“I’m Pretty Sure A Lot Of Guys Are Still Hungry”
March 19th, 2021
A Buccaneer talks about repeating
Bucco Bruce Arians often compared his Bucs’ Super Bowl team with the 2005 champion Pittsburgh Steelers, a team for which he was an assistant coach.
So what happened to the 2006 Steelers?
Sit down for this if you don’t know the answer … the Steelers opened the ’06 season 2-6 en route to an 8-8 record.
It’s not easy to repeat, and NFL history is littered with stories of champions that couldn’t cut it the following season for a variety of reasons. Bucs fans witnessed that in 2003.
So the great challenge in front of the Bucs, after they re-sign Ndamukong Suh (fingers crossed), is to keep the band focused and motivated after winning a Grammy for their platinum album against the Chiefs last month.
Yesterday, Shaq Barrett was up early and on SiriusXM NFL Radio. There he talked about the challenge of “going for two,” something his former Broncos team couldn’t do in 2017. They finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs.
“I’m still hungry,” Shaq said. “I’ve still got the mindset that I’ve got a lot of stuff that I want to prove that I don’t think that I’ve proved consistently. … I’m pretty sure a lot of guys are still hungry. … I don’t think we’re going to have complacency at all.”
Shaq is a rather candid guy, so Joe was pleased to hear that. The Bucs sacks king added that preparing for him will mean getting “in the weight room at least four or five days a week, six if it’s a good week,” during the offseason.
Of course, once the Bucs return to real practice — dates are not set yet by the NFL — all eyes will be on Tom Brady for guidance on repeating as champs. Everyone listens closely when Brady speaks,, Shaq said.
On a side note, Shaq said in the interview that “Plan H” in free agency for him would have been a 2021 return to the Broncos if the Bucs’ offer was bad and Denver stepped up to the plate. Shaq said “Plan H” to emphasize that he really wanted to stay in Tampa but there was a limit to his desire.
March 19th, 2021 at 3:47 pm
The entire 2003 Bucs season blew up because of one player getting injured, that was Brian Kelly. That caused a domino effect that tanked the season as that all time great pass defense had a chink in it’s armor which made them only a great defense, and Gruden’s garbage offense couldn’t carry their end of the load, and Gruden was throwing fits sending his top WR to sit at home, etc.
But the lesson of the 2003 Bucs was depth – they lost Dexter Jackson in FA, then filled the hole by moving their 3rd corner Dwight Smith to safety. That left them with no depth at corner. The Bucs were handily defeating the Colts on MNF, completely embarrassing Manning, then Kelly got hurt and boom, the season was over.
What happens to many of these championship teams is they lose some pieces and then get an injury or two and don’t have anyone ready to step up.
March 19th, 2021 at 3:47 pm
I’d bet the house (not really) that the Bucs will make the playoffs in 2021. I have a feeling that they will set realistic goals – e.g., win the Division. But, there’s no way this team is going to fold – not with the talent they have. Of course injuries and a bit of bad luck can always cloud the horizon, but the way they played down the stretch and with the coaching and leadership they have in the locker room (i.e. Tom Brady), just no way this team tanks.
March 19th, 2021 at 4:18 pm
If Brady & Gronk are still hungry, they’ll be able to show the other players how it’s done. I can’t see this team losing 2 games in a row
March 19th, 2021 at 4:28 pm
Go get Adoree Jackson
March 19th, 2021 at 4:32 pm
1. There is such term as “Super Bowl Hangover” in Brady’s World.
2. We all now live in Brady’s World.
March 19th, 2021 at 4:33 pm
*NO such term
March 19th, 2021 at 4:48 pm
I don’t think Brady will let them lose focus…after all, the only reason he is there is to win Championships….I think Tom & TBBF disagree with Gi$$elle…he still has plenty to prove.
March 19th, 2021 at 4:52 pm
With a normal pre season we will be better than last year. I do not see more embarrassing beatdowns in the future.
March 19th, 2021 at 4:59 pm
Braden is right Joe. If you are going to bring up history, it is only relevant if it pertains to Brady. Joe you are welcome to join us at Brady’s world.
It’s a NEW Bucs Life!!!!
March 19th, 2021 at 5:31 pm
I know ONE game Brady won’t allow us to lose—his return trip to face the evil Bellicheat
March 19th, 2021 at 5:57 pm
I believe the 2003 season was lost when Alstott’s head slammed into Joe Jurevicius’ knee, and both players were lost for the year.
March 19th, 2021 at 6:42 pm
Losing Brian Freaking Kelly as the reason the 03 collapsed is absolute madness. Let’s say, for arguments sake that WAS the case. Ok, fine, I’ll bite – what does that say then about how great that team really was. You said it yourself, no depth. One Injury to your GD cb2 and the whole season goes in the crapper? That’s pretty appalling is it not. Because every team super bowl champ or not needs a few guys to step up, and if your cb2 causes this massive ripple effect that exposes the razor thin depth then maybe they just weren’t very good to begin with. No depth, poorly constructed contracts of legacy players, mismanagement on all levels really and that’s what you end up getting, a team that gets gutted because of endless dead cap money, lack of young players and talent, and a team that wasn’t really good again with the exception of a few mirage seasons. 2002 was simply a magic carpet ride and it was great, but the reality is they had cracks in the foundation
March 19th, 2021 at 7:14 pm
Two guys I’m excited to see next year. Tom Brady and Devin White. Those two will not allow complacency.
