Calling For The Week 17 Tank
December 29th, 2017
“Certainly not again, Mr. Glazer. Right?”
Yes, New York Giants wide receiver Tavarres King has a special place in Buccaneers history, also in NFL tanking history.
Go ask Mike Evans about what he remembers from the Week 17 finale against the New Orleans Saints in 2014. The Chase for Jameis was on and the Bucs needed to lose in order to secure the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Evans got his typical IV fluids at halftime and then didn’t play in the second half.
Vincent Jackson? He entered that game for one first-quarter catch to get 1,000 yards on the season. It was one of his only two targets on the day. Jackson didn’t play much, despite averaging nine targets per game that season.
Other key players were on the bench, too. The Bucs were tanking, aka not doing everything they could to win.
Flashback to 2012, the Fighting Schianos faced Mike Smith’s 13-2 Atlanta Falcons team that already had locked up home field advantage through the playoffs. Atlanta played its best players in Tampa, but the Bucs came out firing and Falcons players started getting injured. It appeared the Falcons let off the gas and the Bucs won 22-17.
Flashback to 2010, and the Bucs were a powerful 9-6 team facing the 11-4 Saints in Week 17. Both teams needed the game and the Bucs were hammering New Orleans 20-10 in the third quarter behind TDs from Mike Williams and Dezmon Brisoe (just imagine if 2010 Josh Freeman had Jameis Winston’s receivers). The Saints learned their playoff fate during that game and pulled Drew Brees, tanking the finish. The Bucs won 23-13.
Tanking is part of the Week 17 culture. So what will the Bucs do on Sunday.
Right now, Tampa Bay has the No. 5 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. A win Sunday, and the Bucs could end up as low as No. 9, as NFL.com explains.
With a .547 [strength of schedule] rating and the 11-4 Saints up next, the Bucs will have a hard time edging anyone out in a tiebreaker scenario. If the Bucs upset New Orleans, their draft position could tumble. That would give them a 5-11 finish, potentially tying them with any or all among the Texans, 49ers, Bears, Broncos and Jets. Tampa Bay’s worst-case draft scenario — a 5-11 finish and tiebreaker losses to all those teams — would drop the Bucs to the No. 9 overall pick.
So what happens Sunday if the Bucs are, say, leading at halftime or tied with New Orleans entering the fourth quarter? Would Team Glazer order something akin to whatever went down in 2014?
Joe could toss out all kinds of hypotheticals in all kinds of directions.
The difference between the No. 9 overall pick and No. 5 can be massive and meaningful. Of course, the cynical fans are not concerned. They already know the Bucs will lose regardless.
December 29th, 2017 at 9:57 am
Ain’t gonna be no tank. Not the way this anti-Lovey staff thinks.
December 29th, 2017 at 10:05 am
Joe
Last good decision a glazer made was ending the failed tony dungy experiment that wasted 6 years of 98,55,47 careers what makes you think they will make a good decisions 16 years later
December 29th, 2017 at 10:05 am
we don’t need to tank…..we just need to come up and “play hard” like we have the past 3 weeks…..that should get the job done….GO BUCS!!!!
December 29th, 2017 at 10:07 am
There is no hope… glazers are content and happy losing all the way to bank…
December 29th, 2017 at 10:10 am
ummm…yes, we need to tank. Top 5 gets you a choice between a fantastic DL or a dynamic RB. We need both but we need options. Top 10 pick gets us the booby prize.
December 29th, 2017 at 10:13 am
Top 5 gets you another wasted first round pick ala vh3
December 29th, 2017 at 10:14 am
How would anyone know if they tanked?
December 29th, 2017 at 10:14 am
” Of course, the cynical fans are not concerned. They already know the Bucs will lose regardless.”
…………….
Lol, don’t you mean ‘realistic fans’
December 29th, 2017 at 10:15 am
Maybe they won’t tank, but play for a “moral victory” instead… 😉
December 29th, 2017 at 10:21 am
tank please
December 29th, 2017 at 10:22 am
Season has been over since what like Halloween? Why start winning now when obviously the high picks are desperately needed. Also whats needed is firing everyone associated with this dumpster fire!
