”It Should Not Be A Slow Start For Us”
April 11th, 2021
Older Bucs fans remember how the 2002 Super Bowl champion Bucs limped out to a 4-4 record the following season.
Up next was a crushing loss at Carolina to fall three games back of the Panthers in the NFC South chase. A ferocious fourth-quarter comeback by the Bucs was ruined by a late Steve Smith touchdown. The Bucs never recovered and finished 7-9.
Like they were in 2003, Bucs fans are now talking about the Bucs cruising to a division title and a return trip to the Super Bowl. So what’s it going to take?
Something everyone can agree on is there are no excuses for the Bucs to come out flat next season, and they’re too talented and versatile for opposing coaches to figure them out consistently.
A fast start is a must, and Joe was glad to hear cornerback Jamel Dean talk about that this week on WDAE radio.
“It should not be a slow start for us,” Dean explained, noting how he feels 2021 should be all about advancement on what was accomplished through all starters returning and many reserves.
Joe is not concerned about the Bucs getting complacent for two main reasons: Tom Brady and Bucco Bruce Arians.
But will that be enough? Those who watched the recent TAMPA TWO enjoyed Bucs legend Derrick Brooks explain that cruising with status quo is not good enough.
If you missed it, watch below.
TAMPA TWO, the can’t-miss wisdom, knowledge and fun from Buccaneers legend Derrick Brooks and Sage JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman.
Another great presentation from The Identity Tampa Bay, courtesy of Converged Technology Professionals (CTP). Enjoy!
April 11th, 2021 at 3:00 pm
In 2003 i thought the Bucs were never quite the same when they gagged in SNF to the Colts. To me that ended our glory years……Once we fell to pieces in 2003 I never saw the Bucs as a true contender ever again…..That is til Tom came and pulled us out of the basement.
I am confident that the 2021 Bucs will defend their title much stronger then the 03 team.
April 11th, 2021 at 3:26 pm
That damn Colts game…
April 11th, 2021 at 3:31 pm
Manning to Wayne. I hated watching that total collapse of the defense.
April 11th, 2021 at 3:44 pm
So who do we open up with on Thursday night gang? Any guesses? I’m betting either New Orleans at home or at New England on the road. They want the entire nation watching no matter what.
April 11th, 2021 at 4:14 pm
DaBux. Im doubting it will be the Saints. We opened up against them last year.
How bout the Cowboys? That sounds fun……Actually, scratch that, I want the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. Every year when the schedule comes out the only thing I want is a Thanksgiving game. Dont know why really.
April 11th, 2021 at 4:31 pm
I see us opening vs the Bills. No way we open on the road again, we were the last SB winner to open on the road in 03’ at Philly. They can’t do that to us again.
April 11th, 2021 at 4:37 pm
Things are much different this time around. The SB winning team is basically intact, for one thing. Brady and Arians are both ready to keep their foot on the gas, and between the two of them they should be able to influence the entire team. And still having Leftwich and Bowles is a major advantage. Same schemes, same terms as last year, plus developed relationships between coaching staff and players. This team is poised for another super successful year, guaranteed playoff spot, and likely SB appearance.
April 11th, 2021 at 4:47 pm
Joe, Joe and Ira were talking about opening day on a recent podcast. Ira said he thought it would be the Saints, Joe thought the Cowboys and other Joe thought the Bears. One Joe mentioned the NFL might be concerned about the chance of a hurricane in September (of course) so that might be a reason we open on the road. I think we better open at home after what happened last time
April 11th, 2021 at 5:00 pm
You can add JPP to that list. That guy will rev up the defense. White and Winfield will run with it. LVD and Suh will keep it going. The defense will be solid Day 1.
April 11th, 2021 at 6:07 pm
There is one HUGE difference in this team than the team in 03. This team has balance with a capital B. Which side of the ball is better O or D?
With Brady and all those talented targets and substantial OL everybody tends to quickly think of us as an offensive team in much the same way we thought that 2003 was all defense.
But we are far from all O…our D was almost as good last year and they have more room for improvement than our O.
Bottom line…neither side of the ball desperately needs to perform because the other side isn’t capable of winning the game on their own. The current Bucs can beat your defense and beat your offense.
It’s all good! Right now I still give the 02 team as props as being better than the 20 team. But if the 20 team comes out this year and makes any kind of playoff run I think the pendulum swings to them as the best Buc’s team ever.
April 11th, 2021 at 6:46 pm
Still remember that 38-35 OT loss like it was yesterday. Never seen an entire stadium of fans literally stunned like they were when that game ended. Just couldn’t believe that our vaunted defense fell completely apart like that. Two back-to-back OT losses at home to start the season really sucked.
Really don’t care who we open up against this year. We’re the SB Champions, and we’ve got a target on our backs. Every team will be up when they play the Bucs. Every game will be a dogfight & can’t take anything for granted. This team’s leaders know that better than anyone I’m sure.
April 11th, 2021 at 6:59 pm
Simple 03 no tb 2021 tb
April 11th, 2021 at 8:16 pm
Simple 03 no tb 2021 tb
⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️
A pathetic example of American education.
It’s like some type of code… for dummies.
A person with basic high-school skills might have written:
It’s simple: In 2003, the Bucs didn’t have TB12, while in 2021, they do.
April 11th, 2021 at 9:49 pm
Hey bucs 59 ,I got it, you post how you want to post 👍
April 11th, 2021 at 9:59 pm
The 02/03 team was a defensive powerhouse with a mediocre at best offense. our current, 20/21 team has a more favorable balance between offense and defense.
Defense wins championships but balance brings domination.
Our current TEAM is definitely the better of the two.
April 11th, 2021 at 10:01 pm
Mb uneducated people couldn’t figure it out probably took him an hour to get
April 12th, 2021 at 8:14 am
Remember the opener of 2003 like it was yesterday. Bucs had just closed the sorry old Veterans stadium in Philly using Ronde Barbers pick six of McNabb like a filet knife to gut the hated Iggles and we proceeded to pole axe them again to open their new stadium on MNF. Joe Jurevicius had two of the best catches I have ever seen in that game(you tube them).
This year the difference maker will be our depth , which we did not have in 2003. Buccaneers will go through teams like a hot knife through butter , as long as we keep TB12 healthy. I am leaning toward picking up Bridgewater if we can , as Gabbert is merely a stop gap emergency QB , but Bridgewater with a good running game can excel.
April 12th, 2021 at 8:18 am
I think the team is still hungry. The guys we signed didnt take team-friendly deals to not win.