Previously, I did a 10 reasons to be optimistic. As hinted at in that article, I follow that up with only 8 (don’t want to crush your hopes) reasons to be pessimistic.

8. Raheem Moris - Depending on how you look at Morris, you can either be a glass half-full guy or a glass half-empty guy. For now, I choose the latter. He is young, inexperienced and is going to have a wealth of drama to deal with. Not only is their a possibility of a Barret Ruud training camp hold out in the near future, the rumors of signing Plaxico Burress or trading for Braylon Edwards and inept General Management decisions… He will also have to find a way to keep not only Antonio Bryant happy, but Kellen Winslow, Derrick Ward and Michael Clayton (and that’s IF we don’t bring in anymore diva Wideouts). He will also be tested in how he deals with criticism that is sure to be launched his way when things don’t go right his first year, speculation of a Bill Cowhert re-entrance next season along with a littany of on the field problems that are going to present themselves. Oh, and did I mention QB controversy? It comes with the job in Tampa, and Morris is going to have to make the call between the ‘future’ the ‘fast’ or the ‘fat’.  You guess who is who.

7.  Jim Bates - Bates struggled so much in Denver that they welcomed his departure. Mainly due to the lack of personnel to fit his stubborn scheme. Check out my previous article on the new Bates scheme and if it can work in Tampa…. You be the judge

6. Mark Dominik - Dominik’s legacy is in the air. With several head-scratching decision such as giving Soulja Boy Kellen Winslow a 6 year extension (very lucrative) with two years left to play, the release of Derrick Brooks, and the failure to add depth to the secondary. Will Josh Freeman pan out? Will Kyle Moore be the mid-round addition? What about the plethora of personalities on offense now? Dominik will have to face the fire. I don’t think he can do it.

5. Kellen Winslow - That’s right I added him to the list of reasons to be pessimistic. While the national media adores Private Winslow, all he adds is drama to a TE corp that really didn’t need him. He brings a larger than team attitude and a Me-First desire that is going to tear this team apart. It is people like him in the NFL that get under my skin and marinate there. Winslow, while he may help a fludgling Quarterbacks corp, will not provide any in-locker-room support. Not to mention, he stole from Fort Knox (The Glazers) a nice contract that he has done nothing to deserve.

4. Gaines Adams - Will he ever live up to his hype? Probably not. He has the speed and athleticism that defines great pass-rushers but is unable to put that to practice. He was shut down for the better half of the season with double teams and showed no desire to fight those. The addition of Roy Miller could ease his load, and Bates has a way with freeing up ends, but I am not as confident.

3. WR’s - We obviously have no faith in our Wide-Receiving corps, which begs the question “Why did we let Ike Hillard go?” A question which has no answer. We are toying with the idea of bring in Stupid Criminal Spokesman Plaxico Burress or trading for Braylon “I suddenly reverted 10 years and forgot how to catch the ball” Edwards. This all shows me that we don’t like out situation. And, to be honest, how could they? Outside of Bryant all we have is an overpaid Michael Clayton to block on the outside. No more 2nd passion option.

2. Defensive Line - While we addressed some need with a big body who can lock it down on the runs, we haven’t fully addressed that situation, or the depth, or the pass rush. We gave quarterbacks far too much time to throw to a secondary who has an aging corner who at his age would me more aggressive in politics than he is on the field. We passed on several Free Agent opportunities and are still looking at starting Greg Stylez White.

1. Defensive Secondary - Is thin. If you can name all four starters, you are indeed a Bucs fan. If not, don’t worry, nor can the coaches. Barber and Talib at the corners along with Sabby Piscatelli and Tanard Jackson will make up our secondary. Sabby is extremely undisciplined, Barber can’t cover, Tanard can’t figure out his style of play and Talib is the only hope we have. While there are some OK guys on the outside looking in (Will Allen, Elbert Mack, EJ Biggers and the surprise rise of Kyle Arrington) there is nothing to write home about. I still am not sold on the Jermaine Phillips to Will move. I think you take a well above average Safety and make him an average linebacker.

So, football fans, don’t ride too high on the Bucanneers. My crystal ball only projects a 6-8 win season at best (this is subject to change as hope comes in bulk at the start of training camp).