Bucs No. 22
June 25th, 2016
Is 8-8 possible?
Joe isn’t a big “Power rankings” kind of guy.
Oh, sure, Joe has posted that stuff. Found better things to write about.
But in a recent podcast on Pat Kirwan’s fantastic site, RealFootballNetwork.com, Kirwan issued power rankings for all upcoming training camps. He did not specifically rank each team 1-32, but offered what he called divisions, basically teams grouped into tiers.
Kirwan had the Bucs in the bottom half of the league in a group from No. 17-24, which he classified as “might surprise.” Based on his math, the Bucs are at No. 22.
This brings Joe to a recent conversation with Joe’s good friend Justin Pawlowski of Scout.com. If the Bucs got to .500 this year, 8-8, that surely would be an improvement over the last five years. A .500 record should, finally, get the Bucs out of the NFC South basement and may just get them a wild card berth. (Yes, Joe knows it’s been eight seasons since nine wins was enough for an NFC wild card spot.)
Last year, the Bucs won three division games. That sure seems doable this year. Going 3-1 against the Saints and Dixie Chicks doesn’t seem out of the question. The Saints and the Dixie Chicks don’t impress Joe.
So if the Bucs can win half of their division games, that leaves five wins out of the remaining 10 games to reach an 8-8 mark.
Is that doable?
June 25th, 2016 at 6:31 am
22 sounds about right!
June 25th, 2016 at 6:52 am
The longer the off-season drags on, the more positive I’m feeling about the Bucs chances to have a winning season. The shortfalls that existed in the past seem to have been fixed to various degrees. Coaching staff looks to be the best since our Super Bowl year. Offense made huge strides last year, and promises to be even better this year. Defense can’t help but get better, and I’m convinced it’ll be MUCH better this year. Special teams should be solid. Depth is still a concern, but same can be said for almost all NFL teams.
Add them all together Joe and not only does 8-8 looks ‘doable’ but I now think that our 2016 Bucs will surpass that. Whether it’s 9-7 or 10-6 (or possibly even better) still not sure, but I’m optimistic that we’ll have a winning season. It all depends I think on how fast this team comes together once the real games begin.
June 25th, 2016 at 6:59 am
*******sighing********
…….
this is pointless
June 25th, 2016 at 7:10 am
I think it’ll be a rough start as the team gets its sea legs. But by game 4, I believe things will start turning toward the better…we might even have a win streak (maybe).
8-8 is the acceptable mark for me. Anything past that is extra goodness. Really, this year…7-9 would begrudgingly be acceptable, depending on the reasons. If the Bucs play well, but the competition is just better, I could accept it.
This year.
Would rather have 8-8 or better though. 9-7 would mean a winning season…that would rock. I don’t want the playoffs unless we stand a chance to reach the conference championship. Otherwise, it would just hurt our draft position.
A one and done scenario would have more negatives than positives.
June 25th, 2016 at 7:25 am
I hate to admit this but I would be ecstatic with 8-8……that would be an improvement with a tougher schedule…..I would prefer a steady process toward a championship team….and once we get there….stay there.
June 25th, 2016 at 7:35 am
@Tampabaybucfan
/signed.
June 25th, 2016 at 8:22 am
There’s Bucnut2 again, always negative. If Glennon were to beat out Winston he would say 22 was way too low.
June 25th, 2016 at 8:51 am
9 the magic # is 9, 9 wins or get ghost!
June 25th, 2016 at 8:52 am
The Bucs could have easily been 8-8 LAST year even with crap D coaching. And this ’16 team is heads and shoulders above that ’15 team in almost every dimension.
And the “tough schedule” thing has always been overrated. EVERY year a supposedly “not so good” team rises quickly, and a “good team” crashes and burns.
