Buccaneers: 2015 Team Of Destiny
September 6th, 2015
The funny analyst on World Series of Poker broadcasts makes his real money as a sports columnist.
Joe’s talking about Norman Chad, who is very hard to top when it comes to quick wit and regular-guy humor.
Chad has named his annual NFL Team of Destiny. And this year, the Buccaneers have earned the high honor.
Chad is all-in for America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston.
He was briefly detained by campus police for firing a BB gun at squirrels. Please. George Washington once cut down a cherry tree; you tell me whose juvenile actions hurt the ecosystem and the environment more, GW’s or Winston’s?
He made some unfortunate, somewhat vulgar comments about women while giving an impromptu speech in FSU’s student union. Uh, Donald Trump does this on an almost daily basis, and a year or so from now he might be converting 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. into luxury condos.
(Column intermission: Jets quarterback Geno Smith was punched by a teammate last month, sidelining him six to 10 weeks. How come no one on the Bears ever thought of this?)
The full piece is linked above. It’s a nice break from yawn-inducing practice squad Tweets.
September 6th, 2015 at 9:29 pm
Laughing my mouth off- LMMO
September 6th, 2015 at 9:41 pm
Hahaha that picture is to much man, to much. Simple as that.
September 6th, 2015 at 9:47 pm
5-11 parcels coaching them with lovie 3-13
September 6th, 2015 at 9:53 pm
Well that does it. That pic is my wallpaper now.
September 6th, 2015 at 9:57 pm
Stranger things have happened! I see Chad has the Bucs a tie better than my 10-6.
Heck, if Winston minds his P’s and Q’s and has a healthy supply of soft drinks and seafood at the training table, the Buccaneers could go 10-5-1.
September 6th, 2015 at 10:17 pm
We have one of the weakest schedules in NFL history. We have only 2 games against playoff teams(i’m not counting the 7-8-1 Panthers). With this schedule we should go at least 13-3,a 11-5 season won’t impress me with this cream puff schedule.
September 6th, 2015 at 11:05 pm
I was all in on 10 wins for a while now but I just don’t see the vision that L&L have. The fact that the Titans just traded from RB West from Cleveland and have Shankey has me fearful of our rush defense. Plus we give up so many short passes. I pray that L&L make me look like an uneducated fan but I just don’t see their vision.
September 6th, 2015 at 11:37 pm
DB55
I certainly respect your concerns. They are valid. In this case we have to lean on the old cliche that a good offense is the best defense. I just hope Koetter calls a game that keeps the Titans offense off the field.
September 7th, 2015 at 1:34 am
Norm Chad is Fantastic! Especially as a commentator!
Too many Rookies for a winning record.
I’ll be happy at 6 wins
September 7th, 2015 at 1:42 am
I actually laugh aloud, thank you for that.
September 7th, 2015 at 2:07 am
Not really valid of concerns regarding Tenn fierce Running attact. Cobb was their starting RB and he was just put on IR for 8 weeks. Sankey has shown nothing but the propensity fumble and West shouldn’t make any NFL defense ‘fearful’. West is their best back and I do like Cobb but by the time he return teams will be shutting down MM.
September 7th, 2015 at 6:14 am
I love that Buckwheat just saw a ghost look
September 7th, 2015 at 6:22 am
What scares me the most for the start of this season is the fact that we’re still not “settled” on our O-line. Cutting guys that have been practicing the playbook and protections to bring in cast offs from other teams…just doesn’t sit right a few days before our first regular season game.
September 7th, 2015 at 6:59 am
StPeteBucsFan Says
“Stranger things have happened! I see Chad has the Bucs a tie better than my 10-6.”
Actually, he predicted 7-8-1. The other was a joke.
However, to ease your depression over being wrong (in quoting him and your prediction), I’ve taken the time to figure out the additions made to the team. I think you’ve been asking for them? This is barring any moves made in the last few hours or moves that have not been announced.
