Optimism And Patience Continue
March 18th, 2015
The Buccaneers’ glass is half full. The team is “on the verge,” says Lovie Smith. There is no need to panic.
Tampa Bay officials rest comfortably knowing the team lost eight games last year by six points or less.
Joe’s not making this up. General manager Jason Licht has talked about it on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
Alterraun Verner proudly talked about the unwavering confidence and inspiration of Lovie on NFL Network.
Simple as that, as Lovie would say.
Joe’s not implying that Lovie is delusional. Yes, a significant percentage of NFL games are one-score games. Duh! But the Bucs did play more than most and that inspires confidence at One Buc Palace.
At its core, this is why the Bucs didn’t go all goofy in free agency, or panic and outbid the Cowboys for Greg Hardy today without even interviewing him.
Like it or not, there is calm and patience and professionalism at One Buc Palace that won’t waver anytime soon.
March 18th, 2015 at 4:29 pm
So they wasted last year trying to buy a team, so NOW they are not going spend happy. Live and learn I guess. I think last year set this team back, or could be a blessing with the right (#5) pick at #1
March 18th, 2015 at 4:31 pm
Bust out the your famously skewed in Lovie’s favor approval poll Joe!
Never really understand the need to misrepresent Joe. It’s like it’s an Olympic sport and some are trying to qualify for Brazil 2016. Joe ran the Lovie confidence poll weekly during the season on Tuesday and Wednesday, to avoid day-after-game emotion of fans. It wasn’t skewed. And Joe will run it again when Joe feels like it. –Joe
March 18th, 2015 at 4:36 pm
There may be calm patience and professionalism at One Buc Place, but there is hysterical panic on the board of Joe Bucs Fan.
The funniest part of all this hysteria is the large majority of the people who post negative posts out here don’t even go to the games.
They just sit on their fat lazy butts belching beer out while they jam Doritos into their pie holes watching the game at home.
I hope the Bucs blackout their games next year and then you will really hear them howl and cry.
I’m working my rosary beads right now and praying for this to occur. LOL.
March 18th, 2015 at 4:37 pm
Optimism is fading away :(. Every decent available player available has been grabbed up without much more than a sniff from the Bucs. Even when the face of the franchise does an amazing job at trying to get a rare talent to join the team we just give up. You can go ahead and draft an edge rusher even in a so called stacked draft class. But you still have the curve. Hardy was the last great hope I personally had anyway. I don’t see anyone out there decent but what do I know. Its difficult living in Mt as a Bucs fan with all these Seahawks fans. Was hoping they would do something to make a splash. Really hope they make something happen. It’s just as depressing up here as it is down there. Please dont drop the ball for another season.
March 18th, 2015 at 4:37 pm
🙂
March 18th, 2015 at 4:49 pm
A friend has told me he has spent $12,000 on seats and has yet to see a home win.
March 18th, 2015 at 4:51 pm
how many extra games do the Bucs win last year if they had Mariota or Winston as QB instead of Butters McCown? I think there’s reason for optimism since we’ll have that next year, plus a defense comfortable with the system.
March 18th, 2015 at 4:53 pm
Honestly I am not disappointed with what we have done this offseason only knock is not getting a vet OL but season is still far far away. Let’s sit back relax enjoy the process we get Winston this is the best news.
March 18th, 2015 at 4:55 pm
Lovie and Licht need to stop smelling their own aroma and wake up. They by no means can should rest on their “accomplishments” These statements and this approach should infuriate the fan base, not calm them.
March 18th, 2015 at 4:57 pm
I don’t think even the greatness that is JW #5 can lift this much dead weight in this organization.
I am starting to think the BUCS will never be relevant again until the Glazers sell this team.
March 18th, 2015 at 4:59 pm
I’m starting to think the only thing we are on the verge of is Lovie changing from his win now comments to we are building through the draft.
March 18th, 2015 at 5:00 pm
The theme of this article is the same reason they will draft Mariota instead of Winston. Take it to the bank!
March 18th, 2015 at 5:01 pm
#INLOVIEITRUST
#MariotaorBUST
March 18th, 2015 at 5:03 pm
Zam Says:
March 18th, 2015 at 4:51 pm
how many extra games do the Bucs win last year if they had Mariota or Winston as QB instead of Butters McCown?
