Not Banking On Six Wins
November 22nd, 2011No, the Bucs are not out of the playoffs yet. Don’t believe Joe? Just turn on the NFL Network where they show the playoff race for the NFC. Yup, there the Bucs are.
To have a shot at the playoffs, the Bucs have to win six straight. Going 9-7 likely won’t get the job done.
But Martin Fennelly of the Tampa Tribune isn’t convinced this will happen, despite how 2010-ish the Bucs played at Lambeau Field Sunday.
We have no idea. We really have no idea which Bucs will show up on Sunday, though with five losses in six games we’re beginning to get a sneaking suspicion.
They’re an inconsistent team, often an undisciplined team, riding emotional waves with their coach, one crazy ride.
I don’t think the Bucs have the talent or the discipline to run off six straight wins, though the schedule, by some accounts, now turns easier. But those games with Carolina suddenly don’t look very easy, not since we learned Cam Newton can play . As for Jacksonville, since when does 4-6 get to look down on 3-7?
Could the Packers game be a springboard for the Bucs to run off six straight?
Time will tell, of course, but who saw the Rays in the playoffs in mid-September? Who saw the Cardinals winning the World Series in August?
November 22nd, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Not a chance with EJ Biggers on the field
November 22nd, 2011 at 1:56 pm
Maybe we should worry about just snapping the 4 game losing streak this weekend? All this talk about 6 in a row and playoffs is absurd right now. If we win 3 or 4 in a row from here on, then ya let’s talk. For now can we just focus on beating the Titans?
November 22nd, 2011 at 2:01 pm
If they play like they did last Sunday and cut the neutral zone and false start penalties I think they can have a chance to beat anyone.
November 22nd, 2011 at 2:02 pm
Sick of hearing how this team doesn’t have “talent”. Coaching is a BIG deal in this league. Look at the 49ers. That team was a JOKE last season. Now, they’re 9-1. Without much change to their roster.
This team lacks DISCIPLINE. Plain and simple. A coach like Harbaugh would have this team at 7-3 or 8-2. Easy.
November 22nd, 2011 at 2:12 pm
The question isn’t whether the Bucs will win 6 straight games, that’s a given. The question is whether they will win 10 straight and the Super Bowl. Anything can happen in the Super Bowl, including losing to a team like the Patriots or Ravens.
If anybody has land for sale in Florida, hit me up.
November 22nd, 2011 at 2:28 pm
@Snook
This team does have talent, I agree. But we’re not that talented. There’s a huge lack of talent in many areas on our roster. Other than Blount, we have no playmakers. We don’t have a deep threat receiver. Our linebackers are horrible. Our secondary has been a huge disappointment. And I’ve never seen such pathetic tackling in all my life. Our #2 running back is Lumpkin, who shouldn’t even be playing in the NFL.
Agree with you 100% on the coaching. But our team isn’t all that great either. But the lack of discipline and constant penalties are things that should never happen.
November 22nd, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Life is cruel and so is the NFL. Sorry I don’t believe in fairytales, or moral victories. In the real world a loss is a loss pure and simple. I don’t see how a loss to the Packers is a springboard to anything. In fact to me it’s just the opposite. it should be a big letdown, the upset was right there for the taking and they let it slip away. Maybe if they had beat the packers they could have went a roll and won 6 straight, but I just don’t see it happening.
November 22nd, 2011 at 2:44 pm
Yep, losing 4 in a row isn’t a springboard to anything other than a higher draft pick.
November 22nd, 2011 at 3:05 pm
They released Frank Okam for some practice squad DE from Philly. Yeah, just when we have no depth at DT!
November 22nd, 2011 at 3:15 pm
We released Okam? What??? Was his calf worse than they were letting on or did we just pull a stupid?
November 22nd, 2011 at 3:18 pm
i still think they can pull this one out…sort of
November 22nd, 2011 at 3:21 pm
Pretty stupid how they don’t release Roy Miller instead, when he’s our worst D lineman no doubt. At least Okam has shown some talent
November 22nd, 2011 at 3:37 pm
Wtf ! Buccs cut Frank Okam
November 22nd, 2011 at 3:38 pm
@ Patrick:
My point was that I think the talent we have is better than 4-6.
Its so cliche when people say how some teams are so loaded at all positions. Like the Packers for instance. They don’t have a RB anyone fears. Driver and Jennings aren’t world beaters. The difference is Rodgers and their coaching. The Pack are a WELL coached team. Rodgers brings everyone a step up. Switch out our starting offense with Green Bay’s minus Rodgers and there wouldn’t be much of a dropoff.
