So, where to begin?

Well in the time period that we’ve been off the face of the earth, ERR, I mean, internet.

A LOT has happened in the world that is One Buc Place.

Jon Gruden and Bruce Allen? Time’s up, here’s your pink slip!

Welcome our defensive backs coach turned HEAD coach in a matter of months, 32 year old Raheem Morris.

At 32, he is the youngest head coach in the NFL today. I guess the Glazers have grown fond of 30 something head coaches these days.

Along with our new head coach, we’ve promoted from within to find our next general manager, Mark Dominik.  Currently 37 years of age, he too is near the top of the youngest GM’s list.

But don’t let his age fool you into thinking he’s inexperienced. In fact, he’s far from it. Working within the Buccaneers organization since 1995, he’s been an integral member of scouting department and followed the very common path that leads to a general manager status.

Here’s a recap of some of the moves that our new regime has made that shook the foundation of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as we’ve known them.

On February 26th, 2009, the following players were released in what is being called a change of direction.

- Derrick Brooks

- Cato June

- Joey Galloway

- Warrick Dunn

- Ike Hilliard

Call it what you want, but one thing is for certain. These aren’t your Grandma’s Buccaneers!

At the press conference shortly following the news of the release, both GM Mark Dominik and Head Coach Raheem Morris faced the media and their barrage of questions. They answered each question with as much information as they could and continually denied that the release of these players, (All near or in their 30’s) was not a “youth movement.” When asked if this move had anything to do with freeing up more cap space for the impending free agency period, our regime informed us that it had nothing to do with money.

They insisted then, and still insist to this day that the Buccaneers are moving in a different direction and that the players who were released were not seen as a part of the plan this season or in seasons to come.

That may be a tough pill to swallow, but as fans, all we can do is wait and see if their “plan” means Tampa will be a place known for its winning ways, or continue it’s slide back into mediocrity.

Moving on…
After the shocking news of the releases, we as fans began to wonder, what are we going to do with all this money?  Certainly, we’ll be big players in free agency right?  Troubled but talented DT Albert Haynesworth would be available via free agency, but he would come with a hefty price tag. He was a player the Buccaneers coveted dearly, especially after last seasons defensive collapse, in which we gave up over 1,000 yards rushing in the seasons final 4 games, knocking us out of playoff contention.

Well, as it were, free agency rolled around the Buccaneers were major players in the Albert Haynesworth sweepstakes and as the early morning rolled around, reports surfaced that two teams remained in negotiation with the super star Defensive Tackle. The Bucs, and The Redskins.

The Redskins ultimately got the player they wanted when Haynesworth agreed to Washington’s 7 year deal that would pay over 100 MILLION DOLLARS. Over 40 million dollars in that deal is guaranteed.

So Tampa saved a significant amount of money by not signing the defensive tackle!

Okay, so Tampa hadn’t made the big splash signing the fans had hoped for, but all hope was not lost.

There were still plenty of quality players still available and the Buccaneers had several players scheduled to fly into Tampa to meet with the coaching staff and a few of our veteran players.

One of those players was of the rival New Orleans Saints, Jonathan Vilma. Tampa came so close to signing him as he seriously considered our offer, but ultimately chose to stick with the Saints.

Tampa finished second on another big name free agent and the fans frustration increased. When a HC and GM tell you they have a plan for the franchise you can’t help but root for, you begin to doubt when those in charge do things you don’t agree with, or perhaps, don’t understand.

At any rate, Tampa FINALLY made a newsworthy move, although it didn’t come via free agency. News reports surfaced that the Buccaneers and Browns had successfully completed a trade that would send Tampa’s second round pick in 2009 and an undisclosed draft pick for the 2010 NFL draft to Cleveland for their infamous and immensely talented, game changing tight end, Kellen Winslow II, or KW2.

KW2 is the son of one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, Hall of famer, Kellen Winslow.

Some people say that Kellen doesn’t care to be in Tampa. However, they should know that he had the right to waive this trade if he did not want to come here and still he chose to be moved to Tampa.

After that trade settled down, Tampa concentrated on retaining some of their own free agents and we succeeded by keeping our ferocious blocking wide receiver, Michael Clayton. Clayton has the chance to shoot back into the galaxy that was his star power following his incredible rookie season in which he set franchise highs in catches, yards, and touchdowns by a rookie. He’ll no longer have Gruden breathing down his neck and that means he’ll have to step up to the plate and prove he’s not a one year wonder.

As you may already know, Tampa has designated comeback player of the year, Antonio Bryant as it’s franchise player. This means AB will receive the average salary of the 5 highest paid wide receivers in the league, which in this case is, 9.84 million dollars to be paid over one year. He’ll again be a free agent after this season. However Tampa continues talks with his agent in hopes of resigning him to a multi-year deal.

What else is there? OH YES! Tampa’s first real “splash signing” of the free agency period came when the Bucs landed 1,000 yard rusher Derrick Ward of the New York Giants. Ward led the NFL in yards per carry last season for backs with the required amount of carries. Hitting at 5.6 yards per run, Ward eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark on just 182 carries. He is also known for his soft hands while catching passes in the flats. Last season he caught 41 balls for nearly 400 yards and showed the flash and determination to gain every yard possible. A true play to the whistle type player.

All in all, I must say that I’m as excited as I’ve ever been for a Buccaneers season. You get the vibe from reading player interviews and coach interviews that these Buccaneers are going to bring their intensity to another level. Coach Morris has said that the team will practice in full pads “a lot more” and we will be hitting people as hard as we can every chance we get.

So one things for sure, these aren’t your Grandma’s Buccaneers. Not anymore.