“Boy, Was I Wrong About Them.”
September 20th, 2010
When coffee-slurping, popcorn-shoveling, oatmeal-loving Peter King of Sports Illustrated came out before the season and suggested the Bucs would only win two games, Bucs fans erupted in outrage.
Joe stood back. He knew King was hardly the lone football analyst who predicted desperate hours for the Bucs this season, with a starting roster greener than the grass the Bucs play on at the CITS.
Now, after matching King’s predicted win total for the season in just two games, King has issued a very public mea culpa, via his must-read weekly missive, “Monday Morning Quarterback” on SI.com.
King actually has the Bucs as the No. 15 team in the NFL after one-eigth of the season has passed (damned, one-eighth already?).
15. Tampa Bay (2-0). Of all the surprises in the NFL after two weeks, nothing is weirder to me than the Bucs being 2-0. Boy, was I wrong about them.
It seemed not just Bucs fans were incensed about King’s prediction. So too was Bucs great Ronde Barber who King quoted in his column.
Quote of the Week II
“Tell Peter King we already got our two wins.”
— Tampa Bay cornerback Ronde Barber, in the victorious Buccaneers locker room at Carolina Sunday, after the Bucs beat the Panthers 20-7. Tampa Bay is 2-0. I picked the Bucs to be 2-14 in the SI NFL Preview Issue.
Oops.
Joe is as giddy as the next Bucs fan. This coming Sunday will be a different animal. Pittsburgh’s defense is downright frightening it is so good. Is there a more important player to a team in the NFL than Troy Polamalu? Damn, that guy is good.
At any rate, please read King’s column this morning. He leads his column with a brief interview with Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman.
September 20th, 2010 at 9:08 am
How about Florio who didn’t have them winning three games over the next two years? And you know who I can’t wait for to come out either…It rhymes with Fatam Klein
September 20th, 2010 at 9:08 am
My respect for Peter King just increased 100 percent. He actually apologized to Tampa.
September 20th, 2010 at 9:09 am
Finally, I give him credit for saying this so soon, I thought he would wait longer to apologize.
Soon, one after the other these so called experts will be falling in line.
I haven’t commented in a while guys, so tell me… what has been the response from the usual suspects? Does Eric finally give us some credit? What about Javier, RahDom, Mushmouth, etc? I bet they are all pretty quiet right now. How sweet it is!
September 20th, 2010 at 9:19 am
He wasn’t the only one who thought we would win 2-3 games this year. I’ll be the first to admit that I drink the kool aid heavily in the offseasons so like most fans I always expect us to be 2-0 to start a season……just nice to be right for once lol. I agree with Joe though this Steelers game is a totally different animal this weekend….however if we DON’T turn the ball over and keep the run game in check we have a good chance to head to the bye 3-0.
September 20th, 2010 at 9:26 am
I don’t know. To me, saying they are the 15th best team in this league after two games against pretty bad teams….is almost as stupid as predicting 2-14 before the season. Next week we’ll look horrible against the Steelers and he’ll have us as the 30th team in the league and predict 3-13. Too wishy washy for me.
I’m sticking to my guns. 7-9 or 8-8. Right now we are probably about the 20th best team in the league. If we continue to progress, we could be the 15th best team at some point this year, but not after these two games.
September 20th, 2010 at 9:32 am
@ Gary
Eric? Yep. Showed up and took some shots. The rest? MIA.
September 20th, 2010 at 9:34 am
We haven’t aloud a single point in the second half. We have shown we can keep a great rushing team in check. We have four sacks and four INTs in two games. We’ve only aloud 10.5 points per game so far. Our defense has been good so far. The Steelers offense is horrible. Worse than the Browns or Panthers. We could shut them out, and should definetly keep them held to under 10.5
Our offense is going to struggle against that Steeler defense. I don’t think there is any question about that, but if Freeman continues to play smart and we have no turnovers…I think we we win. Probably be very ugly with a score like 13-10…but we can win it.
