Enough With The “Stats Are For Losers” Line
November 3rd, 2010
When you’re the best team in the NFC, you better believe your defensive line is doing some great things.
Monday evening, a caller into The Raheem Morris Show on WDAE-AM 620, was critical of Kyle Moore’s play and the Bucs head coach fired back with a rant on the great things happening along the Bucs’ defensive line.
“I keep hearing the criticism for the D-line. But what I’m seeing from a coaching standpoint from the coach’s booth is I see Gerald McCoy get five tackles and a tackle for a loss. I hear about him getting pancaked. They’re not watching the same tape I’m watching. He’s causing disruption along with Roy Miller up in there getting four tackles [Sunday] and a tackle for a loss,” Morris said. “Stylez White coming up big [Sunday] with a sack and a forced fumble, two tackles for a loss and a big-time tackle in the flat on a third down stop. I’m seeing these guys, you know, start to be productive.
“You can’t lead the NFL in interceptions if your D-line is not working. So I think it’s all working together. I really mean it, and don’t take it the wrong way, but stats are for losers. You gotta go out there and play as a unit, as a team and find ways to win football games. And that’s what they’re doing.”
Now Joe thinks this “stats are for losers” line from Raheem is getting a little ridiculous if the head coach is going to quote numbers of tackles and interceptions to a fan and then tell the guy “stats are for losers.”
Make up your mind, Raheem.
For Joe, stats are not for losers in many cases. Frankly, they’re a good way to evaluate aspects of a football team. From looking at success rates in the red zone, numbers on 3rd-and-short, or dozens of other stats, they’re relevant.
Plus, Raheem is always talking about the importance of self-evaluation. And stats surely play into that. Heck, Greg Olson was out there flapping weeks ago about how Josh Freeman needs to up his completion rate a few percentage points.
And every player on the Bucs knows his stats are so very critical when it comes time for a contract. There are so many other examples.
Of course, Joe gets that the wins and losses are all that matter, which is the message of the “stats are for losers” line.
Joe suggests Raheem switch to saying “success is not measured by stats.” Or perhaps, “this isn’t Gary Shelton’s fantasy football team.”
November 3rd, 2010 at 10:37 am
Well like ole Bill “Tiger” Johson says: Statistics are a salve. You rub them on your wounds after you lose and you feel a little better.
November 3rd, 2010 at 10:42 am
Stats may be for losers but numbers don’t lie. Agreed he needs to drop the line. It’s old.
November 3rd, 2010 at 10:51 am
The line is a bit stale…I like the fantasy football line Joe. This year though, there are a few statistical power houses that are losing…Now, we need some freaking sacks from the DL!!!!!
November 3rd, 2010 at 10:55 am
Meh, I don’t mind the line. I think getting tired of a theme like this is human nature but having a consistent strong message that lasts throughout the season keeps ones eye on the ball.
When arguing a point, what’s one of the best ways to defeat your opponent’s argument? Use his weapon against him. Instead of ignoring the stats argument, he attacks it head on by mentioning stats that go in his favor. I’ve got no issue with that especially when local & national pundits continue to deride the team’s success due to our “weak” schedule and the yardage totals given up by the defense but fail to give proper weight to production on the field, the scoreboard and in the standings.
November 3rd, 2010 at 11:12 am
Stats only tell the whole story when you give ALL the stats. For example, you can say all day about how we gave up 300 passing yards to Max Hall and Derek Anderson, but if you don’t include that we picked off 4 passes and returned 2 for TDs, it looks pretty bad. You include that stat and it’s not so bad. You can talk about how they scored 21 unanswered points, but leaving out the fact that one was scored by their defense on a fumble recovery is not telling the whole story. If the defense only gave up 14 points, and the offense none, they wouldn’t have taken the lead. So, part of the blame has to go to the offense, and the defense, again, doesn’t look so bad.
