Underrated Bucs “Didn’t Make Sense”
March 26th, 2024
“Mike, even Team Glazer didn’t get it. “
Joe picked the Bucs to win eight or nine game last season. It was a split decision in the executive chamber at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters.
A hearty handful of proven, special players, a new-arrival quarterback likely better than any in the division, and a coaching staff with a proven ability to develop player, plus the NFC South competition, and Joe thought there was zero reason the Bucs shouldn’t have a competitive team in the hunt.
But that wasn’t the view by most outside Tampa. Some clown media even picked the Bucs for two or three wins.
The situation fueled the Bucs’ general manager all the way down to the practice squad guys, but it was learned today that Team Glazer was flummoxed and a little annoyed by the chatter.
Buccaneers co-owner Joel Glazer addressed the subject with Joe and assembled media at the swanky Ritz-Carlton resort in Orlando.
“That didn’t make sense to me last year where everybody had us,” Glazer said of the 2023 national prognostications. “But that’s what made it more special as the season went on and made it more fun. I think we’re going to build off last year.”
Glazer went on to talk about key pieces returning and those transactions fueling optimism.
Joe asked Glazer what he liked most about the 2023 experience.
“I think it was the low expectations — I didn’t agree with the low expectations (laughs) — and then kind of proving doubters wrong and growing as the team goes on,” Glazer said. “That, to me, is always the biggest thing. Is the team progressing as the team goes on? You saw that with this team. Fought ’til the end, didn’t quite go our way, but the whole growth of the team as the year went on.”
While Glazer was very clear, Joe will go bold and translate the latter half of what Glazer explained: “Arrow pointing up!”
March 26th, 2024 at 3:45 pm
Good picking last year. This year I want to hear the pick after the draft and schedule.
March 26th, 2024 at 3:49 pm
Well Licht just added the “greatest free agent haul in history” so I would think 13 wins is the floor this season.
March 26th, 2024 at 3:51 pm
I’m not a football expert ..not by a long shot. But I’ve been following these buccaneers since I was in jr. Highschool
Love where this team is at..pieces are falling into place…if mr. Licht nails this draft I can’t imagine how good this team could be
Looking forward to the draft…hope the bucs play the board and not over reach
Go bucs!!!!!!
March 26th, 2024 at 3:53 pm
I’ve got MUCH more optimism for 9-10 wins this year vs. last. Last year, I just didn’t know what the identity of the team truly was.
Hopefully this year this team can continue building on the continuity they gleaned in the 2nd half of last season.
Pleased with who was retained and who was added so far. Let’s see what the draft brings.
Go Bucs ! ! !
March 26th, 2024 at 4:00 pm
If Licht nails another draft and we see improvement from our year 2 guys, welcome back to the hot seat Bowles and Coen. Absolutely no excuses (outside injuries) to not be competitive every game. We know the culture, leadership, and players are good enough to get the job done and get in the playoffs. Can Bowles and Coen win the gameplan battle more often than not this year? We shall see.
If that sounds like an oversimplification… I say coaching matters a LOT and there is a reason many of us were calling for Bowles head towards the end of the season. It wasn’t because we thought the Bucs were a 3 win team, and Glazer knows the same.
March 26th, 2024 at 4:15 pm
10-7
March 26th, 2024 at 4:16 pm
10-7 sounds good
March 26th, 2024 at 4:24 pm
It’s obvious that the low expectations were because of Brady retiring and coaching change.
March 26th, 2024 at 4:27 pm
Joel Glazer … ‘Growing as the team goes on. That, to me, is always the biggest thing. Is the team progressing as the team goes on?’
Kudos to Joel & the rest of the Glazers. THAT is the perfect measuring stick for any team … Is it getting better as the season progresses? And then to take that 1 step further … Does the team build off that the following season?
Like HC Grover, I’m optimistic. I’m convinced that 10-7 is doable, as long as we stay fairly healthy of course AND have a reasonably good draft to close several holes. Might even be able to squeak out an 11-6 season if Lady Luck smiles on us once or twice. No way to know for certain if that’ll be good enough to win the NFC South, but 10-7 SHOULD get us into the playoffs.
