“That Nonsense Ends Now”
October 23rd, 2020
Click through to shop now at BillCurrieFord.com. Family-owned Bill Currie Ford has been a Tampa treasure for generations, one mile north of Raymond James Stadium. Hustle up on those October specials!
BY IRA KAUFMAN
The Saints may have won the first skirmish, but they’re destined to lose this war.
Let’s face it, Tampa Bay didn’t play well in Week 1 at the Superdome and the Bucs deserved to lose. Special teams were lousy and Tom Brady’s Buc debut was shaky. But since that matchup, New Orleans has struggled while the Bucs have won four of five heading into Las Vegas.
The Bucs shouldn’t be thinking about sneaking into the postseason as an NFC wild-card entry.
Things have changed.
At this point, the Bucs are a better team than the Saints and should win the NFC South, guaranteeing
themselves at least one home playoff game.
The Bucs just proved how dominant they can be by dismantling the previously unbeaten Packers. The final three quarters offered a graphic reminder of what this team is capable of.
For 45 minutes, Green Bay was outclassed and humiliated. You could even argue that some Packers quit.
Yes, it’s only one game and the NFL is a week-to-week league. Still, the Packers have no excuses. They were healthy and coming off a bye week. Credit Tampa Bay players and coaches for rebounding in spectacular fashion from a dispiriting loss at Chicago.
Clear Separation, Clearer Goals
In doing so, the Bucs set a high bar for the rest of the regular season. It’s not realistic to expect Tampa Bay to run off 38 uninterrupted points each week, but this club has come too far to retreat.
There are too many arrows pointing up and too much is at stake. Buc fans can sense a franchise ready to take off. Meanwhile, things are getting difficult in The Big Easy.
While the Bucs have outscored opponents by 55 points, New Orleans is a mere plus-3 on the scoreboard. In the past two weeks, the Saints trailed the Lions 14-0 and fell behind 20-3 against the Chargers before rallying to win both games.
The standings say New Orleans is 3-2, yet the eye test suggests trouble brewing in the Crescent City. Michael Thomas, arguably Sean Payton’s best player, has disappeared in 2020. He’s been hobbled and when Thomas was deemed healthy in Week 5, Payton benched him following an altercation against a teammate in practice.
That’s a problem.
A step ahead
Drew Brees is younger than Tom Brady by 17 months, but it’s Brady who is throwing a better ball.
“I think we’re a team that’s faced a lot of adversity,” says Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins. “But the one thing you know about this team is when we face adversity, we usually come out on top.”
Not this time.
The emergence of Ronald Jones as a big-time back has helped Tampa Bay shift the balance of power in a division ruled by the Saints for the past three years. The Bucs boast a better defense than New Orleans and Ryan Succop’s early success suggests Tampa Bay’s perennial search for a reliable kicker has mercifully ended.
It’s hard to believe, but there was a time when the Bucs owned the NFC South.
In the first six years after NFL divisions were realigned in 2002, the Bucs captured three division titles. But since 2009, Tampa Bay has finished in the NFC South basement eight times in 11 seasons.
That nonsense ends now.
Matt Ruhle is doing a nice job in Charlotte, but the Panthers have the look of an 8-8 team. Raheem Morris inherited a mess in Atlanta. The Saints have no identity as they prepare for a 4-week grind against Carolina, Chicago, a rematch against the Bucs and a visit by the 49ers.
By the time the Bucs hit their bye week, they should see the Saints in their rearview mirror.
Why? Because Tampa Bay is as good as expected while New Orleans appears vulnerable.
Rankins sees it differently.
“Going into the bye week,” he says, “you’re happy with where you’re at with 3-2, knowing you haven’t played your best football, knowing your best football is ahead of you, knowing you’re not in the rhythms you want to be in any phase of the game.”
Wild-card teams traditionally don’t get far in the NFL postseason. First place is where it’s at and the Bucs have the talent, coaching and drive to get there.
They shouldn’t settle for second best.
Ira’s friend Sean Sullivan, the Bill Currie Ford, will give you a special Ira Kaufman/JoeBucsFan discount, in addition to truly exemplary service.
Ira!
Join Ira Kaufman to watch the Bucs-Raiders game at Big Storm Brewery in Clearwater. Ira rolls in about 2 p.m. Kickoff at 4.
