Football odds on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009 could be up and down as the Bucs have a lot of new faces. It begins at the top with new head coach Raheem Morris and at quarterback as Byron Leftwich, Josh McCown or Josh Freeman gets the job.
Football odds at the sports book could have Tampa Bay as underdogs a lot depending upon their quarterback play. The Bucs did make a lot of other changes including the additions of running back Derrick Ward and tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. They had a number of off-season losses as well including linebacker Derrick Brooks, cornerback Phillip Buchanon, running back Warrick Dunn, quarterback Jeff Garcia and linebacker Cato June.
In 2008 the Bucs were in great shape at 9-3 until a late season collapse cost the team a playoff berth and ultimately Jon Gruden his head coaching job. Replacing Gruden and Garcia won’t be easy and the Bucs have other issues as well. The running game was sporadic at best with Earnest Graham and Carnell Williams and the passing game was not much better. The defense was great against the pass, ranking fourth in passing yards allowed as football odds stats show but they were only 19th against the run. Overall though they were 10th in points allowed as football odds numbers indicated.
The Bucs made a lot of changes and it remains to be seen if they are good ones or not in football odds. Morris is unproven as a head coach and none of the quarterback options look very good. Adding Ward and Winslow could prove to be good moves though if a good quarterback develops and it helps that Antonio Bryant returns after an excellent 2008 season.
Tampa Bay is different on defense but they are still good. Ronde Barber is still with the Bucs and he is joined by younger stars like linebacker Barrett Ruud and cornerback Aqib Talib. Improving their 10th in the NFL overall ranking is not of the question in 2009.
The Bucs are really a tough team to get a handle on for 2009 football odds at the online sportsbook. They made so many off-season moves that it may take a while for the team to come together. The Bucs are not given much respect in terms of football odds to start the season as they are 50-1 longshots at the sportsbook to win Super Bowl XLIV.