Bucs Will Have A Long Season This Fall
March 3rd, 2010
SI.com columnist Peter King wondered aloud if somehow Bears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye could help the Bucs.
Bucs fans, you are in for a long, long season.
It’s not because your favorite coach Raheem the Dream is still here.
It’s not because, as many Bucs fans believe, the Glazers are cheaper that Ebeneezer Scrooge.
The Bucs will have a long season because Peter King said so.
Co-hosting on the “Opening Drive” today with boring stick in the mud Randy Cross heard exclusively on Sirius NFL Radio, the longtime Sports Illustrated columnist talked about what he foresees with the Bucs this fall.
It ain’t pretty.
A caller asked about combine issues and ended his call begging for King to give Bucs fans a reason to look forward to the season.
King was hard-pressed to, but detailed what he sees for the Bucs.
Randy Cross: Come on Peter, give Tampa Bay fans something to feel good about.
Peter King: I think [Bucs management] is confident [Josh Freeman is the Bucs quarterback of the future] after getting some experience last year and now will have a full offseason with the team.
Remember, last year Josh Freeman had his rookie year interrupted. He had a lot of hardships in his first year. When your offensive coordinator and the guy that designs plays gets whacked at the end of training camp, that is not an ideal situation.
One thing I cannot emphasize enough is that stability for Freeman is vitally important and learning the game is vitally important. One game I watched him last year — I can’t remember against who — he made a bunch of mistakes but he made some real NFL throws.
This year is about seeing how good Freeman can be and be sure if he can be your longterm quarterback. That is the biggest thing you need to accomplish this year.
I don’t know anyone who can look at this team and say they will have a great year. The only way they can have a great year is if Josh Freeman becomes the next Matt Ryan.
I would be more encouraged than discouraged by your quarterback.
The most important thing you have to do is that team has to get a pass rushing threat from either free agency or the draft or you try to squeeze another year or two out of someone like with someone like Adewale Ogunleye, you have to get more pressure on the quarterback than you had last year.
Cross: It really seemed to click for Freeman at the end of last year.
Joe may not be Peter King ,and he has more of a personality and is not anal like Cross, but Joe knows when your two best wide receivers are Sammie Stroughter and Mo Stovall, that is not aiding the development of Freeman in any way, shape or form.
March 3rd, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Joe what is your opinion of what the Bucs are going to do about the WR position? As you stated Stovall and Stroughter with the blocking of Clayton isn’t going to help Freeman. Do you think we will address that position in free agency? Trades? Draft? Combination of the three?
Before word came out during the combine that he was lazy and unmotivated, I was 100% positive that the Bucs were going to fool everyone and draft Dez Bryant. Now I don’t think so because, for the sake of their careers, they can’t afford to take someone with that much risk attached to them. And it’s not like we need just one WR. We need at least two, with one of them being a legitimate #1. Of all the positions of need, this one has me concerned the most. Freeman needs talent around him in order to develop. Take away Winslow and he has nothing (Stroughter being his next best option). What say you Joe?
March 3rd, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Tommy Boy:
Joe’s not trying to dodge the question, but Joe cannot fathom Mark Dominik thinks the receivers he currently has are satisfactory for the upcoming season. Dez Bryant has all sorts of red flags which scares the hell out of Joe.
The free agent period will be very interesting because few if any teams are going to spend cash this year. Joe thinks Dominik, aside from the draft, will sign a couple of receivers in the summer. Joe believes there will be a surplus pool of B-level talent (Mo Stovall is C- or D-level talent) as the summer approaches. In other words, guys that are worth more bang for the buck.
March 3rd, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Looks like denver put a 1rst rd tender on marshall so doesn’t look like we will get him! The bucs really need to adress the D-tackle and WR and safty in the draft!
March 3rd, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Anyone who makes comments on how good or bad a team will be before free agency even starts , or the draft, is a complete moron and loses all credibility ( King)
Also , I’m not sure why many of the same people that are concerned about Dez Bryant’s character are all hyped up about getting Brandon marshall.