All I’m saying is stats are for losers if the stats shown are only to prove the losers point and not the whole story. I’ve been hearing Falcon fans all week talking about how they’re gonna kill us because they’re 17-1 in the Dome with Ryan at QB, but the rest of the story is we’re on a 5-0 road streak. They talk about their rankings on offense and defense, but the rest of the story is we have 6 of 8 wins by our QB as come from behind 4th quarter wins. Meaning we can win any game that is close come the 4th quarter. Stats are fine, if they are all looked at equally, but when one stat becomes “more important” than the rest, they’re for losers.
November 3rd, 2010 at 11:12 am
Stats aren’t for losers – they’re for Fantasy Football!
Last week the Bucs Defense put up 17 points – not to mention the 22 by Blount as well!
Woo Hoo!
November 3rd, 2010 at 11:16 am
“I keep hearing the criticism for the D-line. But what I’m seeing from a coaching standpoint from the coach’s booth is I see Gerald McCoy get five tackles and a tackle for a loss. I hear about him getting pancaked. They’re not watching the same tape I’m watching. He’s causing disruption along with Roy Miller up in there getting four tackles [Sunday] and a tackle for a loss,” Morris said……………………….REALLY RAHEEM, McCOY HAD 2 TACKLES AND ONE ASSIST ON SUNDAY. YOU MAY HAVE BEEN WATCHING SUH IN DETROIT WHO RECORDED 2 SACKS ON SUNDAY. STRANGE THAT I KNOW THIS AND YOU DONT. BREAKING NEWS, D-LINE IS NOT VERY GOOD. GRANTED THEY NEED TIME, BUT DONT EVEN SUGGEST THAT YOU DONT UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS BEING CRITICIZED….SO AS FOR “STATS BEING FOR LOSERS” YOU MAY WANT TO RECANT THAT STATEMENT WHEN YOU THROW THE RIGHT STATS OUT THERE..
November 3rd, 2010 at 11:26 am
joey88:
Comparing Suh and McCoy is very unfair to GMC for dozens of reasons. A few:
1) Suh is a once in a generation player. Suh’s having a better rookie season than Warren Sapp did. If anything, Suh is so good he’s an aberration.
2) Too many times Joe has documented how rookie defensive tackles struggle. It’s a very, very hard position to learn. Hell, Roy Miller has better stats than anyone drafted ahead of him last year. No one is suggesting Roy Miller was the best defensive tackle taken in last year’s draft.
3) Look who is playing along side Suh. You don’t think Kyle Vanden Bosch is just a little bit better than Ryan Sims or Miller?
November 3rd, 2010 at 11:36 am
@JOE…I was not comparing suh to McCoy, your right that would be unfair. I was just saying that he must have been watching another game when he spoke of geralds production for the day, suh just came to mind. Could have been any lineman for that matter.The only reason that I believe that McCoy is getting a pass on being criticized is because they are winning. Winning breeds confidence which is where they look like they are at this point.
November 3rd, 2010 at 11:39 am
The Chargers are taking that line very seriously. Number 1 offense, defense, passing, pass defense and number 2 run defense. So they are quite literally losers with great stats.
November 3rd, 2010 at 11:42 am
Is it just me or does it bother anyone else that Raheem says he watched GMC get “But what I’m seeing from a coaching standpoint from the coach’s booth is I see Gerald McCoy get five tackles and a tackle for a loss. I hear about him getting pancaked. They’re not watching the same tape I’m watching.”
But when I go to yahoo sports it has GMC listed as having 2 tackles and 1 assist.
Maybe Raheem needs Lasix?
November 3rd, 2010 at 11:43 am
joey88:
The reason why GMC “is getting a pass” — if that’s what you want to call it, again, is because it’s unrealistic to expect GMC to do much if anything this season.
It’s really not “a pass,” it’s being realistic.
