Joe Predicts A 6-10 Season
September 7th, 2012
Joe gets asked all the time what he thinks about the Bucs’ prospects for the 2012 season. And Joe now has an answer to share. Preseason “calls” are almost obligitory for every fan, an annual tradition. They’re fun. They’re annoying. Here’s what Joe’s thinking:
Every Bucs fan wants to imagine Greg Schiano is the next Jim Harbaugh, but that can’t be expected.
Schiano is a first-year head coach, with a first-time offensive coordinator, and the Bucs have new systems on both sides of the ball.
Schiano also has to overcome a team whose core is stuck in a 10-game losing streak. That’s not always so easy to stomp out of a team’s collective mindset. The head coach also is hoping for huge seasons from two starting rookies on defense and he’s banking on guys defensively that are injury-prone and unproven. Also out of the gate, Davin Joseph is toast for the season.
Those are some damn difficult hurdles to overcome immediately in order to become a winning football team in 2012. Also working against the Bucs is the fact that Schiano isn’t walking into a heinous NFC West, like Harbaugh did last year. Schiano is jumping into a division that’s loaded with talent and successful teams in the Saints and Falcons, and one in Carolina that had an elite offense in 2011.
Joe would love to see Josh Freeman prove otherwise, but right now he’s the fourth best quarterback in the NFC South and he likely doesn’t have a defense that can win him games.
Yes, Joe does believe in the New Schiano Order. Joe’s toes are on the line. Joe looks at the schedule and the task at hand and sees the Bucs winning two games in the first half and evolving into a more dangerous team that goes 4-4 in the second half. Add that up and Joe predicts a 6-10 season.
That written, Joe truly won’t be stunned if the Bucs surprise and do a little better. The Bucs have playmakers, assuming they stay healthy. Guys like Aqib Talib, Vincent Jackson, Josh Freeman and LeGarrette Blount have proven they can put a team on their backs for a game.
Joe’s rooting for the Bucs to go 16-0 like every other fan, but Joe’s expectations sit at 6-10.
September 7th, 2012 at 5:53 pm
I would add 1 more win to that total for the season prediction. 7-9 sounds about right.
September 7th, 2012 at 5:58 pm
I just want to beat Carolina on Sunday. I’ll worry about the other 15 games later.
September 7th, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Shaka brah!
I’m tired of sitting in RJS and seeing the Bucs getting blown away. 40+ points tacked on the Bucs the last two meetings with Carolina. I don’t see the Bucs turning it around that quickly.
Hope I’m wrong, but I see them at 4-12 again.
September 7th, 2012 at 6:01 pm
I can see that Joe. I say 8-8 in a late season rally to get to .500. I don’t trust McCoy staying healthy and I still need to see who Freeman really is.
September 7th, 2012 at 6:03 pm
Yea I want to beat the Panthers too. I was sitting on 8-8, but I am now thinking 11-5. No seriously lol.
Playoffs!!!
Worst to first!
September 7th, 2012 at 6:03 pm
Joe, you are out to lunch on this. That is only two games more than last year. What this team did to New England, 1st team to 1st team, tells me they are going to win more than 6 maybe as many as 10, depends on injuries. Have another drink and come back with a new prediction.
September 7th, 2012 at 6:14 pm
Doesn’t matter what record you predict you’re always gonna get attacked by one fan or another.
September 7th, 2012 at 6:16 pm
I hope for and always predict 16-0. Nothing wrong with a realistic approach to predictions but I hate the feeling of predicting a loss just to see the boys pull a win out.
September 7th, 2012 at 6:36 pm
I got 8-8 or 9-7, the New Schiano Order and Mike Sullivan’s offense along w/ added ballers (V Jax, Barron, D. Martin, L. David) will propel this team and put them in the playoff hunt. This is not the 2011 Bucs team.
September 7th, 2012 at 6:44 pm
You must be an optimist, Gregg Rosenthal called it 3-13 with the rest of the NFC south 10-6.
September 7th, 2012 at 6:46 pm
“Doesn’t matter what record you predict you’re always gonna get attacked by one fan or another”
That’s why Grande doesn’t make predictions. Oar’s head would explode!
Miguel sure would love to see a 16 dash 0 season, but his head might explode.
September 7th, 2012 at 7:04 pm
Not too many people predicted 10-6 in 2010, and very few predicted 4-12 last year. There’s just no way of knowing. Our schedule looks very tough, but it may end up being very easy. It could also be even tougher than it looks. An NFL expert has about as much chance correctly predicting wins and losses as my 8 year old daughter. There’s just way too many variables in football, and all the changes we have made makes it even tougher.