Go get me Boldin.
March 3rd, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Looks like Marshall is off the table, unless the Bucs want to give up a First Round Draft choice.
Radio,
I think folks are morons who think the bucs will be improved until they step on the field and do so. Until then they “are who we thought they were”…………………….3-13.
March 3rd, 2010 at 4:43 pm
1 – DT……………..Ndamukong Suh
2a – DE/DT……….Tyson Alualu
2b – WR……………Damian Williams, Dameryius Thomas, or Golden Tate
3a – RB…………….Ben Tate
3b – WR……………Taylor Price or Jordan Shipley
3c – SS…………….Kam Chancellor
4a – CB/S………….Akwasi Owusu-Ansah
4b – LB……………..Dakota Watson or Perry Riley
5b – CB……………..Crezdon Butler
This is the draft I want to see 🙂
Screw Peter King.
March 3rd, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Radio Mushmouth:
Totally agree…get Boldin with one of our 2nd rounders. Then draft another one in rounds 3-5
March 3rd, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Peter King is a douche bag. Who cares what that guy thinks.
March 3rd, 2010 at 5:10 pm
If the Bucs truely want to save money they’d make an offer for Brandon Marshall, which will probably take less money than what the #3 pick is going to demand.
March 3rd, 2010 at 5:40 pm
Well, for starters, Joe’s going to take a stab and say the 384,000 people who follow Peter King on Twitter.
That’s not counting the hundreds of thousands (millions?) that read his columns on the nation’s eighth most popular sports website.
And that’s not counting the millions of people that listen to him on Sirius NFL Radio each week.
Other than that, Joe assumes nobody truly cares what King writes.
March 3rd, 2010 at 6:02 pm
What have the Bucs done this off-season that provides any glimmer of hope? It’s a long ways before the start of the 2010 season, so things can an will change. Assuming they follow their “plan”, they won’t sign any impact FA’s. So, all we’ve got to look forward to is the draft. How much of an impact are these rookies going to have in year 1? I hope the Bucs prove everyone wrong, but next season is shaping up to be a real bummer.
March 3rd, 2010 at 6:13 pm
King is an opinion with some pespective. Hes not a fan in this market hoping against reality that the team will be better next year. He knows the Saints are light years ahead of the bucs. (yeah i know bucs won up there last year – Saints are still light years ahead).
Better QB, Running Backs, receivers, interior lineman, etc. etc. etc. And better coaching.
The bucs are simply way behind, and one draft wont pull them out of it. Plus, all the other teams are having a draft too, and one thing is sure, every GM in the league will think and say they are better after the draft.
King is just presenting a realistic assessment.
March 3rd, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Yeah ok King, because you are just a football god. Noone can sit there and say they KNOW how a team will fair (before FA even starts no less). Prime example : Cincinatti Bengals
March 3rd, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Yeah right, and Clayton might have 1200 yards receiving with seven toucdowns.
And this pimple on my ass might grow into a diamond ring……………..
March 3rd, 2010 at 8:45 pm
“What have the Bucs done this off-season that provides any glimmer of hope?”
Dude, the free agency period hasn’t even started and the draft is two months away. What exactly would you propose they did this offseason? Just like every other team they are using tenders on players they want to keep, and cutting the ones they don’t. I’m not sure what else you think they could be doing to give you hope at this point in the off season.
March 3rd, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Randy Cross….hates the Tamap Bay Buccaners
March 3rd, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Keep the best wide-out they had on the team?
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:08 pm
So your not upset about what they haven’t done, but rather what they have done?
I can see both sides on Bryant being released. I get being upset by it. On the other hand he was turning 30, coming off a bad year with a knee injury. So I see why they would rather move on than pay the dude millions to be hurt again next year.
Either way, I don’t see how releasing Bryant has anything to do with saying “What have the Bucs done this off-season that provides any glimmer of hope?”
