Tampa Bay Buccaneers

GRADE
Date	Current	Previous
12/29/11	D	D-
The Buccaneers played the first half like a team that had given up on its season and its coach. While that may have been the case, Tampa Bay’s second-half comeback attempt -- even though it was against a lot of Atlanta non-starters -- showed a little of the spirit that was around in the beginning of the season. But, it wasn’t nearly enough. -- Knox Bardeen, RapidReports Correspondent
12/22/11	D-	D-
The offseason can’t come soon enough for the Buccaneers. Losers of nine consecutive games after entering the season as NFC contenders, the Bucs constantly seem to harm their own cause. Committing four turnovers and playing passive defense Saturday against the Panthers, the Bucs were outscored 21-0 in the third quarter. -- Jeff Hawkins, RapidReports Correspondent
12/15/11	D-	D
Tampa got off to another slow start, falling behind 28-0 and gaining just one first down by halftime. The Bucs never established a running game, gaining 58 total yards, including a paltry 21 on nine carries by LeGarrette Blount. The Bucs also finished with 190 total offensive yards. Defensively, Tampa was no better allowing Dallas 399 total yards, including 160 on the ground against a couple of average backs. -- Scott Purks, RapidReports Correspondent
12/08/11	D	D
Hard to grade the Buccaneers any higher. They committed six turnovers, and found a way to turn a 14-0 lead into a lopsided loss. The Jaguars hadn't scored more than 20 points this season, but the Buccaneers allowed four touchdowns and they allowed rookie QB Blaine Gabbert to have the best game of a difficult rookie season. -- John Oehser, RapidReports Correspondent
12/01/11	D	C+
Tampa's defense continued its downward spiral, giving up 385 total yards and 163 on the ground. In its six-game losing streak, the Bucs' rushing defense has given up an average of almost 170 yards a game. On the flip side, Tampa rushed for only 78 yards, or five more than it was penalized (nine for 73). -- Scott Purks, RapidReports Correspondent
11/24/11	C+	C+
A steady rain caused the Bucs to lose four fumbles in their fifth straight loss. Josh Freeman threw a key INT late, then followed it up by mishandling the snap on a failed fourth-down conversion that ended the game. The defense nearly surrendered 200 rushing yards to Chris Johnson and left Damian Williams wide open on a game-winning TD. -- Matt Rybaltowski, RapidReports Correspondent
11/17/11	C+	D-
Their spirited effort almost qualifies as a moral victory. But no one in the Buccaneers locker room should feel too honorable after they shot themselves -- and their upset bid -- in the foot with nine costly penalties and two turnovers. Overall, an improved offensive performance from Josh Freeman, LaGarrette Blount and Mike Williams, but not enough. -- James Carlton, RapidReports Correspondent
11/10/11	D-	D+
The Bucs did not catch, tackle, struggled in the red zone, lost a fumble, threw three interceptions and collected penalties that ruined any possible rhythm. From the game's first play, an 80-yard touchdown pass to Houston WR Jacoby Jones, Tampa played terribly. In the end, Houston outgained Tampa 420 yards to 231. -- Scott Purks, RapidReports Correspondent
11/03/11	D+	C
Josh Freeman seems like he's regressing. He missed open receivers that would have ended up for huge gains and doesn't appear to be as comfortable as he was last season. The defense didn't do the Bucs any favors either as it was gashed by the Saints' potent running game and a solid passing game. -- Larry Holder, RapidReports Correspondent
10/27/11
10/20/11	C	A
Tampa's defense looked sluggish for most of the game, especially against the run. Conversely, Tampa gained only 30 rushing yards, a fact that bogged down Tampa's entire offense until the fourth quarter. The biggest problem, however, was QB Josh Freeman's four interceptions. -- Scott Purks, RapidReports Correspondent
10/13/11	A	F
A week after looking inept in a 48-3 loss at San Francisco -- while playing Sunday without inactive DT Gerald McCoy (ankle) and RB LeGarrette Blount (knee) -- Tampa did just about everything right, picking off three passes, collecting a Saints' fumble and hitting on long passes. Much credit also has to be given to Earnest Graham, who had 17 carries for 109 yards. -- Scott Purks, RapidReports Correspondent
10/06/11	F	B
The Buccaneers didn't just lose. They had the most one-sided loss of the season. They clearly weren't ready to play and a pair of INTs from QB Josh Freeman put them into an early hole. They allowed over 200 rushing yards and 400 total yards of offense to the 49ers and had three turnovers. -- Michael Erler, RapidReports Correspondent
09/29/11	B	B
Tampa made its share of mistakes, allowing big plays on blown coverages (particularly by DB Aqib Talib), while piling up a consistent stream of penalties. QB Josh Freeman, however, had another solid night, and the defense stepped up at key moments. The Bucs still got off to another slow start, failing to score in the first quarter. -- Scott Purks, RapidReports Correspondent
09/22/11	B	B-
The defense played better than it has this year and perhaps all of last year, holding an explosive Atlanta offense to 13 points. Tampa's young defensive line applied pressure on Matt Ryan, while holding tough against the run (15 carries, 30 yards) -- a big victory after giving up an average of 156 rushing yards in the first two games. Except for an INT thrown in the end zone, Tampa's offense was efficient. -- Scott Purks, RapidReports Correspondent
09/15/11	B-	D+
If NFL games were only 30-minutes long, the Bucs would grade an F against the Vikings. With only 62 total yards of offense in the 1st half, starting slow is an understatement. But they came out of halftime, established the running game and scored 24 second-half points to beat the Vikings on the road. -- Joe Oberle, RapidReports Correspondent
09/08/11	D+	-
Another slow start for Tampa, which didn't have a first down through the first quarter. Tampa's pass rush once again failed to record a sack. Matt Stafford threw for 305 yards and three touchdowns. Starting RB LeGarrette Blount, who gained 1,007 yards as a rookie, rushed only five times for 15 yards. -- Scott Purks, RapidReports Correspondent

GPA Key
A = 4.0	A- = 3.7	B+ = 3.3
B = 3.0	B- = 2.7	C+ = 2.3
C = 2.0	C- = 1.7	D+ = 1.3
D = 1.0	D- = 0.7