“Hard Ceiling”
October 17th, 2023
Joe wonders if Team Glazer and general manager Jason Licht buy into this very popular assessment of their Bucs.
It’s easy to find fans and media saying the 49ers, Eagles and Lions are the class of the NFC and the Bucs, at best, are the No. 4 team uncapable of playing with those powers.
Former Bucs quarterback Chris Simms and NBC insider Mike Florio are in that group.
Breaking down the aftermath of the Bucs’ blowout loss to the Lions, Florio was clear that the Bucs have a “hard ceiling” for this season, he said on Pro Football Talk. And that ceiling is below Detroit, San Francisco and Philadelphia. He got no argument from Simms, who called the Bucs a “fringe playoff team.” Maybe Dallas sits between the Bucs and the top tier, Florio said.
Simms noted the strength of the Tampa Bay defense and how the Bucs missed a few big-shot plays against Detroit — plays that would have changed the game.
If Detroit is indeed a Super Bowl contender (hey, they’ve won 13 of their last 16 games), then Joe thinks the Bucs probably will gain confidence from their showing against the Lions on Sunday.
The Bucs defense knows it can hold the high-octane Lions to 20 points and the offense believes it left huge chunks of yardage on the field thanks to drops, missed connections and a batted pass.
As for Licht and Team Glazer, if they believe the Bucs have a “hard ceiling,” then Joe expects the team will show restraint in the coming weeks when it comes to making a bold move or two to improve the roster.
October 17th, 2023 at 3:14 pm
What’s with all the gloom and doom? We’re 3-2 and in first place in our division. We have 5 games remaining against division opponents, all winnable. Win the division, stay healthy and we go to the playoffs.
October 17th, 2023 at 3:38 pm
Maybe we do have a hard ceiling. Defensively, we are good enough. Offensively, I think Canales has some growing to do as does the offense in terms of execution and comfort. But they will have to address the run game after the season. Our only hope is that the offensive line gets better as the season goes.
We are better than I expected at this point, and I think we will get better. What was our record when Tom got here through 5 games? Answer: 3-2. I believe the offense will continue to get better. Not saying we will win it all, but let’s see what happens.
October 17th, 2023 at 3:46 pm
This would put a first weekend of Playoff football as The Cowboys at the Bucs again. I actually like are chances better than last year.
October 17th, 2023 at 3:49 pm
“The Brown gave up on him, Carolina gave up on him,” King said. “Let’s sort of forget this stuff about how the media was wrong about this guy … it wasn’t the media, it was a bunch of teams.”
It means Baker looks good against bad team and look really bad against good teams. That is why no one in NFL or any other teams cared to hire Baker as starter.
October 17th, 2023 at 3:51 pm
Baker ceiling is as low as his height. Please stop looking for miracle.
October 17th, 2023 at 3:54 pm
Bill in Seminole, that’s the word I am concerned about Winnable, I am thinking the same thing but, we got to stop the penalties after big plays killing drives, too many over or under thrown passes to open receivers. Even the great T Brady over threw open players at times so I am not so much concerned about the over or under throws as much as I am with how many and the number of games it’s happening. And of course our running game. Seem like White’s better if we don’t hand him the ball but throw to him 😊. Let go Bucs/Bucs fans
October 17th, 2023 at 4:00 pm
The hard ceiling is Mayfield. This defense is good enough to get an average offense into the playoffs. Even with the running backs we have. Mayfield is the X factor. So far he is below average. This defense has been keeping us in games we had no business being in with how the offense has been playing. We are five games in and I don’t see the “The Dude” showing the “MOXIE”
October 17th, 2023 at 4:03 pm
If that’s the case then we need to beat the teams we should beat….so far, so good….
October 17th, 2023 at 4:04 pm
the “hard ceiling” is toilet bowl.
there’s a reason he has still not gained my confidence. the won 2 by the skin of their teeth and got there butt whipped by 2 good tems.
now, if toilet bowl had the desire to win he would have benched ME already.
Trask should have came in after the 1/2 in the lions game if BM was that bad.
toilet bowl is consistently unconcerned about wins and losses. He should have been demoted to DC (which he is good at) last year. He is only a HC because of one thing…..and it aint his track record!
