2007 report card, part 2

The 2007 draft focused on defense. 8 of 10 players selected back in April focused on Monte Kiffens' side of the ball. Many of those players made an impact on this years squad such as Gaines Adams, Quincy Black and Tanard Jackson.

Defensive Line- C-
The overall #1 pick of the Bucs this season, Gaines Adams struggled at the start of the season. Many times looking over-matched, under-sized and playing out of position. But, as the season wore on and injuries took their tool, Adams seemed to ratchet it up a bit but he has to bulk up in the off season. Bucs fans would no doubt love to see Gaines Adams have a second pro season that resembles what Mario Williams did in Houston this year. Kevin Carter was a nice veteran free agent acquisition last season, and from media reports was a leader in the clubhouse. However, his salary this year was over 5 million dollars, and for a team which needs to get younger on defense, does a 35 year old defensive end warrant a huge contract? Greg Spires falls under the same category, soon to be 35 and injured most of this season. Two great reclamation stories this year have been Greg White and Javon Haye. Greg White was a force on the D Line this season, leading the Bucs in sacks and forced fumbles. Last year he was named the arena football league defensive player of the year and worked as a security guard for an Orlando Best Buy store. The only reason he ended up with the squad this year is Coach Grudens' brother was his coach in the arena league. Javon Haye was signed off the Cleveland Browns' practice squad and managed to be a force on the DL as well recovering fumbles and recording 6 sacks.
The unit as a whole needs to be upgraded and create more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Linebackers- B
After the first game of the season, a 20-6 loss in Seattle, Bucs fans and media were questioning whether or not Derrick Brooks had lost a step. Coming off a 2006 season where Brooks looked mortal, Derrick showed up in week 2 and beyond, posting very respectable numbers for the season. The future Hall of Famer was second on the team in tackles behind Barrett Ruud.
Ruud, the second round pick in 2005 out of Nebraska, came into his own this season. To start the first half of the season, Ruud was amazing, being voted NFC defensive player of the month in September. He sort of disappeared late in the season, but on Ronde Barbers' final local radio show, he admitted Barrett was playing hurt for the second half of the season. No doubt Bucs fans are looking forward to Ruud becoming the next great middle linebacker for the team following in the footsteps of Hugh Green and Hardy Nickerson. Free agent acquisition Cato June who came over from the Indianapolis Colts in the offseason, seemed like the perfect fit having played in the Tampa 2 cover defense. He had a great start of the season, but broke his foot the last game of the season and was unavailable for the playoffs.
First year additions Quincy Black and Adam Heyward should be around for a while. Jeremiah Trotter is gone.

Safety- A
The one spot which was sorely lacking defensively last season was good play from the safety positions. 4th round pick, Tanard Jackson was up for defensive rookie of the year, and while he might have taken that honor, in 3 years, should look like one of the steals in the 2007 NFL draft.
Coming in as a cornerback, he was moved to safety and did not disappoint. Jermaine Phillips rebounded as well of a bad showing in 2006. The Bucs drafted to address the safety position and lost their second pick in the second round, Sabby Piscitelli, who immediately drew comparisons to John Lynch based on physical appearance. Bucs fans can look forward to seeing Sabby laying a few hits on opposing teams next year.

Cornerbacks- B-
Last season, CB Brian Kelly went down with an injury and the Bucs tried to plug in a variety of options to replace him. This year, another injury to BK and Phillip Buchanon filled in with success. Ronde Barber started the season needing only 1 interception in order to become the all-time leader in Bucs history and that interception took almost half a season. Second year player and former first round pick, Sammy Davis saw extensive time playing corner, and I'm not sold on the fact he can play corner, maybe in the nickle package, but not a starting corner.