Bucs On Brink Of Record
December 28th, 2011
Sunday when the Bucs face the Dixie Chicks, the players may very well be playing for Raheem Morris’ job.
They also will be playing to avoid setting a nauseating record.
If the Bucs give up 25 points, points out Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, the 2011 Bucs will go down in franchise history as allowing the most points in a season.
All the Bucs have to do is give up 25 points to the Falcons in their season finale Sunday in Atlanta to set a standard for points allowed. The current mark was set by the 1986 team, which allowed 473 points and 6.0 yards per play, another franchise mark that’s in danger of being eclipsed this weekend.
The Bucs (4-11) are allowing an average of 29.9 points and 6.2 yards per play this season. The desire to keep from setting standards will fuel the play of at least some Tampa Bay defensive players.
“If something like that doesn’t motivate you, then I don’t know what it’s going to take,” Bennett said. “That’s a negative record. But that shouldn’t have to be a motivator.”
The current Bucs record for most points allowed in a season for was during the immortal Leeman Bennett era. And he paid for that record with his head coaching job.
At the very least, such a rancid mark would get a defensive coordinator in serious hot water. The current defensive coordinator just happens to be Bucs embattled coach Raheem Morris.
When a team sets a record for most points allowed in franchise history, all excuses like no offseason, too young of a team, injuries et al, are simply thrown out the window. Shoot, two of those young players people try to make excuses for on this team simply happen to be two of the best players on defense, Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers. If anything, youth is helping this team.
And many Bucs fans, including those working behind a microphone, actually had the gall to make Barrett Ruud out to be a scapegoat. If anything, he’s a martyr.
December 28th, 2011 at 9:10 am
Umm, stats are for losers. Forget what you see on the field. If you just believe, you will understand that this youngry Bucs team is just waiting to explode out. In fact, what better way to win Coach of the YEar in 2012 then by starting from the gutter.
Ok, I’m being facetious. It’s sad that we have to basically break the worst defense record on our team for the Glazers to finally come out and fire Rah.
December 28th, 2011 at 9:14 am
Hey Joe, I thought that the players were playing for Raheem’s job when they played against the lowly Jaguars! We all seen how that worked out!
Ryan will ring up 25 points before the 3rd quarter.
December 28th, 2011 at 9:15 am
They aren’t playing for Raheem’s job any more. He’s done. A blowout win here should not save his butt. It is over. The Raheem era is over.
December 28th, 2011 at 9:24 am
Matt Ryan will be on the bench resting by the 3rd quarter.
December 28th, 2011 at 9:26 am
There is no question that Ruud would have been extremely valuable in getting the defense lined up correctly and mentoring Foster. It wouldn’t fix everything, but you can’t just be dismissive of his intangibles.
Water under the bridge.
December 28th, 2011 at 9:40 am
What’s in common with this team and the 1986 team? Owners that are cheap or in the case of the Glazers appear to be cheap, ( lowest payroll, cheapest coach and GM is kinda of hard to argue). Coach(es) that suck. What an embarrassment. No reason for the Glazers to wonder why no one is showing up for their games. The GM is going to have this dubious honor on his resume as well. The plan has failed miserably… Everyone associated need to be fired including several players.
December 28th, 2011 at 9:55 am
2011 Bucs D is the worst in history. Our D is 19 points away from matching the total # of points allowed by this defense from 2002-2003.
Wow we stink bad. Time to take the trash out and get a new voice with a new attitude.
Go Bucs! We will be back..
December 28th, 2011 at 9:56 am
Seems to me the Bucs have a knack at setting records (negative ones for Bucs and positive ones for many teams we’ved played over the years)…. If someone would take the time to research we would all be shocked as to how true this statement is…. starting from the very beginning to now… Malcom I liked his vision in the beginning and where he directed the future of the team. Our early years haunted us thru our great years with top tier talent oppotunities but we did get a Lombardi, but only with the help of Gruden, but back to Malcom because of his condition over the 6 yers or so the 3 unwise boys have really done a stink of a job in charge and they should be fired their love of the Queen, Soccer and Good ol England is our biggest problem as fans and as an organization. So send them there to enjoy tea and crumpets!
