Steve Smith: Bucs May Start 0-5
July 9th, 2018
Cloudy forecast.
Former NFL wide receiver Steve Smith is worried about the Bucs.
It isn’t so much that America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, will sit out the first three games, though that is a big factor. No, Smith looks at the Bucs’ schedule and he sees a trainwreck for Tampa Bay.
Smith recently co-hosted an edition of “Good Morning, Football,” seen weekdays on NFL Network. There, he had a dire prediction for the Bucs as he scanned the first eight weeks of the football season. Smith was asked when the Bucs would win their first game. He was not optimistic.
“They may lose the bye week,” Smith said. “It may be tough. Probably Week 7. I believe in [Chicago first-year coach] Matt Nagy.”
Smith went on to say he wouldn’t be surprised if the Bucs started out 2-7.
Just to refresh some memories, the Bucs open at New Orleans and then host the Eagles and Steelers, then back on the road again in Week 4 to face the Bears. After a bye week, the Bucs play at the Dixie Chicks, host the Browns and then hit the road to face the Bengals and the Stinking Panthers.
Joe can type with confidence if the Bucs start out either 0-5 or 2-7, January is going to be a very interesting month as there will be plenty of new faces being hired at One Buc Palace.
You may watch Smith’s breakdown in the video below.
July 9th, 2018 at 9:05 am
1-0….the only way to think….
July 9th, 2018 at 9:13 am
A total possibility but this is still early July, everyone’s a great prognosticator.
July 9th, 2018 at 9:14 am
I hope they all predict us to suck….then maybe we play with a “prove it” attitude. This team is filled with lots of guys that have “potential” but very few with actual proven track records. We’ve been drinking our own kool-aid for far too long….We need to fly under the radar and sneak up on a few teams….maybe catch them off guard early in the season.
July 9th, 2018 at 9:15 am
Not a chance. We will win at least one of the first three, and then beat the Bears…
July 9th, 2018 at 9:20 am
I care what Steve Smith thinks about us about as much as I care what he had for breakfast
July 9th, 2018 at 9:22 am
I agree that the Bucs flying under the radar is best… it has always seemed that way. These predictions are actually making me feel better. Last years, “team of destiny” BS gave me a bad feeling, as
I also think Jameis suspension has given the defense more ownership of the team. They understand that it’s going to be a lot on them to win the first three, they know they’ll have to play lights out..
July 9th, 2018 at 9:27 am
Colleen Wolfe!!!
July 9th, 2018 at 9:31 am
That’s funny. Filters won’t even let me type her name. Smh
July 9th, 2018 at 9:35 am
I believe in [Chicago first-year coach] Matt Nagy.”
Wow really so a team we destroyed last year dramatically improved in the off-season but us lol we got much worse than a team with a forest year coach….. Where is all the common sense in the off-season? Everyone says something completely stupid and you begin to realize they’re doing it on purpose
July 9th, 2018 at 9:38 am
People can say whatever they want but the facts remain the same. The only things that ACTUALLY MATTER are is JPP better than Gholston (Yes), is Vinny Curry better than Ayers (Yes), is Vita Vea better than Baker, (Yes and who wouldn’t be), is Ryan Jenson better than Marpet at Center (probably but at worst a wash), is Marpet better at guard than Pamphine (100% Yes), is Ronald Jones better than Martin (Probably but even if he is not we know Barber is so Yes), and is Buckner better than Hayes (we are not sure yet but very likely he is), is Catzanero better than Patrick Murray (Yes, maybe not by much but he is better). So you mean to tell me got better in 8 places yet we are going to be worse? You see people don’t actually look at the rosters they just look at last year and make their picks. I am not saying we will be great, heck I am not even saying we will be good, but to act like this team is complete garbage is laughable. It will all be how we handle close games as that is the make or break with most teams in this league that have talent and we are no different.
July 9th, 2018 at 9:44 am
Tua 2020.