December 29th, 2017 at 10:30 am
Tanking? Ridiculous thought…just win a friggin game. Despite getting the #1 pick, the tank job by Lovie was disgusting…What has this league come to?
December 29th, 2017 at 10:31 am
Since the nfc south title is still up for grabs and both games, bucs/saints and panthers/falcons are at 4 25 pm, you can bet the saints will ball out. Can’t see the bucs pulling this out against a far superior and motivated saints team. Just being real.h
December 29th, 2017 at 10:35 am
We tank every week, no worries we got this!
December 29th, 2017 at 10:39 am
Season is over by Halloween every year under glazer boys…
December 29th, 2017 at 10:48 am
It’s a must lose game
December 29th, 2017 at 11:02 am
Let’s not do anything to screw up our draft pick.
December 29th, 2017 at 11:11 am
You play to win. Mind you, this team will still lose because this staff and players doesn’t know how to win.
December 29th, 2017 at 11:14 am
Well, this is why I’ve always said it was stupid to hold 2-14 against Lovie if there was an organizational decision to tank that season. It was a throwaway season after losing Jeff Tedford prior to the season starting.
Regardless, if the Bucs make an organizational decision to tank then Dirk Koetter should not pay the price for that by losing his job. The final game was 2014 was the first time I have ever hoped for the Bucs to lose. Tanking that final game was without question the correct decision. Tanking the final game of this year is a bad decision. It’s not the same circumstances and sends a message to many of the young players who will be here next year that losing is OK.
December 29th, 2017 at 11:16 am
they have shown us all year they can try as hard as they want to beat good teams but the result is always the same. they are in no danger of beating the saints even if they give it their best shot. bucs will give it their all and and limit NO’s vaunted running game, only to see Brees chuck it for 400 yards and 75%+ completion
December 29th, 2017 at 11:23 am
You don’t build a winning culture by losing…
December 29th, 2017 at 11:26 am
tmaxcon Says:
December 29th, 2017 at 10:13 am
Top 5 gets you another wasted first round pick ala vh3
@ tmax:
Best stick to dive-bombing GMC and declaring financial independence/early retirement. The 4th and 5th pick the year Hargraves ( original 9th pick…traded back to 11…where Giants picked Eli “Bad” Apple ) were Zeke Elliott and Jalen Ramsey. Is there a big difference between VH3 and those guys? Time to tank.
December 29th, 2017 at 11:26 am
this team would have a hard time beating the browns…..we barely beat the giants, jets and phins….GO BUCS!!!!
December 29th, 2017 at 11:31 am
There’s no point in taking if it’s not for the first pick in the draft or unless your going to try and trade back
December 29th, 2017 at 11:39 am
JonBuc
it’s all Symantics it does not matter where they pick they will make the wrong choice. it’s a losing organization with ZERO hope for the future… 16 years of consistent failures have proven every decision they have made outside of getting rid of the one dimensional fool dungy has resulted in failure.
December 29th, 2017 at 11:46 am
TMax:
Can’t argue with you there…I share your frustration/Buc bitterness.
December 29th, 2017 at 11:48 am
No reason to tank, Saints will take care of beating the Bucs because they smell Super Bowl and want to go into playoffs with a win.
December 29th, 2017 at 11:50 am
I was certainly hoping for a win vs the Panthers – but now – I’m hoping for another “good effort” loss the last week of the season.
Glazers have likely made up their minds already one way or the other and I don’t think a win this week saves Koetter’s job. He’s already staying another year or plans to fire him (with a replacement lined up) are already established most likely.
Best to lose against the Saints (which will probably happen anyway) and hope that Houston beats Indy.
If we win Sunday – it could really hurt us come draft day. We have the strongest (opponent) schedule of any of the current 5-10 teams so would get pushed to the back of that 5-11 grouping to pick 8 or 9. The difference between Pick 4/5 and 8/9 can be and often is huge.
It’s the difference between:
Fournette(4) vs Jon Ross(9) – 2017
Jalen Ramsey (5) vs Leonard Floyd(9) – 2016
Brandon Scherf (5) vs Eric Flowers (9) – 2015
Kahalil Mack (5) vs Anthony Barr (9) – 2014
OT Lane Johnson(4)/DE Ezekial Ansah(5) vs CB Dee Milliner(9) – 2013
Damn – In looking – I just realized how bad of a spot #9 has been the last few years. Floyd is the only #9 pick in the last 5 years to come anywhere close to living up to expectations of a top 10 draft pick.