November 3rd, 2010 at 11:43 am
@sensible buc….I’ve got no issue with that especially when local & national pundits continue to deride the team’s success due to our “weak” schedule and the yardage totals given up by the defense but fail to give proper weight to production on the field, the scoreboard and in the standings………I JUST WAS CURIOUS, DO YOU BELIEVE WE HAVE A “WEAK” SCHEDULE. I BELIEVE WE DO AND RIGHTFULLY SO. THATS HOW THE NFL WORKS WHEN YOUR TERRIBLE THE YEAR BEFORE. IT SUCKS BECAUSE IM SICK OF TRYING TO DEFEND THEIR RECORD AND KEEP HEARING ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULE. I LIVE IN NY AND GO OUT TO THE LOCAL BAR AND WATCH THE BUCS EVERY WEEKEND AND GET HARASSED(IN GOOD FUN OF COURSE WITH THE BOYS) JUST FOR EVEN BEING A BUCS FAN. YOU KNOW WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO TELL THE LOCAL BARTENDER TO PUT THE BUCS ON ONE OF THE TV’S LAST YEAR WHEN THEY WERE 0-7…LOL
November 3rd, 2010 at 11:44 am
Hey RichinNC – say what you want but Phillip Rivers and Antonio Gates are helping me into 1st place in my FF league…who cares what their team record is…!
November 3rd, 2010 at 11:47 am
@JOE, I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU, IM JUST SAYING THATS HOW THE MEDIA PORTRAYS IT, AS A “PASS. I WOULD SAY HE’S A DAMN ROOKIE, SO BACK OFF IF I WAS IN THE SPORTS MEDIA. YOU KNOW AS WELL AS I DO THATS NOT HOW IT GOES UNFORTUNATELY. HE NEEDS TO MAKE THEM EAT THEIR WORDS IS HIS BEST FORM OF RETALIATION.
November 3rd, 2010 at 11:51 am
Stats are for losers. when you are losing you utilize them to analyze and point fingers.
When you are winning, you can ignore them.
The bottom line is the Bucs NEED a big time pass rushing DE in round 1, regardless of what the stats say.
November 3rd, 2010 at 11:52 am
joey88:
Joe has no earthly idea who you are referring to. Who in the media is giving GMC “a pass” only because the Bucs are winning?
November 3rd, 2010 at 12:03 pm
@JOE….I DONT KNOW THE EXACT COMMENTATOR, BUT IT WAS ESPN AND THEY WERE DISCUSSING GMC AND HIS “SLOW PRODUCTION” THUS FAR AND AT THE END THEY SAID, AND I QUOTE,” IT DOESNT MATTER THEIR WINNING RIGHT NOW”..
November 3rd, 2010 at 12:04 pm
joey88:
There’s your first problem.
November 3rd, 2010 at 12:08 pm
FAIR ENOUGH……JUST SAYING…..ANYWAYS, I JUST LEARNED THE FATE OF BRIAN PRICE. PLEASE EXCUSE ME WHILE I GO VOMIT. THATS SO AGGRAVATING TO READ THIS….
November 3rd, 2010 at 12:08 pm
What I saw last week was Raheems message being relayed onto the feild! “SCORE OR GET THE BALL BACK!” OR BOTH! These guys are winning because they are listening to every word that comes out of his mouth. Good, Bad or different! Love these young kidz! I see great things ahead! Raheem Morris Coach of the year? I’m just sayin….
November 3rd, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Chargers are #1 in offense and defense. Stats are for losers. Lol
I wonder when the media is ever gonna get Raheem.
November 3rd, 2010 at 12:31 pm
@JOE, BY THE WAY, MY ORIGINAL POST WAS FACTUAL…YOUR THEORY ON SUH IS JUST YOUR OPINION….IN THE FAMOUS WORDS OF YOU JOE…”THERES YOUR FIRST PROBLEM”
November 3rd, 2010 at 12:59 pm
If Bill Cowher walked in this year and took this team to a5-2 record that stadium would be sold out! Fans would be pushing for him to be the “Coach of the Year” ! I think part of the non-support is a race issue!! I really do! So answer the question:
IF BILL COWHER WAS THE COACH OF THIS TEAM AND HE TOOK THIS TEAM FROM 0-7 LAST YEAR TO 5-2 THIS YEAR WOULD THAT STADIUM BE SOLD OUT? EXACTLY. You don’t know what you got til it’s gone!!!!!
