Improved
May 16th, 2016
Winning the offseason.
One hopes the Bucs improved this offseason with the free agent acquisitions and draft picks.
It’s been so long since the Bucs made the playoffs, fans are beginning to think “playoffs” is a term only known to cities outside of Tampa Bay. You know, like “snow?”
Hell, it has been so long since the Bucs won a playoff game (January 2003), literally a generation of Bucs fans who have no idea what a playoff win is.
The numberscrunchers who comprise the PFF tribe believe the Bucs had the best offseason of all NFC South squads, so types Jordan Plocher. |
Over the last two drafts, the Buccaneers had been largely ignoring their defense. This year they drafted four defensive players and added key defensive free agents. Robert Ayers and Noah Spence will seriously increase the Buccaneers’ edge-rush production. The Buccaneers also upgraded their pass coverage with two free-agent cornerbacks (Brent Grimes and Josh Robinson) and two cornerbacks in the draft (Vernon Hargreaves III and Ryan Smith). Hargreaves was one of the top coverage cornerbacks in the draft, only allowing a passer rating of 82.3 when targeted, and will instantly make the Buccaneers’ secondary better.
Although trading up to draft a kicker in the second round is a decision that was heavily scrutinized, Roberto Aguayo’s intermediate accuracy should turn extra points into less of an adventure for the Buccaneers, and could lead to a scoring increase next season. The Buccaneers improved their pass rush, their secondary and their special teams to take the largest step this offseason in the NFC South.
Whoa, for the Aguayo haters screaming about his over-40-yard percentage (not that Connor Barth was any good at that), the spreadsheeters think Aguayo will increase scoring! Can you imagine?
Only time will tell if this season’s perceived upgrades really are upgrades. Remember, just prior to Lovie Smith’s first season, everyone was dancing in the streets because it was believed the Bucs won the offseason?
May 16th, 2016 at 9:42 am
Unless we have some key injuries it’s hard to see how the team can not be better this year.
May 16th, 2016 at 10:35 am
The Bucs could easily have been 8-8 last year, even with Lovie as HC. 10 wins is not out of the question just with the coaching upgrades. Given the player upgrades, I view 10 wins as more likely. Tougher schedule be damned. Things are falling into place for this franchise. No key injuries and they’ll be just fine.
May 16th, 2016 at 11:37 am
I like the idea of playing a tougher schedule! This team will get better much faster by playing against better teams than they will playing against the bottom feeders.
May 16th, 2016 at 11:47 am
there will be dancing in the streets if the Buccs somehow survive the first six games with a 3-3 record.
May 16th, 2016 at 3:16 pm
To be clear Conner Barth is just under 85% Fg kicker top ten in the NFL. Career over 40 yards is 74% between 40-50 is 78%, one of the better kickers in this league. He was 82% FG last season. Hopefully we drafted the best in Roberto but only time will tell. Bashing Conner won’t make him any better.
Kickers often have off years have off years when they come in late. Barth put his pride aside after being cut by this team to come back to Tampa when I know he had other offers because he likes Tampa and it’s fans. The guy is a class act I wish the Joes would show him more respect.
May 16th, 2016 at 3:30 pm
Aguayo may increase scoring, but as Lovie taught us, sometimes you don’t want to score.
May 16th, 2016 at 3:35 pm
And if Barth had other offers, he wouldn’t have been sitting on his couch, tweeting ingame as club foot missed field goals, telling the Bucs he was available.
Barth was fine for us, but lets not make things up. If there’s a kicker we should have never let go, his name is Matt Bryant.
May 16th, 2016 at 3:45 pm
You know that tweet machine is mobile, right?
He was in Cal training with a kicking coach who specializes in kick offs. He had offers. I’m not just giving you my opinion I giving information you can question it if you like I really don’t care.
May 16th, 2016 at 10:33 pm
I live in in North Dakota and I know snow, and you know what? I know playoffs too, thanks to NDSU.(not a fan). Hoping for snow in Tampa this year!
May 18th, 2016 at 1:56 am
Nothing against Conner Barth but he is past his prime. His leg strength has diminished from what it once was. It was noticeable on kick-offs and I doubt he can hit a FG from beyond 53 yards. The spreadsheeters think Aguayo will increase scoring and they are correct. Barth was 6 for 11 (54%) last year from 40 yards out and missed an extra point. Robert Aguayo was just 5 of 10 (50%) last year from 40 yards out but had some excuses. One FG attempt was blocked. In college when kicking from hash marks it is more difficult than in the pros. Every time Aguayo kicked from the middle of the field he was dead on. There is a misconception that Aguayo’s leg is not as strong as some kickers. Simply not true. He can hit FG up to 60 yards and can kick the ball off 74 yards. Its his ability with “mortar” kicks that sets him apart. Our special teams will give us a clear edge in field position this year.