December Collapse Still Top Of Mind
November 25th, 2010
What Bucs fan could forget the absolute euphoria and excitement in the air when the Bucs were 9-3 in 2008 and heading to Carolina for a huge Monday Night Football showdown?
Of course, the Bucs were mowed over by the Panthers running game and Game 1 of the epic December collapse was in the books. Tampa Bay choked away the final three games to finish 9-7 and Team Glazer handed Chucky a paid vacation that he’s still enjoying.
Now the Bucs are giddy at 7-3, but Jeff Faine said those who remain on the squad from that 2008 season have made it clear to their young teammates that nothing has been accomplished this year and the world can crumble in a hurry.
Faine talked about this never-forget phenomenon on Total Access last night on WDAE-AM 620.
Who could have imagined that after the Bucs were ousted from the playoff picture by Michael Bush, JaMarcus Russell and the Raiders at home, that the humiliation would be helping ground the youngest team in the NFL with the youngest coach in the NFL as they try to get to the playoffs two years later.
November 25th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
if it’s not one thing it’s another right? at the beginning of the season people we’re saying “oh god, even getting to .500 would be a miracle”, and now it’s “oh god, but remember the Dec ’08 collapse.” Just think, next month it could be “oh god, remember the ’05 Redskins v Bucs playoff game”
November 25th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Shannon Sharpe just picked the Bucs as a wild card and he has rhe Saints missing the playoffs.Works for me.
November 25th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
I’m sure our young team is just as giddy as we are about the record. Faine and the other vets will need to keep this collapse in their minds. I don’t see anything wrong with it.
November 25th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
I don’t know if joe talks to fans – but the one’s I talk with are very excited by our 7-3 team.
Excitement doesn’t translate into tickets sales when your team has recently turned in a 3-13 season and almost as recently turned in a complete defensive collapse just two years past…after ending THAT November 9 dash 3!!
I hope we can win – but we better show up on both sides of the ball..
November 25th, 2010 at 10:48 pm
The Buccaneers have to beat the Saints and or The Falcolns excuse me Disco chickens to get to the post season playoffs like the song goes we did it before we can do it again
November 26th, 2010 at 1:53 am
Tampa keeps getting better and better each game. Mark Dominick has to be executive of the year ? He keeps finding talent from teams practice squads, it is almost like having 2 drafts! Ryan Sims needed to go, and our D Line will be hungry to sack Flacco. I don’t think he is as mobile as the last QB we played either. I say if we keep it close, our youth will run the aging Ravens down in the 4th quarter, and they will Gas. Tampa can win this game.
November 26th, 2010 at 5:03 am
Big difference. That team hated their coach, and wanted him fired. This team loves their coach
November 26th, 2010 at 10:54 am
That Raiders game was the first game I have ever left early (had a bad cold) and the last time I have been to taxpayer stadium (did go to the pre season game in Miami this year but only because I got an insane deal on 50 yd line 2nd row tix). I remember sitting there thinking “I paid hundreds of dollars for this?”.
There was just something so lethargic and inept about that team that I was no longer in the pro Gruden camp and I think that is when the going to the game magic officially died for me.
Plus I got speeding ticket on the way home that set me back close to $200. Worst game ever.
November 26th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
With 5 of the Bucs 7 wins being to teams that had problems at the QB position and not playing experienced starters and even 1 of their massacres being at the arm of a backup (Charlie Batch), the luck was only going to last so long…..
In a time when most teams just start to hit their stride and get HOT playing for playoffs, it is desperately urgent for the Bucs to up their game and play at a higher level than just getting by to finish the season respectfully!
November 26th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Tye…What about all of the Bucs rookies, backups, and second year guys? It is not luck to win 7 games in the NFL, and no one can use inexerienced or back up QBs as an excuse, I am sure no one is willing to act like 3-13 did not happen for all the reasons you posted above. The other teams in the NFC South play the same schedule with the exception of two games, and I would say the Saints drew the easiest schedule of the devision. No one knew the Vikes and Cowboys would suck, just like everyone of the teams Tampa beat had the game chocked up as a W (at least thei fans did). So before the game is even played you have decided “the luck was only going to last so long”, but they still may win. Will it still be “luck” or will you be willing to say the team you are a fan of is finding ways to win football games?
November 26th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Remember Freeman is young and inexperienced too.
November 26th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
ok heres the difference. Monte kiffin didnt want his job anymore, Morris wants his, this is a different team thats for sure better than what we had in the locker room back then thats for dam sure coached better on the offensive side of the ball and a defense with something to proove. . . . kinda feels as thou we are comparing apples to oranges dont you think .