Quit Your Whining About Raheem The Dream!
May 3rd, 2010
One Bucs fan is appalled at how the majority of Bucs fans treat Raheem the Dream and said fan has had enough of it.
Said fan, e-mailing from the hotbed of Bucs fandom known as The Bronx, venting on the TBO Bucs question-and-answer feature, believes that (on paper) Bucs general manager Mark Dominik’s draft is so good, fans should pipe down and if they are not willing to give Raheem the Dream full and unwavering support, these same fans should be dropped into the middle of the offshore, pristine waters of the Gulf of Texaco.
Q: I can’t believe how many “SOUR GRAPES” fans are out there! This is an exciting time for the franchise, including us, the fans! Many people have short memories of how this franchise was revolutionized in the mid ’90s. Instead of supporting the team going forward, we decide to criticize the aesthetic banners adorning the walls outside of Ray-Jay! Lets support the mission statement, and stay optimistic! We had a very productive draft! I’ts time to stop criticizing, and look ahead to a championship contender that we are used to!
Dean Penzabene, The Bronx, NY
A: I think you nailed it. This is a very exciting time for the Bucs. This team had to be rebuilt if it was going to become a consistent playoff contender and so far the process has produced a lot of enthusiasm. Fans should be getting an idea of what the future is going to be here with Josh Freeman at quarterback and Gerald McCoy at the center of the defense. On paper that seems like a good start. If those players and others can transfer their tremendous potential to the field the fans will return and so will the Bucs’ winning ways.
— Woody Cummings
Again, on paper, Joe believes Dominik hit a home run last week. Games aren’t won on paper. Never have been.
So Joe doesn’t believe he’s being unfair or irresponsible to wonder if Raheem the Dream will be around to see this draft class flourish? As always, winning cures all ills.
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:16 am
Hey! I had no idea Jimbuc lived in the Bronx!
Just kidding I couldn’t resist.
I happen to agree completely with Woody on this one.
It is an exciting time. Games aren’t won on paper but I would much rather get excited and look forward to what could be than be a sourpuss all the time and be miserable before the season even starts.
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:18 am
Sure, last week’s draft looks good, but what the hell has The Dream done to make us believe it will translate to the field on game day? How can you be too excited after only winning 3 games last year — 6 games less than the prior year!!!???
The 2009 season was a real-life Abbot and Costello skit. Until The Dream can prove he can win consistantly, he deserves the criticism.
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:24 am
When did Mr. Cummings start working for the bucs?
He couldn’t have more completely towed the company line if he was Joel Glazer himself.
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:30 am
I’m as optimistic as the next guy about the Bucs and their draft prospects, but C’mon man! It’s way to early to know what the future holds for the Team. Fact 1 is they destroyed this team by dismantling it and FIRING and Icon, Brooks. They fired a Superbowl winning coach and replaced him with a guy who can’t recite the Pledge of Allegiance sober. They are the cheapest spenders in the league, by a mile. They hired coaches last year who were clueless, because they too were clueless. Injuries? who knows? They do happen. Good move doubling up on DT’s & WR’s.
Mr Dean Penzabene, The Bronx, NY, when you start paying my season ticket invoice, you can tell me what to say about this team and what not to say. In the mean time, your best bet is to keep your smelly arse in the Bronx and shut the f_ck up! D-bag!
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:32 am
If those players and others can transfer their tremendous potential to the field the fans will return and so will the Bucs’ winning ways.
============================
Eric, however, will continue to bitch and moan
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:35 am
I wonder how Mr. Penabene’s would feel if his Yankees pulled the same stunt the Bucs pulled over the last year? I also doubt the NY media would be as tame as our locals.
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:39 am
Recycled hatred smells almost as nice as the fresh stuff. Which is to say it reeks! These complaints are so old.
Granted, I am an optimistic fan, but what fan can’t get excited about a solid draft? Aren’t we fans?
Louie is right: a losing coach does deserve criticism. Yet, he should also get credit for making the changes to the defense (and, yes, the coodinators), and keeping the players motivated and hungry.
I like Dean’s take, and I think we’re on the right track to build a championship team.
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:41 am
BigMacAttack, your immortal legendary icon is still looking for ateam to play. Love Brooks, but the man was done and got cut at the right time.
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:44 am
@nick
Well when a member of the local media trumpets a remark about everyone supporting the “mission statement” by saying the guy “nailed it”, i begin to wonder.
What do these guys have to do to get and maintain their “special access” at one buc place anyhow?
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:51 am
i am one of the so called critics of the org. the ability to criticize is vital to an important blog.
may is not an “exciting time” for a 3-13 with no vet leadership, 32 ranked run defense, and a virgin passing game with mediocre oline that wasnt improved.
of course an unqualified hc who has shown to be clueless at all important qualities of head coachinjg. granted he can chest bump and cheerlead.
as soon as this teams proves playoff caliber, i and others will contribute positivity. optimism in may through august (which i saw a ton of last year including myself) is for those who fantasize about success while failing to see – OBViOUS shortcokijgs.
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:52 am
shortcomings
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:53 am
“Mr Dean Penzabene, The Bronx, NY, when you start paying my season ticket invoice, you can tell me what to say about this team and what not to say. In the mean time, your best bet is to keep your smelly arse in the Bronx and shut the f_ck up! D-bag!”
Sorry some of Bucs fan don’t live in Tampa Bay full time in order to support the team, Sorry some of us have family, lives and jobs and school that make it not possible to go to every single Tampa Bay game. Seriously, that what I hate about fans about times, just because you don’t currently live in the city it seems to make you less of a fan. I currently live in Raleigh, NC and you don’t see me yelling GO Panthers every 5 mins. My friends at my draft party last year ARE STILL talking about the way I reacted to the Freeman pick, so don’t tell me because me and others don’t live in Tampa Bay, we don’t bleed Pewter and Red. So before you call out a fan just based on where he lives, I would hope you would think twice next time.
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:10 am
Can’t we all just get along?
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:18 am
@Thomas:”optimism in may through august (which i saw a ton of last year including myself)”
So let me get this straight.
Last year when they had no QB to speak of, they had just cut all the veterans, fired the SB winning coach and replaced him with a guy who had never even been a coordiantor and a change from the defensive scheme that has been succesful for over ten years here. You were optimisitic.
