Guaranteed!
May 12th, 2017
Bold Bucs talk.
You wanted it Bucs fans, now you have it.
For the longest time, fans slammed their beer steins on bars hollering at the bartenders, angry because national NFL media types don’t talk Bucs.
Have you had your fill yet? Aside from the fact the Bucs will be featured on “Hard Knocks,” a rare opportunity to be showcased before the nation, all sorts of national sports shows, both radio and television, are chattering about Tampa Bay virtually each day.
Enter Adam Schein. The popular sports television and radio personality who also types a weekly column for NFL.com. In his recent missive, Schein lists a few guarantees.
Among the list is that your Buccaneers, baby, will play meaningful games in January for a change.
The Buccaneers are making the playoffs.
Tampa Bay was my sleeper pick last year. Now, the secret is out. After improving the win total by three and barely missing the playoffs in 2016, the Bucs are poised to break through this fall.
With Jackson, Howard and Chris Godwin joining Pro Bowler Mike Evans and the underrated Cameron Brate in the passing game, Jameis Winston will emerge as a legit star in Year 3. Nick Folk giving Roberto Aguayo competition will help focus and straighten out the kicking game for close contests. The defense is solid, especially with Gerald McCoy as a man on a mission.
These Buccaneers are ready for prime time — which is why it’s so great that we’ll get an early look at them on “Hard Knocks.”
This is all wonderful to read. Again, Joe urges caution. It’s great to be excited in May, but to break this decade-long playoff drought, one has to make the playoffs first. Meaning, win games.
Just one step at a time.
May 12th, 2017 at 8:15 am
Also said the aints will finish dead last in south. Loved that article. One step at a time is definitely right but the prediction feels better than if the bucs had switched spots with the aints. Go bucs
May 12th, 2017 at 8:21 am
Joe get on the bandwagon already. You have defeatitis beat into you.. I’ve followed the Bucs longer than you and have witness many many loses but it’s time to be excited.. An offense that’s ready to explode finally…. woohoo!!!
May 12th, 2017 at 8:22 am
I think this is finally a roster that we can all have confidence in. Are all the holes plugged perfectly? No, but they’re plugged good enough that there aren’t any glaring weakness.
I’m cautiously optimistic.
May 12th, 2017 at 8:29 am
We are the media’s pick to make the playoff/ “sleeper” pick for the 4th year in a row!!
May 12th, 2017 at 8:31 am
I can’t help but to vehemently agree with Mr. Schein.
Jameis Winston is going to do some damage with his shiny new arsenal of weapons.
May 12th, 2017 at 8:39 am
@mike … Yea, but this year is this year homie. The players and coaches have to look back. We as fans only need to look forward. THIS TEAM IS SPECIAL! Watch the Ayers and David pressers. This is a different team. Losing will not be losing will not be tolerated from the looker room to the nose bleed section. Ray Jay will rock!!!
May 12th, 2017 at 8:40 am
Even heard Maurice Jones Drew showing some love on Sirius XM. Tory Holt didn’t give the offense top five love but he did say that the Bucs will be dangerous, especially with a motivated and healthy Doug Martin, saying he is one of the best in the league when healthy (the big if).
May 12th, 2017 at 8:40 am
The year was 2014…
The Bucs had just recently hired Lovie Smith as Head Coach. Jeff Tedford was brought in as OC and Leslie Frazier as DC. Several free agents were acquired in Michael Johnson, Alterraun verner, Anthony Collins, etc.
The national media was in love with the Buccaneers. Everyone was expecting vast improvement. Herm Edwards predicted a Super Bowl win. Josh McCown was primed to bring this franchise back to life. Everything seemed perfect for this young football team.
Flash forward six months and the Bucs were 2-14 after purposely choking in week 17 to land the #1 pick…
Be cautiously optimistic guys….
May 12th, 2017 at 8:44 am
Still not a fan of being the team on NFL’s longest commercial!!! They say it is not a distraction! But when a team is selected for the show, vegas instantly lowers win/loss prediction!!!!! Of course the “media” will say that the “media” is not a distraction!!! They say that we cannot enjoy or understand football unless we “know the players” and get that quote at the end of the game!!!!!