4-5 is a GREAT spot if you already have a QB because you are still picking among the top 2-3 non-QB prospects available as other teams are desperate for QBs and 2 QBs are projected to be taken in the top 3 again this year.
A talent like Fournette, Ramsey, Scherf, Mack or Lane Johnson coming in could make a big positive difference for this team long term.
On the other hand – trading back a ways in the 1st – giving Licht extra high picks to work with could be VERY tempting if the right opportunity presented itself – as we still have quite a few “needs” to fill and not enough high picks to do it with in 1 year.
You can’t free agent your way into a good team. Have to keep building through the draft until that critical mass is reached. We are getting close talent wise IMO – extra ammo this year in the form of multiple high draft picks
for trading down in the 1st could be exactly what is needed to find the difference makers we require at DE, OT, RB and CB.
December 29th, 2017 at 11:53 am
Hey tmax, how much coin you getting for being on here? Who is your agent? I ought to hire him. Go Bucs–win Sunday. Perfect football weather for New Years Eve.
December 29th, 2017 at 11:56 am
This team isn’t good enough to tank. They’ll lose just fine playing their best.
December 29th, 2017 at 12:13 pm
I started thinking 4 weeks ago about our best case scenario going forward. Jameis would find his rhythm; some of the young leaders on defense would play well; Barber would emerge; and we’d play much better generally, but STILL LOSE. At 5 we might get a king’s ransom (a right tackle and an edge rusher with a running back to spare) from a team that believes the 3rd or 4th qb is the answer to its dreams. If not, a true game changing pass rusher.
December 29th, 2017 at 12:35 pm
No worries, Joe.
The well-oiled Saints need the victory and the Bucs are the Bucs.
This game is Howard’s Stone Cold Lock of the Century of da Week.
December 29th, 2017 at 1:09 pm
Do the Glazers tell DK before the game he is secure? If not, why would he empty the bench and not go all out to win?
December 29th, 2017 at 1:09 pm
Tanking would require a viable game plan. Just do what you do dirk. We’ll see what Gruden can do with a High first and second round draft choice, something he didn’t have his first 2 years here before.
December 29th, 2017 at 1:09 pm
Well, I was just hoping for a hard fought game the last 3, but this one Im ok with them just tanking because we need this young man.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DThoQ1EzV8U
Even at #5 he might be gone. If so, trade down a few spots and try to get Vita Vea.
December 29th, 2017 at 1:11 pm
Can’t believe some of the stuff that I’m reading here. Bucs’ fans actually wanting their team to LOSE instead of WIN? Saints are obviously a much better T-E-A-M, and the Bucs have only won in New Orleans once since 2010, but still … there’s no way a team should ever play to lose. And if Dirk Koetter plays to lose instead of throwing everything we have at the Saints (yes, including the proverbial kitchen sink) then he deserves to be fired.
Bucs will be hard-pressed to get ANY top-tier free agents to sign here as it is. (And yes, Bucs desperately need FA help for the next several years … we’ve got too many holes to fix through drafting alone. IF we throw a game simply to get a higher draft pick, then we will have become Cleveland South. And no FA worth a hoot will ever want to come here.
December 29th, 2017 at 1:41 pm
I wonder how many times since the Bucs were established in the nfl have they finished either 4-12 or 5-11. Hmmm.
I’m still for Dirk though. Just wondering…
December 29th, 2017 at 1:44 pm
If it werent for QB’s, Chubb would probably go 1st overall. So squander a chance to get him at 4 or 5, or lets just settle for 9 or 10? As bad we need pass rush, im ok with it. We’re probably going to get our butts whooped anyway so just go play and take it easy especially when we have so many injuries.
And I cant believe people have a problem with some fans wanting to go that route…..sounds like its a personal problem….but whatever makes you feel like you’re a better “fan” I guess lol.
December 29th, 2017 at 1:46 pm
The boys don’t have what the father had.
Malcolm was a badass
December 29th, 2017 at 2:03 pm
“Chuck One Game for Chubb” – only if necessary (which it probably won’t be).
