“They’re Not Ready”
September 4th, 2016
Seven days from the real deal, Buccaneers at Falcons, and civil unrest is coming out of Atlanta.
The great D. Orlando Ledbetter, the longtime Falcons beat writer for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, is down on the Falcons’ preparation for opening day.
Speaking in a video on his newspaper’s website, Ledbetter called it straight on what he saw from the Falcons’ first teams in preseason.
“They haven’t exhibited enough to say that they’re ready,” Ledbetter said. “They’re not ready. The run game didn’t do anything. Matt Ryan threw a red zone pick. There was no pass rush. All the three key points that they need to play winning football, they haven’t shown they can do.”
Ledbetter added that Falcons head coach Dan Quinn was “using the “we-didn’t-game-plan-excuse,” as well as the we’re-mixing-and-matching personnel line.
So the Falcons are not a well-oiled preseason machine. Big deal. That’s meaningless, much the Bucs’ manhandling of the bumbling Browns, or evaluating the Bucs’ preseason offense without Doug Martin pounding the rock relentlessly and setting up play-action.
Real football is near and the Bucs dumped the Falcons twice last season. Next Sunday is a very winnable game, on the heels of a trip to Arizona that might not be winnable.
Are the Bucs ready? That’s the big question.
September 4th, 2016 at 11:29 am
What isn’t meaningless is they didn’t have pass rush last season and don’t have one now. That’s a major issue in my book. See the Buccs in 2015. I’m looking forward to a cake walk in atl in preparation for the real start of our season when we travel to zona.
September 4th, 2016 at 11:33 am
Well they have Adrian Clayborn so saying there’s no pass rush is a bit of an oxymoron. 😂😂😂
September 4th, 2016 at 11:35 am
Last year, we were told that we were Titans Ready with the result we all know too well.
So I don’t care if the Falcons are ready or not, we have to be more than ready for this particular tough first game !
It will be a win or die game
September 4th, 2016 at 11:36 am
What gives me hope to begin the season 1-0 is Atlanta’s lack of a pass rush. Whenever the Bucs play a team that cannot consistently pressure the QB, they have success. Also, the Bucs seem to be doing a good job creating pressure with a great scheme and better players. So much more talent on the DL and in the Secondary than last year. Barring stupid turnovers / penalties, the Bucs should bite the beaks right off those dirty birds.
September 4th, 2016 at 11:38 am
The ninth home game for Jameis and Kwon!
September 4th, 2016 at 11:40 am
I am so excited for the season. I have that “sitting on a million bucks but can’t spend it” feeling… Our team will be relevant this year folks!!!
September 4th, 2016 at 11:41 am
There is no such thing as a Team the bucs “Should” beat. Every time I read or hear it’s a team the bucs “Should” beat they get blown out.
Koetter needs to turn up the heat and not take the foot off the pedal until the last whistle. No more of this conservative BS and coaching and playing scared. the dungy / lovie philosophy was all about playing scared and coaching scared.
September 4th, 2016 at 11:43 am
loxley everytime someone ask coach K about last season he says I don’t want talk about last season. This man has been patiently awaiting a chance to be an HC in the NFL. Do you honestly believe he is going to allow his team to come out and look the way this team did under the last leadership penning day??? Really.. Geesh when the day some of you get your heads out ya @$$ in reference to the past wil be a great day here at jbf.
September 4th, 2016 at 11:44 am
Meaningless.
They will be tough in Atlanta.
There are no easy games in the NFL, just games where one team is better prepared.
IMO, this game is a Must Win. Lose and the questions start…
September 4th, 2016 at 11:47 am
This story contains the most important line of the day…of the freaking week!
Seven days from the real deal
September 4th, 2016 at 11:47 am
“Everytime I get my hopes up we get blown away” I’ll always remind you everytime you were doing so you were fooling yourselves cause at no time did we have a QB that would allow us to truly compete against teams that did. But oh how times have changed.
September 4th, 2016 at 11:49 am
You’re nothing in the NFL wit out a real deal trigger man. PERIOD
September 4th, 2016 at 11:51 am
Who cares?
Joe, please, how about some more Mark Dominik love letters?
Go Bucs!!!
September 4th, 2016 at 11:51 am
The Falcons began their season 6-0 last year until they collapsed, so we know at least that they can start well. Let’s not develop proprioception and underestimate them. The good news is that we have coaches that know many of the players and their tendencies.
