Bucs Are Good, Yes. But About The Super Bowl…
January 8th, 2022
Former Bucs G Ian Beckles.
The Bucs last week had a rough game, needing to rally from two touchdowns down to beat the lowlife Jets with 15 seconds left.
The Bucs may be the defending Super Bowl champs but they are not playing like the champs. Who says? Ian Beckles, that’s who.
The former Bucs guard and current popular local sports radio personality said on his podcast “In the Trenches” that the Bucs are a good team but to win the Super Bowl, you have to be a great team and the Bucs simply are not playing great.
“If you ask me before the game, if you ask me three weeks ago, if you ask me six weeks ago, ‘Do you think this Buccaneers team is a Super Bowl team?’ I’m going to say, no. I still don’t,” Beckles said. “I still think we are a good football team that is able to come back and beat a Jets team.
“But we are not a great football team, everybody. When I talk about great, this time last year we were starting to play great. We’re not playing great right now. There are certain players that I don’t think are not playing great. I really don’t.”
So Beckles rattled off a couple of names. One is a little unpredictable and the other is not.
“Devin White to me seems a little bit off,” Beckles said. “I don’t know why. I don’t know what it is. I don’t know if it is a physical thing. Sometimes the length of seasons get to you. Sometimes. the duration of your career gets to you. Devin White doesn’t look the same.”
And then, as Joe had a hunch for some months, Beckles teed up Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. Now Beckles has always had a hangup for one Bucs defensive lineman and he would pound the guy for years until he was out of town and Beckles could find another tackling dummy. Though Beckles hasn’t come with both barrels blazing for JTS yet, his critique is getting sharper by the week.
“Tryon-Shoyinka is playing a lot right now,” Beckles began. “I think I saw him make a half of a play.”
Beckles then invoked two of his favorite punching bags from years past in comparing JTS to Gaines Adams and Gerald McCoy — Joe knew months ago this was would happen. Beckles’ said JTS is like Adams and GMC in that they never try to run through blocks.
Now to be fair, Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians said recently JTS has been too “finesse.” So Beckles may be onto something. Still, as a part-time rookie, JTS has had many more pressures than Adams ever did his rookie year.
The pass rush, since Bucs sack king Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul have been hurt, has nosedived. Without a pass rush the Bucs’ defense is doomed.
“If you think that pass rush is good enough to go to Green Bay and beat Green Bay or beat Arizona, we are in trouble, I’m telling you,” Beckles said. “It’s not enough, OK.”
Beckles is also irked by what he perceives as a soft running attack.
“We don’t run the ball with enough passion,” Beckles said. “Who have we really run the ball down their throats? I think that is necessary, man.”
Beckles didn’t deal much with Antonio Brown’s meltdown, but Beckles is here to tell anyone who listens that Brown isn’t an a-hole, he’s just flat crazy.
“@ssholes don’t do things that cost themselves millions of dollars,” Beckles said. On Brown’s topless jumping jacks stunt in the end zone, Beckles added, “It doesn’t look crazy. It is crazy.”
A listener e-mailed Beckles asking about O.J. Howard. Beckles sort of gave Howard a back-handed swipe.
“I don’t want to talk about O.J. Howard because he doesn’t play enough.”
January 8th, 2022 at 8:09 am
Absolutely love Ian Beckles but that picture makes him look like Gilligan.
January 8th, 2022 at 8:16 am
The boston bomber got a stimulus check
So i think the bucs have a better chance then that
January 8th, 2022 at 8:20 am
I can’t really argue with anything Beckles said…..I’m a huge Devin White fan and I’m puzzled & disappointed with his inconsistency.
I will say…anytime a team is missing 3 key starters on both sides of the ball it would be a problem…..