December 29th, 2017 at 2:19 pm
Defense…agree with you 1000 percent. If you don’t play to win every time, where does it end? Character check. Integrity check. I’m hopeful the TEAM shows both. Go Bucs!
December 29th, 2017 at 2:25 pm
Ps, the more honorable way to get the player you want is to trade up for him. The least honorable way is to intentionally throw a game. Think straight Bucs… throwing a game is not worth a draft pick you can get in an honorable way. Understand some folks are just “talking” and wouldn’t really do it…just passing on my opinion on the subject. Go Bucs!
December 29th, 2017 at 2:40 pm
The Bucs really need to see what the future would look like if it was Ryan Griffin throughing to Bobo Wilson – and hey even though I’ve hated on Ryan Smith the entire year, the kid needs minutes. Also Joe Dirt – what can he do? These are the answers we should try to find out Sunday.
Also if the Bucs pick #5, that means someone is badly wanting to move up to get a QB, in that case you’re looking at those 2 first rounders and maybe a 2nd or 3rd type deals – so yes, tank. If Dirk is getting fired this game, regardless of the outcome, isn’t going to change anything.
December 29th, 2017 at 2:50 pm
Just keep doing what your doing… we’ll be fine. Will be nice to get that 5th spot, good for trade options if we want them.
December 29th, 2017 at 3:42 pm
Absolutely tank
Luckily saints still playing for better spot so shouldn’t matter.
Plus no one needs last game injury
December 29th, 2017 at 3:51 pm
The Bucs are so pathetic
If they dream about beating the Saints
They better wake up and apologize
They don’t have to tank
Maybe Mike Evans will steal Marshon Lattimore again
A bunch of punks
December 29th, 2017 at 4:36 pm
TANK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 29th, 2017 at 4:53 pm
Most of us want the Bucs to lose Sunday. That no 5 pick sure sounds good. But just watch the Bucs go out there and win..and drop all the way to 9 or 10. We need Chubb for starters. But I’m thinkin we win Sunday.
December 29th, 2017 at 5:45 pm
I have a huge issue with tanking the last game.
First, if they do, everyone here will hold it against Koetter.
Second, changing the culture means no more tanking. We have a GM who drafts well. We’re not desperate for high draft picks anymore. Take our pick where we get it.
Keep the attitude about fighting and overcoming, not about draft picks.
December 29th, 2017 at 6:09 pm
Bonzai really? you dont speak for me and “everyone” im sure. I wouldnt hold it against him. Now some stupid coaching decisions could waver some attention, but saints will be playing their butts off. Im sure we’re going to be ok. Probably lose by a few td’s.
December 29th, 2017 at 8:09 pm
The Saints are in the Playoffs regardless. Also if Atl beats Carolina the Saints Still win the NFCS. The Bucs will be playing their hearts out for DK is what I believe. This will be the first time I pick the Bucs to win in 6 weeks at least. GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 29th, 2017 at 8:12 pm
Not to mention that ‘tanking’ is for Losers only. “You play to win the game”
Never has a more true statement been made. If you really believe that one more loss will get you a College player that ‘saves’ your team then your team is in more trouble than you thought.
December 29th, 2017 at 11:44 pm
Lol, yeah SB they are in trouble…… on D! Oh you didnt notice?? Man, some of you just have to name call and look down on those of us wanting a better draft position for that better player. Haha, you guys crack me up. Foolish thinking when winning this last game means absolutely nothing other than playing hard for each other and the Coach (and well, maybe for the 5 or 6 guys in here wanting us to lose that draft position). All of that can get started next year.
Maybe thats why the announcement of keeping Coach K was made 2 days before this last game. Kind of a wink and nod if you ask me. Chubb is the top edge rusher in the draft and losing this game means we win the chance to get him. And I sure as he!! would hate to lose a key player to a torn acl or even worse because they want to play their hardest to win this meaningless last game.
December 30th, 2017 at 7:23 am
# does not matter: 2007: Gaines Adams #4 overall. Hopefully Team Licht does not pull another VH3, basically a bust but not being highlighted by the BSPN crowd because they are piling on the Eli Apple cart who are 2-13 by the way and the only other team to underachieve this season IMHO…..