September 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
With the difference in play in both 2nd halves, you have to admit the adjustments are being made well. Rah might know something after all.
September 20th, 2010 at 9:42 am
All right Mr. King! Takes a big man to admit he was wrong. Especially publically. Apology accepted, hatchet buried
September 20th, 2010 at 9:50 am
*sniff* *sniff* I love the smell of victory in the morning!
September 20th, 2010 at 9:51 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OnOvrTugiA
September 20th, 2010 at 9:53 am
sensiblefan:
Radio Mushmouth got bounced by Joe, but there may be a window of his return.
Radio Mushmouth continued to post the URLs of websites that offer pirated feeds of Bucs games, which Joe has strictly forbidden. Then, Radio Mushmouth challenged Joe and claimed “there are other sites I can go to.” Then go, Joe told Radio Mushmouth in so many words.
Radio Mushmouth does not dictate how Joe runs his site.
September 20th, 2010 at 9:53 am
The Steelers forced 7 turnovers against the Titans (3 INTs, 4 Fumbles) and scored 4 FGs total off of them. As good as the defense is, the offense is incapable of capitalizing. Their only TD was on special teams to open the game (a reverse, and special teams coverage is one of our strengths). Turnovers will create a battle of field position, we must win that battle to win the game. We won’t be able to sustain 80 yard drives to win this. It should be a good game to watch, should be a close game, and could go either way. We could be 3-0 going into the bye week with two weeks to prepare for Cincy.
Teams starting the season 2-0 make the playoffs 61% of the time. Not saying we’re making the playoffs, just that the odds just went up significantly.
September 20th, 2010 at 9:56 am
Well I for one am happy that King admitted that he was wrong – but I think it’s a little early to call the Bucs the #15 team!
The game against the Browns was well played.
The game against the Panthers – well I had the Bucs losing this one – I was wrong. The defense really held Williams and Stewart in check.
The MOST encouraging thing I have been watching is how Morris has been making second half corrects two weeks in a row to maximize the effects of the defense!
While I was looking for things to be critical of I am very happy to find very little to criticize. I LIKE the way the Bucs have been handeling their game plans. Heck even on offense, where I was most concerned, I’ll give Olson credit for sticking to the run with Caddy – however I think it’s time to see if another RB might work better. Also where are the screens?
Any way – Go Bucs
September 20th, 2010 at 10:04 am
Joe, thanks for the update on Mushy. I wondered what happened to him. I think he let his rude behavior get the best of him. I am saddened because he was a fan, as he indicated. Some of our personalities just don’t mesh well. I know Mushy tangled with Steve White a couple times but I can’t believe that a guy like Steve would let him get that far under his skin as to leave the JBf family/crew. It would be nice to hear the rest of the story, as I felt like we are all pretty much family here bound together by a common thread. I will miss them both, but I can still go to Steve’s site and Mushy said some really funny things at times, hateful or not. Are you looking for a replacement/sort of for Steve White? And I’m sorry for anything hateful I ever said about you or your staff. LOL
September 20th, 2010 at 10:05 am
Steelers vs. Bucs defense caomparison.
Total Points Allowed:
PIT – 20
BUCS- 21
Yards per Game:
PIT – 266
BUCS – 309
Passing Yards allowed:
PIT – 429
BUCS – 395
Rushing Yards allowed:
PIT – 104
BUCS – 223
Interceptions:
PIT – 4
BUCS – 4
Forced Fumbles:
PIT – 6
BUCS – 4
Sacks:
PIT – 6
BUCS – 4
Opposing QB Rating:
PIT – 63.6
BUCS – 55.6
You can argue that the Flacons and Titans were better teams than the Browns and Panthers, but our defenses match up very well statisticly. They are better vs. the run, we are better vs. the pass. This Sunday is a huge game for us. If we win the turnover battle, we will win the game. If we manage to win and head into our bi-week 3-0…I think we’ll have no more black outs and the national media will once again except us as worthy of coverage.
