“We’re About To Shock A Lot Of People”

June 3rd, 2013

Donald Penn may not be as large as some have claimed, but he does talk real big.

When Joe talked to Penn last week, Penn said emphatically of his beloved Bucs, “We’re about to shock a lot of people [this season].” He went on to say media and fans need to be focusing on the greatness of the team and how offseason moves have “put us above the level.”

The use of the word “shock” stood out to Joe, especially considering most observers (outside of Las Vegas) already believe the Bucs have a playoff-caliber roster.

In Penn’s world, does “shock” mean winning the NFC South, winning a playoff game, rolling out a top-5 offense behind a bruising offensive line?

Joe’s not sure what would constitute a “shock” to most Bucs fans. But Joe knows a revived pass rush, a top-10 defense and a division title sure would take Joe by surprise.

33 Responses to ““We’re About To Shock A Lot Of People””

  1. Raphael Says:

    I agree totally with Penn.! If Nicks and Joseph stay healthy…..look the f out !

  2. Walter Says:

    I personally wouldn’t be “shocked” if we won the NFC South this year. I expect great things from the Bucs this year.

  3. BigSombrero Says:

    While some media members do think the Bucs are playoff caliber, most do not. Just look at the power rankings, does anyone have the Bucs over 20? Now most of the hesitation they claim is due to Freeman though so it seems most media members believe we have a very capable roster, as long as Freeman shows up.

  4. BigSombrero Says:

    Then of course there’s … Shaun King.

  5. BucFanForever Says:

    I am definitely not one of the many people that Penn was referring to.

    Shocking to me would be less than 5 wins.

  6. Luther Says:

    @Raphael I agree with you. If Nicks, Joseph and Revis and healthy, we are in for a great season.

  7. TimBucTwo@OneBucPalace Says:

    …..and Jackson …..and Martin …..and David, Bowers, Clayborn, etc… we need them all, all the way to the end.

  8. Couch Fan Says:

    I would like to think shocking is going deep into the playoffs.

  9. Mike J Says:

    BigSombrero , the ”USA Today” NFL preview has the Bucs #12,

  10. DCBUCSFAN Says:

    Shock is a Super Bowl appearance!

  11. Pete 422 Says:

    I agree that health is the main issue. If they stay healthy, this O-Line and the team will do some damage. I don’t care about power ranking etc. because that is why they play the games.

  12. Illuminati Says:

    If we can avoid the injuries and suspensions that have plagued us the last few seasons, we can be seriously good.

    Freeman can have the occasional bad game, but he has to avoid the four- and five-game horror shows. Six of our last seven games last season Freeman’s QB rating was below 80. He also threw 12 of his season-total 17 picks during that stretch. That ain’t gonna cut it if we want to sniff the postseason this year.

  13. Cmurda Says:

    I don’t care about Power Rankings. It depends who is power ranking them. For example, if I was doing so, the Bucs would be number 1 every year just because I say so. If Revis, Davin, and Nicks are healthy, we are making the playoffs.

  14. BigSombrero Says:

    @Mike J- Thanks for the info.

    @Cmurda – Im with you, power rankings dont mean much. But I do like and respect Coach Billick because he is one of the more knowledgeable and small market friendly analysts out there. He has been high on Tampa since last season but still has us at 20 I believe due to question marks at QB. I think Free gets it together and as everyone else has said, with a little luck injury wise, we can make some noise in January.

  15. Vic66 Says:

    It’s all about #5 keeping his head out of his but. If he’s steady then we will be alright. If he throws in the dirt or to the other jerseys, we are -‘d! If that happens, Glennon better be ready to go. We can’t afford to let Freeman cost us 3 or 4 straight losses again this year.

  16. Rahb Says:

    Shock Me!

    Show up with a Top 10 Defense to pair with 2012’s Top 10 Offense and mix in some Coaching and Game Day decision making. We’d then ALL be Shocked at how far The Buccaneers would go!

    ALL THE WAY TO METLIFE STADIUM IN FEBRUARY

  17. Braheem Says:

    @ Joe
    A Top 5 Offense should be a snap since The Freeman Led Buccaneers were a 9th ranked Offense in 2012 with a depleted O-Line and operating in a new system.

