So How Close Are The Bucs?
January 10th, 2018
Ira Kaufman is the most revered sports personality and writer in town. He has hung his hat at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters since July 2016. Tampa Bay’s only Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, Ira busts out columns here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and his award winning podcasts fire Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can also hear Ira every Wednesday on SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio at 5 p.m.
BY IRA KAUFMAN
Just how close are they?
According to the scoreboard, the Bucs are close. Real close.
According to the eyeball test and the depth chart, they have a huge challenge ahead to compete with the big boys in the NFL’s premier division.
Somewhere between the fall of 2016 and the summer of 2017, Tampa Bay lost its mojo and forgot how to win. That’s how you go from 9-7 to 5-11 in a league where more than half the games are decided by 7 points or fewer.
In Dirk Koetter’s first season as an NFL head coach, the Bucs went 6-4 in games decided by 8 points or fewer. That was the best mark in the NFC South. They were 3-0 in games decided by 3 points or fewer, the best mark in the NFC South.
But when the calendar flipped, the Bucs flipped the script, going 1-4 last season in games decided by 3 points or fewer and 3-7 when the final margin was 8 points or fewer.
When games were on the line, the 2017 Bucs repeatedly came up short.
Add in a few awful opening halves in Minnesota, Arizona and New Orleans and you’re left with the feeling there’s a lot of work to do in the offseason.
Spotty Roster
Suddenly, there are holes everywhere you look. Except for linebacker and Jameis Winston’s targets, these Bucs need a lot of help. And if Brent Grimes retires or moves on as a free agent, the cornerback spot looks particularly vulnerable.
But this is the NFL, where fortunes can turn at the drop of a free agent or an impact rookie. Just look at the Saints, who went 7-9 three consecutive years before Alvin Kamara and Marshon Lattimore led the way for a division crown.
All four NFC division winners were new this season. The Eagles, Vikings, Saints and Rams combined for a 26-38 mark in 2016 and the Bucs will enter next season with diminished expectations.
“We lost so many close games this year,” says Evan Smith. “My message to our fans is to stick with this group because we have a lot of talent on the team. It’s a tough division, but we’re close, a lot closer than a lot of people think.”
None of this year’s NFC division winners boasted a winning record the previous season. That unpredictable element from year to year gives hope for NFL outposts from Buffalo to Chicago that this could be a breakthrough season.
Meaningful Finish
Keeping hope alive remains challenging in Tampa, where the Bucs have occupied the division basement so often they should be charged rent.
I’m not a big believer in momentum carrying over from one season to the next, but that Jameis Winston touchdown pass to Chris Godwin against the Saints raised the excitement level within the walls of One Buc Place.
“It would have left a really bad taste to go into the offseason with six straight losses,” says Cameron Brate. “That would have sucked. We’re definitely motivated going into next season to prove this is the team we are. We’re right there.”
January 10th, 2018 at 2:43 pm
The Bucs lost one game all year to a team with a sub .500 record, and that was the 7-9 Packers loss in OT. The Bucs meanwhile were 4-1 versus teams with a sub .500 record. I’m not a big Dirk fan but he can at least beat teams the Bucs should beat – but unfortunately he has yet to show he can outcoach teams as good as or better than the Bucs. The Bucs played 9 games against playoff teams this year and beat as many playoff teams as the Titans and Jags (one) and were only one win in that category behind the Eagles (who beat 2 playoff teams all year). So when a team plays a ridiculously difficult schedule and lose most close games it’s reasonable to think there might just be a big turnaround coming.
Well except the Bucs play in the NFC South, which means next year they’ll probably be in the same position from a schedule standpoint, and that will continue to be the case until some QBs in the south start retiring.
January 10th, 2018 at 2:45 pm
But when the calendar flipped, the Bucs flipped the script, going 1-4 last season in games decided by 3 points or fewer and 3-7 when the final margin was 8 points or fewer.
that sounds like we are further behind rather than closer to other teams….
que the excuse, defense didn’t play that bad, injuries, mob….GO BUCS!!!!
January 10th, 2018 at 2:47 pm
if we’re not that far off why are we sitting in the same boat as the bears and jets?….you are what your record says…..no excuses!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
January 10th, 2018 at 3:01 pm
Really well written piece Ira.