But I am excited about these coaches, and players and how they will preform this year, just like last year!!!!! I am just not a fan of the owners having the team jump an extra hurdle so they can “expand the brand” and “see some jersey’s”!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!
May 12th, 2017 at 9:01 am
@Eric … Wish I knew how to paste the Ayers presser on here, damn. Listen man…#3 WILL NOT TOLERATE the losing mindset any longer. No excuses. Throw caution to the wind like Licht brought in the speed! Stuff that caution talk like Licht when he plugged up the middle with Baker n Stevie T. C’mon man!!! Let’s get 💯 behind our team! These are our BUCS!!!
#seizethemoment
12-4
May 12th, 2017 at 9:03 am
With Jackson, Howard and Chris Godwin joining Pro Bowler Mike Evans and the underrated Cameron Brate in the passing game, Jameis Winston will emerge as a legit star in Year 3.
Frick, it’s only May. Can’t wait for 2017 to start.
May 12th, 2017 at 9:07 am
I never complained, its simple you win you get national coverage. Just win and you will get the attention you deserve.
May 12th, 2017 at 9:11 am
I’m not a McCoy hater, I really get both sides of the argument, but the guy needs to get his bipolar act together before his attitude sinks this team. All the woe me crap he was saying, my knees hurt my play wasn’t good enough, F that shyt, basically shut heck up or get out they way, stop crying like a beotch!!!!
May 12th, 2017 at 9:12 am
welp there goes any hope for 2017. 2018 here we come
May 12th, 2017 at 9:14 am
“No glaring weaknesses.” I think that is true. Looks like a pretty good roster to many eyes.
May 12th, 2017 at 9:15 am
Na man if you know me you’d know I’m always optimistic about this team. No matter what I think we have a chance to win. You got it twisted if you think I’m a Debbie downer like half of these chumps. I’m just saying EVERYONE thinks we’re going to ball and I think so too. Just don’t put everything into it. I KNOW a title is coming but I’m tempering my year to year expectations. I think it could be sooner than later but would not be surprised in one more 8-8 season. Although I’m predicting 10-6. I saw the Ayers interview. The dude does not tolerate a losing mentality and is never satisfied. Wish McCoy was like that. Wish Ayers had McCoy’s skills then we would be set.
I am all in this year. Putting $500 down on bucs in vegas next week to go over 8-8 I’m just saying I’ve seen this song and dance before many many many times and it didn’t work out. This year is different I just don’t want to be let down.
May 12th, 2017 at 9:18 am
We’ve been taking one step at a time. It’s time to put on a step show. By mid season barring any significant injuries this offense will be running full blast.
The so called experts might be talking about our Bucs slightly more now you wouldn’t know it on NFL.com. The Cleveland Clowns suck more than a Dyson without the loss of anymore sucking and they write about them as much as the Poohtriots or the Cowgirls. Don’t make sense. We get to the playoffs with an 11-5 record we’ll see if it’s a different story.
May 12th, 2017 at 9:18 am
the most intriguing camp battle to me is Aguayo vs Folk….Would licht really consider cutting aguayo if Folk outperforms him? I know he has cut ties with bad players before but this would be admitting an epic fail…..#cantwait
May 12th, 2017 at 9:20 am
Superbowl or bust ALL GAS, no brakes.
May 12th, 2017 at 9:21 am
@Eric
We are not coming off another 4-12 season either bud. In 2013 we started 0 for 8. As I’m sure you remember.
We didn’t have a young budding star of a Quarterback.
We are coming off of a 9-7 season, just missed the playoffs.
Every facet of this football team has been improved, and for the first time in a longtime, have both the same HC/OC/DC as we did the previous year.
I’m telling you man, Jameis and this whole team are going to look good come training camp and preseason. Then the hype train will really get started.
