Dungy Says Rams, Bucs Are Breakthrough Teams
June 19th, 2014
When the Rams and Buccaneers meet in Week 2, Derrick Brooks Day at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, it could be a critical clash for an eventual playoff tiebreaker in the NFC.
That’s not Joe’s opinion, but the thoughts of Father Dungy.
Dungy took to the SiriusXM NFL Radio airwaves this week and talked about a few teams he sees reviving and breaking through into the NFL’s January party. Dungy was asked about the entire league, but only mentioned three NFC teams.
Atop Dungy’s list was St. Louis.
“The Rams are putting together a defense that I think is going to be able to compete [with the NFL elite,] Dungy said.
“I think you’re going to see Tampa play a lot better. I’ve been out to a couple of practices and I’ve just seen the energy under Lovie Smith. And they’ve got some talented people there, too. So I like Tampa and St. Louis as kind of dark horses.
Joe was pleased to hear that, but Joe was sent scurrying for Tums when Dungy also said “the NFC is going to be tougher” and he predicted a New Orleans Saints resurgence, despite their 11-5 record last season.
As Joe’s referenced previously, the Bucs face two nasty defenses in Weeks 1 (Carolina) and 2, defenses that a brand new offense with a brand new coordinator should struggle against.
That “shocking” creativity of Jeff Tedford and the leadership of Josh McCown will be tested to the extreme early.
June 19th, 2014 at 7:52 am
Let’s hope Jimmy Graham gets tagged as a WR and puts the saints in a even worse salary cap problem then they had in march
June 19th, 2014 at 8:17 am
As excited as I am about this team (offense and defense), I just don’t think we can beat the Rams. Maybe later in the year, but week two is going to be a tall order. If we do beat the Rams, we will know by week 2 we are onto something really really special. But that’s just asking too much IMO.
June 19th, 2014 at 8:39 am
As much as I detest the Ryan brothers, Rob has done an excellent job reinvigorating the Saints D. They were top 5 last year, no?
June 19th, 2014 at 8:42 am
The Bucs got the devil’s draw for playing monster defenses early. With what should be 3 top 5 defenses lining up against the Bucs in the first five games, it’s going to be a struggle to score points early in the year. Let’s hope Tedford’s scheme takes a little while for opponents to figure out.
June 19th, 2014 at 8:48 am
Joe, did you not have a picture from the Bucs-Rams game last year.
June 19th, 2014 at 10:19 am
Over exaggerating big time Joe. if it comes down to the insight of dungy or joebucsfan that’s an easy call. Besides top defense doesn’t mean unbeatable, who’s impressed with Carolina’s defense or offense after that showing in the playoffs based on last year. I think rams and bucs are on the rise only issue is the divisions they play in. these dominating teams over the last few years will have to work harder than ever.
Seattle didn’t look very impressive against our 4-12 team at all….any given Sunday joe, you’re giving teams to much credit based on last year. Two different teams will probably play in the superbowl while Seattle works on their commercial acting
June 19th, 2014 at 10:21 am
I think both of the first two games will be close tough fought battles.
June 19th, 2014 at 11:20 am
@Chef Paul Says:
“…If we do beat the Rams, we will know by week 2 we are onto something really really special…”
Totally agree with you. The Rams IMO are an up and comer this year. We may surprise CAR wk 1 (and I don’t see the Panthers having much offense this year). But by wk 2, the Rams will have game tape from us and Tedford is going to be formally welcomed into the NFL by Jeff Fisher and what will be a nasty Rams D.
If the Bucs were to win in wk 2, that would be friggin unreal!!!
June 19th, 2014 at 12:20 pm
All Tampa 2 Offenses except Lovie’s in Chicago with Urlacher in the middle have been poor in stopping running games. So Charlotte will double team McDonald and Stewart will pop trough and just run right over 230 LB Foster and keep going. We’ll have to insert our run stopping strong man for McDonald and Our 245 LB Linebacker from the Patriots and hope they can stop their big back offense. They will also pick up any WRs we cut and then start throwing the ball to their big FSU Rookie, Benjamin, and game on!
June 19th, 2014 at 1:39 pm
@Owlykat
Whose side are you on? Foster isn’t bad against the run..that Lavonte David guy is pretty decent too… If they double up McDonald you’d best believe McCoy will make them pay for it. Carolina’s O-line is undergoing a massive overhaul this season, including a cast-off battle for starting LT. Their O-line has bigger question marks than ours right now actually.
I’ll grant you that cover 2 defenses can give up some yardage, “bend don’t break”, but the Panthers are gonna have to throw the ball to keep the chains moving/score…They’ve got a Rookie WR and Olsen to throw to, nothing about their offense scares me.
June 19th, 2014 at 4:50 pm
Owlykat
I hate fanz like you we haven’t even played 1 minute of football and you’re already bashing my team like you know what’s gonna happen y are you even in this web site dosent eveb sound like youre a bucs fan smh
June 19th, 2014 at 5:24 pm
Owlykat is a POPCORN FART!!!!
June 19th, 2014 at 6:38 pm
Coaching gives the Bucs edge. Fisher is overrated
June 19th, 2014 at 7:49 pm
For the first time In years we have a real coach i have no doubt we will be above .500 and have a chane to get a wildcard birth
June 20th, 2014 at 2:09 am
I am optimistic- far more so than in recent years!
Our Defense will stifle offenses.
And no defense is prepared for our gigantic receiving corp
We are gonna win a lot of games- and next draft, WRs 6’5″ and up will be stalked like Joe at a Rachael Watson photo shoot.
The “Tampa Towers” will soon be as imitated as the legendary “Tampa two” defense
Go Bucs!!