I think we are closer to having a winning team than 5-11 indicates. Some dedicated attention to bringing in talent at DE, RB, OG and CB via both free agency and the draft might just work wonders towards our 2018 aspirations and dreams of play-offs.
January 10th, 2018 at 3:01 pm
Intruiged to see how they feel the holes on D while revamping our run game. Will Hargreaves bounce back? Is Conte the answer at safety? Most importantly how do they fix pass rush situation. While you have an aging McDonald at DT. Depth is an issue there as well. I’d be happy with taking Nelson at 7 cause that will boost the run game, he’s very good in pass pro as well, add a center in free agency, Move Marpet to guard. Hope a RB falls to us later in the draft. Either way we have a lot of holes to fill. Sorry just wanted to vent
January 10th, 2018 at 3:04 pm
So when a team plays a ridiculously difficult schedule and lose most close games it’s reasonable to think there might just be a big turnaround coming.
im so tired of the tougher schedule excuse….
we played 6 different playoff teams this year…..3 came from our division…..last year we played 5 different playoff teams…..how is that a ridiculously difficult schedule?……
and TEN and JAX both won in the first round of the playoffs….according to that theory they should’ve lost since they played a weak schedule and weren’t challenged….
so let me get this straight….if we play a “soft” schedule it doesn’t count if we make the playoffs because the schedule was weak but if we play a “tough” schedule and have a 5-11 record that includes 5 blow outs and 2 game losing streaks its accepted….no changes made to the staff and excuses are made for the record being poor…..OK….what will be the excuse next?….someone groped dirk in publix and had him distracted for the year?…..GO BUCS!!!!!
some people will find any and every excuse under the sun for this staff…..
January 10th, 2018 at 3:09 pm
Agree with 813bucboi … You are what your record says you are. Yes we played most teams tough & the games were reasonably close. Yes we had a tough schedule. Yes we had a lot of injuries. BUT … our OLine & Dline are 4th best in the division, as are our RBs & CBs. We have comparatively little depth in most position groups. Jameis is good but still developing (OK, inconsistent), and doesn’t yet out-rank Drew Brees, Matty Ice or Cam Newton IMO.
We MIGHT turn this franchise around in 1 year, but more than likely we’re looking at 2-3 years to be a playoff contender IF we do most everything right. Guess I fall into the category Ira that would agree with your 3rd sentence: “According to the eyeball test and the depth chart, they have a huge challenge ahead to compete with the big boys in the NFL’s premier division.”
January 10th, 2018 at 3:13 pm
DR SAYS: We MIGHT turn this franchise around in 1 year, but more than likely we’re looking at 2-3 years to be a playoff contender IF we do most everything right.
only problem with that is licht dirk and smitty don’t have 2-3 years…..they have 2018….that’s it….
sh!t the bed in ’18 and they’ll be, “sleeping with the fishes”…..GO BUCS!!!!
January 10th, 2018 at 3:14 pm
NFC South Standings
New Orleans | 11-5
Carolina | 11-5
Atlanta | 10-6
Tampa Bay | 5-11
This don’t seem close to me
January 10th, 2018 at 3:17 pm
I will give the Bucs credit for leading the NFC South in one category
Excuses
We hear the same lame excuses every January
I’m for one are sick and tired of them
January 10th, 2018 at 3:18 pm
5-11
5 blow outs
5 game losing streak(TWICE IN 1 SEASON)
close indeed!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
January 10th, 2018 at 3:19 pm
@LAKELAND
I AGREE!!!!!
MORE EXCUSES THAN A CONVICT!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
January 10th, 2018 at 3:19 pm
Right on 813!
January 10th, 2018 at 3:21 pm
But when the calendar flipped, the Bucs flipped the script, going 1-4 last season in games decided by 3 points or fewer and 3-7 when the final margin was 8 points or fewer.
that sounds like we are further behind rather than closer to other teams….
GO BUCS!!!!
January 10th, 2018 at 3:21 pm
sorry bout the double post….damn wifi connection
January 10th, 2018 at 3:22 pm
Hey 813bucboi, do me a favor and say something really boring, then end it with all caps, then go drive to the top of the Skyway and take a big leap over the edge, it will be a great story. Now go get it done! NO EXCUSES!!!
