Aggressive Bucs Could Dethrone Saints
March 22nd, 2012
Now with an offensive coordinator that likely knows how to use him, perhaps LeGarrette Blount could lead the Bucs to another run at a playoff berth this season now that the Saints are in a tailspin?
The Bucs play in a division that, until very recently, teams bounced from the cellar to the top in a matter of a handful of games.
Recently, two of the last three seasons the Saints have had a stranglehold on the NFC South. And in that lone missing year the Saints finished second with 11 win and a playoff berth.
But this offseason, the Saints are, to put it mildly, in disarray. They lost their stud left guard (to the Bucs), they will lose their stud middle linebacker, they lost their coach for a year, their general manager for roughly half a year.
Oh, and All-World quarterback Drew Brees is PO’ed at the team for not giving him what he believes he is worth, and has yet to sign a contract.
This, so says Tampa Tribune humorist Martin Fennelly, is the perfect opportunity for the Bucs to stomp on the Saints and take control of the division.
You won’t see a worse offseason than this Saints’ offseason. Did we mention that record-setting quarterback Drew Brees is unhappy over his franchise tag? That whole franchise might implode. Maybe they should have brought in Tebow, just to have a saint among all those sinners.
What an opening for Schiano and the Bucs.
If the NFL teaches us one thing, it’s that teams can turn around quickly. We saw it in San Francisco. We even saw 3-13 turn to 10-6 under Raheem Morris. Then again, it then turned to 4-12 and there went the Rah expedition.
But now the Saints are gasping for air.
Fennelly makes a solid point: If unorganized Raheem Morris and his party atmosphere can lead the Bucs to a breath away from a playoff berth (which the Bucs lost out on to the eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers), then why not disciplined, hard-nosed Greg Schiano?
The Bucs have virtually the same team that Morris guided to 10 wins, and Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik has added some flashy toys for quarterback Josh Freeman to play with.
With the addition of a stud linebacker (“Paging Curtis Lofton… Curtis Lofton… will you please answer your call from Tampa Bay?”) and drafting Morris Claiborne to solidify a shaky secondary, the Bucs could very well be in the running for a wild card… or more.
The Bucs have surprised people before.
March 22nd, 2012 at 5:07 pm
The Bucs do not have virtually the same team. Good grief! Just the additions of Hicks and Jackson make that not so. Take out Faine and Hayes favor of upgrades at their positions and you have a significant difference.
March 22nd, 2012 at 5:08 pm
There will probably be at least 15 new faces on this team just this year, let alone two years ago.
March 22nd, 2012 at 5:08 pm
Richardson will carry us to the playoffs.
He and Blount are going to pound the NFC south, old school style.
March 22nd, 2012 at 5:08 pm
Well said @Joe. Paging Curtis Lofton, we need to stuff thr running backs in Carolina, then we could take the division!!
March 22nd, 2012 at 5:10 pm
I don’t know about 2012 but 2013….absolutely.
March 22nd, 2012 at 5:17 pm
Joe
PFT is reporting that Claiborne needs surgery. Going under knife tomorrow.
March 22nd, 2012 at 5:25 pm
Buc Fan South Tampa:
Eh. He played eight games with that wrist injury last year. No biggie.
March 22nd, 2012 at 5:27 pm
I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited for a season since the year following our Super Bowl!
March 22nd, 2012 at 5:28 pm
True Blue:
Are you aware what the definition of “virtually” is?
March 22nd, 2012 at 5:31 pm
Right on Joe!
Paging* Curtis Lofton* Come back to earth, and happily accept your offer from the Bucs.
Don’t be so darn greedy, and be a team player.
March 22nd, 2012 at 5:31 pm
I hope so. This is the most excited I’ve been about an upcoming season since 2003. Go Bucs!
March 22nd, 2012 at 5:38 pm
Even ground atleast … Both Richardson and Claiborne will be gimpy at the draft …
Damn … Claiborne may even be in a sling on draft day
March 22nd, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Joe…I’m glad you said what I’ve been thinking…in the NFL, you just never know. I don’t think we were a 10 win team, but I also don’t think we were a 3 win team…I think we were somewhere in the middle.
