Walter Football Still Unimpressed With Bucs
December 12th, 2023
Smoke and mirrors record?
The Bucs are back in first place and control their own destiny for postseason glory. That doesn’t mean there is no room on the bandwagon.
It seems “Walt” of WalterFootball.com has no desire to jump aboard. He basically typed that just because a team is in first place in its division doesn’t mean it’s any good.
The biggest point “Walt” makes why he’s not yet a believer is the Bucs have only beaten one team that currently has a winning record, the Vikings.
The Buccaneers are 6-7, so people are trying to talk themselves into believing that they are not that bad. The Buccaneers’ five wins have been against the Vikings, Bears, Saints, Titans, and Panthers. Minnesota outplayed Tampa in that game, but made a number of turnovers. The Chicago game saw Justin Fields run only twice after the opening drive. The Saints had no chance because Derek Carr played hurt. And the Titans looked like they had no shot with Will Levis finally playing down to his natural abilities. The Buccaneers lost to the Falcons by three, but that game would have been a blowout had the Falcons not lost fumbles twice at the Tampa 1-yard line. They also covered against the Bills, but needed a miracle to do so. Plus, Buffalo isn’t very good either.
More recently, the Buccaneers beat the Panthers and Falcons. The latter victory saw Atlanta outgain Tampa Bay by 150 net yards and two yards per play!
“Walt” makes a fair point about not beating decent teams (yet). Don’t you have to beat more than a 7-6 team to be considered good?
The next two games will present impressive tests to see if the Bucs can finally get over on good teams, Green Bay on the frozen tundra and hosting Jacksonville.
December 12th, 2023 at 4:09 am
Hoping the Pack outblunders the Bucs.
December 12th, 2023 at 4:37 am
Either am I!
Middle of December and they have 6 wins
December 12th, 2023 at 5:00 am
Get rid of Bowles….
December 12th, 2023 at 5:26 am
I take Walter from Walter Football with a grain of salt…He is an Eagles fan and hates the Bucs for knocking the Eagles out of the playoffs during the Bucs first Super Bowl year. He hated on the Bucs during their second Super Bowl run, too…That said, he’s right about the Bucs this year, I doubt they could beat any good team.
December 12th, 2023 at 6:01 am
Another good point HC Grover. I too hope the Packers out blunders the Bucs. Exactly what happened with Atlanta.
December 12th, 2023 at 6:05 am
I still believe it depends on two things. HEALTH of the Bucs combined with the health of the Bucs. How healthy is Trevor Lawrence and the rest of the Jags.
2nd It depends on the growth of this team. IMHO this team is clearly improving, but have they improved enough to win some of these big games.
That’s the fun of cheering for a football team. Not everyone has lost all HOPE.
Three results…the Bucs continue their chuckleheaded ways with stupid penalties and mistakes…they actually start getting it together just in time for an exciting stretch run…or somewhere in between and they become teasers with unrealized promise.
Only one of those things will be true and nobody save the Almighty truly knows which will happen.
I get “handicapping” and grading one’s favorite team, but to always pick the worst outcome and then enhance with some truly stupid complaints along with valid handicapping analysis is just a waste of time.
I only have THIS moment. Am I going to use it dwelling on the worst of those three possible outcomes. Am I going to let my fear that the Bucs will simply tease or suck dominate my thoughts right now.
HELL NO! I am a freaking Bucs fan and I will cling to HOPE!!! If that fades and gets wiped out by on field performance at least in THIS moment I’m excited.
If it blows up I’ve had this moment. IF I choose to take the Buc’s suck way and the Bucs win then I shall have wasted this minute!!!
GO BUCS! JUST WIN BABY!
December 12th, 2023 at 6:10 am
I predicted a 7 win season with this QB and this roster. Lots of talk about how much “talent” we have but it’s mostly a bunch oh young guys still learning the NFL game and a handful of legendary Bucs on the back end of their careers. We’ll see how they finish, but remember, we have the team we can afford.
December 12th, 2023 at 6:11 am
This coach sucks……team does too….but it’s because of the coach.
That is all.
December 12th, 2023 at 6:12 am
You can’t be a good team when you have a 🗑 at QB1.
