Goodbye “Lasting Contender” Spin
January 2nd, 2011
"You better get your ass back here next season, Ronde. We're going for a ring!"
As Joe sits here cheering like hell for the Redskins and Bears, Joe is drinking an ice cold adult beverage and toasting away the “lasting contender” line that surely Raheem Morris and Mark Dominik won’t be spewing anymore.
Regardless of whether the Bucs head to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles next weekend, Joe can’t imagine the 10-6 Buccaneers won’t be looking to win a ring next year.
When at team goes 10-6 with a stud young quarterback and a young squad that should be much improved after getting healthy, said team absolutely has to make a hit-the-hole run at a Super Bowl.
Yeah, Joe wrote Super Bowl.
Health and fortunes change too fast in the NFL to monkey around and not go for the jugular when the window is there. As much as it seems these exciting young Bucs will be healthy and together forever, Joe’s seen too many teams self-destruct.
The lasting contender line the Bucs rolled out in the spring surely meant building through the draft to establish a core of strong players, but the Bucs are easily a year ahead of schedule or more.
“Win now,” Chucky’s only attitude, has no doubt returned.
January 2nd, 2011 at 7:21 pm
I agree, Joe…Much can change in a year, but this team should now be focused on a deep playoff run next season.
January 2nd, 2011 at 7:22 pm
He does nothing but show and prove on the field keep him around he’s the prototypical Buccaneer who knows how to win. I’d love to see him go out a winner next year
January 2nd, 2011 at 7:26 pm
It is time for the Bucs to start thinking playoffs for next season. Start thinking about beating teams with winning records more than once a year and start thinking about locking up these free agents from within that got them here. They need to resign as many free agents and coaches as they can to continue this winning tradition brought on by Raheem Morris.
The Bucs first need to commit to Raheem, then commit to the assistant coaches and then start resigning all their free agents.
Time for yet another offseason, where the fans are always winners… unless our management does something stupid.
January 2nd, 2011 at 7:30 pm
**ck Rex Grossman. That mofo keeps blowing it for the Redskins and they’ve had several oppurtunities to take the lead over the Giants!! I hope Shanahan is smart enough to put McNabb back in.
January 2nd, 2011 at 7:33 pm
This team lost the playoffs with that Detroit game.
Can beat the Saints on the road but can’t beat a Detroit team that lost 26 straight away games.
That’s why the Bucs will not go to the playoffs.
January 2nd, 2011 at 7:33 pm
God these games are driving me nuts!!!! I cant believe I am watching Michael Clayton in a Giants uniform. Were the Giants trying to miss the playoffs with a brilliant acquisition like that? LOL
January 2nd, 2011 at 7:40 pm
Gotta figure the Bucs are going to be picking late teens early 20 in the draft. After seeing Ruud get run over several times today, I think it’s time to look at the linebacker position, either in FA or in the draft. I would rather see them get a pass rush DE in FA, someone with developed skills, and get a LB or 2 in the draft. They definately need to spend some money on the FA market and begin making runs at the Super Bowl..
January 2nd, 2011 at 7:44 pm
I officially hate the Washington Redskins. They’ve been in the redzone like 4 or 5 times today and they fumble every time!!
January 2nd, 2011 at 7:54 pm
dont punish youself looking at those garbage redskins,allen and shanahan have finished off a once proud franchise
January 2nd, 2011 at 7:56 pm
Don’t fall into that trap Joe. I love this team, but they still have several huge holes, so they should not abandon the “lasting contender” approach now. We all saw what the “win now” approach can do to a team.
The Bucs will stay with the long-term. They may very well take a step back next year — lots of sophmore slumps and a tougher schedule — but the long term approach will keep them on track to be competitive for the next 5 – years (or more).
Patience Joe, patience.
January 2nd, 2011 at 7:57 pm
Leave it to Bruce Allen to put the final nail in our playoff coffin
January 2nd, 2011 at 7:58 pm
Why does building a lasting contender have to be the antithesis of winning now. i.e. Pats. What’s with Joe constantly attempting to force the bucs into offseason acquisitions in the free agent market. I agree there are plenty of holes that need to be addressed but if this “win now” talk means mortgaging the future than I simply ask….really? These guys have proven the ability to not only scour the earth for young talent but develop the guys they have brought to one buc. Joe is there something more to this? There has been too many posts to lead one to believe your somehow defending something.