September 20th, 2010 at 10:11 am
BigMacAttack:
When Radio Mushmouth pulled the “I’ll go elsewhere” if you don’t let me post the pirated feeds, well, Radio Mushmouth made his own bed.
Radio Mushmouth tried to dictate to Joe how to run his site. If the NFL lawyers come after Joe, it’s not Radio Mushmouth’s ass.
How can Joe ever be mad at you? You are one of if not Joe’s first commenter and you knew Rachel Watson before she was Rachel Watson.
September 20th, 2010 at 10:15 am
Mushy was an idiot, and good riddance.
Completely sucks that SGW left. He is awesome.
I still love this site. IMO it’s the best Bucs blog on the web.
Keep it up Joe!
September 20th, 2010 at 10:17 am
What am I missing? Steve White no longer posts his columns on here?
September 20th, 2010 at 10:21 am
Yeah, what did I miss? Was out of town for a long week end and apparently missed the hub bub.
September 20th, 2010 at 10:22 am
Joe here,
bucfanjeff – Joe explained in a post last week that Steve White would now be posting his Bull Rush column only on his personal blog. Joe explained that White was moving on simply to build his own site and pursue new opportunities. No bad blood or anything ridiculous like that going on.
Here’s the link from last week’s post. https://www.joebucsfan.com/?p=35571
September 20th, 2010 at 10:23 am
@ Gary…
” I haven’t commented in a while guys, so tell me… what has been the response from the usual suspects? Does Eric finally give us some credit? What about Javier, RahDom, Mushmouth, etc? I bet they are all pretty quiet right now. How sweet it is!”
The haters before the season that you mentioned are probably using different names now and giving the Bucs love. There are a lot of people who have issues and do that sort of thing because they lack the courage to just stick to their guns or they just do not understand the concept of allegience. I am sure they are all still here but at least we do not have to put up with their hate for now.
September 20th, 2010 at 10:27 am
Mr Lucky-we need a change in the running game.We’re winning despite having a terrible running attack and that won’t continue.I think if they use more screens and little ding passes to disrupt seven and eight man fronts would be effective.I love Caddy but he doesn’t appear to look for an opening in the defense.He just bulls ahead and runs with his head down.Maybe Blount or Lumpkin woulf be a better alternative.
September 20th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Joe,
You say no bad blood or anything ridiculous, yet you said earlier that Diarrhea of the Mouth was a reason Steve left. ???
September 20th, 2010 at 10:32 am
Mr Lucky-we need a change in the running game.We’re winning despite having a terrible running attack and that won’t continue.I think if they use more screens and little ding passes to disrupt seven and eight man fronts would be effective.I love Caddy but he doesn’t appear to look for an opening in the defense.He just bulls ahead and runs with his head down.Maybe Blount or Lumpkin woulf be a better alternative
September 20th, 2010 at 10:34 am
Sorry-it posted twice.
September 20th, 2010 at 10:35 am
People keep giving Raheem credit for making half time defensive adjustments, which is the hallmark of a great coach, in my opinion. In both post game interviews he was asked specifically what adjustments were made. He insists that there were no adjustments made, that everything is a product of a week long preparation and game planning. This is ridiculous and shows that he is obstinate and has his head up his ass. This is the type of statement Ray Perkins, the stupidest man alive used to make. Next move by Raheem may be to switch the sides of the field so the players don’t cross on the way to the locker rooms. Ray was paranoid and thought if the players shook hands crossing the field they would leak all his secrets to the enemy.
Someone is making some genius like moves during half time, be it a player or a position coach, thank goodness for that. Raheem is still bumbling through the games whether he fails to throw the red flag on an obvious 25 yard pass completion that bounced off the ground or a fake field goal punt. What on earth is the reason for skipping a very makable 51 yard field goal that would give the Bucs an insurmountable 16 point lead? Why would you use a field goal kicker to punt instead of a highly skilled punter who is trained to drop the ball within the 10 yard line. Barth blew the punt and kicked it into the end zone by the way, surprised? I’m sure there are a lot more coaching gaffes out there that I’m not smart enough to spot but I’m sure there are players and coaches that are questioning some real bone head moves. Think about it, a fake field goal punt??????????