October 17th, 2023 at 4:04 pm
Joe Says:
*incapable
We know bold moves don’t really happen in mid-season very often anyway. Could they trade a future 4th rounder or later for a RB? Maybe… and they should look for someone… but bold move? No, nothing bold.
October 17th, 2023 at 4:07 pm
HERE’S A FEW STATS – ONE WILL AMAZE YOU
1) 4th Average Punts Per Game
The Bucs offense gives the opposition a lot of offensive possessions.
2) 29th in Scoring
1 of only 4 teams that have failed to score 90 or less points.
3) 32nd in Yards per Rush
Dead last. Nothing else to say.
RESULT: THE BUCS OFFENSE IS TERRIBLE. THEY HANG THE DEFENSE OUT TO DRY.
WHICH MAKES THIS STAT AMAZING …
4) 4th Best Defense
Only THREE teams have given up less points than the Bucs. Only TWO have given up less total yards.
IF YOU THINK OUR DEFENSE SUCKS, IF YOU THINK THE DEFENSE IS TO BLAME …
THINK AGAIN
October 17th, 2023 at 4:14 pm
Boss
Your posts have such credibility with the use of juvenile name calling like “toilet bowl”. So very clever!
David A miracle I’m not looking for is a positive post from you!
As to “hard ceiling” if you’re going by favorites to win games why leave out the Chiefs…I think there are 4 teams to beat who coincidentally all have the best records in the NFL since midseason LAST year.
This mean at least the Bucs go more than one and done..before they run into SF or Detroit. The team can use a little more depth and yes a “Bijan Robinson” type in the draft. RB’s are usually easy to find in the draft. Pick two…one high and another later. Get a monster Center! I like both Mayfield and Trask so the Bucs should have plenty of draft capital to play with.
Sadly the “experts” are saying there is no Bijan Robinson in the 2024 NFL Draft class, and there might not be an RB close to the Texas product when next April rolls around.
October 17th, 2023 at 4:15 pm
I said before the season the D would break down due to time of posession.
only a matter of time until they fold. and I would not blame them one bit.
bowls is a moron of epic proportions
October 17th, 2023 at 4:22 pm
Wow. I thought the offense would be better without the “washed QB” holding it back. You mean to tell me it’s actually worse, even though the schedule was much more difficult last year. Hey, it does kind of stink when the QB is constantly behind the chains because the run game is anemic. Hey, at least the pass protection was better. Golly, it sure would’ve been great if Licht provided a competent LG to protect the QB’s interior.
October 17th, 2023 at 4:29 pm
Bill in Seminole Says:
October 17th, 2023 at 3:14 pm
What’s with all the gloom and doom?
———–
The Bucs are 1-2 in their last three games, getting blown out twice in that span, and their QB, wearing orange on Sunday, turned into a pumpkin.
The Bucs absolutely need Mayfield to not let that horrific game on Sunday tank his season, and to bounce back. I think it will basically come down to that – if he’s good, the Bucs should win, if he’s not, they’ll lose, and you can start talking about the draft.
October 17th, 2023 at 4:35 pm
We are 5 games into the season. With a new offense, first time play caller, new QB and rebuilt offensive line. Gotta have patience. We are 3-2 and in first place of our division. Bucs control their own destiny. Definitely would like to see a move made to bring in some fresh juice to the RB room.
October 17th, 2023 at 4:53 pm
What’s with the “Blow Out”?
We were 10 to 3 in the first half and everyone thought we were close. We were 10 to 3 in the second half. Not exactly a blow out. We lost to a good team.
Baker missed a couple, receivers missed a couple, defense kept us in the game with just a little bit of offense. No need to panic yet.
October 17th, 2023 at 6:00 pm
Thanks to Shorty Mayfield. It is so obvious.
October 17th, 2023 at 6:04 pm
J Daniels Lsu should be goal
October 17th, 2023 at 6:32 pm
The Bucs do have a hard ceiling. Baker has a hard ceiling too. We are at best right now a 7-9 win team. Sadly, we have an awesome defense. Reminds me a bit of the 1999 Bucs. They had Trent Dilfer and Shawn King at quarterback (the very definition of pedestrian), ordinary, not so special receivers, a conservative defensive-minded coach, but two really good running backs in Dunn and Alstott, though both backs averaged less than 4 yards a carry. Still, their production was critical to that team’s success. The Bucs need to do something to improve the running game. You got to give SF credit, they went hard for McCaffery last year and got him. The Bucs need to do something bold!!! We have the defense and more talent on offense than that 1999 Buc squad. Our defense may not be at that level, but it is still top notch.