December 12th, 2023 at 6:17 am
Joe says:
“Walt” makes a fair point about not beating decent teams (yet). Don’t you have to beat more than a 7-6 team to be considered good?”
—-
“Only thats not what Walt wrote that you quoted which is why he is off base.
The Buccaneers are 6-7, so people are trying to talk themselves into believing that they are not that bad”
are peopel really saying they are good? haven’t seen it. However, can people at this point say they are not that bad especially where the pundits had them finishing when th season started? Yes they can say
“Not that bad”.
December 12th, 2023 at 6:18 am
First off, Buffalo is anomaly… Think 2007 Giants. They sneak into the playoffs NO ONE will want to face them. They have enough on both sides of the ball to beat anyone in the NFL. I’m still surprised of their record, but I won’t be surprised if they end up in the Super Bowl, they are that kind of team.
AND…Who exactly is impressed with this football team? Anyone on these boards is delusional to feel good about how this team is playing. Pretty sure we all know better. That being said, I’m happy to be head of the worst, and I’ll gladly take another division title.
December 12th, 2023 at 6:18 am
K_bassuka Says:
December 12th, 2023 at 6:12 am
You can’t be a good team when you have a 🗑 at QB1.
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NO we are good. The one that is trash is still on the bench.
December 12th, 2023 at 6:34 am
I’ll say it again. Beat the Packers and maybe you’ll have some fans start believing in this team again.
December 12th, 2023 at 6:36 am
I will be a contrarian and say I am impressed how the Bucs like the Rams are competing for a chance at the playoffs despite being in cap jail respectively.
There are teams not in cap jail and are now looking at a top 5 pick in comparison. Sure the Bucs could finish the season there as well but more likely this is a .500 ball club if we are honest.
We all know that this coaching staff is holding back the true potential of this team. The offense has promising young players in White, Palmer and Otton.
Defensively Diaby, Kancey, Izien, McCollum, and Merriweather are slowly ascending.
December 12th, 2023 at 6:37 am
Walt is right, although with a competent HC and OC, Bucs record is probably 7-6 or 8-5 even with this cap strapped roster. Hopefully, next year, the new coaching staff will be able to develop a 1st round QB and get rid of the dead weight on this team.
December 12th, 2023 at 6:40 am
stpetebucfan Says:
December 12th, 2023 at 6:05 am
2nd It depends on the growth of this team. IMHO this team is clearly improving, but have they improved enough to win some of these big games.
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I see them right on the edge . Except fpr the corners I coud see them balling out down the stretch or tumbling like a drunk trying to walk straight for a cop.
I Feel like the oline has gotten a little better ( maybe much better at run blocking)
The running back has gotten better
and the ball is likely to be spread around more now that MIke’s got his.
Problem is almost all of that can be eaten up by th fact that pass coverage has gotten much worse since the early part of the season .
December 12th, 2023 at 6:42 am
Sitting back in that lazy a$$ zone coverage scheme..keeping everything in front of you, will be the Bucs undoing down the stretch. Mark it.
December 12th, 2023 at 6:47 am
If you want to root for a team that hovers around .500 by all means bring Baker, and Bowles back.
December 12th, 2023 at 7:11 am
Every game is a one game season now. Bowles is coaching for his career. GB is going to be mad after last night. Jax will be desperate. NO may be checked out. Carolina is not Scottish.
8-9 or worse. Probably not enough to make playoffs. Glazers not going to stand for malaise.
Two Qs: who to hire and who to draft?
Probably draft 14. What is biggest area of need? Lots of good players in Top 25. Not every team ahead in draft needs a QB. Probably 8 in front could but a few of them won’t.
December 12th, 2023 at 7:15 am
Who cares what Wally thinks and why is it important if Tampa is any good. Just enjoy the last minute drives Baker always puts together to allow the defense to blow the lead.
December 12th, 2023 at 7:24 am
Bucs prolly COULD bear the Eagles now
December 12th, 2023 at 7:45 am
Joe, you guys are scraping the barrel. Who is WalterFootball? And, who cares? What are the yahoos going to do on here if the Bucs win the last 4 games? Back in the 1980s, that would have been the joke of the closing decades of the century. Now? Who knows? The talent is there.