May 12th, 2017 at 9:22 am
DeffJeff he cut ties with ASJustclowning so I don’t think he’ll worry about his face if Folk beats out Aguaynono. He still has egg on his and still finds a way to smile.
May 12th, 2017 at 9:23 am
Our db’s are midgets, our safeties are suspect, and if we don’t get a pass rush (which we didn’t anything to improve it) our secondary will get exposed like the Raiders and Falcons did last year. Jameis and company will have to win shootouts.
May 12th, 2017 at 9:25 am
I got ya. I’m not thinking past this year not years past either though. Not saying you are. But you gotta admit… Doesn’t it seem, different? This year!?
BUCS fan here since the ol Sombrero. Sold peanuts n dogs as part of a boy scouts trip. Fan since the beginning man, and I tell ya… THIS IS THE YEAR
May 12th, 2017 at 9:27 am
I think you guys are confused by my post. It seems that since I am not like everyone else and you saw anything about tempering expectations that I may be pessimistic.
I am not at all. Not one bit. I think we can win the bowl this year. I put $500 on getting to the playoffs. Jameis is primed for action with weapons that if we had last year, we would have gone to the playoffs. Defense could be top 5 but I’m assuming top 10. We got the deep bomb in djax, the one on one consistent winner in evans, the over the middle threats in brate and oj, and the do it all guy in godwin. Doug will be back, sick of the debate, just wait and see. He’s going to ball as well. Sims will be back to 2015 form. And jameis. He is not going to let us fail. It’s personal now.
I think 10-6 is the floor and I do know that success, even a dynasty possibly is coming. But I would not be surprised to be let down. It is conditioned into me. Even 2002 I was slow to get too hype.
The best thing about being on top, is starting from the bottom. I’m sure our next ring will be a lot sweeter to us than the one new England just won to them.
May 12th, 2017 at 9:28 am
I agree wahtdabuc
Truthfully, I want to run through a wall when I think about the 2017 season.
May 12th, 2017 at 9:29 am
@ DEFF JEFF
Yes Licht would absolutely cut Aguayo if he gets beat out by Folk. Personally I think Aguayo will be just fine but may the best man win.
May 12th, 2017 at 9:31 am
THIS IS TAMPA!!!!!!!
@Dewey … Homie screw the raiders n falcons
ALL GAS. No brakes
#seizethemoment
12-4
May 12th, 2017 at 9:35 am
@Eric … That’s what I’m talking bout big homie!!
@Deff … #weedingouttheweek
#seizethemoment
12-4
May 12th, 2017 at 9:42 am
Still not a fan of being the team on NFL’s longest commercial!!! They say it is not a distraction! But when a team is selected for the show, vegas instantly lowers win/loss prediction!!!!!
your worried about vegas?….you should be more worried about the actual opponents….
How about showing some faith in the coaching staff and players……assuming we’ll regress because of a show is a losers mentality…..the previous teams that hosted HK didn’t have a franchise qb or team leader like jameis…..NO MORE EXCUSES!!!!!…..GO BUCS!!!!
May 12th, 2017 at 9:50 am
NOS…I’m ready to do this!
May 12th, 2017 at 9:53 am
WhatdaBUCisthis …I concur. This DOES feel different.
May 12th, 2017 at 10:01 am
How does this fool still have a job?
This clown is a gossip monger TMZ street reporter
Only thing good about him, is that he is alittle bit better than Peter Schrager
May 12th, 2017 at 10:09 am
I understand if some of us are cautious. We have been use to the team losing for so long and when the team does win it is by the skin of their teeth. I truly hope that this team has turned the corner and is a legit contender. That winning streak that the team had late in the season shows that there are signs of change for this franchise. If the offense can consistently produce like it did on the first game of the season last year against ATL, and the defense consistently plays like it did against the seahawks then lookout playoffs!
May 12th, 2017 at 10:11 am
When my friends tell me “Bucs are looking good. This is your year!” I tell them “I’m cautiously optimistic.” That’s all I say. That’s all I can say. I’ve been let down too many times before but I gotta be honest, I’m about to drop the “cautiously” tho and move all in 😉
May 12th, 2017 at 10:14 am
fully agree with c spann and 951
The funny part is I think the rest of the division thinks we’re the same ol bucs. They have no idea what is coming. We will embarrass at least 2 of these teams. Maybe all of them.