    So my fellow Buccaneer Fans
    Josh Freeman IS NOT what is holding back The Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Josh can up his play but everybody else must do so as well including coach Schiano in practice and game day
    2013 MUST BE A TOTAL TEAM EFFORT!

  18. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Rest In Peace Mr.David “Deacon” Jones (December 9, 1938 – June 3, 2013) It was a pleasure to have meet you. You also represented Greatness Personified. You will be missed Sir.

  19. Joc Says:

    8-8 some talent but to many holes

  20. Andrew 1 Says:

    ^^^^^ love the optimism

    @ LUV

    thanks for the info. R.I.P Deacon

  21. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    @Andrew

    Eatonville’s very own.

  22. Illuminati Says:

    During Revis’ tenure with the Jets (not counting last season), they averaged giving up 197.38 passing yards per game. That’s 100 yards less per game than we gave up last year. If we could have done that last year, coupled with our rush defense, we would have been the number two defense in the league.

    We know Goldson is solid. If Revis is near full strength, and Wright keeps his head on straight, and Banks shows anything, then we’ll have a scary good defense.

    And RIP Deacon Jones.

  23. Cmurda Says:

    @ Joc. Too many holes? Yes, however that was last year. Our greatest hole saw a trade for a stud CB, a ridiculous Safety F.A. signing, and draft attention. Father time has healed Nicks, Joseph, Clayborn and Bowers in the trenches. LB is headed by David with emerging backers to the sides. Where are the too many holes? Qb and where else??? I agree with those putting our season on Freeman’s shoulders. Im actually going to care about the preseason this year solely because I want to see how potentially NFL ready Glennon could be. We cant afford another late season, playoff diminishing, mojo depleting Freeman 4 or 5 game collapse. Either Freeman propels himself to the next level and his pockets get fat or the nose to the grindstone QB search begins.

  24. Dreambig Says:

    The Season cant get here fast enough! So far, it looks like the Bucs front office and coaches have done a tremendous job, loading this team with talent. I hope Penn is right and it all comes together. Football is all about momentum, and it swings both ways. The Bucs early in the season looked like they were close to putting it together and then came injuries and aderall. With key players getting older, better coaching, and better roster than we have had in a long time, a significant leap this year would not be a shock.

  25. Killian Says:

    I think many of you are forgetting that the Bucs would have made the playoffs if they had an average pass defense last year. Sure, Free was inconsistent, but he would have led this team to the playoffs if the pass defense would have shown up in the games.

  26. Joc Says:

    Vegas dosent miss a trick. Db other then revis is hole. Foster can’t cover anyone and how is the right backer (Hayward???) D line other then McCoy no pressure combined with one corner.

    Then Josh will lose 4 winnable games on is own.

  27. Bobby Says:

    Vegas doesn’t miss a trick?? They had Philly winning 10 games last year and Jacksonville winning 8. Yeah….they always predict soooooooo accurately. Use your head for something besides a dart board. The Bucs are loaded and should have a winning season and make the playoffs. There is NO reason not to.

  28. Sneedy16 Says:

    Vegas really. Vegas just is all about last years stats. They don’t care about signings or draft. The seahawks were only supposed to win 5 games last year and look what they did. 8-8 season? Come on man that’s for that to happen it will have to do with injuries. I don’t know what kind of fan you are, but assuming that Josh will lose 4 games before the season start is being a pessimist.

  29. Eric Says:

    Sean Payton v. Mike Smith v. Greg Schiano?

    Matt Ryan v. Drew Bress v. Josh Freeman?

    Our chances are slim bases on the two most important positions on a pro football team.

  30. PRBucFan Says:

    I agree Penn, no one is REALLY giving us a shot.

    Let’s shock the world!

  31. Walter Says:

    @Eric

    There’s more to football than the head coach and QB. If there wasn’t, why haven’t Brady & Belicheck won a Superbowl in 10 years?

  32. Braheem Says:

    Here is an Idea
    I am placing it on Revis’s Shoulders. He who pulls down the greater pay check should also pull the greater responsibility.

    So where does Freeman fall on the Salary chart? Well that is where he is in line of responsibility for the Bucs Fate! Boom just like the rest of us when we are on the Job.

  33. john Says:

    okay 19-0 we hve the best pass rush and the best qb and lb core in the nfl. what was i thinking.