The Bucs’ Red Flag
June 27th, 2024
Re-signing was a mistake?
Joe has to sort of give a non-believer some credit.
In the past, Cody Benjamin of CBS has been very outspoken about how unimpressed he is with the Bucs’ roster. He has pounded Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht this offseason for not upgrading his roster.
Benjamin, in so many words, believes the Bucs winning the NFC South (for the third straight season) was a fluke. The fact the Bucs had the mighty Lions tied in the fourth quarter on the road in the divisional round and six days prior whitewashed the Eagles means nothing to Benjamin.
And of course, Benjamin is no fan of Baker Mayfield.
So when Joe noticed Benjamin typed an article naming a red flag for each top-20 team, Joe fully expected Benjamin to omit the Bucs.
But Joe has to give Benjamin props for including Tampa Bay in his top-20. His offseason red flag for the Bucs remains the same: Licht decided not to bring in outside impact players.
Buccaneers: The bet on ‘running it back’
Rather than reallocate big-money commitments, Tampa Bay prioritized re-signing its own this offseason, which nicely rewarded veterans like Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, etc. for their scrappy playoff run. Can Mayfield replicate his ball control with essentially the same lineup that barely escaped the NFC South?
Let Joe get this straight: Is Benjamin actually suggesting Licht miscalculated in re-signing Mike Evans and Antoine Winfield? Evans led the league in touchdown catches! Who was Licht supposed to get at receiver who could lead the league in touchdown catches and realistically get 1,000 yards receiving? That’s just dumb.
Is Benjamin also suggesting Licht made a mistake in resigning with All-Pro Winfield? Benjamin didn’t mention Winfield but the implication sure seems to be there. Same with Lavonte David. Did Benjamin expect Licht to throw money at Patrick Queen instead?
Hey, if Benjamin believes the Bucs erred in not getting a proven edge rusher, Joe’s right there with him. Joe’s been banging the keyboard all year about that. That’s the most important position on defense and once again the Bucs are banking on hope there.
As for Mayfield, unless Licht was going to pay an outrageous ransome and mortgage the future to trade up, what was Licht supposed to do at quarterback, sign Gardner Minshew? (Don’t get Joe started on Kirk Cousins — who Benjamin naturally likes.)
It’s not like Licht signed Mayfield to a $50 million-a-year deal.
One big factor that irks Bucs types about the dour #NFLMedia expectations is that the Bucs are expecting their strong rookie class to take the next step up in their development. #NFLMedia doesn’t seem to factor that into their analysis.
And it’s not like the Bucs only re-signed their own. The Bucs brought back safety Jordan Whitehead to fix what was poor performance by a safety not named “Winfield.” That doesn’t count?
June 27th, 2024 at 10:17 am
he’s saying we limped into the playoffs last year in a bad division and rewarded the two guys who had a big part in it.
EVEN IF THAT SAME PERFORMANCE COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER WITH LETTING THEM WALK AND REPLACING THEM THIS YEAR.
June 27th, 2024 at 10:23 am
In reference to Mayfield, “ What was Licht supposed to do..?” , oh, I don’t know, maybe when you call for a competition, have a legitimate QB competition and go with the man who actually won , instead of lying to the players, team , and fans by holding a phony competition where the fix was in no matter what , that’s no way to build trust with the players involved, the team, or the fans.
June 27th, 2024 at 10:24 am
Bucs will win the division again at 11-6 or 10-7 and will get low or no credit for doing it-It’s a Bucs Life
June 27th, 2024 at 10:24 am
It’s pretty obvious these clowns aren’t that familiar with the Bucs.
June 27th, 2024 at 10:26 am
Haters hating.
It’s a Bucs Life.
June 27th, 2024 at 10:44 am
Well, the Traskies are consistent and persistent in their obsession with the anti-Trask conspiracy committed by Bowles and company. You go, JD.
June 27th, 2024 at 10:46 am
I feel strongly that the Bucs will win 12 games this season due to a strong mix of youth, talent and veteran leadership. Something just feels right about it. They probably have the strongest locker room in the entire NFL. Can you name one Primadonna left on the team after they carved out D White and C Davis?
June 27th, 2024 at 10:49 am
“#NFLMedia doesn’t seem to factor that into their analysis.” – Of coarse not, almost all NFL media analysis is predicting what happened last year to happen again. Bucs are easy targets for squeaking by last year.
