WalterFootball: Growing Pains In 2014
July 6th, 2014
The WalterFootball.com crowd crows about how the Bucs now have stability at quarterback. But do they?
Joe remembers when the WalterFootball.com crowd came out with their 2013 season preview and predicted the floor would cave in under the Bucs en route to a 5-11 mark. Joe scoffed, writing if that happened, then there likely would be a new head coach and maybe a new general manager.
But the reality was worse. The Bucs became a laughingstock, losing their first eight games.
The locker room was infested by MRSA and the franchise quarterback, leaky, sleepy Josh Freeman, went mental and is currently out of the NFL praying that somehow Chucky can resurrect his career. If all of that wasn’t bad enough, the Bucs had the worst offense in the NFL.
It was a sickening season that didn’t end soon enough. And there will be no more scoffing at WalterFootball’s predictions from Joe.
This year, WalterFootball believes there will be growing pains under the first season of Lovie Smith. But on the bright side, the Bucs will double their win total with an 8-8 mark.
2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Analysis: The Buccaneers’ outlook is much brighter than it was last summer. They have stability at quarterback, a much better coaching staff, more weapons on offense and some new pieces on defense. They’re not good enough to overtake the Saints for the divisional crown, but they could challenge for a wild card spot.
Do the Bucs really have stability at quarterback? That’s certainly a debatable subject.
Freeman proved to be a mental patient, but he was coming off a 4,000-yard passing performance in 2012. The Bucs now have a 35-year-old guy who was out of football for a season recently and had five good games under an offensive guru last year. Joe hopes Josh McCown is “the guy”, but let’s be honest, we’re banking on a quarterback leading his team to the playoffs (hopefully) based on five games? Does anyone remember Scott Mitchell?
Sorry, Mike Glennon Mob, Joe doesn’t (yet) see a playoff QB in the pride of North Carolina State based on last year’s performance. Joe sure wishes he could see in Glennon what the MGM sees in the guy. Keyword: yet.
July 6th, 2014 at 7:57 am
Keyword: yet.
We’ll take Joe!
July 6th, 2014 at 7:58 am
“take it”
July 6th, 2014 at 7:59 am
You don’t see it, Joe? Just look at the stats only and then maybe you’ll see it. If you choose to look at the guy that was on the field last season, of course you won’t see it. It’s all about stats with the MGM. Who cares if he got picked any time he tried to throw the ball 10 yards or more in a true passing situation? Who cares that he lacks any and all types of athleticism associated with the position? Who cares that he would throw 50+ passes in games and still fail to keep his team even close in games? It’s about stats. We can win with Captain Checkdown 2.0… just as long as our defense can be one of history’s best and carry us like in 2002.
July 6th, 2014 at 8:11 am
and another shot at MG8….1 year as a rookie and joe just cant let up on the barrage of articles criticizing the kid…. to point of laughter for some like me. And why did you say “sorry”? Thats even more laughable.
July 6th, 2014 at 8:48 am
We could easily go 6-10 this season given most everything is new and unproven. I’m not sure our defense is going play lights out the first half of the season either and the offense remains a complete mystery. But hey, on the bright side, we’ll should have both QB’s in the team photo this year.
July 6th, 2014 at 8:50 am
Max, another shot at MG8?
Joe best be careful, the cannon may get the last shot.
July 6th, 2014 at 9:12 am
Mike Glennon will lead us to the playoffs, eventually.
Mike Glennon has the potential to be the 2nd best QB in the division, behind only Drew Bree’s.
July 6th, 2014 at 9:12 am
Cool Joe said “yet”…kind of like asking the hot chick out and finally getting a maybe….persistence! 🙂
July 6th, 2014 at 9:17 am
Awww…did Joe hurt the MG8’s feelings again? I think the Josh McCown mob just had it’s tender sensibilities pinched as well. Tough morning for the backup QB mob!
July 6th, 2014 at 9:20 am
Yet is still to be determined. I’ll agree with that. It seems yet holds out for a positive outcome in the future if you look at the possibility of yet up against never. We will know soon enough.
July 6th, 2014 at 9:38 am
haha nice try dallasbuc but you and joe both dont have a chance, lol. Looks like my post offended you…get over it, like ive been over those of you including joe in the disdain over MG8….other than laughter you jokes wouldnt come close to being worth my sense of feelings.
July 6th, 2014 at 9:44 am
^^^huh?