September 7th, 2012 at 7:05 pm
And the bucs sign Anthony Hargrove ! jp, but yeah cool.
September 7th, 2012 at 7:07 pm
I won’t make predictions. I just want to see a team that is competitive and doesn’t get blown out every week. This year is about getting better and hopefully seeing the young players get better. I just want to see some promise and hope for the future.
September 7th, 2012 at 7:11 pm
I bn callin for 10-6 since the draft this team isn’t as bad as it showed last yr go bucs!!!
September 7th, 2012 at 7:36 pm
I see it at about 3-13..same old bucs,we didn’t change enough, talk is cheep
New coach says one thing does another, josh is not ready, neede much more work and the d is historical bad.
September 7th, 2012 at 7:55 pm
Joe. You are wrong. 10-6.
September 7th, 2012 at 8:17 pm
“same old bucs,we didn’t change enough,”
——
Seriously, we didn’t change enough? 100% new coaching staff, new schemes on both sides of the ball, at least 6 new starters, about a 30% change in the overall roster, and “Bob” thinks we didn’t make enough changes? Would you like us to change the nickname while we are at it? How about we move into a new stadium? Would that be enough change to satisfy you, Bob?
It’s fine if you think we will be terrible, we may very well be. But some people b!tch and moan and groan for changes, then when we do a COMPLETE overhaul, and it’s still not enough. I would love to hear what more “Bob, the I could easily be an NFL owner and fix this situation” would have done. I am literally shaking my head at the though process of some people.
September 7th, 2012 at 8:19 pm
Had to laugh … I knew the response would be to pounce on Joe. I agree with Joe. We are as weak as last year on defense if not weaker. The offense is unproven and without Joseph, not as strong. New systems on all sides of the ball and I’m not sure the team is successful. The Bucs will suffer from pathetic drafting for a few more years. No depth will kill the team. Am I a hater because I gave my honest evaluation? In the eyes of some, I am. But, frankly, I couldn’t care less. It’s my opinion based on my obervations.
September 7th, 2012 at 8:26 pm
“I got 8-8 or 9-7,”
This is about where I’m at. Got a question, though, Joe. If we happened to come out & stomp the ‘stinkin panthers’, would your prediction change much? I don’t think mine would, as they’ll prolly drop one or 2 of those I think they’ll win. Always seems to go like that.
September 7th, 2012 at 8:49 pm
Hawaiian Buc is is one of the few people looking at this the right way. Bob is an idiot.
I have a question for everyone else…since when is it better to think the worse if the future is unknown?
10 wins, but with 8 being acceptable.
September 7th, 2012 at 8:51 pm
Wow Tampa should change it’s name to Homerville.
10-6, 9-7 heck even 8-8???? I’m gonna call the Hillsborough Cops to find out what stuff you dudes are smoking.
Didn’t anyone watch the Skins game?
NEWSFLASH: THE BUCS HAVE NO DEPTH!
Sure we got some upgrades at WR and TE but until Freeman gets his crap together, and I didn’t see it in the 2012 preseason, expect the offense to struggle. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:
JOSH FREEMAN IS NO FRANCHISE QB. 2010 WAS A FLUKE.
6-10 is optimistic. Thanks Joe for being a voice of reason and sound mind, that’s why I have the upmost respect for you.
September 7th, 2012 at 9:01 pm
I said 10 wins in 2010′ and I believe more this year. And for the record, I am never ever wrong.
September 7th, 2012 at 9:04 pm
Melon predicts 1-0. (16 1 week seasons).
Believe it.
September 7th, 2012 at 9:18 pm
There have been SO many changes, it’s hard to predict what is going to happen. I want to see how they look Sunday to get a barometer.
September 7th, 2012 at 9:24 pm
The way I see it,
The Bucs will probably split the NFC South games:
3-3
The games against the AFC West, the bucs will be better than .500:
3-1
For the NFC East, they will split it:
2-2
The remaining games against the Rams and Vikings, the Bucs have the edge:
2-0
For a season record of:
10-6
September 7th, 2012 at 9:34 pm
Agree with Joe..way behind the rest of the NFC South….six games against…lucky to win one-two would be major.
September 7th, 2012 at 9:45 pm
Who pounced on Joe for his prediction? 1 out of 27 disagreed and gave their prediction. Oh and one said he was ‘out to lunch’ hardly a pounce.
September 7th, 2012 at 9:54 pm
12-4 YEAH I SAID IT! Best team in the NFC!
