Playoffs Or Bust?
April 24th, 2017
“Big things” expected.
The pressure is on.
It’s still April. The draft has yet to be held. The Bucs have yet to have one session of underwear football.
Yet many from Wesley Chapel to downtown St. Pete are talking playoffs. And one of those folks happens to own a Bucs Super Bowl ring. That would be former defensive tackle Booger McFarland.
Appearing on the “First and Last Show” heard on BSPN Radio over the weekend, co-hosted by Robin Lundberg and Mike Golic, Jr., Booger was asked for a quick snapshot of the Bucs’ pulse.
He seemed to strongly hint that if the Bucs don’t play a meaningful game in January, then it will be a very disappointing season.
“I think it is really, really important for them to open with a win and get on a hot start,” Booger said. “Because they need to make the playoffs this year. Jameis is in his third year, they went out and got DeSean Jackson… I think people in Tampa expect big things from the Bucs.”
Joe isn’t sure “big things” means Super Bowl. That’s what Joe refers to as “big things.” But most fans are expecting, at worst, a playoff push.
A .500 record or worse would be a very sad season.
April 24th, 2017 at 1:04 pm
When looking at this years schedule, question marks at O-line, RB and Safety I see another year of development, two solid drafts and FA signings and then this team will be in prime position for the 2018-2019 season.
April 24th, 2017 at 1:05 pm
I think the expectation should be bettsr than last year. 10-6 and losing out on a wildcard (it has happened before) would be an improvement. Any playoff game would have to be considered a succesful season. Im hoping for a playoff win.
April 24th, 2017 at 1:08 pm
I’m trying to temper my expectations. The fact of the matter is if a couple guys get injuries (Jameis, Evans, GMC, Lavonte), we are probably dead in the water. If we stay healthy (by normal NFL standards), I definitely think it’s playoffs or bust. I don’t see how anyone can be happy with 9-7.
April 24th, 2017 at 1:08 pm
Playoff appearance. Nothing less.
April 24th, 2017 at 1:11 pm
Everybody needs to do their job and we are in the playoffs!
I don’t want to here about knees hurting or getting deflated because of the refs!
CARRY YOUR STICK and DELIVER!!!!
Go Bucs!!!
April 24th, 2017 at 1:22 pm
I have been tempering my expectations for years. I’m not this year. If we have a good draft, there is no reason we cannot go all the way.
Only make the playoffs if you can win in the playoffs. If you can win in the playoffs, then you can go all the way.
April 24th, 2017 at 1:23 pm
To be honest though, at least 9-7 would be a winning season. That’s much better than a worse record.
April 24th, 2017 at 1:25 pm
My biggest concern right now Hawaiian Buc.
1) What IF Jameis is injured W-H-O fills in?
2) Mike Evans, Desean Jackson, see number 1 above.
3) WHO do we have to replace Sweezy should he not be able to return to form? The Marpet to center idea, who fills in at guard?
Just too many questions, I know injuries happen to every team and you cannot always have a plan “B”. But championship teams do. Look at last year with New England. Brady suspended four games, Bellicheat stears the ship through those waters like it was nothing.
Next man up!!!!
April 24th, 2017 at 1:26 pm
I am hoping for a playoff appearance, I just see too many holes right now to get my hopes up. Maybe after a good draft and another FA signing or two.
GO BUCS!!!!!
April 24th, 2017 at 1:28 pm
@GhostofTedford- I like the conservative nature of your prediction, but I predicted our drafts last 2 years and expected this year to be a big year for us in the playoff race, however for that to happen my 3rd and final draft class must be completed. WE NEED A STUD SAFTEY, followed by a RB,TE, and PR (those 3 in any order of Best Talent Available). This happens and besides the fact that I would be brilliant for predicting our first 3-4 rounds of draft picks 3 years in a row, but it must mean that I was also correct and THIS IS GOING TO BE A HUUUUUGE YEAR FOR THE BUCS!!!
April 24th, 2017 at 1:28 pm
nothing less than first round playoff victory. one and done does not cut it. standards must be raised.
oh and Hawaiian your boy gmc will be hurt and will miss games it’s a tradition like no other. he is already setting up excuses and whining so it will happen sooner than later since he will be unable to match the intensity of the driven winners licht is accumulating. however that will no way shape or form make the bucs dead. If anything it will help with the desire to win and intensity of the defense.
April 24th, 2017 at 1:29 pm
PR is Passrusher* not puntreturner
April 24th, 2017 at 1:29 pm
If we can stay healthy, playoffs here we come.
