More Tanking Allegations
June 29th, 2015
There are plenty of X-files in recent Buccaneers history.
Why did Michael Clayton get a fat new contract when fans knew he couldn’t catch the football? Why was career loser Josh McCown handpicked to lead the Bucs back to the Super Bowl?
The list is endless.
Why did the Bucs think TV blackouts (2010) were a good business move with a winning, young football team on the field?
How could the Bucs let home-developed talent Michael Bennett walk after a spectacular 2012 season, one in which he was outstanding stopping the run, and rushing the passer inside and outside?
Another big X-file was keeping McCown on the field after naming Mike Glennon “quarterback of the future” in a lost season last year.
It was incomprehensible, and the absurdity was compounded by the Bucs rushing to cut McCown shortly after the Super Bowl.
But eye-RAH! Kaufman has ideas.
The famous Tampa Tribune scribe believes it’s fair to think the Bucs playing McCown was foul play at work, so he told Jenna Laine of WHBO-AM 1040 last week.
“With Josh McCown turning the ball over left and right last season, late last season, Lovie Smith never went back to Mike Glennon. Now I guess you could argue at that point whether Jason Licht and Lovie Smith wanted to win another game,” Kaufman said. “So that’s an interesting point. Maybe they thought Glennon just might win a game or two and mess up that No. 1 pick. Because I think you’d agree with that they had their sites on Winston even before last season ended. I think that’s true.”
The real truth lives in the cone of silence at One Buc Palace.
Kaufman later noted that the alleged tanking for Jameis Winston is a big piece of evidence why there is no quarterback battle in Tampa. Too much has been invested (including losing?) in Jameis to allow him to compete with Glennon.
June 29th, 2015 at 11:11 am
Bennett might hold out into training camp, for more $, after 1 year of a 4 year deal. I don’t know, Tampa might have dodged a bullet on that one. He’s good, but not as good as he thinks he is.
June 29th, 2015 at 11:17 am
After reading your lead in, it sounds to me like the Bucs braintrust just can’t make up their minds which way is up.
June 29th, 2015 at 11:19 am
yea and maybe we can get him back too!!
June 29th, 2015 at 11:20 am
Thanks Ira…but I played out that scenario MONTHS ago on JBF. Said the exact same shyte too. That Glennon would be trying hard to impress his new coach and might win a few games, then they would miss out on Jameis.
Made sense to me 4 months ago, nothing’s really changed my opinion on the matter.
Thanks again Ira.
June 29th, 2015 at 11:23 am
Thus is why I made the bet for the jersey. I was confident that they were tanking the season to get Winston loooong before the season was over.
That bet was a lock in my mind and I told Erik the clean athletics guy the same thing in my e-mail to him about the jersey.
June 29th, 2015 at 11:26 am
Don’t tell that to Chris Landry who was quite adamant that, not only were the Bucs’ minds not made up until the pick was turned in, but that Lovie Smith preferred Mariota.
And how did he know this? Well, he told us that he was in closed door meetings with the Bucs brass.
What a joke
June 29th, 2015 at 11:27 am
We had NO beat….no doubt about it….hadn’t won a home game all year we bench Vjax, ME13 & LVD…..have Taveres King running routes….you do the calculating….were we trying to win?
June 29th, 2015 at 11:27 am
Buc1987 Says:
October 20th, 2014 at 1:03 pm
Tanketh for Jameth!
June 29th, 2015 at 11:30 am
Whats worst. Lovie Crow barring in his hand picked QB ( like he has done before.) . Or the fact that they threw the season with 6 games left with the guy that they hand picked to ” win the season” in Old man McCown.
To me, whether the season was earned or they threw the season. when you win 2 games the spot light is now on in season 2! There better be a huge turn around, improvement as now everything is under scrutiny!!! If he only wins 4-6 games and has clock management issues, he should be gone in my book!!!
Lovie will be scrutinized with a microscope this year!!! the honeymoon is over!!!