June 27th, 2024 at 10:56 am
For the 800th time, the ONLY two ways Kyle Trask was going to be a starter for the Bucs last year was if Baker Mayfield got hurt or Trask practiced so well it would be impossible to take him off the field — he didn’t.
Bowles wanted Mayfield from the day he was available. Anyone who thinks Bowles was going to risk his career on a guy with, what, less than a dozen snaps also sleeps with their lifesize-stuffed Alberta Gator doll.
June 27th, 2024 at 11:01 am
IDK why Bucs fans should give a flying f what the media hacks write. Just kick back, pop open a beer, and enjoy another division title and playoff run. The Bucs are a pretty good team, WE know they’re a pretty good team… that’s all that matters. Let the blow-hards step on their dicks and look foolish.
June 27th, 2024 at 11:35 am
Fred McNeil Says. Henry Says. PowerOfPewter Says. Bucslady Says:
I agree with all the above.
And besides, opinions are like a……s, everybody has one and mine (or yours) is the only one that matters.
I like what I see through my rose colored glasses. The future for this team looks good.
June 27th, 2024 at 11:41 am
The Defense is automatically upgraded by replacing Neal with Whitehead. Neal was a nice charismatic guy but was terrible on the field.
June 27th, 2024 at 11:43 am
I dunno.
Seems there is way too much “media”, and the crowded field results in hacks talking s#!t to get attention.
We should start a poll on the Top 20 Low IQ Bad Take Sports Hacks.
The competition will be fierce because #21+ is as bad as #1.
June 27th, 2024 at 11:47 am
When one of the youngest teams in the NFL advances to the divisional round it almost always means the future is looking outstanding
June 27th, 2024 at 11:48 am
Should have saved our $$$$ and gone with door #2, I mean he did win the competition!!!
June 27th, 2024 at 11:51 am
CBS Cody Benjamin sounds derogatory toward Evans and Baker. You are right, who else is he talking about? We got very lucky they both stayed at below value money.
June 27th, 2024 at 11:54 am
Ryan Neal SINGLE HANDEDLY lost us 2-3 games last season. That is nearly inarguable. To bring in even a COMPETENT SS makes us that much better. Bringing in (back) one the caliber of whitehead will by itself win us some games. Loser national reporters are obsessed with QBs.
June 27th, 2024 at 11:54 am
I can only imagine how big this dude’s (and others) woods would have been if the Bucs signed Kirk Cousins. I feel like they would have already crowned the Bucs sb champs.
June 27th, 2024 at 12:01 pm
“The Bucs brought back safety Jordan Whitehead to fix what was poor performance by a safety not named “Winfield.” That doesn’t count?”
Kinda, even with hindsight being 20/20 Licht said letting Whitehead walk was a mistake when he was on McAffee. I agreed with that, and considering Licht has can look at the contracts for Neal, Neal, & Ryan the 3 guys with 2 first name we tried to replace Whitehead with weren’t as good for as as Jordan was as a rotational player. Now we’re getting him back, he’s more versatile and still in his prime.
June 27th, 2024 at 12:27 pm
Don’t forget about Bryce Hall. That was a great signing, no one is talking about it.
He will start opposite Dean and knows how to play with Whitehead. The secondary improved by 100% just by getting rid of the signpost, Ryan Neal. If the secondary as a unit collectively learns their assignments and communicates well with each other, then Todd will have fixed one of the major flaws. Looking forward to watching a pass defense that might be 19th instead of 29th.
June 27th, 2024 at 12:32 pm
JD – why would Todd and Jason run your “conspiracy” when they are paid millions of dollars to win football games or be fired if they don’t? Either you’re implying they hate Trashk because they didn’t like how he holds is fork in the cafeteria, or they hate you because they know how badly you want to see Trashk on the field and would rather be fired than giving you the satisfaction of seeing him lead the Bucs to victory.
Which is it?
June 27th, 2024 at 12:36 pm
951
Actually, if we had signed Cousins, they would have been calling it a desperation move and saying Cousins is washed.
Both of our super bowl wins were blow-outs and the next season we were expected to crash and burn according to the pundits.
It’s a (non) respect thing.