December 12th, 2023 at 7:47 am
Yeah, but A) The Bucs have something to do with those teams record, not being winning records, because they added a loss to each of those teams records, B) There’s a lot of shoulda, coulda, woulda, excuses for those losers if we are playing that game, we shoulda, coulda, woulda a few times too… Buffalo, missed hail mary, Colts close no cigar, Texans, rookie QB played outta his mind…C) it’s the NFL, it’s fun to talk, try to look smarter than your friends & peers by predicting… But at the end of the day, this isn’t college, there’s no committee or pollsters to impress, win and you’re in, play your best football at the end of the season you hold up the the Vince Lombardy Trophy. D) The Bucs are a team with huge roster turnover from last season, 13 rookies, a rookie offensive coordinator/play caller, and $74+ million in dead cap space…very few predicted us to be this competitive, and here we are, with all those rookies, gaining confidence down the stretch…
December 12th, 2023 at 7:50 am
9 guys on the field when Atlanta is 1st and goal – inside the 5 and IN DECEMBER is not a ‘good’ team. It shows a team short on discipline, leadership, game concentration and sideline coaching.
Young-yes.
Potential-yes.
Soft zone – awful.
D-line- not good.
O-line improved.
OC play calling- predictable.
We’re mediocre and if we don’t shoot ourselves in the foot each week, we have a chance. After all I’ll take the Al Pacino attitude…… Any Given Sunday….
December 12th, 2023 at 7:53 am
Many of our losses are to playoff teams…..Phil, Buf, Det, SF, Ind & maybe Texans…..
But, yes….we are still not a good team because we are very poorly coached.
December 12th, 2023 at 8:00 am
100% accurate analysis by Walterfootball.com
December 12th, 2023 at 8:08 am
Narratives are cheap and easy to write…
Titans beat Dolphins last night – Giants beat Packers – no one predicted that
The NFL is played on the field and the Bucs are competitive with this current roster.
Do they need upgrades? Sure. Bucs are improving and with another good draft and a FA or 2 could be a solid winning team.
I just don’t get the soft zone coverage- it doesn’t work late in games when opponents’ are passing every down to try to win the game- I’d rather see the Bucs corners play tight coverage and if they get beat once in a while- that may get offset with some more picks or sacks.
December 12th, 2023 at 8:34 am
The Bucs had 7 different drives that produced fewer than 10 yards of offense. In those 7 drives, Mayfield was 0-8 passing with 1 sack and 1 rushing TD. Only one of those drives was hampered by a penalty (false start on Wirfs).
This is your champion QB.
No surprise objective observers see this team for what it is.
December 12th, 2023 at 9:19 am
orlbucfan Says:
December 12th, 2023 at 7:45 am
Joe, you guys are scraping the barrel. Who is WalterFootball? And, who cares?
^^^^^^^^^
Only a clown complains about a free website.
December 12th, 2023 at 9:19 am
Tony marks Says
“NO we are good. The one that is trash is still on the bench.”
I’m going to be honest here…there are moments when Baker Mayfield impresses me.
There, I said it…but…
…still cannot get around three things:
1. His career record and winning less than 40% of his games.
2. He has yet to beat a good team. I think the Vikings had a losing record when we beat them.
3. FitzMagic factor. Fans here bought into him. The team bought into him. He got paid. He bombed. That’s the way with career backups…they may have a good showing once in a while, but they are a trap.
In the case of Baker Mayfield, he is the perfect example. He had a good year (seasons ago) and proved himself a bust and a trap. And then, last year, he still lost more than 60% of his games, but apparently he was good enough to ‘trap’ the Bucs.
People praise his infectious attitude…seems to me people praised Winston’s attitude pretty often as well.
So, that’s where I stand on Mayfield, and this year he has done absolutely nothing to change my mind.
That said, Tony, I know you were just talking smack, and I’m cool with it…but anyone who seriously considers Kyle Trask a winner or a loser is speaking without factual data. He simply has not been given the opportunity to prove himself yet. He may be a bust. He may not be.
But…a 60+% losing record is just as bad as a 100% losing record. If Kyle were to come in and bomb, at least we’d know.
