Pushing The Dixie Chicks
July 20th, 2017
Tweeks needed.
Previews for the upcoming season already are rolling in. And one of Joe’s favorite sites is no different.
There is a countdown afoot at ProFootballTalk.com. Their various writers are taking each day to focus on a specific team, ranking them from No. 32 to No. 1. Yesterday, from the fingers of former Stinking Panthers beat writer Darin Gantt, the PFT staffers placed the Bucs at No. 14.
Despite being in the middle of the pack, Gantt believes slight tweeking from Jameis will make the Bucs just fine and they may just win the division.
Now the pressure is on the former No. 1 overall pick to continue piling up big passing yards while cutting into the turnovers (18 interceptions), though that may not be in his nature.
If he can play more efficiently, and if they continue to progress in a few other areas, there’s reason to think they could push the Falcons for the top of the NFC South.
If you want to cherry pick, Jameis really only had three bad games last year, two were horrendous (four picks against Denver and four in Arizona) and the other was at Dallas (three picks), where the Bucs actually held the lead in the fourth quarter.
Joe believes Gantt is right on. With the offensive additions, the Bucs should be able to take another step forward. Whether that results in meaningful games in January is another matter.
July 20th, 2017 at 9:10 am
I want my morning cup of joe back dammit
July 20th, 2017 at 9:29 am
Gantt is a big reason why I stopped going to that site. When an article is written on the Bucs that is fair-minded, it’s written by someone else. When an article is slanted against the Bucs, 9 times out of 10 it’s written by Gantt.
July 20th, 2017 at 9:50 am
Of course I and probably the vasts majority of Buc fans on this site expect a little more. We need 10 wins and a playoff appearance. That won’t please me…I’m Minnesota or bust…but in terms of NFL expectations around the league that’s probably the best most think we can hope for….
July 20th, 2017 at 9:55 am
Of course Atlanta is favored to win the division, and why not ?
They came close to beating the Patriots, until they choked.
Until they are defeated, they are the NFC Champs.
Of course, I want the Bucs to win the division this year, and go to the Super Bowl, and maybe this will be our year ?
I am very curious to see how much of Atlanta’s high powered offense was due to Mike Shanahan, or the sheer abundance of talent they have.
July 20th, 2017 at 9:57 am
Just to say, I’ve watched that Dallas game several times. Jameis really played a pretty good game. HIs INTS are misleading here. One was on the last play of the half on a hail mary, another was was fourth down on the last play of the game and the only one that could actually pin on him (maybe) was when Irving hit his elbow coming through and the pass sailed. Everytime I watch this game, I use it as an example of the needle pointing up with Winston.
On the road versus the team with the best record in the NFL, opposing QB has best statistical game of the year, opposing running back has career game, your RB does so poorly he’s inactivated the next game. The right Tackles are turnstiles. Your team gets down 17-3 and somehow you find a way to get to a fourth quarter lead. As much as I wanted the Bucs to win that game, there are a ton of positives from it. Dallas played nearly a flawless game save for a couple of missed FG’s and a fumble (that turned into nothing for the Bucs thanks to a perfectly called screen pass on 2nd down that both Brate and Cherrilus totally whiff on their blocks otherwise Sims most likely scores)
It was a crushing loss in the moment, but looking back on it, this was a game that in the past few years the Bucs do not compete in. This is the reason I see “experts” sleeping on the Bucs. They look back at games like this, see Jameis’ three INT’s and say.. Yep there’s the issue, but to me this was a clear arrow pointing up game. Now, the next week in New Orleans.. different story. The two INT’s Jameis’ threw there are way more troubling.
July 20th, 2017 at 10:01 am
Not to excuse those performances by Winston, but Arizona and Denver are two of the top secondaries in he NFL. Then in the game against Dallas two of the interceptions were at the ends of the halves, and the third was on a third and 14 play.
I know the interceptions count officially but on long hailmary desperation type throws a defender is just as likely to come down with the pass as the WR.
July 20th, 2017 at 10:04 am
I liked morning cup too but do we need to mention it on every post
July 20th, 2017 at 10:33 am
12-4..11-5…playoffs…..GO BUCS!!!!
July 20th, 2017 at 10:48 am
Tnew and USF that’s gospel. Apple,Fameis 3 and 1 against the birds. He has a full arsenal now I don’t know about you but to me that tells me we really about to give it they @$$.
July 20th, 2017 at 10:50 am
813,wise man you are. And I’m like Pete,Minnesota or bust.. With a win on that faithful Sunday.
July 20th, 2017 at 11:05 am
The Atlanta collapse in the SB is the stuff of nightmares, don’t see how that team can ever live that down. I do get joy that the Falcons and the Panthers have never won a SB.
July 20th, 2017 at 11:08 am
I’m going on record right now saying that the FALCONS are going to have a terrible year. That Super Bowl loss is going to hang around like a wet fart in a crowded elevator and I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see 6 wins. They are a joke…. literally. They’re a punchline the way they folded up like cheap beach chair.
July 20th, 2017 at 11:14 am
Tnew
You exactly right. I’m agree 100%. These writers aren’t watching games just stat sheets. They know nothing.
July 20th, 2017 at 11:16 am
All
Let me remind you that the Bucs were tied with the Falcons in first place in the division at 8-5 before playing Dallas. That’s why I’m so pissed that even with a 4th qrt lead we still couldn’t win that game. And the all-powerful, all-pro best DT in the world didn’t register one stat not one. Loser! I digress.
As for AZ I thought it was 5 INTs? 3 of which went right off the WR hands, the first one I blame ME for not jumping or fighting for that ball.
Last night I watched the first Saints game again for the second time this week and one thing that is truly under reported in how often JW gets hit. He gets hit so often his first national endorsement should be for Tide w Bleach Stain fighters.
Sadly Winstons jersey was the dirtiest in the huddle while the skill players jerseys looked pressed and dry cleaned. That’s just fkd up!
He has to avoid 2 tacklers on 3 step drops and always manages to keep play alive, miraculously!
Man I could go on for days. Build a wall, protect the franchise! Bc when Jameis has time to throw he’s absolutely deadly in the pocket.
July 20th, 2017 at 11:47 am
DB55 Says:
July 20th, 2017 at 11:16 am
Bc when Jameis has time to throw he’s absolutely deadly in the pocket.
——-
He’s also absolutely deadly when he’s on the run outside the pocket too. I do think we’ll see less of that this year simply due to the likelihood that Jameis won’t have to check all the way down the list of options to throw to. I think he’ll find his 1st and 2nd options open a lot sooner so he’ll be getting the ball out that much more quickly.
Jameis can beat you in several ways. So glad he’s our QB. He’ll be even better now because he’s got help.
July 20th, 2017 at 2:41 pm
Morning Cup! Morning Cup! Morning Cup!! LOL
July 20th, 2017 at 4:52 pm
Bring back the..Morning Cup Of Joe..WE INSIST!!!
July 21st, 2017 at 6:32 am
13-3 Super Bowl Winners again!!!
July 21st, 2017 at 7:55 am
I really do miss our morning cup of joe. Please bring it back!
July 21st, 2017 at 2:28 pm
@SB Me Too!!!!