November 3rd, 2010 at 12:59 pm
It is just another one of Raheem’s catch phrases that has stuck with him from his previous teachers. I see parts of Jon Gruden in Raheem, and I really like that. He has often referred to his former coaches and mentors when speaking. The more time goes along, the more I like this coach. He sure seems to have a lot of drive and is trying very very hard. Good Job Coach. You are earning your money every day and I appreciate it.
November 3rd, 2010 at 1:03 pm
@Chargedcbh ….If Bill Cowher walked in this year and took this team to a5-2 record that stadium would be sold out! Fans would be pushing for him to be the “Coach of the Year” ! I think part of the non-support is a race issue!! I really do!…………
GET A GRIP PSYCHO, IF THATS WHAT YOU BELIEVE THATS KEEPING THE FANS HOME YOU NEED TO BE COMMITTED ASAP…TOOL
November 3rd, 2010 at 1:07 pm
I like Bill Cowher, but right now I wouldn’t want another coach for the Bucs. I also would not want another Quarterback, not Manning or Brady. I like our QB, our players, and Raheem. This has been the most enjoyable and exciting football the Bucs have played since the 02′ season. For me, the Arizona game Sunday was off the charts. It was almost like watching a college game, and I love college football.
November 3rd, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Charedcbh:
First, Joe will happily agree with Mike Golic that right now, Raheem is the leading candidate for coach of the year. Seriously.
Second, the stadium wouldn’t be filled. No amount of Bucs wins is going to turn around our local economy overnight.
Remember all the Giants fans that crowded into the last playoff game (with Chucky as coach)? That was about when our economy locally was heading south.
November 3rd, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Um, joey88, why don’t ya take cap locks off, and post like ya got some sense. Suh? Who gives two sh#^s about Suh? The lions are 2-5!! Has he improved the team? Did their herd of Free agents? Has Suh had ANY impact on the teams improvement? Or is he just racking up cheap stats in trash time, so the lions can try to find SOMETHING to give the fans, after years of stupid draft picks- like Suh!! The should have drafted a left tackle. Then meybe their talented young QB coulda won them 4 or 5 more games! Instead, they draft Suh. Now Stafford is in a sling, they are going to be 4-12 again, and they are running these stupid gimmick defenses to inflate Suh’s stats, so Detroit won’t realize how stupid their management was for picking him! Stafford is the answer to winning more games! But not when Jeff Backus keeps playing swing gate, stafford will stay on the side lines. We drafted McCoy, didn’t sign any free agents, and are in first place in our division. You don’t think McCoy has had an impact?? Then Raheem is right, yer watching the wrong tape!! McCoy has improved our front. Especially considering how much we’ve ran a 3 man D Line! Suh= 2-5, last place, LOSER. McCoy=5-2, first place, Winner!!! Stats are for losers, because Detroit is intentionally padding SuH’s right now. Why not, it’s the only good press they can generate! Keep telling them Raheem, Stats are for Losers, and Suh is the Perfect example. On stat thatatters is 5-2 and first place, baby!!
November 3rd, 2010 at 1:28 pm
ok, WOULD THERE BE SO MUCH NEGATIVE TALK IF COWHER WAS THE COACH?
And to Joey I’m a tool? How old are you?
November 3rd, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Joe and BigMac- both you guys are spot on. This is the most fun I have ever had as a Buc fan 7 games into the season! This team is great fun to watch, and you just wonder which young player will shine next. And with Freeman, I just feel like we can always win! Did you notice that Cody Grimm was knocking people down at the end of the Cards game? Bunch of Cardinal players staying down after the big hits. Just unbelievable how this season has played out so far! Can’t wait til Sunday!!
November 3rd, 2010 at 1:33 pm
BigMac said…”I like Bill Cowher, but right now I wouldn’t want another coach for the Bucs. I also would not want another Quarterback, not Manning or Brady. I like our QB, our players, and Raheem. This has been the most enjoyable and exciting football the Bucs have played since the 02′ season. For me, the Arizona game Sunday was off the charts. It was almost like watching a college game, and I love college football.”
Great post, spot on!