July 9th, 2018 at 9:45 am
Whats laughable is anyone trying to predict anything yet. Nobody has made it past practice or preseason and the roster is not even set in stone yet.
July 9th, 2018 at 9:45 am
All this ‘certainty’ about the coaching staff… how can you be so sure with what’s going to happen? They were crapping the bed with DM22 and letting CB92 on the field last year and all but one kept their jobs so now with the Jamies distraction you’ll have more excuses and who knows what will happen. they were dissapointing enough to get fired already so who knows. and don’t tell me 9-7 cause it was a freakish out of nowhere d play that got them to that. they can’t reproduce that magic
July 9th, 2018 at 9:49 am
smith may be right……we know this staff cant overcome adversity…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
July 9th, 2018 at 9:55 am
🙂
July 9th, 2018 at 9:57 am
Seems someone is not familiar with Las Vegas or the term “offshore wagering.”
July 9th, 2018 at 9:58 am
The Bucs will win week 1 against the saints.
July 9th, 2018 at 10:04 am
well the bears did finish with the same record as us so im not sure why folks think we’re that much better than them….lol….
sure we added pieces but so did they……
the difference is our coaching staff isn’t better or on the same level as, the saint, eagles, steelers, falcons or panthers……our staff maybe slightly better than the bears and browns…..
you cant just look at the roster and assume we’ll be better…..if the coaches continue have spotty play calling, no creativity, make no adjustments, use the wrong personnel and have predictable schemes, we’ll have another losing season……
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!
July 9th, 2018 at 10:09 am
“America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, will sit out the first three games”…………LOL !! America’s QB??? I guess it just hit me as funny. Again.
July 9th, 2018 at 10:10 am
you people need a life and job
July 9th, 2018 at 10:31 am
Totally confident, right guys?
July 9th, 2018 at 10:32 am
@ndog
You are absolutely right to point out the new additions…..and I would add the development of the following:
Howard, Godwin, J. Evans…Beckwith…Barber
and, I will add the development of our DBs by our wonderful coaching staff…
Hargreaves, Smith, Davis, Stewart, Whitehead
July 9th, 2018 at 10:46 am
@Joe … “Former NFL wide receiver Steve Smith is WORRIED about the Bucs.” LOL Joe. The Steve Smith that I remember never gave a rats about the Bucs. Predicting a 0-5 start is just another way to grab headlines (not that any media types would ever do that mind you).
ndog wins the ‘Best Post of the Day’ award IMO (^^^^). Bucs defense made some very interesting additions this off-season, which SHOULD help us in terms of pass rush & run defense especially (our 2 weakest areas last season). Bucs offense added a Center & an explosive RB (both desperately needed), and STs added what’s hopefully a better kicker. Our first 5 games are ball-busters (4 against playoff teams, 3 of those games on-the-road, our starting QB suspended for the first 3) BUT … I can’t think of a better way to see what this T-E-A-M is made of. I don’t want them to ‘fly under the radar’ personally. I want them to PLAY ‘SMASH-MOUTH FOOTBALL’ in EVERY SINGLE GAME and KICK ASS AND TAKE NAMES. Anything less … win OR lose … and I’ll be disappointed.
July 9th, 2018 at 11:03 am
If the Bucs start out 2-7 “America’s QB” will be bagging crab legs next year with the coaching staff because he torpedoed their season.
July 9th, 2018 at 11:17 am
@813… Preach!!!
July 9th, 2018 at 11:37 am
Wll aware of it joe. Still like throwing S!it against the wall and hoping it sticks.
July 9th, 2018 at 11:48 am
I really couldn’t give a &*^$# what Steve Smith thinks.
July 9th, 2018 at 11:50 am
2-14. Wins against Philly and Cleveland. Write it down. Will Grier will be our first round pick next year. “Will the Thrill” chants will cascade through the home field crowd.