September 4th, 2016 at 12:03 pm
Doc I would be highly disappointed if I heard a member of the team talk the way I talk when I say “cake walk” but being a fan I’m allowed to. I’ve said all summer if we don’t sweep atl and NO something’s wrong. We are flat out a better team than both of them in my opinion. My belief is we are not about to take a step,my belief is we are about to take a leap. If my assertion is correct(which it is)we should be cleaning floor wit inferior rosters or teams.
September 4th, 2016 at 12:09 pm
The Bucs are going to beat the Falcons.
Period.
September 4th, 2016 at 12:18 pm
Camps and preseason can only get you so ready. Week one represents the first time there is true game planning and starters playing the entire game. Atlanta hasn’t shown much of a pass rush but who knows how much they’ve held back scheme and personnel wise. Plus or defense has to find a way to slow down Ryan, Julio, and their rushing attack. It will be a test. Just hope the Bucs are light years ahead of last year’s “Tennessee ready” opener. That was one of the most embarrassing and frustrating games I’ve ever watched. Go Bucs!
September 4th, 2016 at 12:19 pm
Cecil shorts anyone? 1,000 better option than Russel Shepard
September 4th, 2016 at 12:28 pm
I just watched that journalist’s (Ledbetter) video…….
…..that was one of the hardest sports video I have ever watched cause his voice is so damn annoying!!!!! LOL!!!!!
but he does make very valid points….
Matt Ryan will continue to struggle in the offensive system he is in…………..
September 4th, 2016 at 12:36 pm
We know that the Bucs have historically played down to the level of their opponents and that this has been the case across coaching staffs. Still, I am heartened by the optimism of many fans and am glad to see this.
September 4th, 2016 at 12:44 pm
I don’t anyone is really ready for the season, shorter training camps, starters not playing much durung the preseason. It takes a couple games to really get into the groove. I do think we are more ready that the Falcons. I don’t see Dirk and Smitty losin their homecoming. Bucs 24 Falcans 17
September 4th, 2016 at 12:46 pm
We beat them twice last year and I think we got better in the off season….I’m not sure they did…..but that doesn’t mean much…we still have to play well to win an away game. It will be interesting to see what the line ends up being on the game.
September 4th, 2016 at 12:46 pm
The Bucs are going to kill Julio, Ryan, their RB. They have zero players after that. So expect us to Zero in. Target destroyed
September 4th, 2016 at 12:48 pm
This game is soooo huge for the Koetter era
A win will do wonders for us as a team and this season
this 1st game victory will be worth more than 1 win
confidence does wonders for for a young and unproven team
lets go Bucs!
September 4th, 2016 at 12:53 pm
Well, the dolphins claimed Justin hunter.
September 4th, 2016 at 1:04 pm
So we claimed NOBODY? WTF
September 4th, 2016 at 1:11 pm
WesTampa I’m wit you bro. I never been affiliated in any way wit NFL. But as fan I think everyone should know when ryan drops back he’s looking for one target 90% of the time. Now don’t get me wrong😮that one target bad as h3lll. I just think it makes game planning for them a little easier. I mean when LVD closed out last year’s second game against them it was if he had been in they’re huddle and over heard ryan say to julio”I’m coming str8 to you”.
September 4th, 2016 at 1:13 pm
Dolphins are one spit ahead of Bucs in waiver claim order…
September 4th, 2016 at 1:14 pm
I agree Kobe Faker. With how tough the first few weeks are this would be a huge win. Need to get started on a high note and build from there.
September 4th, 2016 at 1:17 pm
Tough for a team we swept last season??? Wit that defensive scheme.. Hmmm. What’s the over/under on catches for Sanu on the other side??? I say VH3 holds him to 0.
September 4th, 2016 at 1:19 pm
I just hope when the bucs have those big leads, winning nicely, they don’t blow it like last year getting complacent..that loss in DC still haunts me..
September 4th, 2016 at 1:20 pm
I know WTF as soon as VJ goes down we are done, and he will !
C Shorts, Justin Hunter both are better than our # 3 outside receiver.
September 4th, 2016 at 1:25 pm
I’m disappointed. We need Wr BAD.
