Help Is Needed
May 20th, 2015
Bill Polian wags a finger at those who believe the Bucs are a complete team.
Yes, the Bucs added a franchise quarterback in the draft, “America’s Quarterback,” Jameis Winston. Yes, the Bucs added a pair of rookie offensive linemen projected to be starters.
Also, the Bucs bought quite few second-tier free agents that not just add depth, but know Lovie Smith’s defense.
It’s not enough, suggests soon-to-be Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian.
In a BSPN recap of all offseason moves, the Bucs got a favorable grade (“B”) from a panel of BSPNers, including Polian. However, if Bucs fans are expecting Jameis to lead the Bucs to San Francisco and the Super Bowl in February, then Polian believes a rude awakening is around the corner.
“I am not one who thinks Jameis is the savior,” Polian said. “They will have to play around him, certainly as a rookie. But everything else is pretty much in place. They need a sound, steady running game.”
Yes, the Bucs need a running game, which would also relieve pressure from young Jameis. The team also could use an edge pass rush — how many friggin’ years have we been typing this?
As great as Andrew Luck is, notice he even needs help getting the Colts over the hump. Again, Joe is looking at six wins this fall, as of now. Way too many questions and wishes stand in the way of the Bucs making a run at a playoff berth.
May 20th, 2015 at 4:37 pm
The Bucs arn’t going to the Superbowl this year? Who would have thought it?. In other news people get older every year.
May 20th, 2015 at 4:47 pm
America’s quarterback??? That’s a joke, right???
May 20th, 2015 at 4:59 pm
Wow, so the entire team needs to play well? Groundbreaking analysis there, Bill
May 20th, 2015 at 5:02 pm
Absolutely not!
May 20th, 2015 at 5:10 pm
Joe if you’re going with America’s Quarterback, go all in. lose the quotes
May 20th, 2015 at 5:19 pm
Nobody knows what will happen. That’s what keeps the fans coming back year after year, decade after decade. Anything can happen including success. The law of averages have to be in the Bucs favor at this point in the ongoing good vs bad outcomes.
May 20th, 2015 at 5:21 pm
Extremely profound analysis there Bill.
May 20th, 2015 at 5:25 pm
I think we will be much improved on both sides of the ball and could even sneak into the playoffs if the NFC South has the type of season this year as they did last season but I think 7-9 to 9-7 is most likely, with us just missing the post season. In 2016 we will be a playoff team again and will be a real contender 2017-2020 if Winston becomes the franchise QB that we all hope he will be. I think we are going to surprise some folks this season by over achieving but we do need a few more pieces. It would be really awesome if Tampa gets awarded another Superbowl and the Bucs were actually playing in it!!!
May 20th, 2015 at 5:40 pm
America’s Quarterback is stupid Joe. Im a Winston fan. please stop it. I didnt mind “rock star” for MD, actually thought it was pretty good but this is just stupid.
May 20th, 2015 at 6:04 pm
Joe has a huge man crush on Winston and wants to bare his children or worse.
Yes, the Bucs need an edge rusher but they have also had other needs as well after a dozen years of bad drafting which saw us take a plethora of DL with high draft picks who never panned out.
Even the seemingly best one, Adrian Clayborn, was drafted full well by the Dummynick knowing he wasn’t an edge rusher and admitted as much on NFL Sirrus radio. He stated at the time he thought he was an 8 to 10 sack guy.
Thanks Dummy.
Funny how Joe never posted that link.
Fortunately the Bucs haven’t been trying to reach in the draft to get one and have instead been trying to pick through the waiver wires and small college FA’s in an attempt to get one.
Just may have worked with Jacques Smith.
May 20th, 2015 at 6:42 pm
Agree with all the posters here who are pointing out the Bill is stating the obvious. DUH! The good news is that there are less than a half dozen teams heading into this season as “complete” teams without all the questions we have.
Better still is that none of those “complete” teams play in the NFL South.
We’re in a crappy division with a soft schedule. Just remember who preached this. 2-14 to 11-5…the Baltimore Colts…2-14 to 11-5 the Kansas City Chiefs.
Common denominator there is at QB! We have our QB.
We can win ten this year guys. Not because Fameis has turned us into world beaters, but because we have improved in what is a rotten division.