I speak the truth, I am the truth, and the truth hurts
July 9th, 2018 at 11:59 am
The only game that is winnable in he first 3 is New Orlenes. The Bucs should be able to beat the Bears but that game is a coin flip. Atlanta has our number. 2-3 in the first 5 is possible but not probable. 1-4 is more like it.
July 9th, 2018 at 12:02 pm
If the Bucs really do start out 2-7, heads will roll
July 9th, 2018 at 12:13 pm
Can’t win against good teams …..good offenses with the league’s softest coverage.
Joe can you find a stat of where the bucs rank among teams who.play soft coverage, who.plays it the most?
Bucs are so bad they are ranked 33rd in coverage
July 9th, 2018 at 12:15 pm
Of course he would say that he played against us his whole career he hates our team. His opinion means absolutely nothing.
July 9th, 2018 at 12:41 pm
Yeah I agree with Steve Smith here. I’ve looked at the stacked NFC and I have a hard time finding any NFC team that is in worse shape than the Buccaneers, in no small part due to the QB situation. If the Bucs don’t win the Cleveland game at home and we’re still winless by then, well I think we’ll all be speculating if this team goes 0-16 for the year …
July 9th, 2018 at 1:31 pm
He is correct, they actually could go 0-5. And America’s Choir Boy not playing is not the reason, they could easily be 0-5 with the turnover toucher.
July 9th, 2018 at 1:41 pm
Blue-footed booby Says:
July 9th, 2018 at 12:41 pm
Yeah I agree with Steve Smith here. I’ve looked at the stacked NFC and I have a hard time finding any NFC team that is in worse shape than the Buccaneers, in no small part due to the QB situation. If the Bucs don’t win the Cleveland game at home and we’re still winless by then, well I think we’ll all be speculating if this team goes 0-16 for the year …
————————————-
Teams arguably in worse shape in the NFC:
49ers (even with Jimmy G.)
Seahawks
Cardinals
Lions
—————————–
*Conference contenders: Green Bay, Minnesota, New Orleans, Atlanta, Philadelphia
*Other playoff contenders: Giants, Panthers (I do expect regression from last season with them going a ridiculous 8-1 in score games), Buccs, and Bears.
*As of 07/09/2018. There is a lot of football to go….injuries can occur, and teams may not be as strong as we thought on paper when the live action starts.
I have nine or so teams fighting for six spots. If the Buccs can pull out a win, especially vs. a division opponent in the Saints, then I feel they still have a good shot to win the division as most of their division games are at the end of the year and the team will have sufficient time to get on all cylinders with Jameis coming back in week four.
July 9th, 2018 at 1:42 pm
I forgot to throw Dallas and Redskins in the ‘worse shape’ club above…
July 9th, 2018 at 1:43 pm
Lol I love all the optimists on here that think this is a good team lmao.
This team is nowhere near ready to compete with the top teams.
6-10 is tops for this team this year.
Anyone hoping or expecting better than 6-10 is gonna be really disappointed.
July 9th, 2018 at 1:44 pm
Last year they predicted the Bucs would make the playoffs and possibly win it all!!!😜. Doesn’t sound to me like they know much of anything. Why not wait and see?
July 9th, 2018 at 1:46 pm
Ndog speaks the truth. Great post.
July 9th, 2018 at 1:53 pm
Sweeptheleg Says:
July 9th, 2018 at 1:43 pm
Lol I love all the optimists on here that think this is a good team lmao.
This team is nowhere near ready to compete with the top teams.
6-10 is tops for this team this year.
Anyone hoping or expecting better than 6-10 is gonna be really disappointed.
————————————–
What were the odds on the Eagles win the title last year? I’ll wait.
July 9th, 2018 at 1:56 pm
What happened the last ten years in football has nothing to do with the next game, let alone next season.
July 9th, 2018 at 2:20 pm
@ feelthepewterpower
Sho you right…
TEAMWORK makes the DREAMWORK!
