Who will benefit most from Buccaneers' new schemes

The team that takes the field this fall will be a different Buccaneers club with a new head coach, two new coordinators and a host of different players.

Just as big will be the schematic changes. After seven seasons in former coach Jon Gruden's version of the West Coast offense, Jeff Jagodzinski prepares to take over and implement his offense. And after 12 seasons under Monte Kiffin's Tampa 2 defense, Jim Bates takes the reigns and will overhaul the defense somewhat.

So, given the changes, which players stand to benefit most from the alterations? Let's take a look:

• CB Aqib Talib: He tied for the team lead in interceptions as a rookie last season even though he played, by his estimate, about 40 percent of the defensive snaps. Now, with an emphasis being placed on bump-and-run coverage -- for which Talib is a perfect fit -- he likely will be in position to make even more plays. Under Kiffin's zone-heavy system, the cornerbacks often covered an area of the field and not a specific receiver. The switch to a more man-to-man system will give Talib the opportunity to become one of the league's premier cornerbacks if he steps up to the challenge.

• WR Michael Clayton: I know a fair number of our regular readers have had it up to here with Clayton, and that's understandable given his lack of production. But here's why it's possible he could break out: Jagodzinski has vowed to get more receivers involved in the passing game. Whereas Gruden's offense tended to feature single players (Antonio Bryant, Joey Galloway and Clayton in 2004), Jagodzinski seems more likely to spread it around. Doesn't make his approach better. Just different. Either way, Clayton figures to be on the field and could be a beneficiary of the new system after seeing very few balls the past two seasons.

• RB Earnest Graham: This guy has sustained lots of bumps and bruises over the past two seasons, in large part because he has taken a lot of hits. Under the zone-blocking system being put in place, running backs -- theoretically -- will take fewer hits. Zone blocking allows runners to read the play find one of the cutback lanes that should develop. Under the man-to-man blocking scheme employed in the past, the goal was to create a single hole for the runner. Problem is, if that hole doesn't develop or if the defense commits too many defenders, the running back often has to try to break tackles and drop a shoulder. That means more wear and tear.

• Offensive line: The zone blocking system is a perfect fit for the Bucs' offensive line. The young unit is one of the league's most athletic, meaning it possesses one of the most important qualities for a group that will engage in zone blocking. The tackles (Donald Penn and Jeremy Trueblood) are very good lateral movers, and the guards have shown in the past that they are nimble when asked to pull. Center Jeff Faine is regarded as one of the more agile players at his position and has proven that with his ability to get to the second level and take on linebackers.

• Young players: Gruden has more football knowlege in his pinkie finger than most people do upstairs. But maybe that was the problem sometimes. His complicated scheme and lengthy gameplans clearly overwhelmed some young players. It's a chief reason players who came to the Bucs out of college often didn't develop as much as you would hope. Even a veteran like Warrick Dunn admitted to me last season that he noticed many young players hesitating rather letting their ability take over because they lacked a comfort level in the offense. QB Luke McCown is on record saying Jagodzinski's playbook is roughly half the size of Gruden's. Jagodzinski says he'll have a lot less verbiage, too. All this will make the transition easier for young, talented players.

It will be interesting to see if and how all this comes together in the fall. The Bucs clearly are attempting a great deal of change at one time, which is very ambitious. But if they pull it off successfully, the aforementioned individuals won't be disappointed.

Comments

[Erick]

I for one have total faith in Clayton. I think he is a great player who will be reignited under the new coaching staff. Gruden's major offensive problem was that he was not willing to adapt his "system" to the strengths of players. At some point you have to realize you're only gonna be good by utilizing your talent, not over thinking every play and asking things of players that they shouldn't be worried about.

[Tom]

I think Talib will have the biggest challenge. Without addressing the pass rush, there will be more pressure on the CBs, especially on bump/man coverage. The cover 2 system really shielded CBs from exposure. He could really stand out next year or he could be out on an island with a bad pass rush.

I think McCown might benefit the most from the new system. He's playing with a good O-Line, three good Rbs, a Pro-Bowl caliber WR and a Pro-Bowl caliber TE.

[e]

I think the offense will be better off with the "paralysis by analysis" of the Gruden system, but QBs are still the Achille's heel of the team. As far as the D, We couldn't have asked for a better D for the last decade... big shoes to fill for Bates. Should be an interesting year.
e

[e]

I mean withOUT the Gruden offense...
e

[Leo In Canada]

Thanks for the optimistic outlook. I am still in the "wait & see" mode. With all the changes it almost feels like an expansion team. If Parcells or Cowher or another well known accomplished leader was running the show things would feel more stable. I hope these guys overachieve and take it to the limit.

[Sound Off]

It's going to be very interesting to see all of this play out this season. Personally, I thought Gruden's offense was too complicated. I'm a Lombardi fan: small play book but run it to perfection. Fundamental football. But I did like Gruden as a Head Coach. I just thought he needed to turn over the offense a couple of years ago. Being a control freak, he refused to do that. While I'm not optimistic about this season, I wish the Bucs well.