September 20th, 2010 at 10:35 am
Joe here,
LightningBuc – there was a typo in there and a commenter that confused some folks. It’s all fixed now. Here’s the link again. https://www.joebucsfan.com/?p=35571
Joe will be linking and taking comments from Steve White’s blog, a little later actually. You won’t miss anything from him.
September 20th, 2010 at 10:53 am
@Miguel Grande:
Your post shows that you are obstinate and have your head up your ass. Keep trying though. Maybe one day your opinions will not be cluttered with fail.
September 20th, 2010 at 10:56 am
@ Miguel Grande
I like it. Lets get back to criticizing the bonehead Raheem.
I agree with what you said:
“Raheem is still bumbling through the games whether he fails to throw the red flag on an obvious 25 yard pass completion that bounced off the ground or a fake field goal punt. What on earth is the reason for skipping a very makable 51 yard field goal that would give the Bucs an insurmountable 16 point lead? Why would you use a field goal kicker to punt instead of a highly skilled punter who is trained to drop the ball within the 10 yard line. Barth blew the punt and kicked it into the end zone by the way, surprised? I’m sure there are a lot more coaching gaffes out there that I’m not smart enough to spot but I’m sure there are players and coaches that are questioning some real bone head moves. Think about it, a fake field goal punt??????????”
September 20th, 2010 at 10:58 am
Guys- our running game is suffering. Not because of bad RB or OL play! It’s because of our . . WR’s!! Not their fault. I watched tapes of the running plays. Both defenses we faced are keeping 8 men in the box! Playing one on one with our young WRs. If we keep winning with the passing game, that will change. Right now they are daring us to beat them with the pass- and we are!! I expect us to run some 4 Wr spreds this Sunday, to give Caddy some room!
September 20th, 2010 at 10:58 am
Raheem Morris is a complete joke.
I can’t bare to watch him coach the Bucs to the point that I watched the Miami Dolphins game (a much better game) yesterday instead. I just can’t get behind a team coached by a bumbling idiot.
September 20th, 2010 at 11:00 am
This Raheem Morris is a real tool let me tell you.
I like the Buc players, but this Raheem is gonna lose more for the Bucs than the players can win despite him.
Players Good/ Raheem Bad.
September 20th, 2010 at 11:06 am
seriously?
September 20th, 2010 at 11:07 am
wow I’m usually pretty tolerant of other peoples opinions but to the guy who said he watched the miami game all i can say is hit the road jack off!!!!
September 20th, 2010 at 11:07 am
From The same MMQB (about Coach Morris)
Coach of the Week
Raheem Morris, head coach, Tampa Bay. “We’re buying in,” Josh Freeman said after the game. “We all feel good about the direction we’re heading in with Raheem.” From the start of the offseason program, Morris told his team there wasn’t any cavalry coming over the hill — this was the team they were going with. So far it hasn’t been a team for 2012 and beyond. It’s been a team ready to play and win now.
Some of ya’ll are going to have to face the fact the Coach Morris has these guys in a groove.
September 20th, 2010 at 11:20 am
All I know is that these idiots running the organization held the same team who used to run for 200 yards a game on us to less than 100
September 20th, 2010 at 11:25 am
“What on earth is the reason for skipping a very makable 51 yard field goal”
I’m not gonna lie, every time they lined up for a kick yesterday, even an xtra point I was not real confident, must be a Panther thing. 51 is make’able, but on the road, late in the game with a young kicker, tough call. But it worked, so good on Morris.
The one last week that he skipped worked also, making them drive all the way down the field at home, both calls worked.
I’m not completely sold on Morris, but if you can’t see his progress, you may be a complete Jon(thanks for the trophy)Gruden nut hugger.
