“I Can’t Imagine Them Not Being Better”
March 25th, 2016
Endorsed by a Bucs icon
A Buccaneers legend endorses Dirk Koetter and has strong expectations for the 2016 season.
Joe’s talking about Ronde Barber.
In the Barber video Joe shared yesterday, the former cornerback and safety was asked about this year’s Bucs.
“I like Dirk Koetter as a head coach. He’s got a great demeanor,” Barber said. “Obviously, we know he’s an offensive mind. With the talent that he has, I can’t imagine them not being better.”
Remember that Barber calls Bucs preseason games, which means he got to pick Koetter’s brain in television production meetings last year. Also, Barber was an intermittent visitor to practice, where he was on the team sidelines. This isn’t just Ronde offering an uneducated opinion of the man who replaced Lovie Smith.
Barber’s quote came before the Bucs signed defensive free agents, Robert Ayers, Daryl Smith, Josh Robinson and Brent Grimes.
Joe wonders what Barber might predict now. He already said he sees a “better” Bucs team, which means at least a 7-9 record. Dare fans dream of 9-7 and squeaking into the playoffs?
March 25th, 2016 at 7:11 am
Well, incompetent Lovie Smith is no longer aimlessly wandering the sidelines. How can they not be better?
March 25th, 2016 at 7:35 am
Barring a rash of serious injuries, I also like the Bucs chances to win 8-9 games. Ditching Lovie is at least worth 2-3 wins. I still laugh every time I hear anyone say the Bucs made a mistake ditching Lovie. If you look deep into the numbers you will see that Love had zero success after he fired his Super Bowl defensive coordinator, Ron Rivera. And Big Dog, you are flat out wrong when you say the Bucs ran the same defense as Carolina. Joe, tell the Big Dog this every time you are on the radio, please. Key philosophical differences between their schemes. Defending the slant is a perfect example.
March 25th, 2016 at 8:07 am
Let the bashing begin “BEWARE” haters !
March 25th, 2016 at 8:17 am
@DallasBuc
I am so going to enjoy it when all you Lovie bashers learn that Licht was the reason for the lack of FA success.
Both men shared in the responsibility, but only one was held accountable. Can’t wait for reality to set in.
March 25th, 2016 at 8:20 am
Aww BigHog, you offended someone might hold your incompetent lovable LovieDovie responsible for the miserable failure the Bucs have been under his tenure?
That’s sweet!
March 25th, 2016 at 8:26 am
Bonzai- you either confuse my takes with someone else or you reading comprehension over the last two years once again fails you. I have consistently held lapdog Licht at least partially responsible for the FA disaster of 2014 & 2015 with the understanding that no decisions on personal were final without the approval of his benefactor incompetent Lovie Smith. My position has been consistent. Go find another tree to bark up this morning.
March 25th, 2016 at 8:28 am
Bucs might be better but have the same record, last years easy schedule has been replaced by a brutal schedule
March 25th, 2016 at 8:46 am
Its shocking that there are still a handful of sheep, who will miss lovie staring at the Jumotron cluelessly like he is trying to figure out what player let his defensive system down!!!!
March 25th, 2016 at 10:00 am
I thought Ronde comment was more of a dig when I first heard it. It came across to me like a PC version of ‘he better win more games’.
As for FA signs, to me there’s an obvious improvement with FAs this year that the last two. IMO, grimes>Verner, ayers > Johnson&johnson, Sweezy>Collins but then again a “caution: wet floor” sign does a better job than Collins in keeping you upright so there’s that.
March 25th, 2016 at 11:57 am
its just a little to early yet to tell what our Bucs record will be. All indications are we will be a better team. But we will have to wait and see. Like I’ve always said. We improve our Defense at least 50% we have a chance of 8-8 or better.
Can’t wait to see what we do in the draft.
March 25th, 2016 at 1:03 pm
I welcome the Bucs upcoming tougher schedule, tired of losing to the crappy NFL doormats, the non elite. Who could get excited about beating those patsies. Dallas had to suck before that rare win happened.
March 25th, 2016 at 1:07 pm
BuccaneerBonzai Says:
March 25th, 2016 at 8:17 am
“@DallasBuc
I am so going to enjoy it when all you Lovie bashers learn that Licht was the reason for the lack of FA success.”
Yes and all the other many HORRIBLE decisions, McCown, Jennings, Jenkins in game calls, schemes, lack of passion etc etc were Licht’s fault as well.
Look if Lovie screwed up 49 things and the 50th is FA’s then you can bet he had a hand in that screwing up too. I’d wager cash on it.
March 26th, 2016 at 8:43 pm
@ mike J you are not wrong on the defense .some of our best games was when the defense kicked in a couple of scores during the Dungy years.And sometimes when they didn’t our offense couldn’t do enough to Win.Its one of the downfalls of a conservative offense, You need Offense,Defense and special
teams to contribute or the opponent stays within reach.
I am hoping for agressive football on both sides of the ball
March 28th, 2016 at 3:51 am
Yes, the Buccaneers will be better this year mostly because we do not have Bobby Rainey, Logan Mankins, Danny Lansanah, Henry Melton, Jorvorskie Lane, Tony McDaniel, Sterling Moore and Bruce Carter. At least a 7-9 season?
at San Diego Chargers W – Should be one of our wins. Denzel Perryman.
vs. Oakland Raiders L – David Carr is the real deal.
at Kansas City Chiefs L – OL will struggle.
vs. Denver Broncos L – Depends who their QB is? Not really.
vs. San Francisco 49ers L – Niner’s tough at home.
at Seattle Seahawks L – Seahawks tougher at home.
at St. Louis Rams L – I still remember last year. Can Sweezy block Donald?
vs. Arizona Cardinals L – Too good.
at New Orleans Saints W – Split.
vs. New Orleans Saints L –
at Carolina Panthers L – Not this year.
vs. Carolina Panthers L –
at Atlanta Falcons L – Split.
vs. Atlanta Falcons W –
3 wins? (3-13) Feel free to comment if you think we will win more.