Bucs giveaways at halftime
October 23rd, 2020 at 3:22 pm
What I’ve been preaching since the hype began during the pre-season. Forget the wildcard talk – take the Division. On paper the team had the talent to make it happen, and now it’s evident that things are gelling. There probably won’t be anymore zero penalties, 0 sack games, but the discipline should now be established to have dominating performances by both the offense and defense as the season continues to unfold.
October 23rd, 2020 at 3:25 pm
Great article Sage ,well thought out points.
October 23rd, 2020 at 3:28 pm
No counting chickens! Our opponent this week is the Raiders. The Saints are a few weeks from now . Carr is capable of doing what Herbert did to our secondary. Oakland is just about a pick’em game because nothing about the Bucs suggests they’ve been consistent.
Let’s take it easy with the anointing oil!
October 23rd, 2020 at 3:42 pm
I’m scared of the deep ball. We haven’t shown we can defend that.
October 23rd, 2020 at 3:44 pm
Sage, with al due respect, because there is a reason for the nickname, I do not agree with this article.
I think the Bucs potentially can be better that the Saints, but first we need to be more consistent. I would agree if we can keep on playing on a high level on a week to week basis. So far the Bucs were pretty inconsistent, but there are several reasons to be optimistic……Step by step….I understand the desperation after a long period of nothing…..But again let’s be humble…..and go on a week to week basis……..
October 23rd, 2020 at 4:01 pm
Wow there Ira, you are starting to talk like a certain guy up there in dc. The Bucs are a better team than the saints/ You cannot say that with certainty as of yet sir. it’s way too early in the season. maybe after 9 or 10 games, we can see what the real deal is. That is a false statement. Yes, I said it and I am a Bucs fan. I’ve noticed you are starting to get a little besides yourself lately. Cut down on the alcohol and stop hatchin them chickens before its time.
October 23rd, 2020 at 4:12 pm
I’m with Swampbuc. One game at a time. If they focus one game at a time, they can get there. Focus is the key word.
GO BUCS!
October 23rd, 2020 at 4:50 pm
Im right with you Ira!
Preseason was over after the Chicago game.
Rojo and the running game are for real. The defense found their rhythm.
Brady is the perfect QB to manage the offense while the receivers heal. I’m loving the rookie Tyler Johnson. The running game and the defense will allow the GOAT TO BE THE GOAT!!!!
Go Bucs!!!
October 23rd, 2020 at 4:53 pm
I agree with the above comments. We aren’t there yet but are showing some promise.
The Raiders are another BIG test for us and won’t be easy especially at their house even if the stands are empty.
Go BUCS!!
October 23rd, 2020 at 4:54 pm
Zzbuc the whole point of the article is to have high expectations. No more this: “welll herrr derrrr maybe we can just sneak in to the playoffs derrrr.” That is such a candy as way of thinking. No more. No more being thinking NDOG cuk mentality. Tired of this air of apathy here in Tampa thinking like little choads. F that. We have the talent, were the ones with the superstars now, and were the ones getting nationally televised games every week – so let’s act like it and go after the number one seed
October 23rd, 2020 at 5:05 pm
I to like the vibe of the Bucs as opposed to the Saints too. But. They are the champs of the NFC South until they’re not. I think M. Thomas is pissed at Payton because his ankle injury happened while blocking on a play because Payton was trying to run up the score in a game that was already won. Thomas had no business having to do that. I think Brees stance on the anthem didn’t sit well with his team mates while they were asking for social justice after yet another black man had been killed by police. Brees says he gets it now, but I think players in that locker room lost some respect for him. All that said, the Saints aren’t going to just hand us the crown.
October 23rd, 2020 at 5:47 pm
This week will go a long way toward proving what the Bucs are made of. If they can manhandle the silver and black, that will show us a lot. I think and believe they will do it, but as a long time Buc fan, I know disappointment.
October 23rd, 2020 at 5:59 pm
As Warren Sapp loved bellowing at the Super Bowl ” dem Bad Bucs is here” We will see how the season unfolds, but yes the league had been put on notice. Dem BAD BUCS IS HERE! Yes they are and football is fun again for a Buc fan. GO BUCS!!!
October 23rd, 2020 at 6:07 pm
Apparently AB is visiting the Bucs this weekend…
October 23rd, 2020 at 6:08 pm
What grinds my gears, they had the game comfortably won and still got cute with the flee flicker from Taylom Hill in the closing minutes…no mercy at the rematch
October 23rd, 2020 at 6:10 pm
From Greg Auman:
I can confirm that veteran receiver Antonio Brown is visiting the Bucs on Saturday as a potential free-agent addition. Played briefly with Tom Brady in New England.