June 29th, 2015 at 11:31 am
“Buc1987 Says:
October 20th, 2014 at 1:03 pm
Tanketh for Jameth!”
Oil Derrick Brooks Says:
January 22nd, 2014 at 8:49 pm
Don’t win for Winston!
My old username of course.
June 29th, 2015 at 11:33 am
Here’s MORE!
Buc1987ForJameis Says:
November 6th, 2014 at 9:12 pm
“TBBF…there’s not much you can do about it when you realize they are tanking the season now is there? Rooting for them is fruitless when you already know the outcome.”
“Will I cheer when the Bucs score or get a sack? Hell yes I will, but in the end I just know they will lose…on purpose.”
June 29th, 2015 at 11:57 am
I didn’t think this was still a debate. The only debate would be witch game the tanking began. Had to be after the Washington game.
June 29th, 2015 at 12:13 pm
Me and 87 been saying this for how long. 2 and 14 record yes not a 2 and 14 roster. Bucc the realist!!! We are finally in agreement the microscope will be on Lovie this season but the results will exceed 4 or 6 wins I assure you my friend. Just read and article written by a N.O. Saints beat writer he described the Buccs in his opinion as sleeping Giant. I hear people on here all the time talking that many holes chit. I get the feeling others around the league aren’t seeing it that way.
June 29th, 2015 at 12:14 pm
Perhaps Johnson and Collins knew the tank was on too?
June 29th, 2015 at 12:18 pm
not really sure why theyd do that. Jameis is a failure and Glennon will be the starter when its all said and done
June 29th, 2015 at 12:19 pm
There was no tanking just poor play by “he who shall not be named” and poor decision making by Lovie, as usual. The only game they “tanked” was the second half of the last game vs the saints. If you watch the highlights or game tapes the bucs were trying to win every game late until “hwsnbn” fckd it up as usual. But if it make you feel better, by all means they lost “on purpose” lol child please. Too much ice cream in OTAs led to too much ice cream in the 4th qrt.
June 29th, 2015 at 12:24 pm
Speaking of tanking, word on the street is that Mariota is trying to get traded to the Eagles. 253 of 256 rookies have been signed. MM and 2 players on the colts roster remain un-signed. The theory on the streets is MM for 2qbs and picks. Eagles have Tebow, Bradford and Sanchez.
Maybe Mariota only want to play for chip? I wonder if the CBA would allow such a trade?
June 29th, 2015 at 12:37 pm
If they tanked on purpose, it was the single greatest personnel move that this sorry franchise has made since hiring Chucky in 2002.
June 29th, 2015 at 12:42 pm
How could a coach who tried not to win ever look his players in the eye and think they had any respect for him?
June 29th, 2015 at 12:56 pm
I swear the Saints were trying to lose that last game too! Man, that was a hard one to watch. Only Bucs’ game I’ve ever wanted them to lose.
June 29th, 2015 at 1:09 pm
Tom E. You mean the same players that took a team vote to go after WINSton. Or am I missing something?
June 29th, 2015 at 1:11 pm
I wonder how much scrutiny the Colts were under after doing the same d@$! thing a few short years ago for Luck’s services.
June 29th, 2015 at 1:18 pm
Everyone knows we tanked, and I am glad we did.
Finally, Tampa will have a real live franchise QB, for a change.
June 29th, 2015 at 1:37 pm
Anybody else want to pat themselves on the back?
June 29th, 2015 at 1:50 pm
I get that we had N.O. beat. But N.O. didn’t exactly move the earth and stars trying to beat us. That game was disgusting!!! It’s like the Saints didn’t want us to have Jameis and we were bound and determined to get him. Which team wanted to tank it the worst. Close call but in the end we win!!!