December 28th, 2011 at 9:57 am
Barrett Ruud was soft… Mason Softer on the other hand is even Foster… I saw nothing of Softer in college never showed he was neirher a thumper nor was he athletic enough to be a difference maker in the NFL. Yes, the Bucs hyped up a guy… that is just a guy. Who’da thunk it?
December 28th, 2011 at 9:57 am
Glazers, you all need to “show me the money”.
Quit spending on dodo bird soccer and pump some revenue intthe Bucs. Do it, or take your silly nanny behinds back across the pond and solely focus on soccer.
December 28th, 2011 at 10:22 am
I have been saying this for years. It is the defense, not the offense, that is historically bad.
You guys were awful to a true professional, Jim Bates, with an awesome resume in this league. He was fighting a battle against a no experience head coach.
Bates knew that the system that he was implementing was good long term
But foolish rah bailed to soon. Now you are seeing the result. Worst defense in history.
December 28th, 2011 at 10:24 am
Forget Raheem’s job. Whether he’s here next year or not the Bucs players need to be playing for their own jobs and careers. The film doesn’t lie.
December 28th, 2011 at 10:40 am
“At the very least, such a rancid mark would get a defensive coordinator in serious hot water”.
But not our fabulous GM! He is indispensible.
Pro Bowl came out. Must be somebody Dom drafted on it. From that draft that had the most talent ever cause all the Juniors came out? Where number two picks were really number ones? And with Rah spending extra time helping with film study?
Nope.
December 28th, 2011 at 10:42 am
Lets not act as if Ruud is doing any better in TN. He has been absolutely awful this year on a LB corp that has otherwise done ok. Heck, his rookie backup is playing far superior. He will not be hired by the Titans again and may eemain jobless for a while.
December 28th, 2011 at 11:08 am
And from 86-96 the bucs tried to “build through the draft” like the Steelers and Packers.
Didn’t make the playoffs a single year. Tons of high draft picks though.
This regime can match that also, they have it in them.
December 28th, 2011 at 11:16 am
Raheem Morris is the architect and play caller for the worst defense in Buccaneers history. All other arguments fail in the light of that fact. Without question he should be fired a day or two after the season ends.
December 28th, 2011 at 11:19 am
“Bates knew that the system that he was implementing was good long term
But foolish rah bailed to soon. Now you are seeing the result. Worst defense in history.”
Thomas…..the things you say just boggle the mind. So….Bates system would have worked long term..YOU KNOW THAT HOW??
And if that’s true…who’s to say that Rah’s system wouldn’t work long term?? Just admit it…they both suck as DC’s. I don’t know what Morris could do as HC because he’s never been just a HC. I do know that he’s not a very good DC. Maybe he’s a good DB coach but not a good DC. Anyway, change is coming so we’ll see what happens next year in FA and the draft with a new coaching staff but your just grasping at straws to blame Raheem for bailing on Bates too soon. That may not have even been his call.
December 28th, 2011 at 11:24 am
I was thinking we might go 8-8 or possibly 9-7 based on last year’s success and this year’s more difficult schedule. I thought we would play mostly very close, tough games where we would pull some out late in the game and lose some due to the youth and mistakes. I never, ever thought we would regress this much! It is clear to me that Raheem is in over his head. The defense has completely tanked. I understand there have been some injuries, but this is really bad. Unfortunately, I don’t believe he can turn it around. Granted, we will have a last place schedule again next year, which should help, but I really believe Raheem must go. As for Freeman, I have not given up on him. He has all the tools to be successful: smart, big arm, mobile, work ethic. His accuracy has improved, but he still needs to work on it. But he is not the problem. Greg Olsen is unimaginative and not using Freeman to his strenghts. We need to run a hurry up offense all the time (except when / if we have a big lead, then turn and hand off to your big back). Freeman thrives in the no huddle, hurry up, spread type offense.
