The Countdown: Worst 20 Buccaneers Personnel Moves Of The Past 10 Years – No. 20
July 8th, 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.
Bruce Allen, Jason Licht and former Bucs rockstar general manager Mark Dominik 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. 20 — Failing on near trade for Brett Favre
There was a point in the summer of 2008 that the Bucs were on the cusp of trading for Brett Favre. Heck, The Tampa Tribune even reported there was a deal. But Favre went to the Jets for a conditional fourth-round draft pick.
Now the story goes that Packers personnel legend Ted Thompson decided not to deal Favre in the NFC, but it’s clear that at some point in the negotiations the Bucs were inches away from making it happen. Man, they needed to get that deal done, especially with a good football team already in Tampa Bay.
Joe was a Jeff Garcia fan, but he was no Brett Favre, who had two strong seasons left in his Hall of Fame body.
Considering the Bucs collapsed down the stretch in ’08, losing four straight to miss the playoffs at 9-7 — including a home loss to Jamarcus Russell — the fail on the Favre deal probably cost the Bucs a shot at a real Super Bowl hunt, as well as a higher level of commitment by ownership.
A “non-move” like this making the rankings will happen two more times. This one illustrates Joe’s focus on winning a Super Bowl. That’s the only goal.
Favre in 2008 would have given the Bucs that rare shot. That’s the year the 9-7 Cardinals and their ancient QB won the NFC.
July 8th, 2015 at 3:19 pm
A team won the NFC with a 9-7 record one year? Had no idea. That is unreal.
July 8th, 2015 at 3:25 pm
Speaking for Pablo
“Pablo thinks Jeff Garcia is the greatest…Pablo knows Jeff is no Bret….but Jeff is as good a QB as the Bucs have had since. Pablo wanted Cody Fajardo of Nevada but is happy with Jameis (Hamus)……Fajardo is an UDFA for Oakland”
July 8th, 2015 at 3:28 pm
Remember this! This was when Gruden wouldn’t “marry” his QB and was looking for that single season thrill
July 8th, 2015 at 3:32 pm
Favre would have at some point thrown away a couple of games with interceptions so I don’t think we missed anything by not signing Favre. I love the column but I’m not sure I agree with this. One could argue not signing him was a good move too.
July 8th, 2015 at 3:33 pm
Ahhhh Jon Gruden. What an idiot. Great work ethic though.
July 8th, 2015 at 3:36 pm
Lmao….Hamus!
July 8th, 2015 at 3:41 pm
That would have been nice but who cares all roads lead to the main prize #FamousJameis
July 8th, 2015 at 3:43 pm
Good stuff Joe!
Farve was there and if you can go 9-7 with a washed up Garcia, then you can go 11-5 with Farve and make a run. Also, the missing out on Farve started the chain of events that led to the firing of Gruden which led to the current buccaneer hell we currently live in.
July 8th, 2015 at 3:44 pm
Reread the article, disregard my first post. RIF
July 8th, 2015 at 3:45 pm
@D-Rome – Can’t believe you could think not signing Favre was a good move. I need a drink
July 8th, 2015 at 3:46 pm
I think Pablo should get a guest column. Hamus. LOL.
July 8th, 2015 at 4:06 pm
The defense quit plain and simple. It looked just as bad in those last four games as this past years did giving up points . Farve would not stop what Monte caused.
July 8th, 2015 at 4:07 pm
Saving Doms dumb moves for the top 15 spots!!! I like it
July 8th, 2015 at 4:22 pm
Pablo only likes Jeff Garcia because his last name is Hispanic and he talked gayish.
July 8th, 2015 at 4:40 pm
Buc A New hit it right on the head….”gayish”…ha!
Those San Fran QB’s seem to be a little questionable..
July 8th, 2015 at 5:16 pm
@Patrick. I had no idea what RIF stood for. I googled it and realized I should be utilizing that acronym alot for my clients and myself as well.
July 8th, 2015 at 5:20 pm
Speaking for Pablo
“Perseguir para Hameis”
July 8th, 2015 at 5:28 pm
Favre was the MF pimp!
http://www.ranker.com/list/hottest-jenn-sterger-photos/celeb-spotter?format=SLIDESHOW&page=5
July 8th, 2015 at 5:44 pm
I’m not sure that failure to acquire a player in a trade can even be considered a “personnel move,” so I vote to summarily disqualify this entry.
Plus, the conditional fourth-round pick the Jets offered included performance escalators that could have made it a first-round pick. Of course, had Favre achieved those escalators, maybe it would have been worth it.
Favre preferred Tampa. Gruden thought the deal was a certainty. But since Ted Thompson, and the Jets, and Favre’s agent all had plenty of say in the matter, I’m not sure I can completely fault the Bucs for failing to make this non-“personnel move” come to fruition.