January 10th, 2018 at 3:22 pm
Preach on Lakeland can I get a A-MEN!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 10th, 2018 at 3:23 pm
I’m not normally a strength of schedule guy…I view that mainly as an excuse not an extenuating circumstance.
But this year was GROSS. PUHLEEZE…so Jax Beat Buffalo in the worst game I’ve seen in the playoffs in years. It was beyond boring and pathetic…I was embarrassed for the NFL!! It was a suckerama trying to determine which team sucked the least…not which team was good because NEITHER of them are good. And of course the Bucs had the Bills and choked that one…does anybody here really believe the Bills are better than the Bucs because the record says they are.
And that’s the real problem with records. Would you rather take the Titan’s roster into next year’s schedule or ours? It was one season with a lot of “extenuating circumstances”. How about it..would you trade Buffalo’s roster for ours in time for next year’s schedule? All of these records are now yesterday.
We are as close or as far as our DL and OL take us. I’m serious…draft freaking 3 DEs an OL and a DT…maybe a running back…not sure about DB depending on
Grimes and whether the Bucs sign one of at least three FA’s that would upgrade our team.
I think the only way you can be truly down on our team is to feel we won’t ever find the answer for a pass rush..perhaps…I certainly understand the doubt!!!
The other reason….hatred or disrespect for #3. If #3 is healthy and not suspended he’s going to be great next year!!!
January 10th, 2018 at 3:29 pm
rod
truth hurt huh…..
now go pull a bunch of BS stats(EXCUSES) that no one cares about so I can burst your bubble….
#NOEXCUSESIN18
GO BUCS!!!!!
January 10th, 2018 at 3:32 pm
813bucboi – You’re still here… disappointed.
January 10th, 2018 at 3:40 pm
stpete
I would MUCH rather have the bills or the titans roster and it aint even close….they both have solid oline….good defense….great running game….
all things we lack….the only position I like over those 2 teams are the QB position….we have the better QB, but they have the better team….GO BUCS!!!!
January 10th, 2018 at 3:42 pm
BTW dummies pointing out the schedule and how the Bucs beat bad teams and lost to good teams isn’t actually an “excuse”, you see fruitcake you look for things that might predict what might happen the following season. Last offseason for example, after Dirk got ultra conservative on offense and yet the Bucs won a bunch of close games because the defense was hot, I point out that this year that wasn’t likely to happen. The defense lacked talent and any depth and any injuries would tank them – plus I pointed out it was unlikely they’d win all those close games again. I did think with the improvement on offense they might be able to offset it, but I was completely unimpressed with the job Dirk did as he came off as a loser coach who won a bunch of close games – and generally those things even out.
But you dopes said no, he’s a winning coach, he’s 9-7, you are what your record says you are!!!! That’s you dope, the same guy saying that last year.
Anywho if your IQ is bigger than your shoe size you can actually have and hold conversations that have depth to them and try to predict where things might be going.
Glad I could help. NOW GO STICK YOUR HEAD IN A GARBAGE DISPOSAL!!! NO EXCUSES!!!!
January 10th, 2018 at 3:43 pm
LakeLand is such a cancer to this site. GO BUCS
January 10th, 2018 at 3:47 pm
SOS is a real factor.
Our SOS is so hard because we play in a division with 3 playoff teams / super bowl type squads. No one else can say that.
SOS is why I thought the Dolphins were a fluke in 2016. They didn’t beat any winning teams basically; and we all saw how sh1tty they looked this year.
SOS is also why Rah could win 10 games in 2010. We were basically playing the Browns every week compared to the types of teams we’ve been playing the last few years – mostly because our division wasn’t the competitive freakshow it is now; back in 2010; and because we literally played all the worst 10 teams in the league.
In the end though – a good team with a good staff should push for playoffs regardless of SOS. It shouldn’t have been an excuse in 2017 and can’t be in 2018. But I’m an financial analyst with an analytical mind – so I will always factor in the schedule / everything I can think of lol.
Also the schedule next year looks easier to me. I duno why people are scared of it.
For one we don’t play the Cardinals – who blow us out every year for whatever reason – so that’s nice lol. Seriously wtf is it with us and that team?
Our non-divisional opponents are:
Home – Browns/Eagles/Steelers/49ers/Redskins
Away – Ravens/Bears/Bengals/Cowboys/Giants
The best of that bunch is the Eagles/Steelers. The rest shouldn’t scare anyone.