May 12th, 2017 at 10:22 am
What is with the midgets at DB? They’re all midgets relative to the NFL!!!
The Richard Sherman’s are the exceptions not common at all.
The average NFL Corner is right at 6′. Plenty of excellent DB’s are under 6′ some are even under 5-10. But VHG is 5-11…officially…even if he’s 5-10 big deal!!!
Brent Grimes is 5-10 “officially” lets say even at 5-9 he’s very effective because of his amazing hops. He can get just as high as much larger receivers and because of his faster quick twitch muscles he gets there quicker. Now if it’s an NBA rebound kind of catch in the corner with guys fighting for position then the big WR has the obvious advantages…on all other plays the smaller DB has his own set of advantages.
Reading an article on why small guys still play Corner…they are usually far quicker in anticipation and making cuts…they have amazing fast twitch muscles and they are all amazing athletes like Grimes. Have you ever watched that “midget” dunk a basketball?
Who wouldn’t want 6-3 220 lbs corners who ran 4.3 40’s. Tell us where to find one!
May 12th, 2017 at 10:29 am
LOL a little off topic stpete
I do want to address vh3 though. I am a big gators fan and honestly when we picked him, I wasn’t too thrilled. He can make plays but I just don’t think he’ll ever touch grimes.
I hope I’m wrong but it’s ironic that ive been more excited by a lot of other picks in recent years (spence, jameis, especially oj) than vh3.
May 12th, 2017 at 10:34 am
Hey fellas and gals – what was your favorite game last year? I have two The ATL game and the KS game (cause I had a chance to go there)
May 12th, 2017 at 10:45 am
vs saints cuz I was there.
but overall the hawks game. we destroyed them.
May 12th, 2017 at 10:49 am
@Buc1987 yes sir!!! To hell with caution
“Nobody has to like me”
“I just wanna win”
Ayers
#seizethemoment
12-4
May 12th, 2017 at 10:52 am
Ima Nole Eric anf I love the VH3 pick. His technique is what made him jump off the screen to me. His feet hips and waist were so fluid. I believe he much like Revis astray year three will be a dominant CB1 in this league. The kid in KC had a gang of picks his rookie season but gave up a great deal of yardage while doing so. Our secondary is going to be nasty here shortly. Just give them a minute to mature and we all will see.
May 12th, 2017 at 10:53 am
The K.C. game. When the crowd started their war chant, I yell to my homie “what are they thinking” my homie is going ape sh!t… Being a noles fan lol. But to watch #3 feed off of that was incredible
May 12th, 2017 at 10:56 am
chargers….threw a awesome party and took $50 from a chargers fan….GO BUCS!!!!
May 12th, 2017 at 11:03 am
ya I don’t doubt him, I just wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t turn out to be very good.
He has excellent athleticism though so we will see.
May 12th, 2017 at 11:08 am
@Nole…100% agree…..VHG will be special….GO BUCS!!!!
May 12th, 2017 at 11:11 am
The ability is definitely there,I think that’s why Koetter is beckoning him to take more chances next season and be a little more aggressive. Which I wasn’t personally disappointed with his play because it don’t usually matter how good they are at CB in school that spot normally takes a maturation process once in the league.
May 12th, 2017 at 11:16 am
ya CB takes longer than arguably any position on the field.
May 12th, 2017 at 11:17 am
Eric… I’d be tempted to take that bet that the Bucs do better than 8-8 too. If I was in Vegas. Being able to spend the season in Vegas betting on football is a lot of fun, minus the potential losing.
May 12th, 2017 at 11:20 am
agree….after watching him at UF, I could tell he was thinking a little too much instead of just trusting his eyes and reacting…it reminded me a lot of his freshman year….the talent and technique was evident, but he was still learning how to play within the system…..but as you stated, its a learning process….I was happy to see him get thrown into the fire and he held his own…looking for 4-6 picks out of him this season….GO BUCS!!!