I truly believe that with solid coaching and the timely aquisitions, we can be competitive now.
The season cant start soon enough!
March 22nd, 2012 at 5:45 pm
Why couldn’t Goodell have given RahRah a multi-season suspension for stupidity?
If Free plays like he did last year or gets hurt – we have major issues. Dan “gas can ” Orlovsky? I feel better with Johnson, definitely Tebow.
The offense is improved by adding a weapon and a horse. Eric wright is a nice player, but no star. Our ends look promising, D tackles are broke down, and line backers – I dont think that we have 1 bonafide NFLer.
Are we better? How much? Yet to be determined.
But the colossal improvement from 2011 to 2012 is that we lost the worst coach and defensive coordinator in NFL history and replaced him with future star.
If your team is undisciplined, unprofessional and unaccountable – you can get lucky and steal a few close game against bad teams with the likes of scabs Max Hall, Jimmy Clausen, Troy Smith, Jake delhomme, Matt Moore and Charlie Whitehurst. While losing games to Drew Stanton.
To legitimately win: you need a legit coaching and leadership, not that speeches bulldog running grandmas and abusive uncles isn’t leadership.
March 22nd, 2012 at 5:51 pm
To legitimately post: You need a different name than Thomas 2.2.
March 22nd, 2012 at 5:51 pm
Steve:
The Bucs averaged 5.6 wins per season under RahRah. The record was inflated in 2010 due to the good fortune of continuously drawing bad teams without their best, sometimes without their 2 best, qb options.
They were a 4-5 win team under RahRah for 2 1/3 seasons. For the last 2/3 they were an 0-16 team that would have been blown out by Rod Marinelli’s lions.
It will take some time to shake off how bad this team was at the end of last year. That is why I advocate getting rid of those emblematic of that team: Talib, Winslow, THC Jax, Jane Black, Geno Taze etc.
March 22nd, 2012 at 5:57 pm
Thomas, until you can admit how disruptive McCoy was when he was on the field you have zero credibility when it comes to saying how good this team can be with new coaching. Anybody as blind as you are on GMC shows a serious inability to be rational.
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:02 pm
Bobby,
We lost 10 straight games…
McCoy HAS NOT earned he pay day, yet…
Agreed, McCoy was “disruptive”, but he needs to get better at tackling.
Bobby, “Until you can admit” that thus far McCoy HAS NOT warranted the draft pick.
We will see with the new regime, and I hope GMC comes out awesome.
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:04 pm
If McCoy sucks/gets hurt this season, then he is a “BUST”, and needs to get cut.
We could get 2 good players with his salary.
Paid like a superstar, play like a superstar.
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:07 pm
@Stevek
Well said. McCoy needs to SHOW UP, quit smiling all the time, borrow some Suh from Suh, and play like the superstar he’s paid like. If not, just cut him, certainly by season’s end. Use $$$ elsewhere.
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:08 pm
Hopefully since we have an honest no-nonsense guy for a coach instead of a lying pill junkie like the Saints, we can avoid this kind of season-sinking issue.
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:17 pm
Bobby: you are barking up the wrong tree. Your version of disruptive is subjectively skewed by the propaganda and your fanaticism. I have broken down nearly all of McCoy’s 16 career games (out of 32).
Working from memory, In 2011, he had moments of being disruptive(when not released on traps and screen) against the Colts. The colts were decimated with injuries on the O line and McCoy drew a practice squad player for much of the game. McCoy did beat him occasionally.
McCoy was disruptive on a screen play, and one run play vs the Falcons – a game he went statless in. Against the Lions he jumped offsides twice and was basically no factor. McCoy was dominated by the bears OLine.
I don’t recall how he graded against the Vikes, if memory serves, OK against the run, terrible as usual against the pass.
In 2010 gmc was horrible until about the Ravens game where had his first and only significant impact in 2 years.
The best anyone can say about McCoy is that he has improved some from 10 to 11 in his run game. I think he is horrible in his pass rush and I don’t think that any expert would say that he is even decent there.