We’d all have a very long list of hot girls we’ve been with if we could just randomly pad the list with “non-hot” girls.
July 8th, 2015 at 5:46 pm
Ahhh so Pablo is pursuing Jameis this should be interesting for the Media.
July 8th, 2015 at 6:13 pm
@Buc-A-New
Speaking for Pablo ” perseguir….closest word for chase.
Pablo agrees with Senor Mofo…..Pablo loves Senor Mofo (not in that way)…..Pablo thinks possible unsuccessful trades are much like the many jobs Pablo didn’t get….or the many children Pablo may have and not know. Pablo thinks not bringing Anthony Munoz out of retirement could be on the list if not acquiring Favre is there.”
July 8th, 2015 at 6:30 pm
@TBBF
No personales movimientos no son movimientos de personal.
That’s as close as I can get in my broken gringo Spanish.
July 8th, 2015 at 6:35 pm
Blowing a 9-3 record and missing the playoffs by getting destroyed by JaMarcus ” I don’t watch film” Russell, has to be the low point of my Bucs fandom. I’m still embarrassed by the end of that season.
July 8th, 2015 at 6:49 pm
If it was the Packers that nixed the deal, how is this a bad movefor the Buccaneers? What a lousy way to start this list. A move the Buccaneers didn’t even make. What? You only had 19?
July 8th, 2015 at 6:52 pm
Yeah but how many times would he have shown our beloved Rachel Watson his shriveled purple manhood ??
July 8th, 2015 at 6:58 pm
Yea that 4 game stretch to end the 2008 season was a real kick in the balls.
I wonder how many times in NFL history a team sitting at 9-3 failed to make the playoffs?
That month of December was just a pre-curser for the next 6 years of suckitude.
I blame Monte for telling his players that he was leaving at the end of the season which was still a month away. No reason to do it. And it sent this team into a spiral from which it has yet to recover from 6 1/2 years later.
Had Favre come to Tampa Bay – it likely all would have been different. Heck Jon Gruden might still be the coach…
July 8th, 2015 at 7:09 pm
@TBBF
Señor Mofo knows just enough Spanish to speak to bartenders, women in bars, the SSPDF, and the Federales. Todo lo demás es superfluo.
The high temperature here in Mexico City tomorrow will be 71 degrees fahrenheit. I wonder what it will be in Tampa tomorrow?
Señor Mofo does not miss the oppressive heat and humidity of the U.S. south. Señor Mofo also appreciates that since Mexican broadcasters are not bound by the Fox/CBS broadcast rights, there are more NFL games shown on Sunday here in Mexico City than there are in any U.S. market.
Señor Mofo appreciates consumer choice, and believes that the NFL goes a little too far to protect its primary product, which is actual football games. If you want people to embrace your product, make it as widely available as possible. Drug cartels learned this a long time ago.
But Señor Mofo digresses. Back on point, not getting Favre was not a “personnel move.” Like George Carlin used to say about the FAA reporting two aircraft almost colliding as “near-misses.” They aren’t “near-misses,” they are “near-hits.”
July 8th, 2015 at 7:16 pm
Off topic here. But does anyone know why training camp and preseason are starting so late this year?
July 8th, 2015 at 7:37 pm
Yes, as some have already pointed out, this was one of Joe’s worst articles. They tried to make a deal for Favre but lost out through no fault of their own. How in the hell is this on the list.
July 8th, 2015 at 8:06 pm
@steve said:
Off topic here. But does anyone know why training camp and preseason are starting so late this year?
—————————————————————————————
I think it’s roughly tied to the date the season starts. Last year, the first full slate of Sunday games began September 7. This year, the first full slate of Sunday games isn’t until September 13. So, training camp and preseason will start a little later accordingly.
July 8th, 2015 at 8:16 pm
You have Favre on the table you get the deal done. I agree with Joe. Whatever it took. Draft nut Ted Thompson would have creamed his pants for a 1st-round pick. It’s not like Joe put this in the toop-10. It’s at the bottom of the list.
July 8th, 2015 at 8:19 pm
2008 was the Monte the Traitor year. Couldn’t keep his mouth shut and be responsible, no……he shocked his defence and they laid down in protest.
July 8th, 2015 at 8:21 pm
You can’t really say guys quit in that 4 game stretch. We had the lead or tied in the 4th in each game. Was brutal to watch. Cris hovan was done and 55 was playing on one leg
July 8th, 2015 at 8:42 pm
In 3 of the 4 last games they gave up 38, 41 and 31 points. They quit. All this happened after Monte made it known he was done. Gruden made a statement it would not be a distraction. It was. This team has never recovered.