______________________________________________________________
1, maybe 2. Remember, the offensive line is still a catastrophe with those rookies behind the line. They aren’t going to make as much of a difference as you think.
March 18th, 2015 at 5:03 pm
I’m optmistic. I think the best thing that could happen to this team was to tank for a QB in a draft when a great QB came out; and wow it actually happened (assuming we take Winston). After watching Winston’s games as a redshirt freshman I told my fiance I’d take a non-lethal gunshot or stabbing if it could guarentee the Bucs got him (semi joking..semi).
It’s not like were were going to be a playoff team with Glennon or McCown. Anyone who thinks that must think we are one of the most talent-stacked teams in the league which is wrong.
I did not expect the defense to be so bad; but if you look at the 2nd half of the season they got a lot better; which meshes with the idea that Lovie’s system takes time to learn and he needs the right kind of personnel. We haven’t made substantial upgrades; but I think if the team can play like it did in the 2nd half; they will at least be a top 15 defense. If guys like Bruce Carter can make an impact; and if a guy like Smith can emerge as a reliable pass threat (or Goldson or that P word guy who apparently finished really strong); they can be closer to a top 10 type of unit. Or if we just draft an impact DE.
Greg Schiano was a terrible coach. Mis used his personnel; had terrible schemes; etc. Lovie Smith is a much more respected guy that I can give time to. He has had success in this league for a long time. We better give him at least 2 more seasons.
The O-line is a weakness but outside of that we have weapons on this offense for our franchise QB. If we can get one more solid starter on the line; plus a real OC; I would be just incredibly shocked if we don’t improve by a large margin next year.
I’ve seen people post like we need 10 new starters. Comon guys we can’t have a team full of all all pros lol.
We need: OT, OG, QB, DE
After that I’m not sure we’re that bad.. And hell DE may not be as bad as we think with the emerging young guys we have. I’d like to see how well McDougle plays; or if Conte can play well again in Lovie’s system (or Tandy or someone). We have depth either way at both S and CB. We have 3 solid LBs, one of which is an All-Pro, to go with the best DT in the game.
If we go Winston-O-line-O-line and both those O-lineman pan out as solid starters; there’s no reason we can’t win our division.
Offseason optmimism! Jump on the bandwagon! Positivity! Weee!
March 18th, 2015 at 5:06 pm
It’s better than any offseason greg schiano or mark Dominick ever had, I prefer calm patience to desperation tactics. it’s common practice these days to be cynical make ignorant comments and overact and talk about the overall record of a team in a given span of time even though there could have been 4 head coaches like it was done with greg schiano’s first year when everyone was crying and complaining before the Minnesota game which was the first game doug martin ever ran wild on a team and all of a sudden after 4 games idiots are calling radio shows talking about playoffs. this team is better off than it was last year and better off than it was 2-3 years ago, only people still looking for big name free agents or those that think raheem morris and greg schiano are better than lovie even though they only ever coached one team, one couldn’t coach a 4th quarter victory to save his life and the other wasn’t even allowed to pick his own coaches or players
March 18th, 2015 at 5:06 pm
Joe….I realize the season is over….but Lovie has made some moves that could very well impact the confidence fans have in him….Namely the hiring of Koetter, Bajakian…and cutting of McCown, Johnson & Collins….I too would like to see a poll soon (when you feel like it)…..so that we can track the fan’s opinions…..end of season vs….now….vs draft…etc.
@ddneast
I hope your prayers work…I gave up sports prayers and are saving them for health prayers….as a Buc fan, my sports prayers didn’t work anyway….
March 18th, 2015 at 5:06 pm
Joe- I did not misreprepresent you. I have expressed several times when you were running it that I thought it was skewed and why. You don’t think it is, I do. BFD. It’s a difference of opinion about a non-scientific poll, not the blinding attack on you that you claim.
Care to share why you don’t want to run the poll now, two weeks into free agency? My guess is that far too many over at the palace do take a peek at such things and you feel bad because it won’t be good.
