“It’s Just All Bad”
November 28th, 2011
- Bucs beat writer Rick Stroud fired loud alarms today during a radio interview
Without fast improvement on the field for the Bucs serious changes will be in store for next season, says Bucs beat writer Rick Stroud.
During an on-air chat with Dan Sileo on WDAE-AM 620 this morning, Stroud offered a scathing assessment of Tampa Bay’s all around play.
“It’s just all bad,” Stroud said of the Bucs’ defense. “It’s one of those deals where they’re not performing to their level. You can’t lose five in a row, six out of seven, and call yourself a good football team. I mean, you know, not many teams go that many weeks. … And, you know, that’s problematic for your coaching staff. You know, we’ll see how they finish out. But I think you can start to see the writing on the wall; there’s going to be some changes after this year. If they don’t start winning a few games, Raheem might be one of those changes.”
Stroud went on to heartily agree with Sileo’s assessment that Arrellious Benn isn’t a good receiver and said Bucs fans will see an organizational effort to “save Josh Freeman” with an influx of more talent around him next season.
These were hard words from Stroud. Joe still needs to see more to wave the white flag on the regime and the talent level. As Joe’s written several times, the coaches aren’t getting nearly the most out of what they have, which is the essence of their jobs. Joe pegged this as a 9-7 team (leaning toward 8-8), so there’s still time to salvage jobs and respect.
November 28th, 2011 at 11:30 am
When you take a look at the schedule, it is entirely possible that they could lose every one of the remaining games. We all thought the Titan game was a win. But, losing that one, they are more than likely to lose to Carolina (twice), Jacksonville, Dallas, and Atlanta (in the Dome). With the way they are playing, (or not playing) I see them coming away this year with 4-12. Sad, really sad.
November 28th, 2011 at 11:36 am
I’m with you on the talent, Joe. We can’t really even see what we have talent wise because of the poor coaching. I just hope we haven’t already ruined some of these young guys.
November 28th, 2011 at 11:43 am
First time posting today and yesterday. Wow well as everyone knows weve played horrible. We should see changes after not only this season but after this game. Get sean jones off the field, he sucks like Ive been saying all year. Pull ahmad black up, put him in the starting lineup. Cut lewis let gaitor play and share time with biggers see whose better. Pull up a lb from the practice squad. Idc who it’s and start them infront of hayes or black, who really cares which one. get lumpkin off of the field and assign him to waterboy. Blount becomes full-time or if you still want to do the stupid take him off the field crap madu gets in. Cut spurlock and bring up gant, see what he can do. Offseason search for 2 lb’s a speed wr, 2cb’s, 2nd string rb, a starting right tackle, a tight end, a offensive coordinator and d coordinator,and possibly a head coach.
November 28th, 2011 at 11:53 am
They seem to have penalties at the worst times , why do they put Blount on the sideline when we need to burn time , is Winslow the only TE that holds in this league ? I agree they need to look at this entire coaching staff , we have to get a burner at WR and a compliment to Blount who can actually run the ball and not named Lumpkin . Players should be held accountable for these stupid flags that stop drives . And can someone please tell me how the hell tebow keeps winning !!
November 28th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
I find it hard to believe Benn is not good. Is he limited? Yes. He’s a possession receiver, Hines Ward type. Nothing more. Don’t try to make him something he’s not
November 28th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
This is from John Romano’s column “Gimme 5” today in the St Pete Times. Yeah we all agree Sean Jones sucks, but read this and then tell me how good a DC and HC Raheem is:
Not a good sign: For 18 consecutive seasons, Tampa Bay’s leading tackler has been a linebacker. From Hardy Nickerson to Derrick Brooks to Shelton Quarles to Barrett Ruud, a linebacker has led the way. This season, Tampa Bay’s top tacklers are a safety (Sean Jones) and a cornerback (Ronde Barber).
Sean Jones, who misses tackle after tackle, is STILL our leading tackler. Horriblle LB play is one thing, but when your DL gets pushed around so easily, it stands to reason that the secondary leads the team in tackles. Just so sad, another season down the toilet.