July 6th, 2014 at 9:53 am
Lovie is going to turn the defense into a gang of monsters. We can contend for a wild card if Josh plays mistake free smart football and takes advantage of the turnovers.
Josh can handle that.
Especially with our stable of running backs plus the new WRs and TE’s.
Gonna be a fun season and Josh will be just fine.
July 6th, 2014 at 10:04 am
^^^ really db :/
July 6th, 2014 at 10:23 am
JOE KNOWS QBs!
July 6th, 2014 at 11:21 am
Really, Thunderdome! Layoff the sauce this early in the AM and you might have a shot at completing a coherent thought.
July 6th, 2014 at 11:29 am
no sauce for me this morning jackhole…maybe for you with your lacking comprehension….so stop projecting. oh, maybe I shouldnt use that term “projecting” probably be over your head too, smh
July 6th, 2014 at 11:47 am
“Projecting” denotes the projecting of one’s own inadequacies onto another as a defense mechanism and means of making one feel better about those inadequacies. My comprehension and ability to clearly articulate my thoughts are not a problem for me on this fine sober Sunday morning. You on the other hand?…
July 6th, 2014 at 12:21 pm
If we put both qb’s in at the same time every play we’ll have a starting qb. 2 backups equals a starter right?
July 6th, 2014 at 12:24 pm
One other thing. Since this site started I’ve always loved how everyone here loves to flame each other with big words lol. The man with the bigger word always wins haha.
July 6th, 2014 at 12:26 pm
Oops. Meant biggest word. Apparently my vocabulary isn’t big enough to keep up.
July 6th, 2014 at 12:50 pm
Antidisestablishmentarianism. MGM!!
LOL
ticker
I have no idea if that is spelled correctly!
July 6th, 2014 at 12:50 pm
Antidisestablishmentarianism. MGM!!
LOL
ticker
I have no idea if that is spelled correctly!
July 6th, 2014 at 12:53 pm
Yep your comprehension skills are clearly on display this morning db. When I said you and joe dont have a chance, I was referring to your comment of hurting the MGM’s feelings including mine….anything else I can be bothered with helping you comprehend…sorry my “Dallasbucanese” isnt up to par and clearly articulated enough for you…. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get some sleep for work tonight (another reason for no “sauce” today).
July 6th, 2014 at 2:51 pm
Nah I’m good mr sensitivity!! Sleep tight
July 6th, 2014 at 3:22 pm
@madmax
I don’t think joe was trying to take “another shot” at glennon. All he said was he doesn’t see a playoff qb… yet. That’s an opinion that we’re all entitled to and it actually sounds more like Joe’s turning around to me.
The fact you immediately thought it was a shot at glennon makes it very clear your feelings did in fact get hurt. Your maniacal mancrush of mike glennon has turned you mad max
July 6th, 2014 at 5:29 pm
I think we will have a good team, and could possibly have a great team. The one thing often overlooked is injuries. The Saints without Brees would suck, and so on. If the Bucs stay healthy, I like their chances to take the division. But if they put 14 guys on IR like they seem to do every year, their chances are slim. And again, if the O line can’t block , the QB position has little importance.
July 6th, 2014 at 5:59 pm
Personally, and this is just opinion mind you, I think the entire MGM is ignorant.
July 6th, 2014 at 8:33 pm
^^^
You may be proven right Bonzai, but a lot of people who know a helluva lot more about football and QB’s than most posters on here are optimistic on Glennon’s chances to become a quality franchise caliber QB. I’ll believe them and my own hunch over the voices of the naysayers. We shall see how it all turns out
July 6th, 2014 at 8:57 pm
@BuccaneerBonzai
pi$$ ant
July 6th, 2014 at 10:42 pm
Honestly I see imrpovement, but I have a hard time buying the buccaneers as a playoff team…this season. Until I see it, I see growing pains and walter football is spot on. This is a new team. I think the defense could struggle early but I see them gelling quicker.
The offense is a different story. Not that there isn’t talent. But Evans, sims, and Austin Jenkins are rookies. They will go through the learning curve and have struggles but you will see the talent flash. The qb position is absolutely a huge concern. You have two guys, one who’s been nothing more than a back up and another who was not this top tier prospect who came in and performed like a back up led the worst scoring offense in football with a defense that ranked 5tj in Forced turn overs.
I think at best at best we can see anywhere from 6-9 wins in that ball park. But I do think the qb is going to hinder this team.