January 8th, 2022 at 8:22 am
Please use that picture from now on. haha Good stuff
January 8th, 2022 at 8:27 am
AB’s behavior exhibits a Bipolar condition
January 8th, 2022 at 8:27 am
I think his assessment is spot on. Given all the injuries, this team is a shell of what it was last year at this time. With Brady under center, it’s a good team. But I don’t like our chances against another playoff team on the road. Even if Fournette and Shaq rebound from injuries, will be they be in top form. The odds are certainly stacked against us, but it will still be fun to watch.
January 8th, 2022 at 8:36 am
Well the Bucs have struggled a lot this season. Teams that play tough defense kicked our butt (LA, Washington, New Orleans). And last quarter comebacks against mediocre teams like the Jets are a bad omen for the playoffs. Bucs are just not last years team. Age and injuries are taking their toll. Bucs with Brady are always a threat, but too depleted with unfortunate injuries to be favorites for a repeat. Just getting real. Win or lose they will always be my number one! And considering all the bad luck this year they have still managed a dam good number of wins. They sure as he’ll are not quiters.
January 8th, 2022 at 8:38 am
He’s not wrong about any of it. The playoffs will be won and lost like every game ever, in the trenches.
Tryon should have fresh legs and should know the defense by now, he needs to step it up.
Lenny looks like he will be ready to go in the playoffs
As for OJ Howard, at this point the correct response should be “Who?”
January 8th, 2022 at 8:42 am
If I were the Bucs I’d stop answering the antics of AB. You can’t fix him until he gets medical help. It’s a waste of time.
January 8th, 2022 at 8:45 am
Perfectly said, aholes don’t throw away millions if dollars crazy people do and ALL of AB’s outburst have cost him tens of millions of dollars. I rewatched the Jets game this morning and not sure what set him off, he was high fiving Evan’s when he scored his td, all positive on the sidelines well into the 2nd qtr. I did notice Grayson and Johnson were getting few more reps. He’s right about OJ, he is useless even for blocking. Bucs could scrape by with the beat up O but the defense is bad.
January 8th, 2022 at 8:51 am
If the Bucs beat the Panthers today, they will likely play the Eagles or Saints at RayJay, and if they win that one, they would likely play the Rams, Cardinals or Cowboys at RayJay, depending… so the path to the NFC Championship is there and that’s all you can ask for… except for some banged up players to get healthy asap.
January 8th, 2022 at 8:51 am
Tomorrow ^
January 8th, 2022 at 8:58 am
Nothing to disagree with but all of the other teams that will make the playoffs are not great teams either, like the Bucs they are good teams.
The Bucs are no longer a favorite to go all the way but they are in the tournament and anything can happen.
Cross your fingers and hope Barrett and David can get back for playoffs.
January 8th, 2022 at 9:11 am
Not going to say it.
January 8th, 2022 at 9:14 am
Well we go ahead and kill narrative that only takes a top flight QB. And a Historical one at that but somehow we still need a top flight team. SMH
Devin white as you know, all the Pro bowls votes was in and he packed it in
January 8th, 2022 at 9:23 am
Absolutely dislike Ian Beckles, he is full of himself and most of the times very biased on his opinions by NOT football related stuff, anyway, this time he is right.
The problem with most of the fans is that every hour passing from previous Sunday’s game, they have tendency to “polish” their team, and forget most of the mistakes it makes.
..but still we have a crappy D, and now a half O.
I don’t see another SB. I’m not sure if we can win the first PO game either.
I agree with Beckles.
January 8th, 2022 at 9:30 am
Fun fact. Beckles played 8 years and never played on a team that had a winning record.
January 8th, 2022 at 9:31 am
The Bucs have been shaking and inconsistent all year.
They are going to have to play like we have not seen so far this year.
Odds are not good.
January 8th, 2022 at 9:50 am
Loving the photo of Beckles in the post season uniform he wore throughout his career.
I agree with what he’s saying, especially DW who has been a disappointment the whole season. You can make excuses how he’s being used differently, regardless his fire has been a dim candle compared to last year. However, I’m maintaining hope… it ain’t over til you put the fishing gear on.