November 28th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
READ THESE COMMENTS;
By Pat Yasinskas
We know that Tampa Bay’s run defense is bad. But let’s put it into some pretty strong perspective.
Thanks to ESPN Stats & Information for providing some very telling numbers. All you have to do is look at what Tennessee’s Chris Johnson did Sunday in the Titans’ 23-17 win over the Buccaneers.
Johnson carried 23 times for 190 yards and averaged 8.3 yards per carry. In 10 games before playing Tampa Bay, Johnson averaged 16 carries, 50.9 rushing yards per game and 3.2 yards per carry.
That alone says a lot, but there’s more. Johnson gained 152 of his 190 yards before initial contact. Johnson’s previous high for yards before contact this season was 69, and that came in Week 4.
In other words, it wasn’t like Johnson was running over the Bucs. He wasn’t even getting touched until well after he did damage.
November 28th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
Ruud had the Titians prepared like Gruden had the Bucs for the Super bowl.
November 28th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Bobby, tt is even worse than that. Despite picking up most of his yards before he was touched, Johnson would then NOT be tackled by multiple defenders. And he repeated it all damn day.
November 28th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
TIME FOR CHANGE IS ALL I CAN SAY ANYMORE, THIS IS PATHETIC
November 28th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
Benn was a Gadget player at Illinois so it was going to take time for him to put it together. Also, hurting his knee last year didnt help. I didnt expect much from him. It usually takes a few yrs for WRs to “get it”. Most people in Tampa dont understand that tho…..
November 28th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
It’s definitely not Dominik’s fault. It’s all coaching and execution.
We’re not putting our players in a position to succeed. And when they go out there to play, they’re either doing stupid things because we haven’t taught them well enough or they’re failing due to poor scheme.
I firmly believe we have the TALENT to be a playoff team. Coaching is holding us back at the moment.
November 28th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
I say let’s look at the last 3 offseason (drafts) and see just how well Dominik has actually been.
2009: 2010:
Josh Freeman(starter) Gerald McCoy(starter)
Roy Miller(back up/Bust) Brian Price(starter)
Kyle Moore(cut) Arrelious Benn(Starter)
Xavier Fulton(cut) Mike Williams(starter)
E.J. Biggers(starter but shouldn’t be) Myron Lewis(back up?/Bust)
Sammie Stroughter(back up/decent) Cody Grimm(injury prone)
Dekoda Watson(back up but why?)
Erik Lorig(DE to FB?)
2011:
Adrian Clayborn(starter)
Da’Quan Bowers(back up)
Mason Foster(starter)
Luke Stocker(back up)
Ahmad Black(practice)
Allen Bradford(cut)
Anthony Gaitor(inactive)
Greg Hardy(cut)
That’s just the draft classes. Looks like just a few hits and a LOT of misses!
November 28th, 2011 at 1:15 pm
This team won’t win another game, folks. Hate to break it to you. This will be like 2008’s collapse, but even far worse.
Jacksonville’s defense is too good for the Bucs to beat.
Atlanta – Loss. No question.
Carolina – Loss in Charlotte. Cam Newton will make our defense look silly.
Carolina – Maybe we can win this in Tampa. Still doubtful. Either way, it won’t be pretty.
Dallas – Loss. Probably a blowout.
If Raheem is the head coach of this team next year, I won’t be watching. He’s a joke and so is Olson.
November 28th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
I really don’t see the need to prolong the inevitable. The Bucs are terrible on both sides of the ball. The organization either did not draft well or the coaches are not coaching well. I think its a little bit of one and alot of the other. Either way you look at it we need a major overhaul with this coaching staff and scouting department. Go after Jeff Fisher now before you have another 5 or 6 teams trying to hire him.And if any of the old Bucs are interested, bring them back as assistant coaches. ie, Brooks, Alstott, Nickerson, etc. That alone would create a little more interest around here. The current group of players might actually listen to these guys.