We win ten this year…it’s one and done in the playoffs…and then the debate begins about who we need to help get us over the hump and do more than just “make” the playoffs but actually advance.
May 20th, 2015 at 6:57 pm
Jameis could be the savior. He was drafted to be just that, IMHO.
Can’t wait to see the Mariota vs. Jameis matchup. Both there last game in college and first on as pros will be against each other.
May 20th, 2015 at 6:58 pm
I don’t care what anyone says. We lost 8 games last yr by one score. WIth a better OL and a real OC and MG at the Helm from day one last yr we win 8 games and the div. If we cant win 8 games this yr with JW then wtf are we doing?
May 20th, 2015 at 6:59 pm
ASJ needs to step it up. If he can avoid fumbling, dumb ass penalties, and injury then we got something. 2/3 should be correctable, and that is exciting.
May 20th, 2015 at 7:11 pm
I sense a lot of fear sweeping across this league. It is my belief that the Buccs are now all of sudden the topic of so many tongues is because they can tell… A storm is brewing in the Bay.
May 20th, 2015 at 7:19 pm
@Nole on Sat.
I like your thinking.
I agree 100%.
The rest of the teams are looking at us for a change.
It’s actually quite refreshing.
May 20th, 2015 at 7:21 pm
Hey Nole how goes it bro? You know my history so I can’t tell you how happy I will be if we can find a way to protect JW and he can find a way to protect himself when he is not in uniform then I think we are in for something special.
Protect JW. No other team in the NFL had Two 1,000 yard receivers with the 30th ranked Offense in the NFL. Go Bucs
May 20th, 2015 at 7:23 pm
Howdy to you as well Dave Pear.
May 20th, 2015 at 7:28 pm
How’s Montana this time of year Gatr Buc.
It’s already summer down here.
I don’t mind the heat.
Born and raised here.
Also golf prices go way down because the snow birds have flown the coop.
🙂
May 20th, 2015 at 7:30 pm
Dang.
Just say your old name gets you on moderation timeout.
May 20th, 2015 at 7:32 pm
As a long time Bucs fan (since 76), I’m not drinking the, Kool aid this season. I dranked last yr and had to take Omeprozole for the remaining 8 games of our season!! I am terribly worried about our punting game and Defensive End position. Lets keep it real fellow Buc fans, We have no monster, no feared pass rusher. Not even close. But I do see us getting that monster in next yrs draft. I got us surprising some people and going 8-8. Maybe 9-7 if…..the football Gods are on our side.
May 20th, 2015 at 7:38 pm
Jameis needs no help, he is the Messiah, right Joe? For someone to earn the moniker of savior and franchise quarterback without having taken a snap in the NFL he must be so good that God himself couldn’t do better.
To hell with the offensive line, or even the recievers and running backs, Jameis can move mountains to block for him, smite defenders with lightning, and part the Gulf of Mexico on his way to the end zone.
May 20th, 2015 at 7:38 pm
Lol Dave 🙂
Don’t know why either. I think I’m ok.
May 20th, 2015 at 7:40 pm
Hey Walkda. Let’s just let Joe have his day for now. He is happy after being wrong the last couple yrs and that is cool. I get ya man but Everyone needs two years to say…..” I told you so” or something like that
May 20th, 2015 at 7:43 pm
Buc-A-New,
I used your REAL old name.
It’s like krytonite to the Joes.
May 20th, 2015 at 7:55 pm
I know man. And it shouldn’t be. Lets keep it on the DL
May 20th, 2015 at 7:59 pm
No joke
May 20th, 2015 at 8:06 pm
I’m right there with you on 6 wins but by preseason week 3 I might say 8-8 or 9-7 just depends on injuries/scandals/trades blah blah blah ……
May 20th, 2015 at 8:10 pm
I’m of the school of thought that what we need is a new attitude. Winston and Evans are going to bring swagger back to the team. How will the Vets react? Will they go all in or will there be a division in the lockerroom? I think mcdonald Evans and vjax are on-board lets hope everyone else gets on-board too.
A good craftsman never blames his tools.