January 2nd, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Both Games close what a way to end the season…
January 2nd, 2011 at 8:02 pm
Clayton just saved the giants by getting a 1st… lol
January 2nd, 2011 at 8:03 pm
And Clayton lol
January 2nd, 2011 at 8:03 pm
Wow, Michael Clayton just got a first down for the Giants
January 2nd, 2011 at 8:06 pm
Packers just won.
Proud of the Bucs, but damn. It’s been 3 straight years without the playoffs now.
January 2nd, 2011 at 8:08 pm
Trying not to be bummed out, Patrick. All in all, and GREAT season to be a true Bucs fan.
January 2nd, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Ok Bucs…. time to take a couple months to recover from some injuries. Get healthy. I’m hoping only Benn’s injury takes longer than that, and that everyone else is ready to get to work when practices start again. Hopefully the NFL and the Union can get things ironed out and leave no doubt about a season next year.
January 2nd, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Probably wont have a decent shot to the playoffs until 2012. Sophomore slump is going to suck.
January 2nd, 2011 at 8:23 pm
Jerry, why are you such a downer?
January 2nd, 2011 at 8:25 pm
Just like Freeman was supposed to have a sophomore slump? lol get off it
January 2nd, 2011 at 8:27 pm
Oh and Detroit hasn’t lost since it beat us right? NOT TO MENTION we got robbed in that game so says THE LEAGUE lolz
January 2nd, 2011 at 8:31 pm
If y’all could hear how well their are talkin about our Bucs (Long, Strahan, JJ, teri) lols its awesome. They just said the Saints brought it and got taken down and that we will be a threat to beat ANYBODY for years to come. I know its just talk but it’s good for our Bucs to finally get some love
January 2nd, 2011 at 8:32 pm
At least Clayton doesnt get to be the hero of a Giants playoff berth. I just couldn’ stomach that one.
January 2nd, 2011 at 8:43 pm
I don’t really see why we would need to go heavy in the free agent market this offseason. We didn’t this year and it worked pretty well. Bringing in a bunch of free agents is only going to stunt the growth of our younger players. I think it’s fine in a few key positions where we don’t have much young talent (LB, DE), but I like where we are in most other positions. Our young guys are only going to get better next year, and the way Dominik drafts, I think we’ll be fine.
January 2nd, 2011 at 8:44 pm
Yeah Rican- ur right. Just heard the OT on FOX and very positive things comin’ from that crew…finally SOME respect. We’ve got the building blocks in place and a hungry, young team. Hope they feel snubbed: extra motivation for next year.
Watch in a month or two: Freeman hittin’ the tape and throwin’ to Mike Williams in the offseason. He’s got to be the leader to spur the offseason. The Bucs’ success next year will come down to their preparation in the offseason…still very proud and won that “race to 10!”
GO BUCS!
January 2nd, 2011 at 8:46 pm
Did anyone hear what Jimmy Johnson said after the game about Morris? you tell a good coach by how his team progresses,lost big in tampa to the saints but won at new orleans.
January 2nd, 2011 at 8:53 pm
yea that was the same segment, he also said he should win coach of the year
January 2nd, 2011 at 9:20 pm
Getting kncoked out of the playoffs today was the best thing that could have happened to this team. I don’t recall they years, but I think it was the 96 Bucs that did well and everyone had ridiculously high expectations for the 1997 Bucs and they fell flat, something like 8-8? Again, I may have the years off, but the point is that losing the Detroit game and then winning your last game but still getting knocked out is a GREAT lesson for this young team.
January 2nd, 2011 at 9:23 pm
Lucas Jackson:
1997 was a playoff loss at Green Bay.
1998 the team was flat.
1999 the Bucs advanced to the NFC championship.
January 2nd, 2011 at 10:03 pm
Well Hawaiian, I dont think people are clamoring for big free agent money to be spent except in the positions you named. The Bucs dont need to sign a lot of free agents but they need to be willing to fork over the big bucks for the RIGHT free agents at DE or LB and possibly O-line. Meaning if someone like Ray Edwards is available you overpay him if you have to to land him despite the risk that his 20.5 sacks the last two seasons were more a product of playing on a line with beasts like Allen and the Williamses. Maybe splurge on a Lamarr Woodley to come in and give some actual teeth to that blitz out of the 3 man front that apparently isn’t going away. I dont think most people want to see the Bucs turn into the Redskins. Just have stones to go out and pay whatever it takes to bring in a couple big name free agents at the positions with the biggest holes.