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:15 pm
“Joe knows when your two best wide receivers are Sammie Stroughter and Mo Stovall, that is not aiding the development of Freeman in any way, shape or form.”
Joe should also know that since it’s not draft time or FA time, it’s a waste of time to say who our best WRs are. You’re stating the obvious.
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:24 pm
Again, why are people (even Joe) making statments like we should have already made some huge moves? FA starts this Friday and the draft is two months away. If FA comes and goes, and the draft comes and goes, and we don’t have a better group of WRs…..then it’s time to complain. Right now, making these comments is ridiculous and a bit ignorant.
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:33 pm
I am not sure If Morris or Dominick know what they are doing. Understandble they are trying to make the team young. With that said this years draft is so important. I just dont understand how they are still sticking by Micheal Clayton who has consetinely blamed wieght, injuries and Gruden for his lack of success. It is time for him to take responbility for his shortcomings. Morris and Dominick have never been in charge I like Morris I do but he talks too much sometimes and over talks and his mouth writes checks it can’t cash. hoping we get a pass rusher in free agency, then draft Berry cause he can play nickel and take over for # 21 who missed more tackles then my nephew in a pee wee game and blew more covarage. Take a impact WR and DT in the second round
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:35 pm
Jdouble,
Actually, my lack of confidence comes more from what happened last year. Based upon what I saw IMO the Dream can’t coach a lick and no matter what they do this off season its gonna be a disaster in 2010.
So, I suppose what I wanted to happen in the Off season was to replace the current regime with a professional coach and GM. They have no qualifications and should never have been hired in the first place.
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Eric well said I just try to be patient with them. But there Qualifications are not enough to give them the positons they have. Just what I heard Cowher was ready to come but woiuld not talk to us cause Glazers would not fire Morris. Morris immaturatiy sometimes outshines his smarts cause he is very immature I mean really look at some of his press confarances look at the one when he got hired he looked like a deer in headlights jacked up on mountian dew. But to his credit that Saints win was impressive and they should have beat the panthers twice and they were in the Dolphins and Redskins game. But this is it for morris if he does not get I say 7 wins it is over
March 4th, 2010 at 1:03 am
Yeah, cause Tony Dungy was totally qualified when he became headcoach?
Everyone has to be a rookie sometime. Every great coach is a newb that makes mistakes at some point. If you choose not to show any patience or faith, that is your choice, but get out of here with that shit about Rheem and Dom not being qualified. Dom has done a great job as GM, and if Rheem doesn’t show improvement this year, then it will be time to start considering other options for head coach, but right now he is our coach and will be for atleast one more year.
So, are you gonna bitch and moan all year because you you think he sucks? or are you gonna show your team some support and hope he surprises everyone and gets us to 10-6? Your call.
March 4th, 2010 at 2:23 am
Lotta hates Joe. Here’s some love for you.
March 4th, 2010 at 3:07 am
Um at Jdouble before I would speak I would get my facts straight Tony Dungy was a Defensive cordinator for the Vikings for 4 years. He was quliafied Morris has never been a Defensive cordinator until this year he was only a secondary coach. Hello !!!!!!!!!!! If you dont think Morris is immature look at his confrences then look at Tomlin’s press conference. And aas far as Domminick being a good Gm who is the #1 receviernext year oh the guy the payed to drop 9 passes and catch 16 Micheal clayton who I may mention signed a 24 million dollar deal. 10-6 would be great would love it I am a buccaneers fan just saying morris is immature and was underqulified period
March 4th, 2010 at 3:13 am
and another thing Morris made more mistakes than someone would make in 3 years. 4 Qb’s 3 kickers fired 2 cordinators did I say they signed Micheal Clayton to top money let me know if you want me to continue
March 4th, 2010 at 3:43 am
I have notcied Jdub also said what have the Buccaneers done this off season. It is not what they have done it is what your great Gm said they are going to do he said the Bucs will not be players in the Free agent Market said they will build through the draft. Which means to get to your 10-6 means these rookies will need to make immedate impact. And please no more Brandon Marshall talk he got tendered by the Broncos a first round teneder which meanse we have to give up are first round pick. so Jdub with your informed ass give us some hope
March 4th, 2010 at 9:52 am
Thanks Gatorgod.