October 17th, 2023 at 6:36 pm
Let’s be real. Bucs didn’t have any money this year and their only choices were Baker and Trask. Evans has been a HUGE disappointment and the Oline can’t run block. Worse than that Bucs have no competent RBs. It’s amazing they’re 3-2. Bucs need to hold on to their picks and draft Oline and Dline beef with nasty streaks. Alpha dogs! This team is soft starting with Bowles. He needs to be gone next year. This year is a test run for a lot of players. Let’s not forget we need to sign Wirfs, Winfield and maybe Devon White.
October 17th, 2023 at 7:08 pm
Thomas51 Says:
October 17th, 2023 at 4:53 pm
What’s with the “Blow Out”?
We were 10 to 3 in the first half and everyone thought we were close. We were 10 to 3 in the second half. Not exactly a blow out. We lost to a good team
Because one of the Joe’s wants to be a DrAmA queen and has declared a one score game at half and never more than a two possession game at any time a “Blow out”
October 17th, 2023 at 7:13 pm
David… What’s wrong with you? Baker won a number of big games while with the Browns including beating Joe Burrows three times in three attempts; beating Lamar Jackson three times when Jackson was as actually good ( and throwing for over 340 yards three times when they had a top 5 defense); beating the Steelers in the playoffs (with 3 TDs) and giving the Chiefs fits in the 2020 playoffs. I could go on. So drop the sh-t about Baker not being good because you’re making me and others ill.
October 17th, 2023 at 7:18 pm
I hate reading one week after a win how great we are and the next after a loss, Mayfield sucks, etc. Mayfield has played great. We are 3-2 and our two losses have come against 2 of the best 3 teams in the NFC. You guys are ridiculous!!
And saying we’ve hit a ceiling, I don’t know. In 2020 we embarrassingly lost to the bears, got killed by the Saints and then we put it together. The defense is there. If they weren’t on the field so long in those 2 losses, they would have held both teams under 14 points.
Who knows if the offense will figure it out. Canales is figuring things out. The offensive line needs to gel. I don’t think our interior offensive line is built for rushing the ball right now. They’re solid pass blockers, but they do not generate a push off the line. That’s the only thing this team needs is to be able to push the line forward and this offense would have all the tools to play with anyone, so we shall see…
October 17th, 2023 at 8:14 pm
“Breaking down the aftermath of the Bucs’ blowout loss to the Lions, Florio was clear that the Bucs have a “hard ceiling” for this season, he said on Pro Football Talk. And that ceiling is below Detroit, San Francisco and Philadelphia.”
Losing by 14 points against the #3 ranked scoring offense in the NFL is a blowout loss??? Who made up that silly definition? lmao, smh. And so our ceiling is the playoffs now?? Is that bad too?! lmao, smh. Lions, Cowboys, 49ers, Eagles are only 4 teams and last time I checked 7 teams make the playoffs and even the worst team in the playoffs can win the super bowl, ask the 2008 Giants. So tell those critics to pull their skirt down.
“The Bucs defense knows it can hold the high-octane Lions to 20 points and the offense believes it left huge chunks of yardage on the field thanks to drops, missed connections and a batted pass.”
And don’t forget about the sorry as run blocking!
October 17th, 2023 at 8:22 pm
The ceiling has always been ourselves. We already know that we have a hard time on prime time. We don’t show up, period. We looked flat and our deficiencies were magnified. Against Atlanta, a team that pounds the ball, we need to score early and often. If they jump out by running down Dale Mabry hwy, look out. It could be a long stretch of losses and conversations of mediocrity.
October 17th, 2023 at 9:02 pm
95 million in dead cap with to include the gage and jensen injuries. If offense can just get going this team will be just fine. We want progress guys. I think we are gonna get it.
October 17th, 2023 at 11:14 pm
How can a team that wants to run teh ball and play defense win anything being dead last in rushing.