September 20th, 2010 at 11:27 am
Nick
Exactly, I really like the new Dline, and know there are probably plenty of mistakes being made, but what a difference so far.
September 20th, 2010 at 11:41 am
Mike Grand said:
“What on earth is the reason for skipping a very makable 51 yard field goal that would give the Bucs an insurmountable 16 point lead?”
And a 16 point lead is insurmountable compared to a 13 point one how? Both are two possessions. I was a big pessimist going into this season. I by no means have visions of a Super Bowl, but if you can’t admit that this team and its coaching are improved since last year, then you really are a hater. I don’t like that word used to describe Bucs fans who are critical of a team, but if you see no good in the past two weeks then that may be exactly what you are!
September 20th, 2010 at 11:46 am
Hey look, rahDomdaracist is back from his Klan rally. We know why you hate Raheem, you P.O. S. Don’t wanna listen to your brand of stupidity
September 20th, 2010 at 11:51 am
Javier N Wimauma Says:
September 20th, 2010 at 10:58 am
Raheem Morris is a complete joke.
I can’t bare to watch him coach the Bucs to the point that I watched the Miami Dolphins game (a much better game) yesterday instead. I just can’t get behind a team coached by a bumbling idiot.
At least you’re consistent. Your a clueless tool but consistently a clueless tool.
September 20th, 2010 at 11:53 am
LightningBuc! Righteous!! Glad to hear that! A little skepticism is a good thing. But sometimes, so is a Lil Faith:)! It doesn’t hurt to give people a fair chance. I’ve found that if you give them a fair chance, and a little support, most people will give you their best!! That may not be good enough, but it’s all you can ask!
September 20th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Thanks Joe, much love for ya Bro.
September 20th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Miguel (and others still bashing Raheem Morris):
“People keep giving Raheem credit for making half time defensive adjustments, which is the hallmark of a great coach, in my opinion. In both post game interviews he was asked specifically what adjustments were made. He insists that there were no adjustments made, that everything is a product of a week long preparation and game planning. ”
After week 1, when he said he didn’t make halftime “adjustments”, he specifically said the gameplan they had was good, they just needed to execute better. At halftime, they discussed the mistakes that were made and cleaned them up for the 2nd half with the same gameplan.
The same is true for week 2. They didn’t change the gameplan. They looked at the mistakes being made, and corrected them at halftime.
Changing the game plan in the middle of the game is not nearly as good of an idea as fixing the mistakes made during the game with the existing plan. Especially if the original plan is mostly working. Week 1 we gave up a big play to Massoquoi in the first half, week 2 we gave up a big play to Smith in the first half. Neither week did we give up a play like that in the 2nd half. The corrections to the existing game plan are being made at halftime. This is not a stupid thing by the coach, rather it is working VERY well, as shown by the zero points allowed in the second half and completely shutting down the opponents run game in the second half.
Say what you will about the coaching, but they’ve obviously done a pretty good job.
September 20th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Niguel…Coaches all across the land say they just stuck to their game plan and played their game when asked about half time adjustments. What do you want, a chalk board explanation? Barber said they went back to their basics when the new offense built for the Panthers running game was not working, and he said that was Morris who called the change. Say what you want, but you can not deny that the players have done a great job two weeks in a row, and they have played hard for Morris. It is ok to admit you were wrong fellas.
September 20th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
1) He is a young coach, bound to make some mistakes…Yet the team won, in spite of the two mentioned (the non challenge and the FG/to punt fakey).
2) Why would he let on that he IS making adjustments at the half? Who is benefiting by him saying so? The team knows, the coaches know, and it looks to me like he is more and more confident that the ownership knows…SO why advertise it.
3) He is beginning to sound like a great coach in this way: He knows he can no longer politic and play pattycake with the media to keep his job. He has to make Ws. Ugly, pretty, cheap or expensive, he is now doing that.