September 7th, 2012 at 10:01 pm
Carolina – W
NYG – L
Dal – L
Wash – W
KC – W
NO – L
Min – W
Oak – W
SD – W
Car – L
Atl – W
Den – L
Phi – W
NO – L
STL-W
ATL – L
9&7 Mark it down… on the record
September 7th, 2012 at 10:08 pm
I love how naysayers always say 2010 is a fluke. I laugh at that. But let’s play devil’s advocate and say 2010 was a Fluke, they still won10 games with an not so experienced head coach who was not good as a DC, one of the worst OC’s in Buccaneers history, A QB with a broken thumb to start the season, Poor coaching with the exception of Special Teams coach and offensive line coach, a rookie #1 receiver, a 1st round draft pick that got hurt halfway through the season, and virtually no star free agents. 2010 was not a fluke it was team that overachieved. also they were 4-2 at the start of the season before things fell apart. A team that can over overachieve with circumstances like that, can surely overachieve with better coaching, better discipline, better draft picks, and better free agents. I predict at 9-7, I think they will be a much improved team in 2012.
September 7th, 2012 at 10:46 pm
Sounds about right.
Problem is those first four games are tough. 0-4 is a distinct possibility. Then u gotta go 6-6 rest of the way.
Young man from Rutgers has a tough hand to play. But this is the NFL nothing would surprise me. 8-8 would be excellent.
If i had to bet id say 5-11.
September 7th, 2012 at 11:06 pm
Mr Lucky pretty much nailed it. The homerism is at an all time high, and drastic over haul? I’m not seeing it. We have a first year HC, a first year OC, a “franchise” QB who has no faith in himself, let alone whatever system they plan on using. A career backup RG, first year starting center, a ticking time bomb at right tackle, and an over weight left tackle who didn’t practice all training camp. The best thing about our o-line is Carl Nicks, and they didn’t look all that good in pre-season. The rb situation isn’t all that great either..I mean we averaged what, 2.8 yds per carry in the preseason? Thats not enough to take away any pressure off of the “franchise” QB.
The D-line is just the same as last year. One potentially good DE in Clayborn, maybe even toss in Bennett aswell, but outside of that it’s good ole GMC, who has yet played a combined 16 games in his career. The linebacking core is probably the worst starting unit in the NFL, and the DBs aren’t that far behind. The only potential bright spots are Talib and Barron.
Look i’m just as much a Bucs fan as the next person, but lets be real here. If they finish any better than 4-12, i’ll gladly be back to eat my healthy dose of crow.
September 7th, 2012 at 11:34 pm
The Bucs will take care of Carolina. Beating Carolina is more fundamental football. There not the Pats, Steelers or Giants. There is a year of film on the chosen one ( Cam Newton).
The Bucs will surprise the critics.
September 8th, 2012 at 12:00 am
I may be a little optomistic but 9 and 7 sounds right to me………they will rock and roll to above avereageness
September 8th, 2012 at 12:21 am
I agree with palm beach buc except on SD and PHI… maybe 8-8 because I see us splitting with NO.
September 8th, 2012 at 2:17 am
In Vegas today and 6 wins is what the odds makers have us.
September 8th, 2012 at 2:20 am
We will be 10-6! Come on Joe!
September 8th, 2012 at 3:05 am
@Nate, you should be with me in Vegas. I couldn’t bring myself to take the bet. Too many unknowns right now.
September 8th, 2012 at 3:31 am
So, Joe…will we see a “Joe Eat’s Crow” post if they win more games? 😉
September 8th, 2012 at 3:33 am
1976Buc Says:
September 8th, 2012 at 2:17 am
“In Vegas today and 6 wins is what the odds makers have us.”
If they set that as the line, they are hoping most will take the under. And most will. That means they really believe the Bucs will win 7 or more games.
September 8th, 2012 at 5:32 am
@Peter,
I HOPE I’m wrong.
I HOPE to come on here and admit that everything I saw in the preseason was wrong.
I’d LOVE to write that the Bucs head coach should be up for HC of the year nomination.
Sadly I believe that I’m going to just as correct in 2012 and I was in 2011 when I had to absorb all the criticism for being ‘real’ and not being a ‘true fan’ because I can call it like I see it.
As for Joe…well I’m sure they’ve got the integrity to “Do the Right Thing” right Radio?
September 8th, 2012 at 9:09 am
No one has a clue to what the Bucs or anyone else’s record will be. Most analyist predict basically the same results as the proir year. If you take a look at the ESPN power rankings, it is pretty much a mirror of the end of last season (with a few exceptions). The teams with the winning records are all at the top, the teams with loosing records are at the bottom. What brilliant analysis goes into that? This year is a clean slate and I have unlimited hope for a fun, successful season! I do think with the talent that this team has, if the new coaches adequately compete with their peers, then 6 games seems a little low but we’ll see. I live in Tampa, this is my team and I’ll support them regardless.
