“I Feel A Lot Better About This Team”
January 3rd, 2021
Nothing limp about Bucs offense.
A former Bucs player is starting to be really proud of how the Bucs are playing.
And that would be former guard (1990-1996) and current popular local sports radio personality Ian Beckles.
The way the Bucs offense only needed a half in each of its last two games to throttle opponents, Beckles took to his podcast “In the Trenches” to explain how he really likes the timing of the Bucs throwing it into overdrive just before the playoffs.
“The Bucs are in the right place,” Beckles said. “They are in the right mind right now. I feel a lot better about this team than a month ago. A month ago I didn’t think they could compete in the playoffs.
“I do now.”
Beckles advised Bucs fans to look around the NFL and see if they can find a team playing as well as the Bucs as the regular season ends today.
“Right now the Buccaneers are riding as high as any team in football,” Beckles said. “Look around. Pittsburgh Steelers? They ain’t riding high. Kansas City Chiefs? They ain’t riding high. There are a lot of teams out there that are pretenders.”
Beckles then thoroughly mocked the NFC East teams — losers all — who are still in the hunt for a playoff spot.
“I don’t see anybody in the NFC or the AFC — maybe other than the Buffalo Bills who are playing wicked — that don’t have flaws,” Beckles said. The win over the Lions “is as good as the Buccanneers have looked offensively, maybe ever. Tom Brady is in synch with all his receivers all of a sudden.”
That doesn’t mean the Bucs are perfect, Beckles pointed out.
“The lack of a running game scares me a little bit,” Beckles said. “Leonard Fournette is not the answer. Leonard Fournette is the softest big runner I have ever seen in my life.
“He doesn’t look like he wants to take a lick. I would rather have that kid Ke’Shawn Vaughn come in and run hard. Leonard Fournette doesn’t impress me.”
The Bucs need Ronald Jones back, Beckles believes, and his podcast was recorded before Shaq Barrett, Devin White and Steve McLendon were placed on the Reserve/COVID list.
Beckles did note White is “substantially better” as a blitzer than a coverage linebacker. Like Joe, Beckles wishes Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles would send White on more blitzes.
On the prospect of traveling to Seattle to start the playoffs, Beckles said, “You don’t want to do that.”
Beckles was much happier about the Bucs’ strong play than he was at the few minor drawbacks the team has.
“I feel good,” Beckles said. “I feel as good about this team as I have in over a decade.”
As always, Beckles welcomes feedback and encourages listeners to submit Bucs questions by e-mailing him at IanBeckles@RadioInfluence.com.
January 3rd, 2021 at 8:08 am
We are in…..that’s a huge stride for this organization. What happens in the playoffs with all these teams is grossly dependent on luck. Covid can absolutely gut a roster with no time to even prepare back ups. That’s the wild reality of these playoffs. I think we have the ability to make a run, we just need a bit of luck on our side.
January 3rd, 2021 at 8:24 am
Today’s game is going to be very difficult. Our pass rush and the defense up the middle will be severely depleted. Brady better be ready to put up some points today. Getting that 5 seed is important and we don’t want to have to rely on the Rams losing to secure it.
January 3rd, 2021 at 8:36 am
The teams that are successful in the playoffs are peaking at the right time …
January 3rd, 2021 at 8:45 am
Agree with beckles. Been saying it for some time. Fournette does not like contact. Sometimes A pinky tackle brings that guy down. Was it the atlanta game where he got ball on 1 yard line and turned his back against defense and got pushed into endzone. I mean gimme a break. And He is a big dude. Let some defenders know you will run over people if you have too
January 3rd, 2021 at 9:18 am
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here, it was the Lions they beat, a team that ranks at the bottom defensively. I need to see more out of the offense today vs ATL, 2 weeks ago they couldn’t score a point against them in the first half.
This offense crumbles against teams with pass rush.
I hope the go deep in the playoffs, just haven’t seen enough to feel confident about their chances sorry.
January 3rd, 2021 at 10:34 am
We are starting hopefully to find our identity and can become comfortable and relax in it. The problem our team has had is they are always trying to play outside of themselves and become off balance or out of position this has happened to us throughout the year as we are developing a cohesiveness among our team which in turn makes it hard to play as a unit or one because there are too many variables and too many individuals We have a lot of talent on this team and when a person knows that they are talented and relax in who they are, they will be able to focus on the task at hand and in turn become a trusted part of the whole or team and once everyone realizes this and embraces it, I don’t think that there is another team that can stay with us.
January 3rd, 2021 at 10:53 am
Whats his name again..bekles…dude, go pound sand, you’ve done nothing but talk a bunch of crap about my team….screw off dude
January 3rd, 2021 at 12:54 pm
Oh Damn just found our Shack and White are not in,yes Atlanta will be a much better measure than Detroit. Atlanta’s playing like they got a chance for a wildcard,after the first quarter Detroit pretty much laid down,lets get that 5th seed boy’s.
January 3rd, 2021 at 6:04 pm
Playoffs… we missed you baby!!!