July 9th, 2018 at 2:40 pm
I was all set to respond but ndog nailed it.
July 9th, 2018 at 2:54 pm
naturally Chucky will win the super bowl.
July 9th, 2018 at 3:29 pm
@feelthepewterpower
Lmao wow really? The eagles were head and shoulders better than the Bucs in every way. They may not have been picked to win it all but they were not on the level of the Bucs lol.
Ok well you keep on waiting and crossing your fingers.
I live in the land of reality. And with this schedule and this division yea 6 wins is the peak for this team. Go ahead and stick your head in the sand though.
July 9th, 2018 at 3:33 pm
I am surprised Steve Smith did not predict 0-16, like he is a Bucs fan. He played against the Bucs almost his entire career.
July 9th, 2018 at 4:30 pm
NDOG
Agree with the others…very nice job.
I’m also with the group who view Smith’s opinion positively. It eliminates any expectations and it should serve as strong motivation. Not Smith’s opinion but the overwhelming number of former players and expert commentators who like Smith forecast doom and gloom for the Bucs.
Some of the very best motivation in the world is that of the persecuted ones who come together in a chorus of it’s us against the rest of the league and the nation’s opinion. Us against all of it. We’re going to need that steely attitude to survive all the challenges this season holds.
I say that positively not in fear or negativity. Nothing fires me up more than a challenge and the greater the challenge the greater the fire. As Capt Tim pointed out I think we have now assembled players who can RISE to the occasion.
July 9th, 2018 at 4:37 pm
Sweeptheleg Says
“The eagles were head and shoulders better than the Bucs in every way.”
Not the year before. No one predicted their success. In fact, they were as big a laughing stock as the bucs.
But this year, the Bucs have all the pieces. So instead of trolling, how about you go follow your own team?
July 9th, 2018 at 4:44 pm
My father was a bookie. He used to laugh at all prognostications. He had seen so many in his life…some true…many way off…he just discounted them all and did not respect them.
So my cousins and I might argue about the Reds or Bengal’s chances in the upcoming season and he’d laugh at us and say….
“Be careful about those mind bets boys…think about what your losing.”
July 9th, 2018 at 5:10 pm
Yeah..But what IF..Fitz goes 3-0? Do you play him at Chicago too before the bye? I WOULD.
July 9th, 2018 at 5:56 pm
@bonzai
Lmao I’ve watched every Bucs game since 1987 little boy lol.
I just live in reality so there’s that.
We have all the pieces except one. A smart QB that knows how to protect the football. Pretty important piece.
July 9th, 2018 at 6:02 pm
I hope teams underestimate us. Sometimes being off the radar is a good thing. I hope whatever team plays us they automatically believe it’s in the bag. Over-friggin-confident
July 9th, 2018 at 6:06 pm
Mike
I take your point completely and certainly wouldn’t object to the idea.
Depends I guess on how you view this season versus Jameis psyche.
I believe the Bucs hope his first start comes on the road. Until he has some wins under his belt Ray Jay may not be that friendly to Jameis especially if he struggles at all on the field. But the Bucs game after the bye is also on the road.
I believe the Bucs would like to find a win to jump start Jameis…Chicago is certainly a better opportunity than Atlanta on the road.
Then again….Jameis would have an extra week to prepare for his first start if they wait until the Atlanta.
Hard choices will need to be made this year.
July 9th, 2018 at 6:27 pm
Can’t do worse than an expansion team or could we. Everybody knows being a Bucs fan is a long and torturous wait for the most part like it has proved to be with a Super Bowl win and a few good seasons thrown in to ease the pain. Still we wait through hell and high water because we know that if we live long enough anything can happen. Right grandpa? Steady as she goes.
July 9th, 2018 at 7:00 pm
Been saying it for months
6-10
July 9th, 2018 at 10:22 pm
You can type it all you want, he isnt americas QB, he is barely Tampa Bays Qb..
July 10th, 2018 at 8:07 am
813