But this year when the Rookie QB and HC have a year of experience a pretty solid draft class with tons of potential and the defense is back to what it knows best, the Tampa2 , you cant find a reason to be optimistic.
That just shows how out of touch you are. Last year EVERYONE and their mother knew we were in for a terrible season.
If you didn’t realize that then that explains why you can’t see why people are optimistic about whats going on now.
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:18 am
When we start winning games, everyone will get along. Until then, people will either be optimistic about the future, or pessimistic about the entire organization.
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:19 am
Some of the critics are sensible, they have a good reasons to criticize Rah. But some guys just hate Raheem for what he is. Guys that cite “chestbumping” as a reason to criticize are the ones I am talking about, they think Rah is turning the locker room into a hood. Typical red necks I say.
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:21 am
ReaderM – how did you get the emblem in the UR corner?
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:21 am
d-money, you nailed it!
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:31 am
d-money
While I understand you point comparing last year to this year there is also the feeling of mistrust and betrayel.
When Rah-Rah was hired and all the changes we, the fans, were sold a bill of goods. Essentially the management didn’t tell the truth – we’re starting from scratch.
while i understand that from a business POV you can’t do that the Bucs front office and owners just lied. Thats part of the reason people are so bitter.
Fool me once, shame on you
Fool me twice, shame on me
Fool me three times and my name is RadioMushmouth 😉
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:31 am
“We’re going to be sound,” he said. “We’re going to know what to do. We’re going to play fast. We’re going to play hard. We’re going to hustle, and we’re going to hit. I expect the defense to score and to get the ball back to our offense. If we do that, we can be an excellent defense.”
Raheem “the Dream” May/2009
Did he “nail it” or what?
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:37 am
@Jonny – question. How much organized ball have you played?
I ask because on the teams I played where no one really had a lot of respect for the HC we sucked (the team).
On teams where the HC was considered a real ball-breaker – those were the teams that did a lot better.
Certain players can be self-motivating; others require someone to push them to really excell. It’s hard to do that when you’re friends. In the business world there is a line that needs to be established and not crossed between upper management and workers.
HOW you do that is critical. Dungy had respect but wasn’t a ball-breaker. He was a servent leader. Parcells is the opposite a ball buster. Gruden – who knows.
I just want the players to respect and “fear” Rah-Rah. I want them to give it 100% each and every play and if they’re not feeling 100% don’t think, well Rah-Rah will cut me some slack. No I want them to think Rah-Rah will cut my ass for taking plays off.
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:40 am
There are plenty of reasons to cirticize the Bucs about the past, but there are also plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future. Everyone has a right to their opinion, just as everyone has a right to comment on the validity of an expressed opinion.
I don’t have aproblem wiht negative comments or criticisms of the Bucs. I only take issue with negative comments/commentary that is not based on facts as much as on an agenda. In most cases, the “agenda” is to support the posters oft-expressed negative view.
Just look at the responses to this article and other articles recently and you should be able to quickly and easily identify examples. Yesterday there was a positive article about the Bucs drafting at WR. One regular negtive poster could not resist claiming that the only reason the writer was positive about the Bucs drafting at WR was because the Bucs sucked so bad at WR. That may be true, but whay the need to respond to a positive article in such a negative fashion? I am guessing to support his/her negative point of view.
Note in the responses above that the author of the original positive article is suggested to be “working for the bucs.” This is the same charge repeatedly leveled at me. Obviously this type of a response is an attempt to discount a positive opinion as biased. Again, the question is why?
The article above is correct. No matter how much some might not like it, this is a time when most should be optimistic about the future. That does not mean that there are no valid criticisms of the Bucs, of course there are. But why do the same people always rise to “shout down” any positive commentary? Even if you are unhappy with where the Bucs are right now, if you are still a “fan,” you should welcome any positive news, right?
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:41 am
Mr. Lucky — what do you think the front office lied about last year?
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:41 am
@Eric
What would you have heard from Rah-Rah?
“We’re really gonna struggle out there. We’ve got some old players who are past their prime starting on the D-line. Our linebackers are gonna hit hard and make the most tackles 10 yards past the line of scrimmage in the league. In fact I expect our secondary to smell like burnt toast and goat cheese. I know the defense will be in good shape because they’ll be running up and down the field most of the game.” ????????
Rah-Rah didn’t know any better. He spoke about his “vision” not the actual product on the field. He needs to learn to under promise and over deliver.
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:42 am
Mr Lucky,
I see what you’re saying but I dont think a team ever wants to use the “rebuilding” card. The writing was on the wall though. It didn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out that the 09 season was going to be brutal.
I think that they attempted to go into it thinking they could be competetive while they rebuilt. Then it became obvious to everyone that was not the case and thats when they had to admit what was going on.
But really thats in the past. I like to be a glass half full and I see some good things happening and i’m optimisitic about the future.
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:45 am
@JimBucs
I think the gravest lie the front office made last year was their assertation that the Bucs weren’t in a rebuilding mode.
I still don’t understand their reasoning behind firing Gruden and replacing him with Raheem.
If the Glazers had said that they (owners & yourself Joel) decided to go in a different direction and that 2009 would be the beginning of a rebuilding process I wouldn’t be so skeptical.
But saying that they would put a competitive team on the field knowing full well all the holes was deceptive. I didn’t realize how many “holes” Gruden managed to keep plugged.
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:49 am
JimBuc wrote, “The article above is correct. No matter how much some might not like it, this is a time when most should be optimistic about the future. That does not mean that there are no valid criticisms of the Bucs, of course there are. But why do the same people always rise to “shout down” any positive commentary? Even if you are unhappy with where the Bucs are right now, if you are still a “fan,” you should welcome any positive news, right?”
Can’t disagree. What I believe occurs is that some fans feel “jilted” and it’s easier to keep a grudge than to forgive and move on.
Sad but true.
Right now optimism should abound – cautious optimism not polyanna-like giddiness.
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:52 am
I think one of the reasons I like sports reporting more than news reporting is that “mostly” sports deals with positive rather than negative.
let’s face it with the news world no-one can do anything right and we’re all going to die from oil in the Gulf to terrorists to global warming.
Sports is supposed to be a sanctuary – unfortunately some of the negativity bleeds over.