September 4th, 2016 at 1:31 pm
After being force fed Falcons propaganda the last 12 years. Its common knowledge up here that coach Smitty and their new GM didnt like each other.. They had a difference in personnel beliefs and how to best create a pass rush. Also the falcons wanting to keep couch Dirk Koetter and him leaving over the firing of Mike Smith…. Everyone up here, fans,sports radio (Hugh Douglas) is preparing for a Buccaneers slaughter of the birds!… I tend to believe that couch K and Smitty are game planning like its the Super Bowl! Damn I can’t wait
September 4th, 2016 at 1:33 pm
It don’t mean a thing.Because the Bucs going to clip those wings
September 4th, 2016 at 1:39 pm
Added Jeremy Butler:WR to practice squad.
September 4th, 2016 at 1:44 pm
sucks that miami landed hunter. Hunter has more catches that Humphries, Sheppard and Spencer combined.
September 4th, 2016 at 1:44 pm
i have been saying it for weeks… NO Wide Receivers and Fragile arse DT’s are going to be the death of the bucs this year.
September 4th, 2016 at 1:46 pm
We are not going to fall the banana in the tail pipe.
September 4th, 2016 at 1:49 pm
I’m gonna guess the Bucs kick butt and take names against the Falcons winning 30 to 13. Just a feeling the game won’t be that close. Our Bucs beat those foul Falcons again.
September 4th, 2016 at 1:55 pm
The Bucs has added Jeremy Butler ( Ravens) to their practice squad, once he learn the offense he should be good to go….Excellent Pickup
September 4th, 2016 at 1:58 pm
Buccfan37
I am with you I think the bucs will win 34 – 17 but anytime I hear the term winnable game or bucs should win etc… I get nervous. Bucs have not earned that should win or winnable game distinction in over a decade.
September 4th, 2016 at 1:59 pm
LakeLandBuc
Butler is a good pickup
September 4th, 2016 at 2:03 pm
Appreciate that insight ATLbuc..
September 4th, 2016 at 2:07 pm
AtlBuc..
That was good insight indeed…and agree Butler is indeed a good pickup..
September 4th, 2016 at 2:15 pm
If the Bucs come to play – then we will likely beat Atlanta by 10 or more points.
Buccaneers playing their A game on both sides of the ball will be hard for any team to beat.
So the biggest question this season will really be:
How consistently will the Bucs bring their “A” game on a week by week basis?
If they show up to play strong week in and week out for 16 weeks and don’t beat themselves with stupid penalties and turnovers – then they could actually win 12 or 13 games in 2016.
But obviously – chit happens. Players make mistakes and the other team gets paid too. Sometimes – on some days – your opponent is just better than you – even when you have a good team.
I think we are looking at 8 or 9 wins realistically in 2016. 10 wins would be awesome and quite an accomplishment. But 10 wins gets you into the playoffs less than half the time unless you are a division winner. So lets keep our hopes and expectations grounded for this season – shall we? It would be prudent. Carolina is going to be hard to unseat this year.
I think we will see a much improved team in a # of areas this season. Will it be enough to get over the hump and reach the promised land of the playoffs? Perhaps not. Fingers crossed though.
Let’s play ball. GO BUCS!!
September 4th, 2016 at 2:18 pm
Pickgrin
So the biggest question this season will really be:
How consistently will the Bucs bring their “A” game on a week by week basis?
DING DING DING!
There is no excuse for lack of effort or not being prepared that being said they are bound to have a couple of bad weeks. I just hope it’s not effort or lack of being prepared. bad days or an untimely injury I can live with but the lack of effort this team should under Lovie was sickening.
September 4th, 2016 at 2:19 pm
^^^ showed not should
September 4th, 2016 at 2:22 pm
ANY game is winnable with koetter and winston!
September 4th, 2016 at 2:22 pm
Tampa Bay do me a favor and go ahead and put smiles😀 on ya faces. Cause we aint we ain’t leavin witout a Victorrryyy.
September 4th, 2016 at 2:33 pm
I hope as hell, that we get a win. But, I tell you, I didn’t buy for a second the pre-season show the Falcons presented. The Bucs better be ready. I believe this won’t be a ” walk in the park”. You guys think they are not aware that almost half their team, is coming back to play them? I believe they are going to try new stuff, so Kotter better be aware of that fact and be ready. Hey, the Falcons can’t be that stupid. (I hope they are….. 🙂 )
September 4th, 2016 at 2:40 pm
If the Doityboids are not ready then the Bucs need to win 56-14. We have a much better qb, Dougie and Sims and a much better D. Plus Welcome Back Koetter doesn’t have an anchor around his neck keeping him from scoring more points. This ain’t the Titans Bucs who started the 1st game last year, a whole different monster. I hope coach K runs up the score on every win and is more aggresive than last year. Break the offensive records they set last year and set even more. 11-5 will at least make Fameis Jameis a winning starting qb in his 2nd year. 13-3 he’ll pass Gruden for best 1st year record. That might then soften Mike Johnson and Big Hogs stance on Kooter and Co.😉
September 4th, 2016 at 2:42 pm
Oops my bad Koetter & Co.