March 26th, 2024 at 4:30 pm
HC Grover – Agree with 10-7 sounds right. Devin White was cooked & Davis was injured. Addition by subtraction with some new faces & our offense should improve if we are able to get a dominant OL. If this team can figure out how to run effectively to support our defense we will be a problem for teams.
March 26th, 2024 at 4:32 pm
Saskbucs … You might’ve been calling for Bowles’ head, but the players weren’t, and that’s what REALLY matters. They hung together & believed in their coaches. THAT’s a major accomplishment IMO since the Bucs were the 2nd youngest team in the NFL. They could’ve easily fractured, but they didn’t.
March 26th, 2024 at 4:45 pm
The team that was utterly dominated by Philly and Detroit early in the season didn’t remotely resemble the team that marched into the playoffs
March 26th, 2024 at 4:49 pm
Defense Rules – Well said
March 26th, 2024 at 5:03 pm
11-6
March 26th, 2024 at 5:06 pm
Be real people.
We had our QB AND #1WR in make or break years
bake, the situation, would be a mail man if he did not fight for his life.
you ladies act like he did you a personal favor
mike, drop it like its hot, evans again padded his stats while folding like a rusty lawn chair fished from tampa bay.
5-12 this year.
Hope I am wrong. Go Bucs!
March 26th, 2024 at 5:11 pm
Our schedule will be much tougher, we won our division..
March 26th, 2024 at 5:25 pm
Defense Rules – 100%, that fact is not lost on me and why I am supporting Bowles today after the team put together a couple good playoff performances. It’s a tough situation as a fan, where I know a new coach doesn’t necessarily mean better results, but there are things Bowles needs to do better to maximize this roster.
Clock management
Team Preparedness after bye weeks (not all him)
Scheming better/less conservative with a lead – players have to execute but Winfield did execute and saved a win for them and soft zone bull with no pass rush combined with the poor clock management cost the Bucs 2 wins last season (Houston & Atlanta) in the last minute of games.
We were happy how it all ended and I love the fact players love Todd but there are 9 win expectations here and that’s not unrealistic at all for this roster. Those aforementioned 2 losses and nearly losing the last 2 weeks to blow the playoffs are still an indictment on his HC abilities. Again, Bowles has my support to start the year but he will be under the microscope as much as anyone.
March 26th, 2024 at 5:26 pm
Well I for one won a little scratch in Vegas picking the over 6.5 games which seemed to me to be too low…which it was!$$$
March 26th, 2024 at 6:04 pm
The “Bowles criticism” isn’t subjective, he consistently makes bad decisions leading to real, tangible, negative results on the field.
The “49 seconds left” game: Bowles’ pull-back zone-defense allowed the opposition to chunk-away like it was a practice session with no coverage at all.
Example:
With all that yardage “under-the-radar,
It only takes about 5 or 6 seconds to complete a sidelines pass play; where the receiver catches the ball and just
continues out of bounds. Why does Bowles think he’s “beating the clock” with that “defense?” The opposition is in the red zone in no time with first down and with multiple short-pass, touchdown attempts.
But yet, Bowles thinks it’s worth it because he prevented the “deep ball.” Huh!?
With “man” coverage, in two plays with in-bounds tackles it’s game over. And/or, pressure the quarterback and one play chasing in the backfield will well eat away at 49 seconds, real good.
No, no, Todd, above all else, doesn’t want any remote possibility of being part of an ESPN “play of the week” video of a “deep ball” come-back win over the Buccaneers.
An almost a guaranteed touchdown with, “Bowles’ way,” is okay though, because it comes with a built-in “excuse.”
He’ll lose a good 3:games a year with that bullsh#t, and being clueless as to how to effectively manage timeouts.
Also, there really is no evidence that Canales wasn’t just throwing plays against the wall to see what stuck all last season; because with all the gimmick plays, and not using Chris Godwin respectfully as an elite receiver, it sure looked that way.