I hate to say it, but Raheem is not the answer. He did his best, but he simply was not ready to be a HC of a young, rebuilding team. It is time to bring in an experienced coach that knows the NFL and what it takes to win. Let him bring in his own coaching staff and drop Olsen and the rest.
I will renew my season tickets regardless of what happens because that is what true fans do, but I want to see the coaching staff changed and some free agents brought in this off season
December 28th, 2011 at 11:26 am
It really does not matter what you think of Rah. Maybe its not his fault and maybe it is. The fact remains that the fans will remain downbeat unless changes are made. Fans purchase tickets and merchandise, they promote the general welfare of the community. Should the Glazers choose to ignore that fact it will come back to haunt them.
I predict that Rah will be gone next week and should the new HC seek to have some say over player personnel, that Joe’s Rock Star GM will proceed out of town post haste.
Look for Rah to be a college head coach in short order.
December 28th, 2011 at 11:28 am
I agree with Thomas to the extent that the regime had no problem Jettisoning Bates after half a season but some feel it would be unfair to do so to Rah after three seasons.
December 28th, 2011 at 11:42 am
Eric, normally I see the kind of bile you spill from Saints fans or Falcons fans when they are getting ready to play us. Rarely have I seen someone who claims to be a ‘fan’ trash literally every aspect of the organization from the owners, GM, coaches, through virtually every player and yet claim to be a fan. You are the kind of fan that coined the saying…”With friends like that..who needs enemies.” A lot of us realize that this is a Buc team in dire straits. We are floundering badly but I believe we have a core of talent that with the right coaching will be outstanding. I still believe our D-line of McCoy, Price, Bowers, and Clayborne is going to be fierce. Foster will be fine. He never played MLB in college and he got thrown into that position as a rookie. I think he’s done fine. He’s certainly not soft. He’s been playing on bad ankles for most of the season. Mike Williams still has the potential to be what he was last year. He needs a coach who will bring out the best in him. Briscoe and Parker are good young talents. Benn will improve as he gets more experience and he gets another off season with the knee. I believe we need to draft Trent Richardson so we have someone to make Blount work for reps. We need two LB’s in FA and we need to get a couple of DB’s. The team needs a balance of veteran presence on Defense. I certainly do not believe this team is devoid of talent. We have 11 starters who are at the most in year 3 of their NFL careers. If they are all as bad as you claim then it really doesn’t matter who we bring in as HC does it?? Do you think there is some HC who can miraculously turn bad players into good ones?? If, on the other hand, it has been a coaching issue then maybe these young players haven’t shown what they can do as a unit yet. I’ve seen what they can do against the Saints and Atlanta and that’s what I want to see again. Hopefully that cohesive play will return next season.
December 28th, 2011 at 11:45 am
I’m so sick of hearing about Barrett Ruud. He sucks.
The tape shows it. And 31 other teams agreed. Tennessee only gave him a ONE YEAR deal. Because he’s nothing special.
Dillusional Bucs fans… STOP WITH THE RUUD WHINING.
If you really think Ruud would’ve made any difference this year, you’re an idiot.
December 28th, 2011 at 11:57 am
Look at these FA’s;
http://nfltraderumors.co/2012-nfl-free-agents/
If Glazerhouse boys are willing to spend $$ on the Bucs there are very good players at positions that need to be upgraded. This team could be upgraded overnight.
December 28th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Most of the players I like will be resigned by their teams. Atlanta isn’t going to let Grimes go, Forte and Ray Rice will be resigned. Wes Welker isn’t going anywhere. I would like to see us go after Tulloch but I think Detroit will keep him too. We’ll see. There are some players they could go after but the $$ may keep that from happening.
December 28th, 2011 at 12:54 pm
Snook:
The tape actually shows otherwise.
December 28th, 2011 at 2:58 pm
Holy Crap … I dont think I saw 1 OLB on that list
December 28th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
When the Buccaneers are breaking negative records like those, well……THAT is typing something! And to me, it just shows how the players themselves have flat out quit, don’t care and want to go home. Now many of them will…..for good.
Sadly, they’ll take out people who DO care and work hard……like their own coaches they pretend to care about so much.
Happy New Year!!!