Surprise!
June 14th, 2013
The good folks at NFL.com who run the blog “Around the League” gathered recently to discuss all things NFL.
The troika, head honcho Gregg Rosenthal, Dan Hanzus and Marc Sessler, hammered out their surprise teams of 2013. Sessler chose the Bucs to play meaningful January games for the first time since 2007.
The Bucs exited the Raheem Morris era drenched in chaos, but Schiano arrived with a plan. Tampa’s coaching staff and front office are in sync, and general manager Mark Dominik isn’t afraid to swing for the fences. The Revis trade made it clear: The Bucs are going for the throat.
Sessler admits that one cannot buy the premise unless one believes Josh Freeman can lead the team to the playoffs. If you are a Freeman detractor, Sessler writes, then it is difficult to put the pieces of the puzzle together for a Bucs postseason berth.
If the Bucs make it to the playoffs in a very top-heavy NFC, probably the best the NFC has been since Bill Walsh, Joe Gibbs, Bill Parcells and Mike Ditka prowled the sidelines, Joe would not be shocked but pleasantly surprised.
And Joe likes surprises.
June 14th, 2013 at 6:37 pm
We will make the playoff despite Freeman’s inconsistency.
June 14th, 2013 at 6:41 pm
Freeman will lead us to the playoffs despite his naysayers.
June 14th, 2013 at 6:57 pm
He better or he is most likely outta here!
June 14th, 2013 at 7:00 pm
I doubt it. A winning season will mean a smaller contract, but he’ll remain in Tampa.
June 14th, 2013 at 8:01 pm
This might be the year again where 10 – 6 still doesn’t get you in.
June 14th, 2013 at 8:30 pm
I hate to say it but I’m a believer.
June 14th, 2013 at 8:44 pm
I wouldn’t consider it one bit surprising.
June 14th, 2013 at 10:00 pm
Free will have a great year
June 14th, 2013 at 10:24 pm
@Sharkcoasttactical.com
WHY on earth would you “hate to say” that? I would “hate to say” I am a believer that Cam Newton is going to have a big year and lead the panthers to the playoffs, but I am absolutely stoked to say I am a believer in the Bucs chances this year. If you are a believer, and a Bucs fan, there should be no “hate” in it
June 14th, 2013 at 11:16 pm
The playoffs are far more likely to made or broken by the defense folks.
June 14th, 2013 at 11:37 pm
@Biff….our defense will be ferocious this year. I really believe we have a defense that will rival the super bowl defense. The offense has only to do what it did last year and that is average about 24 pts a game. They do that and we are going to be very hard to beat.
June 14th, 2013 at 11:38 pm
lol funny video. they just dont make em like they used to.
June 15th, 2013 at 2:21 am
Bucs will win NFC South. How far they to after that, I have no idea.
June 15th, 2013 at 2:34 am
Bobby Says: June 14th, 2013 at 11:37 pm
“….our defense will be ferocious this year. I really believe we have a defense that will rival the super bowl defense.”
Doubtful. Not with the defensive line unable to handle injuries and a rookie DT that may or may not be good.
And this team is plagued with injuries EVERY YEAR.
I’m not intending to be a debbie downer. I loves the way this team looks in most areas. I don’t understand why the Bucs get so many injuries. If our starters could stay healthy we might be able to develop quality depth.
June 15th, 2013 at 9:03 am
This is a playoff team as long as they stay healthy. My biggest concern is the D-Line staying healthy. Of they do, they should get pressure on the QB. That may come with the help of Dakota Watson at SAM. I look for him to start allowing coaches to be creative with him.
Freeman will be fine. As long as the O-line stays healthy, the Bucs should pretty much be able to run the ball at will, allowing Freeman high percentage passes down the field, thus taking pressure off him.
Health is the key!
June 15th, 2013 at 9:48 am
Biff,
False much?
Freeman holds the keys to the playoffs, buddy.
Freeman can have the single most impact to make this team rise up.
The defense will do their thing, and we need our QB to take the next step.
June 15th, 2013 at 12:16 pm
Come January I think Schiano and our “no-nonsense” defense will be the story…Josh Freeman and the offense will be just the icing on the cake…Our “window of opportunity” officially opens this season…13-3 at best/11-5 at worst…this (is) a Super Bowl Caliber Team in my eyes…All Freeman has to do manage the game “allah” Brad Johnson; the pieces are all in place on both sides of the ball…all Freeman has to do is stay cool/confident, keep the chains moving, and don’t BLoW the friggin game…
June 15th, 2013 at 12:18 pm
”Young Frankenstein”–I had almost forgotten that existed.
June 15th, 2013 at 12:46 pm
Cody,
Have you seen our schedule? In order to go 13 – 3 we would have to practically sweep everyone in our division. 9-7, 10-6 if we’re lucky
June 15th, 2013 at 1:55 pm
Buc-n-Junkie, I disagree about the schedule. Why? Because we won’t really know how tought the schedule turns out to be until after the fact. Each team we play will have issues to deal with…and some of those issues will make them beatable. For example, if RGIII goes down, the Skins are very beatable.
stevek Says:
“Freeman holds the keys to the playoffs, buddy.”
I think you are partly right. If the Oline stays healthy and Martin does well I think we have enough weapons to win even if Jackson goes down.
But the defense will be important, because it will have to protect any lead Freeman builds. So in essence, I think it is a joint effort of Freeman, Oline and defense.
June 15th, 2013 at 1:56 pm
And I think every team in our division is beatable.