To be fair, things really looked good in the first half. The Bucs offense seemed inspired behind Jeff Garcia, driving twice and scoring both times, albeit a pair of field goals. But slowly, things came unraveled, like they did so often in 2006. The Seahawks came to life, their precision passing game and Shaun Alexander’s running taking their toll on the Bucs defense.
So, from the Bucs’ perspective, can you take pride in hanging with one of the NFC’s elite teams, or could you tell from the start things would end up the way they did? Were you excited by Garcia’s leadership and grit, or terrified every time he slipped out of the pocket? Were you encouraged by the quickness in Cadillac Williams’ first step, or concerned that he added to an already extensive injury history?
To be fair, things really looked good in the first half. The Bucs offense seemed inspired behind Jeff Garcia, driving twice and scoring both times, albeit a pair of field goals. But slowly, things came unraveled, like they did so often in 2006. The Seahawks came to life, their precision passing game and Shaun Alexander’s running taking their toll on the Bucs defense.
So, from the Bucs’ perspective, can you take pride in hanging with one of the NFC’s elite teams, or could you tell from the start things would end up the way they did? Were you excited by Garcia’s leadership and grit, or terrified every time he slipped out of the pocket? Were you encouraged by the quickness in Cadillac Williams’ first step, or concerned that he added to an already extensive injury history?
In short, is there really hope for this team?
i think so but it depends on if caddy garcia and kelly come back healthy. garcia looked great. caddy looked good the D looked good. I think there is hope. but it depends ont he injuries. There will be those idiots out there that will say blah blah blah like they did after the ravens game last year. Give them sometime to gell and if they are healthy i think we have a shot. every team on our division lost this weekend except the panthers. I think its a must win next week against the saints. if we can beat them and knock them to an 0-2 start we have a good chacne
I too think we might have something if all parts stay healty. But Your statement that we have a shot since other teams in our conference lost. That doesnt say much about our team if we have to rely on other teams bad play to make a playoff spot. Good teams get there on there own merits, right now we are not a good team
Why doesnt anyone point the finger where the problem realy lies. Before John Gruden was hired there was another coach that was hired by the Glazers.
Bill Muir. He is suppose to be a Offense Line guru. We have never had an offense line with him here. He’s had young players, older players, drafted player and seems to get nothing out of them. why don’t we ever hear any one call his name out. Is he protected by the Glazers who brought him in. Its easy to blame Guden he’s the head coach but the others coaches have to shoulder this self destruction. This include Kiffin and the special teams coaches. Its easy to single out Gruden. The first thing we need to do is SACK Bill Muir even if it means bringing in a college or high school offensive line coach. Tell me it could be any worse.Maybe we should have the offensive line players coach themselves. Look at the salry Bill Muir gets for nothing. If I did my job like he did I would have my butt terminated tomorrow. Maybe I should apply for the postition at least I watch the game with my eyes open.
To be fair, things really looked good in the first half. The Bucs offense seemed inspired behind Jeff Garcia, driving twice and scoring both times, albeit a pair of field goals. But slowly, things came unraveled, like they did so often in 2006. The Seahawks came to life, their precision passing game and Shaun Alexander’s running taking their toll on the Bucs defense.
So, from the Bucs’ perspective, can you take pride in hanging with one of the NFC’s elite teams, or could you tell from the start things would end up the way they did? Were you excited by Garcia’s leadership and grit, or terrified every time he slipped out of the pocket? Were you encouraged by the quickness in Cadillac Williams’ first step, or concerned that he added to an already extensive injury history?
In short, is there really hope for this team?
Hanging with one of the NFC’s elite teams? Has it come to this? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have gone from Super Bowl Champions just five years ago to being a “sparring partner” to the rest of the league! As for my .02 worth, the Glazers deserve what they’re getting. The winning combination was Dungy/Kiffin and because of their impatience they are now reaping what they have sown.
They brought in a “flash in the pan” head coach who after basically riding coach Dungy’s coattails to San Diego proceeded to dismantle the MACHINE that was our defensive line. After that, he went after the WR’s, then the best safety in the business, Lynch. IF he had left the team as it was and the Glazers had ponied up the dough like the rest of the “elite teams” do we would still be considered a force to be reckoned with and we would have at least one more Lombardi trophy at One Buc Place. I have been watching this franchise since I moved here in 1992 back in the Big Sombrero, Sam Wyche, Vinnie Testaverde days and guess what? They’re starting to look like that again! All they need now is to resurrect Bucko Bruce and the Dreamsicle uniforms. I remember a headline from the Trib back in those days that describes what happened today at Seattle:
“Once again the Bucs manage to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory!”