That is a big IF
April 24th, 2017 at 1:30 pm
I really hate our schedule…. Our focus should be on winning the division and we don’t get to do that until the second half of the year. It’s going to be really tough to pull off a couple division sweeps, which is what it takes to have a chance. Throw in conference games like NY and GB and there’s very little room for error. Booger is right, this team will need a fast start to get ahead in the W column and then they’ll need to catch fire in December to make a real push at a championship. I think the road to 9-7 will be tougher this year than it was last year.
April 24th, 2017 at 1:33 pm
Don’t want to hear any of the BS. 2 years ago it was “But all we need is a franchise QB”. Well you you friggin got what you wanted. Stop with the excuses. Stop with the coaching change. It is year 3. And Stop with the no weapons. You expected every other QB that came here to get in the playoffs with less. Then want them run out of town. No more EXCUSES!!!!
April 24th, 2017 at 1:44 pm
@ BucFANatic… AGREED.
IF the draft goes as you have predicted and possibly another FA signing (maybe a QB to back up Jameis ) I would be far more optimistic.
Next Monday we will have a much clearer picture of the 2017 BUCS Roster.
April 24th, 2017 at 1:46 pm
I agree with DBS, time for Jameis to deliver a Division Title this year.
He has the supporting cast to do it.
And that’s why he was the number one overall. Get it done.
No folding down the stretch like last two years.
April 24th, 2017 at 1:53 pm
Super Bowl push.
I’m a Bucs fan either way.
Win or lose. Love it or hate it. Mostly love it.
Could never be a fan of another NFL franchise!!!!
Go Bucs!!!
April 24th, 2017 at 1:54 pm
Yeah, I’m with DBS too. I don’t think we are a Super Bowl team yet, but no one should be happy with anything less than playoffs.
April 24th, 2017 at 1:57 pm
Wow DBS who do you want to be our QB, because it is clearly not Jameis?
April 24th, 2017 at 1:57 pm
At this point (pre-draft), Bucs have a decent starting lineup but we still lack depth (which is critical for a successful playoff push in the NFL). I’m hopeful that Bucs get 6 ‘keepers’ from this draft (2 starters … RB & Safety … plus 1 rotational DE plus 3 for depth at WR, TE & LB). That’d put us in a decent position to start the season, but injuries will always be a key factor in the final record IMO (key injuries to other teams that we played last yr probably accounted for 2-3 wins for the Bucs). There’s no substitute for depth. If everything comes together (good draft, low injuries) Bucs have a pretty good chance of a 11-5 or 10-6 record and a possible playoff berth.
April 24th, 2017 at 2:11 pm
We all said at this time last year the Bucs needed to make significant improvements from 6-10. I said anything less than 9-7 would be a failure. They were successful. The Bucs need double digit wins this season. I would be OK if the Bucs ended up with 10 wins but was edged out because of some kind of mathematical technicality. We can’t forget that other teams re-tooled as well. This team is another season away from the Super Bowl unless Jameis ends up having a season for the ages.
April 24th, 2017 at 2:12 pm
Just announced that Peppers failed the drug test at the combine. That is one guy we can eliminate from who we might draft in the 1st round.
April 24th, 2017 at 2:18 pm
@ which is it today ndog or Ndog?
Don’t like my wording to bad. This team does nothing but change coaches, QB’s. None of which they give a chance to develop. They spent a #1 draft pick, put him in the fire because he was “READY”. So if he can’t deliver 3 years later without every using excuse under the sun, then he gets no special treatment.
April 24th, 2017 at 2:19 pm
Man I’m just happy and excited
1 – we have a legit f*cking franchise QB who is balling out early in his career – we’ve never had that
2 – we aren’t the dog sh1t team we’ve been since we let Gruden go. Last year wasn’t a fluke. You could visibly see over the last 8 games this team could fight with anyone. This wasn’t 2010; when the record of the teams we beat was 56-104 or an average opponent record of like 5-11 to 6-10. The only winning team we beat that year was the Saints in the last game of the year when they had no incentive to win since the Falcons clinched the division in the early game that day. Wipe that out and the teams we beat had a 45-99 record
Last year for comparison; the record of the teams we beat was 62-81 for comparison (or like a 7-9 team on average); including 3 wins against playoff teams (1 SB team); and sweeping of the previous SB winner in Carolina. Also the Chargers/Saints were competitive fringe playoff teams when we beat them and essentially ended their seasons. We didn’t sneak up on anybody.