September 4th, 2016 at 2:45 pm
Ready Sitton is visiting the Saints after the Bears, why not bring him home to Florida?
September 4th, 2016 at 2:52 pm
All 16 games are winable with Jameis Winston at QB
September 4th, 2016 at 2:57 pm
The Bucs may have wanted to sign tight end/fullback Dan Vitale to their practice squad, but the Buffalo Bills claimed him off waivers instead, so he’s now on their 53-man roster. The team has two more spots on their practice squad.
Bucs practice squad so far: RB Peyton Barber, CB Javien Elliott, WR Jeremy Butler, S Isaiah Johnson, LB Josh Keyes, OL Ben Gottschalk, OL Josh Allen, LB Micah Awe.
I feel bad for Luke Rhodes he played well.
September 4th, 2016 at 2:58 pm
All 16 games. This the last off season so many of you will use this term “hope” in your daily post. You will be filled with a level of confidence that will keep you from hoping about anything pertaining to the Buccaneers.
September 4th, 2016 at 3:00 pm
gonna wait & see how we look next week before i get my hopes up for the season but i have confidence in this team… and i know people are high on the cardinals but Palmer was looking really rusty… Bucs get consistent pressure i think he’ll throw some pick 6’s LOL
September 4th, 2016 at 3:07 pm
I’m still trying to understand, why the Ravens waived Jeremy Butler. He caught 31 passes last season in 8 games, with a 70.5% catch rate. And this preseason he led the Ravens in receiving with 16 receptions and 2 TD’s and 76% catch rate. And he’s only 25 years old, welcome home Jeremy ( He went to Sarasota Booker High).
September 4th, 2016 at 3:10 pm
Luke Rhodes not getting on the PS has left me flummoxed..glad Josh Keyes is in though..
September 4th, 2016 at 3:21 pm
Back to Joe’s article for sec tho. I’ve been calling the birds hot garbage all pre season. Me as a nobody saying it I’m looked upon as a homer. Now one of they’re very own beat writers saying it should add some validity to my initial statement. I means lets go back a few months when a writer up there basically called GMC lazy. That wasn’t just a dig at GMC that was dig at the entire team. If you call the biggest contract on the team lazy you’re calling the whole team lazy. What am I saying between Coach K,Smitty and GMC thing we have more than enough bullentin material. I will disappointed with just a victory. I expect to totally dismantle this team and put the south on notice that this year mark the beginning of an new era in the division,one in which we dominate for at least the next ten years.
September 4th, 2016 at 3:40 pm
YEAH NOLE!!!!
I’m with you on all that!! I believe the same thing!!! We are not just putting the NFC South on notice but the entire gosh derned NFL league!!
Our defense will be number 1 again..we are rising to the top..we looked the best in all the NFL preseason games…even Denver fans have us on their fooking radars!
Yeah mother puckers, we are coming for ALL teams!!!!!!!
September 4th, 2016 at 3:44 pm
All- control yourselves. We are not that good. The JAGs killed us when starters were playing. We are 8-8,9-7 team, NOT SB contenders. We kept 4 undrafted FA’s on the 53. This is NOT a deep and talented team. Get a grip, let’s talk after week 5.
September 4th, 2016 at 3:46 pm
BTW- those predicting we beat Atlanta by double digits in ATL, please send me some of what you are smoking. IF we win it will be by less than 7 points.
September 4th, 2016 at 3:52 pm
John Harbaugh was a special teams coach before he became a head coach. He wasn’t pleased with Jeremy Butler special team play, it had nothing to do with his receiving abilities. We need receivers, who can get open and catch the ball. Jeremy should blend right in with Jameis, he’s a huge upgrade over Murphy, Spencer, Shepard. I hope the Bucs get him on the active roster soon before another team pluck him. He’s the tall ( 6’2) sure handed WR that we need on the outside.
September 4th, 2016 at 4:03 pm
LakelandBuc..