Folks, this team is iron pyrite. Lower your expectations. You’ll thank me.
October 17th, 2023 at 11:41 pm
WyomingJoe Says:
“David… What’s wrong with you? Baker won a number of big games while with the Browns including beating Joe Burrows three times in three attempts; beating Lamar Jackson three times when Jackson was as actually good ( and throwing for over 340 yards three times when they had a top 5 defense); beating the Steelers in the playoffs (with 3 TDs) and giving the Chiefs fits in the 2020 playoffs. I could go on. So drop the sh-t about Baker not being good because you’re making me and others ill.”
Wow. Just wow.
You need to get in touch with reality, friend.
I don’t care what Baker Mayfield did in 2020…his ONLY good year. So far, he is a one year wonder at best. You know how many players have a good year then are bad the rest?
Baker Mayfield is thus far proving he isn’t good enough to win a superbowl.
He is proving that even if we walk into the playoffs (likely), he can’t win against any of the teams we’d likely face.
Before the season started, I said 6 games to prove himself to me. It just so happens hat we face the dirty birds next. A bad team. He’ll probably win it. But then come the Bills.
All this guy is doing right now is costing us draft picks and Trask development time.
October 18th, 2023 at 12:11 am
The defense is pretty good. The offense offense me. Just like old times.
The Falcons are a must win, but they probably feel the same.
October 18th, 2023 at 4:36 am
Colonel Angus … ‘We are 5 games into the season. With a new offense, first time play caller, new QB and rebuilt offensive line. Gotta have patience. We are 3-2 and in first place of our division. Bucs control their own destiny. Definitely would like to see a move made to bring in some fresh juice to the RB room.’
Thanks for bringing some sanity into an otherwise mostly depressing article & thread of comments.
OPTIMISTICbucsfan … ‘Folks, this team is iron pyrite. Lower your expectations. You’ll thank me.’
You need a new handle OPTIMISTIC.
October 18th, 2023 at 4:49 am
For all the nay-sayers: Bucs are 3-2 with 12 games left, 5 of which are against teams in our division. Those are ALL winnable games, and IF we win, we’d have 8 wins on the season. Of the other 7 games, Titans & Packers both have losing records to date, and those SHOULD be 2 more winnable games.
Beat the teams we’re capable of beating in our remaining schedule and we’d have 10 wins. A 10-7 record SHOULD win us the NFC South & get us into the playoffs. Will we go very deep in the playoffs? Probably not (depending on who we play & what condition they’re in), but hey, this is Year 1 of a ‘Retooling Plan’. With near-perfect drafting & salary CAP management, we’re most likely still a couple years from running with the BIG dogs. It’s much more about improving & making progress towards a bigger goal at this point.
October 18th, 2023 at 5:39 am
bucs will win 12 games this season with Mayfield as there qb-yes run the ball but not in the middle time and time again-get someone with speed and yes we have them as running backs to do what they know how to do instead of being robots-last item is the return game…we have someone with speed and he must have been told to fair catch the ball instead of trying to get more yards-yes you will make mistakes but the upside is much better than what we are curently doing.
PUT THE TAMPA FANS BACK IN THE STANDS! no more home games with more opposing fans in the stands period.
October 18th, 2023 at 6:31 am
Did the old mascot pictured have an official name? If so what was this one called? I remember him but not any name associated with him.
Go Bucs!
October 18th, 2023 at 6:58 am
This offense simply sucks. The Oline can not run block and we have subpar RB’s. Add that up and u get the worst rushing attack in tbe league. A G A I N.
October 18th, 2023 at 12:05 pm
This year is all about the NFC South hat and t-shirt. Let’s get our third set in a row. Massive improvements to run game (AND PASS RUSH ALWAYS) needed to get to contending for Super Bowl again.
October 18th, 2023 at 4:03 pm
SkyPirate, while I agree with you about the defense, we’ve already had our Bye week and most of the other teams have not. Of course we would have given up less points and less yards than most teams.
October 18th, 2023 at 7:37 pm
Baker is our best fit! He is good enough. We have a number one draft pick playing quarterback. Stop the nonsense! Our defense is stellar. Our team is going to become something special and Baker is going to be apart of it. Who else could lead this team or be as capable as Baker. Be happy we are in a great position.