January 8th, 2022 at 9:54 am
We know why teams in this era don’t repeat as Super Bowl champions, it was a blast to be the first to win the game on the home field at Ray-Jay…..they’re good this year but thanks to injuries, won’t be good enough to repeat…..
Hopefully key players return for next season, a lot of lessons this year and it’s become evident of where needs are for 2022 draft….
It’s been enjoyable and tough to watch, at the time time; Playoffs are a different animal….I’m hoping they can win at least one game…..
January 8th, 2022 at 9:59 am
On a side note, I think 1 AB tweet about how the Bucs can’t win without him would motivate this team to light their fire for a playoff run. I’m sure that POS human still has more to say, so keep talking fool (AB, not posters).
January 8th, 2022 at 10:07 am
I vaguely remember comments from Beckles last year, on how the Bucs were Super Bowl “pretenders” instead of contenders. After that, and him saying he’s “never heard” of guys on the Bucs team, it’s hard to take him seriously.
January 8th, 2022 at 10:35 am
Just a side question. I wonder if AB is still hanging out (and in) with that toilet licking slut? Just wondering! AB, that’s not crazy!!
January 8th, 2022 at 10:43 am
The question is, do the Bucs have a better or worse chance to win the SB than the Patriots had in SB LI down 28 – 3 against the Atlanta Falcons?
January 8th, 2022 at 10:45 am
*With the same common denominator, i.e., Thomas Patrick Edward Brady, Jr. as their Quarterback?
January 8th, 2022 at 11:00 am
Agree with every Beckles said, but I’d be a lot more harsh on JTS. As far as O.J. That comment was golden. He won’t be here next year. I think you will see a whole new motivated team when it comes to the playoffs. BA is resting guys who could be pressed into service if needed. Brady will have everyone pumped up when the playoffs start.
January 8th, 2022 at 11:04 am
Beckles pretty much stated the obvious here.
That’s what will make the wins even sweeter.
Last year people thought the Bucs were lucky (injury wise)
This year nobody can say a damn thing.
Playoffs ARE a different animal and this team knows what it takes.
These injured guys (JPP) for example have been MIA simply because the staff knew they needed to be ready for the playoffs.
Does anybody really think this team won’t bring it in the playoffs.
Come on man.
January 8th, 2022 at 11:22 am
It’s a tough call.. or guess.
On paper it looks impossible, but also the intangibles of team chemistry, coaching leadership along with experience and mental toughness.
Then theres brady. 2019 brady faced a last game of the year with a needed victory for playoff bye. He sukked and ironically AB was on that team and was released early that year.
Leaving tommy with depleted roster and botched game plan. Gakked the game then 1 and done playoffs. That’s the low point that made the bounce back last year so amazing.
So now he gets another chance at that. We shall see.
January 8th, 2022 at 11:39 am
I hope they win so this gasbag shuts up
January 8th, 2022 at 11:44 am
Nano he will never shut up. That’s his job now, to trash the Bucs.
January 8th, 2022 at 11:53 am
BucsCoolAid:
You haven’t a clue about how bad Brady’s weapons were the last few games of 2019. It was a miracle that Brady carried them to the Playoffs.
January 8th, 2022 at 11:56 am
This is a very interesting comment. Joe doesn’t know of too many people employed to co-host a sports radio show or who sells ads for his podcast that is supposed to “shuts up.”
Please point out for Joe a podcast that is somewhat popular where the entire podcast is nothing but ads and dead air. LOL Advertisers generally don’t like that form of marketing unless you are talking about billboards. 🙂
January 8th, 2022 at 12:07 pm
We should win our 2nd to last game this week, unless Arians decides to be the next person to run off the field shirtless. And I will definitely be interested and hoping for the best, but next week will be our last game of the season, probably against either Frisco or Philly. Defense has regressed substantially, injuries accounting for a lot. Offense no longer the same with receiving corp gone. And nor impressed with Leftwich play calling or his ability to adapt strategy (see Saints games). It was fun while it lasted. Let’s enjoy one last win tomorrow.
