Stop The 1996 Talk Immediately
October 12th, 2014
Joe’s going to blow a freaking gasket if he hears one more reference to this Bucs team under Lovie Smith being like the Buccaneers of 1996 under Father Dungy.
It’s an insult at this point, in addition to being a stupid take.
Get out of fantasy land, and jump into reality.
Dungy was a rookie head coach with a bunch of young coaches and a roster without a load of established talent, including a garbage 24-year-old quarterback. But that team only allowed 23 points a game through their first six games en route to a 1-5 record, before breaking out to win five out of their last 10 and finish with the No. 8-ranked defense.
Your current Bucs have a veteran head coach, along with veteran defensive coaches and established defensive stars, but they’re getting worse in a win-now league that doesn’t believe in three-year plans and doesn’t forgive heartless play.
Lovie and general manager Jason Licht talked this offseason about how it wasn’t fair to expect patience from fans. Joe agreed. However, some patience is reasonable. But there is no reason to be patient with what was witnessed today, and for a defense that clearly doesn’t know what it’s doing.
Last week, Bucs icon Derrick Brooks, in addition to Dashon Goldson, insisted the Bucs’ defense is so “close” to understanding the nuances of their new scheme and close to being successful.
Again, this isn’t ’96. The Bucs’ defense is far off the mark, and Joe’s not going to duped into believing otherwise until there’s real change on the field.
October 12th, 2014 at 4:18 pm
Lovie is in WAY over his head….I listened to his press conference yesterday and was underwhemled by his monotoned empty words…then by chance I listened to a long interview with #55 on all sorts of subject…a stark contrast in leadership and answering questions. Lovie is an empty suit that has been swept to this point in life by his association with the greatness of others. I don’t mean to be harsh…but that is what I see……
October 12th, 2014 at 4:18 pm
is tackling and covering a nuance? is rushing the qb a nuance?
smh.
October 12th, 2014 at 4:18 pm
Anyone hear McCoy’s name today?
October 12th, 2014 at 4:20 pm
“a defense that clearly doesn’t know what it’s doing.
Last week, Bucs icon Derrick Brooks, in addition to Dashon Goldson, insisted the Bucs’ defense is so “close” to understanding the nuances of their new scheme and close to being successful.”
Wow. That sure is a disheartening thought.
October 12th, 2014 at 4:21 pm
Sirs,
You nailed it. No comparison to the Dungy era is warranted at this time. More suitable comparisons are mid-term Perkins and the Richard Williamson rebuild. Only the nadirs of Buccaneer futility are valid comparisons. This team has returned to humiliating rock bottom, and incompetent owners are to blame. Compare this team to Culverhouse teams (with the exception of ’79-’82) and you’re on to something.
October 12th, 2014 at 4:21 pm
Lovie must be wearing a breathing tank, because the water is leagues above his head.
October 12th, 2014 at 4:21 pm
“Lovie is an empty suit that has been swept to this point in life by his association with the greatness of others. ”
I agree. Think the entire hall of fame defense of Tampa + Dungy… THEN, think Urlacher and the rest of the Bears defense.
October 12th, 2014 at 4:22 pm
The defense has been figured out and neutralized by the rule changes. Time for something new Lovie.
October 12th, 2014 at 4:24 pm
Dam this is worse than the Raheem “the dream” era. This is some bull$hit. This team shows no life. Unprepared. Stagnant. Vanilla. No emotion. No heart. Gerald is non-existent again. I understand that DB’s have to cover but at some point in the game he has to get it all on his own. The great ones do. It’s a shame they couldn’t even sack immobile Flacco. Zuttah showed L&L they fukd up by getting rid of him.
October 12th, 2014 at 4:24 pm
This team looks like garbage. Smells like it too.
October 12th, 2014 at 4:27 pm
In 1996, despite the losses you could see the team improving every week. That’s not the case here.
October 12th, 2014 at 4:28 pm
1996? More like 1976
October 12th, 2014 at 4:29 pm
THANK YOU JOE! I hope BuccaneerBonzai and JBuc see this.
October 12th, 2014 at 4:33 pm
Now all they need to do is bring Dungy back, add Josh Freeman as the starting QB… to once and for all close out all arguments in the bay area.
Once that rock bottom has been hit, then and only then could Tampa break the Curse of Jon Gruden.
October 12th, 2014 at 4:33 pm
He’s gotta go. Honor his contract but cut him loose.
Fan support = money
Apathy is setting in and the fans won’t buy into this team over a Lovie Smith offseason.
The Glazers will MAKE more money if they fire him. Sadly, it’s easy to sell us fans hope.
October 12th, 2014 at 4:34 pm
@Phred absolutely. You could see it back then. After the San Diego game we all were like, ok we got something here. They had this guy named Hardy Nickerson that played like his hair was on fire and it seemed the team was feeding off it. He’s still worshipped by those players. That was a leader right there. All GMC does is stare into the camera and look befuddled. Nickerson would try to fight kickers he’d get some mad. Lovie needs a leader on that D and no one NO ONE is stepping up.