I have no worries just pumped for the season.
April 24th, 2017 at 2:24 pm
No excuses in 2017
2 Pro Bowl Level WR’s
Pro Bowl QB
TE who lead the league in TD’s
Pro Bowler at DT, LB and CB
Young promising MLB and DE
If Jameis can protect the ball (24 turnovers is unacceptable) and the d plays consistent then I expect 10 wins.If Jameis consistently turns the ball over then this team will continue to be a 7-8 win team
April 24th, 2017 at 2:24 pm
I think D-Rome is pretty spot on.
We expect double digit wins / a playoff appearance this year. If they get to 10 wins but somehow miss the playoffs, it will certainly be a disappointment but I would still be satisfied with the improvement.
I’m thinking realistically we get to the playoffs this year, and the super bowl in 2018. Go Bucs!
April 24th, 2017 at 2:29 pm
I agree that we need to get a fast start this year. We have a very hard schedule, but it opens with several easier games. If we lay an egg for the first few games we’re done before we even get to division play.
April 24th, 2017 at 2:33 pm
We got the coaches, gm and players including a franchise qb necessary to win. Nobody can embarrass us anymore. Bring Brady and company! I can’t wait. The game is not a given as in previous years. This year is deep playoffs appearance as D. Brooks has mention.
People need to let go of the old Bucs!!!! I got front seat on the bandwagon!
We will be in the playoffs for the next 5 – 10 years, Baby!
April 24th, 2017 at 3:19 pm
lol…i say we take advantage of these diluted piss test. If Peppers and Foster slide
trade down and pick up extra picks. (pick up a 3rd and 4th)
pick up Cook late first
pick up Peppers in the second (use the extra 4th to move up from pick #50)
pick up Godwin in the third
pick up Perine or Hunt in the third
pick up DeDe Westbrook or KD Cannon
April 24th, 2017 at 3:28 pm
Jabrill Peppers might slip in the draft..he tested positive for a diluted sample at the Combine.
April 24th, 2017 at 3:41 pm
It’s funny, no one thought Atlanta was a Super Bowl team last year either with a crappy defense and many rookies playing (plus their last three seasons prior had been .500 or less). There is a team or two every year season that “underperforms” based on national consensus (see Carolina and Arizona last season) and teams that “overperform” expectations every year (aforementioned Atlanta and Oakland as examples). The schedule is tougher on paper, but there are many factors that determine the outcome of strength of schedule without basing it at all regarding last year’s records (IE – when you play a team, how injured are they, are you coming off a bye, are they coming off a bye, weather, etc.) Tampa has repeatedly gotten off the slow starts, but when they get off to fast starts it usually results in an amazing season. The attitude should be “championship or bust”. That’s the mindset the Patriots have every season. I don’t see why we can’t adopt that attitude.
April 24th, 2017 at 4:23 pm
Its all about and only about…
JAMEIS WINSTON DEVELOPMENT
last year jameis regressed and i see the same 29th worst Yac team going for 3 years in a row…. WE NEED AN OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
We need another coach 24/7 with jameis assisting koetter. Last year with koettet occupied with other parts of the game, no one was jameis during the game mentally, situationally etc etc
Im a jameis nuthugger. I was depressed for weeks when i seen our franchise headbutt a defender for legally tackling our running back. WTF! That was all on koetter ! Why wasnt jameis getting ready for the next play. He was foaming at the mouth trying to fight someone. Where was the coaching? And now you want hom to throw a touch pass when his eyes are popped out with emotion!
We have problems with our lack of coaching positions and how we are developing jameis winston…
NOTHING MATTERS…until we bring someone else to help koetter
Bring in Norv Turner
April 24th, 2017 at 4:30 pm
I think the Joes were on the right track all along. We simply HAD to have a franchise QB to contend on a regular basis.
I also agree with TMAX that defense can win a championship…but a great franchise QB can win a string of them.
I just gotta state the obvious…it’s all about #3….his health is paramount and I agree without MG8 we don’t have anybody to even hang on until he returned.
That injury wild card out of the way…#3 is going to take this team to the playoffs. I agree depth is a concern but we are collecting too many good pieces right now and we are adding some depth slowly but surely.
At the end of the year we could have a top five QB…a top five WR…a top five RB and if all the pieces fell into place it’s not impossible to field a top five OL.
As posters have pointed out there are question marks…FOR SURE…but why do we assume they’ll have bad answers.
It’s all about #3…..I hope he can stay healthy!!!
