate pro throughout his career, and has never played for another team in the NFL, but may end up looking for a role on a contending team, as he's becoming a little long in the tooth, despite still being a very good cornerback.
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