BUCCANEERS OFFENSIVE ADDITIONS
Quarterback
Backup: 3. Ryan Griffin
Wide Reciever 1
Backup: 3. Adam Humphries
Left Tackle
Starter: Donovan Smith
Center
Backup: Jeremiah Warren
Backup: Eric Kush
Right Tackle
Backup (Starter): Gosder Cherilus
BUCCANEERS DEFENSIVE ADDITIONS
Defensive Tackle
Backup: Henry Melton
Backup: Tony McDaniel
Defensive End
Starter: George Johnson
Backup: Kourtnei Brown
Strong Side Linebacker
Backup: Jeremiah George
Middle Linebacker
Starter: Kwon Alexander
Backup: Bruce Carter
Weak Side Linebacker
Backup: James-Michael Johnson
Cornerback
Backup: Sterling Moore
Strong Safety
Backup: D.J. Swearinger
Free Safety
Backup: Chris Conte
BUCCANEERS SPECIAL TEAMS ADDITIONS
Kicker
Starter: Kyle Brindza
Punter
Starter: Jacob Schum
TOTALS
Holdovers: 34 Players
New Additions: 19 Players
Someone else can figure out the percentage. What I find interesting is didn’t we add 19 players last year as well? I think there were more starters then though.
September 7th, 2015 at 7:09 am
The only defensive veteran to be added that didn’t have a strong injury history is George Johnson.
September 7th, 2015 at 7:14 am
@ Bonzai
How about Winston & Marpet?
September 7th, 2015 at 7:20 am
Looking at the list…its a bit depressing. While there have been some strong additions to offense, Kwon is the only defensive addition to be excited about.
We only get so many draft picks, and they had to go after offensive for the most part, so I get it and understand the need to add veterans to the defense.
Still, its scary. I think with Kwon starting, Bruce Carter might avoid injury, unless he starts elsewhere as a result.
Defensive End, on paper, really has not improved. George Johnson saw almost no action until last year…and still only generated 6 sacks. That’s with 6 years in the league.
Anyone that thinks Johnson is the answer at defensive end is lying to themselves. When he first entered the league? Maybe he could have been turned into something. But he’s 27 now and most of his development is behind him. He had a little room to grow, but not much.
Kwon is the only bright spot in my opinion, but even he has a lot to prove. Really, he’s only bright because we are HOPING he proves out. He looks promising, but plenty of players shine in preseason and suck in regular season. So we’ll have to wait and see.
These are the reasons I have trouble believing the Bucs will do much this year so far as wins. Too many stars would have to align. It just doesn’t happen like that.
Next year, we can address the defense, our oline will be further along developmental-wise, and our QB will be more experienced (and past his high interception rookie year).
So, sorry to break it to people…but it’s going to be a long year. The best we can hope for is improvement at development…which is what several of us have pointed out all along.
September 7th, 2015 at 7:21 am
@Tampabaybucfan
You are right…don’t know how I left them out. Thought I added them.
September 7th, 2015 at 7:22 am
That means 21 additions, not 19.
Oops. lol
September 7th, 2015 at 7:26 am
Personally, I’m hoping one of our new centers steps up. That would reduce the need of oline help.
RT would still be an issue though. And Mankins is getting old, so either next year or the following year, he will need replacing.
September 7th, 2015 at 7:30 am
Jennings will take Dotson’s roster spot.
September 7th, 2015 at 7:45 am
Obviously, I’m bored this morning. Woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep.
Interesting tidbit:
After the 2015 season, the Buccaneers will still have to pay Josh Freeman $5.95 million. That’s after the almost $3 million he’s getting from the Vikings during the 2015 season.
So…essentially…he’s getting $10+ million for not even playing.
September 7th, 2015 at 7:57 am
@ Bonzai
I have a bit more optimism than you as far as the defense is concerned. I agree that DE is a real problem…..but we have several returning players that will probably be much better in Lovie’s system…..McDougal, Lansanah, Banks, Verner…..I think we have better depth at CB and have an improvement over Leonard Johnson….also we have great depth and some versatility at DT….with Melton & McDanial added.