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:57 am
@Mr. Lucky
“What would you have heard from Rah-Rah?”
I would expect him to say what he said. Just like I expected him to speak in glowing terms about the new rookies and how they will come in and have immediate impact.
I also believe his record of being right in 2010 will be the same as 2009.
Easy to talk big in May, harder to deliver in September.
May 3rd, 2010 at 12:03 pm
@Mr. Lucky, I think you hit on the one word to describe many of the negative posters (me included) — jilted. The Bucs have betrayed our trust and it’s going to take some time/winning for many of us to get over that.
May 3rd, 2010 at 12:06 pm
@ Eric – Actually I would hope that Rah-Rah would keep quiet about the rookies or at least minimize their expectations. I mean based on what I’ve read I’m under the impression that Rah thinks Price/McCoy will shut down most teams; maybe in the future but not right off the bat.
http://i11.tinypic.com/7xb3mok.jpg
May 3rd, 2010 at 12:14 pm
@Mr. Lucky: I played organized ball throughout my high school (soccer) and I know what I am talking about in this regard. From the very little we know about Raheem, I can say he is a coach that has a strong bond with his players. He is the type of coach players would not want to let down. Proof is how the players reacted to Rah on and off the field, guys like Ronde, Hovan, Faine and Winslow. None of the players quit during any game, I never saw lack of effort from our guys. That is why I think every critic that points out Rah’s chestbumping and assumes rap music being played in locker rooms is a senseless critic.
May 3rd, 2010 at 12:18 pm
@Mr. Lucky
I can remember when coaches went out of there way to lower expectations for rookies.
Perhaps thats “old school” cause I saw the Coqboys coach remarking that Dez Bryant was the best receiver he had ever seen at this point.
I can’t imagine guys like Parcells, Dungy, Noll, etc. saying such things. But maybe that is the “players coach” mentality in the league.
I agree Rah would do well to tone it down, but that is not his style obviously.
All the positive “get behind em” stuff is fine for fans, if you believe that way, but when it comes from a reporter covering the bucs it shows the guy knows where his bread is buttered, IMO.
May 3rd, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Mr. Lucky: Fair enough, but I think (as d-money pointed out) they did really say it, although it was coated with the normal marletinbg/sales stuff.
I asked what you thought they “lied” abotu because it is the stress point for all the comments on here. If you don’t understand the Gruden firing (I am a Gruden fan) then of course you are pissed. If you did not hear them say they were in rebuilding mode, then of course you are pissed.
That is what I have learned by hanging out here. One’s viewpoint is completely governed by one’s expectations. For example:
(1) I think Glazer made it clear, in March of 2009, that we were going to rebuild through the draft, so I am not shocked by the current Bucs. In fact, I am happy becasue they are following a plan (the opposite of Gruden/Allen).
(2) I think the rebuilding was completely necessary, albeit masked by Gruden’s coaching. There were as many as nine starters/verts purged. None of them ever played another meaningful down.
Most of the really negative commetns on here don’t actually have to do with current events as much as with heldover anger due to Gruden’s firing or the Glazers “lies.”
May 3rd, 2010 at 12:32 pm
March 24, 2009 — this is the real Joel Glazer speaking:
“”No team has consistently won by putting a patchwork group of players on the field. You have to resist the temptation to sign a bunch of people for a quick headline. We’re doing what we want to do – and nothing is preventing us from doing that. Players we haven’t signed are those we felt wouldn’t be part of a long-term plan.”
“There’s no question we need stability at the quarterback position. That’s something we haven’t had for one reason or another. It’s not easy to find a franchise quarterback. In the NFL, quarterbacks are the pillar of your franchise and that situation has to be solved.”
“The key is you have to be patient. There are no short-cuts. The losses still hurt as much as they did on Day One and the wins are still as great. When the draft rolls around, I’m still excited.”
May 3rd, 2010 at 12:34 pm
This is what Joel Glazer said about the prospects for the 2009 season. Just try to remember this is an owner who wants seats filled during a bad economy. Does he really say the Bucs are going to be “competitive”:
“What I know you will see is a young, enthusiastic, hungry, never-say-die attitude that fights to the end,” said Glazer. “I think you’ll see a little freshness on the field – people rising in leadership roles that they may not recognize they even had in them. That’s the way this league is. There comes a time when the baton is handed to players to lead in difficult situations. You can’t script it, but there will be times when we find ourselves in a situation where we need someone to step up. They can’t look to their left or look to their right … they have to look at themselves with the game on the line.
“These things have a natural way of developing and that’s part of what I’m looking forward to seeing.”
May 3rd, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Finally, for all thoise that are so angered by the “build through the draft approach,” this what Galzer said in March 2009:
“”We’re starting to move along the path,” said Glazer. “In the past few years, we’ve added a lot of new players. We’re not at the absolute starting line, but we’re not a finished product, either. There’s still work to be done and we’re going to be consistent and disciplined with the plan. We’re not going to make knee-jerk reactions. Those quick fixes can give you a boost for the moment, but they can also derail you for years to come.
“We want to build something that can be sustained, something our fans can build a connection to and stay connected for years and years to come.”
Joe (and others) — sorry to take up so much space with these quotes.
May 3rd, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Joe here,
JimBucs – don’t apologize for quotes, they’re usually far less maddening than your commentary. 🙂
Somewhere, astute businessman Glazer has some way to quantifying the improvement of the team in 2010, and how that relates to the future of the head coach and the plan. We’ll find out in January.
May 3rd, 2010 at 12:53 pm
@D-money:
Yes – D-Money even I was optimistic about Rah last May, even through week 2 I was optimistic – shortly thereafter it became undeniably evident that Rah was in-over-his-head and clueless – I believe that that is an irrefutable point. (1 additional year of experience for a very poor head coach doesnt mean improvement)
Yes – a 2nd year with Rah does not cause me any comfort much less optimism. I am interested to see what Freeman does – I finished last year squarely on the fence about his future – he proved to be good at keeping plays alive (difficult to sack)but also proved to be terribly inaccurate and subject to poor decisions. So the qb position in terms of productivity this year does not make me feel much better although I do agree that the position appears more secure.
And it is patently false to say that EVERYONE knew that we were going to stink last year – I heard many bloggers as well as Duemig saying that they thought this team could be a .500 team. I heard noone predict 3-13 or worse.