Just more off-season filler…
June 25th, 2016 at 9:09 am
I expect the Bucs to be a pleasant surprise this upcoming season…imo our schedule isn’t as brutal as many think…10 wins for this Bucs team is very doable…if you look at our first 8 games the best QBs on our schedule during that stretch is Cam Newton, Carr, and maybe Ryan…
June 25th, 2016 at 9:15 am
Better than 32
June 25th, 2016 at 9:36 am
I was being positive. The schedule will likely be much more difficult. You have an entirely new defensive coaching staff and the fact is many positions on this team still lack depth. If a WR, Linebacker, safety goes down we are in really bad shape. Additionally I expect LG to be a problem at the start of the season, JR is making a switch and it will take him time to adjust. Seeing the Bucs in that 17-22 group is seems about right.
June 25th, 2016 at 9:47 am
@OneBuc55:
Carson Palmer sends his regards. Game 2 vs. Arizona
2015: 4671 TDs, 35 TDs, 11 INTs, and 104.6 passer rating.
tickrdr
June 25th, 2016 at 9:48 am
No doubt with a promising talented head coach and competent staff surrounding him the sky is the limit finally. Middle of the pack for now sounds about right especially with the schedule being twice as difficult then last year where loser Lovie coached his heart out all the way to the basement again. Exciting times in Tampa to be sure.
June 25th, 2016 at 9:55 am
I can see 17 more than 22. Then again, I did pick us to go 6-10 again.
June 25th, 2016 at 10:14 am
Tougher schedule? Well yeah, appears that way. Still can’t quash the fans enthusiasm with the new season closing in. Even for the lousiest teams the fans are excited for what might be.
June 25th, 2016 at 10:20 am
I honestly think we have a chance to be very good this year. I hate picking records, so I won’t do it.
Amazingly, I feel more concerned about our offense than I do the defense. They did a major disservice by not giving Winston more to play with and I’m worried that one or two injuries will bury the offense. The defense on the other hand I believe has some talent that’s been misused over the last few years. I think the Brent Grimes signing will be a big difference maker.
If we can be in the playoff hunt with a couple games remaining I’ll be happy, but realistically, I think this could be a playoff team if they stay healthy.
June 25th, 2016 at 10:58 am
12-4
BUCS fans!!! Ask yourself, if we start out 3-0,then pick the 4 losses. I’m EXCITED to no end.
Yes… we can easily start off strong.
June 25th, 2016 at 11:10 am
I might have to see a cardiologist if we start 3-0!
June 25th, 2016 at 11:12 am
Everyone thinks we are the same team. We are a playoff team. No Lovie and we filled our two biggest holes? Give us two good safeties and a receiver, we are super bowl contenders. Sleep on the Bucs all you want, we are coming.
June 25th, 2016 at 11:20 am
Don’t say no Lovie around BigHog.
June 25th, 2016 at 12:09 pm
8-8 will be a FAILURE, 10-6 at the minimum. It don’t matter about the schedule, they all are NFL teams. There is no SUPER TEAMS in the league, they all can be beaten.
June 25th, 2016 at 12:20 pm
I’m with BigHogHaynes koetter needs 9 wins to be yet another first time head coach for the incompetent lovie smith to look up at on the bucs all time win list…
June 25th, 2016 at 12:36 pm
2-3 start…and if they fool around and do even better will have us smelling playoffs at the end of the year. I don’t think we should settle for three wins…beating every team (not just Atlanta and NOLA) at least once should be the division goal.
June 25th, 2016 at 12:40 pm
tickrdr Says:
June 25th, 2016 at 9:47 am
@OneBuc55:
Carson Palmer sends his regards. Game 2 vs. Arizona
2015: 4671 TDs, 35 TDs, 11 INTs, and 104.6 passer rating.
tickrdr
——————————–
AZ has a great offense, no doubt….but Palmer is now 36. How much longer will he play at a high level. He looked absolutely awful vs. the Panthers. The Panthers left a blueprint (just like the Broncos left a blueprint on the Panthers) on how to beat them. Week two is still early in the year and the AZ offense won’t likely be clicking on all cylinders. Get in his grill, hit the old man, make him whince a few times and he’ll get gun shy on those deep passes they like to implement.
