“This Is A Buccaneers Team That Really Still Feels Like It Is In Win-Now Mode”
February 23rd, 2022
Priority.
Who knew Sara Walsh played guitar?
Joe doesn’t know this to be a fact, but why have a guitar in your office/bedroom unless someone plays it or tries to play it? Otherwise, that could be an awfully expensive dust collector.
One thing that won’t be collecting dust is the movement at quarterback around the NFL and with the Bucs. In a report Walsh delivered for NFL Network today, she emphasized that the Bucs are not building for the future. Walsh noted that Bucco Bruce Arians did not return to lead a rebuilding team in 2020.
The Bucs believe the Super Bowl window is still open, Walsh noted, though not for long.
That is why Joe is confident your 2022 starter, barring injuries, is not Kyle Trask. What serious team goes from a No. 4 quarterback who never wore a uniform on gameday to leading a team to a Super Bowl the next season? That would be no team. The closest example off the top of Joe’s head was Bucs No. 3 quarterback Shaun King leading the Bucs to the NFC Championship and “this-close” to the Super Bowl.
(Joe is very confident Trask will get his fair shot in 2023 or 2024. Just not this year, barring injuries. Jenna Laine of ESPN would add Blaine Gabbert to the “rebuild” mix as well.)
Aside from quarterback, Walsh pointed out that at the top of Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager’s to-do list the next three weeks isto re-sign Bucs stud receiver and free agent Chris Godwin.
You can see Walsh’s full report below.
C’mon Sara, in your next NFL Network report, you have to play “Eruption” for viewers.
The @Buccaneers have a laundry list of free agents to address. The latest on the priorities here in Tampa when it comes to getting deals done. #gobucs #nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/o0pc60gnkn
— Sara Walsh (@Sara_Walsh) February 23, 2022
February 23rd, 2022 at 2:21 pm
Godwin and the two lineman, and a QB. Everything else is expendable, or too expensive. They’re going to need to rebuild some positions through the draft, namely TE, and DB. This is supposed to be a superior draft for corners. Ben is told very little separates the top ten guys. They may need to trade up, depending on what and if they give up picks for a QB
February 23rd, 2022 at 2:30 pm
Kyle Trask. What serious team goes from a No. 4 quarterback who
There you go again with the #4 QB incorrect description.
Brady, Gabbert, Trask on the active roster……Griffin on the practice squad….since when does being on the practice squad elevate you on the depth chart?
You can’t find a Bucs depth chart with Trask 4th.
This is the official Buc depth chart & I have looked at many others…
QB
Tom Brady
Blaine Gabbert
Kyle Trask
This is a deliberate attempt to belittle Trask.
February 23rd, 2022 at 2:51 pm
3-14 in 22, mark it down.
February 23rd, 2022 at 2:55 pm
Ben Green … I mostly agree with you.
I’d resign in this order: Davis, Cappa/Stinnie, Whitehead, Godwin.
I love Godwin but his price tag may be too much to get a marquis QB. The Bucs have a lot of depth at WR plus Licht knows how to draft WR.
February 23rd, 2022 at 2:58 pm
SlyPirate Says:
February 23rd, 2022 at 2:55 pm
Ben Green … I mostly agree with you.
I’d resign in this order: Davis, Cappa/Stinnie, Whitehead, Godwin.
I love Godwin but his price tag may be too much to get a marquis QB. The Bucs have a lot of depth at WR plus Licht knows how to draft WR.
________________________________________________________
Oh my. After Evans it’s Johnson and Miller. Is that a lot of depth?
February 23rd, 2022 at 3:04 pm
Joe is hardly the only person reporting this — because it is true! The Bucs had zero intentions of playing Trask this year. Griffin wasn’t always on the practice squad. If Gabbert got hurt in some way, Griffin was Brady’s backup.
Just because you want something to be doesn’t make it so.
February 23rd, 2022 at 3:10 pm
This ain’t no win now roster!!
February 23rd, 2022 at 3:14 pm
Haha Joe, I’d venture to guess most guitarists can’t play Eruption!
