Best Bucs Team?
September 12th, 2020
Bold take
Around these parts, as the years go by, the legend grows.
In the Tampa Bay area, the gold standard for football is when the Bucs won the Super Bowl in January of 2003. One reason is the Bucs, far more often than not since that glorious day, have been lousy.
In fact, the Bucs haven’t won one playoff game. That’s how bad’s it been. The Lost Decade of the past 10 years is the icing on that cake.
Therefore, the longer we get away from that Super Bowl, the more those players feel like superheroes.
So Joe wonders whether ex-Bucs offensive lineman Ian Beckles committed blasphemy when he took to his podcast “In the Trenches” this week. Beckles actually said this year’s roster is better than the Super Bowl champions. Yeah, he went there.
“The Buccaneers are as strapped as they have ever been,” Beckles began. “They replayed the Bucs Super Bowl the other day. I watched it. I watched the majority of it. And you wanna know what was funny? The Buccaneers team today is more talented than that team.
“I’m not gonna say they are better. But they are more talented. That team (in 2002) was a hungry football team. And to me, the most important thing for the Buccaneers is hunger.”
Despite this, Beckles said he is “shocked” that so many folks are picking the Bucs to make it to the Super Bowl in February. Beckles noted that putting together a dream team on offense doesn’t usually add up to a Super Bowl run right away.
But, as Beckles said, it’s 2020.
And with all the wacked out things that have happened this year, it would almost make sense if the Bucs found themselves in the Super Bowl.
As always, Beckles welcomes feedback and encourages listeners to submit Bucs questions by e-mailing him at IanBeckles@RadioInfluence.com.
September 12th, 2020 at 8:12 am
On paper, maybe. Actions speak louder than words (on paper)…starting tomorrow.
Hungry or YOUNGRY!
September 12th, 2020 at 8:27 am
One thing is for sure. They should not be pushed around this year as in years past. Let’s hope this year is the beginning of relevance.
September 12th, 2020 at 8:29 am
“Toilet paper” is still “paper”!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The truth will be exposed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 12th, 2020 at 8:41 am
May surprise some…..but actually, I’d like to see them play a game and perhaps even the season before I crown them the best team.
September 12th, 2020 at 8:45 am
I would be skeptical if the QB was someone other than Brady. He is the GOAT for a reason. He is used to winning and expects to win. He is the ultimate leader. This offense is loaded with talent at every skill position. The defense has a great D Line, great linebackers and a young secondary that appeared to turn the corner is the second half of last season. That 2002 Bucs defense was absolutely incredible and I think that makes them the better team overall. But damn the potential for this offense is off the charts.
September 12th, 2020 at 8:53 am
I don’t think is irespectfull at all. For one this team (2020) have more talent in as the quantity of players that are great; the quantity is higher on this one, there are more. Second and most important; I know futball. And this tell me that this team is so for real that can become the greatest fooball team EVER! Hands down, not dreaming. There . It had to said and I said it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Note:. those last exclamation point were in honor of NDog and his girlfriend the Fecalisto.
September 12th, 2020 at 8:55 am
@Scotty in Fat Antonio Says
“On paper, maybe. Actions speak louder than words” (on paper)…starting tomorrow Hungry or YOUNGRY”
Tom Brady thanks you for the compliment !
September 12th, 2020 at 8:57 am
I anticipate a slow start this season. Although, I think they will make the playoffs. Beyond that I am going to take it week by week and assess at the quarter marks.
September 12th, 2020 at 9:06 am
“Potential” means you ain’t done it yet.
Shut up and play.
Show me.
September 12th, 2020 at 9:14 am
Pass the tums
September 12th, 2020 at 9:48 am
Let the games begin. The pieces are there and so is the enthusiasm. Should be a fight till the end. GO BUCS!
September 12th, 2020 at 9:51 am
I get Hungry, just looking at Ian Beckles!
I don’t always agree with everything he says, but I like him.
It is true, on offense we have far more talent then we ever have.
September 12th, 2020 at 9:52 am
We will have 2 pro bowlers on our offensive line, 2 at WR 1 from TE, QB, 1 RB and at least 3 from defense.
That’s the TB12 effect and prime time games!!!
Btw, I don’t really care about pro bowlers or the game, but the players do care about the recognition.
In BA I Trust!
September 12th, 2020 at 10:06 am
From what I’ve read on JBF and other media outlets this team is very hungry to go all the way but the game has also changed since 2002 and that defense was maybe third or fourth defense all time.
September 12th, 2020 at 10:20 am
Ian is right about this. On paper, it is the best Bucs team. But again, that is on paper. And as he also said, in this topsy turvy Covid world, there are more unknowns this season than ever. So nothing beyond “most talent” can be said.
September 12th, 2020 at 10:24 am
This year’s Bucs defense would be hard pressed to match the level of excellence of the defense during the Super Bowl year. Remember the defense that year carried the team for least half the season until the offense woke up. Go Bucs!!!!
September 12th, 2020 at 10:31 am
Lets just have a winning season and go from there.
September 12th, 2020 at 10:33 am
SOE, go back and watch the highlight film from 2002. I honestly think it is at worst a top 3 defense. They were just sick!
September 12th, 2020 at 11:18 am
Ditto TampaBayBucsFan
September 12th, 2020 at 5:36 pm
The 2002 Buccaneers would beat any other team in the history of the NFL. Our current team has a lot to prove. Let’s start with a winning record by the end of October Ian. Geez man, lol.
September 12th, 2020 at 9:20 pm
Believe and we will win.