June 25th, 2016 at 1:23 pm
I think 8-8 is very doable. I am expecting at least 8-8. There’s just too much talent on this team to accept a losing record.
June 25th, 2016 at 2:11 pm
I had us at 25. But one cannot argue with 22. Question is..Where will be at seasons end?
8-8? that’s a bunch of horse pile. You fans are lauding this new staff past JC (Jesus Christ) as the 2nd coming. So anything less than 9-7 is unacceptable.
This new regime is this. This new regime will do that. Time to..walk on water Holy Koetter. Win or get ready for the gallows in Dodge City. I’m waiting……
June 25th, 2016 at 3:26 pm
@Mike Johnson-
So, clearly you’re a doubter. Not that there’s anything wrong with that… But no one is calling Koetter the savior around here. Many of us are just excited because we have a QB, some weapons, and we hired a good defensive staff, and added some good defensive players. And the reports from the team seem to indicate the players have a new energy and excitement that hasn’t been seen at OBP for awhile. So why shouldn’t we be excited? No one here thinks they’ve accomplished anything yet except having a good offseason. We know the games still have to be played. What’s wrong with feeling excited about this team? And why are you more interested in taking a dump on the excitement?
June 25th, 2016 at 4:21 pm
I think Sanu is going to be a big weapon across from Jones, and the saints only need better production from theyre defense. Carolina will likley not repeat last season and we should be much improved. Will be an exciting season to watch
June 25th, 2016 at 5:55 pm
Schedule toughness definitely matters. Our sorry schedule and jw are the reasons we got 6 wins. I see another 6 win team maybe 7 but schedule is tougher. 8-8 would be good year. 7 ok.
June 25th, 2016 at 7:29 pm
Mike Johnson, the fans that like Koetter and Licht don’t have any bearing on how the season plays out. Just because they like them doesn’t mean we are going 9-7. I’m a fan of theirs but I’m still thinking 6-10. Next year for playoffs.
June 25th, 2016 at 7:30 pm
If Lovie Smith was still the HC I would still say 6-10 this year and playoffs next season.
June 25th, 2016 at 7:49 pm
My hope is for winning at Ray Jay.
So sick of getting spanked at home.
At the very least, sweeping our division at home would be phenomenal.
FIRE THE CANNONS!
June 25th, 2016 at 8:33 pm
FSUking- please send me a big load of whatever you are smoking. We are NOWHERE near ready to compete for a Super Bowl. The NFL is NOT the ACC!
June 25th, 2016 at 9:19 pm
Buc nut, funny how the panthers went to the SB when they were 7-8-1 the year before .
June 25th, 2016 at 9:34 pm
Bucnut2 is right, playoffs next season, but they’re not ready this season.
June 25th, 2016 at 11:50 pm
Fsuking Says:
June 25th, 2016 at 11:12 am
“Everyone thinks we are the same team. We are a playoff team. No Lovie and we filled our two biggest holes? Give us two good safeties and a receiver, we are super bowl contenders. Sleep on the Bucs all you want, we are coming.”
AGREED!
BuccaneEric75 Says:
June 25th, 2016 at 11:20 am
“Don’t say no Lovie around BigHog.”
Classic! Ha ha ha ha
salish_seamonster Says:
June 25th, 2016 at 3:26 pm
“@Mike Johnson-
So, clearly you’re a doubter. Not that there’s anything wrong with that… But no one is calling Koetter the savior around here. Many of us are just excited because we have a QB, some weapons, and we hired a good defensive staff, and added some good defensive players. And the reports from the team seem to indicate the players have a new energy and excitement that hasn’t been seen at OBP for awhile. So why shouldn’t we be excited?”
You was told!
“Bucnut2 Says:
June 25th, 2016 at 8:33 pm
FSUking- please send me a big load of whatever you are smoking. We are NOWHERE near ready to compete for a Super Bowl. The NFL is NOT the ACC!”
Not this season, but….NEXT!
June 26th, 2016 at 6:18 am
10 wins with better players, coaching, and scheme, IF our key players stay healthy.