Safety is a concern…but we may be better there than expected….Barron & Golson were disappointments.
I hope I’m right.
Everything to me hinges on our Oline holding up. All the other pieces are there on offense especially with Koetter running the show.
September 7th, 2015 at 7:57 am
I think StPete needs to read you post a couple more times Bonzai. That lineup is scary bad. I had been predicting five wins but I’ve thought it over and u think that was too optimistic. I think 3 maybe 4 wins. Hopefully we can get a stud DE (or at least a starting caliber one) with that top 5 pick next year.
September 7th, 2015 at 9:57 am
What’s that creature whose gaze turn’s foes into stone? Jameis, try that look.
September 7th, 2015 at 10:39 am
I’ll start out by saying all these concerns are completely valid. But I believe one person has the chance to help offset these challenges…Dirk Koetter. If he can load up on plays designed to get the ball out in 3 seconds or less, JW will have a much better chance to stay off his back. That will help offset our O-line challenges. Disk has also proven in the past to exploit match ups well. If that holds true, and Doug Martin continues his very strong pre-season performance, we can move the chains and hopefully get the the ball to 1 one of our THREE players that are 6’5″ in the Red zone.
I know…that’s more ifs than I like too…But all these ifs are achievable. We’ll see in less than a week!
September 7th, 2015 at 12:13 pm
The offensive line is only part of the problem fear. They have guys that would be backups on any other team at both DE positions as well as the two safeties. That is just too much too overcome. I’m hoping they do ok this year but if you look at the team realistically it’s probably going to be ugly.
September 7th, 2015 at 12:16 pm
@Bonzai
Thanks for the correction and thanks for the math of additons.
The final tally btw works out to 40% turnover. The 2015 bucs are not the 2014 Bucs. The 2014 Bucs choked away at least 4 games and could have won 6.
Scary bad based on what. Where haven’t they improved?
QB? #3 against a loser McCown who has lost more than two games for every one he’s won in over 50 starts. That’s a long enough career to count!
WR/TE…VJAX and ME are getting worse? ASJ couldn’t play worse. If Murphy is healthy that’s an improvement.
OL- Young but improved over last year’s mess of hot dung.
LB’s…One name Kwon…he’s scary bad?
Safety…McDougald and Swearinger are both better than Goldson and Barron
DB’s…Better depth and another year of experience for Banks.
DL…Same as Safeties…with an all pro anchoring the line
RB…The return of Doug Martin if he plays like he did in the PS is a yyuugee improvement.
COACHING!! Does anybody NOT believe that Koetter is a yyyuuuge upgrade over Marcus Arroyo. BTW where is Marcus working this year? I’m not even sure.
GM…Licht himself has acknowledged that he learned from last year and his FA’s this year were much more pragmatic pieces instead of a whiff for the fences.
His draft this year COULD be truly amazing. If JW..and Kwon are the real deal that’s beyond impressive. A starting QB and MLB in one draft? Then if the two OL work out as just competent starters…
I’m not sure what team you guys are watching. I agree with Tom E that we simply do not know which team will show up Sunday against the Titans. And with the 40% turnover and especially the rookies that’ll probably be the case for the first half of the season every Sunday.
September 7th, 2015 at 3:17 pm
Lol, StPete I love your enthusiasm but you are definitely looking at this team with your pewter colored glasses. Winston, Smith, and Marpet are all rookies playing alongside less than average o linemen. They have some nice pieces on offense but lots of holes with lots of growing pains to come. The fact that we don’t have starting caliber DEs is a HUGE problem in a Tampa 2 offense. Your assessment of the safety position is just shear optimism and nothing else IMO. These guys should not be in the starting lineup for any NFL team. I hope I’m wrong but I can’t see much about this team outside of our rookie QB and Koetter and Kwon that is an improvement. Hopefully in a year or two Smith and Marpet will be good but I doubt that will happen this year.
September 7th, 2015 at 5:27 pm
At this rate our QB will be in the hospital by week 5. We no line