When I said optimistic – I meant optimistic that the team would remain competitive – win 6-9 games – and be in every game. I wasnt optimistic about winning the super bowl. I am okay w/ your optimism just think it misplaced – if cowher was handliing this youth movement I would feel a lot better.
May 3rd, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Thomas, is that the same Duemig who said he would leave town if the Bucs went after Freeman?
May 3rd, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Jimbuc:
that quote scares me b/c Glazer thought they were not at the starting line – wow what was the starting line then if 0-7 and 3-13 isnt. that suggests to me that Glazer believed that they were a lot better than they were.
also joel glazer – we saw a lot of young play last year I cant think of one that I would say stepped up and is now a leader. Talib played well but I dont think of him as a leader. Ruud is quiet and seems to be declining. Maybe Faine but he is a vet.
Thanks for the quotes Jimbuc they show me how lost the Glazers are w/out a proven NFL commodity like Dungy etc to rebuild (or slash overhead) – whatever the case may be.
BTW – the quotes you “selected” were responsive to questions re the 9 vets being canned – axing the vets wasnt stated publicly to “rebuild” they said publicly that it was to get younger (if they would have been honest and called it rebuild (which would have effected the gate) some of thiss would have gone smoother.
May 3rd, 2010 at 1:16 pm
THomas — thank for illustrating my point to perfection.
May 3rd, 2010 at 2:08 pm
same duemib.
i am lost red your point. if it is that the glazers know what they are doing – then my comments nor your quotes cant do that.
if your point is that they are rebuilding – agreed. if your point is that we have the best people in place to rebuild – disagreed. if your point is that the glazers decided to rebuild principally unrelated to finances – i wholly disagree.
if have speculated that a sale of the team might not be far off. what would be more attractive than a low payroll team, no commitment to a coach and gm, no big money contracts? many of these moves reek of trying to make your company ripe for a buyer.
remember malcolm isnt in charge. his unimpressive kids are.
May 3rd, 2010 at 2:19 pm
My point was that a negative poster like yourself, driven by a need to support your own negative view, jump at the opportunity to put a negative spin on everything. So, in all those Glazer quotes the thing you jumped on was the comment about the starting line. Too funny. Ignore the entire substance (because it is counter to your view) and then go on to bash the Bucs and Glazer. You even criticize the Bucs for not using the word “rebuilding” while simultaneously acknowledging that it would “hurt the gate.” LOL.
Like I said, you illustrated my point perfectly.
May 3rd, 2010 at 2:22 pm
thomas:
Joe believes Adam Schein predicted 4-12.
He was wrong.
There were quite a few people predicting a bad season. Not sure anyone expected the Jim Bates Experiment to be so horrific.
May 3rd, 2010 at 2:26 pm
I know, I know Thomas — it’s all the kids’ fault, the team is for sale blah, blah, blah . . .
May 3rd, 2010 at 2:28 pm
I see that ESPN “power rankngs” have us at number 30.
Since their glowing reports about the bucs draft are deemed as proof of same, does the same hold true of the 30th place ranking?
May 3rd, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Going into last season the Bucs were:
1) An NFC South team that already struggled on the D-Line
2) that replaced something like nine veterans with rookies or near rookies
3) that replaced an experienced Super Bowl winning head coach with an elevated DB coach
Before even getting to all the blunders, was it really surprising to anyone that the Bucs struggled? C’mon now . . .
May 3rd, 2010 at 2:34 pm
I think 30th is a fair ranking Eric. Success in the draft and “win now” are two different things, right?
May 3rd, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Thomas,
I don’t know what blogs you were reading that predicted that the Bucs would be .500 team. Whatever they are I recommend you stop reading them immediately. There was NOTHING to lead anyone to believe that that team would compete and after week one it was obvious that the defense was going to be awful.
There is however some reason to be optimistic about the future here. I’m not saying that we will win the Superbowl but there is more of a reason to think .500 is a possiblity this season than last.
I think where we disagree most is that I believe Raheem is a GOOD coach who was obviously in over his head and thrown into the fire before he was ready. If he is a good coach he will adjust and learn form the dreadful season that was 2009. In which case we will see improvement.
You apparently think he is a BAD coach in over his head. Which if that is true then he will not have learned and we wont see improvement.
Only way to find out who’s right is to watch the season unfold.
May 3rd, 2010 at 2:45 pm
@JimBuc
Ok Jimbuc, fair enough, it appears our expectations for the coming season are about the same.
Finishing 30th would be enough for you to continue on the “plan”?
Would it be possible for the bucs to play poorly enough this year where you would advocate abandonment of the plan? Whats the Jimbuc criteria of success for 2010, record wise?
May 3rd, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Eric — I don’t think we view the plan in the same way because I don’t know that there is anything to “abandon.” The Bucs plan is to build primarily through the draft. That is the same plan that most successful teams follow, so I don’t think there is anything to change. Maybe I am misunderstanding you.
I don’t really have a win-loss record in mind, I just want to see improvment and potential. For example, I don’t think that McCoy and Price will light it up next year, but we may be see signs (i.e more stout against the run, more interior pressure) That would be good for me. Same for the WRs, just need to show that they have potential. I would be thrilled with 6 or 7 wins, but that is not essential.
I guess my description only underscores the gulf between our positions.
May 3rd, 2010 at 3:30 pm
@jimbuc
Yea, there is a gulf.
I can’t bring myself to be “thrilled” with 6 or 7 wins, and I suppose satisfied with less wins.
But, to each his own.
May 3rd, 2010 at 3:35 pm
@JimBuc, so 3 wins would be OK as long as they are competitive?
May 3rd, 2010 at 3:35 pm
competitive = not getting blown out.
May 3rd, 2010 at 3:48 pm
1 the team got instant starters in the draft that will improve the team from last year
2 the schedual is far easier this year than last year
3 the dream has a year of experience
This translates in my opinion a 8 win season…. Save this quote if I’m wrong ill buy everyone a round of brews
May 3rd, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Eric and Louie — in 1995, the year we drafted Sapp and Brooks, the Bucs had 7 wins, but they were already coming off a 6 win season and they already had Eric Rhett and, I think, Hardy Nickerson and Wyche had been here for a few years.