Talent level in the NFL team to team isn’t that far off. Coaching is the difference. Period.
As for the Bucs, I totally agree on the RB position. I cringe everytime I see Lumpkin on the field. As for our WR, I disagree with you. I think Benn is a quality deep threat. He doesn’t have much problem separating in my opinion. He’s just not used enough. And Parker is just plain clutch. Our roster isn’t loaded, but again, its better than its 4-6 record.
November 22nd, 2011 at 3:40 pm
I cringe everytime I see Rah on the sidelines – usually with that blank, confused expression on his face.
November 22nd, 2011 at 3:54 pm
Thomas- you cringe when see Raheem. You began touching yourself and moaning when you saw Chucky. .
Damn, I’m glad I dont sit in your section!! Lol
Can’t you just sit there and watch the game? These. Extreme reactions to coaches- both good(Raheem) and bad(Chucky) – really should be discussed with a mental health professional. BEFORE you end up on some ” America’s wackiest Fan” show!
November 22nd, 2011 at 3:58 pm
Snook and Patrick- yeah, the NFL’s youngest team- devoid of Vet leadership- shouldn’t be making youthful mistakes. It’s the coaching
Uh-uh. You getting too much Sun? I think you’ve baked yer brains.
You realize you are starting to agree with Thomas, Right?
That doesn’t send up a big “Danger” sign for you??
November 22nd, 2011 at 4:00 pm
Remember the Packers were near .500 when they went on their tear last year. The bucs proved they were almost as good as them.
No reason we can’t go on a tear and win the Division, and make a Super Bowl run.
November 22nd, 2011 at 4:03 pm
Snook and Patrick- yeah, the NFL’s youngest team- devoid of Vet leadership- shouldn’t be making youthful mistakes. It’s the coaching
Uh-uh. You getting too much Sun? I think you’ve baked yer brains.
You realize you are starting to agree with Thomas, Right?
That doesn’t send up a big “Danger” sign for you??
Again. Youngest team. Best some good teams. Took the leagues best team to the wire. Lots of young talent. Still some of Chucky’s rotten picks we gotta get rid of( Black, Hayes, Talib) to be really good. It takes time. To believe it doesn’t is stupidity. The 49ers sucked for ten years before they become competitive”overnight”.
Relax, take deep breathes. Enjoy the ride
November 22nd, 2011 at 4:04 pm
Eric, great point, but are you Eric the Lawyer, or are you a new Eric. Eric the Lawyer tends to go with a half empty stance, but he does it with style and humor.
November 22nd, 2011 at 4:07 pm
Hey Captain:
Youthful mistakes you can blame on youth.
CONTINUED youthful mistakes you blame on coaching.
Its pretty clear.
Nothing is being corrected. Nothing is consistent.
I don’t see the Green Bay Packers making youthful mistakes OVER AND OVER.
November 22nd, 2011 at 4:08 pm
The “young” excuse is just that — an excuse.
These are NFL players. Not college guys.
You sound like Raheem. Excuse after excuse after excuse…
November 22nd, 2011 at 4:16 pm
“The 49ers sucked for ten years before they become competitive”overnight”.”
—————
And what was the only major change in San Fran? Coaching.
The Falcons also became competitive overnight from 2007 to 2008. Major change? Coaching.
But the Bucs transition is in year 3 and everything is on track.
Riiiiiiiiiight.
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:14 pm
IF, ifs and buts were candy and nuts.
we would all have a merry Christmas.
Why speculate and just enjoy. We all know the talent needs upgrading in places but………………….
Just don’t get your panties in a twist.
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:27 pm
The packers are the third youngest team in the NFL…
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:02 pm
No, I agree to a point. If the same “youthful mistakes keep happening, then they aren’t getting proper coaching, and a change needs to happen. I’m with you there.
Here’s my case. For what ever reason. Dom chose NOT to adress huge, gaping holes on this team. He’s crippled Raheem. Plus he refused to bring back Ruud and Caddy. Their lack of experience is really hurting us. Ruud wasn’t a great LB. But he was twice the LB that Black and Hayes will ever be .
An off season with Millard, Stretz, Pat Morris, lake, Etc would have made a huge difference. The first off season is the most critical. The league has a book on you after one season- you have to adapt
We have an historically tough schedule.
I’m not saying things are peachy. I’m also not calling this the Titanic.
I’m just saying it’s a work in progress. Some things have to improve, or change is needed. But we are still more or less on track.
It’s just a bumpy track