Ten games into the 2012 season, Tampa Bay was 6-4 and riding a four game win streak into playoff contention under thein-depth leadership of Josh Freeman.

The Bucs lost five of six to close out the season, but Freeman looked good enough at times that year to convince some that he really was coming together as the future franchise QB.

Not so much in 2013.

Tampa got off to a disastrous 0-8 start and four games in, Freeman was benched and ultimately released. The 4-12 season was the team’s second in three years and it led to the dismissal of Greg Schiano as coach.

So where do the Bucs go from here? Leo Howell, editor of the Pewter Plank, stopped by Zoneblitz.com to share his thoughts on what Tampa has going heading into 2014.

Here’s what he had to say.

Zoneblitz: After an at least semi-promising 2012 season, the wheels fell off in 2013. The Bucs would seem to have way too much talent to start 0-8 and go 4-12.What went wrong?

Howell: Poor coaching was really the main issue, as it spread to other areas of the team. The coaching staff ran a horrible offensive scheme, which limited the players. The coaching staff couldn’t develop Josh Freeman, ran him out of town (either intentionally or unintentionally). And eventually, the decisions of the coaching staff drove the team past the point of being a contender, and as you said, the wheels fell off. Soul-crushing losses to start the season against the Jets and Saints set the tone for an incredibly disappointing season.

Zoneblitz: The Josh Freeman saga was quite the soap opera. He had a stretch in 2012 where he looked like the next big thing. Why did he fall apart?

Howell: It’s really unclear, as we never learned the real story behind the leaked medical information and the drama surrounding his release. As far as I can tell, his demise was a result of a lack of personal drive and development combined with a lack of support from the organization. He has the physical tools to be a successful quarterback, but he never seemed to take a step forward after his impressive moments in 2010 and 2012.

Zoneblitz: Did you see enough from Mike Glennon to think he’s the guy or is the future long-term QB of the Bucs still not on the roster?

Howell: I have not yet seen enough from Glennon to say he’s “the guy.” I think he’s not brave enough, not quick enough, and not precise enough to be a top-flight NFL quarterback. By brave, I mean his ability to handle pass rusher and also to make a contested throw. Glennon always seemed to take the easy way out. By quick enough, I mean in terms of athleticism and in terms of quick decision-making. And by precise enough, I mean he struggled with accuracy and ball placement, and didn’t show any special skills as a passer.

Zoneblitz: Was firing Greg Schiano and Mark Dominik the right move?

Howell: Firing Greg Schiano was certainly the right move, as he and his staff were not able to deliver results with a talented roster, and there were clear flaws to the way they approached the game. Schiano was stubborn, and relied upon strategies and techniques that simply didn’t pan out over the course of his two seasons.

As for Dominik, it was the right move with the plans the owners had in mind. They wanted to change the culture, and return to the blueprint from the late 90’s and early 2000’s. So they sought out the coach the wanted, and then found the GM to fit his personality.

Zoneblitz: What do you think of the hirings of Lovie Smith as coach and Jason Licht as GM?

Howell: I think hiring Lovie Smith represented the safest move the Buccaneers could make. It’s strange to see a team that struggled on offense hire a defensive coach, but Smith provides the locker room with a respectable leader, something they didn’t have previously.

As for Licht, I think he has the background in scouting and player personnel with some very talented teams to show he can be a good GM, but it’s impossible to predict. The relationship between Smith and Licht will be incredibly important, and I think that was a key to the decision to hire Licht.

Zoneblitz: Despite Glennon’s reasonable showing, the team had the least yards and 30th most points in the league. Can a more experienced Glennon and the return of Doug Martin fix that or are there more issues that have to be addressed?

Howell: I think the scheme held back the offense more than any one player, and I believe that Jeff Tedford’s arrival at offensive coordinator will turn things around without changing any personnel. But upgrading at right guard and slot receiver, along with possibly adding a weapon at tight end, should help the Buccaneers take a step forward. However, I do believe they’ll be ultimately limited by what Mike Glennon can do.

Zoneblitz: Martin will be returning from injury and wide receiver Mike Williams has been involved in some legal issues. Any concerns or thoughts on their futures with the team?

Howell: For Martin? No. His injury was in his shoulder, and there’s no reason for him to not return to his rookie form. As for Williams, there are definitely some concerns there, but he’ll have a chance to turn things around under a new coach, and I suspect he’ll take strides in the right direction.

Zoneblitz: With guys like Lavonte David, Gerald McCoy and Darrelle Revis, this defense still gave up 389 points. What went wrong and what has to happen to fix this?

Howell: The offense put the defense in awful positions, and there was no pass rush outside of McCoy. I think even a slightly improved offense and the addition of an edge pass rusher will see this defense soar to near the top of the league.

Zoneblitz: In a division with teams like Carolina, New Orleans and Atlanta, how far away is this team away from being a playoff contender?

Howell: Not very far at all. They don’t have the quarterback to compete in a shootout with these teams, but they have the defense and the running game to hang in there with anyone. Better coaching and adding a playmaker as a pass rusher could push the team into the playoff hunt in the next couple of years.

Zoneblitz: What would you like to see Tampa do in the draft and free agency?

Howell: I’ve already hinted at it, but I think a pass rusher, tight end, and right guard are the three biggest needs, outside of quarterback which is unlikely to be addressed in a major way this offseason. I believe Khalil Mack from Buffalo would make a great addition as a pass rusher, with Eric Ebron representing a first-round option at tight end. In free agency, I’d love to see the addition of a veteran guard to replace Davin Joseph, along with a pass rusher and a nickel corner to add depth to the defense.

Follow Leo Howell on Twitter at: @LeoHowell8
Follow Pewter Plank on Twitter at: @ThePewterPlank
Follow Zoneblitz.com on Twitter at: @ZoneblitzCom

Previous In Depth: Atlanta Falcons
Next In Depth: Minnesota Vikings