I did read on the wire that Jeremy WANTED to play here..thought it’s the best place for him to eventually get on first team..
Welcome back to F L O R I D A Jeremy!!
September 4th, 2016 at 4:10 pm
Practice SQUAD ALERT ::: AFRO 80 Did not make it
OL Josh Allen, LB Micah Awe, RB Peyton Barber, WR Jeremy Butler, CB Javien Elliott, OL Ben Gottschalk, RB Russell Hansbrough, S Isaiah Johnson, LB Josh Keyes, WR Freddie Martino
September 4th, 2016 at 4:11 pm
i like wr/kr jd mckissic from atlanta- playmaker
September 4th, 2016 at 4:18 pm
half the battle in winning is believing you can win.And the other half is not letting up.you win if you score more points than the other team.
September 4th, 2016 at 4:19 pm
Baltimore sports writers are legitimately mad that Butler did not get on the 53. They sited his good hands and knack for playmaking as reasons for him to make the roster. Sounds like he isn’t much of a special teams guy and may be the reason he was let go.
September 4th, 2016 at 4:23 pm
“Matt Ryan threw “A” red zone pick… Hilarious.
September 4th, 2016 at 6:33 pm
Mr..Coulda/Woulda/Shoulda…We need this game Buc fans. And I don’t want to hear this, Ohh..ATL has got issues. All teams got issues. We cannot play anybody cheap. Every team we were suppose to beat? Whipped the living sh.. out of us. Sooo, to hell with what issues the falcons have. we gotta handle our Biz. Lose this 1st game? And its a sad start for us.
September 4th, 2016 at 7:14 pm
Nos Bos
I think we have a very good chance of being a good football team this season but your belief that we are now a great team and that simply winning against the Falcons isn’t acceptable, that we must stomp them, is ridiculous.
I remember you were all in with Lovie last year, telling us all before the season to just “wait on it”, I believe was your annoying refrein.
Then, after we continuously shat the bed, you went away for a good spell.
What are you gonna do if we lose to Atlanta next Sunday?
Will you finally go away for good?
September 4th, 2016 at 8:04 pm
I stop reading the moment you said lovie bro.
September 4th, 2016 at 8:08 pm
Caught that last line tho. About going away for good. I will be soon no worries d@$!head. After we take off and what I am saying is validated won’t be much of need for me post on this site anymore. Mainly come here to kill time. But if my none stop optimism bothers you just scroll past @$$hole.
September 4th, 2016 at 8:18 pm
What’s funny to me tho is muthaf@$!kas like you seem to be holding out hope that I am wrong about my assertions. Its like you stupid muthaf@$!kas hope we lose and hope we remain a half @$$ football team. I mean how in the h3ll dose it bother some of you idiots I’m speaking in terms of the Buccs being more just relevant but great is beyond me. I guess I should I understand coming from someone that referrs themselves as Dushe. A feminine toiletry product. I wish lived in the “O” I would give you instructions on how to come find me since I irk you so deeply.
September 5th, 2016 at 12:03 am
Mike first of all atl has a simple issue that can be fixed over night for example they have no pass rush which Dan Quinn must have for his defense to succeed on offense they have only only weapon in jones that’s coming into the game not at 100% plus it’s Kyle shannhan the king of messing up QBs RG3 looking better because he got a better coordinator heck Bryan look terrible when he was coach the Browns last year in was in the playoffs oh a added note the o-line not looking like it gelling together and you know what pisss me off people are still going to pick those stupid dirty birds idk why we are the better team on paper in all honesty it’s our turn to embarrass the falcons for that Thursday night game?
September 5th, 2016 at 10:26 am
Here’s my prediction for the first Bucs game (against Atlanta).
If this were a home game, I would give us a better chance to win. But we have a couple things to consider here.
First, the fact that it is an away game puts us at a slight disadvantage.
Being the first game of the season also does as well. The Bucs have lost 10 of the last 14 (4 of the last 5) season openers.
On top of that, after we beat them last year, the Falcons will be primed to beat us in this game.
Bucs Chances of win: 40%
That doesn’t mean we cannot win. It means the odds are SLIGHTLY against us. I don’t buy into their lack of preseason hype. Teams have won superbowls without winning and preseason games. You cannot judge a team by what it does in the preseason…not accurately. Too much camp meat on the field. Heck, half the time, even a portion of the starters ever play and are replaced by second stringers (which happened to the Bucs throughout preseason in several positions).