November 3rd, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Chargedcbh Says:
November 3rd, 2010 at 1:28 pm
ok, WOULD THERE BE SO MUCH NEGATIVE TALK IF COWHER WAS THE COACH?
And to Joey I’m a tool? How old are you?
IM 63…. AND YOUR PULLING THE RACE CARD FOR YOUR REASONING????HOW OLD ARE YOU????
November 3rd, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Stats are for losers, until they need a new contract or new team employment(free agency).
November 3rd, 2010 at 1:45 pm
@Joey88
First, ask yourself how do you define weak? Outside of playing the 08′ Detroit Lions, there are no gimmie wins in the NFL. Anybody can beat anybody any week. Look at Cleveland. Cleveland beat the Saints down. Completely dominated. The Eagles beat the Falcons down. Complete domination. Are Cleveland and Philly top teams in the league? No. Are Atlanta and NO? Arguably, yes.
Secondly, we’ve played the exact same schedule as the Falcons save one team and we ve got the same record. Do the Falcons have a weak schedule? Is there more value to their victories than ours? I think not.
Second
November 3rd, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Chargedcbh, “I think part of the non-support is a race issue!! I really do!…………”????? Really??? I guess were lucky race wasn’t an issue in the mid to late 90s, otherwise we never would have sold out with Dungy! Too f’n funny!
November 3rd, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Outstanding point…. OAR….
November 3rd, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Chargedcbh = Al Sharpton
November 3rd, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Nothing Raheem says is getting old while they are still winning games. His cliches are like music to my ears. I mean what do you want him to say? His team shares the best record in the NFC and yet he constantly has to justify himself and his teams play. Maybe he should say your right media, our stats suck and we suck?
November 3rd, 2010 at 2:03 pm
I hate to burst your bubble guys but right now the Bucs are winning ugly. Sure they have some talent but they’re [Bucs] getting the right bounces. Unlike last season Raheem hasn’t screwed the team by making dumb decisions – Raheem has grown as a coach; so has the team. But coach of the year? Can’t we wait until the ‘year’ is over THEN evaluate what has transpired? If you’re going by the teams record what about the HC for Kansas City or the Rams?
November 3rd, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Also I think the San Diego Chargers are helping prove Raheem’s point right now. Go look up their offensive and defensive rankings.
November 3rd, 2010 at 2:07 pm
I want to hear Raheem say, “JoeBucsFan Rocks”!
November 3rd, 2010 at 2:08 pm
And also, “JBF.com has the best Bucs fans too!”
November 3rd, 2010 at 2:18 pm
derf,
No bubble busted here. I think we can all see that with the team and agree, but the whole league this year is winning UGLY and losing UGLY!
November 3rd, 2010 at 2:20 pm
The # of W’s and the # of L’s …. is a stat
November 3rd, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Oar, I actually LIKE the NFL in 2010. I’ll admit that I’m frustrated as heck in picking games but I LIVE the parity – maybe it’s just that my team is 5-2 instead of 0-7?
November 3rd, 2010 at 2:27 pm
If you think about it the only ‘ugly’ losses by the Bucs occured when Joe posted those ugly photos of the Steelers fan – the girl that ate Pittsburg!
November 3rd, 2010 at 2:30 pm
gitarlvr,
The only other stat to really look at is the scoring rankings of the offense and defense. San Diego is ranked #5 in offensive scoring, but ranked #19 in defensive allowed scoring. They maybe #1 overall, but not where it really counts.
What’s interesting is out of the 17 teams with winning records in the NFL(no .500 teams included in that count), 4 of those are in the negative net points. Miami(-16), Houston(-27), Seattle(-17), and Bucs(-27).
November 3rd, 2010 at 2:37 pm
derf,
“If you think about it the only ‘ugly’ losses by the Bucs occured when Joe posted those ugly photos of the Steelers fan – the girl that ate Pittsburg!”
Funny and is probably good content for an episode of national geographic’s Monster Fish!
November 3rd, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Scariest episode of “Monster Fish” yet! Dat chick was a scary ‘un! Brrrr!
November 3rd, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Stats ARE for losers.
