Building For The Future
September 8th, 2010
Banking on Bucs rookie defensive tackle Gerald McCoy to play like a veteran this season is a bit much.
As one might imagine, lots of writers are coming out with their season predictions (caution: writers are not handicappers. Big difference). Don Banks is no different.
The SI.com columnist and former Bucs beat writer puts finger to keyboard and bangs out his results of crystal ball-gazing and he has what he believes will be the 2010 season for the Bucs.
Last place: Tampa Bay (5-11)
I’m liking most of the green shoots that are showing in Tampa Bay, but this is one of those seasons where the improvement won’t translate into a big jump in the standings. If the Bucs get some breaks and maximize their upset opportunities, maybe they squeak past Carolina for third place. But that’s as good as it’ll get. A solid first full year as a starter would represent 2010 success for quarterback Josh Freeman.
Joe believes this is a pretty fair assessment: five wins.
As Joe has written too many times, the Bucs are banking on rookies to shine at positions that historically rookies struggle in. So to expect the rookies to play like veterans is a bit unrealistic.
The Bucs are building for the future. 2010 is the present.
September 8th, 2010 at 7:38 am
Hello Joe, finally……. But like I said before, I see 9 to 10 wins. Fivw will be a disappointment. I dont think this year will be a great year for all teams, so I the Bucs sneaking in wins. Coming out against thr opener is not relevant to making a judgement, but the Saints, Falcons and Panthers to show why I call them overrated, the Bucs finished no less than second…… I DONT KNOW ABOUT THE PLAYOFFS.
September 8th, 2010 at 7:47 am
“Building for the future” = loserville
September 8th, 2010 at 8:21 am
I see 7-8 wins.
September 8th, 2010 at 8:34 am
If Freeman stays healthy, I’m on the books at 8-8. which I would ‘ve happy with. Considering what a mess this team was, it’s unbelievable Morris and Dominick could have turned it around that fast.
September 8th, 2010 at 8:42 am
We better win more than 5 games or that will not be progress. I think it will be 6-7 wins. If we’re at .500 I would be very happy, that would be great progress.
September 8th, 2010 at 8:44 am
If we have another strong draft in 2011, freeman stays healthy and continues to progress, then I can see us at 8-8/9-7ish in 2011. Playoffs in 2012
September 8th, 2010 at 8:49 am
Let me back it up…… Though winning more than six seems unrealistic, seems realistic in my view. Check Dallas. Check Carolina. Check Jets and so on, you will see that their problems can destroy their seasons. We the Bucs have issues that will be solve via progress. The only knock I see is chemistry. But bad Oline play, QB struggles, red zone and turnovers, lack of depth at key positions, no touchdowns offensively, holdouts, and much more say to the other teams. As for NFC South teams, Falcons are overrated, Carolina will have offensive troubles starting with the QB and Oline, Saints are weak on defense. Our youth should prevail against those so called powerhouses.
September 8th, 2010 at 9:05 am
Guys, guys… we haven’t lost to Cleveland yet, and we know that savvy Jake Delhome is just too washed up to beat Aqib Talib for tje big score come Sunday… so techically speaking, we are currently undefeated.
Therefore we can potentially go 16-0.
And why not? I mean if you are living on hope and a prayer like the promising Buccaneers under the Raheem Morris regime, then why not hope big? Right guys? 16-0… and I’ll revise as needed. 🙂
Now go take out a 401k loan and go buy season tickets. It’s a great investment 😉
No 401k? Skip the Christmas gifts. Heck buy everyone in your family tickets, they will just LOVE you for it.
How about cutting back on your meds or food… and if you have to, skip your mortgage or rent payment for a few months and go buy some season tickets. Best decision you could make! We are going 16-0 baby! You don’t want to miss it.
September 8th, 2010 at 9:12 am
I agree. 7 wins would be a very good year. 5-6 is what we should expect. I really like a lot of our young players but they are not stars yet. If our future acquisitions are of similar quality, especially 2-3 players for the OL, then we should be a serious spoiler in ’11 and serious contender in ’12.
September 8th, 2010 at 9:20 am
eric Says:
September 8th, 2010 at 7:47 am
“Building for the future” = loserville
Eric, then every team in the NFL is in “loserville”. Every team wants to “build for the future”, and every team wants to “win now”. Including the Bucs.
