Have The Bucs Arrived?
December 6th, 2016
Jameis makes Bucs watchable.
One reason Joe was so passionate about the Bucs drafting a quarterback for years was the team was damn near unwatchable.
Joe remembers the feces that was Stewart McClown trying to lead an NFL team.
In particular, there was the loss to the Vikings with Mike Glennon at QB in 2014. That game was so awful to watch, Joe at one point in the third quarter had to take a break.
Joe got up and walked around to catch a minute or so of another game on the press box TVs in order to regroup. Joe fried his mental hard drive watching a disgusting offense. Just couldn’t take it any longer. Joe had reached a breaking point. It was that bad.
Well, fast forward two years and with America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, leading the Bucs to a winning record in December (!), Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com notes the Bucs are now one of the most watchable teams in the NFL.
7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston’s playmaking and a revived pass rush are carrying the Bucs further than anyone imagined. Getting flexed into “Sunday Night Football” in Week 15 is a pretty clear sign of a team’s arrival on the national stage.
Teams just don’t get flexed into a Sunday Night Football game only to be serenaded by Carrie Underwood, although that’s a helluva consolation.
Yes, the Cowboys are, as painful as it is for Joe to write, “America’s Team.” They bring eyeballs, millions of pairs of eyeballs. Joe is also confident NBC would not put a team on prime time that would chase viewers away, even if the Cowboys were one of the combatants.
See what happens when you have America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, guiding your team?
December 6th, 2016 at 8:30 am
Jason Licht knows his QBs. We are fortunate Jason is our GM. And we are fortunate Joe has the best website in town.
But the Cleveland Browns is another story….
Go Bucs!!!
December 6th, 2016 at 8:33 am
Nfl kows the money trail always leads to the QB position
They want a nice transition when brady finally retires
Dal vs bucs is also showcasing jaboo nationally
Jaboo slaying dallas on primetime tv will take bucs/jameis national notoriaity/attention back to gruden superbowl levels
December 6th, 2016 at 8:46 am
Am I the only guy out there who thinks Dak Prescott is a bit of a sham? Without that o-line and those weapons…
December 6th, 2016 at 8:53 am
@ Warthog…I think you might be onto something. Put Prescott behind the Colts O line could be horrible.
December 6th, 2016 at 8:56 am
Dak has good composure and pocket awareness
Able to makes simple throws accurately and consistently and use his legs to gain 1st downs and time
Cant do the things jameis does with his arm downfield but doesnt need to
Actually his limited skillset is the best compliment to Elliot and the oline
December 6th, 2016 at 8:56 am
@Warthog no ur not I feel the same the cowboys have the best online in football that’s why he looks good take that away he’s no good switch Jameis with Dax Jameis would be MVP hands down but that’s how things go
December 6th, 2016 at 8:57 am
This is perhaps the most stunning one month turnaround I’ve ever witnessed as it relates to the Bucs. They were dead on the table during the 2nd half of the Thursday nighter vs the Falcones. It’s a bit of a Christmas miracle! 🙂
I think the Joes’ hit on something as it relates to Glennon. Admittedly he produces decent stats. But watching the fella affectionately known as The Galloping Giraffe was comparable to watching ol’ Bill Cartwright shoot free throws or Jim Furyk swing a golf club. It’s just cringeworthy in my opinion. Now…watching Jamies escape disaster a la Fran Tarkington or Kenny The Snake Stabler is exciting…and ultimately a thing of beauty. *Sorry for the old school references to those of you under 40. 🙂
December 6th, 2016 at 8:58 am
I wouldn’t say he is a sham but he is nowhere as good as advertised and u can see that from just watching the film. That’s why I think Bucs could beat them if they could just slow down the run. Dak doesn’t really have the pocket presence and is quick to break the pocket. The one thing that amazed me about winston is his pocket presence and very few have that ability but when u see it done right it is truly a work of art. I think dak has a ways to go before he gets there and Minnesota showed that. Dallas deserved to win that game because they are the better team but they gave dak the chance to show up since they were holding the run game in check and he didn’t.
December 6th, 2016 at 9:01 am
Cowboys might be ‘America’s Team’ to some Joe, but they’re going down on the 18th of December. Jameis & the Bucs will send the Cowboys’ dreams up in smoke … Poof!!
December 6th, 2016 at 9:02 am
Joe
Its more than watchable, they make it FUN to be a Bucs fan again.
December 6th, 2016 at 9:04 am
In Jameis we trust!