I went to the game today vs the Seahawks. I was pleased with the first quarter but unfortunately there are 4 quarters. Im disappointed but I still think this team has potential of going 9-7 or 10-6 and making the playoffs. GO BUCS!!!
Things looked really good in the first half because we scored 6 points? The point of the game isn’t to drive to the 20 and they kick a field goal. The idea is to score TDs and once again the Bucs were held without one. The Bucs’ basic problem is that the talent just isn’t there - you can’t win with one good WR, one good (we hope) RB, and an offensive line that can’t open holes for the RB. And once again we saw a former Buc starting on defense for a team that’s much better than the Bucs. Funny how we got rid of so many players thinking they were too old or that we had better back-ups or that they were asking too much money and other teams disgreed and made good use of them. You could almost build a respectable NFL starting team from Bucs castoffs. And there, my friends, is the reason why Gruden/Allen have been able to take a Super Bowl team and ruin it in three short years - terrible terrible personnel decisions.
Any thoughts on the Bucs special teams, particularly punt and kick coverage? One thing I’ve observed over the years is that the coaching of this unit really flies under the radar. Nothing against the man, but I really can’t remember a BIG special teams play from the Bucs in years. Omitting the kickers themselves (who are outstanding), it seems like we consistently are on the short end of the special teams plays - yesterday having two holding calls negating good returns, then getting punished by Seattle’s returns. When was the last time the Bucs blocked a kick, or even came close? Punt return for a TD? Why are we trotting out veterans like Galloway or Pittman - doesn’t seem like we pay any attention to these critical positions until all the roster spots are full. Where are the speedy, hungry, young players looking to make a name for themselves? Bucs special teams are never a strength, but if they were, it would take tremendous pressure off of the offense and defense. Seems like in every game for years, the Bucs O or D is having to climb out of a special teams hole of one sort or another.
Any thoughts on the Bucs special teams, particularly punt and kick coverage? One thing I’ve observed over the years is that the coaching of this unit really flies under the radar. Nothing against the man, but I really can’t remember a BIG special teams play from the Bucs in years. Omitting the kickers themselves (who are outstanding), it seems like we consistently are on the short end of the special teams plays - yesterday having two holding calls negating good returns, then getting punished by Seattle’s returns. When was the last time the Bucs blocked a kick, or even came close? Punt return for a TD? Why are we trotting out veterans like Galloway or Pittman - doesn’t seem like we pay any attention to these critical positions until all the roster spots are full. Where are the speedy, hungry, young players looking to make a name for themselves? Bucs special teams are never a strength, but if they were, it would take tremendous pressure off of the offense and defense. Seems like in every game for years, the Bucs O or D is having to climb out of a special teams hole of one sort or another.
good point I agree 100%. there was some real good kick coverage yesterday except for that one return. but im tired of not getting any returns and when we do it seems THEY ALWAYS COMEBACK becuase of penalties
Good news for The fans of the Old original 0-14 Bucs, That will not be the worst team ever after this year. This years Team will go 0-16! Thank You to Jon Gruden. You have achieved perfection!
Please God don’t let us go 0-16. I still see us taking 6 games, only if Garcia is healthy. We can survive without Caddy. I think E.G. and Pittman can take care of that. My problem with our play was our tackling again. Brooks got beat twice, once on a run and a pass. Will Allen looked like he never played before. Even B.K. couldn’t make a tackle in the second half. And could anyone please answer help me out, Why in the world do you run a reverse with Clayton?? Someone call the moving van, time for Chucky to go…
For starters, our special teams IS a little faulty, Coaching at the position is overrated. You really don’t need eleven guys to make a play on special teams. All you need is one. You need a solid kick returner (we’ve lacked that for, forever) You need a solid punt returner. ( Galloway is a good fit, but he can’t handle the duties as well as Number 1 receiver) and you need to good kickers. We’ve got that. You could have any top coach coaching the unit but if he himself isn’t returning kicks, kicking field goals, or knocking heads off, what difference would he make?