Why? Because McCoy is a classic gap jumper, which suits him for beating guards who are coming at him because if they miss he is free in the backfield. However, when the OLineman’s first step is back in pass pro, and gmc has to engage he is weak and has poor pass rush game so if you watch closely he usually gets stonewalled about 1-2 yards from the l.o.s.
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:21 pm
Suh did not warrant his salary this past year. Average at best. On page 2 of defensive tackle stats. Is he a bust? Had a good rookie year but really fell off last year. Guess we’ll see next year if he bounces back.
McCoy does need to stay healthy, I’ve never argued that but what you pin heads seem to ignore is how much better our defense is with him in the game and how terrible we were when he got hurt. If you can’t see that then you are absolutely devoid of the ability to spot any talent. McCoy has been injured but that does not qualify him as a bust. When he was on the field he was a beast and everybody around him was better because of it. If he would have stayed healthy Clayborn would have had double digit sacks easily. He forced everything to the outside. You’re gonna see how good he is this year and I’ll be posting to bitch slap both of you on a regular basis.
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:21 pm
If they sign Lofton, Draft Claiborne, and draft another Lb and CB- I believe the Bucs can be a winning team this year.
But, it’s all about fixing the Back 7 . Cant win with a defense that bad.
Oh! And we gotta get rid if Talib.
Then- we will be winners
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Like Steve said:
If McCoy was a 4th rounder I wouldn’t be so critical. But with 3 overall and 60 mill status, you need to be held accountable. So far, he has been a bad investment.
McCoy was drafted where he was solely on his get-off being ideal for a Tampa 2. I dont think the Tampa 2 will be the base. What the team didn’t realize is that his strength and pass rush moves were nowhere near NFL caliber and he is extremely fragile for the pounding you get at his position.
Will he pan out? Who knows but so far we have gotten ZERO for almost 30 million dollars. You don’t pay that so you can search for ways to argue disruption.
It is hard to add skills when you are constantly injured and rehabbing.
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:25 pm
A LOT of our success will depend on Josh Freeman. If Freeman can at least play as well as he did in 2010, during which he was a glorified game manager except for in December, Bucs have a playoff chance in 2012.
But if Freeman is able to hit it off with Vincent Jackson right off the bat, I am expecting great things from Free coming season. Moral of the story is, Bucs = Freeman for 2012 and hopefully beyond.
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Thomas, with your last post you just proved my point…you’re absolutely friggin’ clueless. “Working from memory”….kid, you have to have a mind to have a memory. Watch some film. That’s all you need to do. Watch some film and isolate on McCoy and you will see him continually living in the backfield of the opponents. He NEVER gets stonewalled you moron. Geeez….every time you post you just solidify my opinion of how little you actually know about this game.
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:26 pm
Personally, my most encouraging thought for the Bucs’ 2012 season is that Blount will have his first offseason program with the team.
Everyone from Sarasota to Bristol loves to proclaim how Blount “can’t pick up the offense.” Well just when was he supposed to do so? Studying your playbook is one thing. Doing through repetition with the opportunity for your position coach to teach you, and not have to install gameplan, is another.
Some might say that this is just an excuse, and that screw that idea, he’s still a bum. Fine. But it can’t hurt, and if our OC is smart, they will find a way to teach him, because Blount was DANGEROUS on screenplays, which just might be the easiest catches to make. And we have 2 fabulous guards who would love to pull and maul some people in open space now.
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:29 pm
Funny Bobby, how 5.5 of Clayborn’s 7.5 sacks came when McCoy was out.
You don’t know what you are saying. The Bucs also lost Grimm. The Bucs 2 wins against the saints in 10 and 11, when McCoy was out.
Doesnt fit your narrative.
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:30 pm
Can’t we just give Thomas the same status as “Don” on RaysIndex (aka JoeRaysFan), and just have a group understanding of ignoring this bum?
Your takes are tired, repetitive, and have accomplished nothing to date except fulfilling your inherent desire for attention.
Cut the Chord people, this is my final acknowledgement of this fool.
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:32 pm
Bobby,
Get over GMC, he is not interested….
LOL, but C’mon Man!!!!
GMC hasn’t done anything….
Brian Price has been a more pleasant situation, atleast he shuts up and works his butt off.
