Bucs No. 22

June 25th, 2016
Is an 8-8 mark possible?

Is 8-8 possible?

Joe isn’t a big “Power rankings” kind of guy.

Oh, sure, Joe has posted that stuff. Found better things to write about.

But in a recent podcast on Pat Kirwan’s fantastic site, RealFootballNetwork.com, Kirwan issued power rankings for all upcoming training camps. He did not specifically rank each team 1-32, but offered what he called divisions, basically teams grouped into tiers.

Kirwan had the Bucs in the bottom half of the league in a group from No. 17-24, which he classified as “might surprise.” Based on his math, the Bucs are at No. 22.

This brings Joe to a recent conversation with Joe’s good friend Justin Pawlowski of Scout.com. If the Bucs got to .500 this year, 8-8, that surely would be an improvement over the last five years. A .500 record should, finally, get the Bucs out of the NFC South basement and may just get them a wild card berth. (Yes, Joe knows it’s been eight seasons since nine wins was enough for an NFC wild card spot.)

Last year, the Bucs won three division games. That sure seems doable this year. Going 3-1 against the Saints and Dixie Chicks doesn’t seem out of the question. The Saints and the Dixie Chicks don’t impress Joe.

So if the Bucs can win half of their division games, that leaves five wins out of the remaining 10 games to reach an 8-8 mark.

Is that doable?

38 Responses to “Bucs No. 22”

  1. Bucnut2 Says:

    22 sounds about right!

  2. Defense Rules Says:

    The longer the off-season drags on, the more positive I’m feeling about the Bucs chances to have a winning season. The shortfalls that existed in the past seem to have been fixed to various degrees. Coaching staff looks to be the best since our Super Bowl year. Offense made huge strides last year, and promises to be even better this year. Defense can’t help but get better, and I’m convinced it’ll be MUCH better this year. Special teams should be solid. Depth is still a concern, but same can be said for almost all NFL teams.

    Add them all together Joe and not only does 8-8 looks ‘doable’ but I now think that our 2016 Bucs will surpass that. Whether it’s 9-7 or 10-6 (or possibly even better) still not sure, but I’m optimistic that we’ll have a winning season. It all depends I think on how fast this team comes together once the real games begin.

  3. TheBucsAnthem Says:

    *******sighing********

    …….
    this is pointless

  4. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    I think it’ll be a rough start as the team gets its sea legs. But by game 4, I believe things will start turning toward the better…we might even have a win streak (maybe).

    8-8 is the acceptable mark for me. Anything past that is extra goodness. Really, this year…7-9 would begrudgingly be acceptable, depending on the reasons. If the Bucs play well, but the competition is just better, I could accept it.

    This year.

    Would rather have 8-8 or better though. 9-7 would mean a winning season…that would rock. I don’t want the playoffs unless we stand a chance to reach the conference championship. Otherwise, it would just hurt our draft position.

    A one and done scenario would have more negatives than positives.

  5. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    I hate to admit this but I would be ecstatic with 8-8……that would be an improvement with a tougher schedule…..I would prefer a steady process toward a championship team….and once we get there….stay there.

  6. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    @Tampabaybucfan

    /signed.

  7. BuccaneEric75 Says:

    There’s Bucnut2 again, always negative. If Glennon were to beat out Winston he would say 22 was way too low.

  8. BigHogHaynes Says:

    9 the magic # is 9, 9 wins or get ghost!

  9. Cobraboy Says:

    The Bucs could have easily been 8-8 LAST year even with crap D coaching. And this ’16 team is heads and shoulders above that ’15 team in almost every dimension.

    And the “tough schedule” thing has always been overrated. EVERY year a supposedly “not so good” team rises quickly, and a “good team” crashes and burns.