Realistically though, the Bucs may be a bit behind in the “win now” column and a bit ahead in the “build for the future” column. When we see which of these young players will pan out, which to keep, and which to move on from…. then we will be more balanced in the “win now” and “build for the future” aspects. It will be important to continue to “build for the future” even when they are winning again. Look at the Eagles, they’ve been a fairly consistent playoff contender, yet their roster is young and full of talent, they didn’t stick with older guys (like McNabb and Westbrook) just because they were All-Pro players at the end of their career and bring in more aging vets to band-aid fix things for another year or two. They went out and got many young players to take the places of the aging vets. That’s the model this team should follow when they get to the “aging vets” stage, not the model of “band-aid” fixes.
September 8th, 2010 at 9:35 am
The Saints defense is not weak, not even close. Vilma is everything an MLB should be and their DC is very smart. The Carolina defense is good too, even without Peppers, so don’t for any breaks there either. Atlanta has an awesome offense but of the 3, I would say their defense is the softest, but not by much. If the Bucs want the NFC South, they have to take it. If they can split 3-3 in their Division, it will be a home run. The NFC South right now is the toughest Division in the NFC and top 3 in the league. I think the Bucs have a lot to prove and even with rookies and sophomores can do it with defense, defense, defense. Carolina in Week 2 is the real test, and Weeks 5 & 6 with Cinci & Saints should show exactly where they are talent wise. If they win 1 of those 3 games, and if they keep the score close, they might have something for the rest.
September 8th, 2010 at 9:50 am
I don’t understand why everyone is saying the Bucs are “banking” on too many rookies to be productive. Looking at things, the defense has returning starters at all 4 DB spots, all 3 LB spots and one DE… that’s 8 of 11 with a few years experience, Miller and Moore are not rookies (close, but not rookies), so we have 1 or 2 rookies starting to “make an impact”. On offense, we have all 5 linemen with experience, our TE, our starting RB and FB. 1 WR and the QB are in year 2, so that leaves 1 rookie to make an impact. Sure there’s lots of youth on this team, and some young players will have to grow, but it’s not like they’re planning on 5 rookies being starters every down and playing like pro-bowlers. We have McCoy (and maybe Price) on defense as rookies and Mike Williams on offense (and maybe Benn eventually). Other than that, the other rookies are expected to grow and get better, not necessarily be Hall of Famers this year.
September 8th, 2010 at 10:43 am
Sure was fun contending for the Division Ttile and/or winning it.
Now we are subjected to this total BS 7 wins is good, or 5, or whatever other pitiful performance is now acceptable.
Thank you Glazer Boys for destroying the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Please note that most are going fishing rather than to pay to see the debacle. Vans are heading to Fort Myers.
Nice work.
September 8th, 2010 at 10:59 am
Eric, maybe you should find a new team.
September 8th, 2010 at 11:34 am
I see glimmers of hope. A few key injuries and all hope is lost.
September 8th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Analysis: 3 wins last year. So where will the D be good enough to take us to 8 wins. First the D Backs. Up front, the line is much better, rookies or not. Their motor alone will account for more disruption in th backfield than last year and their run stopping ability will be much better day one and by week 8, will be 3 times better than last year. Not only will they not wear down as fast at the end of the season they will start with a defense they understand. The line backers on the outside are same as last year except with more playing time under their belt; the weakness will come in the person of Ruud unless he starts to fill the hole and become a hitter. Jackson and Talib are very good and getting better. Barber getting older but still ok on 1st and 2nd downs. If they can find a good 3rd down replacement for Ronde other than Mack (Lewis maybe) it will be same as last year and thats ok. Jones much better than Sabby and Biggers making his presence felt which was missing from last year. Sabby gone by week 4 unless he become invaluable on special teams. My estimate is that the D is 50% improved over last year.
Offense. Same as last year with hopeful improvement at left guard. Q back should be 100 percent improvement and another 100 percent next year. Great, I cannot say but better. Backfield is vastly improved with recent changes with the possibility of a fullback that can hit the hold and deliver some pain. Receiving corp although young, are fast, good hands and healthy. I rate the receiving corp a 50% improvement day one and by week 8 100%
Head coach, better than most people think and is willing to put in his time to become better. I think it would be better to give him a 3 year add to his contract and let the team know he has the owners commitment. Would pay big dividends.
All N’ All I say 8 wins this year and with a good draft next year we could be back in business.
September 8th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
If we can play in a fictional league, where all dreams come true, we got a chance.
Real world? Not so much.
September 8th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
McCoy looks stout in that photo though. He’s a beast!