All that being said, there’s plenty of reason to believe. I agree with a lot said before me here. Our offensive line coach DOES make a difference and it’s time he goes. We’ve drafted a good looking offensive line. I think that gruden took an aging team to the Super Bowl and I don’t give a **** what you say it may have been Dungy’s team but he didn’t get them there. GRUDEN DID. Now Gruden has done a good job of getting a new, young, offense in here. If you give Gruden three more years JUST THREE YEARS, I’d guarantee AT LEAST a Super Zbowl appearance. I really, honestly, believe that. The only thing Gruden hasn’t done well here is handle the pressure. He’s a little arrogant and that arrogance backfired when he tried to go out and make ‘his own’ team of veterans. The stussies and garners were busts, but he has done a good job switching up and drafting solid rookies and bringing in young vets like June and Buchanon. We are STILL able to compete if our two lines could tighten up. (the offensive and defensive) Reduce and produce pressure respectively. Giving gruden the ax is only going to put us back in the same boat. Some other guy comes in, takes us to glory and it was alllllll “Gruden’s Team”. The ONLY way I’d be happy with Gruden replacement would be with Mike Tomlin back here, and that’s not gonna happen. Another point, look at all the coaches we’ve lost here since the Super Bowl. Christ, thank God Monte’s still here!
The ONLY way I’d be happy with Gruden replacement would be with Mike Tomlin back here, and that’s not gonna happen. Another point, look at all the coaches we’ve lost here since the Super Bowl. Christ, thank God Monte’s still here!
So, Bill Cowher would not make you happy? I find that surprising… not that he would take the job mind you, but the thought is intriguing to me....
But like you said, I have not given up hope on Gruden yet but I do think that this is the year he has to show some progress with the offense which had its best performance ever (10th ranked) in year two I believe, but has since then fallen back to the bottom of the league. We have to see something there for him to get another chance. More than 6 points every week, that is for sure.
I don’t think Bill Cowher would fit well with this team. On top of that, he is a defensive minded coach. We need an offensive minded one. I know, I know, so is Tomlin, but he has some familiarity with what we are trying to do here and with Monte Kiffin. But the likelihood of either man coming here is slim to none. Progress with the offense. Absolutely. If we can at least pull within a top 15 team on offense (and back into top ten on defense) I find that enough reason for Gruden to stick around. But as many may have noticed. I’m a Gruden fan to the death. (Meaning until we are last in ever statistical category. LOL.)
Tony Dungy was phenomenal here and turned the franchise around. However, he would not have won his Super Bowl in Tampa. I admire his loyalty, but his blind faith in the offense turning itself around was not working and would not have worked no matter how long he stayed. With his move, he inherited a ready-made offense and a phenom in Manning, someone who is single-minded in his commitment to success. Dungy’s light touch with the Indy team was just what they needed.
Tampa also found what it needed - a kick in the butt, and it was expertly applied by John Gruden.
However, as we now see, Gruden may not be the best team builder or feel-good guy. He appears to alienate certain players, and all Bucs fans yearn for the good karma that left town with Lynch, Sapp, Jurevicius and others.
My point in all this is - let’s be careful not to nudge John Gruden in the path of the oncoming bus. I share your frustration, and a move may need to be made at the end of this season if improvement does not come. But my memory is long, and in my book John Gruden earned a lifetime of mulligans with his Super Bowl victory.
Each season begins with probably 20 teams convinced that this could be their year, that the pieces are in place for a real shot at the title. Nineteen teams are dead wrong. Clearly, there is no specific formula, its not all about stats and what the “experts” say. It’s about performing for 60 full minutes 16 times a year, catching a lot of breaks, and a few strokes of good fortune with a player or two. It’s broken our way once, it could happen again and soon. Remember, the Bucs were soundly beaten at home in the opening game of the Super Bowl year, by a weak New Orleans team. Who would have predicted what was to come?
Let’s watch the games, cheer for our team, have a few cold ones. Hold off on the new coach speculation for a while, you’re missing some good football while your stewing. The Bucs time will come again.
NOW THAT IS MY KIND OF BUCS FAN! Very, very, very well put and I agree. Thank God there’s at least ONE REAL fan out there with a GOOD head on his shoulders. I loved the ‘lifetime of mulligans’ line. If you think about it he’s got 17 more years or so till we’re due for another.