June 27th, 2024 at 1:18 pm
Neither Dave, Kyle was told , everyone was told , there would be a fair competition, it was a lie , Bowles liked Mayfield even if he had become a much traveled journeyman QB, so , they were pals, but when Mayfield’s contract was revealed at the end of the season , it was shown how many snaps he would have to take, how many yards he would have to throw for to get additional bennies, etc. , it was written into the initial contract he signed coming here! Kyle did not get a contract like that ,the fix was in, so you can make all the excuses you want , it was wrong , I guess Tom Brady was just lucky when Drew Bledsoe was coming back from his injury, that Bill Belichick and Drew weren’t pal’s , even though he was the best paid QB at the time , Belichick did what a coach is supposed to do , start the guy who won the job, no telling how many years Brady would have ridden the bench waiting for his chance if not for a coach who decided to play the backup instead of the 60 million dollar man.
June 27th, 2024 at 1:30 pm
Jd and boss…take a deep breath …pull your heads out of your ignorant asses
June 27th, 2024 at 1:31 pm
This site is overflowing with ignorant non football knowing idiots
June 27th, 2024 at 1:42 pm
All the whining about an unfair QB competition…..I think it was Clyde Christiansen that said something like”We see Trask in practice, and that is enough, we are sticking with Gabbert”. Wouldn’t be surprised if the cut Trask and sign Gabbert as the backup again. Licht doesn’t want to admit to mistake of drafting Trask so high, would be fair though to cut him loose so he can try to get on another team as a backup. Mayfield has proven he is the QB for the Bucs for the foreseeable future, especially after having no running game.
June 27th, 2024 at 1:45 pm
JD, so you’re saying because “they’re pals” the inferior player takes the field in spite of the fact that millions of dollars and jobs are on the line.
And where is your evidence of this “lie?” That the competition wasn’t fair?
June 27th, 2024 at 1:53 pm
“JD Still Says:
June 27th, 2024 at 1:18 pm
Neither Dave, Kyle was told , everyone was told , there would be a fair competition, it was a lie , Bowles liked Mayfield even if he had become a much traveled journeyman QB, so , they were pals, but when Mayfield’s contract was revealed at the end of the season ,…..”
If his contract had playing time related incentives, would it not make more sense to *not* play him if he was truly worse than Mayfield (like you believe)?
The was a competition- what you fail to understand, or are carrying on about being ‘unfair’ is that the bar for Trask to unseat Mayfield was high. This makes perfect sense – the guy was a third string QB who hadn’t done jack squat in two years. The previous season, when Brady retired the first time, Arians was ready to go with Gabbert. Why? Because of what he’d seen (or didn’t see) from Trask. Simple as that. Even reports from OTA when Mayfield first signed had Mayfield way ahead. Trask gained ground in training camp (per reports and coach speak). He didn’t do enough and it’s now Baker’s job without question- as it should be. He earned it.
June 27th, 2024 at 1:56 pm
Wow,JD,loves Trask
June 27th, 2024 at 2:05 pm
Cody Benjamin … ‘Can Mayfield replicate his ball control with essentially the same lineup that barely escaped the NFC South?’
Not hard to read between the lines there. Bucs had to win the last game of the season to make the playoffs, but so did the Texans & so did the Rams. But hey, we ‘barely escaped’ according to Benjamin (by shutting out the Panthers).
He does seem to have a thing for Mayfield though Joe. Baker threw for 28 TDs & 64.3% completion rate enroute to a 9-8 record & a playoff spot. Matthew Stafford threw for 24 TDs & 62.6% completion rate enroute to a 9-6 record (Rams went 10-7 in making the playoffs). The ‘rookie sensation’ CJ Stroud threw for 23 TDs & a 63.9 completion rate enroute to a 10-7 record to make the playoffs.
But ya, the Baker Mayfield & the Bucs ‘barely escaped’. And oh ya, someone should tell Cody that the Bucs have significantly upgraded our starting lineup AND depth over what we field in 2023. Whitehead is a major step forward from Ryan Neal. I liked Shaq, but 4.5 sacks last year put him in the JTS category (Braswell WILL be a major upgrade IMO). Losing Davis & White might sting for the 1st couple of games, but we’ve got guys ready to step in. And on the offensive side, I’m expecting big things from Barton, Irving & McMillan even as rookies. Not to mention that everyone from last year got a LOT of experience and they all seem eager to build on that. We got this.