Timing is also huge. The Giants we played in week 3 were not the same sh1t team they became later in the season for example. Same with the Cards.
January 10th, 2018 at 3:47 pm
We are close. Very close. Get a run game #1 and a pass rush and poof problem solved
January 10th, 2018 at 3:48 pm
Bucs are nowhere close and will not be any better next year…. glazer clowns have not made a good decision since firing the incompetent dungy. what makes you people think they will figure it out this off season. They will not… draft talk by October is guaranteed with glazers at helm. There is no hope anyone thinking otherwise has not been paying attention to reality. Ownership does not care senior team captain does not care why should anyone else care…
Off season hype
First nut punch week 1
False hope week 4
Draft chatter week 6
Week 8 season lost dedicated draft talk…
It’s a bucs life.
January 10th, 2018 at 3:56 pm
ROD SAYS: the Titans and Jags (one) and were only one win in that category behind the Eagles (who beat 2 playoff teams all year).
jags beat:
ravens- 9-7 team
pittsburg- 13-3 team
chargers- 9-7 team
seahawks- 9-7
titans beat:
jags(twice)-10-6 team
ravens-9-7 team
seahawks-9-7 team
you talk so much about how they played a weak schedule but they were able to beat multiple teams that were over .500….
can you say the same about the bucs?…..GO BUCS!!!!
January 10th, 2018 at 4:02 pm
I can’t remember having higher expectations before for any Buc team and then they weren’t met.
Remember getting Djax…..Stick Carriers, the draft with Howard & Godwin?
I still haven’t quite gotten over it…..
But, as a Buc fan, you have to rely on hope that things will get better rather than expect things to be better….we are powerless as fans to make it happen.
Here is what I want to see…..
Players like Baker & TJ Ward jettisoned
Noticeable upgrades at DE, RB, CB
Improvement with the Oline…..at least one new top player possibly at Center
As I see it….we have 4 choices with our #1 pick….
Chubb, Barkley, Minkah or Trade Down
One of those three should be there….IMO
Then, I’ll have greater hope….but I’ve been burned on expectations.
January 10th, 2018 at 4:06 pm
813Bucboi
The last time I checked there were 32 NFL teams
I didn’t know that some of them were minor league teams
All 32 teams are equal
They get the same amount of draft picks
They get the same amount of cap space
They get the same opportunity in free agency
January 10th, 2018 at 4:06 pm
ROD
so since this years SOS was “ridiculously difficult ” compared to last year, 9-7 was a fluke because the SOS was weaker correct?….
everyone saying this year was so much tougher than last year meaning dirk was only able to win 9games and miss the playoffs even tho we played a much weaker SOS….
LOL…..EXCUSES will come back to haunt you!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
January 10th, 2018 at 4:08 pm
Tampabaybucfan
Stop blaming players they are victims of this crapshow dysfunctional franchise with no hope for future. That is reality accept. Until ownership changes nothing will improve
January 10th, 2018 at 4:09 pm
We are sooo far off wow from being an 8-8 team
We need 3 strong well thought out drafts to even get there.
If u see it any outer way you are smoking the drapes
January 10th, 2018 at 4:10 pm
I would like a pole on how many bucs season tkt holders or serious buc fans are ok with NO changes in coaching staff or gm. Some of you say next year will be different or Winston will show why he was drafted #1 ….and I say why??? (without excuses)
January 10th, 2018 at 4:12 pm
Lakeland
and who knew teams get to pick their opponent….
someone might want to tell @ROD….
aka Mr. We Went 5-11 B/C of Tougher SOS….
GO BUCS!!!!
January 10th, 2018 at 4:15 pm
sunshine Says:
January 10th, 2018 at 4:10 pm
I would like a pole on how many bucs season tkt holders or serious buc fans are ok with NO changes in coaching staff or gm.
I was a STH….im mad as hell…..
GO BUCS!!!!
January 10th, 2018 at 4:17 pm
I have zero hope for next year and will stay away from Tampa and me and my family will save money that’s how we are going about it
January 10th, 2018 at 4:20 pm
@ Tmaxcon
You are telling me to “stop blaming players”……that is purely laughable….you are the absolute king of that.
