Since the pewter pirates' stirring championship run in 2001-02, the preseason has been the yearly highlight for loyal Bucs fans. Not since the bad old days of 14 consecutive losing seasons have expectations for the team been this low. But in August there is still hope. Could 2007 be the year of the Bucs? Here are four burning questions for this pre-season:

Who's the quarterback? This past off-season, the Bucs accumulated quarterbacks like Larry King adds ex-wives. New arrival Jeff Garcia, fresh off taking the wounded Eagles on a playoff run last year, should be a great fit if he can stay healthy. Garcia's mobile (which takes pressure off the Bucs' Swiss cheese front five), but at age 37 he's one good Julius Peppers hit away from the morgue. Last year, Peppers hit Chris Simms so hard the QB lost his spleen and the ability to stand up straight. Simms has struggled so far in camp, leaving the door open for relative unknown Luke McNown to challenge for the backup role. If Garcia's not the starter on opening day, hide those car flags until 2008.

Is the defense "Orange Crush" or "Orange Slushie"? Back in the Tony Dungy Era, the Bucs were all about the D. Last year, the defense looked old, slow and tired, leading to wholesale changes in the off-season. Poetry-spouting defensive end Simeon Rice is gone, as is bedrock middle linebacker Shelton Quarles. The Bucs got better through the draft, snagging a replacement for Rice in Gaines Adams, the fifth-overall pick, and added linebacker Cato June from the champion (and Dungy-coached) Indianapolis Colts. Keep an eye on crafty vets Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber and Brian Kelly: If they play up to snuff, the Bucs may have a shot. If not …

… Will Gruden's head explode? It's been a tough road for Chuckie as of late. After taking the Raiders to the playoffs and the Bucs to the Super Bowl, it's been nothing but drama and disappointment for the former boy genius. This looks to be a make-or-break season for the head coach, and if things go south in a hurry, Gruden could lose more than his job. Face it: No one who gets three hours of sleep a night can be considered "stable."

Is that a Jack & Coke? As of this writing, it looks like Raymond James Stadium will be adding alcohol sales to the lucrative beer concession this year. Depending on how the Bucs do, expect either massive celebrations or rampant arrests. We've got our money on a little bit of both.

This article appears in Aug 8-14, 2007.