March 26th, 2024 at 6:22 pm
We have a division winning schedule so it will not be a cake walk because of our strength of schedule. 9-8 and another division championship. This time instead of owning the tiebreaker over the Aints we will own the tiebreaker over the tweetybirds. Who might also go 9-8 and they have a much easier schedule than us so it will be a sweat…..
March 26th, 2024 at 6:32 pm
I had the bucs going 3-14 last year because dallas smoked us in the playoffs exposing our secondary into used second hand lawn chairs the year before that. But the offense showed up, the 2 lawn chairs got hurt, and the teams captains mostly balled out.
Sometimes good fortune rolls in mysterious ways indeed.
This year, the sky is the limit.
March 26th, 2024 at 6:39 pm
If we had managed to go 3-4 during that 7 game stretch, we would have ended up 11-6. I agree 10 wins is the floor this season.
March 26th, 2024 at 6:53 pm
Fix the trenches on both sides of the ball, implement better play calling and the Bucs can go 12-5.
March 26th, 2024 at 6:53 pm
Everyone keeps saying tougher schedule because we won the division. We won the division three years running now.
March 26th, 2024 at 7:13 pm
💯 “Bucs Guy” – We/Bowels just flat-out ‘blew’ the ATL & HOU games… Coulda/Shoulda been 11-6. “Usfbuc” – It is a much ‘tougher’ schedule… The teams have already been released. The only thing we don’t know is ‘when’ (which week) we play who… Seems like it was already determined ‘where’ (home/away), & right off the top of my head I believe it was Kansas City, Baltimore, San Fran, Philly, Dallas, Detroit, ATL (twice), even the Chargers-Away, too!!!! Pretty dang strong.
March 26th, 2024 at 7:34 pm
Usfbuc, I think everyone is saying “tougher schedule” because we play the Cowboys, the Ravens, the Eagles, the 49ers, the Chiefs, the Lions, the Broncos among others.
March 26th, 2024 at 7:41 pm
Oops we do play the Broncos, but I don’t expect that to be a strong opponent.
March 26th, 2024 at 7:53 pm
It really depends on if Baker can stay consistent we have a defense and we have the offensive weapons Baker Mayfield just got to stay consistent not a huge fan of his but he’s on my team so go Baker
March 26th, 2024 at 7:59 pm
I hope Bowels put that late game ‘2-pt conversion’ attempt back on the shelf this season, when down 14pts late… I Don’t Like It. I know Greg Olsen constantly, over and over again, is going to say “actually, the analytics says there’s a 54% chance and it’s the right call, so you have to go ahead and do it.” NO. It’s basically a friggin ‘coin-flip’ & too many times (when you ‘fail’ on something like that), it is a momentum KILLER… You JUST Scored. NOW, you’re scrambling around (a coach like Bowels, might even BURN one of his ‘precious’ remaining timeouts – wouldn’t put it past him), & then end up trying to throw some ‘jump ball’ to Mike Evans, that gets knocked outta bounds… Versus just keeping it movin’ and kicking the PAT. I’m not a fan of the blanket call. Players are creatures of habit. You score the TD and you kick the PAT. It is soooo deflating when you’re not successful on that play (going for two). Now, you’re down EIGHT, & you have to score TWICE. Have To. There are too many factors to take into account rather than a 52-48% virtual flip of the coin. Momentum is HUGE. If you really wanna go for ‘2’ and show that YOU are being AGGRESSIVE, then fine… Do it at the very end of the game then. If you’re really feelin-it, the weather is bad, you’re on the road, injuries piling up, a tired/warn-out defense/team, whatever. Just PLEASE NO tho, when down 14pts with 8:36 still left to play. Leave it inside your pocket, back on the shelf, or wherever… Just get it outta your mind. LoL.
March 26th, 2024 at 9:27 pm
I’m of the opinion that the Bucs achieved the playoffs because the division was dreadfully weak. If the Bucs played in any other division they would have been drafting higher this year and would not come close to the playoffs. This upcoming season presents a more difficult schedule, of course there is still the two games to be played against each opponent in the weak NFC South conference. At some point teams like The Falcons and Saints will improve, the Panthers have a rougher road to get there.