January 8th, 2022 at 12:13 pm
Beckles is pretty spot on here. I’ve said the same thing ever since out injuries started getting worse. You cannot limp into the playoffs and expect miracles. Sure, we are good enough to maybe win a game or 2. But we are not marching into the icy tundra in Wisconsin and beating the Pack with this mangled squad. Its simply to much to overcome. I’m optimistic but I’m also a realist. Prayer is great..when you are healthy.
January 8th, 2022 at 12:49 pm
@”…Does anybody really think this team won’t bring it in the playoffs…”
———————
Yes!
Why: last game against Saints.
They had ALL the reasons, and ALL conditions to play hard and win.
The result: They scored ZERO points. A SB contender does not do that!
January 8th, 2022 at 12:51 pm
AB needs medical help. However, a person needs to accept that before that person has a chance to get better. He is not capable to admit that he needs help. Although he is still a very good player his antics may keep him from having any chance of any team of giving him another chance. Ian is probably right but it is the ongoing injuries that keeps the team from having much of a chance of gaining cohesion on both offense and defense. It has been ongoing to key players for far to long. How many weeks has it been since we have played with a starting unit that is anywhere near healthy. If there’s any chance for the injured players to return for the playoffs then the Bucs will be able to complete with anyone.
January 8th, 2022 at 2:06 pm
I won’t look up.what he was saying the last week of the season last year…… but I would be willing to bet he wasn’t optimistic about the bucs chances then either.
January 8th, 2022 at 3:34 pm
just hope we don’t play the aints in the playoffs..last yr we beat them in playoffs after loosing 2 regular season games–but Drew didn’t play well , our D was healthy, and we had Godwin & 100% healthy Fournette
they seem to have our & Brady’s number–to the point of getting inside Brady’s head
January 8th, 2022 at 4:01 pm
crazybucs_CL Says:
January 8th, 2022 at 12:49 pm
@”…Does anybody really think this team won’t bring it in the playoffs…”
———————
Yes!
Why: last game against Saints.
They had ALL the reasons, and ALL conditions to play hard and win.
The result: They scored ZERO points. A SB contender does not do that!
^^^^^^^^^^^
The team that won the Super Bowl last year got beat at home by the Saints, 38-3. So yes, a Super Bowl contender sometimes does that.
January 8th, 2022 at 4:26 pm
People want to keep comparing last year and this year. Here are a few key differences:
– Last year we were incredibly healthy at the end of the season.
– Last year the defense starting playing great at the end of the season.
Neither of those things are true this year. There’s only so many injuries a team can take:
– 3 top receivers are either injured or done for season
– 3 too running backs all injured
– Both starting OLBs are injured
– Throw in Lavonte David play the secondary just finally healing up, and I just don’t know you overcome all of that.
January 8th, 2022 at 4:59 pm
Unbelievable: What you say is true, but what Crazy said was that “A Super Bowl contender does not do that”, when recent history shows that it DID happen. Who knows about this year, but I believe the Bucs will do okay in this year’s playoffs.
January 8th, 2022 at 8:46 pm
Lol Joe
January 8th, 2022 at 11:27 pm
Let me just state the facts. Given how much talent is on this team, the performance across the entire season has left us underwhelmed. We just haven’t played to the talent level like we did at the end of last season (even overachieving).
We’ve beaten up on bad teams. We barely edged the small handful of great teams we played (and I’d argue several of those games were given to us by the refs and their love for Brady).
We also lost to and/or struggled against a bunch of mediocre teams, not to mention consistently destroyed by the Saints.
We are also by far in the worst health we’ve been all year, while other teams like Dallas, Green Bay, and KC are surging and seemingly getting better each week.