Don Pierson

The 4-12 Buccaneers are looking to make changes at every position group on offense and defense. If the experiments don't work, there probably will be changes for coach Jon Gruden and general manager Bruce Allen.

Three losing seasons in the four years since they won a Super Bowl have turned the Bucs into aging also-rans. But they know the trip from worst to first in the tight NFC South is short. After bouncing from last in 2004 to first in 2005 to last in 2006, winning in 2007 is not a far-fetched goal.

After watching the Saints do it last season by hiring proven veteran Drew Brees to play quarterback, the Bucs traded for Jake Plummer and signed Jeff Garcia. Plummer claims he prefers to retire, but the Bucs aren't yet convinced. Gruden still has Chris Simms, of course, but Simms hasn't played since losing his spleen early last season, so Gruden has installed Garcia as his starter entering camp.

Garcia resurrected a fading career in Philadelphia last year, losing to Brees and the Saints in the playoffs. But he might just fit Gruden's style and Gruden knows he has no time to wait for Simms' development.

Quarterback might turn out to be the least of the Bucs' problems. Two recent No. 1 draft picks, receiver Mark Clayton and running back Cadillac Williams, have to show they weren't rookie flashes in the pan after second-year slumps. Williams must stay healthy and Clayton will try to win a job opposite 35-year-old Joey Galloway by fending off impressive second-year prospect Maurice Stovall and another veteran hoping to come back, David Boston. The Bucs are desperate enough for help to have signed Olympic sprinter Justin Gatlin for their mini-camp. To help Williams, the Bucs signed blocking fullback B.J. Askew.

The offensive line got help from two rookies last year on the right side, guard Davin Joseph and tackle Jeremy Trueblood, and the addition of Giants left tackle Luke Petitgout means there will be shuffling. The Bucs signed Matt Lehr from Atlanta, drafted Arron Sears, and have Dan Buenning coming off injured reserve. They also like Anthony Davis, who played left tackle all last season but will enter camp as the left guard. Buenning could replace John Wade at center with the others fighting for the left guard spot.

The defense that used to keep the Bucs afloat also is in need of overhaul. On the front four, end Greg Spires is the only sure starter. Simeon Rice's future remains in doubt after a shoulder injury ended his season early last year, which is why the Bucs made Gaines Adams their No. 1 draft choice and signed free agent rusher Patrick Chukwurah. At the two tackle spots, the Bucs have holdovers Chris Hovan, Ellis Wyms, Jovan Haye and Darrell Campbell, free agent Kevin Carter, trade acquisition Ryan Sims and rookie Greg Peterson. Haye has an edge because he can play end.

They added Colts' leading tackler Cato June to take over the strongside linebacker spot opposite Derrick Brooks. Barrett Ruud is ready to move into the middle for departed Shelton Quarles.

In the secondary, they expect Alan Zemaitis to push for more playing time at cornerback or nickel back, where Phillip Buchanan backs up Brian Kelly and Ronde Barber and Torrie Cox has been suspended. Kelly is coming off injury.

Rookies Sabby Piscitelli and Tanard Jackson will get every opportunity to unseat safeties Jermaine Phillips and Will Allen.

Hot seat
Gruden is signed through 2008, but a fourth losing season in five years likely won't cut it from ownership that grew impatient with Tony Dungy. The Super Bowl is a long-faded memory and Gruden must stop tinkering and produce something better than an offense that ranked 29th and scored only 13 points a game. These are his draft choices and his free agents.

Overheard
Derrick Brooks isn't ready to hang it up after 12 stellar seasons as one of the all-time premier linebackers, but the drafting of athletic Quincy Black indicates the Bucs are preparing for the future. Likewise with Rice, who snapped a five-year streak of double-digit sacks when he managed only two before getting hurt. The Bucs fell to a woeful 29th in quarterback sacks, so Adams must come on quickly.

Outlook
As Gruden keeps shuffling the deck to come up with a winning hand, the Bucs' season will depend mostly on whether Garcia can duplicate last season or Simms suddenly emerges or Plummer changes his mind at quarterback. Somebody, anybody, has to provide steady play.

Prediction
Third.

NFL training camp previews Click for the latest on your favorite teams (teams listed in predicted order of finish) AFC EAST Patriots Jets Dolphins Bills NFC EAST Eagles Cowboys Redskins Giants AFC NORTH Ravens Steelers Bengals Browns NFC NORTH Bears Packers Lions Vikings AFC SOUTH Colts Jaguars Titans Texans NFC SOUTH Saints Panthers Bucs Falcons AFC WEST Chargers Broncos Chiefs Raiders NFC WEST Seahawks Rams 49ers Cardinals

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Colts, Chargers on collision course PFT: Childress reportedly blasted Favre after game Trash Talk: Favre is starting to show his age PFT: Steelers reportedly will sign WR Galloway Celizic: Eli for MVP? It’s not as crazy as it sounds PFT: Quinn done for year, but what about 2010? PFT: Holmgren's priorities — fire Mangini, silence Brown   Fiancee cries, talks at funeral of Bengals' Henry PFT: Shula: ’72 Dolphins aren’t ‘grumpy old guys’ PFT: Del Rio throws barb at ex-Jags RB Taylor NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: