What Did The Bucs Lose?
June 15th, 2024
A loss?
Someone is going to have to fill Joe in. Maybe it’s the influence of fantasy football where names and perceptions mean more than results and facts.
You’ve heard it; Joe’s heard it. The non-believers in Baker Mayfield think the Bucs will be bad this year because of Mayfield. Yeah, sounds weird but that’s what many prognosticators try to push.
Veteran NFL writer Vic Tafur of The Athletic doesn’t seem sure it’s a good thing for the short-term or long-term of the Bucs that Mayfield had a career-year last year.
Read between the lines with that and you can sense Tafur thought the Bucs should have been in the spring quarterback sweepstakes. But Tafur — in typing that he thinks the Bucs are an under-bet on the season-win totals of 7.5 (meaning Tafur would bet that the Bucs lose at least 10 games this fall) — has more reasons to pile on the Bucs than Mayfield.
I also see a defense that lost Shaquil Barrett, Devin White and Carlton Davis.
OK, Joe thinks Tafur has a point with Carlton Davis. Yeah, Joe is in the minority here. Davis was still the Bucs’ best corner. Until he can replaced, that’s a hole. Can Zyon McCollum do that? We shall see.
But the remarks about Shaq Barrett and Devin White, really? First with Shaq. Joe thinks the world of the guy but he had exactly a half-sack in his last nine games as a Bucs pass rusher, including the two playoff games.
A half-sack in the final nine games is embarrassing. What exactly are the Bucs losing other than a name there?
Devin White? Dude was benched! Does Tafur not know this? When is the last time a team was picked to have a losing season, in part, because a backup left? A backup!
White had 83 tackles last year, 40th for all linebackers. When is the last time a team was expected to have a losing season since they lost a guy who ranked No. 40 among linebackers in regular season tackles?
Almost sounds to Joe like someone got all of his Bucs information from the Red Zone Channel.
June 15th, 2024 at 11:10 am
Agreed Joe. Besides CD111 what did we really loose. I would have liked Shaq to take a significant pay cut and return as a back up tho. Come in for our 2nd pick and yaya. I feel like Shaq could still bring more to the table then stoner and JTS even if it’s not full time for Shaq I think he me be great to come off the bench with some energy. Thank you DW45 for helping us win a SB but bye Felicia glad the drama queen is gone. Just hate that he went to the eagles
June 15th, 2024 at 11:13 am
Yeah that low amount of tackles says a lot. White was good for some splash plays but that’s about it.
June 15th, 2024 at 11:31 am
There’s only so much money to go around. Shaq and White were overpaid for the results received. Davis was worth the check but had too many times, where he couldn’t meet his start time.
NFL is a great paying job, there are great players looking for a spot. It was time to move on and move up. We might miss a step without Davis but then again between being absent and or playing hurt, we only had him for 8 or 9 games anyway. I think we’ll be fine.
June 15th, 2024 at 11:44 am
“Tafur would bet that the Bucs lose at least 12 games this fall”
If the line is 7.5 – then the under is 7
17 – 7 = 10
Bucs would have to lose 10 games this year for the under to be a good bet.
Not happening!
June 15th, 2024 at 11:48 am
Tards gonna tard.
June 15th, 2024 at 11:54 am
This is bad – I have this optimistic feeling I can’t shake. That’s always the kiss of death. Glazers should pay me to stay negative in public.
June 15th, 2024 at 12:16 pm
Pickgrin:
Which is why Joe should never be a math teacher. Especially when typing past 11 p.m. 🙂
June 15th, 2024 at 12:22 pm
This is the kind of article that comes out of people who don’t follow the team and don’t know what they’re writing. They’re just doing it to make money so they halfa$$ it and it gets picked up.
June 15th, 2024 at 12:23 pm
I read one website that said White is strong in coverage! 😂😂😂😂😂
KJ Britt and JJ Russell were an improvement over White last year.
June 15th, 2024 at 12:25 pm
🤦♂️
June 15th, 2024 at 12:35 pm
Another day, another story about a guy who thinks the Bucs will regress this year. Seems to be no shortage of them. The 7.5 O/U in Vegas is also accompanied by a +5500 for the Bucs to win the Super Bowl.
Those of you who think Baker is the second coming of your favorite son, should jump on it. For a measly $10 you could win $550!
If Baker is as good as you claim, this should be easy money.
With Baker as part of a whole, in every NFL game it takes 22 to Tango. And even the supercomputer odds makers in Vegas can predict injuries, so you never know.
Why not bet a thousand? A Super Bowl win would make you more than half a millionaire.
It’s been done before. I just can’t remember when.
June 15th, 2024 at 12:45 pm
Devin who?
June 15th, 2024 at 12:48 pm
I hope Shaq gets 15 sacks this year. CDIII was talented but I’ll just say he lost his focus here and of course has had injury issues.
Devin White is the ultimate let down. All-pro physical talent but he has a weak mind and selfish attitude. Hopefully he can redeem himself elsewhere, but he wasted the last three years of his career in Tampa being mentally lazy and selfish on & off the field.
June 15th, 2024 at 12:58 pm
A Bucs fan. I agree with some of your statement but also remember Devin White was hurt last year and in 2022 he lost his Dad mid season so that probably played apart in his game as well. I know losing a Dad in this country is like losing a pet now days. But it’s a lot of men love their dads regardless of what America believes about us . If White would have lost his mom then I think people would have understood that’s why his play on the field went down.
June 15th, 2024 at 1:23 pm
Eagles fan buddy says DW is killing it so far, they think they got the steal of free agency. Moot point, it was obvious he’d never do that here
June 15th, 2024 at 1:24 pm
Devin White is only 26. Love or hate him it can’t be denied he played a big part in the Super Bowl run. So the talent is there. Question is, where has it gone?
Here’s a guy who should be entering the prime of his career, yet according to Bowles, and most of us,he has fallen apart.
But you don’t let go of a guy like that unless something has gone drastically wrong. He’s not the sharpest tack in the box, so who knows what’s going on inside his head … But it’s Bowles job to get in there and try to figure it out.
Time will tell us about White, and that time will be this year.
If White lights it up in Philly, Todd Bowles should take a hit for being a horrible taskmaster. If White remains the White of last year and the previous, then we all know Bowles/Licht made the right decision.
Question will remain, why …
June 15th, 2024 at 1:30 pm
The Eagles didn’t pay DW elite LBer money, but they didn’t pay him backup money either. I think D White didn’t want to be with the Bucs anymore and was concerned of cautiousness of injury more so than his play on the field. I strongly think he will look like a rejuvenated player for the Eagles and can see the move being good for both the Bucs & Devin White
June 15th, 2024 at 1:33 pm
Absolutely. Joe has written several times he isn’t sure the Bucs win the Super Bowl without White. His 2020 postseason was one of the best in Super Bowl-era history. It was better than Ray Lewis in 2000. No joke.
June 15th, 2024 at 1:33 pm
Yep, keeping this post as a receipt to review in January. Doesn’t sound like this dude from the Atlantic did much analysis on our beloved Bucs.
I’m betting that the defense is markedly better than last year. The running game is my one big worry.
June 15th, 2024 at 1:34 pm
We are The Bad News Bears people.
Embrace it and enjoy shocking the NFL.
June 15th, 2024 at 1:36 pm
D White
Rated
June 15th, 2024 at 1:41 pm
White’s problem was his mental attitude and a lack of one. You could see it by his whole demeaner, his negativity showed up in his face and body language.
June 15th, 2024 at 2:01 pm
I agree with RBUC about Devin. He may be very good for his new team. He wanted out of the Bucs and it was a good CAP move to let him go.
I am also in full agreement with Joe (great article, BTW). I believe the team is much improved–both with new players and production growth. I can hardly await pre-season! GO BUCS!
June 15th, 2024 at 2:03 pm
Agreed Joe.
Hoping that Devin finds peace in Philly. It’s not Bowles or anyone else’s fault. His head wasn’t here for awhile. New scenery may be best for him.
June 15th, 2024 at 2:07 pm
Joe you keep rolling these guys out one after another who are down on the Bucs. Vic Tafur may be a veteran writer, but I’ve never come across any of his articles before. Probably because The Athletic sits behind a paywall?
Moot point nonetheless, since regardless of what Tafur prognosticates, we still have to play the games. His 7-10 prediction plus about $10 nowadays will get you a cup of Starbuks.
June 15th, 2024 at 2:14 pm
@Oneil I remember the eagles game and how his bum wheel prevented him from running back that pick and so I understand to some degree.
Regarding his father it depends on the individual. Some play out of their mind when they lose a family member unexpectedly (Brett Farve, Marquise Goodwin & Kwon Alexander). Others take a week away from the team. However, to use it as an excuse for consistently poor play is irresponsible and if someone is personally struggling that hard with work after a loss they should not be at work and be put in counseling to work through their grief until they’ve processed it enough to become functional again.
The reality is the last two years his discipline spiraled and he was out of position more than he was in position and that hurt the team. As early as March of 2023 we knew for sure that Devin did not want to be in a Buc uniform any longer. His mind was elsewhere and he wanted to be an Eagle. Regardless of his talent, injuries, or production last year I believe he would have left Tampa Bay no matter what. That is why Licht and Bowles should have traded him in the 2023 offseason to get something in return instead of allowing the malcontent to stay and potentially disrupt the locker room, and hurt the team on the field.
June 15th, 2024 at 2:20 pm
Totally agree with this post and most of the responses.
Shaq turns 32! this season still trying to come back from a devastating injury.
The Bucs had already LOST him last year so this year is a moot point.
DW45 is an enigma. Seem to have some talent but it just kept fading at the same time his opinion or perhaps his agent’s opinion of him kept rising to absurd heights and made him a ? in the locker room. He didn’t seemed overly involved.
Not really a horrible negative compared to some of the Buc’s past losers but FAR from a team leader! IE Those two make no difference for this year.
CDIII may have a ton of talent, I’ll give Joe that but he lacks a FUNDAMENTAL ability, availability. We’re not talking a game here or there we’re talking a lack of participation on a frightening scale!!!
His first 3 seasons he was “OK”. 13 games his first year and 14 in each of the next two. Then he started is disappearing act. He played in only 10 games in year 4, 13 games in year 5 and 12 games last season!!! CDIII has major issues answering the bell. All the talent in the world is meaningless if it’s stuck in the whirlpool.
And it’s not just McCollum who showed progress last year and is a crunching hitter for a CB! Now there’s Whitehead, a devastating hitter, and Winfield also a big hitter. There’s three guys that will be RESPECTED by guys going over the middle. Todd will use all three in ways to confuse opposing offenses.
And I haven’t even mentioned Tykee Smith.
June 15th, 2024 at 2:27 pm
Osqueeltard with more excuses. The tard would have paid him his $100 million no doubt. Buffoon maroon.
June 15th, 2024 at 2:27 pm
I would not be surprised Tafur wrote Russell Wilson getting shipped out of Denver was a negative for the Broncos. Seems like he is just headline scouting.
June 15th, 2024 at 3:09 pm
The really sad part is these guys actually get paid to spew out this garbage.
June 15th, 2024 at 3:42 pm
Yeah, kinda hard to read a guy’s articles if you don’t go to the site where his articles appear (or have a subscription).
June 15th, 2024 at 3:55 pm
We lost Ryan Neal.😀
June 15th, 2024 at 4:17 pm
White would be a huge loss for just about any other scheme other than the passive zone defense that Bowles is now playing.
But yes, losing an outstanding interior pass rusher who creates havoc, who can chase down anyone sideline to sideline – that’s a big unless. Unless you have a head coach who puts that player in a zone defense and tells them to play in space, when they’re not good at that – and refuses to use them in a way that helps the team.
June 15th, 2024 at 4:22 pm
They just get paid to skim the surface obviously. Because anyone who even did a little research would wonder hmmmm. WHY?.why dur dur did the Bucs trade Davis hmmmm. Dur hmm. WHY? Would the Bucs not want (in his head) super mege all star Devon White? Hmmm. Dur Why? Would the Bucs not want ultra supreme mega half sack in 11 games Barret? Actually he wouldn’t know he had just a half sack I’m his last 11 games. This writer and most idiots on shows don’t know that. Go back and look at this predictions. They are worth about as much as uses toilet paper at a Mexican construction site Porta potty and I mean that with admiration of thier ability to stank it up. I work with them in Sacramento in over 100 degree heat in the summer. It’s it is sad that soooo many coices qe are subjected too are paid to just imagine b.s. that nay happen without even doing the tiniest bit of research.
June 15th, 2024 at 4:31 pm
I’m in the minority on Davis too.
June 15th, 2024 at 4:56 pm
Totally agree. The only thing I would add is that while Shaq’s production was way down, he did still have a ton of knowledge of the game, how to prepare, technique, etc. Something that is very valuable for younger guys. And right now, all we have is younger guys.
The OLB/DE position group is sorely missing some senior knowledge. But knowledge alone, is obviously not enough to keep Shaq for what he was due.
June 15th, 2024 at 5:04 pm
I used to read the Athletic more when they had more Tampa Bay guys.
Joe Smith for the Lightning was wonderful. Greg Auman did a little work for them for a while also.
Eventually, they had no guys with any Tampa ties doing any Tampa news.
So eventually, I dropped the subscription.
[Joe doesn’t want to get in hot water with folks he knows with The Athletic. — Joe]
June 15th, 2024 at 5:04 pm
Really, it’s a shame what happened to DW45. Yeah, like Joe said: White was outstanding in 2020. Then he railed off a little each year. Maybe a change of scenery will do him good.
That Tafur guy must have simply remembered him and Shaq from their glory days without actually following them. He probably just assumed Baker was done from his flop in Carolina without really looking at him. The guy knows players reputations, but he doesn’t know the players.
June 15th, 2024 at 5:06 pm
If we’re gonna bring in a goofball like Gregory THEN WHY NOT JUST BRING BACK ANTONIO & TALIB.🙄
June 15th, 2024 at 5:12 pm
This is why I don’t pay attention to national pundits. They don’t watch film, the majority of their opinions are here say. Shaq was on the decline prior to the Achilles injury and DW was only good at blitzing, everything else he was mediocre.
June 15th, 2024 at 5:48 pm
“Almost sounds to Joe like someone got all of his Bucs information from the Red Zone Channel.”
They only talk about the players making plays on the red zone channel.
Try maybe idk… bubble gum cards? Nickelodeon Sports?
Writing is hard.
June 15th, 2024 at 6:36 pm
Funny thing how before F.A. period began, ALL the mainstream media talking heads had Mayfield as one of, if not the top QB set to hit the market. Same thing with Evans. They said Evans was going to push the Chiefs into another level of greatness. Same thing with Winfield. But the moment they resigned with the Bucs, the Bucs were a bad team , Mayfield is a bad QB , Evans is too old , and Winfield should have left for the Vikings ! They all try to steer things their way and be right about their predictions, but when they are wrong, they talk their way out of it by backtracking.
I think, and not just because I’m a lifetime Bucs fan, that this is the best team we’ve had since the first 2 years with Brady . Oline is going to be great and have depth. Same with the Dline . And our secondary is the best since Ronde Barber was still playing, with depth !
Go Bucs 10-7 and at least a trip to the Championship game
June 15th, 2024 at 6:59 pm
Joe … ‘Yeah, kinda hard to read a guy’s articles if you don’t go to the site where his articles appear (or have a subscription).’
Yeah verily. Wanted to learn more about the guy & his opinion, but when I went to the Red ‘has more reasons’ in your article it just comes up with the first couple paragraphs of Tabor’s opinion piece then essentially says ‘If you want to read more, pay us’. I already pay handsomely for a lot of ‘stuff’, but The Athletic isn’t one of them. Nor will it be if Tabor is their typical writer.
June 15th, 2024 at 8:07 pm
I agree but it’s still disappointing. White was the future … he looked like the next great Bucs LB as a rookie. Great memories from 2020 and his horse victory lap.
June 15th, 2024 at 8:34 pm
Sssshhhhhhh . Let them think that . Hopefully they keep saying it until everyone is the NFC believes it . Except one team of course
June 15th, 2024 at 8:50 pm
Who do you contact to bet money on that 5500 odds?
June 15th, 2024 at 9:06 pm
Devin is a stud and can’t be replaced Super Bowl champion.
June 15th, 2024 at 9:49 pm
Davis was the best corner on the team? That’s beyond laughable! He was the worst, least talented player on the field any time he was out there. He got burned constantly, and we lost several games each year directly because of his terrible coverage. Terrible, terrible coverage. And he was mode out of paper (just like Dean).
No, I say we’re a MUCH better secondary heading into this season than we have had in a long time.
June 15th, 2024 at 9:58 pm
Devin is a diva and a stooge, and can’t be replaced fast enough. Super Bowl champion, but waster of god given natural ability and a tumor in the locker room.
Good riddance.
June 15th, 2024 at 11:55 pm
I haven’t read the comments yet, so I’m sure it’s already been said, but they’re just the only ‘names’ on the roster these so-called “experts” have even heard of. They know absolutely NOTHING about the Bucs. They don’t even watch. One says it and the rest just pick up on a ‘narrative’ & then run with it, without ever researching it on their own. No difference than the drive-by legacy media with politics. Exactly the same. They get all of their info from stories on Twitter/X, etc.
June 16th, 2024 at 3:16 am
I keep telling you guys and I been telling you guys
I’m the only fan on this site bringing up real concerns
Not only did we trade Carlton Davis, we traded him to the lions, and team we will have to play if we going to the Super Bowl
The Shaq lost I understand, but why so much hate on Devin white
He was voted top 100 multiple times, for a reason
He was a top 5 pick in draft , for a reason
I don’t care what Todd Bowles thinks! That’s still Devin white!
June 16th, 2024 at 5:28 am
The baseline to build off of is hopefully the 2nd half of last season. White was on the bench for most of it, Davis was in and out of the lineup with injuries, and it didn’t really matter if Shaq was in or out, he just wasn’t very productive.
So yea, using those three players as a reasoning why this team will be worse without them is silly and uneducated. If anything, it’s hope for a better outcome. White had become a cancer, Davis was standing in the way of another players development, and Shaq was filling a roster spot with a big cap number. They all had to go for the health of the roster.
June 16th, 2024 at 6:00 am
Sometimes despite gut feelings to the contrary I have to think logicaly.
CD III was unfortunately, walking wounded for most of the las two years and was not used to his best abilities even when healthy. Tough dude despite his constant injuries.
Todds insistance on playing an excelent man corner 10 yards off in zone and being miffed when he can’t get massive INTs is still a mystery to me. So despite his considerable talent, what are we really missing?
Love Shaq….Love Shaq … But he was not gonna be able to live up to his salary. What will we miss? The dude still played well last year Although his sack numbers disappeared. He still held the edge well and I don’t think he missed many tackles in the run game. 33 solo Tackles and 19 assists is not his best but it is not bad compared to some of our other folks (Nelson and JTS) So there is where he will be missed. Also added 3 forced fumbles last year and a pick six.
Hey Joe, are there any so called journalists out there who write about our beloved Bucs who don’t have to follow the leader about the Bucs and wriite a whole lot of pooly researched BS/Fantasy/Gambler/Stat geekstuff?
Go Bucs!
June 16th, 2024 at 7:22 am
I wish I got paid the amount of money these “experts” get paid and be wrong.
