All But One Starting Job Up For Grabs?
June 8th, 2010
According to one local writer, Tanard Jackson is among many Bucs veterans fighting for a starting job.
The last time Joe listened to The Mad Twitterer, aka Rick Stroud of the St. Pete Times, go head-to-head with electronic media czar J.P. Peterson, Stroud was rambling on TV in May about how the Bucs are a “house of cards” and Josh Freeman is “holding it all up.”
On Friday, Stroud chatted with Peterson again on WQYK-AM 1010 and admitted he was “ridiculed a little bit by the GM” for the house of cards line. But more important, Stroud bizarrely stated the Bucs have open competition for every starting job outside of quarterback.
“Every job essentially, it’s a free for all out there,” Stroud said. “There’s not a guy out there that can say, ‘I know I’m going to run out of the tunnel Week 1.’ …That’s what’s so exciting about the camp, and I think that kind of breeds the competition and the seriousness that you need. And there were times last year when they just didn’t work as hard as needed to. I think Raheem went back and saw that.”
Huh? The Mad Twitterer actually believes that guys outside of Freeman don’t have starting jobs locked up?
The fact is more than half the Bucs starting defense on opening day is all but etched in stone. Same goes for the offense.
After a comment like that, Joe is almost concerned about The Mad Twitterer’s health.
Stay out of the sun, Rick.
June 8th, 2010 at 9:11 am
I’m sure Talib will sit, Ruud will sit, TJax will sit, White will sit, …I could go on.
Rick, put down the pipe, walk away, and just say “no”.
June 8th, 2010 at 9:21 am
People didn’t work hard enough last year?
But I thought all the players loved playing for the dream and finishing in last place?
June 8th, 2010 at 9:25 am
Lightning to hire Guy Boucher to be there headcoach!
June 8th, 2010 at 9:36 am
Good coaches know that you NEVER, EVER promise ANYBODY the starting job. That’s the nature of football. One of the problems with pro football is that salaries seem to dictate the starting jobs (see Jamarcus Russell). However, that’s not the way it should be.
June 8th, 2010 at 9:52 am
Realistically, the only jobs up for grabs are: LDE, NT, SS, WR, and nickel CB.
There should be competition at RB, LG, and RT, but I don’t expect the starters there to change.
June 8th, 2010 at 9:59 am
Too bad Owners , GM and Head Coach jobs are not up for Grab. I am pretty sure that they can be out performed if given a true competition.
June 8th, 2010 at 10:48 am
This is the problem with these writers Joe. They would rather give you the news exactly the way the Bucs want it stated rather then to go out on a limb and call it the way it actually is and possibly loose face with the team.
Thanks again Joe for being the voice of common sense!
June 8th, 2010 at 10:51 am
Steve from Oregon:
What a kind thing to write. Joe is humbled. Thank you for being a loyal reader!
June 8th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
I seriously don’t even understand how can be ANY competition. The depth is horrendous!! When you look past the starters, you see a bunch of guys like Adam Hayward and freaking Derrick Roberson battling for the job. Wow, how nice!! I’d personally be insulted if I had to compete against guys like that.
T Jack and Aqib Talib should have their jobs secured without question. Barber needs to start over Myron Lewis. I think Barber will be much better this year as we will be going back to the Tampa 2. Sean Jones needs to start, so Raheem the Dream can “groom” Sabby. If Sabby wins the starting job, it’ll be a fluke, believe me.