March 19th, 2021 at 7:42 pm
Gofortheface30 – The depth became an issue because they tried to fill out the roster with young guys. Some of those guys eventually became OK players, but they weren’t ready. As far as them not being that good? LOL! Literally the 02 Bucs are THE best pass defense in the history of the NFL, and the 03 Bucs were playing just as well until that injury. I always thought the issue was not moving Dwight Smith back to corner, as it’s easier to replace a safety than a corner. The other issue is people never giving Brian Kelly credit for how good he was, the guy was a great player and the drop off from him to a backup was huge. Then as the topper you had Gruden trying to do stupid stuff like sign a very old and washed up Andre Rison, then throwing a fit and going to the Glazers to get Rich McKay fired. Gruden was and is a dope who should have zero say in personnel. He’s fine as an offensive coach, but he shouldn’t be more than that. He took Dungy’s team, rode it for a year, then tore it apart so he could sign Charley Garner and Tim Brown and every other washed up Raider.
March 19th, 2021 at 7:57 pm
Not sure many examples in history have teams with a QB chasing his 8th ring. Count me as “not worried” .
March 19th, 2021 at 8:02 pm
Joe you say that, but remember that was the offseason that Big Ben had the motorcycle accident. Then he had to have an emergency appendectomy. He was 15 pounds underweight, and he had the concussion that he later admitted affected him for several games.
March 19th, 2021 at 8:29 pm
I keep saying: This TB Bucs team had its season cut short by a Super Bowl.
March 19th, 2021 at 8:36 pm
If we establish a real, consistent running game next season watch out! This team was really only jelling in the playoffs.. we haven’t played our best ball yet.
March 19th, 2021 at 9:26 pm
Is godwin worth double the salary of juju?
March 19th, 2021 at 9:32 pm
@jmarkbuc – see my post above. “Not sure many examples in history have teams with a QB chasing his 8th ring. Count me as “not worried”
Adding insult to injury for rest of league:
1) Bucs O wealth of weapon under Brady in YR 2 will be a conundrum for opposing D’s.
2) Our D is shut-down good.
FUGLY for our opponents….LFG
March 19th, 2021 at 9:59 pm
@Oxycondoms > uhhhh, yup – Godwin worth every penny.
March 19th, 2021 at 10:34 pm
From everything I have seen there will be no complacency. It especially helps to have Brady leading the way. This team lost five games last year. They didn’t win their division. There’s a lot to go out improve.
I honestly see them finishing 13-3 at worse.
I think the DBs Get better.
I think the offense gets more efficient.
The pass rush has to be more consistent.
If those things happen we are talking 35 points a game and giving up 18 or less. Historic season
March 19th, 2021 at 10:38 pm
Munch… I don’t agree with all that but I do agree about Brian Kelly. Ronde Barber has the longevity and stats but for a brief period of time Brian Kelly was the best shut down corner the Buccaneers ever had.
And I’ve heard players on the defense talk about a little complacency set in because they were busy with other things… Not as focused.
I just don’t see that happening with Brady in the lead.
Hell, as young as he is, Devon White looks like he’s got that mentality too.
March 19th, 2021 at 11:20 pm
@david – Agree with your post/s. Focusing on today vs Memory Lane – Bucs have amazing CORE D to complement Brady Offense. Brady is wild serious to get Ring#8. So the standard complacency concerns are not an issue for me (as a fan) with Bucs. Brady will keep the team aligned for SB win in 2021. LFG
March 19th, 2021 at 11:23 pm
The only gotcha for 2021 SB run will be the injury bug to key players. 2020 was amazing…. let’s hope for same in 2021….
March 19th, 2021 at 11:53 pm
Trying to savor and appreciate every moment between now and the final play of the 2021. There are no guarantees…no matter how good the team is, they need a handful of lucky breaks throughout the season to win it all.
-Winfield knocking the ball out of Cook’s grasp
-Packers falling asleep on Scotty Miller with 7 seconds left before half
-KC losing both starting tackles
Bucs earned every bit of their title…repeating will be a challenge but I do like their chances.
March 20th, 2021 at 12:32 am
@Winny – Excellent synopsis of impactful plays in 2020 SB run. 2021 – repeating will be challenging – but like our chances.
March 20th, 2021 at 10:50 am
One thing that you’re over looking is how many contracts the Bucs have given out this off season, have incentives tied to them. Shaq, Lavonte, Gronk, Nacho, Succop, all have incentives tied to them. Dont be surprised if that’s why Suh, AB, and Lombardi Lenny havent signed yet. We’re probably offering incentive laden contracts to keep us under the cap, and keep AB and Lenny from becoming turds.
March 20th, 2021 at 1:57 pm
Its difficult to see any losses this coming season. Its Patriots 2007 all over again except JPP is on the right side of the ball, i.e. Giants. Brady and Gronk have a winning DNA that will again demonstrate leadership. But in reality the entire team is a team of winners. I don’t envy their opponents.
March 20th, 2021 at 3:37 pm
With his team, they will have a shot, that’s all you can ask. The football can bounce funny ways.