January 2nd, 2011 at 10:29 pm
@Gitarlvr,
That’s exactly my point, couldn’t agree more. There’s no doubt our biggest weakness this year was putting pressure on the QB. We got much better as the year went on, but I don’t think we have any young studs at DE on this team. We need to get better quickly at that position. That can be done by the draft (and I’m fine with that), but that might be a good place to grab a veteran free agent. As for the 3 LB’s, I don’t think any of them suck, but at the same time I don’t think any should have their job handed to them next year. All that being said, no matter what we do in the offseason, I’m going to support it. I believe this regime has earned that. It’s great to have so much faith in our GM and coach. There are a whole bunch of teams in the NFL that envy our situation.
January 2nd, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Funny thing is I was at the 1997 playoff loss in Green Bay (Maybe I am showing the impact of all those early morning brews and brats).
Thanks Joe.
January 2nd, 2011 at 11:05 pm
I absolutely agree. They have holes to fill but with a couple good draft picks and a couple free agent signings, they can fill them no problem. Most noteably is DE. I see them signing one AND drafting one in rund 1. That, along with Bennett could do the trick there.
DT is set. McCoy and Miller should get better. Okam should get better. Price should be healthy.
The secondary has some good players: Biggers & Lewis got some valuable playing time and then they ge Talib back. Sean Jones should be resinged and Grimm comes back. Not sure what happens with Tanard Jackson, but I can see them signing him to a vet minimum with a short lease. They probably need to draft a safety and/or sign a free agent for depth.
The LBs is tricky. I think Hayward & Watson looked good in limited action. Hayes needs to be more consistent. Black is consistent, but not much better than average. Ruud is the question. I would love a big run stuffing MLB, but he is the leader and play caller out there… so not sure what they do. Either way, I see LB becing taken in round 2. In my opinion it should be a MLB.
Offense basically needs a little O-Line depth which I see being taken in round 3 and/or a free agent. Other than that, they showed that they do have some good young guys who are capable backups.
WRs are set. I really like Parker’s explosiveness and Briscoe is a big, move the chains type backup. Hopefully Benn is healthy at training camp. I also hope they don’t lose Stroughter in the mix, I think he could be a good 35+ catch guy out of the slot.
RB. My guess is they keep Caddy for the leadership and blocking but I would love them to take a scat back type, unless they feel confident Huggins can be healthy and fill that role.
WOW. Great season. Expecting 4-6 wins, but got 10. Impressive. Can not say enough about Freeman. What a feeling to know the Bucs, for the FIRST time ever, have a franchise QB.
Add to all that the fact that Raheem and Olsen should only get better at playcalling as well…. and Olsen should get better at getting the play in quicker!
Going to be a fun ride this offseason and it should role all the way to the playoffs.
January 2nd, 2011 at 11:38 pm
Don’t fix what isn’t broke. Big name FA’s rarely live up to thier contracts and tend to have a negative effect on team chemistry. We’ve got alot of good young hungry players that should only get better. Continue to draft depth behind what’s already in place and add FA role players in the remaining holes. It’s a natural progresion that has work for the Pats and Colts for years, no reason why it won’t work for the Bucs. Freeman is the key, as long as he continues to work his ass off in the offseason the rest will follow. Just get ready to hold on for the ride.
January 2nd, 2011 at 11:58 pm
Dont be surprised if Olson gets a head coaching opportunity next year.
Not since Derrick Brooks have we drafted a first round LB.
January 3rd, 2011 at 2:06 am
Dave-
Neither Sean Jones nor Tanard Jackson need to be resigned. They are both already under contract for next year.
Guest#27- Olson a head coaching job? Sorry man where exactly did you hear anything from any credible source to the effect that Olson is being looked at as a head coaching candidate? Think your just ahead of the curve or something? Im sorry but the Bucs did not have that good a year offensively that Olson is even in the ballpark of landing a HC position.
Gotbbucs- Big name free agents rarely live up to their contracts so the strategy is to sign crappy free agents instead? Yeah that makes sense.
The fact is big name free agents do quite often do live up to their contracts when signed to a team that is already a good, competitive team. The Redskins have proven that your not guaranteed to turn a bad team around just by throwing money at every free agent in sight but no one who wants to see some free agent signings is asking for that. We are asking for a few big name free agents to fill key holes but you want to sign role players????? This isnt the NBA. We don’t need “role players”. We need quality starters at DE and a star in the linebacking core.