Wide receiver Michael Clayton might have to have his best season for the Bucs not to stink up the joint this year.

In the first power rankings Joe can remember coming across for the 2009 season, the Pewter Pirates aren’t ranked very high. NFL.com’s Pat Kirwan must not think much of the Bucs, despite what Warren Sapp says about the offense. Kirwan has the Bucs ranked No. 29.

There are many changes in Tampa, from the general manager to head coach to the starting quarterback and a new defense. The Buccaneers signed solid veterans in the offseason, but sooner or later rookie quarterback Josh Freeman will take the field. There is a learning curve that Freeman will have to go through before he can consistently win games.

Joe isn’t sure the Bucs are the third-worst team in the league, but Joe is more than a little concerned about what has happened to the defense since Chucky was fired.