One of the toughest guitar parts I’ve ever tried to learn…
February 23rd, 2022 at 3:20 pm
All depends on the QB.
If you get a legit QB option, then maybe the Bucs can make a run. They do play a brutal schedule, but so does the rest of the NFC South, so even with that rough schedule they can still be a playoff team, if they got a legit QB. Then, if the team got hot right as the playoffs started, like in 2020, then anything can happen.
But it all depends on the QB. If it’s someone in the Trask/Gabbert range, then season is over before it begins.
February 23rd, 2022 at 3:23 pm
As Ben indicated “Godwin and the two lineman, and a QB” I would add whitehead if possible.
Teams like Greenbay in worst cap shape will keep AR paying him 50m/y keep Adams and keep other weapons.
Tampa can afford a Watson, Carr or a Cousins and Godwin and Jensen Cappa.
If they think they are close to beating a Rams or 49ers or Cowboys now they should be investing in a QB who is better or same level as a Murray, Dak or Trey, Ryan or Winston.
Everything else for FA is nice to have but in the modern NFL you aren’t winning without a top QB, unless you have a defensive unit like the old Ravens or Seahawks or Giants.
No 1 Defense in NFL 2021 Patriots, mid level QB play, game 1 v. Buffalo they were destroyed by Allen and the no1 defense never forced a punt.
Even Rams amazing defense v. Tampa, the star studded Rams, best DT best CB great safety, former no1 DE past 10y, lots of sacks hits etc, and it came to 27-27 with a few seconds to go.
Tampa had one healthy WR2 to match with Evans WR1 and it was an win for Tampa’s against one of the best in NFL at sacks and pressure Brady’s Achilles heel.
February 23rd, 2022 at 3:27 pm
@ unbelievable,
Same here. I tried learning the solo in Eruption for at least 6 months and only got 3/4 through. Super tough. I might have finished it eventually but had to quit guitar due to severe arthritis – I didn’t want to quit, but had to!!
Sarah should be playing Hit Me with Your Best Shot, LOL.
February 23rd, 2022 at 3:39 pm
If a QB…..Brady was injured and Griffin was elevated to the roster….then perhaps…..but that didn’t happen.
Griffin wasn’t protected and could have been scooped up by any team to their active roster, practically all year….
“Reported” doesn’t make it so.
Look at the depth charts…..in regular season…
February 23rd, 2022 at 3:40 pm
The defense is likely going to be trash…..there’s just not enough resources to go around. If we trade away draft capital to bring in top tier QB, we’ll need cap space to fit them in which means other guys dont get resigned. If push comes to shove, you’re investing in a QB over Carlton Davis and Whitehead….that’s reality. The problem we will have in filling those spots is no draft picks to get young talent in and no cap space to sign serviceable free agents. We really do have to pick one side or the other and it seems obvious in a passing league with a solid line and two top tier WRs, we’ll invest in offense, particularly QB.
February 23rd, 2022 at 3:52 pm
Wait, there’s people who think Trask beat out Griffin? LOL!
Why in the world would the Bucs have used up a roster spot on Griffin if they thought Trask was better? They couldn’t cut Trask and put him on the practice squad since someone would have picked him up, that’s the only reason he wasn’t on the squad. It doesn’t mean Trask is a bust or a wasted pick, but he clearly was nowhere near ready to play.
February 23rd, 2022 at 4:03 pm
Used to have a friend in college who played guitar and played in bar bands basically for beer money. Every once in a while someone would ask him to play Van Halen and he would get an ashen look over his face and shake his head and mumble, “I can’t.”
And he was a huge Van Halen guy. Just said learning Van Halen was really, really difficult.
February 23rd, 2022 at 4:08 pm
Simple. If they wanted another team to take Trask they would have cut him. Putting Griffin on the practice squad the Bucs knew they had a chance to keep him.
Joe has spoken to, since Trask was drafted, every level of the organization and not once was Joe told Trask would have been playing if Brady and Gabbert got hurt.
The same folks consistently told Joe last year was a developmental year for him, hence why he was never active for a game. But hey, if you want to keep dreaming, keep dreaming.