And, you want to change the ownership…..great…..give me the plan…..like I said, as fans we are powerless.
Now I can certainly suggest that we have upgrades at positions which I have done…..
Suggesting new coaches…..that decision has already been made.
January 10th, 2018 at 4:31 pm
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are experts at ” selling dreams” to the fans. How can they be so close, when 2 of their division rivals are still playing? And the other team lost to one of the rivals. 16 teams went to the playoffs and 3 of them are in the NFC South. They should quit playing mind games with the fans. Just come out and say that the team sucks.
January 10th, 2018 at 4:48 pm
I think this team is further away that many of you think. Time will tell whether 9-7 was the fluke or 5-11 was the fluke. I get a laugh with many of you saying to just get a DE and a RB and we’re good to go. Wasn’t the “Weapons for Winston” mantra supposed to put this team into the playoffs?
January 10th, 2018 at 4:52 pm
So 813 and Lakeland if this team is so horrible in your eyes then just go away and jump on the band wagon when we start winning. With fans like you two who needs fans.
And
Destinjohnny Says:
January 10th, 2018 at 4:09 pm
We are sooo far off wow from being an 8-8 team
We need 3 strong well thought out drafts to even get there.
If u see it any outer way you are smoking the drapes
We were 9-7 last how are we 3 drafts away?!?!?!?!?!??? No excuses but facts state, if you don’t think getting your QB hurt for most of the season, losing your best (only pass rusher) and no having a bye weeks are not valid reason to struggle then you are smoking the drapes.
Am I thrilled there is no accountability NO, am I thrilled we are going to have the exact same coaching staff NO, but dang to act like this team is light years away from being competitive is just crazy.
January 10th, 2018 at 4:57 pm
NFC South sent 3 teams to the post-season. Only division to do so. What’s that tell you? Bucs won 5 games. They lost 6 games by 3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 6 points. Reverse it and their record suddenly is 11-5, not 5-11. A bunch of those close losses were to teams in the playoffs like the putrid Pats. Let’s also correct the record. Bucs did NOT have 5 blowout losses. That offense is awfully close to what Dungy’s defense was. DK needs to smoke a bowl on game day so he’ll relax. Some more young linemen/more depth and another young RB will help. Licht and scouts have to concentrate now on the D. DK needs to take a good look at the special team, Why were 3 KOs returned for TDs? The negative bloviators on here can bite it. We will be in the post-season this year.
January 10th, 2018 at 5:05 pm
BTW, I sure wouldn’t mind having a Jags-quality defense coupled to our offense.
January 10th, 2018 at 5:06 pm
We have no identity at all that’s what makes us further away. Our coaches don’t have super bowl aspirations they think making it to the playoffs is enough. I don’t want an Andy Reid type of coach get to the playoffs and fold. I have No confidence in Dirk and co to make the proper adjustments. Training camp adjustments. In game adjustment. Half time and end of game adjustments. Idk if he will grow a set and take more chances on offense. Have more in put in the defensive screw up. And not play unproductive players ie drug martin. His loyalty I’d gonna get Him fired. Change some coaches!
January 10th, 2018 at 5:18 pm
“Suddenly, there are holes everywhere you look….”
Whoa. “Suddenly?” The holes on this team’s roster were glaring going into FA and the draft. They passed on a premier DE (money) and passed on JW’s National Title/Playoff RB for a TE they didn’t need and didn’t do a thing to improve the team as a whole, so let’s not pretend that roster issues snuck up on them. This was poor planning and negligence that started in MARCH 2017.
January 10th, 2018 at 5:22 pm
He seems not to learn from mistakes. I live in Atlanta and the same complaints against Koetter and Smith playing a over the hill Stephen Jackson over pro bowl devonta Freeman didn’t see the field in Koetters offense. Sound familiar? Mike Smith having a soft team in ATL was the complaint i heard alot. Does that sound like our defense? Soft as Charmin! Redzone issues it took kyle shanahan 2 training camps to fix the falcons Redzone woes. I think Jameis might have to start audibling more to better plays in the Redzone cuz i bet we lose that game if he would’ve stuck with the play that was called. Just saying can a old dog learn new tricks Idk. Joes how many top 5 (scoring) offenses has Koetter called plays for?
