Adam Rank Reverses Course On Bucs’ Fortunes
September 4th, 2024
Bucky Irving has a fan at NFL Network.
A man who works for the NFL’s house organ and this summer firmly predicted the Bucs would implode with double-digit losses has second thoughts.
Rank suggested the Bucs would implode this year and lose 11 games. (If that happens, Joe would wonder about Todd Bowles’ security with Bill Belicheat lurking.)
Fast-forward two months and now Rank has had a change of heart. He appeared on “The Insiders,” a weekday show on NFL Network where various network correspondents talk football. There, Rank picked division winners with friend-of-Ira Judy Battista, the longtime NFL writer.
Battista was torn between the Bucs and the Dixie Chicks calling it a “coin flip.” The two late-free agent additions to the Dixie Chicks defense put her over the top selecting Atlanta.
Rank thought the opposite, turning on himself claiming the Bucs will four-peat.
“I’m going to go with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,” Rank said. “I really like the addition of Liam Coen. I know that losing Dave Canales to the division rivals, it could have been a bit of a setback.
“You bring in Coen, who actually did work with Baker Mayfield for a hot minute in Los Angeles. So there is some familiarity there.”
What sold Rank that the Bucs wouldn’t post a 6-11 mark? He says the Bucs will get impact plays on offense from rookies.
“They are getting younger at important positions,” Rank said. “Jalen McMillan, Bucky Irving, I think these are two rookies that have come out and will have a huge impact on the offense.
“So I think the Buccaneers defend their title this season.”
That’s quite the turnaround from being on the cusp of maybe a coaching change.
Joe generally gives rookies slack. They generally play like rookies because… they are rookies! But if Rank is right and the Bucs get impact play from center Graham Barton, Irving and McMillan, the Bucs could very well have a dangerous offense after ranking 20th in points scored last year.
September 4th, 2024 at 9:10 am
Uh so what is he trying to say about the rest of our roster? Two free agent additions somehow made Atlanta better than us?
I’m so glad Vea overhauled his body to have Kirk cousins running for his life. Oh wait he can’t run
September 4th, 2024 at 9:25 am
If is funny how they ding the Bucs and other teams have the same issues and they get a pass…. Canales leaves and it is the end of the World. Falcons bring in new HC and OC and all is great. Falcon Defense has gaping holes, bring in two veterans and all is fixed… Bucs get rid of a half time player, a malcontent, and a guy that was a ghost (3 negatives) and they have not done enough….
Do these media guys ever listen to themselves…. I wish their pay was tied to their wagging tongues.
September 4th, 2024 at 9:55 am
Two rookies? Have we forgotten Barton?
September 4th, 2024 at 10:01 am
Tired of the pundits. Ready for the games.
September 4th, 2024 at 10:02 am
I can’t wait to see Barton go against Payne and Allen. That’s the real test.
Also, did anyone see Devin White is out of the game on Friday… and that Albert Breer reported the Eagles were looking to trade him during roster cuts?
Not saying I’m wishing him failure but it sure feels like he’s reaping what he sowed.
September 4th, 2024 at 10:11 am
RE White…trade him for Plan 9
September 4th, 2024 at 10:16 am
One thing that makes the NFL so great is the Salary Cap. MLB is going downhill & that is a major reason imo.
September 4th, 2024 at 10:17 am
Hey, Muscle Hamster went off as a rookie. So did Mike Evans.
Not in the same year obviously but, no reason both Irving and JMac don’t have big impact this season.
LFG
September 4th, 2024 at 10:21 am
HC Grover – Plan 9 is a better football player than Devin White.
September 4th, 2024 at 10:28 am
Seems to me his bosses told him what to say…or he is playing both sides so hecan claim to have called it at the end.
“Rank suggested the Bucs would implode this year and lose 11 games. (If that happens, Joe would wonder about Todd Bowles’ security with Bill Belicheat lurking.)” – Joe
I thought the very same thing at the end of last season…that Bill might be our next head coach if Bowles blows it.
As time has passed, I’ve come to hope for the best with Bowles. I think our new OC and Mayfield will determine his fate.
September 4th, 2024 at 10:31 am
Bonz, spot on with the Bowles comment. If he lets Coen run the offense to score points, then it’s Baker’s passing that will determine the Bucs’ record and hence Todd’s job in 2025.
September 4th, 2024 at 10:32 am
Starting off with Ira’s 9 – 8 prediction for the Bucs this year and digesting for the past couple of months these mediocre forecasts for this season from these experts around the country. It has to be Mayfield that’s the sticking point.Is he a top 15 QB in the league? If that’s all he is then these predictions are about right. But he’s a top 5 QB in the league. That’s why we’re seeing these skewered predictions. Please keep disrespecting Baker. He doesn’t need to be an underdog to beat you. But disrespect him. That’ll bring this team to a whole new level. 12 – 5. And I believe that is this teams floor. Bring it on!
September 4th, 2024 at 11:31 am
Rank is more of an entertainer than an analyst. His takes all come from that perspective and should be viewed as such.
September 4th, 2024 at 5:03 pm
Kaptain Kirk, tell me when he got a couple of Superbowl rings man. For real about the falling on the knees part. And Raheem Morris had the head coach job here once, he sucked. So unless he’s running a cover-up for Gruden behind the seens calling the shots or something, MEH..
September 4th, 2024 at 5:18 pm
“Todd Bowles’ security with Bill Belicheat lurking.)”
Bill Belicheat was a GREAT DC!!! He was a BAD HC without Brady to carry his bacon. In BB’s 8 years without Brady he was a major LOSER!!!
He NEVER had a winning season in New England without Brady! In his 5 years in Cleveland he managed ONE winning season against FOUR losing seasons!!!
We can debate whether he was a good HC I suppose if you wish to simply debate opinions and not actual results. But where it counts, the actual record,BB sucked without Brady!!! And I’m too lazy to add up all the numbers once again but if you take Bowles career and BB’s career numbers without Brady they are very close.
September 4th, 2024 at 6:19 pm
Stpetebucfan. The Patriots went 11-5 when Brady got hurt in the Chiefs game. And after they won the first super bowl the next year they didn’t make the playoffs. You can’t take nothing from BB
September 4th, 2024 at 11:35 pm
Belichick?
He didn’t really seem to be as genius without you know who..