July 8th, 2015 at 8:49 pm
It doesn’t matter. Now we have our own Brett Favre. An immature southern gunslinger who will make us cringe a lot of the time, and who will dazzle us with his brilliance at other times.
And, oh yeah, he will almost certainly send somebody an ill-advised dick pic.
GO BUCS
July 8th, 2015 at 8:53 pm
It doesn’t matter. Now we have our own Brett Favre. An immature southern gunslinger who will make us cringe a lot of the time, and who will dazzle us with his brilliance at other times.
And, oh yeah, he will almost certainly send somebody an ill-advised d*ck pic.
GO BUCS
And curse comment moderation!
July 8th, 2015 at 8:56 pm
Monte Kiffin is to blame for Morris and Schiano. If I saw him in public I would speak my mind! He is personally responsible for Gruden’s firing. We have spent SEVEN years recovering.
July 8th, 2015 at 9:16 pm
Monte is also very much responsible for one of the best defenses of NFL history and many great years in Tampa. Or did you all forget that? SMH…
Apologies if this double posted – internet was being lame.
July 8th, 2015 at 9:20 pm
James I hope you do see him and “speak your mind” and I hope he pimp slaps you while wearing his Superbowl Ring. I actually agree with ’87 for a change, Tampa does have some pretty terrible “fans”
July 8th, 2015 at 9:23 pm
@James Walker
Huh. I didn’t realize that Monte Kiffin promoted Raheem Morris from position coach to head coach. I also didn’t realize that Monte Kiffin hired Greg Schiano.
Dynasty teams have a sound organizational philosophy that permeates through all of their decisions from the top down. They do not scramble around wondering what to do when they lose a key coach or player.
July 8th, 2015 at 10:05 pm
Good LAWD now people are bashing Kiffin?
HOW DARETH YOU!
You people make me cringe…
July 8th, 2015 at 10:30 pm
If it cost a superbowl then it is not #20. More like #2. Otherwise why list what did not happen? And do we have to go through 19 more days of this? Just give us your list!
July 8th, 2015 at 11:17 pm
I think the number one screw up should be not signing Drew Brees when he was a free agent.
Even the local fans back then thought he had nothing left in the tank. I was mad the Bucs passed.
We see how it worked out now. We would have been the number one team in the division for years.
July 9th, 2015 at 12:51 am
Lovin’ me some Sr Mo Fo and TBBF right about now.
Perspective has a great deal to do with this team.
July 9th, 2015 at 10:45 am
What a joke this whole post and story line is.
I remember that time clearly and recall almost every member of the media jumping on Gruden because he wasn’t showing loyalty to Garcia.
I think I also recall Favre being injured for the Jets.at the end of the season and they lost a slew of games that kept them out of the playoff. Besides, as was stated earlier, the defense is what folded at the end of the year, particularly our run defense. Started against Carolina on a nationally aired game against the Panthers.
As Jack Nicholson said, “Go sell crazy somewhere else, we’really all stocked up here,” Joe.
July 9th, 2015 at 12:47 pm
Joe needs click bait! Let him fill 19 more days of content.
July 9th, 2015 at 9:04 pm
Sorry late to the party… But, Thank you Joe for making this a part of your list.. For those that remember the truth… Green Bay knew they had to play us…. They blocked the Central teams “Vikings”..from the trade.. But GB also knew we had a team that was only missing a quality QB… Bret Farve said himself. When we got on the plane we were going to Tampa “thought he was a Buc”… He was 100% wanting to work with Gruden. same offense. His agent Cook. during the flight came to him and said.. plans changed.. going to be a Jet…. Jets matched our offer.. GB upped the Ante to us… again not wanting to face us with him… Glazers ..whomever . cash strapped… ego.. whatever.. Farve went to a much worse team for his skills… If you were truly a real Buc fan at that time.. this crushed you… the pain started at this point.. Garcia ran around like an idiot … Seattle Game he got crushed!!!. Done… Sorry for the rant.. and being late to post… By the way… I have a brand new (never worn)Garcia jersey that the ex in-laws gave me for xmas that year…. look on my face was priceless! he was good for bringing Hot wife to Tampa…. thats it!.. IMO…. But hey , Im a Buc fan, totally could be wrong..
July 9th, 2015 at 9:27 pm
@drdneast… So what if Kiffin chose the the lesser of two evils. Farve comes in and lights up the NFC in a offence that he mastered… maybe he tells his pos kid to suk it… Injury …give me a break.. does that happen in Tampa doing the same thing he did forever… B4tch played better with a broken thumb than any of our GBs ever… ur arguement is weak… again in IMO! but what do I know.
July 9th, 2015 at 9:31 pm
* Better