January 10th, 2018 at 5:29 pm
ndog
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers sucks
And I’m 100% sure that 90% of football fans in America will agree with me.
January 10th, 2018 at 5:35 pm
Bucboi
Our WR’s are better…our TE’s are better…our QB is better but that least is up for debate….our LB’s are better. Our DL is the worst in the league so they aren’t better.
Our OL is not that far behind…it would be fun to see if Derrick Henry could run behind our line. So there is the ONE position the Titans clearly blow us away…RB.
I don’t want their receivers…TE’s compared to ours…their QB compared to ours…I would absolutely take their RB….the OL’s…meh.
Defense I do not want their LB’s over ours…obviously their DL is better…if we had a good DL and resign Grimes and one other good FA with a good pass rush our DB’s will be fine.
January 10th, 2018 at 5:53 pm
All eyes should be focused on the Glazers. These problems are systemic from the very top.
While Koetter holds a good portion of the game/coaching responsibility, in many ways the Glazers have done a real disservice to this franchise by not being involved in a public manner. I dont expect them to be Jerry Jones but can we meet in the middle and have one of the brothers actually meet with the media on a weekly basis. The reason they dont is becuase they dont want to be embarrassed or questioned about their poor performance as owners.
I honestly do not think the Glazers care anymore…it all about the cash at this point and their actions or lack of action proves it. The NFL prize was not Jon Gruden it was Calais Campell and to not be aggressively going after him in a public manner was shameful considering our DEF needs. Considering the CITS revenues they have enjoyed for 15+ years, this is close to a sham as I have ever seen. Kahn is a better owner and I hate saying this but Ross is a better owner even though he spends his money incorrectly at least he spends it.
At the moment, the Glazers are giving the fans the middle finger…I am wondering how long it will take Buc fans to really catch on to this fact and tell them to stick it.
January 10th, 2018 at 5:57 pm
Hey dummy boi, do you not know the difference between a playoff team and a non-playoff team? The Titans lost 5 games to teams under .500, the Bucs lost one all season. The Titans beat ONE playoff team all year, that was the Jags. That is called a cupcake schedule, which is backed by by the SOS which has the Titans and Jags tied for last place. In fact no QB in the NFL has played an easier schedule since entering the league than Mariota.
Anywho learn how to read, then get ebola, then drink a bunch and drive into a bridge embankment doing about 70 mph.
God bless.
January 10th, 2018 at 5:58 pm
How close are the Bucs??? Well, close to making the playofffs like the Bills or Titians. How close are they to being really really good like the Falcons, Pitt ect and making a superbowl run… not close!
January 10th, 2018 at 6:17 pm
miken – Winston owns the Falcons and if the Bucs had a kicker he’d have beat them on MNF. Winston averages 290 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs versus the Falcons and even with a kicker losing the game and a complete defensive collapse he’s still 3-2 versus them and Matt Ryan. The Bucs are not at all that far behind the Falcons simply due to Winston who should be 4-1 against them right now.
As for Pittsburgh, they’re in a different category in my mind since they’ve won 2 championships since 2006 while the Falcons have won exactly ZERO in their entire history.
January 10th, 2018 at 6:23 pm
Norv Turner will be OC for Carolina and his son Scott will be QB coach. I have always like Norv, especially when he was OC for the Cowboys.
January 10th, 2018 at 6:30 pm
D Rome
We get a run game and pass rush and I think getting a stud corner we will be fine.
And the ones who thinks we are far off…. Just watch the games. Stop with the box score crap
January 10th, 2018 at 6:48 pm
Being as it may, we suck and the immediate future is murky – so glad I have already made 5 installments for the 2018 version of this team – being a Bucs fan is so difficult – how in the heck can anyone have any faith in this leadership group?
I do not see a quick turnaround- I see them all gone inn2018 and we are starting again….
January 10th, 2018 at 6:57 pm
So depressing – without even getting to our roster issues – I just don’t have faith in Koetter. His game plans are boring and have zero creativity. I’m tired of going into games where we are playing top 3 run defenses and we still line up and run on 1st down right at them over and over. No way Koetter uses Alvin Kamara correctly to get him ROY.