There are only a couple of stats that matter other than score:
1. Turnovers
Offense:
Yards per carry and rushes per game
Yards per pass attempt
Defense:
see offense
November 3rd, 2010 at 3:01 pm
I don’t think race is an issue, I really don’t but I was curious if I could start an intelligent conversation and get some valid points to why the Bucs can’t sell out home games. Hmmm Interesting….
November 3rd, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Chargedcbh – If you want to get an intelligent conversation then stop tossing out terms like racist, etc., Simply put the COST of attending home games vs. the VALUE is out of proportion.
If race were the main factor then tell me why Father Dungy is so beloved in the Tampa area, moreso than Jon Gruden?
While I won’t dare to speak for other fans I myself was disappointed in what I feel was a battlefield appointment/elevation of Raheem from DC to the HC position. Last season’s dismal performance only validated my feelings.
this season, however, I think that coach Morris is like a fungus – he kinda grows on you after awhile.
November 3rd, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Well Derf, I’m sure Coach Morris would appreciate that….
November 3rd, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Dave said:
“Stats are for losers. when you are losing you utilize them to analyze and point fingers.
When you are winning, you can ignore them.”
That is a very true statement.
November 3rd, 2010 at 4:12 pm
The problem with ignoring stats when you’re winning is this – you don’t learn from your weaknesses and eventually when the winning comes to an end how do you get back to those winning ways…luck only gets you so far in the NFL. This isn’t intermurals after all….
November 3rd, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Chargedcbh, My biggest beef with coach Morris is that I ‘wish’ he wouldn’t move GMC all over the D-line. I LIKE the fact that they brought in the QB coach for Freeman and I think you would agree that Freeman is progressing ahead of schedule.
But yeah coach Morris, in my opinion, deserves to stay in Tampa for another contract extension.
November 3rd, 2010 at 4:21 pm
@derf
I agree with you as well.
Dave’s comment is based on perception.
While your’s is based on the fundamentals. At the end of the day, glaring/lopsided stats do need to be evaluated during the week… at least the debating the reasoning to why the ones that are below average occuring.
So you are both right.
I’m sure Raheem and company aren’t ignoring the bad stats. They have got to be trying to improve the run defense et al. But Raheem likes to give his simple one liners for entertainment purposes and a means to get the fans and media to look over the glaringly aweful stats in some areas. He just doesn’t want to talk about his team’s weaknesses or his weaknesses as a coach. Maybe he is actually a boy trapped in a man’s position? Is Rah not man enough to admit flaws?
November 3rd, 2010 at 4:37 pm
I agree totally Derf, my biggest issue is the negative comments that have been all over the place. From “Bust in Waiting” before he even gets on the field, the comments about Raheem. Even now that they are 5-2 there is a lack of respect for this team and Raheem.
November 3rd, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Make no mistake about it guys…Coach Morris is looking at the stats just like every other coach in the NFL. Very few coaches are going to come out and bash their “winning” team because of stats…at least not in public. This is a nonissue. Buc You, you almost started redeeming yourself, until the “man enough” crap.
November 3rd, 2010 at 4:42 pm
I will give you credit Buc You…You are man enough to keep showing up. What happened to Tampa 2?
November 3rd, 2010 at 6:32 pm
I know why Rah says stats are for losers! He can’t understand them, the combinations of letters spaces and numbers etc are puzzling to him. Buy hey, maybe you don’t need a coach with an education if you can play a schedule like they have so far, get outscored by your opponents be a loser in almost all statistical and eak out wins against horrible opponents and qbs – who needs stats?
Maybe they can ride this streak of incredible luck, i.e. getting beat on the field by even bad teams only to have the other team hand the game to you in the 4th.
I will continue to cheer for this week after week. I don’t believe that Matty Ice will perform, like Matt Moore, Jimmy Claussen, Jake the Snake, Max Hall and Darren Anderson, and the rookie however.
But I sure hope he does. A win this week on the road would be a solid win. Another thrashing would indicate what must of us suspect – this record is anomaly – but a pleasurable one nonetheless.
