“No Reason” Not To Win 10 Games If…
April 3rd, 2013
Yes, the Darrelle Revis to the Bucs chatter shows no signs of letting up, partially because at this time the Bucs have two moon craters roughly the size of the Grand Canyon at cornerback.
Bucs fans are anguished, upset, frustrated, nervous, angry, and fed up with seemingly no movement in sight — in their eyes — to try to fix one of the worst cornerbacks stables in NFL history, despite the draft around the corner and the regular season not kicking off for another four months.
Joe’s of the mind Bucs fans are so peeved a cornerback hasn’t been signed, they’d settle for a cripple so long as his first name isn’t “Myron.” Now there are fans out there who believe Darrelle Revis is not the answer. In fact, these same fans believe Revis alone is not a savior, and he can’t single-handedly put the Bucs in the playoffs.
The person who would have to get the team over the hump, even with Revis, said fans belelive, is Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman.
One of these fans fired off an e-mail to olive oil-lapping, popcorn-munching, coffee-slurping, fried-chicken-eating, oatmeal-loving, circle-jerking, beer-chugging, cricket-watching, scone-loathing, college football-naïve, baseball-box-score-reading Peter King of SI.com.
RICK DOESN’T THINK REVIS IS WORTH TWO HIGH DRAFT PICKS. “Trading that much for Darrelle Revis is a bad idea. The Bucs are not one player away from winning it all. Revis has proven himself as a player more focused on his contract and he uses the media to push that agenda. Greg Schiano isn’t the type of coach to condone that. The Bucs are a young team. I am not sure Revis is the type of player you want mentoring your young players. I say one second-round pick and a contract worth no more than $9 million a year considering the current CB market would be a fair trade.”
— Rick, Providence.That’s not going to get it done — either in compensation paid to the Jets, or contract paid to Revis. You may be right about the Bucs not being close. But I will say that they were playing well at the start of last year, and if Josh Freeman can be a B quarterback, they acquire Revis, and Revis stays healthy, there is no reason why Tampa Bay can’t win 10 games and be a playoff contender.
Though Joe wouldn’t lose too much sleep if the Bucs get Revis, coughing up two first round picks is a bit much.
As Joe has stated many times before, the Bucs are not one player from a Super Bowl, far from it. While Revis will surely help, Joe just cannot see the Bucs hoisting a Super Bowl trophy aloft in victory just because Revis is wearing pewter and red.
Will Revis help? Sure. Is he the answer? Not unless Freeman can prove his 2010 season was the norm.
April 3rd, 2013 at 4:07 pm
“Will Revis help? Sure. Is he the answer? Not unless Freeman can prove his 2010 season was the norm.”
agreed
its put up or shut up time for Freeman. even though I am a HUGE Freeman supporter, even I can recognize the upcoming season is his last chance. if he doesnt get it done I too will be part of the mob standing outside one buc place calling for his head. lol
April 3rd, 2013 at 4:13 pm
I agree 100% with your last statement, Joe. Freeman is really the key here, but without some serious upgrade at corner we have absolutely no shot at the playoffs! I still cringe when I think about how our secondary gave away the game against the Eagles last season, but no matter who we get at corner, it won’t matter if Josh doesn’t step up and be more consistent. He can’t afford another 4 game stretch where gives up all those picks. I do believe though, that Dom & Schiano DO actually have a plan. The worry is, it mostly hinges on the Revis it seems, where they’ve put all their eggs in that one basket. If so, I’ll be pretty upset if they give away a 1st round pick.
April 3rd, 2013 at 4:14 pm
I think we will get Revis, and pay through the nose for it too.
No, we are not one player away from a Super Bowl.
However, Dominik is one more losing season away from being out of a Job.
Revis will almost guarantee a winning season, and save Dominik’s Job, so the deal will happen.
April 3rd, 2013 at 4:23 pm
Get off Freeman!! We had a top 9 offense under him and a 29th or 30th ranked defense, but yes it’s up to Freeman to out score everyother team we play because our defense gives up so many points.
Rick Stroud this is why your not a GM and just a beat writer. Bet he wouldn’t of gave up the picks for Gruden that gave us our only Superbowl also huh.
