One More Year, Bucs Fans
July 23rd, 2010
Josh Freeman is just one of a number of young players NFL.com's Michael Lombardi likes.
Last year was a nightmare for Bucs fans. A team for which fans had grown accustomed to enjoying annual playoff runs, if not a Super Bowl run, was suddenly reduced to a laughing stock within a few months.
Despite the fact it appears the Bucs have a few young players who may be elite players in the not so distant future, many Bucs fans were aghast at the way opposing offenses abused the heinous Jim Bates Experiment and opposing defenses rendered the Bucs offense impotent as Connie Chung.
On paper, with the Bucs depending on so much from so many rookies, it’s easy to see why fans are still outraged. Just be patient ,Bucs fans. Just one more year and it will turn around.
That’s the word from Michael Lombardi of NFL.com. He writes that the Bucs are one year away from busting things wide open.
The Buccaneers have some nice pieces in place, but it will take at least one more year of acquiring players to have a playoff roster.
This is exactly what the Bucs have been trying to tell fans all along: Stock up the roster with young, talented players, and when they mature fill in a few holes with free agents.
It happened with the Bucs before. And Lombardi believes in will happen again. Just not this season.
July 23rd, 2010 at 8:46 am
I’m not expecting playoffs, but I do think we surprise quite a few teams.
July 23rd, 2010 at 8:47 am
Michael Lombardi is more than welcome to his opinion, but it doesn’t mean what he says is fact. How many times, year after year, have we seen teams projected to do poorly end up doing very well and even win a Superbowl?
By no means am I saying we will win a Superbowl this year, but the playoffs ARE possible, at least by a Wildcard spot.
Let’s be frank here…I realize it will take time for our rookies to learn the ropes, but even if it takes half a season to do so (well enough to produce), if we still manage a few wins in that time, then we will be in contention for a Wildcard spot before the end of the season.
Michael Lombardi, along with everyone else, goes with whichever way the wind blows. If we come out winning 2 of the first 3 games, suddenly their tunes will change.
July 23rd, 2010 at 9:14 am
It will be a lot longer than one year for the Bucs to even “mention” the word play-offs. As it stand now they are One set of Owners away, One head coach away, and Many players away from making the play-offs.
July 23rd, 2010 at 9:20 am
We’ll just agree to disagree then. I try not to color my opinion with emotions toward owners and coaches.
July 23rd, 2010 at 9:21 am
Thanks Joe, nice article.
I think we’ll see more improvement than many give credit for, simply by eliminating some of the mistakes made last year (fire both coordinators, QB carousel, Kicking carousel, Tanard suspension, etc.). We could see an improved record simply due to the schedule (No Patriots, Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, etc. and get to play the Browns, Lions, Rams, etc.). The guys returning as year 2 starters should show improvement already (Freeman, Black, Hayes, Stroughter, etc.) as it seems they’ve all had great work ethic this offseason.
Playoffs? Maybe, maybe not. I agree, by next year, we should be talking playoffs. This year? I’d love for the team to surprise us…
July 23rd, 2010 at 9:22 am
Pete, don’t be too sure tunes will change IF the Bucs win 2 of 3 to start off the season. That would mean 2 wins against the Browns, Panthers and Steelers (w/o Big Ben). Not exactly a murderers row of teams, and there will still be people out there that point to that fact, and say “it doesn’t mean anything”. That being said, who needs the National talking heads to be on the Bucs Bandwagon. Let them say we’re too young and inexperienced.
Hopefully what a start like that will do however is generate some local interest from the fans, and we can start selling out those home games again.
Personally, I like the Bucs chances of getting around .500, and maybe competing for a playoff spot this year. Keep in mind, I am an optimist.
July 23rd, 2010 at 9:22 am
Lombardi lists the blue chippers and red chippers with 5 players. Penn (blue) and Ruud (red) are on their RFA tenders. Tanard Jackson will be on RFA next off-season, if a new CBA doesn’t change the rules. Only Talib and Winslow are under contract for a few years.
There are several more players who will hit some form of free agency after 2010. They can’t replace them all in a draft that will be depleted by the early departures in this past draft class.
The glazers better open their checkbook, or that “one more year” will become a perpetual vuvuzella that nobody wants to listen to,,,
July 23rd, 2010 at 9:24 am
Agree but If freeman takes a step back we are in trouble it was pointed out that he does not like to throw in the pocket and he does not throw good mid passes so if he progress’s the Bucs Progress but if not this rebuliding plan may crash on itself
July 23rd, 2010 at 9:30 am
I’m still waiting for the Bucs say just what the plan is. They finally admitted they were rebuilding (forced to do it after losing 13 games last season). It it a 3-year plan? A 4-year plan? 5-years? What is it? I just want to know when to expect them to win again.
By not giving details to “the plan”, there is no accountability. They can keep losing and the sheep will continue to unconditionally support them.
July 23rd, 2010 at 9:37 am
@CalicoJack, excellent point! The rebuilding could start over again next year as about 17 Bucs will be free agents. They won’t be able to re-sign all of them.
July 23rd, 2010 at 10:14 am
I’d say Lombardi’s OPINION is right about the Bucs with regards to becoming a contender perenially… There’s a lot of youth on the team that has to take NFL snaps.
We will need a refresh on RB, DT and maybe a Olineman or two in 2011.
That said – It wouldn’t surprise me to get to .500 this year.
Fanatics whine too… That’s cool, it’s all part of being one.
But, at this point – I really believe its going to be one hell of an exciting year for Buc Fans.
July 23rd, 2010 at 10:18 am
^^^^ I meant DE…^^^^^
(DUR)
July 23rd, 2010 at 10:18 am
Refresh on DT! Oh no, again!
(I assume you mean DE :P)
July 23rd, 2010 at 10:52 am
“The rebuilding could start over again next year as about 17 Bucs will be free agents. They won’t be able to re-sign all of them.”
🙂 Man . . .
July 23rd, 2010 at 11:01 am
Lombardi is stating the obvious, except for the delusional.
July 23rd, 2010 at 11:21 am
One more year of acquiring players.
Does that mean 2011 or 2012 is the beginning of perpetual playoff appearances?
And, when does that “fill a few holes with FA’s” start?
July 23rd, 2010 at 11:23 am
“At least” one more year…
July 23rd, 2010 at 11:40 am
Eric, I have it on good word that there will be no 2011 or 2012. The world comes to an end at the conclusion of this NFL season. I learned that from a veru wise man.
July 23rd, 2010 at 11:42 am
Ah, thanks Calicojack, I missed that qualification. I was excited about the playoff game next season. Dang it. Puts 2013 in the mix of dynasty beginning possibilities.
A bit depressing. But only about 1,300.00 days to go for the first playoff game.
July 23rd, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Jimbuc, End of Days? Dang, all I could get out of my wise man was “don’t fry bacon in the nude!” and “don’t eat yellow snow!” Crap, I want a refund!