December 6th, 2016 at 9:05 am
Dak has elliot and the oline, but his recievers he throws to is also top notch
Dez back to dominating, trence williams, cole beasely and jason witten is no joke
December 6th, 2016 at 9:18 am
I think we’ve got a great shot at going 3-1 in the next 4 games. If I’m being honest, I’m feeling really confident in 4-0, but there are a lot of weapons on that Dallas offense and we’re down to scraps in our receiving corps.
Sims is coming back. He’s a great receiving threat out of the backfield… why not just make him a receiver as a band-aid until we get some people back? We’ve got Martin and Rogers. We’ve got some wiggle room to play around.
December 6th, 2016 at 9:21 am
Its already a good season, so yes they have arrived. This week is critical against NO. After NO’s poor performance against Detroit, you know they are going to bring it. Their season is riding on this game against our Bucs and our playoff hopes are riding on beating them. What a game this will be! Go Bucs! Stay humble, stay focused and whoop NO!
December 6th, 2016 at 9:25 am
If Sims does good as a receiver, I say keep him there, if he does good enough.
But I think Rodgers and Martin are much better running backs.
It is a mistake to underestimate Dak Prescott. He was the last QB to beat Alabama.
Still. I think Dallas can be beaten, as Minnesota nearly did.
December 6th, 2016 at 9:26 am
Wife is dragging me to London Jan. 6th – 16th. Hypothetically speaking -say there was a playoff game that I wanted to watch. Any bar recommendations? Not sure where to post this question. Thought this was a good place to start.
December 6th, 2016 at 9:30 am
If you think the Bucs will just roll over and lose against Dallas, you would be wrong. This team has turned the corner and even great fans such as us, are having a hard time believing it because it happened so quickly.
Our coaches are familiar with how the defense of Dallas operates and the offense will be ready. The quickness of our linebacker unit will be ready for Zeke. Also, Dallas may not even need the game by then. I fully expect the Bucs to come out and fight for that win.
December 6th, 2016 at 9:34 am
Yea all fun and dandy and what not but if we don’t fix our run gaps we’re in trouble. If you think Melvin Gordon ran over us in the first half (which he did) then I pity the fool who lets Zeke run crazy on them.
December 6th, 2016 at 9:38 am
I am going to be a broken record this morning. Screw Dallas, we need to get past New Orleans for any of this to matter.
December 6th, 2016 at 9:38 am
Dak Prescott never beat Bama. Chad Kelly did twice at ole miss. Go Bucs! Roll Tide!
December 6th, 2016 at 9:39 am
@DB55 – below is the box score for Zeke vs. Baltimore:
Car Yds Avg TDs
E. Elliott 25 97 3.9 0
They won the game, but when they play a decent defense that can stop the run he doesn’t blow up nearly as much. One more of those instances where it looks like Dallas has gotten really fat off of soft competition.
I’m not knocking them because you can only play the teams that are on your schedule, but I think it adds some context that helps illustrate that the match-up is not as intimidating as their record would suggest.
December 6th, 2016 at 9:41 am
Everyone is talking about Dallas when New Orleans has beaten us the last 7 out of 8.
December 6th, 2016 at 9:42 am
@Dreambig – To be fair, we let them have one of those because we were going after Jameis….
December 6th, 2016 at 10:18 am
Right now, Bucs are focused on Aints. These two teams have gotten into wars in the past even before they were in the same division. Probably tribal nonsense as both teams are located on the SE Gulf coast. We have more walking wounded than they do, too. Bucs owe fans a win this Sunday as this one is in Tampa.
Still, I’m glad I listen to rather than watch the games. I detest Dallas and everything they stand for including/especially Jerry Jones. UGH!!
Go Mighty Bucs–HooDoo the Aints Sunday!!!!!!
December 6th, 2016 at 10:18 am
Patrick
We need to be on point that’s all. And not for nothing but I went back and watched the game last night and maybe LVD didn’t have his best first half of football ever. He changed that ish quick in the second half though.
I think the scheme is called gap-8 and it’s weird. Everyone is responsible for a gap unlike the cover two where you’re reading the center+guard. Gap 8 seems easier, less thinking, but if you miss your gap you’re beat bad.
December 6th, 2016 at 10:25 am
Listen, im the biggest buccaneer fan but to say dak is a sham because he has an oline and elliot is off base. Im sorry but didnt manning have an oline, edrain james and a whole lot of weapons like harrison, wayne and the tight end? Not one of you called manning a sham. There are a lot of qbs that have/had olines or a good rb but does/did not perform like dak and they are/were veterans. His ball placement, composure, ability to read defenses is off the chart for a rookie. You do not throw for 2974 yards 19 tds, 2 ints with a qb rating of 108.6 and be a sham. Your arguments do not make any sense. Stop hating and understand he too is a special talent.
