THE OPTIMIST: Another Bucs Record Equaled
November 1st, 2015
THE OPTIMIST finds a number that shows the 2015 Bucs offense equals the franchise’s best ever.
In these unsettled times of devastating Bucs losses, constant change and growing pains, Joe thought it would be wise to bring back THE OPTIMIST.
THE OPTIMIST is Nick Houllis, a Bucs fan and an accomplished writer whose steadfast allegiance to the Buccaneers goes back to the 1970s. Houllis is the founder, creator and guru of BucStop.com, a place Joe goes to get lost in time via Houllis’ stunning video collection.
THE OPTIMIST will shine that positive light in your eyes. Some will love it. Some won’t. … Of course, THE OPTIMIST’s opinions are his alone and are not influenced by Joe.
Opening day, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have lost the battle, but it’s likely we’re seeing them winning the war.
While Marcus Mariota was benched injured for the guy who was drafted before him, Jameis Winston went out and duplicated his second best outing with perhaps his best last Sunday.
Jameis was 21-of-29 for 297 yards, Winston tossed two TD passes and, for the second straight game, did not turn the ball over, which is the opposite of what Mariota is doing.
The Bucs were probably right to draft Winston for their needs. The Titans simply taught their team Mariota’s offense, the Bucs taught Jameis the Bucs’ offense.
In six weeks, you are starting to see the difference. That doesn’t make a career, but the guy in Pewter and Red (and now Orange) is looking pretty good.
There is another immeasurable item for Winston; he’s affecting the offense in general. He brings an atmosphere, an aura, and it’s being felt by all on the offense. Rookies Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet are not looking like first year players for the most part, and newcomer Joe Hawley has picked up on the vibe and the Bucs are becoming an offensive team like we’ve never seen.
Winston is ranked as the 14th QB in TDs, 20th in yards. Doug Martin is fourth in yards per game, now averaging 90.2, and the Bucs are the 13th ranked offense in the NFL based on yards gained per game.
Tampa Bay has NEVER finished higher than 9th, that was 2012 when Greg Schiano and Josh Freeman were getting along to the tune of 363.8 yards per game. After Week 6, Lovie and Winston are averaging 363.8 yards per game. That is not a typo.
Twice, in 1984 and 2003, when the Bucs were led by James Wilder and Brad Johnson, Tampa Bay climbed to 10th. If Jameis keeps this up, this may not only be the best Bucs season ever of offense, but perhaps the beginning of a great era of offense in Tampa Bay, and it’s all thanks to Jameis.
November 1st, 2015 at 11:17 am
I’m optimistic too. Optimistic that the Bucs show up and play with intensity. Optimistic that the Bucs make it through the game with zero added injuries. And optimistic that the game is not over until the very end. Expecting a Bucs win, there isn’t even a word I can think of for that. Go Bucs!
November 1st, 2015 at 11:31 am
Let’s thank who is really responsible!!! Thank you Mark Dominik and Greg Schiano!! Thank you for creating such a CRAPPY ass roster through YEARS of bad drafting!
Last, but NOT LEAST, Thank you to Lovie Smith and Jason Licht for tanking to get that #1 pick and securing Jameis Winston and potentially giving us something that OUR FRANCHISE NEVER HAD!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
“It’s as simple as that” – Lovie Smith
November 1st, 2015 at 11:35 am
LOL 37…
The word for it is HOPE!!!
I am with you 100% THE THE END BOYS……. TO THE end :-/
November 1st, 2015 at 11:47 am
OneLove, that makes me think… EVERYONE said we tanked for the draft last year…. IF INDEED that is true… Should we really hold that against the coaches… I mean obviously we would if that is true and its a risky stradagy if it don’t work… However all indications are it did work… MASTERFULLY IN FACT…
Consider this…. Lovie, to all his cridics can’t adjust his style of coaching… Sure looks to me he has went from a defense first style coach to a offensive minded coach… Perhaps if people see the bigger picture vs what only they HOPE to see. People will start to see we are on the right track and the desired results are only a formality once EVERYTHING is fixed….
Sure seems to me in this day and age offence first is the best way to build a team!!!
Lovie gets that and has done an excellent job building that side of the ball seemingly over night!!!! Go figure!!! And before any of you Fans of Depression or Trolls rail against the obvious just remember!!!! Y’all are the ones BLAMING Lovie for everything….
Give credit where credit is due please… Lovie has adjusted to today’s game… More so than meets the eye!!!
You heard it hear first folks now stop HOPING AND BELIEVE!!!!
ITS
AS
Simple as that!!!
REALLY
IT
IS!!!
November 1st, 2015 at 11:54 am
AMEN!!! @JAB83
November 1st, 2015 at 12:18 pm
Winston is the silver lining of the dark cloud.
November 1st, 2015 at 3:06 pm
@JAB83
AMEN Sir!!! AAAAMEEEEENNNN!!!