Bucs No. 26
July 16th, 2012
The 2011 season for the Bucs was uglier than Rosie O’Donnell in a thong.
Ineptitude with the running game, forced passes to a me-first tight end, ole defense, Joe doesn’t know where to begin… or stop.
Despite this, 2012 is a new season. Training camp is just days away. But the stench of 2011 has the Bucs ranked at No. 26, so writes Darin Gantt of ProFootballTalk.com.
And while the Bucs are among the teams that could really use a quick start to dispel some of last year’s problems, the first month of the season opens with a visit from the Panthers and trips to the defending champion Giants and the Cowboys.
Win a pair of those, and it becomes a lot easier for Schiano to sell his program at the pro level. Drop enough games to push the losing streak into the teens, and it becomes much tougher for him to play the tough-guy card.
The simple fact they were so bad last year means they would have to work to be worse, but there are reasons to believe they could get better.
There are plenty of reasons to believe the Bucs will be better. Having an offensive coordinator not allergic to running the ball springs to mind.
Will the Bucs contend for a Super Bowl? Joe hasn’t had that many beers yet. But turning around an awful season is not out of the question.
July 16th, 2012 at 8:10 am
It’s possible that this team will hit the bye without a single W. It’s horse-hockey to believe they’ll give up, or make Schiano walk the plank. Everybody needs to sell newspapers, but seriously. If this team is so mentally fragile that they’ll revolt after 4 games, then they aren’t the men we’re looking for. Even the Bengles are stronger than that.
July 16th, 2012 at 8:30 am
I don’t buy the team doesn’t buy in if they don’t win at first. Dungy Marinelli and Kiffin had similar principles and weren’t successful at first. This isnt a get rich quick scheme. Players that don’t buy in will be on the Lions.
July 16th, 2012 at 8:33 am
Could not read a WORD after the horrible image of Rosie O’Donnell in a thong.
Awful, just plain AWFUL Joe!
Buccaneers in 2012?
Can’t WAIT!!!
July 16th, 2012 at 8:34 am
The first order of business is to show that the team can play competitive football again regardless of the results. Yes Schiano is going to be measured by wins but that really won’t happen until we can play competitive ball again. Being blown out after the first 10 minutes of football was the ugliest garbage I’ve ever seen and to think that Dominik survived the purge leaves him very little wiggle room for him. As far as Schiano and the team, to know that we still have a chance when the 4th qtr starts will be a good beginning.
July 16th, 2012 at 8:56 am
This is why the home opener is so important this year. It’s a game the Bucs should be able to win and take the pressure off the coaching staff and the players. With that win, they should be able to look respectable against the Giants, keep it close against Dallas & beat Washington. Saying that, I don’t think Dallas is all that good and the Bucs may be able to squeak out a win there. I agree a 2-2 record would be a great start.
July 16th, 2012 at 9:05 am
The loyal fan base will recognize that it will take a little time to right the ship after years of low investment and poor FO decision-making (low performing draft picks and unwise contracts).
I will be on-board no matter what the record is this year. I expect improvement in every phase of the game, but I don’t expect a 49er-esque turnaround, but I will take it if it comes!
Those who know the game know that we have many questions to be answered (Josh Freeman included) particularly on the defense. The rebuild that should have begun in 2009 just began this year and my opinion – can’t be completed in one year.
So count me in for the long-haul. The major turnaround won’t be physical, it will be psychological. We must believe we can win and go out and impose our will. That will take time!
July 16th, 2012 at 9:29 am
Hilarious how the expectations get downgraded as the season approaches.
After it does start and reality hits then it will be “we knew it would take time”…….”were rebuilding”.
July 16th, 2012 at 9:30 am
Wow, Macabee got there already!
July 16th, 2012 at 9:38 am
Eric you’re like a turd in the punch bowl.
July 16th, 2012 at 10:26 am
Hey, don’t insult turds like that!!