4) I like the ‘angry worker’ thing…as long as it stays on the field, between the whistles. Go back and watch some film of the Sapp/Lynch/Barber/Brooks defense…They played like men possessed, and yet were men of excellent character OFF the field.
I like the way this is going…I am not ready to say the Bucs will have a winning season, and the toughest test of character is going to happen when things AREN’T all going their way. But this time around, even the OFFENSE has that ‘look’ and feel about them. There were a few times yesterday when I thought the world had gone topsy turvy….Our OFFENSE was making big plays.
September 20th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
I don’t hate the Buccaneers, I am an unabashed homer. I have followed this team through good and bad since 1976. I don’t feel good about the current ownership and the cheapness factor of the lowest payroll in the league and the lowest paid coaches. I don’t hate Raheem, I just think that he should be a defensive coordinator for at least 5 years until he became a head coach. The Bucs hired him because they couldn’t afford a real head coach. Although they are still paying Chucky, great move that one. I loved Gruden, although I didn’t have to live with his totalitarian edicts in the locker room. He was a great field general and wore his emotions on his sleeve.
Coach Morris says they don’t make adjustments at halftime but they correct mistakes that were made. Is that closing the barn door after the horses have escaped? Do they get in the players face and brow beat him or scream at him? Why do we have a team of coaches and observers up in the press box? Why do they take pictures of every play and formation? If they just need the follow the game plan and execute, then all those guys can come down to the bench and hang out with the cheerleaders. Give me a freaking break.
I’m not saying the coaches or players are not making adjustments, I’m just saying that he is not aware of them. To lightningbuc: A 16 point lead is insurmountable compared to a 13 point lead because a quick pick 6 like we almost experienced on that 3rd and 2 that the Panther CB jumped and almost intercepted plus another TD drive would have given them the victory. With that 51 yard field goal, we would have till won by 2.
September 20th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Skokum:
4) I like the ‘angry worker’ thing…as long as it stays on the field, between the whistles. Go back and watch some film of the Sapp/Lynch/Barber/Brooks defense…They played like men possessed, and yet were men of excellent character OFF the field.
Excellent character??????
I guess you didn’t have a teenage daughter when that crew was in town. My 17 year old asked me if she should go out with a Bucs player who was after her named Derek Brooks, I told her no, because he was married and because he was twice her age. What ever became of that 15 year old that he took to Africa and knocked her up? When John Lynch was in San Diego for the Super Bowl he brought two 17 year olds to share his bed. Remember the messages of inspiration his wife would give him before every game like “Onward Christian soldier.” What a crock! I don’t have any dirt on Ronde, but everyone knows what Warren has done.
September 20th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Perhaps the funniest post ever on JBF:
“Miguel Grande Says:
September 20th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
I don’t hate Raheem . . .The Bucs hired him because they couldn’t afford a real head coach. Although they are still paying Chucky . . .
ROFLMAO..
September 20th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
Miguel says:
“With that 51 yard field goal, we would have till won by 2.”
Dude, have you ever heard of the two point conversion? 8+8=16 , 2 possession game even with a field goal.
September 20th, 2010 at 6:50 pm
The extra point kick is a given, a two point conversion is a very low percentage play, maybe 20% successful. To score two 2 point conversions consecutively is maybe a 5% shot in the dark and it would only give you a tie. To overcome a 16 point difference it takes 3 possessions.
September 21st, 2010 at 1:04 am
Actually, the success rate (as stated on MNF near the end when the 49ers had to go for two to tie) is 40%. It’s actually 40% each attempt, it doesn’t go down for two in a row. Teams that go for two point conversions achieve success 40% of the time.
September 21st, 2010 at 3:59 am
Bambam, your understanding of the law of probability is flawed. Even if it was 40%, the chances of two consecutive successes are 40% of 40% or 16%. Stay away from Vegas, they’ll steal your lunch. Steve Spurrier in the USFL thought he could beat the house and always went for the two point conversion. It didn’t work out, but it was fun trying.