McCoy is just twiddling his thumbs on Twitter.
McCoy was paid more than Troy Polamalu, that should be illegal.
#3 overall pick was a teddy bear.
#5 pick this year needs to be spent on a “man”, Trent Richardson step in.
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:32 pm
Look above, the adolescent Bobby invited a take from me on McCoy – not vice versa.
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:35 pm
BAD NEWS :LSU’s Claiborne just had wrist surgery for torn ligament…
GOOD NEWS: he ran a 4.39 in the 40….
hope the Bucs get him…
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:36 pm
If Tulloch’s deal is going to set the market, then Lofton is in for a big letdown. Tulloch signed a 5yr, 25mil contract with 11mil guaranteed according to Rotoworld. Lofton is now 4mil over the market – just a matter of time – either the Bucs get him or he goes home and gives a hometown discount.
Re: Morris Claiborne, The news should be that he ran a 4.39 40. The wrist is no big deal. This guy is not going to be easy to pass up – for anybody!
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:38 pm
BIG PICTURE GUY,
Re-Read the posting board.
Bobby started the McCoy defending when Thomas was just speaking on: Raheem, and the terribad back 7.
Clearly as fans, we want to protect our own, but McCoy hasn’t earned a damn dime of his payday.
What has McCoy done?
He got hurt for the 2nd biceps, oops i mean season, in a row.
We had to pick up Haynesworth and the laziest $7,000,000 spent.
So really, McCoy cost us his $30,000,000 personally, and the $7,000,000 for Hayneswurf (worst acquisition ever!).
I wish his salary could go towards something productive, (like 2 more pretty good players).
To this point, McCoy’s salary would have been better spent on “selling seats” to avoid blackouts…
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:43 pm
@Macabee
YES! $5 mil/year is next to nothing. Welcome to Tampa Curtis.
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:44 pm
Luck, Griffin, Claiborne, Richardson, Kalil
That’s how I see it going with no trades.
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:47 pm
@ ChrisFWC,
1. Luck
2. Griffin
3. Claibourne
4. Blackmon/Tannenhill
5. T-Rich to the Buccos!
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:49 pm
@Chris
The Vikes HAVE to take Kalil to protect their investment in Ponder.
March 22nd, 2012 at 7:02 pm
when healthy, the kid can play:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-YP5QY_4ZA
March 22nd, 2012 at 7:11 pm
We shall see
March 22nd, 2012 at 7:12 pm
Can you get off the Lofton crap for just a little while? The Falcons were tied for 3rd worst team in the league on 3rd downs BECAUSE Lofton stinks. Why do ou think the Falcons haven’t made any efforts to re-sign the guy? He’s Atlanta’s garbage. That’s the reason no other teams have had serious discussions with the guy and that’s the reason the Eagles trades for DeMeco Ryans instead of signing a free agent. They are all seriously flawed, especially Lofton.
March 22nd, 2012 at 7:21 pm
I see at least a wild card.
Would not surprise me if the battle for the NFC south is bucs v panthers.
March 22nd, 2012 at 7:43 pm
@Brandon
So you wouldn’t want a proven veteran quarterback for our young defense in here for 4-5 mil?
Wait, lemme guess…you want us to trade down and get Kuelchy right?
Lol
March 22nd, 2012 at 8:07 pm
I’m sorry, but it seems to me the Falcons are currently in the best position in the division.
And even the Saints…other than Nicks (who they had a replacement for) and a couple players, their offense is essentially the same.
And their defense was never all that great to begin with.
I don’t expect us to get Lofton. Would be great if we did, but I’m betting he goes bak to his team, since they have a strong chance now.
March 22nd, 2012 at 8:11 pm
@Bobby..
You need to slow ur roll with all that smack talk, especially against those on here. Noisy, rude. accustional. Shhhh….
Thank you @ Macabee for the Tulloch numbers, about d**n time they came in. 5 per year???, 11 guaranteed. Curtis’ agent sure has been smokin somethin.
Hopefully he comes to his senses. Hello Buccaneers!