April 24th, 2017 at 4:40 pm
I don’t see us as a playoff team..maybe after the draft and a few uncertainties have been cleared up. I could possible see us as a playoff team, but there’s still major question mark. Will J.R Sweezy be healthy? Who will be our RBs? Who will be our WRs? Will Ali Marpet play Center or Guard? Who will replace Bradley McDougald at FS? And will he be as good as McDougald? Who will be our TEs outside of Cam Brate? Who will we have at RT? Who will be our Guards? Who will be our starting Center? Who will be our starting SLB? Who will be our Slot Corner?…..and who will be our PK? Far too many questions going into the draft..will we have a definite answer in September? I don’t know..but it is way too early to be talking playoffs.
April 24th, 2017 at 4:54 pm
Ridiculous. Just ridiculous.
First, we can’t predict injuries. So there that, obviously.
Second, we play in the best division in football, by far. It’s going to be a slaughterhouse. Anyone think we’re better than the Saints right now? Or the Falcons?
How about if the Panthers draft Dalvin Cook or McCaffrey? You feel good then? ESP we draft a backup DE?
Psh. Playoffs or bust is ridiculous. Just be good. Stay good.
April 24th, 2017 at 6:28 pm
Anything less than 10-6 would be a disappointment.
April 24th, 2017 at 6:28 pm
GhostofTedford – The bucs are past the point of “we need a couple more drafts.” They need to do it next year. No team has zero holes. They have a franchise QB entering his 3rd year, two elite WRs, and RB position that will surely be addressed in the draft as well as a few other positions that could use upgrades. A few years from now our best defender will be on the downside of his career so holes will be developing down the road as well. They are ready to make a push now and anything short of the playoffs will be a problem.
April 24th, 2017 at 6:33 pm
LOL, Lakeland the sky is falling. Who will be our WRs???? Really???? We have a TE that played very well last year. Do you not think the Bucs are going to address the RB issue in the draft? Only one thing you said has merit and that is the safety position. We basically have 3-4 guys that are all basically backups so something needs to be done on that front. Outside of unpredictable injuries though, dude you need an umbrella with you at all times if you’re walking around with that dark cloud over you.
April 24th, 2017 at 6:36 pm
@bucFANatic what is your prediction on this year’s draft?
April 24th, 2017 at 6:37 pm
Lol, I didn’t even finish reading your post until just now about a kicker LMAO! Maybe you didn’t hear but the bucs picked up a very good kicker in FA. Chances are he will beat out Aguayo and that problem is solved. Only two kickers in recent history were real concerns for any team and unfortunately the Bucs had both of them in Brindza and Aguayo. Assuming Aguayo gets cut there will be no concerns with field goals anymore.
April 24th, 2017 at 7:19 pm
Just answer my questions, and skip the hoola.
April 24th, 2017 at 8:32 pm
Answer them yourself Chicken Little! The Bucs have two stud receivers, a very solid TE and a place kicker that is very very good and a back up kicker that could potentially be great if he got his head on straight. Seriously you are suggesting problems where there aren’t any.
April 24th, 2017 at 8:33 pm
Weapons for Winston draft
19: R1P19
TE O.J. HOWARD
ALABAMA
50: R2P18
RB JOE MIXON
OKLAHOMA
84: R3P20
WR CHRIS GODWIN
PENN STATE
125: R4P18
EDGE TIM WILLIAMS
ALABAMA
162: R5P18
S MONTAE NICHOLSON
MICHIGAN STATE
204: R6P20
CB CHANNING STRIBLING
MICHIGAN
237: R7P19
OT DAN SKIPPER
ARKANSAS
April 24th, 2017 at 8:38 pm
Oh and Marpet will be your guard and/or center. Sweezy wasn’t there last year and the Bucs went 9-7 with a drug addicted RB and no recievers outside of ME. D Smith will be your LT and you RT will be the guy who was there last year. While not great, not regressing due to the simple fact that Cherilus has retired so there won’t be a repeat of the Dallas game. As for the corner, apparently the coaches figured out late last year that the 4th round pick is a solid corner and not a safety, and was one of the best corners they had during practices. There are all of your answers. I hope you sleep better tonight after having me spell this all out for you.
April 24th, 2017 at 8:41 pm
Nice picks Jameis. Unfortunately Howard will be a top 10 pick long gone before the Bucs are on the clock. Mixon will not be available at 50 either. That damn draft order gets in the way. Who knows though, maybe Myles Garret will fall to 19 and the Bucs can take him.