July 16th, 2012 at 10:26 am
I remember when we expected to win the division. Now we “just want to compete in fourth quarter” and not get blown out?
Wow how things have changed.
I thought we were chuck full of talent?
Where’s all the bravado?
July 16th, 2012 at 10:39 am
What do you think Erica? Should we win the division this year with a brand new coaching staff from top to bottom?? Think that’s realistic little fantasy football man? And you call us delusional??
July 16th, 2012 at 11:22 am
Eric,
Just being truthful about my expectations, not trying to influence other opinions. Interesting that you noticed and I’m sure you have an opinion of your own.
I dont think you live in a punchbowl. I think you are a very clever and witty guy, so I would be disappointed if you didn’t have an opinion and of course was willing to share it with us.
If we don’t hear from you, then you leave me no choice other than to relegate your comments to simple website chatter and shouldn’t be considered for relevant thought!
July 16th, 2012 at 11:39 am
I expect the New Schiano Order will get schooled for at least 6 games before they turn this ship around or even win a game. My expectations were tempered by Tony Dungy who didn’t understand that the other team prays to the same God and you have to have a successful game plan. He never did get the whole offense thing.
There will be a severe learning curve and it could get ugly, but I suppose we will give it the old college try.
Imagine if Josh Freeman breaks a leg or blows out a knee early in the season. It happened to Brady a couple years ago but Belicheat actually had a plan B. I just hope we have a plan, Raheem never quite got that.
July 16th, 2012 at 11:59 am
Joe did you have to use the visual “Rosie Odonnel in a thong”?? Oh man that ruined my entire morning just trying to picture that.
July 16th, 2012 at 12:36 pm
IMO if they could somehow get two wins by the bye week they could approach 8 wins and be in the running for a wild card.
That requires beating Panthers in week one.
Amazing what some confidence can do for a team.
Om the flip side 0 dash 4 or 1-3 could destoy confidence.
So splitting it i see 6-10 in our future.
July 16th, 2012 at 12:42 pm
I’m still saying were gunna b ok, despite what the “critics” say
July 16th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
Eric,
My faith is restored! Without training camp or any other up-close evaluation and given what I think is a tough schedule, 6-10 is a reasonable prediction at this point. Kinda what I was alluding to in my original post!
July 16th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
Joe, please promise you’ll never ever use that …….. Rosie visual again …….
July 16th, 2012 at 3:58 pm
You don’t shake off RahRah like incompetency, lack of professionalism and bad habits in training camp.
It will take some games under a true NFL system to adjust to pro football – which this team has not been playing since 2008.
By midseason we should see improvement.
July 16th, 2012 at 4:08 pm
NO, no, no, have some faith we will win 2 of the first 3 games.1o-6 record or better
GO BUCS!!!!
July 16th, 2012 at 6:03 pm
OK Eric. So, why are you saying it’s going to take time to right the ship by predicting 6-10 and yet at the same time ragging on everyone else who’s saying the same thing?? I don’t think we’ll be quite that bad but I think we’ll be somewhere around .500.
July 16th, 2012 at 8:00 pm
@bobby
Yep.
But hey, everybody needs a hobby right?
July 16th, 2012 at 11:14 pm
A win at Tampa Stadium on opening day vs Caroline will go a long way.
July 17th, 2012 at 5:44 am
Who knows how the season ahead will unfold. Remember, prior to the “grotesque” 10 game losing streak, the record for the previous 25 games was a respectable 16 dash 9.
July 17th, 2012 at 8:03 am
Bucs beat Carolina week one. When did Carolina become the tough division for that everybody thinks the Bucs can’t beat. If the Bucs just come out and play hard they will squash Cam and crew.
July 17th, 2012 at 10:14 am
One thing is for sure…I don’t see Cam Newton repeating his rookie season now that there is tape on him. He is ripe for a sophomore slump. I see us getting pressure on him and we’ll see how he does when he doesn’t have the holes to run through and he has to throw in a hurry.