[Stephen Holder]

Leo, I didn't intend to paint too rosy a picture here, though maybe I did. Just as these guys will benefit from the changes. Of course, there will be others who might not (Ronde Barber?). So, I guess things will offset themselves.

[gus georgiou]

If the Bucs can figure out how to put average pressure on opposing qb's, I think the defense will be OK. I am really worried about Barber being able to cover as he looked OLD!!! last season. The offense will be fine as long as MCCown or Leftowich make plays when they are needed. Strougher is going to be the 3rd receiver and is going to open a lot of eyes with his playing this year!!!!!!!!!!! This defense will be as good as them finding a defensive end to complement Adams.

[OAR]

Not sure who will benefit the new "schemes", but Sports Illustrated has us ranked 26th out of the 32 teams. "Rebuilding - Big Time", it says.

[Dspkable]

Hey this town used to host a team with creamsicle colored jerseys and no hope for the future. If it takes a new coach, new QB, and new systems to get us going again, then so be it. It does feel like the team was up and moved (in and out of the same home) or as I like to think of it BUCS 2: Reloaded.

But we will be a far better team than your teams with top 5 NFL draft picks this year, so just be glad we won't have another year just like last year: Heading toward the playoffs and then blow it at the end of the season. No thanks. It isn't for me. I've seen that show. I know how it ends.

[Leo In Canada]

Stephen. I was sincere with my appreciation. I am looking for all the positive feedback I can hear. I want to be optimistic about the "new team" but it is a challenge. Winning will take care of that but for now words & ideas will suffice.

[DR]

I think Barber will end up being the nickel back if they go to a man to man. He's a great zone CB and he has lost a step and it doesn't help to have a weak defensive line. They'll have to do some creative things on defense to find a way to pressure the QB.

[D Block]

The team benefits in general from the new system on O & D. This team is pretty well built for the system they will be running on both sides of the ball. My only question is the 2nd CB spot on D, Roy Miller does get pressure from the middle on a consistent basis so i think the D line will be better especially with rotation. The O will actually RUN THE BALL this yr and will get big plays off play action so i wouldn't worry so much anymore. Could the team & Qb position be better yes but this is what we have. I think we have as good as a chance of making the playoffs as anyone else in the NFC.

[aj]

I think Bryant will benefit and have an absolute monster year. With the addition of Winslow and Jags commitment to stretch the field, Bryant will have more space to work with. Plus, after a year off, he really didn't seem to have his legs the first few weeks last year. He'll be going full tilt boogie from the get go this year.

I think Barber played pretty well the second half of last season, and the Bucs didn't play cover 2 zone very often then. Quite a bit of cover 3 or man with help over the top, which meant Barber had to do quite a bit of coverage in the open field.

Barber did have 4 picks in the last 6 games, and was locked in man for at least two of those. He was abused by Calvin Johnson, but so will every other CB in the league. He did bounce back and get two picks to help spur the comeback in that game.

[v90152]

The Defense will benefits from a solid run game and wont have to worry about carrying the team to victory as in time past. A strong running will help the Bucs the same way it helped the Falcons and Panthers last season.How many times did we fail to convert 3rd & 2, 3rd & 1 and 4th & 1, then we wanted the defense to suck it up and win the game? How often did we get in the red zone and was lucky to get 3 points, all because we could not run the ball and they(Falcons& Panthers as well as other teams) could? They win,we lose.They go to playoffs,we watch on TV . I anticipate seeing a consistent offense being developed for the first time in franchise history.Keyword consistent

[cody]

I actually think the change in scheme could wake Barber up and get him fired up for this challenge. Nobody expects him to be any good in it but if he's used right and Bates can scheme to his players strengths we should be just fine. I'm just ready to see some blitzing by our 'backers. Ruud always gets to the QB when he's blitzed the last couple years and Crowell has a knack for it too. One way or another they'll get some hands in some QB's faces.

[Joe]

I just hope they pull the trigger and get Clayton out of the line-up if he fails to produce. I hope Straughter has a monster preseason and if Clayton falters, he gets the hook and Straughter gets his chance to shine.

[OAR]

Spin-DR and anybody else that thinks Clayton didn't drop a bunch of passes check out this awesome video collection of passes dropped by Clayton(watch all of it and listen to his excuses, please):

http://www.bucem.com/2009/4/7/826293/part-i-wr-michael-clayton-dropping

Well spin-DR what do you have to say now?!

[Kurt]

DR, you're absolutely right about Barber, which makes me wonder why Raheem the Dream kept him isolated on the corners so much to sabotage our defense last year? Not so sure that bad decision making in such an isolated and simple sense makes for the best head coach either. Gruden may have been overly intellectual in his design, but our strength right now is the offense he built, not the defense which got him fired. Just sayin...