QUARTERBACKS:
Josh Freeman (Starter) 159-of-291, 1857 yards, 54.6%, 10 TDs, 18 Ints, 59.9 Rating, 30 rushing attempts, 161 yards
Josh Johnson (Backup) 63-125, 685 yards, 50.4%, 4 TDs, 8 Ints, 50.9 Rating, 22 rushing attempts, 148 yards
Byron Leftwich (Backup) 58-107, 594 yards, 54.2%, 4 TDs, 3 Ints, 71.2 Rating
Analysis: Freeman made great strides during his nine starts as a rookie, winning three games by coming from behind in the fourth quarter or overtime and losing two others in the final seconds after posting a lead. Accuracy is an issue after he threw 18 interceptions and just 10 touchdown passes. Leftwich, who was 0-3 as a starter, likely will be released. A key for next season is building the offense around Freeman, whom Raheem Morris has referred to as the No. 1 offseason priority.
Unrestricted Free Agents – None
Restricted Free Agents - None
RUNNING BACKS:
Cadillac Williams (Starting RB) 210 carries, 821 yards, 3.9 AVG, 4 TDs
Earnest Graham (Starting FB) 14 carries, 66 yards, 4.7 AVG
Derrick Ward (Backup) 114 carries, 409 yards, 3.6 AVG, 1 TD
Clifton Smith (Backup) 4 rushes, 7 yards, 1.8 AVG
Chris Pressley (Backup) 1 rush, 0 yards
Analysis: Williams was one of the most inspirational players in the NFL, finishing second to Tom Brady in Comeback Player of the Year voting. Despite tearing the patellar tendon in both knees the past two seasons, Williams led the Bucs in rushing, compiling 823 yards and four TDs. Graham was miscast as a fullback after a season-ending injury to fullback B.J. Askew. Ward, who signed a four-year, $17 million contract, was ineffective. Smith was never really involved on offense.
Unrestricted Free Agents – None
Restricted Free Agents – RB Cadillac Williams, FB Byron Storer (Injured for 2009 season)
WIDE RECEIVERS:
Antonio Bryant (Starter) 39 receptions, 600 yards, 15.4 AVG, 5 TDs
Michael Clayton (Starter) 16 receptions, 230 yards, 14.4 AVG, 1 TD
Sammie Stroughter (Backup) 31 receptions, 334 yards, 10.8 AVG, 1 TD
Maurice Stoval (Backup) 24 receptions, 366 yards, 15.3 AVG, 1 TD
Brian Clark (Backup) 6 receptions, 65 yards, 10.8 AVG
Analysis: Bryant was hobbled by knee surgery for a torn meniscus in preseason and started just 11 games. The Bucs' franchise player, who earned $9.8 million, started only 11 games and caught 39 passes for 600 yards and four touchdowns. Clayton, who re-signed with the Bucs for $10 million guaranteed, caught just 16 passes all season. Stroughter was a nice find in the draft and a valuable third down receiver and special teams player.
Unrestricted Free Agents – Antonio Bryant
Restricted Free Agents – Maurice Stovall
TIGHT ENDS:
Kellen Winslow (Starter) 77 receptions, 84 yards, 11.5 AVG, 5 TDs
Jerramy Stevens (Backup) 15 receptions, 130 yards, 1 TD
John Gilmore (Backup) 3 receptions, 23 yards, 0 TDs
Analysis: The Bucs traded two draft picks to Cleveland for Winslow, who managed to stay healthy and start all 16 games. He led the Bucs in catches (77), receiving yards (884) and touchdowns (five). He was a tough matchup for any defense. Stevens was another receiving tight end. Gilmore specialized in run-blocking.
Unrestricted Free Agents – None
Restricted Free Agents - None
OFFENSIVE LINE:
LT Donald Penn (Starter)
LG Jeremy Zuttah (Starter)
C Jeff Faine (Starter)
RG Davin Joseph (Starter)
RT Jeremy Trueblood (Starter)
C Jonathan Compass (Backup)
T Demar Dotson (Backup)
T James Lee (Backup)
G Sean Murphy (Backup)
G Arron Sears (Backup)
Analysis: This was one of the most underachieving units in the NFL. The Bucs invested high draft picks and made Faine the league's highest-paid center but were among the worst rushing teams. Penn ballooned to 360 pounds during the season. Zuttah was a poor replacement for Sears, who had an illness. It didn't help that the players spent the offseason learning a zone-blocking scheme, only to have the team blow out offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski 10 days before the season opener.
Unrestricted Free Agents – None
Restricted Free Agents – Donald Penn, Jeremy Trueblood