How Much Better Will It Get?
April 22nd, 2020
Through the last 10 NFL seasons, only 14 teams have averaged 30 points or more in a regular season.
Last year, the Bucs scored 28.6 points per game with a subpar kicking game.
Joe finds those to be a fascinating set of stats because the Bucs just made significant upgrades at quarterback and tight end, and they plan to do the same at running back this week. Plus, they may already have upgraded at right tackle.
So how much better can the offense get? What’s even realistic?
During the Arizona Cardinals’ best season under Bucco Bruce Arians, they averaged 31.1 points and went 13-3. But they also had the NFL’s fifth-ranked defense with a 29-year-old Calais Campbell ravaging offensive lines and three — three — Pro Bowl defensive backs.
Do the Bucs have one potential Pro Bowl defensive back for the 2020 season? That’s something to think about when you ponder what the Bucs might do the NFL Draft this week.
Of the 14 teams that racked up 30-plus points per game over the past decade, four were led by Tom Brady.
Frankly, when you add up the numbers and look at the Bucs’ roster, it should be hard for the Bucs to average less than 30 points per game this year. If it happens, it likely would be a significant underachievement, especially if Brady isn’t throwing 30 interceptions.
All this firepower is a lot of fun and the depth is fantastic, but there’s still just one football.
Joe thinks it’s a strong bet that defense will be more of focus in the Bucs’ draft than many fans believe — unless Arians want to build the greatest offense in history and flat out try to outscore people en route to a Super Bowl. Regardless, either decision should make for an unusually fun Bucs season.
April 22nd, 2020 at 3:35 pm
I agree Joe. Everyone is saying OT in the first round, but if none of the top four is there, the Bucs need to get Kinlaw at DT from South Carolina in the 1st and then target Right Tackle in the 2nd or 3rd round
April 22nd, 2020 at 3:37 pm
Tackle
Tackle
Tackle
April 22nd, 2020 at 3:38 pm
Offense will still be less productive than last year
April 22nd, 2020 at 3:39 pm
“The key and only thing that should be addressed
Is the offensive line to protect the statute of liberty
Defenses are going to blitz blitz blitz”
Kobe Faker
April 22nd, 2020 at 3:40 pm
Wasn’t Dean in the top 5 of passes defended this season while starting 13 games?
Dean started 5 games.–Joe
April 22nd, 2020 at 3:43 pm
One injury at WR and the Bucs offense grinds to a complete halt. If they don’t get a 3rd WR, they are taking a huge risk.
2015 – VJ misses 7 games, Evans misses 2 games
2016 – VJ misses 11 games
2017 – Evans misses 1 game, DJax misses 3 games
2018 – DJax misses 6 games
2019 – Evans misses 3 games, Godwin misses 2 games
Not only have these injuries taken place every year, they tend to happen at the end of the year.
They have to get a WR. Consider that if Godwin or Evans got injured again that the Patriots last year had dramatically better depth at WR than the Bucs currenly do.
April 22nd, 2020 at 3:49 pm
killian Says:
April 22nd, 2020 at 3:40 pm
Wasn’t Dean in the top 5 of passes defended this season while starting 13 games? Dean started 5 games.–Joe
Yup. He was the highest rated rookie DB in 2019.
You could see his ball instincts in his very first start against Seattle, even if he had a rough game. Pretty sure he had more passes defended in half a season than VH3 did his entire career.
Not sure why the Joes act like he’s a bum. (though I understand it’s a small sample size). But again, watch his tape you can see his instincts.
April 22nd, 2020 at 3:50 pm
I’ll be happy with a tackle in the first round…offensive or defensive.
April 22nd, 2020 at 3:51 pm
What is it with this “there’s only one ball” nonsense. Peyton continuously had three targets (Harrison, Wayne, Clark) go over 1k every year. There are plenty of balls to go around. I expect Evans, Godwin and Gronk to all go over 1k in this offense. Brady will throw for 5k+, 40+ TDs this season. That leaves 2k yards for the likes of Brate, OJ (if still here) our #3 WR and our RBs
April 22nd, 2020 at 3:54 pm
I think Ocala has it right. Barring any last minute trades.
April 22nd, 2020 at 4:06 pm
Welp, we were told by a few peeps on here that there won’t be no season at all.
I ask them this.
Why in the hell would they go out and get Gronk if there wasn’t going to be a season?
April 22nd, 2020 at 4:13 pm
The key to the offense will be the defense……yep….that’s right……better field position and getting the ball back more often……
That, coupled with fewer turnovers will improve field position…..
I believe our defense will be better than expected…..we resigned Shaq, JPP & Suh and we have a more experienced secondary…..
We need a RT, RB, S in this draft…..Dline depth….perhaps a 3rd receiver KR/PR combo……
April 22nd, 2020 at 4:23 pm
They won’t be able to trade Howard until late day three because everyone knows hes at best a backup.
April 22nd, 2020 at 4:23 pm
Michael Pittman Jr. please.