@AaronWilson_NFL
was first to report.
October 23rd, 2020 at 6:23 pm
Well, we may be getting the Diva king.
October 23rd, 2020 at 6:24 pm
Great to be optimistic Ira, but I agree with Swampbuc; don’t count your chickens until the fat lady sings.
Saints have already played the Raiders … and lost. Panthers have already played the Raiders … and lost. Falcons might seem to be on the ropes, but they’re still dangerous.
And I still remember 1995 and some folks bragging about our Bucs being 5-and-2. Minor detail: we then went 2-and-7 to finish 7-9; in 5th place in the NFC Central Division. Someone got fired after that.
I’d rather see us stick with the ‘one game at a time’ approach. Stay humble, then beat the snot out of anyone who dares to challenge us on the football field.
October 23rd, 2020 at 6:27 pm
Told all you mofo’s that we’re getting Antonio Brown – said it the other day when Marpet redid his deal, that Licht was making space to sign Brown.
You can not have a situation like the end of last year with Evans and Godwin going down and this year not even having Perriman available. This year Evans has been hurt all year, Godwin has missed half the games, you have to have a legit WR option if this keeps up.
…and no, Scotty Miller is not an NFL level starting WR. I like him as a #4 where he can get mismatches against safeties or 4th string corners, but we saw in that Bears game, when he’s having to start, he’s not worth having out there. Nothing again Scotty, it’s the same thing I said about Hump, and I was right.
This is exciting.
If Brady is pushing for it, I assume he can keep him under control – if not, you cut him. Simple stuff.
October 23rd, 2020 at 6:31 pm
Steven007 … Bucs’ WRs are just now getting healthy & we’ve got at least 1 more than we need already (7 on the active roster). With ME13, Godwin, Miller & now Tyler Johnson (plus 3 others), we don’t have enough footballs to go around. And especially with Brady’s love for throwing to RBs.
If Bucs really want to add another player, find a DE/OLB. We’re very thin there, not at WR.
October 23rd, 2020 at 6:32 pm
totally agree with Swampbuc….one great game and all of a sudden we act like we’ve won the super bowl…you forget, it’s a bucs life
October 23rd, 2020 at 6:50 pm
Defense Rules – We are finally getting healthy? Says who? Evans is still playing on one leg, Chris Godwin has a 50% attendance record, both players missed the games down the strech last year that cost Winston his job. Tyler Johnson is a 5th string WR who has what, 5 catches or something on the year and you’re putting him in the HOF? The Bucs need depth at WR. Scotty Miller can not start. Watson shouldn’t be in the NFL. Tyler Johnson might be something, but he also couldn’t crack a 4.7 in the 40 which is why he went in the 5th.
WR depth is a HUGE issue, in particular with the loss of OJ who could catch the ball and had speed, unlike Brate, to get open deep.
Brown is a great fit in terms of talent. You don’t spit on top talent because you’re an emo cupcake who thinks words hurt. If he’s a cancer in the locker room you cut him. But if Brady says he wants him, you get Brady what he wants, that’s why you brought him here.
October 23rd, 2020 at 6:53 pm
Rod Munch you nailed it, big need and if he even begins any diva crap simply let him go. GO BUCS!!!!
October 23rd, 2020 at 6:56 pm
Lets goo!
October 23rd, 2020 at 7:12 pm
We need to win the division. I don’t want to see us in Chicago or Green Bay in January.
October 23rd, 2020 at 7:45 pm
We should have resigned Perriman
October 23rd, 2020 at 9:23 pm
@Rod … “both players missed the games down the strech last year that cost Winston his job. I can’t believe you wrote that with a straight face Rod. You & I both know who cost Winston his job … Jameis Winston.
October 24th, 2020 at 12:19 am
Hell yes Ira! No second place! I need to go outside now and throw the football with my kids. 😛
October 24th, 2020 at 2:12 am
Defense Rules – If Winston has Evans and Godwin down the strech those last two games are totally different. Hell if stupid Brate doesn’t drop a wide open 4th down pass and the Gay doesn’t miss three kicks it’s totally different. If you don’t think Evans and Godwin would make a difference then why would you think they’re any good at all? Sounds like you suffer from WDS. I was, and obviously still am, for signing Brady, you don’t pass up on signing the GOAT if you have a chance to get him, but that doesn’t mean your 25-year old who just passed for over 5000 yards and 32 TDs isn’t any good, you have to be mentally deficient to think that.