The Countdown: 20 Worst Buccaneers Personnel Moves Of The Past 10 Years — No. 18
July 10th, 2015
It’s the countdown feature you’ve all been waiting for. Not really, but on the heels of last year’s award-winning “20 Worst Buccaneers Of The Past 10 years” feature, Joe had to deliver.
A list like this is highly subjective and toxic. Fits of rage were common during production meetings at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters. Scared interns soiled their pants. Full beer bottles were smashed, and a treasured Rachel Watson poster was accidently destroyed. But order was restored.
Current and former general managers and head coaches might not like what’s coming, but it had to be done. This is what happens when your team is 30-70 in its last 100 games.
No. 18 — Garrett Gilkey: Virgin Center
This move is relatively insignificant in Bucs history, but it’s so stunning, so unthinkable, that it deserves a spot in the rankings. Somehow, someway, Lovie Smith and Jason Licht deemed it acceptable to employ a backup center who had never played the position.
That’s right. There was no high school, college or NFL preseason experience at center for Garrett Gilkey when he started for the Bucs last season in Week 13 against the Bengals. Keep in mind Tampa Bay was still in the playoff hunt!
Bad snaps and a sea of penalties marred Gilkey’s debut in the Bucs’ one-point loss. Mike Evans was so mad at Gilkey he apologized after the game for confronting him and said, “I lost my head.”
Evans’ disbelief and rage was misguided. It’s not Gilkey’s fault he was asked to do a critical job for which he was not prepared.
July 10th, 2015 at 12:31 pm
Jameis Winston and Mike Evans 2 players with attitude. It’s going to be a perfect marriage.
July 10th, 2015 at 12:44 pm
Garrett Gilkey starting at center #18? There are far worse blunders from this team. Why not the signings of Garrett Gilkey and Oniel Cousins from Cleveland at number 18? How about the fact that Gilkey is still on the team and actually the starting right guard at this point at number 18!?
July 10th, 2015 at 1:10 pm
what playoff hunt were the bucs in?
July 10th, 2015 at 1:23 pm
Wow…..where on earth did this come from?……..I can’t wait to see the 17 that topped this!!! (sarcasm)
July 10th, 2015 at 1:25 pm
Could’ve easily substituted cutting Jeremy Zuttah for this one
July 10th, 2015 at 1:26 pm
@joe- thanks for posting numerous articles everyday. I told my self I would take a break from the bucs until camp started, but I can’t. So I’ll be raising a beer for you and your minions tonight!
July 10th, 2015 at 3:31 pm
In week 13 the Bucs were still in the playoff hunt. They were also in the hunt for the number one overall pick, both true, but that just don’t sound right. Was it parity or the NFC South just was that bad? 7-8-1 winning it indicates the division all struggled.
July 10th, 2015 at 4:53 pm
I think Joe took his 20 worst moves, threw them up in the air, and started posting them in the order he picked them up….because it doesn’t make any difference! They are all bad moves!
July 10th, 2015 at 5:57 pm
Wow what a random thing to put on this list. So far I have seen 3 things that were not worthy of making it on any list. Joe you need to step up your game because you are pointing out some dumb sh$#! Very lame so far.
July 10th, 2015 at 7:22 pm
” in Week 13 against the Bengals. Keep in mind Tampa Bay was still in the playoff hunt!”
LOL
Gilkey’s playing time last year was all part of the master plan to get Winston.
If Gilkey is on the 53 man roster come September – we are likely still in trouble up front. If Gilkey is starting come September its gonna be time to hit the hard liquor just before kickoff time.
July 10th, 2015 at 7:25 pm
This makes me a “Bucs back up center.” And I am ahead of Gilkey on the Bucs depth chart because I actually played center in high school.
July 10th, 2015 at 11:57 pm
He played no worse than EDS or should I just say ES
July 11th, 2015 at 12:11 am
Unacceptable. Any scrub free agent would have been better than a guy who has never once snapped a football. Almost impossible to fathom!
I really wish we still had Zuttah.
July 11th, 2015 at 1:22 am
They were sandbagging it for Jameis.
Otherwise it would be a really stupid move.
I thought we had already agreed that they were losing on purpose- to get Winston. If So, why keep beating them up for doing the brilliant move???
Starting Gillkey was yet another strategy to accomplish their goal. Plus they got to see if Gillkey has any aptitude at Center. He had looked pretty good a guard.
Hard to understand the hatred at Gilley, or anger at Bucs. I pay for my tickets- just like everyone else. I was thrilled to see this organization do the smart move for once. They fought for and got the number one pick!!! And the best Quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck!!
Good job Bucs!!! The smart move!!!
Every other year, the idiots would have won some pointless game, and lost the Franchise QB.
Great job starting Gillkey out of position. And holding Lavonte David out of games. And throwing Mankin in the lineup without knowing the plays
And a dozen other moves- that let Licht draft the QB he had wanted for years
Jameis Winston!!
Bad moves? Really? Only if you are too short sighted to appreciate the true objective. I think the moves were brilliant
July 11th, 2015 at 8:58 am
Love the countdown topic this year! Number 18 is a little weak though and this wouldn’t of even made most Bucs fans top 50. You can do better Joe.
July 11th, 2015 at 9:04 am
Just stop it Capt Tim. They were not tanking in week 13. They were tanking but left Evans, McCoy and David on the field? The tank job started in the 2nd half of the final game when the three best players were actually pulled off the field. NFL coaches and GMz do not tank seasons in November unless they want to experience the thrill of the unemployment line.
July 11th, 2015 at 10:47 am
Although I don’t think the Bucs were trying to tank the game, I think they were more interested in 15 than 14 and player development.
This whole stupid concept of this post is just inane and a day to get more taps to this site for Joe to satisfy his advertisers.
Footage of car wrecks, girl fights and be headings are next.
July 11th, 2015 at 11:31 am
They were in the hunt for Jameis.
July 12th, 2015 at 12:03 am
TouchdowntatoFinglongofaname
Licht is already on record, saying he wanted Ed to draft Jameis, even before he came to Tampa
If you look at last years draft- they were getting all the pieces in place, so Jameis wouldn’t be surrounded by Rookies- but would have some weapons in Evans,Sims, And Sefarian Jenkins.
They didn’t start sandbagging on week 13.
They started on week one.
And it was a brilliant decision