May 12th, 2017 at 11:25 am
ya just going for the weekend lol. But I bet.
My friend goes every year for his fantasy draft. He goes with his friends and they go to a strip club where the strippers post the selections for him and its an unlimited buffet with drinks.
needless to say, he’s balling…
May 12th, 2017 at 11:27 am
It does bro. And ima say this VH3 being targeted more than any other CB in the league last season is only speeding up the process. When as a rookie you are lining up against Julio it is only making him all the more better. I mean Eli Apple was taken a slot before him and the g men snatched him off the field So fast. My belief in year three QBs won’t be testing VH3 as frequently as they did his rookie season.
May 12th, 2017 at 11:29 am
one thing that worries me though is how badly cooper consistently beasts him.
May 12th, 2017 at 11:53 am
Eric
I was not blown away by the VHG pick when we first made it. Like you I had my concerns…not that he wasn’t going to be a decent NFL corner but whether he was worth a first round pick.
After watching his first season I’m very comfortable with him now. But his is the year we should see what he really has. Now that he’s no longer a rookie I suspect they’ll give him more opportunities to jump routes.
May 12th, 2017 at 11:59 am
exactly!!
My only concern was his instinct and break on the ball. Let’s see how he does….
May 12th, 2017 at 12:02 pm
Eric.. I’ve never been accused of being overly optimistic. But when Lovie came in, I had zero confidence the Bucs would come close to sniffing the playoffs. That being said, I am very optimistic about this team. It is being built in the right way. I expect the playoffs this year, and maybe one post season victory. But as I’ve said, I’m not overly optimistic.
May 12th, 2017 at 12:28 pm
ya I wish I could have been on your level about lovie. I followed the national hype. I agree I am a lot more confident now than then but most people thought we were back when we hired him. He was arguably the worst hc in our history… lol
ya definitely smart to not be overly optimistic.
May 12th, 2017 at 12:30 pm
You cant help but look at this Team, and feel really positive.
Its a good combination of youth and experience.
There are still some holes to fill, but thats true of every team.
I cant remember being this excited about an upcoming Season
Jameis makes the dream come to life!!
May 12th, 2017 at 1:25 pm
@NOSBOS
Glad ur back bro.
I like it, All Gas No Brakes
May 12th, 2017 at 1:44 pm
My biggest concern is if Jameis goes down. No doubt in my mind that he is the heartbeat of this team so his backup has got to have some experience and respect of our players so the entire team does not collapse emotionally if the worst happens. I would like to get Fitzpatrick as he displays maturity which would be needed at that time. It is clear that JW has changed this team and it’s fans! Thank you, Jameis!
May 12th, 2017 at 1:56 pm
Glad to be back GOAT. And h3ll yea bro that’s my mantra for next season “All Gas no brakes”..
May 12th, 2017 at 3:13 pm
Eric … JOSH MCCOWN was the QB1 in 2014 … anyone that was predicted SB for THAT Bucs team or even playoffs was INSANE!
May 12th, 2017 at 6:35 pm
Everyone can debate all the reasons the Bucs will or won’t make the playoffs – but the most telling stat from last season is this:
The Buccaneers were 0-7 when their O-line allowed more than 13 QB pressures in a game. When they allowed 12 or less, they were 9-0.
May 12th, 2017 at 8:23 pm
Joe urges caution?
Are you saying keep our expectations low because of everything w we haven’t done with other coaches and gms in control? Keep them low even if the team is trending upward don’t expect playoffs even if our players do every year. Hmmm …..sorry but I think the list of teams We can’t go toe to toe with is really short and it’s why I think the giants game is going to be that coming out party. Playing the patriots on a short week is setting is up for failure. Art some point fans have to go all in and have faith
May 15th, 2017 at 8:34 am
I’m not that worried about the pats on the short week. They have to travel to play us, in Tampa (where they are 1-3 the last 4 games in florida), on a short week.
We can beat them.