Sirius NFL Radio's Randy Cross believes Chris Hovan and the rest of the Bucs defense will struggle early as they adjust to Jim Bates' style.

A Bucs fan, apparently still feeling the giddy effects of $3.75 beers at the CITS Saturday night, called Sirius NFL Radio’s “The Opening Drive” this morning co-hosted by Randy Cross and Bob Papa.

The Bucs fan was of the impression the defense will be the reincarnation of the 2002 Bucs defense and the offense will be explosive. As a result, the fan felt the Bucs would be among the NFL’s elite and he seemed to be looking for positive reinforcement from Cross.

He didn’t get it.

“I would only caution you if you are a little idealistic about your team,” Cross said. “You have good talent on the offensive line to start with. But your team’s run offense and run defense finished in the middle of the pack last year. There’s a reason you drafted where you drafted.

“First you have a change in quarterback. You have very erratic wide receivers. You better hope you get the Antonio Bryant you got last year. He came off the pile and turned into a flower rather than compost. Kellen Winslow at tight end? I’m curious.

“With the defense, I very much disagree. The Bucs seem to be trying to change the personality of their defense with pretty much the same personnel that ran Monte Kiffin’s defense. They want to be bigger and more physical up front but you don’t have those guys. There will be an adjustment period.

“At the end of the year you might be tough but you might be 8-8.”

“They drafted in the middle of the pack after a good start,” Papa said. “You look at that last part of the season when they just needed a win. Whew. There’s a reason Jon Gruden is on Monday Night Football.”