Joe knows the hate sometimes comes with the territory. Joe will just pass the time with a bottle of cold Caybrew and thoughts of Rachel Watson.
March 4th, 2010 at 10:35 am
jdouble
“Dom has done a great job as GM”
When did that happen? Doesnt a guy have to preside over a winning season before he has done a “great job”.
Comparing Raheem Morris and Tony Dungy in terms of qualifications is just plain ignorant.
Tony Dungy, because he was qualified, knew exactly what he wanted to do when he came here. Go read his resume sometime and then you will see the difference.
March 4th, 2010 at 11:02 am
Tillman, it was 100% expected that Marshall would get the 1st round tender. If they didn’t tender him he would be an unrestricted free agent. First round tender doesn’t mean they won’t take less for him, it just means they have retained his rights so they can trade him during FA or the draft. If a team was to try and sign him away forcibly without going thru the Broncos, then yes…it would a 1st round pick. The fact he got a 1st round tender doesn’t change anything.
As for the rest of you guy’s bullshit. Tony Dungy had never been a head coach, so he was a rookie head coach. Every great coach is a rookie at some point. I’m well aware that Rheem went from Secondary coach to Head coach wihtout getting defensive coordinator experience. He showed his inexperience by making some mistakes last year as a rookie in a very tough situation. Will he get better this year? I don’t know. Fact is he IS OUR COACH so quit your constant negative bitching and moaning and support your coach and your team, otherwise it will be a very long year for you….and for all those that have to see yoor constant whining on the forums.
March 4th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Thank you Eric I for agreeing with me Morris had no type of direction. Look at his press conference when he was introduced. they would ask him his plans his exact words stick to the core belifs that the have had um Raheem if you are sticking to the same belifs that we had why did we fire Gruden? J dub you refuse to face facts that Morris was in over his head . He talks way faster then his brain can think like him saying they were competivtive in every game ah no we got blown out by the freaking bills shutout by the gaints the Jets beat us like we stole something. The saints and seahawks wins were great but that does not take away all the ass whoopings we took.Anf as far as Marshall goes we already have to many head cases on are team Sears, Talib, and Phillips if they keep him. Rookie coaches do make mistakes but he made more than enough in one season as explained before fire two cordinators? How about the dolphins game when we took the lead with 58 seconds Morris is being a cheerleadear not reliazing there is still a game to be played before the season is over huh? who does that Jdub inform me about Clayton guess you believe in him too ? your great GM did that
March 4th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
and not being Negeative I throw positive in there like we finnaly have a qz of the future who he going to throw to have no idea but comparing Morris to Dungy was just well again ignorant.
March 4th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
pleanty of Rookie coaches like Singeltary,sporoano with Dolphins last year um Harbaragh (ravens) were rookie coaches before and minus singelatary all did a great job dont make a excuse for faliure cause it will allow the habit of losing to be normal I like Morris but it is like I am in a car with someone that does not really know how to drive but you trust them cause they say they can
March 4th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
J dub please understand it is like my wife making dinner every day but whatever she makes I dont like will I lie and tell her I do I like it when I dont ? No I am going to tell her what she can do to make it better. The first thing she need to do is get new ingredianats. Now compare that to what I said about the Bucs I love them like my wife but the shit theyt are cooking is not goood better yet the ingredints they bringing suck
March 4th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Jdouble
What you said aout Dungy was,
“cause Tony Dungy was totally qualified when he became headcoach”?
The answer to that is a resounding yes.
Dont try and chage things and pretend you didnt say what you said. Just admit you were wrong and move on.
March 5th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
well Free agency has started and the fucking Bears amd Lions are making more moves than us Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!