Welcome to the latest edition of NFL FanIQ & A, interviewing fans about their favorite teams.  Training camp will be starting soon, so we are making you the experts now.  Today we have MarktheShark talking about his Tampa Bay Buccaneers ...

Nate: This off season the Bucs picked up no show QB Jake Plummer and and Jeff Garcia. First what was the point in at least attempting to pick up both Plummer, who in all likely hood would retire, and Jeff Garcia?

Mark:  What the plan was, according to the Buccaneers (specifically GM Bruce Allen) was to bring both guys in and compete for the starters job and probably trade Chris Simms. But, as everyone knows, Jake Plummer has decided to retire. Or will he? He still has not filed retirement papers with the league office. Personally I think the Buccaneers were trying to force the Raiders hand in the draft by snatchin up both QB's in March so that the Oakland Raider would be forced to take Russell; and their guy, Calvin Johnson would fall to them.  Of course, that didn't work.

Jon Gruden believes that his system can make any QB great. How else do you explain him turning to a raw 6th round draft pick rookie, Bruce Gradkowski, instead of veteran Tim Rattay who had actually started over a seasons worth of games with limited success, after Simms went down with the ruptured spleen? His chip-on-the-shoulder ego is driving him to back up his own poor personnel decisions. Hopefully Garcia is savvy enough to execute Grudens good playcalling and ignore all the other stuff.

Recently a FanIQ poll came out asking if Bucs fans are happy with their coach. Should Buccanneer fans like John Grueden? Why or why not?

He's become increasingly divorced from reality. He reads his own press clippings. Just one example: Last year at Giants Stadium vs. the G-Men, the weather included sustained winds of at LEAST 15 mph and regular gusts up to 30 mph. While the Giants kept it close to the vest and were in no way blowing the Bucs out early, he had Gradkowski hoist it up about FIFTY times. Huh? Then in the post-game and subsequent press conferences got testy and refused to take blame when this fact was mentioned. Until he has someone who can check his ego, whether it be a strong GM or owner, he will never experience the success he used to have as an offensive coordinator.

Moving along to free agency, what do you think will be the biggest loss to the team this off season, and what will be the best pick up?

Lions fans will love DeWayne White. Tampa Bay fans will miss his motor that doesn't stop. He is a defensive end that will end up with double digit sacks in Marinelli's scheme. I also think Coach Marinelli will be able to calm him down and limit what seemed like one personal foul penalty per game. While Garcia is the obvious answer to the question, I think Cato June and Patrick Chukwurah both have the potential to slow down the aging of this proud Buccaneers defense. I have high hopes for Chukwurah and think he can be a standout special teams player and add big plays on defense as well. 

What holes are still left unfilled to date?

The WR position is in a pretty sad state. Joey Galloway can still run like a deer but he's 35 and doesn't really offer too much other than the lightning big play occasionally. The #2 will be up for grabs between Michael Clayton, Maurice Stovall and Paris Warren. Ike Hilliard is the third down guy. Should I mention that David Boston is on the roster? Safeties Jermaine Phillips and Will Allen were disappointing at best last year. Sabby Piscatelli, he of the 15 collegiate interceptions, was a first day draft pick. Hopefully he will help. Both DT spots are in flux. Barrett Ruud will take over the starting MLB spot from one of the most under-rated Buccaneers ever: Shelton Quarles; who is likely retiring. Heck, is QB really that settled? I could go on....

Can the Bucs pull off a playoff run this season? How do they measure up to the rest of the NFC as far as readiness goes?

(invoking Jim Mora, SR) Playoffs? PLAYOFFS!? This is a patchwork team, and Jon Gruden ain't John Madden and Bruce Allen CERTAINLY isn't his dad, George Allen. This team may steal a coupla wins vs a suddenly mediocre NFC South and they might fashion an upset here or there, but that's it. New Orleans is the class of the division and the Buccaneers face the NFC West in its entirety. That's not a good thing anymore.

Well that's all the questions I have. Thanks Mark, for the interview. I'll go ahead and leave you with the last word.

Rooting for my beloved Buccaneers through the Nineties while living in Texas taught me one thing: some day when they're good, it will be all the sweeter (laughs). If the Bucs avoid a double-digit loss season I'd be totally shocked. But, then.....THAT'S WHY THEY PLAY THE GAMES!