March 18th, 2015 at 5:07 pm
ddneast
My fat arse only missed 1 game last year. The game I missed they were out of doritos so I went with beer belches and Brisket.
bucs are going to have severely over pay to get better. No reason for players to come to Tampa except money. Bad staff and bad ownership must over pay it’s kind of like rebuilding your credit high interest rates until proven worthy
Not negative but reality sucks sometimes and right now the reality is Lovie’s bucs suck.
March 18th, 2015 at 5:07 pm
I’m just here so I don’t get fined.
March 18th, 2015 at 5:08 pm
@ DallasBuc
I agree that now would be a good time for the poll but disagree that his confidence level will be down…..(see my post above)
March 18th, 2015 at 5:08 pm
Basically looking at Bucs depth chart:
QB – hopefully top 10 or 15 guy after this draft for next 15 years.
RB – solid stable; no one elite; but works
WR – one of the best 1-2 WR groups in league
TE – deep as anyone in the league; ASJ has elite TE potential
O-line : Need 2 starters/upgrades to be decent.
DT-one of the best groups in the league
DE-not amazing but not as terrible as some other teams – i’d say bottom 1/3
LB – one of the best in the game and 2 solid starters
S – upcoming star potential with McDougle; solid depth behind him
CB – 2 solid starters and good depth
the o-line is the only MAJOR weakness of the team (besides QB). It’s not THAT bad guys! Put on your homer goggles with me
March 18th, 2015 at 5:23 pm
I said at the end of last season, that we need nine positions addressed. QB, slot receiver, OT, OG, DE, MLB, nickelback, Punter, KR-PR. So far, we have addressed MLB and maybe nickelback.
In the draft we will probably address QB, OT, OG and maybe DE. We might be able to pick up a punter and KR-PR in undrafted talent. So, I agree that things are not totally dead for next year.
It just may be that all these former Bears knowing the defense may contribute, but our luck has been pretty shabby when it comes to Lovie’s former team members coming here and helping the Buc’s.
March 18th, 2015 at 5:24 pm
@JOE
While everybody here is gripping like whiny little kids could you check in with Licht and let your fans here realize just how much an advantage finishing 2-14 gives us this season.
The obvious of course is winning the Jameis lottery but there are other bennies. Folks have pointed out that we draft higher in each round.
But Licht told Stroud one of the major bennies is being first at the waiver wire.
This means we get first shot at every other team’s waivers.
Licht gave Stroud examples of some true quality players snatched off the wire and Licht is very, very excited that we get first shot at ALL the waives until September when it begins going to the team with the worst record to that point.
What’s your opinion Joe. Is Licht overhyping the value of being first on the waiver wire. This summer some pretty good players will get cut.
March 18th, 2015 at 5:32 pm
@LordC
Offseason optmimism! Jump on the bandwagon! Positivity! Weee!
I’m with you bro. I keep my rose colored homer glasses clean at all times.
Let’s kick some butt next year!
Now back to some of the nattering nabobs of negativity. Don’t mean to insult anybody just like the alliteration of Agnew’s famous charge.
Surely it’s time for someone here to start btching about the fact we haven’t signed a free agent punter. LMAO
March 18th, 2015 at 5:41 pm
@ St Pete yes haha! I’m pumped! I do this every offseason though but this is the one I’ve felt best about..
The closest I came to this was the one after Freeman played very well and set franchise records throwing for over 4000 yards.. but then when reports came out about Schiano not being as into Freeman and us drafting Big Bird; it just kind of all went downhill
March 18th, 2015 at 5:49 pm
I just keep repeating to myself – “I know they have a plan” “I know they have a plan”
March 18th, 2015 at 5:50 pm
LordC
I was a huge fan of the late Chris Thomas who always said NFL stood for No Freaking Logic. NOBODY really knows what will happen next year and that’s really the secret to the League’s success.
I get the points made by the doom and gloomers and many are valid. But one could make just as many valid points about us improving dramatically next year.
And so IMHO if we might be good or we might suck…why not enjoy the former instead of so quickly embracing the latter.