This year the Bucs will probably win a few games they should not and they will probably lose a few games they should not, becasue they are so young. More important than the actual record is that we see signs that the team is headed in the right direction. That would be Freeman having a good season (it may not be great), a return of the running game at some level due to more man blocking, stronger against the run (important with ATL and CAR) and better pass rush and in general a better defense.
May 3rd, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Eric — I respect your view. I think the difference is you seem to think of this year as season 2008(C), meaning you seem to start from the 2008 season (ignoring the 4 game collapse). As is obvious from my comments, I look at this season as more like 1995. That is why there is such a gulf.
May 3rd, 2010 at 4:03 pm
@jimbuc
I’m not ignoring the collapse.
Should Mr. Morris guide the bucs to a 7 win season I would concurr that would demonstrate great improvement, deserving of moving forward with him as coach.
May 3rd, 2010 at 4:14 pm
i think it is hilarious that fans on this site may be okay with the status quo if there are some signs of improvement.
anybody who thinks that this draft will definitely breed starters is drunk on glazer-ade. somkething jimbuc has been swallowing by the gallon.
this draft will produce starters this year but only thru a dearth of talent. just because rookies start doesnt mean your team is better in the first year for it.
i will give jimbuc credit for at least this, even he is honest enough to admit that if this draft and freeman end up as a home run, 2011 and 2012 will be when it shows. the rest of you bozos must have just tuned into the nfl – this isnt coll bball where five freshman lead teams to titles – the nfl is a big jump for rooks – see the number of rook pro bowlers the last decade – particularly d lineman.
if this team wins 8 games it will be because radio gets gets suspended for excessive celebration each time the bucs pass the 50 which leads to a substantial suspension.
May 3rd, 2010 at 4:16 pm
PUT DOWN THE GLAZERADE!
May 3rd, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Thomas, Thomas, Thomas . . . .
May 3rd, 2010 at 5:36 pm
anyone want to bet that redskins who took the other approach:
bring in allen and shanahan – trade for mcnabb – acquire larry johnson – sure up the o-line through the draft –
will make bigger gains than the “save through the draft approach.”
Redskins – 4-12 in 2010, the buccos – 3-13 -lets see which approach works better!
May 3rd, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Oh, but thomas, the Bucs will be winners for 10+ years. The Redskins will only win now. lol
May 3rd, 2010 at 5:59 pm
…the only problem is when is that 10+ years going to start? 2 years, 3 years, never?
May 3rd, 2010 at 6:08 pm
exactly Louie!
and if your plan for rebuilding through the draft fails, i.e. that “young core” you think you are drafting turn out to be less than solid nfl’ers – well hello Detroit Lions – a decade of misery.
Somehow the Glazers were able convince some people that building through the draft and signing top fa’s or trading for top vets are mutually exclusive. Almost every other team does both. You can still acquire your core through draft while adding vet talent – 1 or 2 FA O-lineman, D ends 1 backer, and a legit would have been perfect to add this group of draftees and 2nd year guys.
May 3rd, 2010 at 6:16 pm
@Louie
I have to correct you, it isn’t just “winning seasons”, those were disgraceful during the Gruden years.
Remember the ten year run will be OVER 9 wins per season because the Glazer boys were sick of only winning nine per season, and the fans were disgusted.
This year, however, we are going to tear down the goalposts if we win 6-7 games, and won’t be abit upset at 3 victories.
Actually, even discussion of things like wins and losses is offensive at this pre-dynasty stage.
May 3rd, 2010 at 6:43 pm
You guys make a cute little group. 🙂
May 3rd, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Thomas — good example there with the Skins. Since Daniel “win now” Snyder bought the team they have spent a fortune on free agents. How has it worked out for them? I think they are under .500, right? How many Super Bowls? Playoff victories?
LMAO
May 3rd, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Thomas — not just my opinion about the Redskins:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2009/09/20/1241872/redskins-dan-snyder-now-nfls-worst.html
“Still, no one should be more outraged at their treatment by a home team owner than Redskins fans at the hands of Snyder, who has presided over a franchise that hasn’t come close to sniffing a Super Bowl since he arrived in 1999 to begin his reign of error. Five head coaches in 10 years, a general manager (Vinny Cerrato) who would have a hard time keeping a head scouting job with some franchises and big bucks for aging superstars who take the money and run are just a few of his countless transgressions.”
May 3rd, 2010 at 7:00 pm
One thing Dan Snyder didn’t get right all these years was the coach. Now with a good coach, lets see what they do.
May 3rd, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Man if we could just win six games this year, it would make all the hard work and dedication worth it.
We might even edge into the top 25 in some statistical category.
Ya gotta reach for the stars.
May 3rd, 2010 at 7:04 pm
I bet the Glazerhouse boys are quickly moving up the list of worst owners. Another dismal season should do it.
May 3rd, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Louie — the choice of the Redskins is fascinating. If the approach you and Thomas are advocating worked, the Redskins would have won a SB already, right? Maybe a couple. Instead, they are arguably the worst underachieving team in football. They were once coached by Gibbs, so it not the coach as much as it the approach. You cannot buy a championship. Teams have to grow together. Same reason that “all star” teams are regularly trounced by established teams.
The Bucs are at the opposite end of the spectrum, starting to build a team, and thankfully they have the brains to look at Snyder and the Redskins and say that it not the way to do it. The correct approach is to do both — to build a core group primarily through the draft and the use free agency to push the team over the top. You don’t have to look any further than the Bucs for an example.
May 3rd, 2010 at 7:17 pm
We have truly hit the twilight zone when you have Bucs “fans” pointing to the Redskins as an example of what’s right! LMAO — that is absolutely so funny that I cannot even stand it. You should be fired as a “fan” for suggesting something so silly. Oh . . . it was Thomas . . . well . . .
May 3rd, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Agreed that Snyder has made mistakes w/ head coaches like spurrier, norv turner and jim zorn so that set him back. Sound familiar? Rah-Rah radio Morris anyone? Even Jim Zorn went 8-8 his first year.
Even with horrible coaches, poor drafts etc Snyder has managed to be .500 or better in 6 of his 11 seasons. Also, a Snyder team has never gone 3-13 or worse. Yes, Snyder is disappointed with his 3 playoff appearances but remember that division is perenially brutal.