I remember watching the Patriots a couple of years ago – they played the Jets and the Jets had the # 1 or 2 run defense. the Patriots had some oline injuries – so the patriots came out and threw 17 out of their first 18 plays. Nothing fancy, quick wr screens – quick passes to TE…etc…(not a Pat fan – born and raised here in Tampa, but I do respect how they play and coach the game).
We need Rbs, o-line, safety, 3 corners, 5 defensive lineman. kicker. Plus. our QB needs to make better decisions and stop turning the ball over. We need our coaches to game plan better and make in game adjustments. Oh, and end of game time management..
As you can tell I don’t have a high bar for the bucs next year.
Go bucs!
January 10th, 2018 at 7:13 pm
Aaron
That’s what Nick Saban did to the Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia was stacking the box to stop Alabama run game. In the 2nd half, Saban bench his starting running QB and went with his True Freshmen QB, who was the better passer. Dirk Koetter don’t game plan and he don’t make adjustments.
January 10th, 2018 at 7:23 pm
LakeLand,
I am 100% sure That every thing you say is a 100% BS.
Refresh my memory for me.
Didn’t you say that there was no way in hell that the Bucs would have a 8-8 record in 2016? And IF they did, you would swim across the retention pond in your trailer park with a chicken tied around your neck?
HMMMM…
Just saying. You are a terrible Bucs fan.
Get lost.
January 10th, 2018 at 7:30 pm
I said it, then I change it before the season started.
January 10th, 2018 at 7:31 pm
No you did not.
I need a Realist repost.
Help me here Realist.
January 10th, 2018 at 7:35 pm
And I picked 7-9 for them last season
January 10th, 2018 at 7:40 pm
Does that make yo an eternal optimist?
I picked 11-5.
And i swam in The Ponce Inlet with a Mullet Belt after the season was over.
January 10th, 2018 at 7:45 pm
LakeLandBuc Says:
September 6th, 2016 at 4:54 pm
I had the Bucs going 6-10 before the final cuts, I love the roster that we have. Loaded with my type of players, players who are versatile and actually had to earn a roster spot. I’m going with 11-5 and I don’t think our schedule is that tough. Some teams on our schedule was good last season, but I don’t believe they will be good this season.. 11-5
https://www.joebucsfan.com/2016/09/buccaneers-2016-season-prediction-bucs-blog/
It took some time, but I found it
January 10th, 2018 at 7:46 pm
The wounds should heal soon.
January 10th, 2018 at 7:49 pm
LakeLandBuc Says:
September 1st, 2016 at 1:14 pm
If the Bucs win 8 games this season, I will swim across Lake Hunter with a whole chicken tied to my neck.
https://www.joebucsfan.com/2016/09/more-consistent-more-disciplined/
I made this comment a week earlier
January 10th, 2018 at 7:54 pm
LakeLand,
I apologize.
I do not remember you changing your prediction.
January 10th, 2018 at 8:03 pm
Dave Pear
No problem
January 10th, 2018 at 9:01 pm
That touchdown was great for Winston, fans and media but bad for the bucs. For whatever reason anything positive that happens at the end of a season it eases all the stink of the year for these players and it just seems like Tampa is a tourism spot for professional athletes that play football. Two years in a row a team that has done nothing talked about being to high on themselves. All the changes they’ve made from the Tennessee ready game which was Winston rookie season debut all the talent added and they look the same.
Case in point swaggy Baker was labeled lazy prior to Ira unearthing that nugget but it wasn’t the talk of the Town in Washington because the coach was man enough to address it and demand effort from him. Would he have gotten this contact with bad film? I hope not
January 11th, 2018 at 5:18 am
Ummm no. According to the scoreboard the bucs are 5-11. Thats not close. The talent is there, coaching not even close. Case closed
January 11th, 2018 at 8:31 am
Rod Munch, that was an extremely good post.
January 11th, 2018 at 8:37 am
StPeteBucsFan, I loved what you said too.
January 11th, 2018 at 6:02 pm
The bucs could be close. But they don’t want to be really. When I look at our DC,I see somebody who just wants to..Hum along and is happy to sit in his pressbox collecting fat checks. I see no passion in him whatsoever..Not for the game or his players. Hell, I’d luv playin for him too..not having to face him on the sidelines during games after my mistakes. I just see a soft A .. Defense! And we ain’t goin nowheres until we rid ourselves of Sh.t.y Smitty!!!!