July 6th, 2014 at 11:23 pm
I wish both quarterbacks the best. I’m not an “mgm”er or a mccown guy yet. I think both of them have a lot to prove. McCown had a great year last season, but I remember a guy named Freeman that set the stats sheets on fire in 2012 and then fell on his sword a year later only to be chased out of the league. And Glennon… Very little winning success as a rookie, but potential! There are a lot of former QBs out there on the streets that had a lot of potential, but never gained success. Only time will tell. But, dividing the Bucs fan base over something like this is both histericle and the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard of, so for all you mobbers…. Are you gonna pout in yer pillow if McCown destroys some defenses this season, or savor the winning flavor? Just rest your little heads, stop beating each other up and let the coaches decide who plays.
July 7th, 2014 at 6:41 am
Well said buc’d up. I suspect that all Bucs fans, as do I, want either one of our QB’s to become the equal to those of our division foes; but surely, like me, have doubts. Those who want to cast their fate with Josh McCown hope his five game audition with the Bears make him a candidate for the Rich Gannon “Better Late Than Never” award; but must realize that, as Joe noted, Scott Mitchell and our own Craig Erickson displayed a spark that never ignited. Those in the MGM seek to prove their point by waving a 19-9 flag while ignoring virtually every other numerical statistic and their own observation if they were honest with themselves. Watched every rookie QB that’s lined up here since Parnell “Paydirt” Dickinson and from my perch on the 35 yard line, I rarely, if ever, saw a “wow” play from # 8. That said, it is in the best interest of the organization, that the youngster develops into a heady QB who defeats the opponent with his savvy and accuracy.
July 7th, 2014 at 9:14 am
I dont wave flags of stats or point to the 19-9 of MG8….I simply point out he was a rookie thrown into a bad situation, and to me, did pretty good under those circumstances.
Oh buc89 and db, i dont do mancrushes and get butt hurt like you guys did over losing Freeman and when you got all googly over Manziel….once again “projection”…you two seem well at using it….maybe you two have a crush on each other…eh, none of my business so leave me out of it.
July 7th, 2014 at 9:50 am
scubog,
THAT is the right attitude. If the MGM presented themselves as you do, they wouldn’t get ragged on.
They say they want what’s best for the team. You watch. If McCown does well, they will their true selves. They will attack him constantly because they want their golden boy in there.
And they are also out of touch with reality. The only way it happens is because of injury, butthey steadfastly say the Glennon will be the opening day starter. As we get closer to the season they will start giving themselves some wiggle room and say by game 4 or 8.
Frankly, I am season ticket-less for the first time in two decades, a fan from the start. I havespent more money on this team than most people here when you factor in the kids groups I bought tickets for over the years and the merchandise.
As a season ticket holder, you get that insisting on getting value for our money is a good thing. I would wager that 1/3 of the MGM have never paid their way into a game. Their “value” is what they see on tv or what they spend on shirts every few years.
As for me, I hated seeing the abrupt dumping of players because I had spent money on custom jersies that I can never wear again. But I get it that new faces were needed. The problem is, now I am hesitant to spend anything because there is no way of knowing if a player will be here next year.
Especially our quarterbacks. McCown could bomb, but so could Glennon. Nothing wrong with making them earn props before giving them. The MGM doesn’t get that concept.
July 7th, 2014 at 12:26 pm
Actually I do get that concept Bonzai….and trust me, if McCown comes out strong and stays strong…I’m all about him remaining the starter. But you see, when I was in school, I was poor, but a decent size and very strong and athletic. I took up for some kids I saw getting picked on. The bullies never tried me after I tested them while in pursue of their weaker target….and usually left that kid alone (at least when I was around)….and would look away whenever I crossed their paths staring right at them.
Its comparable to what I see almost daily against MG8. I know everyones entitled to their opinion, but he was a rookie for friggin sake. I know, its the nfl, he’s a grown man, blah blah, I get that too. Now if he doesnt improve after some time, and it looks like we need to move on, then Im all for it. Im a Buc fan first. But after what I saw last year, I think he deserves another year or two…and thats my opinion. But in the mean time Im not going to call him the names he’s been called here, or ridicule him like he’s a 5 year nfl experienced QB who is consistently failing! If anyone cant get that, then thats fine, maybe you dont care to….and that speaks for itself.
July 7th, 2014 at 2:24 pm
Mike Glennon brings out the ignorance here, on all sides