Fans don’t think were one player away. I agree, but a Revis probably changes the out come of 2 to3 games last year.
April 3rd, 2013 at 4:28 pm
Joe
Maybe the DBs in the last Atlanta game are good enough for next year with the additional help. I know we need help but I don’t think we are as bad off as everyone is saying. Also if Josh Freeman plays his A game with the line back, we will score a lot of points also.
So I am happy to just sit and wait to see what we have in the preseason because there is nothing any of us can do about it.
April 3rd, 2013 at 4:32 pm
Right on Sirusthevirus!
April 3rd, 2013 at 4:39 pm
Great piece Joe! Finally, something mentioning the Bucs and Championships.
We can do this. There is no reason to think that we aren’t in the playoffs next year if we get Revis.
Hell, Joe, Revis took Mark Sanchez and “King Hippo” – NES “Punchout!” (Rex Ryan) to back to back AFC championships.
It will cost us two first round picks. So what! So long as Revis can give what Keyshawn gave us, then so what.
I like our chances for Butch Davis/ Greg Schiano/ and Mark Dominick to find another 2nd round stud.
As good as Doug was last year, David is our Team MVP and Team Rookie of the Year. Watching David play defense last year gave me hope, the kind of hope missing since The 4th Hanson Brother (Dom) cut Derrick Brooks.
Ronde, one last hoorah! You have been thru it all since 2002, please see the team and fans back into the playoffs! Ronde plays like Dungy coached, quiet and good. Your pick in 2002 NFC Championship Game is forever engraved in memory as my most awesome live play. To me, that is the “immaculate interception”. Thank you for your years of greatness, selflessness, and hard work. You, my friend, are an absolute Baller.
One more year Ronde, you got it! Heaven forbid, Freeman “snaps too”
form and is a “A+” QB, we can gladly crown our “Flacco”.
Even Ronde Barber as a role player, is still Ronde Barber. You have something left in the tank, I respect you for your decision, and can only hope you are here one more year.
April 3rd, 2013 at 4:42 pm
@Joe – You sound like state sponsored U.S.S.R. media at this point, with the state being the Bucs front office. Your editorials are hilarious in that they follow a constant pattern of subversively negative Freeman articles followed up blatant pollyanna for your hero, Mark Dominik. Keep it up. I hope it turns into a job for you.
April 3rd, 2013 at 5:17 pm
This team can make the playoffs in two ways:
1. Fail to improve this crappy defense but get Freeman to play at an elite, Brees/Rodgers type level (not going to happen)
2. Improve the cornerback position, depth at other defensive positions, and let Freeman play his game (hopefully with more consistency from him because it’s his second year in the system)
The way I see it, option 1 isn’t going to work. So why are Bucs fans so hung up on Freeman? He’s good enough to win with an adequate defense, so let’s give him one. Revis will go a long ways to getting us there
April 3rd, 2013 at 5:18 pm
The Bucs secondary isn’t as bad as all the panic attacks suggest. Sure the Bucs need an upgrade at corner, but how much of the problem was actually the scheme? Curious that they fired their secondary coach. Last game of the year they change the scheme and look what happened. They beat the mighty Falcons. Wright may be over paid, and he certainly wasn’t there for 4 straight losses, and recall that before that he was playing injured.
Now it’s a new season, and we have arguably the best safety tandom in the game. That’s gotta help. If wright comes back healthy (and hopefully more appropriately paid), and the Bucs draft a couple of good corner prospects, that’s gotta help too. Now, if they have learned something in the scheme that helps protect the corners a little better, then it could be a completely different situation this year. If Revis gets acquired, even better.
Even last years rooks are a year better. Surely they learned a thing or two. So all this whining is way over done. I know I’m glad it’s Dom and Schiano that’s making decisions rather than what comes across this forum. I’m beginning to think Joe is just pressing fan’s emotional buttons. But then, that is so easy to do.
April 3rd, 2013 at 5:22 pm
I doubt the Bucs will give up two 1st round picks for him. 2nd and a 3rd sounds more like it or a 1st and trade the Jets 6th for the Bucs 4th. Dom is stingy with draft picks and you will have to pry a 1st out of him. Usually Dom gets a pick of the lower rounds in return.