June 27th, 2024 at 2:20 pm
I for one am happy with the Bucs qb position. Mayfield is a tough competitor but takes a lot of hard hits extending plays. Trask should be even stronger competition this season and may be a very adequate back up if Baker gets hurt. Together they represenpt a decent one/two combo.
June 27th, 2024 at 3:01 pm
Trask? Still? Really? Every year
June 27th, 2024 at 3:23 pm
JD, have you seen or heard +anything+ that suggests the team wanted/wants Trask to replace Baker at QB? ‘Cause I sure haven’t.
June 27th, 2024 at 3:31 pm
To the “Trask got hosed” posters…Don’t you think if Trask was considered a legit starting QB by an NFL team, any NFL team, that they would’ve traded for him by now?
June 27th, 2024 at 3:55 pm
I live in new Orleans, Louisiana an I am a big Buccs fan. I hear all time how the saints going to win the South this year. I rather have Baker as my QB instead of over paid Carr. Let’s go Buccs
June 27th, 2024 at 4:25 pm
” Is Benjamin actually suggesting Licht miscalculated in re-signing Mike Evans and Antoine Winfield?”
I did not get that impression at all from what you shared here, Joe. I didn’t go read the source though.
June 27th, 2024 at 4:32 pm
I’m fully expecting Baker to make 2023 look like a mediocre year. He has the weapons, a theoretically upgraded OL versus last year’s Matador Club, a new OC who for now I will pretend is better than an Italian dessert, and Todd wants to score more points and win at least 10.
I say 11-6
#AsToddEvolvesBeyondTheFog
June 27th, 2024 at 5:01 pm
No matter who wins any division they are likely barely escaping.
The Patriots were about the only team in the last 20+ years that consistently ran away with their division every year.
I really don’t care at all what these talking heads say in any given offseason. There’s on average 6 or 7 new playoff teams every year that didn’t make it the year before. So beyond the top 2 or 3, and the bottom 2 or 3, every year there’s about 25 or 26 teams fighting for their playoff lives every December. Luck and health are usually the deciding factors for those teams.
June 27th, 2024 at 5:21 pm
Well informed point, gottbucs. Excellent perspective.
June 27th, 2024 at 6:16 pm
Wasn’t a big fan of Mayfield when they signed him, but he won me over. He may not be the top QB in the league but definitely in top 10. I believe is long he gets adequate protection the Bucs will win the NFC south. The media never gives the Bucs any attention when they upset a team they don’t say the Bucs played good they dwell on how bad the other team played.
June 27th, 2024 at 6:33 pm
It would be nice to not have a road playoff game 5 and 1/2 days after playing a playoff game……. THANKS MONDAY NIGHT PLAYOFF FOODBALL! FML
June 27th, 2024 at 7:26 pm
Let them underestimate the Bucs. It’s like rocket fuel for this team.
June 27th, 2024 at 7:39 pm
Ok another POS Buc hatin slimeball doesn’t think what JL is doing his job right. We’ve heard it all time and time and time and time again. The Bucs have proven to them that their words are just motivational, they went deep in the playoffs last season, got the same sh!t, all of their words are meaningless man. They hate us even when we win a Superbowl, so let them live their miserable lives and we will prove them wrong and be happy!! As Usual. Let’s Go Bucs!!!!
June 27th, 2024 at 9:03 pm
I didn’t read that much into it – I think he’s just pointing out that this is basically the same roster that barely made it out of a terrible NFC South, while the Panthers and Falcons vastly improved, and the Saints finished with the same record as the Bucs, destroying them in Tampa (and yes, the Bucs destroyed the Saints – but Carr literally couldn’t throw the ball more than about 8 yards that game, which is a problem).
I’m a lifelong Bucs fan, obviously I want them to win if they’re getting into the playoffs – but if you’re being realistic, you say Baker is coming off a career year, where he was 18th in QBR and 20th in scoring – and just lost his OC as well. Meanwhile on defense you’re losing 3 starters and have zero depth at LB and you’re counting on a rookie to have depth at corner.
I hope the Bucs can pull it off and Baker can improve (because he will need to improve), but I don’t see why anyone should assume the Bucs are the favorites. Also, personally, I hate being favorite – it’s much more fun to overachieve than underachive or just meet the minimum requirements.