December 6th, 2016 at 10:44 am
Dak who? I keep checking the Saints roster and they don’t have anyone on it named Dak.
December 6th, 2016 at 11:14 am
DB55 and dreambig both nailed it.
New Orleans offense usually comes out and plays very well after getting their butts kicked, so our defense is going to have to be on it. Would much rather shut them down than try to get into a shootout with Brees.
For Dallas, we absolutely have to improve our Run Defense and gap discipline. Yes, Dallas has playmakers in the passing game but if we can limit them on the ground and get some kind of pass rush, we can win the game.
December 6th, 2016 at 11:16 am
I’m just happy we’re in the discussion. We need to beat the Saints next week though before we worry about Dallas.
I duno what to make of Dak. Doing great for what he needs to do in that system. But he’s only averaging literally ~ 2-3 passes per 4th quarter because of the game situations they’ve been in. Hard to really compare him to other QBs because his situation is so unique
December 6th, 2016 at 11:25 am
we need to focus on brees….he is a superbowl winning qb that is still trying to fight for the playoffs….sean payton is a superbowl winning coach that may be feeling the pressure and needs a win….we cant over look this team….with that said, I don’t think Winston and ayers will let this team slip up….they will be prepared….bucs-28 saints 10…..
now on to dak…..dak revived an miss state program by himself….they never recruited top notch talent and he managed to win 10games in 2014 and 9 and 2015…he never beat bama but he did beat lsu..a defense that was loaded with future nfl players like kwon….
I honestly think if you put dak with the bucs we’re 7-5 maybe 6-6 and if you put jameis with the cowboys they’re 12-0…..physically they are both big boys that are mobile….I give the edge to dak in accuracy and athleticism but I give jameis the upper hand in leadership, arm strength and being able to handle more responsibility….
we’ll see who has the better team but we must focus on the saints….BEAT BREES!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
December 6th, 2016 at 11:35 am
@Webster…I agree….dak is the real deal….its not his fault dallas built a great oline and made a bold move by selecting a rb at #4 overall….
@lord….his situation is similar to what big ben went thru his first two years in pittsburg….he wasn’t asked to do a lot because they had so much veteran talent around him….their bread and butter was to run the ball and play great defense….the cowboys want to run the ball and play solid defense….big ben was only asked to not turn the ball over and make 2 big plays per half…1 running 1 passing….that’s the same thing dak is doing each game….he connects on the deep ball at least once each half and extends drives with his legs….the kid is special….but your right, we need to beat the saints on sunday first….GO BUCS!!!!
December 6th, 2016 at 1:08 pm
Short answer? Hell NO. Winston has not arrived. How about just letting the kid do what he does..Let him continue to..ball out. 2 or 3 yrs later will tell the tale of the tape. The Kids done nothing yet. He’s been in the NFl for a long career of 2 yrs. HE will have arrived if he can win a superbowl or get there. Buc fans seem desperate. We have done nothing yet. But we want to crown us as winners. Get to the playoffs first…..
December 6th, 2016 at 1:24 pm
I wonder if the buc do beat Dallas, would the national talking heads even give the buc credit. So far they are not believers in the bucs. Even after taking 4 straight teams to the wood shed. I doubt it tbh. And I understand it. The bucs have never been that type of team over this decade. It is hard to trust them. I expect next season to be different. After we make it to the playoffs and win at least 1 game, the media and talking heads will have to respect the bucs.
December 6th, 2016 at 3:01 pm
In full disclosure, I’m a Dallas HATER. I’ve hated that team since the late ’70s. “America’s Team”, my arse!!! Turn on the TV day or night and they’re talking about two teams. Guess which?! Oh, and it doesn’t matter whether they’re 10-1 or 1-10, they are talking about them. I used to think that Ed Werder lived at their stadium! I CAN’T STAND THE COWBOYS!!!
I want us to win out, BUT, if we win one game the rest of the season, PLEASE be the Cowboys!
Whew! I feel much better!
December 6th, 2016 at 6:24 pm
@813buc
While ill agree that dak and ben went to similar situations, i dont think the comparison of the responsibilities are the same. Ben was asked to be a game manager due to his top ranked defense and running game. Daks numbers shows he is not a game manager hence the talk of him being possibly mvp. He is asked to do way more then what ben was asked to do.
December 6th, 2016 at 9:44 pm
Im so happy we got switched to Sunday Night Football. If we’re 5-1 on the road then primetime at Cowboys Stadium sounds damn good to me. Let’s win out!!! GO BUCS!!!