April 3rd, 2013 at 5:23 pm
During the five game losing streak; the D gave up 30 points per game. Tom Brady & Aaron Rodgers would have a tough time outscoring the opposition. This was a problem all year! Freeman had some tough games, but in order to win consistantly you have to make some stops. (See ’99 Bucs D)
April 3rd, 2013 at 5:30 pm
It’s about time somebody else beside me realizes that the fate of the Bucs playoffs lies NOT on the defensive side but in the hands of #5!
Unfortunately I am of the mindset that #5 will….wait…..wait…..wait….
CHOKE!
Just like he’s done in 2011 and in 2012.
Unless the Bucs can get an experienced QB that will push/mentor Freeman 2013 looks no different than 2012. The sad part is that spending draft picks in 2014 for Reves will further set the Bucs back when they have to draft another “franchise” QB in 2014.
Unfortunately the Bucs are beginning to resemble the Raiders of the East.
April 3rd, 2013 at 5:36 pm
@ bucbucbuc
what happens if we do, eventually, upgrade the CB position with an improved pass rush and we still don’t make the playoffs? ultimately as unfair as it might seem the QB is going to be held responsible for that, it just comes with the territory. we go as far as Freeman takes us, especially once we get our holes fixed. personally I truly believe Freeman is going to have an excellent season and he will lead us to the playoffs, but Ive been wrong before.
April 3rd, 2013 at 7:32 pm
Trade the picks. Look at Dominik’s track record with the draft. More than likely he’ll “miss” on those picks anyway.
April 3rd, 2013 at 7:45 pm
I completely reject the notion that we are not one player away so we shouldn’t bring in Revis. That is pure stupidity! So we should only go after great players if we are on the cusp of the Super Bowl? Uh, hello, how do you get to be on the cusp of the Super Bowl – by acquiring great players!!!!!! This is the most ridiculous argument ever for not bringing in a great player. You build your team around great players!!!! We were 7-9 with the worst secondary in football, yet we were still competitive in every game but one. If Freeman didn’t go all Trent Dilfer, we would have been in. I promise you, nobody wanted to play us in the playoffs. If you don’t think Revis would have helped us last year than you’ve been hanging out with Tanard Jackson too much. It seems like damn near every year the #6 seed wins the whole thing, but according to some, we aren’t even close. Why don’t we wait 4 years for us to be a championship level team, then let’s bring in a bunch of stud players. Yeah, that makes perfect sense.
April 3rd, 2013 at 7:46 pm
“Trade the picks. Look at Dominik’s track record with the draft. More than likely he’ll “miss” on those picks anyway.”
——
Yeah, because he had such a terrible draft last year, right? I would love for you to give me a team that had a better draft. Go ahead, I’ll be here all night.
April 3rd, 2013 at 8:03 pm
did anybody see that do over of the 2009 NFL draft on NFL network a few minutes ago? that former FB, I forget his name, moved Josh Freeman all the way up to the 4th pick in the draft, so clearly somebody other than bucs fans thinks he is a good QB. Warren Sapp clearly disagreed given his reaction of hiding behind the draft board. lol
April 3rd, 2013 at 8:26 pm
I’d go to the draft not worried about Revis. I’d pick at 13 and then see if the Jets really want to deal. I’d give up this and next 2’nd round picks, throw in Blount and tell the Jets to take it or leave it, and get nothing for Revis in 2014. If we don’t get Revis, it isn’t the end of the world. Draft a few of the best CBs available and roll the dice. I personally would still draft a Dlineman at 13. I don’t like picking CBs in the first round early.
April 3rd, 2013 at 9:48 pm
BigMac,
I like your idea about waiting for the draft AFTER the Buc’s have taken their #13 pick.
HOWEVER, unless you get a contract done with Revis BEFORE the trade you run the risk of him leaving after the 2013 season and you’ve lost the two 2nd round picks.
April 3rd, 2013 at 11:01 pm
Absolutely right on the contract. I think the Jets are bluffing and I’d call them on it.
April 3rd, 2013 at 11:22 pm
Bucs4life:
You’ve been watching “The Americans” too much.