March 26th, 2024 at 9:49 pm
While the Bucs play in a weak division and probably don’t make the playoffs in any other, they have a much more difficult schedule this upcoming season. Of course they will still play half their games in the weak NFC South, at some point those teams will get better. If the Bucs want to go back to the playoffs, they need to improve, build on what they have. The draft will be crucial to add talent. The secondary losing often injured Carlton Davis is a question mark. There is no edge rusher that is an impact player. The offensive line needs dramatic improvement, and the QB needs to be more consistent.
March 26th, 2024 at 10:27 pm
I wouldn’t be disappointed if we traded up for Brock Bowers, maybe throw in one of our third round picks and another 3rd rounder in next years draft. Can you imagine Evans, Godwin and Bowers roaming the field? I understand he’s probably not an elite blocker in pass pro, he’s a weapon in the pass game. He’s going to be the next great tight end in the NFL. The Bucs tight end group is lacking.
March 26th, 2024 at 10:41 pm
Can’t Ahab, I wondered what the Bucs might do if Bowers slid that far, but I can’t support that in the first round after OJ Howard. I know Pitts has been underutilized but what has he given the Falcons!? 4th overall wasn’t he!? Hard pass on the first round TE. If we want a weapon in the first round because Verse, Latu, JPJ and Barton are all gone… draft a WR like AD or Ladd and let the 11 personnel go nuts out there.
March 26th, 2024 at 11:20 pm
All good Saskbucs, I can get on board with Latu. Defensive ends seem to have a higher bust rate however. Have to get lucky when a team selects a defensive end/ outside linebacker pass rusher. Look no further the JTS or back in history with Keith McCants, Adrian Clayborn, Gaines Adam’s, Dewayne White, Noah Spence, Da’quanBowers, Regan Upshaw, Eic Curry, and Ron Holmes. All top draft picks that’s were pretty much non factors in contributing to the team. Most are considered busts. Leroy Selmon on the other hand was a stellar pick.
March 26th, 2024 at 11:33 pm
Name me someone the Bucs have drafted besides Leeroy Selmon that’s been a stud as a pass rusher. Hugh Green was an undersized great pass rusher in college and moved to linebacker, JPP, Wally Chambers, Shaquille Bennent and Simion Rice all squired via Trade.
March 26th, 2024 at 11:48 pm
The Bucs have been more successful with interior defensive lineman. Sapp was amazing, Dave Pear was the first ever pro bowler for the Bucs, David Logan, Booger, and Brad Culpper come to mind.
March 26th, 2024 at 11:48 pm
I’m sure I’m missing someone.
March 26th, 2024 at 11:52 pm
In a nutshell, drafting a pass rusher has a high bust rate.
March 27th, 2024 at 12:02 am
Let’s not forget Randy Crowder who suffered a career ending injury. Crowder was a great d-line guy.
March 27th, 2024 at 7:54 am
The Saints made us look soft last year. This year we got the Falcons with Raheem Morris and Kirk Cousins. Carolina poached the Coach that I feel made all the difference for us last year going deep into the playoffs, a very smart Dave Canales, who knows this team well. Last year we snuck up on teams, this year we will not. Our Coaching is predictable, especially in our division, but who knows what to expect from the Falcons and Panthers. I would be thrilled with 10 wins, but not counting on it.
March 27th, 2024 at 11:29 am
Capt Ahab, I agree with you. Picking an edge late scares me, Latu has injury history and can’t play full time until he gets better vs the run. I don’t want to reach for need but he is a consensus 1st rounder and I would much rather take the chance on an edge to fill one of our biggest needs than get another weapon. All for the best weapon available if the trench guys we like are gone.
March 27th, 2024 at 9:13 pm
The MSM is mostly based in the larger markets, so naturally, they all crap on the smaller market teams and hype their teams. I remeber last year when the NY media couldn’t shutup about the Jets once they got Aaron Rodgers. Those clowns kept saying how the Jets were going to the SB. Same stuff different day from the peanut gallery.