Also a Snyder problem is that he played de facto GM without any experience. Sound familiar? Mark “the trading card magnate” Dominik?
Your every argument involves your gospel that non-draft player acquisitions arent appropriate at this team (b/c to admit otherwise is to admit the fallacy)- well the Patriots got a lot better by adding Moss and Welker and Dillon and Harrison and Seau and so on. The Saints sure improved with Sharper, Vilma Fujita oh yea – a guy by the name of Brees was added as a FA – huge mistake for a young team to not draft a 1 st round qb and commit a bunch of money to a FA.
How about this for history? the saints when 3-13 in 05 and added a number of fa’s including brees and went 10-6 the next year. Howw about them apples?
May 3rd, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Thomas — I hate to be this blunt but I cannot figure out if you are just argumentative or actually dumb. I say that because you just make up different stuff all the time. I have never said and, more importantly, the Bucs have never said that FA was not part of the plan. It is just that this year most free agents were RFAs and it does not make sense to give up picks for FAs, particulalry not where the Bucs are on the curve.
How many more excuses could you come up with for the Redskins. That is just too funny. By the way, what did Snyder tell Redskin nation THIS YEAR. Are you ready? That the Redskins had a “plan” but that the “plan” would take time. LMAO.
May 3rd, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Thomas — you think the Bucs will not spend money right? and that is one reason they are so bad? Do you realize that the Patriots — one of the most successful teams over the last decade — have also had one of the lowest payrolls?
I love watching you repeatedly shoot yourself in the foot. LOL
May 3rd, 2010 at 7:53 pm
I always love the “push over the top” free agency aspect of the “plan”.
Its a little mushy, is that during or before the always above nine wins period?
I think that its when you have already got the ten win seasons going consistently, and need a boost for the Super Bowl.
We should be good during that 2015-2025 period. Just don’t expect anyting till then!
May 3rd, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Eric — talk about straw man arguments. Can you find even a single quote or link where the Bucs said they would not sign any free agents? Can you do that? I think you know they never said that, right?
Hyperbole suits you. 🙂
May 3rd, 2010 at 8:29 pm
They said they would go after free agents after they did the draft re-building to supplement it. That was the excuse for the limited FA activity this year I believe.
This is the plan:
Suck really, really bad at first, for at least two seasons, probably three
Get top draft picks as the result
“build through the draft”
use free agency to put you over the top like the 2002 team.
You understand that is the plan, right? You know that, don’t you?
May 3rd, 2010 at 8:37 pm
I don’t even know if the plan includes getting FA’s to put them over the top. It’s clear the 2010 version of the plan is to avoid FA’s, even when there have been some FA’s that could have clearly helped this team improve on the abortion that was last season.
It’s funny that the Bucs won’t exactly say what’s the plan. Remember when The Dream was hired, all the talk about “the plan”, but he wouldn’t tell anyone what was the plan? That way they can change the plan (which they have) and still say they have a plan and it hasn’t changed. For example (because I know JimBuc is going to say the plan hasn’t changed), last year they went after FA’s, but this year they aren’t. This year, the draft is a big deal, last year it wasn’t that important. Not to mention the coordinator turnover which has resulted in the schemes being changed and now returned to what they were under Gruden. Was that part of “the plan”???????
May 3rd, 2010 at 8:40 pm
The ULTIMATE plan is to SAVE MONEY — Period!
May 3rd, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Question: Why announce you’re not going to be active in free agency?
Glazer Boy: “Yes, we could go out and sign a couple of 29- and 30-year-old free agents. But I don’t know what that does for us long term. That could get us back in that mediocrity of 7-9, 8-8, 9-7 and that cycle we’re really not interested in. That’s not going to win us a championship. It may feel a little better. I’ll go through a lot less criticism, no question about that. But that’s fool’s gold. We’re not in the business of fool’s gold. We’re in the business of winning championships”
Sounds like FA’s arent part of the “plan” until the draft building has taken hold.
To the extent that these guys have an ounce of credibility of course, which they don’t.
May 3rd, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Jimbuc:
I cant figure out if you have memory problems or just conveniently forget what you have said in many, many, many previous posts. I also said non-draft player acquisitions which includes: Trades, UFA’s and RFA’s – you reverted back to your auto-argument on RFA’s.
You cant have a rule that any RFA would not be worth a draft pick (that is foolish, anyone would tell you that)- that is why many argued the Holmes trade was a no-brainer (i know that was a trade but it is an example).
Everytime somebody on this website argued to pick up a vet, by any means, you argued that adding proven vets is not part of the plan. So yes you have repeatedly argued that point. We aare not limiting our position to a specific means of acquisition. (And there were UFA’s this year bonehead your own beloved management team signed one – Sean Jones)
Of course, none of us think that the team will never sign another U/RFA again you idiot, we are talking about now – 2010 – if deals are out there to upgrade the O-line or defense for a 3-6 year proven vet (not the Reggie Brown’s of the world) you should be open to it. When we argue against the team nnot adding vets this year, it is not b/c we don’t understand what they are doing – we do – we just disagree and question the motive.
Didnt you accuse me once of attacking the arguer to distract from the argument? You may think your points sound strong and logical – but they don’t to many us. Unwaveringly positive does not equal smart.
BTW – werent you the guy a couple of weeks ago who didnt know that the NFL had revenue sharing and then got ripped by dozens of commenters only to change the subject.
May 3rd, 2010 at 9:14 pm
@JimBuc, Dominik, Raheem, Joel, or whoever you are. The bottom line is the 3 Scrooge Glazers fired a Good Head Coach and replaced him with an inexperienced position coach (not far removed from waterboy) and the disaster began shortly after. The reasons are irrelevant. The fact that they still had to pay Gruden are irrelevant. (even though Gruden is coaching peewees and still getting paid about 7 mil to do that). And your claim that good teams build “primarily” through the draft are bogus in this situation because they are rebuilding “Completely” through the draft and they have no veterans to help develop the kids. Morris has proved time & time again that he is simply an amatuer and not a real coach. And yet you are optimistic about this year. Amazing! Break out all the facts, quotes, and articles you want. The fact is that the Bucs were 3-13 last year and they will be lucky to match that record again this year under this amatuer. (While a real coach is still paid his 7 mil coaching peewees, did I mention that?)