March 18th, 2015 at 6:01 pm
I understand that L&L have to put a positive spin on the current state of the franchise because really what else are they going to say. Some people are overreacting a bit but anyone that thinks this team is “on the verge” needs to pass whatever it is they’re smoking because I don’t see it. The team still has the same needs it did last year and not much has been done to fix the problems. I don’t need big name free agents but they at least have to be competent at their job because even a mediocre offensive line is better than what the Bucs have now. It’s not going to matter who the QB is next year if they only 2/5 of an offensive line. There is a lot of time left until the season starts but at this point the only thing the Bucs are “on the verge” of is another losing season and a top ten draft pick.
March 18th, 2015 at 6:11 pm
Yes the Bucs are on the verge…..on the verge of losing all of it’s fans. I an really annoyed with the way things are going at this point.
March 18th, 2015 at 6:37 pm
I’ll be patient in returning my reps calls to sell me season tickets
March 18th, 2015 at 6:58 pm
Don’t like it!
IM sick of this one score mumbo jumbo! We were outplayed, out classed, and out coached in every game last year. We were fed this optimism kool aid all year. Team sucks Lovie, miserably! And the first step is to admit it
March 18th, 2015 at 7:29 pm
Lol! I’ll bet my left nut the Buc’s win 2 games (at the most), next year.
March 18th, 2015 at 8:24 pm
Really Tmaxcon, where do you sit. I’ll drop by and say hi.
I’m kind or puzzled though, wasn’t it you who was talking about being in Texas yesterday.
March 18th, 2015 at 8:25 pm
@TBFAN
“The team still has the same needs it did last year and not much has been done to fix the problems.”
WOW! JUST WOW! Really? Barron is gone and Goldson is not far behind. We have improved at safety! Johnson is gone. Smith is an improvement at DE and Gholston is probably better as well. Toss Fatukin into that group.
We haven’t even freaking drafted yet. Are you daring to suggest on THIS boardof Fameis lovers that we won’t be far better at QB? Really? Even if they go Mariota we will improve significantly at QB.
You don’t believe we can find two OL better than Cousins…Gilkey..Collins.
Really?
Our QB coach this year is better than the OC last year. and our OC this year is a man with a track record of success not some college coach who got fired.
Seriously you don’t believe that will make our offense better?
Evans has a year experience, ASJ and Sims and Martin are finally healthy.
I swear you guys just take cheap shots with nothing to back them up.
Carter is better than Foster…we’ve added another good DL who could be the pleasant addition McDonald was last year. Do you really think Daquan Bowers is better than Melton.
Seriously guys the negative hyperbole is growing wearisome.
2-14 Sucks! OK. If we could learn to simply count to 12 there’s a win. If we could get our youngsters to grow up and not do Captain Morgan poses maybe another.
BTW I asked if Fameis is not better than Glennon but Glennon was our BEST qb last year. McCown totally sucked!!! He freaking choked big time. He was brought here to protect the ball, to be smart…he was the opposite.
WE worse now than last year. Geeeeeesh!!!!
March 18th, 2015 at 8:28 pm
Il will take that bet BarMitzah. Please provide some way to contact you after the season you big bar of gas. I’m going to insist on you paying off. If you are married, she will be the happiest person on earth after the procedure.
March 18th, 2015 at 8:31 pm
@scholmie
Lol! I’ll bet my left nut the Buc’s win 2 games (at the most), next year.
Luckily for you nobody here wants your left nut or you’d be speaking a couple octaves higher next year and ordering industrial strength Viagra.
March 18th, 2015 at 8:35 pm
ddneast
Your post had popped up while I was typing mine so I didn’t see it. I certainly agree with it though. Not sure though I’d actually make him pay up. LMAO
March 18th, 2015 at 8:51 pm
I like where the team is at, I really do.
DE is a concern. We were 21st in sacks (36) last year, but only 5 sacks from being 9th (41). If Smith improves and we develop an offense that might actually give us a lead from time to time, that # could improve quickly.
We need a QB. McCown stunk, Glennon is better, but neither was/is good enough. A quality QB will do this team wonders. Pick Jameis or MM and I’ll bet this is a team with promise by midseason.
March 18th, 2015 at 9:04 pm
Jesus Christ, relax. Just about every team needs DEs.
If Hardy is god, then why did only the Cowboys pursue him?
Perhaps, they should not have let HIM go so quickly.
We shall see what happens.
We should improve over last year.
This takes time.
