I, like most people, wish we would have done a little in free agency. I understand why people would be very disappointed and question the organization. However, besides the DLine (which we have invested so much in over the last 2 years with the draft) and MLB, I really can’t think of a position that we really NEED to bring in more talent. Nnamdi would have been wonderful, but in reality he would be a luxury pick. The talent is there at every position now, it’s just green. I don’t know if it is a good idea to take players off the field to be replaced by veterans, because it could potentially stunt their growth. If we are awful this year, then I think our complaints will be justified, but Dominik has proven to me that he is better at running an NFL team than I am.

Several RBs flattened our “leader”…. well, that would imply more than two, so I’d like to know which three (or more) and I guess that depends on the definition of “flattened”. The most discussed “flattening” was the Chris Ivory run. Of course it’s all but forgotten that on the exact same drive Ruud forced the fumble at the goal line to prevent the TD and regain possession.

Not that it really matters, Ruud is gone. Like him or hate him, he’s not on our team and all we have to worry about is who will step up and how will they do. If anyone wants to gauge Ruud’s performance this year, please don’t look at the rushing numbers against the Buccaneers. Go look at the rushing numbers of the team he plays for. Look at the tackles and forced fumbles and INTs and all the other stats you want. But look at the team he now plays for. His absence from our team will not determine whether we are 10th or 18th or 31st or whatever against the run… That will all be reliant upon the guys we have on this team now.

We might miss Ruud in the short term but we want long term greatness and I doubt Ruud would have given us that.

Ruud is gone and that’s a fact.
Not many teams wanted him, based on reports and a one year term, fact.
Black was retained-paid more and that’s a fact.
Black is a better athelete and more upside, Bucs say and NFL says fact.
Bucs are committed to long term building, fact.
The Bucs beat the Saints in Week 17, that’s a fact.
The Bucs were in the bottom portion of the league against the run, fact.
Several running back flattened our “leader” on defense, fact.
Bucs are ascending, regardless of our opinion, fact.
Bucs will have a young MLB that will make mistakes, fact.
Bucs coaching staff will be under enormous pressure to produce, fact.
Bucs can win and qualify for the playoffs, fact. (If they perform and grow)

The point here is some of you arrogant fans ignore that we would not be here without change. It’s funny how you all see what you want to see and make things negative. Everyone mocked the Bucs for hiring Dom/Morris. They mocked the youth movement. They mocked the signings, mocked the decisions of the Glazers and now look at our fan base. We are a fragile and young fan base that turn our back on our team quickly. The Cowboys and Redskins all have been losers for a long time but at least their fans support the team through it all. Dammit, I stand behiind my team and I proved it by driving to Tampa 2 years ago to see the week 1 loss to Dallas and I coming to this years game against Saints in Tampa (not driving again-lol). Guys, Ruud play is on film and it’s evident that no one was chomping at the bit to sign him. He thought his payday was awaiting him and he didn’t factor in whether you play Tampa-2, 4-3, 3-4, 46, or hybrid the game is still between the hashes. Tackle, cover, and hit. Also I don’t want a sensitive MLB that can’t take criticism but yet he can give a half-ass effort in avoiding contact. ITS ON FILM. IF IT WASN’T HE WOULD HAVE A CONTRACT TWO YEARS AGO. MLB’s are like QB’s they don’t sniff free agency if their worth keeping. Like the Commish said,” The writing was on the wall years ago.” Penn got paid and Ruud didn’t. Case closed.

Without change there is no growth in a rebuilding organization. Even at your job’s, what do you think happens when there is no production or when there is no ROI? Changes are coming and movement happen. Can you say that finishing bottom half against the run is a cry for change when you are drafting young talented lineman and you still are geting gashed left and right, even with Sims and Hovan and co. Yes these are facts and justifiable change. Best wishes to him and his family. In the long run, the ceiling is higher for Foster or McKenzie. I like their attitudes and the fire. It’s all on tape.

You miss the playcalling but not the playmaking.

“The loss doesn’t ruin Atlanta’s two primary goals. The Falcons can still wrap up their first division crown since 2004 and home field through the NFC playoffs by knocking off two-win Carolina at home in the final week of the season.”

This means that if the Saints won in week 17, and the Falcons lost, the Saints would have won the division. I know the Falcons losing to Carolina in week 17 was very unlikely, but the Saints did have a chance and did play to win until they heard the Falcons were killing the Panthers and took their starters out in the 4th quarter. It wasn’t a meaningless game for the Saints.

And I sure as hell enjoy future stars learning on the job right here right now.
I’m going to have a lot of fun this season and NO amount of uneducated and totally unnecessary negativity is going to change that.