May 3rd, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Eric — I guess I am going to be waiting a while for anything other that you saying what they said. The only think I saw in quotes (with no link) was the “fool’s gold” quote. Was the “fool’s gold” quote a Glazer? If so, it is not “announcing” that they would not participate in FA. It is saying, just as they did in March 2009, that the short-term thinking that leads to signing 29 and 30 yr old free agents does not work long-term. See the Redskins as the classic example.
Re-hashing the same subject. The team is thinking long-term, you are thinking short-term.
May 3rd, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Thomas — no point in responding to you. You cannot read. To prove my point, please find where I indicated I did not know that the NFL had revenue sharing. That’s just a stupid assertion. If I recall you were the one that said there was no connection between revenue sharing and the CBA — a truly silly assertion.
May 3rd, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Tampa2 — you are too funny for words:
“Break out all the facts, quotes, and articles you want.”
Since when have you ever let facts get in the way of your thinking. Remember, you think Sileo was telling the truth about the Glazers and Madoff. That belief pretty much disqualifies you from any consideration, other than for placement in the funny farm.
May 3rd, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Exactly Jimbuc, they are not signing free agents in the short term, which is what i said.
But you challenged me to find a quote where they said they werent interested in FA’s, and there u have it.
May 3rd, 2010 at 9:26 pm
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/article1082669.ece
There is the link to the quote Mr. Jimbuc, in case u think i am making it up.
May 3rd, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Eric — I did not think you were making it up, just was not familiar with it. Maybe you just missed it, but doesn’t it say 29 and 30 year old free agents?
May 3rd, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Eric — same article, different quote:
“First of all, 3-13, let me go back to 0-7, was definitely the most painful seven weeks of my NFL life. How did we get there? I start with going back further and looking at drafting. We believe that drafting is the lifeblood of sustained success long term. We have not done as good of a job as we need to do drafting over the last several years. That’s the first seed that gets planted or the cancer that starts early on that you don’t fully see until time goes forward.”
Drafting is the first see that gets planted — not the only seed, right?
May 3rd, 2010 at 9:37 pm
That is another idiotic statement Jimbuc:
The CBA contains revenue sharing. I will remind you and everyone else who thinks that you may have some credibility – you called the Bucs a small market team w/o competitive resources.
A bunch of provided you with links that this org has long been top 8 in the NFL in revenue, w/ rock bottom player salary – that means huge profits not being reinvested today.
You tried to change the argument about the connection between CBA and revenue sharing – we all know that there is no revenue sharing with no CBA – but that is not a major sticking point (I know Jerry Jones has said publicly that he wants no rev sharing) but most know that that cant happen b/c a majority of owners will not vote with him and he is mainly saying that strategically.
The bone of contention relates to how much $ is going to the players, not the revenue sharing structure as a whole!! So put that whole concept out of your head for future comments.
May 3rd, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Thomas —
“(I know Jerry Jones has said publicly that he wants no rev sharing) but most know that that cant happen b/c a majority of owners will not vote with him and he is mainly saying that strategically.
The bone of contention relates to how much $ is going to the players, not the revenue sharing structure as a whole!!”
The bone of contention between the players and owners, yes. I was speaking about the “bone of contention” between the owners. Not between owners and players. You almost stumble upon it with your comment abiout Jones. LOL. I said that Tampa is a small market team in that context. I also corrected myself pointing out that the NFL categorizes Tampa as a “mid-market” team, but no matter what term you use none of this has anything to do with the player/owner dispute. It has to do with the owner/owner dispute and it explains, in part, why the Bucs and other “small market” teams have dropped payroll below the floor. They don’t want an uncapped league.
Man, you have trouble reading or I have trouble writing clearly. Must be me.
May 3rd, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Of course you would attribute the Bucs dropping payroll below the floor starting in 2004 forecasting a Lockout in 2011.
That is a strong sensible position. I bet you think that is more logical than dropping payroll through floor about the same time Manu was acquired b/c of some connection there (no you think a potential lockout 7 years later was more likely the reason) Spewing more Glazerade. Did you guys pick up on that?
Comical!! The more you make him comment the better…
May 3rd, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Jimbuc,
I really don’t think we disagree on this. The bucs have chosen to build through the draft. Inititially, they arent interested in FA’s as Joel Glazer said because they are “fools gold”.
Isn’t that what the man said, and the path they followed this off season?
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Thomas — let me illustarte your problem this way. When did the Bucs drop their payroll below “the floor?” Just answer that one question
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Eric — Glazer said 29 and 30 year old free agents. This year I would think the primary reason for no free agents so far is that most were RFAs. Can you think of a UFA that the Bucs should have gotten that was not a one or two year stop gap?
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:10 pm
Well genius it is widely reported that the Bucs have spent the least (i.e. Dead ass last) on players salaries since 2004. You love citations so here you go:
http://blogs.tampabay.com/bucs/2009/06/nflcom-bucs-spent-least-money-since-04.html
The cap is a nebuluous number for example – in 2008 allen signed noah herron and pat chukwurah to 25 million dollar contracts w/ fake bonuses if he blocked 6 punts (which is impossible put helped push the number over the cap) – if not they got the league minimum – but the bonus counted artificially vs the cap and kept the officially above the floor.
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/cheap-ways-dooming-bucs-numbers-say-no/1054806
it is not fair to count these games as making them above the floor genius. you are getting killed tonight jimbuc,
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Thomas — crickets?
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Well genius it is widely reported that the Bucs have spent the least (i.e. Dead a– last) on players salaries since 2004. You love citations so here you go:
http://blogs.tampabay.com/bucs/2009/06/nflcom-bucs-spent-least-money-since-04.html
The cap is a nebuluous number for example – in 2008 allen signed noah herron and pat chukwurah to 25 million dollar contracts w/ fake bonuses if he blocked 6 punts (which is impossible put helped push the number over the cap) – if not they got the league minimum – but the bonus counted artificially vs the cap and kept the officially above the floor.
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/cheap-ways-dooming-bucs-numbers-say-no/1054806
it is not fair to count these games as making them above the floor genius. you are getting killed tonight jimbuc,
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:14 pm
My comment is being moderated – sit tight.
