After reviewing the film and roster, here’s the early outlook for the 2010 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Offense

The low rankings – 30^th in scoring, 28^th in yards, 27^th on third down, etc. – can be chalked up to instability at quarterback. Byron Leftwich is not a good fit in any offense – this one included. Josh Johnson scrambled well but displayed shoddy fundamentals in the pocket. Rookie Josh Freeman’s mental struggles prevented him from exhibiting the tools that made him a first-round pick. In a way, it’s too bad, because the rest of this offense was respectable. The front five was solid (guards Jeremy Zuttah and Davin Joseph were particularly impressive as run-blockers, regularly getting to the second level). Cadillac Williams ran with a burst that two patella tendon injuries should never allow. He was head-and-shoulders above the mechanical Derrick Ward. WR Sammie Stroughter showed promise. Maurice Stovall and Michael Clayton showed nothing. Antonio Bryant was a stud when his quarterback found him. Kellen Winslow proved he’s still the most fluid route running TE in football.

Defense

Inconsistent linebackers headlined the league’s 32^nd-ranked run defense. Second-year WLB Geno Hayes jumped out as a playmaker at times but, like Quincy Black and Barrett Ruud, Hayes didn’t play with physicality. Far too many of Ruud’s tackles came downfield; he was an average MLB at best.

The criticism of the linebackers can be applied to the safeties. Tanard Jackson wasn’t as effective outside the Cover 2 scheme; Sabby Piscitelli only started because Jermaine Phillips got hurt. Ronde Barber was savvy in zone coverage but struggled in man. If not for some early season man-to-man gaffes, ’08 undrafted rookie Elbert Mack would have had a stellar campaign (but not as stellar as lanky Aqib Talib, of course).

Tampa had an abundance of “energy guys” along the defensive line, but they needed a genuine pass-rusher. The only player who consistently stood out was DT Ryan Sims. He played with power and showed surprising quickness off the snap.

Top 5 Needs

1. Wide Receiver

Per their cost-cutting and youth movement, the Bucs let soon-to-be-29-year-old free agent Antonio Bryant walk away. (The team didn’t seem thrilled with his knee problems, and in reading between the lines, Bryant’s old attitude issues may have reappeared.) Problem is, Bryant was their only dangerous wideout. Second-year pro Sammie Stroughter is precocious but not ready to be a No. 1 (especially if irrelevant vets Michael Clayton and Maurice Stovall are the No. 2 and 3).

2. Defensive End

Jimmy Wilkerson must prove he can still play with a motor after injuring his ACL. Even if Wilkerson is 100 percent, he’s a backup talent anyway. Same goes for Stylez White.

3. Defensive Tackle

The need at DE is much greater, but after giving up a league-worst 158.2 yards rushing per game, you can’t blame the Bucs if they look for a superstar inside. It’s probably time to replace Chris Hovan anyway.

4. Defensive Back

Ronde Barber is 34. Elbert Mack got better as the season progressed, but it’d be a gamble to start him. Good NFL defenses these days all seem to have a playmaking safety. The Bucs are solid with Tanard Jackson, but they need to replace injury-prone Jermaine Phillips.

5. Linebacker

They should take anyone who is willing to hit opponents in the mouth. (Ruud, Hayes and Black would all rather flick an opponents’ ear and run off.)