June 16th, 2024 at 7:32 am
Devin will be more motivated since he knows money is on the line but over course of season, heck course of 4 quarters (outside of 2020) he lacks focus, discipline consistency and mental toughness.
June 16th, 2024 at 7:52 am
Going to miss….
o Shaq – No. Past his time.
o White – No. Maybe the fog clears in Philly.
o Davis – Yes. Still our best cover guy.
Question I have is whether if salary reductions were offered to Davis and Shaq they stick around. Shaq two years removed from his Achilles tear with an incentive heavy deal would be good for the locker room and to develop the young guys. As for Davis, introduce him toTB12 and with an improved D line and pass rush play more press man coverage.
June 16th, 2024 at 10:25 am
The Bucs will be able to compete with every NFL team this season. IMHO. How many games they do win will depend on how much effort is put into each and every play by each and every player on the field! The talent is there. Is the DESIRE? We will find out come September! 😎
June 16th, 2024 at 10:40 am
Bowles defended DW until he could not anymore. I recall reading what was supposed to be his sterling qualities and great potential. He only played up to them the one year. Too bad.
Go Bucs!
June 16th, 2024 at 11:19 am
Yes. However, if you are looking for non- “fantasy/gambler/stat geek stuff” that tells Joe you are looking for stories with quotes from players and coaches, etc. You’ll have to wait until the end of July for that.
The NFL is on vacation (Joe is not and never is). Zero media availability until training camp. Players, coaches and suits have all scattered to all corners of the globe to bask in their limited freedom which evaporates in about a month. In a few days, One Buc Palace itself will be locked up and closed for the annual summer vacation.
Kinda hard to talk to players/coaches/suits when they are fully off the grid and hiding in far-reaching global outposts.
June 16th, 2024 at 11:26 am
Until Todd Bowles is no longer the coach of the Bucs, you better care what he thinks. It’s his team. He calls the shots.
White did himself no favors. Ask Warren Sapp.
The “hate” is hate of a top-five drafted player who once played like Ray Lewis who played and whined himself out of a starting job always bellyaching about money. That’s what the fans “hate.”
His quitting didn’t help matters. That’s not on Bowles.
June 16th, 2024 at 12:04 pm
RE: Carson Wentz
June 16th, 2024 at 12:06 pm
9-8 isn’t going to win the division this year.
This is where the real test begins.
June 16th, 2024 at 12:14 pm
When it comes to Mayfield they definitely won’t be bad because of him, at the worst and best they’ll be just ok just like last year unlesssssss he reverts back to his career norm which is to follow up a statistically good season with a flopper, which is highly possible based upon his typical game play last year, sucks in the 1st half and plays a little better in the 2nd. He had a new OC so it won’t be his fault. Having a 1.65 td pass per game average does not bode well for us being great but it won’t make us bad unless this defense has an epic let down because he lacks the ability to be that saviour type qb like Brady, Mahomes, Manning etc. who can consistently over come that weakness because he doesn’t play well against good defenses.
I believe White had his feelings hurt and he wanted away from TB(Todd Bowles and Tampa Bay) so he could leave. Now watch him revert back to his Super Bowl season ways.
June 16th, 2024 at 1:59 pm
I love when media doubt’s the Buccaneers. I’m upset when media comes to TC or OTA’s then writes a article about how good they think the Buccaneers will be and how teams/people shouldn’t sleep in them. Not local media of course.
June 16th, 2024 at 5:49 pm
Devin White really only had one stand out play against a noodle arm Brees. The rest of his career is awful. A special teamer was an improvement over him.
If you need a laugh, Walterfootball thinks Devin solves all the Eagles problems as “one of the league’s elite pass coverage backers.” He also has game by game excuse for why every single one of the Bucs wins were a fluke.
June 16th, 2024 at 7:41 pm
All the B’s u read on this site is amazing plz wtf wud we lose more games this year than last year this squad has a full year under their belt boy the finished with class last year I wish these hater showed a little class baker is a bargain look at what they r paying T.Lawren e these r stupid # baker kicked his butte last year by those standards baker is 20 mill a year short