February 23rd, 2022 at 4:08 pm
Of cource we are not building for the future but I think the biggest question the Bucs should be asking is if the best move is to go after a QB this year or next……….If youre looking at CAP space and all these free agents theres definitely a argument to make that making a big move next year could set us up for more wins longterm.
I know everybody loves win now mode but if we can set ourselfs up next year with a younger QB and a longer window to contend for another Super Bowl it might be the best option.
February 23rd, 2022 at 4:12 pm
@D-Rok
Ah, sorry to hear that man. I’ve got my own tendinitis / arthritis sh** I deal with as well… I can still play, but only pick up the guitar maybe once every week or so. And usually only play for 30 – 40 min before the pain gets bad.
Not like my younger days where I would play for 3 – 4 hours a day almost every single day!
One thing that did help a little was doing active release therapy…
@Joe- I believe it! It’s just so fast and technical.
February 23rd, 2022 at 4:24 pm
The Trask pick also pissed off Tommy.
Tom knew we needed another OLB or CB or DT/DE.
February 23rd, 2022 at 5:09 pm
Don’t think this is a win now roster even with a big name carpet bagger QB- defense will not be as stout as 2020s. One big reason is the drop off of JPP- he was key to a lot of success– super stout vs the run, bull rushed to the QB in 2 secs or less, which made Shaq and Vea more effective– 4 man rush protected the secondary and helped White free lance. With JPP a shadow of himself- injured- none of this existed and defense suffered this year. Doubt if he will be the same and probably wont return. Without Gronk the offense will sorely miss his blocking- can’t be replaced either. So no, no matter what happens at QB no way Bucs can contend seriously. Need to keep young talent (Godwin, Whitehead for sure, and both Davis and Cappa if reasonable, and yes Rojo and OJ if on 1 year prove it deals), keep the picks, draft well and sign a low cost winner free agent or two again, like Shaq– that’s what a good 2022 would bring Buc fans. 9-8 or -8-9 would be a solid year — no den of depression.
February 23rd, 2022 at 5:17 pm
Oh, and TB 12 doesn’t want to play here anymore- if as rumor has it he wants to go to SF — fine- take Jimmy and a high pick and be happy– let him start and see what happens- Trask can play when he gets hurt– if that doesn’t work 2023 will be set up with all the comp picks from 22 and a high #1 and were back in business
February 23rd, 2022 at 5:24 pm
I can’t believe anybody is suggesting letting Godwin go. He is a high-character, selfless warrior, aside from his talent and production. It is a guess whether any draft pick will show the same colors. We know what we have with Godwin and he is precious.
February 23rd, 2022 at 6:42 pm
“Trask, who has never worn a uniform on Gameday”
Redundancy is becoming your main moniker JOE!
I understand you don’t want to be like non-biased AP reporters but you are painting yourself into a corner. Believe me it isn’t fun for the 10 year + followers like me and Many others. Maybe you only care about the newbies. IDK.
February 23rd, 2022 at 6:43 pm
Keep doing your stuff tho if $ is your only goal. Most media is that way nowadays.
February 23rd, 2022 at 7:08 pm
Jimmy G was never HALF the QB Trask was in college which is all we actually have to gauge future success on so far right now. ANYone who thinks Jimmy G is the long term answer needs to take up professional Knitting as a past-time.
February 23rd, 2022 at 8:10 pm
I agree with Oneilbucs. It’s truly the end of days. Going out to see if there’s any giant asteroids hurtling towards earth.
February 23rd, 2022 at 8:29 pm
C’mon Joe… Lay off of Sara W… She ROCKS!
February 23rd, 2022 at 9:43 pm
There can be no talk of a win-now mode until the QB question is settled, along with all critical veteran signings.
Even if TB12 had not exited, the team would still be a question mark, more than an instant SB contender.
This was the season for it, and it was squandered.
February 24th, 2022 at 6:27 am
Eddie Van Halen is the G.O.A.T.
February 24th, 2022 at 7:33 am
Our SB window ended when TB12 quit.
We now go back to insignificance.
I’m not sticking around for the shyt show that will be the Bucs 2023 season.