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Well genius it is widely reported that the Bucs have spent the least (i.e. Dead last) on players salaries since 2004. You love citations so here you go:
http://blogs.tampabay.com/bucs/2009/06/nflcom-bucs-spent-least-money-since-04.html
The cap is a nebuluous number for example – in 2008 allen signed noah herron and pat chukwurah to 25 million dollar contracts w/ fake bonuses if he blocked 6 punts (which is impossible put helped push the number over the cap) – if not they got the league minimum – but the bonus counted artificially vs the cap and kept the officially above the floor.
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/cheap-ways-dooming-bucs-numbers-say-no/1054806
it is not fair to count these games as making them above the floor genius. you are getting killed tonight jimbuc,
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Well genius it is widely reported that the Bucs have spent the least (i.e. Dead a– last) on players salaries since 2004. You love citations so here you go:
http://blogs.tampabay.com/bucs/2009/06/nflcom-bucs-spent-least-money-since-04.html
The cap is a nebuluous number for example – in 2008 allen signed noah herron and pat chukwurah to 25 million dollar contracts w/ fake bonuses if he blocked 6 punts (which is impossible put helped push the number over the cap) – if not they got the league minimum – but the bonus counted artificially vs the cap and kept the officially above the floor.
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/cheap-ways-dooming-bucs-numbers-say-no/1054806
it is not fair to count these games as making them above the floor genius. you are getting hurt tonight jimbuc,
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:19 pm
Well Mr. Jimbuc, UFA by definition have had a contract with a different team, putting the vast majority at 29-30 years old.
The issue isnt who i would have gotten, but the fact that they excluded themselves from the UFA market, which i think is common knowledge and the stated position of Mr. Glazer himself.
So, your earlier remark that they never said they werent going to sign free agents is not the case because thats what they said and that is what they did.
How long that will be the policy is unknown, but it doesnt sound like it will change in the near future.
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:25 pm
the Bucs have spent the least (i.e. Dead a– last) on players salaries since 2004. You love citations so here you go:
http://blogs.tampabay.com/bucs/2009/06/nflcom-bucs-spent-least-money-since-04.html
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:25 pm
The cap is a nebuluous number for example – in 2008 allen signed noah herron and pat chukwurah to 25 million dollar contracts w/ fake bonuses if he blocked 6 punts (which is impossible put helped push the number over the cap) – if not they got the league minimum – but the bonus counted artificially vs the cap and kept the officially above the floor.
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/cheap-ways-dooming-bucs-numbers-say-no/1054806
it is not fair to count these games as making them above the floor genius. you are getting hurt tonight jimbuc,
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:34 pm
I had to break up the comment b/c it got blocked!!
You will probably disregard the facts in the two articles b/c the source isnt a Glazer, Dom or Rah!
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:43 pm
Eric — I guess we just read differently and to you the mere hypothetical possibility that they could have had a FA, as opposed to an actual FA they did not get, seems to matter. I can live with that. 🙂
You raise an intersting point about the age of most UFAs. I thought — could certainly be wrong — that most players get three or four year deals. Who knows.
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:45 pm
Thomas — as usual you don’t read well. I just asked when the first year was that the Bucs spent less than “the floor.” That should not take any more than a four digit answer, right?
I ask because you obviously seem to think the answer is 2004. It is not. Do you know what “the floor” is?
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:55 pm
ok jimbuc, you can change the subject after you are proven wrong if you want.
Surprising u don’t take the Glazer boy at his word, but thats kewl, neither do I.
I guess he was just kidding when he said they weren’t gonna sign any free agents……………………..
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Thomas, as much as I regret to say this, this is the last time I will respond to one of your posts. It’s simply not worth it because you are too confused to have a coherent discussion. Take a look at your last post. Here is the key part:
The cap is a nebuluous number for example – in 2008 allen signed noah herron and pat chukwurah to 25 million dollar contracts w/ fake bonuses if he blocked 6 punts (which is impossible put helped push the number over the cap) – if not they got the league minimum – but the bonus counted artificially vs the cap and kept the officially above the floor.
That is not whatt the article says, nor is it even what the article is about. Look again:
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/cheap-ways-dooming-bucs-numbers-say-no/1054806
For goodness sakes, if you cannot understand the article, just read the headline.
Good luck my friend.
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:01 pm
Jimbuc
To qualify as an unrestricted free agent you have to have completed six seasons in the league.
Thus, i think it would be difficult to find many under 29 if my math is correct.
So, if Mr. Glazer meant he only wanted UFA’s under 29 thats a little silly.
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:01 pm
Eric — where do you keep getting “any” free agents from? This is the quote:
“Yes, we could go out and sign a couple of 29- and 30-year-old free agents. But I don’t know what that does for us long term. That could get us back in that mediocrity of 7-9, 8-8, 9-7 and that cycle we’re really not interested in. That’s not going to win us a championship. It may feel a little better. I’ll go through a lot less criticism, no question about that. But that’s fool’s gold. We’re not in the business of fool’s gold. We’re in the business of winning championships”
Again, maybe we read things differently (I think we both read for a living), but you are quoting the question not the response. You are alos leaving out the part I quoted above, aren’t you?
I wouldn’t be surprised if the bucs signed a FA or two after June. I waould alos be shocked if they did not sign FAs next year (assuming there is a next year). I think you take everything in such absolute terms. Maybe it’s just me.
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:02 pm
Eric – Ok. I got you now. I was not clear on that part. Thanks
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:18 pm
Jimbuc,
C’mon man now your getting rediculous.
The man was asked a direct question “Why announce you’re not going to be active in free agency”.
And then he answered why they were not going to be active in free agency!
And they havent been!
At this stage the plan does not include being active in free agency, according to the bucs. Thus, “build through the draft”.
I don’t see how it could be more clear.
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:40 pm
Eric — no, I agree with you on that part. I just don’t see it as absolute as you do. I see that their focus is clearly the draft, but I think that is the correct approach. I also think they willadd FAs as I mentioned above.
May 4th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
If you cant see that the actual CAP NUMBER is b.s. based on that article you are lost. When they technically went under the floor doesnt matter to anyone genius b/c the cap number was artificial. here is what we care about: “From the 2004 season to the 2008 season, the Bucs ranked 32nd of the 32 teams in the NFL in total dollars spent on players, according to NFL.com. The Bucs in those five years spent almost $120 million less on players than the team that spent the most.”