Here’s a scenario for you:
Baker gets injured the last game of the season, but we manage to barely get into the playoffs. Kyle gets his first start in the playoffs. How would the coaches prepare for it?
December 12th, 2023 at 9:23 am
Alanbucsfan Says:
“The NFL is played on the field and the Bucs are competitive with this current roster.”
I actually believe in most a good portion of this roster. I don’t know if I agree they are competitive though. They’ve only beaten really bad teams.
But, I also believe most of the problem is coaching and a career loser at QB.
December 12th, 2023 at 9:27 am
All_da_way Says:
“Sure the Bucs could finish the season there as well but more likely this is a .500 ball club if we are honest.
We all know that this coaching staff is holding back the true potential of this team. The offense has promising young players in White, Palmer and Otton.
Defensively Diaby, Kancey, Izien, McCollum, and Merriweather are slowly ascending.”
I agree with most of this, though I don’t know if .500 is even possible these days with 17 games.
December 12th, 2023 at 10:13 am
I think this will be a good test to see if Walter whoever is right? Either the Bucs are finally figuring things out and becoming a good team or they will get beat and maybe badly by the Packers. The Packers will be fighting for their lives Sunday trying to wash the taste out of their mouths from last night loss. If the Bucs can pull this one off I think everyone will have to admit they are turning into a decent team.
December 12th, 2023 at 10:52 am
Bowles has done more with less this year. He has his team in first place with a punchers chance at the post season. If I am remembering right this was a similar trajectory to when we won the Super Bowl a couple of years ago. This team follows its QB. That is why Bowles wanted Mayfield. He knew that he was a fiery competitor. That meshes well with Bowles laid back approach. We control our own destiny. That is all that a team can hope for at this point of the season
December 12th, 2023 at 11:03 am
AlanBucsfan
“Narratives are cheap and easy to write…” Amen and making predictions about what is going to happen in what the late great Chris Thomas correctly identified as the No F****** Logic is a fools errand. As fans we love to do it but it’s whizzing in the wind.
As far as Baker and the entire shebang…Last season the Bucs were picked to compete well into the playoffs largely based on the GOAT. This season the Bucs were picked to suck…again largely because of the GOAT’s departure.
As of today… Baker and his sorry Bucs are EXACTLY where they were last season at this same time…6-7!!! How can that be? The experts certainly didn’t figure it out.
BTW…Last year Brady and the guys went to Cincinnati and got their arses handed to them to drop to 6-8…if this year’s Bucs continue to match last year they are “scheduled” to lose on the road this week. Last year Brady and the guys then “rebounded?” to go to Arizona and win on Christmas day by an OVERTIME FG! Convincing eh? They did manage to beat the stinkin Panther at RayJay by six points. Then came the embarrassing end to a mediocre season getting BLOWN out by 13 at the same stadium where this year’s Bucs just won.
IMHO here is what I’m seeing on this board. “SOME” guys are just bound and determined to absolutely trash Mayfield. Others like me are not trashing him nor are we predicting All Pro honors…we are simply being realistic about RESULTS!!! Trask may have a ton of “potential”…fine we have two NFL caliber QB’s if that is the case. But you get paid for performance not potential. BM is getting it done with a team that plays UGLY. He’s overcome a lot of that and added some of his own mistakes.
This is a different year. When the Bucs got to the one and needed to get a TD desperately..not a FG…am I the only one who feared watching Baker turn to hand it to White only to have a Defender shoot a gap created out our rookies on the right or in the middle to tackle White in the backfield?
I was so relieved to watch Baker simply take the snap and dive into a crease that took major ‘nads…even Archuleta pointed that out since there was a defender right in that crease Mayfield had to lower his head, suck it up and take the punishment. Does anybody see that happening with 45 year old fragile Brady? This is not to say Mayfield is as good as Brady…Brady obviously had more accuracy, great judgement…he’s the freaking GOAT…but Baker brings an entirely NEW dimension to the Bucs O. Given the youth of the OL perhaps that is why Baker is MATCHING Brady’s results and he only needs to go 2-2 to continue the trend…Win 3 of 4 and he had exceeded Brady on the SCOREBOARD.