    Just more off-season filler…

  10. OneBuc55 Says:

    I expect the Bucs to be a pleasant surprise this upcoming season…imo our schedule isn’t as brutal as many think…10 wins for this Bucs team is very doable…if you look at our first 8 games the best QBs on our schedule during that stretch is Cam Newton, Carr, and maybe Ryan…

  11. Rrsrq Says:

    Better than 32

  12. Bucnut2 Says:

    I was being positive. The schedule will likely be much more difficult. You have an entirely new defensive coaching staff and the fact is many positions on this team still lack depth. If a WR, Linebacker, safety goes down we are in really bad shape. Additionally I expect LG to be a problem at the start of the season, JR is making a switch and it will take him time to adjust. Seeing the Bucs in that 17-22 group is seems about right.

  13. tickrdr Says:

    @OneBuc55:

    Carson Palmer sends his regards. Game 2 vs. Arizona
    2015: 4671 TDs, 35 TDs, 11 INTs, and 104.6 passer rating.

    tickrdr

  14. Maze Says:

    No doubt with a promising talented head coach and competent staff surrounding him the sky is the limit finally. Middle of the pack for now sounds about right especially with the schedule being twice as difficult then last year where loser Lovie coached his heart out all the way to the basement again. Exciting times in Tampa to be sure.

  15. BuccaneEric75 Says:

    I can see 17 more than 22. Then again, I did pick us to go 6-10 again.

  16. Buccfan37 Says:

    Tougher schedule? Well yeah, appears that way. Still can’t quash the fans enthusiasm with the new season closing in. Even for the lousiest teams the fans are excited for what might be.

  17. gotbbucs Says:

    I honestly think we have a chance to be very good this year. I hate picking records, so I won’t do it.
    Amazingly, I feel more concerned about our offense than I do the defense. They did a major disservice by not giving Winston more to play with and I’m worried that one or two injuries will bury the offense. The defense on the other hand I believe has some talent that’s been misused over the last few years. I think the Brent Grimes signing will be a big difference maker.
    If we can be in the playoff hunt with a couple games remaining I’ll be happy, but realistically, I think this could be a playoff team if they stay healthy.

  18. McClorasMaddenDaddy210 Says:

    12-4
    BUCS fans!!! Ask yourself, if we start out 3-0,then pick the 4 losses. I’m EXCITED to no end.
    Yes… we can easily start off strong.

  19. BuccaneEric75 Says:

    I might have to see a cardiologist if we start 3-0!

  20. Fsuking Says:

    Everyone thinks we are the same team. We are a playoff team. No Lovie and we filled our two biggest holes? Give us two good safeties and a receiver, we are super bowl contenders. Sleep on the Bucs all you want, we are coming.

  21. BuccaneEric75 Says:

    Don’t say no Lovie around BigHog.

  22. LakeLandBuc Says:

    8-8 will be a FAILURE, 10-6 at the minimum. It don’t matter about the schedule, they all are NFL teams. There is no SUPER TEAMS in the league, they all can be beaten.

  23. tmaxcon Says:

    I’m with BigHogHaynes koetter needs 9 wins to be yet another first time head coach for the incompetent lovie smith to look up at on the bucs all time win list…

  24. feelthepewterpower Says:

    2-3 start…and if they fool around and do even better will have us smelling playoffs at the end of the year. I don’t think we should settle for three wins…beating every team (not just Atlanta and NOLA) at least once should be the division goal.

  25. feelthepewterpower Says:

    tickrdr Says:
    June 25th, 2016 at 9:47 am
    @OneBuc55:

    Carson Palmer sends his regards. Game 2 vs. Arizona
    2015: 4671 TDs, 35 TDs, 11 INTs, and 104.6 passer rating.

    tickrdr
    ——————————–

    AZ has a great offense, no doubt….but Palmer is now 36. How much longer will he play at a high level. He looked absolutely awful vs. the Panthers. The Panthers left a blueprint (just like the Broncos left a blueprint on the Panthers) on how to beat them. Week two is still early in the year and the AZ offense won’t likely be clicking on all cylinders. Get in his grill, hit the old man, make him whince a few times and he’ll get gun shy on those deep passes they like to implement.

