It's Not Easy Being Red and Pewter

Do any of the following pertain to you?

• difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
(e.g., Wait, when was the last time the Bucs had a star offensive weapon?)
• feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
(e.g., We'll never have a winning season again! And the team will probably move to Los Angeles, too!)
• fatigue and decreased energy
(e.g., I don't have the energy to watch any more of these stupid games.)
• feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness
(e.g., If the Glazers don't pay for better players, there's nothing we can do to win.)
• irritability, restlessness
(e.g., Who is Reggie Brown? WHY IS BRANDON MARSHALL NOT A BUC?)
• overeating or appetite loss
(e.g., Is the game seriously still on? They can't just stop it out of pity? Fine, I'll take another tray of chicken wings.)
• persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems
(e.g., Dominik isn't even going to try for a free-agent wide receiver? The logic of that hurts my head.)
• persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings
(e.g., Sometimes I don't even feel like I have a team anymore.)
• loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable
(e.g., I hate football.)

If so, you're not alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, these are all signs of depression. According to Bucs Chick, these are all signs of being a Bucs fan in 2010.

It's no secret that this has been a horrible year for the Bucs, one that has left fans in the doldrums for some time now. But that was all supposed to change at this weekend's draft. And in some ways, it did.

For one, the Bucs drafted a guy who some say is the next Warren Sapp. And even if the Bucs' number one pick, DT Gerald McCoy, does not turn out to be a hall-of-fame caliber player, he is charismatic and engaging and seems to be one of the genuinely good guys. For a team that has been lacking star play and star power since the ouster of Derrick Brooks, a little good press should go a long way to satisfy fans.

But that's not all. The Bucs picked up a second defensive tackle as well. Brian Price also draws comparisons to Sapp and was also considered a potential first round pick. With two power players at the position, the Bucs' woeful run defense should be greatly improved, which should, in turn, improve the pass rush and ease the secondary's workload.

The Bucs also managed to draft wide receivers Arrelious Benn and Mike Williams--both considered first- or second-round talents. Benn is not knows for exceptional speed, but he has great hands and is another character guy, and the Bucs will count on him to be a starter. Williams, on the other hand, earns the Antonio Bryant Award for exceptional talent and serious personal baggage (academic violations and quitting his college team with three games left in the season), but as a fifth-round pick, any success he has will be upside for the Bucs.

So, great! What's the problem? The Bucs filled major holes on both sides of the ball. They potentially transformed the team's run defense and surrounded the young QB with talented receivers. It's enough to inspire, well, hope! Joy! Dancing in the streets! Yo ho, yo ho, right?!

Not so fast. Yes, the draft seems solid, but it's too early to tell how the young guys will do. Plus, the Bucs announced a slew of cuts yesterday, and among the players released were DT Chris Hovan, FB BJ Askew, and Guard Arron Sears.

The first two cuts were not shocking, but the fact that the Bucs let go troubled lineman Sears has to lead fans to wonder why the team did not draft a single offensive lineman this year. While the addition of Benn and Williams should help Josh Freeman grow as a quarterback, there is little a wide receiver can do if the quarterback in laying on the ground.

So despite the shiny draft picks, Bucs fans will likely have to grit their teeth through another year of helplessness and emptiness. But no need to lose all hope. A couple more solid draft days, and the Buc depression should ease.

Cross-published at chicksinthehuddle.com.