“Healthy And Hot”
December 9th, 2016
Bullish
Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian knows what really matters in December.
And that’s why Polian is bullish on the Buccaneers when far too many national media types are down on Tampa Bay.
The Bucs own the final Wild Card slot if the season ended today, but despite riding a four-game winning streak, the Bucs are looming chokers for many pundits. That includes Peter King. Joe even dared to listen to a little BSPN Radio discussion on the NFC playoff chase this morning. The blubbering expert didn’t include the Bucs at all in the conversation until another guy said, “What about Tampa?”
But Polian was crowing on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week about how the Bucs are “healthy and hot” and that’s the winning combination in the NFL.
Joe almost agrees fully with Polian. The Bucs sure are sizzling, but on the health scale, Joe can only give the Bucs a “B-” grade.
Yeah, they’re healthier than most teams in December, but they might be down three receivers Sunday against the Saints: Vincent Jackson, Cecil Shorts and Adam Humphries, in addition to ace blocking tight end Luke Stocker and Demar Dotson.
In a game in which they’ll likely have to score at least 24 to win, the Bucs sure could use a little more health on offense.
December 9th, 2016 at 12:04 pm
It is ridiculous. The national media still disrespects our Bucs, but that is fine. I think they thrive on it.
Nick Wright was filling in for Shmolin Shmowherd yesterday and was discussing the Chiefs and even made mention that they lost to the Bucs and th Bucs are “just terrible.” Give me a break. You can say the Bucs aren’t great but you can’t say “just terrible.” That is ridiculous.
All the hype for MVP is around Brady and Prescott. Maybe its too early to say Jameis deserves MVP but he should be in the conversation. If the Bucs finish the year 8-0 and ride into the playoffs at 11-5 with victories over Chiefs, Seahawks, Cowboys, the Saints twice, and the reigning MVP, how do you not have Jameis be the MVP?!?!?!?!?
December 9th, 2016 at 12:13 pm
Whoa!…everyone calm down…Bucs were 6-6 this time last year and lost at home to the Saints….another hurdle to jump this week…one game at a time….Happy Anniversary!…Bucs first win was December 11, 1977 against the Saints…Sunday is December 11 🙂
December 9th, 2016 at 12:13 pm
This game will come down to two things Sunday….
Can we generate a pass rush?
Can we run the ball?
In that respect we are healthy……we have a full compliment of RBs and a generally healthy Oline because of depth.
We have a healthy Dline (exception perhaps Gholston) But we have GMC, McDonald, Ayers & Spence…..
A couple of Brees picks & a sack fumble wouldn’t hurt.
December 9th, 2016 at 12:18 pm
Bucs have lost 4 in a row at HOME to the Saints….need to end that streak NOW
December 9th, 2016 at 12:21 pm
AGREE with what MIKO said 😊
December 9th, 2016 at 12:29 pm
Why do they have to score twenty four Joe? The Lions only gave up thirteen to the Saints last week. You think the way we have been playing defense the past four weeks is a fluke? No, but Joe believes Brees had a fluky week. Saints score the 2nd most points in the league.–Joe
December 9th, 2016 at 12:30 pm
Thankfully this is the NFL and not college where allot of the foolish talking heads can impact the opinion of the playoff committee.
All of us can see what is happening. It doesn’t mean we are guaranteed to win, but it is obvious we are playing as well as any team in the NFL over the last month. Therefore, I like our chances this week and beyond.
December 9th, 2016 at 1:04 pm
Slow the roll. Bucs are a small market team, not like the Jets or Bears. Small market teams have to be successful for more than a season or two in a row to get any attention, and the Bucs have not had winning records back to back since 2007-08 (barely). If they are steady playoff contenders for multiple seasons, they’ll get attention, just like the small market Chiefs, Packers & Bengals have.
The other thing they need is an offense that’s enjoyable to watch, even for non-fans. The Bucs last had a consistently exciting offense in….maybe…no, that can’t be right…never? Yeah, that’s the right answer, it was never!
December 9th, 2016 at 1:17 pm
BSPN is the epitome of lazy complacency. There’s a reason people are tuning out of these cookie cutter talking heads. Take away about four people and the rest are carbon copy tools.
December 9th, 2016 at 2:42 pm
Saints should be put Michael Thomas and Mark Ingram as well as Kenny vaccaro, far more important to their team than our injuries are to ours. Hope they all sit and get healthy for the Dallas matchup. Limit the big plays against New Orleans and pound the rock with Quiz and we have a very good chance at winning Sunday.
December 9th, 2016 at 2:46 pm
Tampabaybucfan , I agree with your analysis. I think we have the ability to do all those things. I think we will do all of those things if our head is right.
Go Bucs-Go!
December 9th, 2016 at 3:27 pm
Kenny Vaccaros suspension just kicked in, so that gives our offense a big boost.