March 22nd, 2012 at 8:18 pm
I’m starting to agree with Brandon. Although I don’t think he’s garbage, Atlanta does not feel he is anywhere near elite status. Hell, they replaced him with a guy who didn’t even play last year. Tatupu may be healthy now, but that’s still a very telling move by Atlanta. I think the Bucs will ultimately sign Lofton for a similar contract to Tulloch’s unless some other team overpays for him. He sure doesn’t deserve a bigger contract than Tulloch.
March 22nd, 2012 at 8:20 pm
I’m starting to agree with Brandon. Although I don’t think he’s garbage, Atlanta does not feel Lofton is anywhere near elite status. Hell, they replaced him with a guy who didn’t even play last year. Tatupu may be healthy now, but that’s still a very telling move by Atlanta. I think the Bucs will ultimately sign Lofton for a similar contract to Tulloch’s unless some other team overpays for him. He sure doesn’t deserve a bigger contract than Tulloch.
March 22nd, 2012 at 8:33 pm
WOW, thanks to Macabee….had no idea that Rotoworld, had that Contracts section, with each player, every dollar, that’s fantastic! Why doesn’t PFT just use that all the time, RIGHT AWAY, to post the numbers for us lazier searchers?!?!?
March 22nd, 2012 at 9:47 pm
Claiborne’s wrist surgery is not a big deal. The wrist affects nothing as a CB except maybe a few INTs become passes defended instead.
THEY NEED TO DRAFT CLAIBORNE, then a RB & LB
March 22nd, 2012 at 10:00 pm
I’m not worried about Claiborne’s wrist. He could lose his hand from the wrist down and still dominate with just a stump.
and Brandon, I agree that Lofton isn’t the future of the MLB position for TB but he’s one helluva upgrade from what we’ve got currently on the roster. We’ll slightly overpay him and hopefully replace him in a year or two. We CAN’T let Carolina and the Falcons run us over anymore. It’s just too embarrassing… ><
March 22nd, 2012 at 10:01 pm
1.CB
2.RB
3.LB
-or-
1.CB
2.LB
3.RB
March 22nd, 2012 at 10:03 pm
The surgery will be done on Claiborne’s left wrist anyway, will not have any effect on his ability to perform.
http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2012/03/morris_claiborne_will_be_part.html
March 22nd, 2012 at 10:12 pm
@ stevek
We get it, you want to waste a draft pick on Trent Richardson.
You’re like William Shatner mercilessly plugging Priceline.
March 22nd, 2012 at 10:13 pm
Everyone remember where u heard it first I bet the bucs go 10-6 and go deep in the playoffs maybe Nfc champ game.Go Tampa
March 22nd, 2012 at 10:18 pm
I don’t think the surgery is a big deal, but it’s ridiculous to say that a wrist doesn’t affect a CB. That is too insane for words. Do you have any idea how much a CB uses his hands(which FYI is connected to the hands)? On every single play. That’s like saying a RB doesn’t use his knees.
March 22nd, 2012 at 10:19 pm
Should be: connected to the wrist
March 22nd, 2012 at 10:23 pm
Hawaiian, I was exaggerating a bit. Your comparison isn’t even a comparison though. Knees are needed to run and cut. As long as a good corner can lift his arms and position his body most of the battle is over.
March 22nd, 2012 at 10:37 pm
Not true at all. They need it to jam, tackle, and hold (without getting caught of course). A wrist is an absolutely critical part of doing those things. But again, I don’t think it’s any cause for concern, just like a TR’s minor knee surgery isn’t a concern either.
March 22nd, 2012 at 10:38 pm
I think with the draft we need to draft the best player available if claibourne isnt picked we pick richerdson to make our offense explosive. but if claibourne is on the board we gotta pick him he will give an instant upgrade and make our secondary not great but good enough to compete imo. We made 2 great pick ups for our offense and a pretty good CB but we need to adress our weekness in the draft if hes there which is Mo Claibourne. Also imo we should not trade the #5 pick were are not a great team that can trade picks like he Patriots we need a a wow Player at #5 and we need lofton to come here and solidify our MLB position so our defense can get off the field quick and give the ball to free.