October 12th, 2014 at 4:37 pm
Andres you’re exactly right about McCoy. I say this every week about this dude. Where’s the fire? Aren’t you pissed they running / passing against you? Damn!
October 12th, 2014 at 4:39 pm
“He’s gotta go. Honor his contract but cut him loose. ”
can’t we hire a cheaper head coach…offensive coordinator or college headcoach and move lovie to defensive coordinator? since he is getting paid, can’t the team reassign him?
October 12th, 2014 at 4:40 pm
@Lynch right! didn’t he say it’s his team? He sure don’t act like it.
October 12th, 2014 at 4:44 pm
the defense this team runs will never work in todays pass happy league
October 12th, 2014 at 4:44 pm
Uuuuh whatever Joe I’m not saying it was you but it was completely media driven just like the talk of mccown looking good enough to be the starter during practice at ota’s
October 12th, 2014 at 4:47 pm
Rasta. Is that permatly on your clipboard or something. How many times are you going to post the exact same post. Thanks for wasting my time. Lol
October 12th, 2014 at 4:56 pm
Well it appears Frazier is a fraud. Time for Lovie to get rid of this guy and take over the defense.
October 12th, 2014 at 4:59 pm
I would love to see the 96 Bucs put some pads on and scrimmage against these fools. Those old guys would embarrass them.
October 12th, 2014 at 5:03 pm
I agree 100%. Comparing this debacle to the 96 team makes about as much sense as crying for an equally inept coach like Shiano to come back. It’s comparing apples to oranges.
October 12th, 2014 at 5:07 pm
The difference is
The Bucs have NO talent on this team. And lots of talent in 96.
October 12th, 2014 at 5:55 pm
The 96 team played better, even when it was loosing.
October 12th, 2014 at 7:09 pm
The no talent argument is weak. I believe there are coaches who could win with this roster. We have beasts all over the field, but they are unprepared.
October 12th, 2014 at 7:21 pm
1996>1976>2014
October 12th, 2014 at 8:22 pm
Lovie wants to employ another dinosaur defense, putting in the 1985 Bears 4-6 defense for next week….
October 12th, 2014 at 9:16 pm
“for next week…”
great idea! i bet you they don’t lose!
…..they don’t win, either, though and the fans get a reprieve. 😉
October 12th, 2014 at 9:51 pm
I always thought This ’96 comparison was idiotic. There ‘s no correlation whatsoever. This franchise is lost right now…
October 13th, 2014 at 3:44 am
RIP BUCS 2014-2015!
October 13th, 2014 at 8:16 am
really?
October 13th, 2014 at 8:22 am
Just google the 1996 Bucs!
Your facts are all wrong! First 5 games – opponents scored more than 23 points 3 times!!! First game 34 -3 Packers, third game 27-23 Denver, fifth game 27 – to DETROIT??? What are you looking at Joe?
Sorry, but Joe’s “facts” in this post are accurate. 100 percent. You can look it up. –Joe
No talent on that roster? Are you kidding me? Warren Sapp , Mr. Derrick Brooks, Alstott, Donnie Abraham, Hardy Nickerson! It was a terrible start like this year! HAVE SOME FAITH!!!
As for the talent, Brooks and Sapp will tell you personally that McCoy and David are better than the ’96 versions of them. Is Verner better than the ’96 version of Donnie Abraham? Again, the talent level is an opinion. These Bucs are not lacking in talent. Even those Bucs icons will tell you this team is more talented than in 1996. Brooks said it himself last week.-Joe
BTW – lost later that year to the Panthers 24 – 0! That was just their second year in the league. Were you even a BUCS fan back then???
October 13th, 2014 at 12:36 pm
” But that team only allowed 23 points a game through their first six games en route to a 1-5 record, before breaking out to win five out of their last 10 and finish with the No. 8-ranked defense.”
Regular season
Week 1 September 1, 1996 Green Bay Packers L 3–34
Week 2 September 8, 1996 at Detroit Lions L 6–21
Week 3 September 15, 1996 at Denver Broncos L 23–27
Week 4 September 22, 1996 Seattle Seahawks L 13–17
Week 5 September 29, 1996 Detroit Lions L 0–27
Week 6 Bye
OK Joe, Bucs allowed 34 to the Pack, 27 to the Broncos and 27 to the lowly Lions! What am I missing?
On to your other point – Lacking in talent no – but they were pretty talented back then – how many probowlers and hall of fame guys were on that team in 1996 – yet it took them time to produce as well is my point with you.
You want to give up hope now? Surely the decades that we all went through of being the laughing stocks of the league, should have weathered your emotions better than that! We are on the right path. It will get better. Go back and read the press clippings from then. Also many of our coaches then are back now. They WILL FIX THIS!!! No need to abandon ship so soon Joe!!!