Not a whole lot of sober Bucs fans expect much from the team this year; there is a lot of hope but expectations are low. There are many reasons that lead fans to this conclusion, but Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com offers some jarring analysis.

Schrager ranks the top 99 players in the NFL and the Bucs don’t have anyone in the top 74. The highest ranked Bucs player is Barrett Ruud at No. 75.

75. Barrett Ruud, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Who? Perhaps the least familiar name on this list, Rudd checks in at No. 75. Ruud put himself on the national radar with a breakout 2008 — ending the season with 137 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions. With Derrick Brooks out of the picture and a completely new defensive system in Tampa, a lot will be expected out of Ruud

What is disturbing to Joe about this ranking is that Ruud has a terrible habit of becoming invisible in the latter weeks of the season, none more glaring than last year’s December tank job by the Bucs defense.

Oh, by the way, Ruud is also in hiding during offseason workouts, seemingly wanting a new contract (but he’s able to show up to his own charity golf outing).

Oddly enough, Ruud is the only Bucs player to be ranked in Schrager’s top 99. That speaks volumes to Joe.