Power Rankings

November 21st, 2009

You want them, you’ve got them. Joe’s weekly look at the national media’s rankings of the Bucs.

Mike Sando of BSPN.com has the Bucs bumped up to No. 29 thanks to their rookie quarterback.

Josh Freeman has made the Bucs competitive for now, which stands as an improvement.

Former Bucs beat writer and current SI.com columnist Don Banks isn’t as impressed ranking the Bucs at No. 30.

It was another nice fourth-quarter comeback for Bucs rookie quarterback Josh Freeman at Miami, and it appears Tampa Bay may have something here. Freeman didn’t lead the Bucs to a second straight win, but that had more to do with Tampa Bay’s defense bending on the Dolphins’ game-winning field goal drive. It’s not far-fetched to imagine a scenario in which we end this season with Freeman’s future generating more excitement within the league than that of Mark Sanchez’s or Matthew Stafford’s. You heard it here first.

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com is likeminded with Banks ranking the Bucs at No. 30 as well.

They have to be thrilled with the way they are playing with Josh Freeman at quarterback. That bodes well for the future. Now it’s time to fix the defense.

Adrian Hasenmayer of FoxSports.com is less enamoured ranking the Bucs at No. 31.

Some QBs get their teammates noticeably excited to play alongside them. So far, young Josh Freeman seems to have that quality, evidenced by his upset over Green Bay and near-win at Miami. Freeman’s passing will only improve, and he can already write in skills such as escapability and leadership into his resume.

Knox Bardeen of Fanhouse.com has the Bucs ranked as high as No. 29.

Josh Freeman is showing signs of brilliance and the Buccaneers — who lost a heart-breaker in Miami last week — are slowly pulling themselves out of the cellar in the standings. They have no hope for 2009, but if the final seven games go like the last two, the Bucs can be taken off of life-support.

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