As for every one being so down on Freeman, if you look back at his stats from last year, the only two that are not better than the year before are his turnovers and touchdowns. Certainly those are critical to winning, but are also not that surprising, given the defense was so bad and they were always playing from behind. He wasn’t as good as all the hype at the end of 2010 and he is not as bad as all of the negitiave comments towards him now. With better coaching and supporting players, he think he will be fine. Here’s to a great season! Go Bucs!
September 8th, 2012 at 9:12 am
I can’t make a prediction on this team. There are too many questions. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if the team went 4-12 and I also wouldn’t be surprised if they went 10-6. Honestly 4-12 would be acceptable if we were competitive in each game. First goal is to go from losing 45-10 and turn those into 27-24 type scores. Obviously the goal is to win, but we have a long way to go until we can expect 10 win seasons.
September 8th, 2012 at 9:48 am
The Bucs are better than most of you are giving them credit for. The slow starts that put us in the hole all of last year and even the year before were strictly coaching. These guys were so far over their heads it was unbelievable. In 2010 all of you hard core fans should know it was the Freeman show & he was one of the ONLY reasons we finished with 10 wins. Raheems poor defensive scheme & Olsens play calling put us behind every game. It was Freeman working the two minute drill and calling his own plays at the end of these games that gave us the wins in the final seconds. Last year was just too much for him and the rest of the offense to dig out of the huge hole Morris would put them in time and time again. Then they finally quit on him! 8-8 would be a great start to rebuilding this team.
September 8th, 2012 at 10:54 am
Spammed again.
Since when are quotation marks spam? Hate the spam filter here.
September 8th, 2012 at 11:43 am
It is hard to have a realistic prediction when This new coaching regime has not played in a real game experience yet… I will say though, based on history and the past results of teams with these same issues (new coaching staff, new schemes, college HC, etc.) coupled with my doubts about freeman as a Qb, if the Bucs can do better this season than 5-11 I will be surprised to say the least!
September 8th, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Joe,
I agree with the 6 – 10. I believe that to be a realistic prediction.
As far as my optimistic prediction it is 10 – 6 (homerism).
Hawaiian,
What was your 8 year old daughters prediction?
September 8th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
MOST PEOPLE HAVE OUR BUCCANEERS AT AROUND 4-12 TO 6-12 FOR OUR RECORD IN THE UP COMING SEASON. BUT IF WE CAN BEAT THE PANTHERS IN THE FIRST GAME OF THE 2012 SEASON I THINK WE CAN SNEAK UP SOME TEAMS AND FINISH 9-7 BUT TO DO THAT FREEMAN MUST TAKE CHARGE AND FORCE HIS WILL TO WIN GAMES AT ALL COST’S. SHOULD HE FAIL AGAIN THIS YEAR IT’S TIME FOR HIM TO MOVE ON AND WE SHOULD TAKE THE BEST AVAILABLE Q/B IN NEXT YEARS DRAFT FOUR YEARS IS ENOUGH TO PROVE YOUR THE REAL DEAL. I HOPE WE SHOCK THE WORLD THIS SEASON. GO BUCCANEERS.
September 8th, 2012 at 6:29 pm
The schedule is just insane. Who thinks we are going to win in Oakland? Dude come buy Some stufff from Me after u Put down the pipe. NFC south is the toughest division in football…well besides us..we play everyone twice and then look at the rest of the schedule. We could easily go 0-6 win in minn and then not win again until st louis..I hope I eat my words but I see 4-12..
September 8th, 2012 at 9:51 pm
You all are on crack we might beat min,kc,stl, other than that maybe get lucky and get one more that’s it boys….. Put the pipe down!
September 8th, 2012 at 10:33 pm
If the Bucs finish 6-10 the local media and most fans will be relentless in ripping the coaching staff, the players, and most of all Freeman and he will be history after having failed to lead the team to more wins. This team was able to beat NO and Atl last year before the collapse and now the young core is a year older, we have added significant talent, and a more complete coaching staff. 6 wins is a bar to low for this team and sells them short as they are capable of more.
September 9th, 2012 at 7:29 am
JUST RAISED THE JOLLY RODGER UP THE FLAG POST A FEW MINUTES AGO TO START THE BUCCANEERS SEASON. LETS HOPE WERE VICTORIOUS AGAINST CAM NEWTON AND HIS PANTHERS TEAM.
September 9th, 2012 at 8:15 am
I love it when national media sells the Bucs short…but when local media and fans do…that’s embarrassing.
I’ll put my money where my mouth is…a bet, Joe.
If the Bucs win 6 or less games, I’ll change my name to Patricia Dutcher for a month. If they win more than 6 games, you post as “Joanna” for a week.
How about it?