December 12th, 2023 at 12:00 pm
True, but we’re also a young team.
This happens every season — the younger teams get better because of more experience/as the season goes on, and some of the older ones get worse from fatigue and/or injury.
December 12th, 2023 at 12:00 pm
We need to give Mayfield more weapons(speed and big fast running back)and he will be fine.
December 12th, 2023 at 12:10 pm
Mark the tape. The Clueless Todd’s will lose their next 3 games. It’s virtually guaranteed!
December 12th, 2023 at 12:31 pm
SPBF writing stories today….yikes that’s a lot of typing.
I’m tired of all the batted balls.
Can Baker fix that or no?
December 12th, 2023 at 12:31 pm
I still can’t believe we only had 9 guys on defense. I never even witnessed something like that in youth league football. SMH
December 12th, 2023 at 12:43 pm
WRONG ABOUT VIKINGS
Bucs dominated that game. They looked really good. Went downhill from there.
December 12th, 2023 at 1:01 pm
The offensive play designs are terrible you can’t win one game and think all is hunky dory.
December 12th, 2023 at 2:13 pm
I think Dave Canales needs to scheme an offense that utilizes the talent of Baker, Evans, Godwin, and White during the same drive will help our quarterback look better.
Baker is doing fine when you consider what he has to work with.
December 12th, 2023 at 2:27 pm
I take Walter with a grain of salt because he hasn’t figured out how to build a navigable website in about twenty years of trying.
No offense, Joe!
December 12th, 2023 at 2:31 pm
I take the Baker haters with a grain of salt because they sound like Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction.
So weird!
December 12th, 2023 at 2:47 pm
Unimpressed with Bucs for two years now. Under 500 with Brady was this bowles guy. That’s as unimpressive as the league ever seen. And what we thought was impossible to do. Bad division but someone will play 500 or better to take it. It won’t be bowles
December 12th, 2023 at 3:15 pm
Jeff I would NOT be shocked whatsoever if we lose the next 3 of 4. In fact I expect it.
December 12th, 2023 at 3:47 pm
All the oddsmakers had the Bucs at 6 1/2 wins this season based upon their roster and they are setting at 6 wins with 4 games to go. Everyone is acting like the sky is falling. If anything, they have exceeded the expectations.
December 12th, 2023 at 3:55 pm
More weapons??? Good grief, he’s got Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Rachaad White (who has third-most combined yards for running backs). Mayfield has more weapons that most quarterbacks.
If a guy can’t succeed with what Mayfield has to throw to, he can’t succeed.
December 12th, 2023 at 4:03 pm
The Vikings did not have a losing record when we beat them. The Dolphins have yet to beat a team with a winning record. They beat Denver which had a losing record when they played them.
December 12th, 2023 at 5:56 pm
If the Bucs offense could play a whole game and not just the final quarter I would say they are OKAY.
That hasn’t happened yet. They have had a few close to OKAY first series, but most of them got lost somewhere along the road to mediocrity.
Then come that long flat spot in their game where it looks like they missed the memo that NFL games have a sixty minute game clock.
Walt was being nice; I don’t have to. I’m trying to be a fan but the team doesn’t look like it wants me.
December 12th, 2023 at 6:13 pm
Right now there are only.16 teams out of 32 with a winning record and 7 of those sit at 7-6.
So only 9 teams are more than 1 game above .500.
You play whoever is on your schedule. The Saints and Falcons would both have winning records if the Bucs hadn’t beaten each of them once. Sometimes you can be the reason that your opponent has a losing record. Just sayin
December 12th, 2023 at 11:08 pm
Bucs fan only b/c I have a big wager on them winning division so probably more unbiased than true fans.
Thought the defense would be A LOT better than this. Offense is probably what I expected. Passing game just seems so bland.
December 13th, 2023 at 6:41 am
Joe in Michigan Says:
December 12th, 2023 at 9:19 am
orlbucfan Says:
December 12th, 2023 at 7:45 am
Joe, you guys are scraping the barrel. Who is WalterFootball? And, who cares?
^^^^^^^^^
Only a clown complains about a free website.
———————
By “clown” you talking about yourself? Plenty of free FB websites better than this Walter yahoo. My statement stands.