June 27th, 2024 at 10:34 pm
Lol. People still think Trask is a good QB. This is hilarious.
June 27th, 2024 at 10:38 pm
Wow Joe do these guys you quote know how to spell Three time NFC South Champs?
Yes we need an edge but to go out and grab someone elses cast off is always a gamble as well. Anyone worth having has a huge price tag Joe. But I do find it hard to believe that the best we can do is Gregory.
Go Bucs!
June 28th, 2024 at 3:21 am
rob, yea, but the bucs are also pretty young too and had to replace some parts. actually, ill even say that the bucs improved from Brady’s last year. thy, had a better record and they advanced in the playoffs in a year. this roster was 9 points away from making it to the NFC championship game and I really don’t understand the doom and gloom stance you have. Tampa is perfectly fine. they have young guys on the roster who know nothing but playoff football. they are way more capable then what you or anyone else is giving them credit for. signing big time free agents doesn’t always equal success. id much rather resign evans, Baker, etc then go out and give massive amounts of money to a dude who is only concerned about the Benjamin’s. Tampa has plenty of depth on defense and offense. and what rookie corner? you mean tykee smith who would play the slot, but also is more of a safety who can be moved around like AWJ? that dude can play. I’m not worried about him. as for Baker, it’s not all on him for the scoring. play calling was really stagnant at times. for as much love as canales gets, he also kept this offense back, particularly limiting Baker at the line of scrimmage. the bucs are a young team who have way more talent than even “life long” buc fans are giving them credit for.
I’m a life long buc fan too.
June 28th, 2024 at 3:29 am
Rib Munch,
also curious how the panthers “vastly improved”? their ol still is a major question mark and they drafted a rb who is recovering from an ACL tear. they got rid of burns too. they added some pieces on defense, but to say they vastly improved isnt accurate. division games are always tough no matter the records. the raiders still beat the chiefs every now and then. the broncos beat the chiefs last year too. any given Sunday. the bucs are improving too. just because they resigned their own doesn’t mean improvements aren’t being made. player development is a thing.
June 28th, 2024 at 7:09 am
I must opine here; opinions are like poop shoots, everybody’s got one.
June 28th, 2024 at 10:11 am
Preseason prognosticators (experts?) are typically star-struck or go for the easy predictions… like the Brady-led Patriots or the Mahomes-led Chiefs. Picking them to win their divisions and doing damage in postseason wasn’t exactly a stretch.
They can’t handle parity (or perceived parity) like the NFC South. They focus on star players and who has the most. When it comes to looking at a team as a whole, including coaches, they miss more than they hit.
They look at what a team did last year and seemingly don’t expect much improvement if the team didn’t make a splash by adding new “stars”. As if teams (and players) can’t get better with experience or by adding one or two “little pieces” instead of stars.
Last year, the Patriots stunk. Big time. But their defense had only one “star” in Judon and he went down early. The rest were “no-names” but their D was stout in spite of losing Judon and their rookie CB who was turning heads
Yes, the Bucs “limped into the playoffs” last year but made improvements WITHOUT big name stars added. An upgrade at OC, an expected upgrade at OL. Two young studs on D (Yaya and Kancey) going into year 2 with much more impact and playing time expected.
All this attention in our division being heaped on Atlanta because they brought in a “star” in Cousins but what else have they got around him? How did Cousins fare in Washington? Average at best.
The Bucs were the best in the division last year and until proven otherwise, they’re still the best and they got better imo.
June 28th, 2024 at 3:27 pm
Let’s eat some W’s…….ROFL
June 28th, 2024 at 7:58 pm
So Jordan Whitehead’s not an impact player? How well has the Bucs secondary played since he left? Most of us here would say, outside of Winfield, not very well. I’m predicting a much better secondary this season with JW back in pewter and red.
June 29th, 2024 at 5:33 pm
Rod Munch dose of reality. Nice post. Everyone wants us to be better than last year and possibly we are much better, but….. I want to believe we are but it is a fragile trust in a lot hopefullies. I don’t think we could have done much better in the draft or in free agency. The cap has us severely limited for a couple more years at least. If we don’t push more salary into the future we could emerge as a really good young team. Hopeful for now is the best we can get.