November 3rd, 2010 at 6:33 pm
I am sick and tired of hearing from everyone about our strength of schedule. Please someone answer this for me: who in the NFC has a tough schedule, there is no dominant team!!! What if we had Dallas and Minnesota on our schedule?
@Joey88. One thing you are factually wrong about it that our schedule is weak because of where we finished. Let me explain how the NFL does scheduling. Each year, each division plays a “round robin” schedule of one division in the AFC (this year we have the AFC north) and one in the NFC (NFC west). That’s 8 games that are identical to the Saints, Panthers, and Falcons. Not to mention the 6 division games, making a total of 14. So that leaves 2 games that can differ from the rest of the NFC south teams. This year it is Detroit and Washington. Correct me if I’m wrong, but we haven’t played either yet. So if people want to criticize our schedule, then criticize the other 3 teams in our division as well. Funny how I never hear that. Only time will tell if we are a real contender, but most people wouldn’t have put us at 5-2 if we played Cleveland 7 times.
November 3rd, 2010 at 6:43 pm
Yeah Thomas, you got it. He should just come out and say we’ve got to get our stats better because we’ve gotten lucky with this easy schedule. What the hell do you want him to say? I’d be willing to put money on it that if all of us got together in a room, Raheem would be the smartest in the room. I’ve learned in my life that people who go around calling people stupid that they don’t know are in fact, stupid themselves. You guys that hate on Raheem just have no idea of how much preparation goes into an NFL game, and how difficult it is to win in this league (against any team). It doesn’t matter to you though, you’ve already made up your mind.
November 3rd, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Hawaiian Buc:
While strength of schedule is a valid argument in the middle of the season, it will all sort itself out in two months whether that premise is valid or not.
November 3rd, 2010 at 7:19 pm
@Joe,
Agreed. It’s just crazy to me that we are 5-2 (regardless of who we have played) and there are still people that would be happy if Raheem were fired today. This should be a time where people should be happy to be wrong.
November 3rd, 2010 at 7:22 pm
A little sensitive are we Hawaiian.
I am on record as “hating” staying with rah after last year’s embarrassment. Contrary to what Capt Dim and others have said, I did not oppose firing Gruden.
My feelings about Rah have not changed less than 1/2 of the way into thus season with just 2 division games played. I am thrilled with their record and Rah gets credit for that and if this continues I will gladly say that I was wrong.
However, I think Rah is a horrible communicator and I don’t understand 90% of what he says – but I realize that I am not an early 20 y.o. nfl player who probably is better able to get it. Yes, the players like him, but I believe that it is more in the spirit of “he is the “cooler and easier” babysitter or substitute teacher “than on his merits.
I think that some of you are overstating how they have performed to date, but I want the wins to continue – I always root for the season to last as long as possible for the bucs – make january so much more fun.
However, I reserve my right to honestly express my feelings. Sometimes I joke, for example, like I heard that Jerramy Stevens got cut not because of his arrest but because the cops took possession of Rahs and Tanard’s stash. JK guys. Rah is 5-2 if that continues he will deservedly stay and I will accept it but continue to make fun from time to time.
November 3rd, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Just wanted to let Tugboattimmie know that I was here. I would say that I can’t believe the incredible string of luck these kids are having, but some of these kids are truly gifted athletes. Do I think it’s due to Raheem? Yes, in part, No mostly.
I think that these kids truly believe in what he says, like Thomas 2.1 above. But we still have a half a season to go. And lets see how these kids react to good teams, with good QB’s, Offenses, and Defenses. better yet, lets see how they react if the Dirty Birds bash them and tell them their coach inspired them to beat them with his brashness. I think that we all agree that Atlanta is the test for us doubters. so lets wait on the outcome of this game to see if Raheem the Dream is simply a dream, or the real deal.
November 4th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Atlanata will be two tests, one at home and one away.
Hawiian…I have been saying the same thing. Maybe ATL and NO are not that great this year, they have played the same teams we have for the most part…time will tell.
Tampa 2…Welcome back!
November 4th, 2010 at 11:11 am
thomas 2.1…Uh, Morris has a college education from Hofstra, when do you graduate high school?