May 20th, 2015 at 8:17 pm
I like the quotes around a nickname that has never been used by any media outlet outside of this site. It may not mean anything to the Joes but I used to click this site a whole lot more when there wasn’t a nonsensical nickname attached to every mention of Winston. It’s flat out irritating, there’s no logical reason to call him that.
Cowboys are “America’s Team”.because there are cowboy fans EVERYWHERE. Jameis is just a media hot button, and he isn’t even the most popular when it comes to that. B-rady is dominating the airwaves, Manning is dominating the sponsorships… Maybe I’d feel better about it if there was a legitimate reason to give Winston that sort of title.
May 20th, 2015 at 8:22 pm
WalkDaPlank..lol YES all of that and more!
May 20th, 2015 at 8:45 pm
Whus going on Buc always good hearing from you my friend. I think Koetter will provide Jamies with a fair share of 3 step drops and some screen game to break him in. I also think our Oline someone dubbed the “warthogs”will play alil more enthused this season. I mean Jamies is a big deal and I’m sure they all have families to feed know what I mean.
May 20th, 2015 at 8:47 pm
Edge rusher and good coaching are the Bucs needs every year!!! Fix this Glazers!!!
May 20th, 2015 at 10:50 pm
Tampa tony please,save that. StPete this for you. You mention your belief that we’ll win 10 games and be one and done in come playoff time. That’s where we differ in opinion. The one aspect that no one seems to be taking into consideration is Jamie’s competitive fire. To hell with polian’s assessment,recall for a moment what he did after losing 13 starters to NFL. He went on to win all but one game. My belief is if this young so much as sniffs the tournament in year one lord knows what may happen. No bold predictions here. I just know my guy ain’t wit the losing. O’leary and Greene were one thing,Mike Evans and company are another.
May 20th, 2015 at 11:24 pm
Even us die hard buc fans aren’t saying they’re gonna be in san fran, but like Polian and everyone else in the world, i have no clue. We re just saying they’re gonna be much better than 2-14
May 20th, 2015 at 11:29 pm
so the bucs drafted tom brady? tom brady is already america’s quarterback. jameis needs a new moniker, but that ain’t it, no matter how hard you try.
May 20th, 2015 at 11:48 pm
Most of “America” begs to differ.
May 20th, 2015 at 11:58 pm
Oh lurker, my dear …. Obviously you haven’t been kept in the loop lately. Brady is officially “America’s Deflating Quarterback”. Jamies was promoted by Joe (who writes this darn column for you to either click on or not) and many other positive posters on here as the new “America’s Quarterback”.
If you don’t like it then Delta is loading whenever you are packed and ready. Have a pleasant evening!!!
May 21st, 2015 at 1:02 am
u talkin to joe?
May 21st, 2015 at 2:13 am
hey skydancer, he can keep saying america’s qb and i can keep saying brady. so sad it bothers u. why don’t take a long walk of the short pier? america’s qb is just a silly moniker. it doesn’t matter how many joe6packs like it. that is my opinion, silly person.
and your comment about deflating is exactly why brady is ‘merica’s quarterback. he is more hated and loved than winston. but you know why joe calls winston that, right?
ps thanks for hopping on the bandwagon err…changing your screen name. i have been pro-winston for a long time.
May 21st, 2015 at 7:10 am
we’ve done more with less…quarterback play could have gotten us a few more wins last year and considering how close most of the bucs losses were last year I think 6 wins is the minimum this team should accomplish. bucs will get back to respectability and it doesn’t have much to do with Winston as you would think. I believe this team has finally found a formula for drafting good players
May 21st, 2015 at 7:47 am
America’s QB,sound damn good to me…
May 21st, 2015 at 8:45 am
Brady is the best qb to ever to play period and I do not like the pats
May 21st, 2015 at 10:16 am
2016 draft must be teeming with DE pass rushers since we haven’t drafted one in years worth a spit.
May 21st, 2015 at 10:23 am
Hey chickster, get the puck outta here with that Brady spit! Best ever my arse! Ever seen Montana or Marino, even Jim Kelly? Just b/c you win Super Bowls doesn’t mean your the reason why. Bradshaw has 4 and he wasn’t the sole reason why. Brady is good, but how good we will never know b/c there the stigma of cheating his entire career.