March 22nd, 2012 at 11:03 pm
Hawaiian, I’m a little surprised, your posts are usually well thought out and informative. You are right, generally speaking that a CB neeeds both his hands and obviously the wrists are very important. But we’re talking about a very specific injury here that has been diagnosed and is deemed to be not serious.
He suffered the injury in LSU’s 9-6 regular-season overtime win against Alabama, but played through the torn ligament the rest of the way. Claiborne had an interception against the Crimson Tide in that game, and two more in the Tigers’ final five games.
Even with the injury, his performance was not affected. One would likely assume if there are no complications in a minor out-patient surgery, that his on-going performance would not be affected, but most likely improved!
March 22nd, 2012 at 11:14 pm
@macabee,
That’s why I said it is no cause for concern. It shouldn’t affect whether we draft him or not. I was merely making the point that a wrist is very important to a CB, but his is not serious.
March 22nd, 2012 at 11:49 pm
It’s pretty much a lock that Claiborne will be there @ 5. Kalil going to Vikings is locked in just as much as Luck and RG3 going 1st and 2nd. That leaves us with only the Browns in front of us and it’s pretty clear they are looking to go offense Richardson/Blackmon/Tannehill. Claiborne will be there and he will be picked by the Bucs, mark my words.
March 22nd, 2012 at 11:59 pm
Please GM Marky D trade down and get a D-lineman maybe that Poe kid.. and take the DB out of nebraska in the 2nd round(alanzo denard?).. I cant handle another season of Gerald or price being hurt again.. Our team has zero depth at d-line and this team crumbles without pass rush…
March 23rd, 2012 at 12:36 am
Nate, you make a good point about depth on our Dline but if you’re us you don’t use your first pick on depth you use it on a starter.
March 23rd, 2012 at 12:50 am
I’ve never once been angry with anyone we’ve drafted, but if we take Poe, I’m going to throw a sh!t fit! He did jack sh!t at Memphis! Memphis!!!!!!! I’ve actually watched Memphis play, and never noticed him. That’s a really really bad sign. I don’t care what he benches, how fast his 40, or how much “potential” he has. I’d rather us just do an even swap with another team to have a later pick than draft him. I promise you this: any of you that have REALLY ever seen him play would never want him. Did I mention Memphis?!!!!
March 23rd, 2012 at 1:15 am
Hawaiian, I agree but don’t let your blood pressure get so high. It’s never gonna happen. 🙂
March 23rd, 2012 at 3:10 am
Back on topic, I think Carolina will win the NFC South, and we will come in 2nd and possibly get a wild card spot in the playoffs next year.
The Saints are done, and Atlanta and them will fight to stay out of last place.
The ball control game Schiano wants to run will win us games, but our defense will betray us. Carolina just has too much offensive firepower for us to stop.
Even IF we pressure Cam Newton, he will still burn us.
In fact, Cam Newton is so good, as long as he is healthy, Carolina will own the NFC South. God Help us if Carolina has another great draft, especially if, as expected, they draft a receiver with great speed.
March 23rd, 2012 at 5:17 am
@GenocideD,
Lol,I know, I know. The thought of us drafting him scares me, but I have confidence we won’t.
March 23rd, 2012 at 9:46 am
@Bucbelevr…thanks for the advice mom………
March 23rd, 2012 at 10:45 am
Hawaiian Buc has been 100% right throughout this conversation.
@Apple
I’m afraid I disagree about the Panthers. First, Cam is nowhere near as good as everyone thinks. Last year he had that new weapon thing going for him. Now there is tape on him and teams will figure out how to beat him.
At best, he’s a young Michael Vick…who was pure hype. There are still those who think Vick was a good QB in Atlanta…but he was not. He never even got them to the big game. The media loved him and exaggerated his skills.
And that is what we are seeing with Cam.
And, btw, what was the Panthers record last year?
No…the Falcons, at this point, are in the best shape. The Bucs will be better than the Panthers, and the Saints offends will carry them, barring any other damaging changes.
The Bucs are an anomoly right now…we could get worse, but we could also get much, much better. I think the Bucs will be fighting for the division next year…this year is a mystery.
The changes made so far look great. We’ll get a clearer picture in training camp on this year.