Can The Bucs Answer?
July 15th, 2020
Asks questions.
This is the weirdest offseason any of us has ever seen. Let’s hope beyond hope normalcy returns soon and this craziness never happens again.
And if there is one team Michael Lombardi thinks definitely is hurt by no NFL offseason, the Bucs are it.
Lombardi, a former coffee fetcher for Bill Walsh, Al Davis and Bill Belicheat, who also once managed the Browns, has been vocal this summer that if you can get a season-win total of 9.5 on the Bucs that you should bet the under.
Now Lombardi isn’t saying the Bucs cannot win 10 or more. But for Lombardi, there are too many questions for comfort as he detailed on a recent edition of his podcast “GM Shuffle.”
“How do we know where they are going to be with Brady? How do they know Tristian Wirfs is going to be able to handle the right tackle? How do we know if Brady is going to be comfortable with his new receivers? I think there is a lot to ask.”
Lombardi didn’t quite come out and say it, but he seems to think the Bucs are going to fight and claw to make a wild card game.
“If they are 9-7 I think they are having a helluva year.”
There are two major keys in Joe’s mind. First, the Bucs have to keep park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring quarterback Tom Brady upright for the season.
The second is, make sure Jason Pierre-Paul has gas in the tank come December.
July 15th, 2020 at 6:48 am
I can’t think of a team hurt more by this off-season than the Panthers…..new coaches and new QB…..new system…..
Bucs will be fine….Brady is a quick study and will adjust where necessary.
July 15th, 2020 at 7:43 am
Everybody is saying or like to say “this team is hurting cause of what’s going on”
but…………………….I think every NFL team is hurting.
I think that’s why this season will be so compelling……
Really, this question should be asked “Which teams will gel the fastest due to minimal off season workouts????????????
I think those are the teams that will impact the season while the other teams will quickly slide down that ladder.
July 15th, 2020 at 7:59 am
Year 2 of BA system for nearly everyone on our team take that 9-7 and shove it Lombardi …I want a refund for my season tickets do it Bucs
July 15th, 2020 at 8:06 am
@TBBF: How about the Bengals if they attempt to start rookie Joe Burrow?
July 15th, 2020 at 9:18 am
All the more reason keeping JW was the smarter move.
July 15th, 2020 at 10:00 am
Having Whrifs and Donavan Smith sitting around all spring and summer is not ideal
July 15th, 2020 at 10:08 am
Pugs – nice try. But we didn’t just get some journeyman. We got the Best QB of All Time.
Keeping JW would have been a stone cold lock for the under.
In BA I Trust!
July 15th, 2020 at 10:09 am
Too many questions not enough preseason games, so the start of the season may be rough going against teams with few changes like the Saints. This could be the new MRSA for the Bucs I’m afraid. With the possibility of players testing positive for Rona and having to sit out for a few weeks, this season could be like the year the NFL played during the player strike. Lol.
July 15th, 2020 at 1:03 pm
The Bucs need to prepare for 2021. The 2020 season is a scratch.
July 15th, 2020 at 1:26 pm
I agree with TBBF and others who think the Bucs will do OK. The Covid challenges…largely lack of practice time making timing for the offenses difficult.
Generally speaking offenses are behind defenses at the start of a typical NFL season until timing gets smoothed out. The Bucs are only semi challenged here.
All targets are back..OL largely in tact except for a first round addition…the only change though is at the most important position…QB.
I agree with TBBF here…at 43 Brady has seen it all…the OTHER “new” piece to our O happens to be Brady’s comfort blankee. He’ll be fine.
I’m curious…the closest I got was back in March…does anybody here keep up with actual Vegas odds as in what you’d get if you actually produce the $$$ and lay down a bet….what are my odds right now on having a season?
This is NOT a political or medical question…it’s purely a gambling question.
July 15th, 2020 at 2:52 pm
I know the odds of making bets for the Bucs to be in the playoffs is actually pretty high (meaning low risk) but odds makers are predicting them NOT going deep in the playoffs.
…………that’s all I know off the tele and I ain’t no gambler either (preface)
July 15th, 2020 at 4:27 pm
I think TB’s offense will only look like it had a slow start when compared to later in the season TB offense. The rest of the teams will have slower starts.
That is because we have Gronk here. Brady will work Gronk until his timing and range with the other receivers becomes smooth. Then a more complex offense will come to play.
The opportunities are super, if the NFL doesn’t blow this off season.
July 15th, 2020 at 7:03 pm
Anthem
When I was googling for that info I found a book that had their SB odds up…the Bucs were the freaking fifth favorite!!!