March 18th, 2015 at 10:22 pm
Optimism? Lol that’s what you call it these days
March 18th, 2015 at 10:36 pm
I for one am looking forward to next year.
March 18th, 2015 at 10:50 pm
Lord Cornelius…I’ll be optimistic after I hear a certain name called on draft day.
Yes I know he’s not going to come in right away and take the NFL by storm.
Plus to me this team is easily 2 years away from maybe .500. This team needs a lot of help. They also need to keep a nucleus of players on the team and the same coaching staff whether we like it or not.
Let them all go down the bumby road together until they pull a Brooks and Sapp and say the losing STOPS now!
They still HAVE to take a QB with that first pick or there might be riots in the parking lot at Ray Jay on draft day. I hope they have a lot of cops and battle gear. Perhaps the National Guard.
March 18th, 2015 at 10:53 pm
For those that went to Pasco County Schools.
Nucleus : the central and most important part of an object, movement, or group, forming the basis for its activity and growth.
/ˈn(y)o͞oklēəs/
March 18th, 2015 at 11:24 pm
Good points I’m your post StPeteBucsFan.
Most people want to ignore how truly bad our OC was last year and how responsible he was for the units ineptness.
Although Joe loved Mason Foster he still,hasn’t found a job yet and it’s been a week since he has been released. What does that say about our starting MLB when no one is even pursuing him.
The same holds true for Daquan Bowers.
Would have liked to have kept Clayborn and give him another shot at his natural RDE position.
Nice to have some pro support on a site that is supposed to be a Buccaneer site but is usually full of negative comments that are ill informed and inaccurate.
March 18th, 2015 at 11:45 pm
got to say the bucs are the worst ran sports team in tampa bay and it starts with the glazers!
March 19th, 2015 at 12:28 am
“Tampa Bay officials rest comfortably knowing the team lost eight games last year by six points or less.”
Another spin on this is that the Bucs were a couple of decent coaching decisions away from being a 8 to 10 win team last season…. Losing that many close games is simply an indictment on the ineptitude of the coaching staff across the board with emphasis on Arroyo & O’Dea along with Lovie for so many ****ing winnable games end up in the loss column… But hey the close losses did have a silver lining;, the Bucs should nab Winston unless Lovie/Licht trade down for a king’s ransom or Matt Sinn is right and the Bucs end up with Dante Fowler and essentially alienating what is left of a once large fan base…..
And Todd: you are right about the franchise being run horribly and the blame has to start at the top: it seems like the Bucs have not made any smart logical decisions since Malcolm G was incapacitated with the stroke and the boys took over and the results reflect in the record of the club since Gruden got fired….
March 19th, 2015 at 1:08 am
Todd, I’d argue the Rays are now up there as well
March 19th, 2015 at 12:34 pm
Most of you have no clue what it takes to make a good football team.
It’s so funny to read most of you say that the OL is the biggest weakness, but then follow up by saying we need a QB to fix our problems. I try and keep it real simple for you simple minded people. If the teams OL line is bad, the whole offense is bad. The problem is not the QB, if you can’t run or pass the ball because of the poor blocking that’s not the QB or RB’s fault. I’ll i have to say for you non-Glennon believers is when you’re put in the crappy situation he was two years on a row and still throw more TD’s than INT’s that’s clearly telling me one thing. When he’s had time to throw the ball he’s making the right decision.
Glennon, won’t get a chance to prove his worth though because Lovie likes a guy that’s more mobile at the QB position (e.g. The signing of McCown last year)
Final word, we’ll draft a QB this year and I’ve excepted that. Neither of which are NFL ready from day one, but I don’t need to elaborate on this. I just think it’s so amazing how most of you have all the answers for this football team, but I’m guessing that all you are just fans and not football coaches at any level (including peewee). So with that said lets leave the decision making to the professional coaches. If they think we’ve done enough this offseason for this team to be a contender, then they probably have. They know what they need for this team to succeed much better than any of us.
Also, we don’t need any poll to see if the fans are approving of the job Lovie and his crew are doing. You either riding or your not, so if you don’t like or support what Lovie is doing to what he thinks will make this team better, than go support a team that’s doing well so we don’t have to hear your ridiculous comments on how to make this team better.