November 28th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
Hmm didn’t line up the way i wrote it, but if u look closely you can see where i went with 09 and 2010 draft classes. but sorry about that.
But further more. Let’s see a couple of the FA moves he has made.
Cato June (LB) cut.
Warrick Dunn (RB) cut.
Ike Hilliard (WR) cut.
Joey Galloway (WR) cut.
Derrick Brooks (LB) cut.
Jermaine Phillips (SS) cut
Philip Buchanon (CB) cut
Antonio Bryant (WR) cut
Reggie Brown (WR) Acuired then cut)
Kareem Huggins (RB) cut
Torrie Cox(CB) cut
Will Allen (SS) cut
Cadillac Williams (RB) cut
Barret Ruud (LB) cut
Mike Clayton Signed big contract – Cut next year
Derrick Ward signed big contract – cut next year
Quincy Black signed a big contract – (more then likely) cut next year
Some of those cut’s needed to happen, but more often then not. Good player were cut before their time. a handful of which were leaders on this team, who (if nothing else) could have at least passed on their knowledge to this younger team..
After all this (with a big chunk of homework still left out) it seems the Rock Star GM isn’t even a Pop star.
November 28th, 2011 at 1:25 pm
Jeff Fisher
November 28th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
I’m Down with Fisher replacing Raheem, but i don’t put all the blame on Raheem. He is working with what Dominik is giving him..
I think we need to give heavy consideration in replacing the GM.
November 28th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
Tell me again why they think Benn is not a good WR? When have they given him a chance, other than a reverse or WR screen?
A big name coach, if that happens, doesn’t actually PLAY the game. The players do.
I’ve always thought year 3 would be the best year, then moving forward. I think we’ll see that, but Raheem will definitely be on the hot seat next year.
November 28th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
@ Bucs Says
Don’t you think Rah had a say in who we currently have on this team?
November 28th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
CC, rumor is he had a big hand in Black getting a huge contract. I don’t know if that is true or not, but if it is then he sure deserves blame.
November 28th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
941, now follow that up with where those guys were signed and the productivity. I’ll wait…
November 28th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
@ Bucfanjeff
Hello this is year 3.
November 28th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
@941-bucs
Ruud and Williams were not cut, their contracts expired.
as for the draft picks, i dont think you can expect the majority of picks beyond round 4 to make an impact, the early picks have for the most part either impacted the team or are showing promise!
im as bitter as you, and looking mostly to next year right now, but lets try and be reasonable, the front office does not have a very big part in this collapse, coaching, especially Raheem is the red light here from my point of view
November 28th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
@ 941:
Raheem coaches these guys on the practice field, not MD. He can’t even effectively be a defensive coordinator – yet we have him doing both HC and DC. Its a joke. The guy is in over his head. Badly. Why do you think he hired Jags and Bates when he was hired? Because he has ZERO experience. And he’s proved it. This team has no chance of a turnaround with Raheem at the helm. The 10-6 record last year was propped up by Freeman — against a league with no tape on him. Now that teams have adjusted, Freeman is being shut down. And his coaches have no clue what to do about it. This isn’t rocket science.
Whine all you want about the players but Harbaugh hasn’t had much problem with the 6-10 bunch he acquired in San Fran. His QB is Alex Smith — who NO ONE wanted this off-season.
Coaching reigns in this league. Its time for Raheem to go.
November 28th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
@941-Bucs: So basically you’re saying we got ~9 future starters and ~6 backups out of three draft classes…
And you think that’s BAD?
November 28th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
Move Benn to RB. People will give the standard “Ha ha, yeah right” and I would like to hear specifically why.
November 28th, 2011 at 5:25 pm
What the ??!? I call revisionist BS Joe, Lol
Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t your prediction
” as far as Predictions go, it s hard to imagine they won’t improve on last year’s 10-6 record.”