  26. salish_seamonster Says:

    I think 8-8 is very doable. I am expecting at least 8-8. There’s just too much talent on this team to accept a losing record.

  27. Mike Johnson Says:

    I had us at 25. But one cannot argue with 22. Question is..Where will be at seasons end?
    8-8? that’s a bunch of horse pile. You fans are lauding this new staff past JC (Jesus Christ) as the 2nd coming. So anything less than 9-7 is unacceptable.
    This new regime is this. This new regime will do that. Time to..walk on water Holy Koetter. Win or get ready for the gallows in Dodge City. I’m waiting……

  28. salish_seamonster Says:

    @Mike Johnson-

    So, clearly you’re a doubter. Not that there’s anything wrong with that… But no one is calling Koetter the savior around here. Many of us are just excited because we have a QB, some weapons, and we hired a good defensive staff, and added some good defensive players. And the reports from the team seem to indicate the players have a new energy and excitement that hasn’t been seen at OBP for awhile. So why shouldn’t we be excited? No one here thinks they’ve accomplished anything yet except having a good offseason. We know the games still have to be played. What’s wrong with feeling excited about this team? And why are you more interested in taking a dump on the excitement?

  29. Kevin Says:

    I think Sanu is going to be a big weapon across from Jones, and the saints only need better production from theyre defense. Carolina will likley not repeat last season and we should be much improved. Will be an exciting season to watch

  30. Brent bull/buc Says:

    Schedule toughness definitely matters. Our sorry schedule and jw are the reasons we got 6 wins. I see another 6 win team maybe 7 but schedule is tougher. 8-8 would be good year. 7 ok.

  31. BuccaneEric75 Says:

    Mike Johnson, the fans that like Koetter and Licht don’t have any bearing on how the season plays out. Just because they like them doesn’t mean we are going 9-7. I’m a fan of theirs but I’m still thinking 6-10. Next year for playoffs.

  32. BuccaneEric75 Says:

    If Lovie Smith was still the HC I would still say 6-10 this year and playoffs next season.

  33. Spacebuc Says:

    My hope is for winning at Ray Jay.
    So sick of getting spanked at home.
    At the very least, sweeping our division at home would be phenomenal.
    FIRE THE CANNONS!

  34. Bucnut2 Says:

    FSUking- please send me a big load of whatever you are smoking. We are NOWHERE near ready to compete for a Super Bowl. The NFL is NOT the ACC!

  35. Robertg Says:

    Buc nut, funny how the panthers went to the SB when they were 7-8-1 the year before .

  36. BuccaneEric75 Says:

    Bucnut2 is right, playoffs next season, but they’re not ready this season.

  37. Buc1987 Says:

    Fsuking Says:
    June 25th, 2016 at 11:12 am

    “Everyone thinks we are the same team. We are a playoff team. No Lovie and we filled our two biggest holes? Give us two good safeties and a receiver, we are super bowl contenders. Sleep on the Bucs all you want, we are coming.”

    AGREED!

    BuccaneEric75 Says:
    June 25th, 2016 at 11:20 am

    “Don’t say no Lovie around BigHog.”

    Classic! Ha ha ha ha

    salish_seamonster Says:
    June 25th, 2016 at 3:26 pm

    “@Mike Johnson-

    So, clearly you’re a doubter. Not that there’s anything wrong with that… But no one is calling Koetter the savior around here. Many of us are just excited because we have a QB, some weapons, and we hired a good defensive staff, and added some good defensive players. And the reports from the team seem to indicate the players have a new energy and excitement that hasn’t been seen at OBP for awhile. So why shouldn’t we be excited?”

    You was told!

    “Bucnut2 Says:
    June 25th, 2016 at 8:33 pm

    FSUking- please send me a big load of whatever you are smoking. We are NOWHERE near ready to compete for a Super Bowl. The NFL is NOT the ACC!”

    Not this season, but….NEXT!

  38. 1sparkybuc Says:

    10 wins with better players, coaching, and scheme, IF our key players stay healthy.