April 22nd, 2020 at 4:28 pm
Brady can get farther down the progression of receivers than just the first two wide receivers.
He also will use that fleet of TEs to the best advantage.
He will also rub off on the DBs, if there is enough training camp.
Last year, in training camp, the defense won the day a lot more than the offense. Then the regular season started and we could see the bad angles and halfarsed tackling of the DBs. They had just taken advantage of franchise(?) QB, what happened?
Maybe not a Pro Bowl corner, but better corners and, hopefully, a better scheme for their use. They were pretty vanilla last year.
April 22nd, 2020 at 4:30 pm
Just don’t trade up to get a T!!!!! If one of the big4 aren’t there, trade back or go kinlaw
April 22nd, 2020 at 4:50 pm
Jp09 regarding your 2k yards remaining. You also need to consider the running backs receiving yards.
April 22nd, 2020 at 4:53 pm
Joe just cause Dean started 5 games doesnt mean he wasnt in the top 5. He could have started bench and still land on the top 5.
April 22nd, 2020 at 4:53 pm
Get a OT in second round trade Howard and a day two or three pick in 2021 to move up and draft Simmons.
April 22nd, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Ruggs or Taylor at #14 would be great.
April 22nd, 2020 at 5:12 pm
5 games started or not, he was still the top rookie DB in the league.
Again, you can see his instincts clear as day.
Now as for Carlton Davis… I’m not sure. He’s shown flashes and definitely looked better by the end of the season but definitely had his share of losses and bad angles.
April 22nd, 2020 at 5:19 pm
Hopefully we don’t have to score a million points. Bury them earlier and run out the clock.
April 22nd, 2020 at 5:22 pm
I think Dean solidifies himself as the top dog this year. Dudes just too freaky of an athlete. Murphy bunting is right behind him. Carlton Davis knows it’s almost second contract time. If the bucs can get one more effective pass rusher behind Shaq and jpp this D will be an issue. Will Anthony Nelson step up? Will Licht find a situational guy in the 4th round that can give us 8-12 sacks? We’ll see. So many possibilities.
April 22nd, 2020 at 5:54 pm
Since no one acknowledges this Kobe Faker guy maybe I will. I’m assuming he’s in his 40s, definitely single, comments on everyone’s social media page because he has nothing better going on, and is waiting for that stimulus check !!! Why go on a Bucs fan site and bash everything? Also assuming he’s overweight, so how about go for a nice and long walk and maybe some girl will show interest in you and might change the negative attitude? Your humor is horrible !!!! Get a life and don’t worry so much on trying to be the funny guy because it’s not working and change it to FLAKE .
April 22nd, 2020 at 6:15 pm
BUCTIME, well said. Very well said. Tums, you’re either the dumbest person on the planet, or Jameis Winston.
April 22nd, 2020 at 6:24 pm
Although I believe we must get more draft picks to solidify the future, I would not be opposed to using Howard or Brate plus #14 and a late round pick to move up to get Simmons (to play safety), and draft a RT in the second. Simmons looks to be a generational type guy that would be worth the move.
April 22nd, 2020 at 7:11 pm
The offense won’t have to overcome 40 turnovers and a bad secondary this year.
Won’t need to score more points- just use up the clock , end drives with td’s and keep our D on the bench.
April 22nd, 2020 at 7:24 pm
killian Says:
April 22nd, 2020 at 3:40 pm
Wasn’t Dean in the top 5 of passes defended this season while starting 13 games?
Dean started 5 games.–Joe
………………….
YES JOE!!!!!!!! AND HE WAS STILL in the top 5!!!!
Carlton Davis was tied for 3rd!
April 22nd, 2020 at 9:08 pm
Killian, maybe you missed the point but Joe was in fact pointing out that Dean was one of the league leaders even though he only started in five games. He was not disagreeing with where he finished, rather he was emphasizing that he did that even though he had a limited number of starts.
April 22nd, 2020 at 10:10 pm
Now that they have made all these moves I think now it would be a good decision to move up to draft Simmons!!
April 22nd, 2020 at 10:12 pm
Kobe Faker has been a bum ass troll on this site for years. He promised to leave for good a while back but like most his post it’s just useless bs
April 22nd, 2020 at 10:26 pm
@Buc15 this Flake and NDOG need to find new teams, but the sad part is he thinks he’s funny ? Go Bucs
April 22nd, 2020 at 10:32 pm
The Bivd will gey offensive output fr more players than three , if the other team overlook Brate as much as our own fans he could be just like Huddle House OPEN ALL NIGHT
April 23rd, 2020 at 1:02 am
I’d take a safety, Joe.
I don’t think we should waste the pick on the Dline, even with Suh going out the door next year.
April 23rd, 2020 at 1:38 am
Kinlaw or trade back for another second round pick for Zack Baun in the first. Jonathan Taylor and Kyle Dugger in the second. Trade OJ for a third. RT and DT. OG/C with now our only fourth pick.