Pretty sure that’s what I wrote down! Lol
November 28th, 2011 at 8:55 pm
We are a long way from being a Superbowl team. We need better line play on D and better safeties and corners. Josh needs to step up and play like a man, also, the receivers had better start catching the ball. We do NOT need a new coach but we do need Raheem to knock some sense into these boys. Freeman needs to lead the team, they yearn for someone to lead them and I think Josh is the guy. We are a young team and we act like it but we still are capable.
November 29th, 2011 at 1:54 am
I can deal with the ineptitude of the offense. For as long as I have been watching and cheering for the Bucs, our offense has been the weak link. I accept this and can deal with it.
But…………….
It is an absolute embarrassment to see what the defence has become. We used to be in the same conversation with the Steelers and the Ravens for who had the best defence in the league. Now we are 31st overall??? WTF??????
I feel sorry for Barber. That guy is still hustling and making plays and cannot motivate the others to step up and honor the history this team acheived in the past.
2 words – Vontaze Burfict
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7achvXsy3Q
November 29th, 2011 at 2:29 am
ok to get back to a couple of the comments back.
@SlikNikdaRULA
That’s more homework i don’t care to do, but will on Wednesday and will get back to you. 🙂 i know a bunch didn’t continue their careers for what ever reason. But there are still a few names on that list that could have helped this growth process quite a bit by being allowed to hang around a year or so longer. Not many but at least a handful.
@CC
Yes i agree i give Raheem 50% of the blame for what’s going on right now. He fired both offense and defense coordinator, who drastically changed scheme’s in his first year. He also is obviously being to friendly and relaxed with the team. That shows on the field. But no one is really talking about Dominik, who has made some bone headed judgement calls these last couple years. It got hidden by the 10-6 record last year.
November 29th, 2011 at 2:37 am
@Steendahl
Yea, that was more of a typo as i was in a hurry while writing earlier. Needless to say tho, it still went down the same way. Dom allowed them to walk even tho Raheem would have preferred to have them back. Granted they are not making big names for themselves. The key factor missing here is “experience”. They both played at least ok – semi good and bring knowledge into how to practice, how to train, what to expect during situations etc etc. That’s invaluable and missing right now on this team.
@Snook
I’ve already stated that same case on Raheem. I was simply saying Domink needs to take some of the blame on this as well. He has made poor judgement calls also. As for Raheem, one day i believe he will be a great coach. But a no experience coach, coaching no experienced players, and you add cutting or loosing all the experience you used to have on the field. This is what your left with.
@
November 29th, 2011 at 2:57 am
@ Matt
You kind of got me there. Doing the math versus writing it all out on paper (looking at names and drafts spots), makes it sound not so bad. But for the amount of time and effort they put into each of those drafts, The return should have been greater. With this in mind i am more speaking of the 09 and 11 class. 09 was the first year. Dominik vowed to use every eye and resource to follow this draft. Out of 6, 4 are still on the team. 2 of which may not be next year.
2010 i can’t lie, it was a good draft. Myron Lewis is the only real ? there, but over all good. The Cody Grimm blowing both knee’s was unexpected and doesn’t count in my eyes.
2011, Again had a lockout and whole off-season to do nothing more then dedicate your self to the draft. 2 are already cut from the team. Ahmad Black is on PS, Gaitor is hardly active, Stocker is still in the air. But i will give some credit for nailing the first 3 picks.
But like I’ve already established. It’s all the other poor choices he has made during these 3 off seasons. Giving contracts to those who don’t deserve it. Taking risks on specific drafts spots, knowing we need just about every pick to be a winner trying to over haul the team, and releasing all the experience we had on this team, before they could at least try and pass it down.
November 29th, 2011 at 3:02 am
Alright, i gave my feelings and thoughts on the subject. Remember these are just my opinions. I was bored today and just felt like getting it off my chest.
Seeing as how many comments I got for it. I felt it was only polite to at least answer back.
I promise i am not trying to cause any arguments, i actually enjoyed being able to converse with you guys. Anyway you kick it, us fans are frustrated right now. It’s nice to have a place to speak about it sometimes.