June 29th, 2015 at 2:09 pm
I don’t think the plan coming into the last season was to “tank it for Winston” but as the loses piled up and playoffs were no longer a reality I’m sure the subject came up…With that said, I can see why people would feel this way…After the 1st win @ Pitt I was sure that Glennon would be handed the starting job; to my surprise, it didn’t happen…
Also, one could argue that the Bucs passing on a QB in the 2014 draft was a sign that the tank-job was already in play…Ultimately, I believe that L&L had Winston on their radar from the very beginning of the regime; I believe that as the final quarter of the disappointing 2014 season rolled around the the only thing left to play for was draft positioning…I think it was a smart move…why not make sure you get first dibs on the player you covet…
Although it hurt to watch my team lose 14 games It was all worth it when we drafted “America’s QB” Jameis Winston….I compare it to a Mother during child-birth…It hurts like heck during the process but when it’s all over and you’re holding that baby in your arms the pain you endured becomes an after-thought…Now I can’t wait to show the league our new baby…
June 29th, 2015 at 2:46 pm
OAR Says:
June 29th, 2015 at 1:37 pm
“Anybody else want to pat themselves on the back?”
I can post some more references I made about the tanking….
June 29th, 2015 at 2:53 pm
WS99…if the poor decision making stops this next season and they look good, win more than they should. Then I’m right and you’re wrong.
It’s a simple as that.
I’ve seen my fare share of crappy Bucs teams, as many others have. Last years team could not have possibly been THAT bad. There’s just no way they were going to go backwards from Schiano to Lovie. No matter how much you don’t like Lovie. Backwards? Child please.
June 29th, 2015 at 2:58 pm
87
“I can post some more references I made about the tanking….”
Exactly….why? BTW be careful and don’t pull your arm muscle.
June 29th, 2015 at 3:01 pm
Oar…I would do it only for your benefit of course.
June 29th, 2015 at 3:03 pm
Sad to think they tanked….period. Not the head coach or coaching staff or players I want on my team, but I guess I’m stuck with them.
June 29th, 2015 at 3:40 pm
THE ROOKIE QB TURNS THINGS AROUND: BUCCANEERS
(Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
(Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
The Buccaneers might be the most talented 2-13 team in the history of the league. There’s a reason Tampa Bay was a popular preseason pick to make the postseason in 2014. The biggest reason Tampa Bay failed to meet those expectations? Poor play by quarterbacks Josh McCown and Mike Glennon. The Buccaneers have a number of other problems — namely a underwhelming offensive line and a toothless pass rush — but this is a quarterback-driven league, and it’s difficult to win without one. Enter Jameis Winston, the most pro-ready passer in this year’s draft. Winston ran a pro-style system at Florida State and has the big-time arm to take advantage of Tampa’s multiple down-field threats. The rookie quarterback is more than willing to take shots deep, which will make Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans very happy. There have been many recent examples of rookie passers turning around a franchise, and, of the seven quarterbacks taken in this year’s draft, Winston has the best shot to do it in 2015.
Recent examples: 2011 Bengals; 2012 Colts, Seahawks and Redskins; 2008 Ravens and Falcons
June 29th, 2015 at 3:48 pm
87
Watch the highlights on the 2nd panthers game. If you still think they lost that game on purpose I’ll spot you your $1500 this week. 😉 jk
June 29th, 2015 at 4:20 pm
WS99…you would have to pay me to re-watch any of last season first! lol
June 29th, 2015 at 4:23 pm
It’s too late anyways.
I already convinced myself ago that, that was the only reason why McCown remained the starting QB. To me there simply is no other reason.
June 29th, 2015 at 4:37 pm
Ok I see what you’re saying. The fact that “he who shall not be named” was playing in itself was a tank job. I see it and you see it but Lovie was confident that he gave us the best chance to win. So once again it’s on Lovie.
But I have to admit him crying on the podium was classic. If we were trying to lose no one told him.
June 29th, 2015 at 7:42 pm
“But I have to admit him crying on the podium was classic. If we were trying to lose no one told him.”
Hilarious!
June 29th, 2015 at 7:47 pm
McCown seems well liked up in Cleveland from all I’ve read. The Browns must have watched his “highlights” from last year QB’ing the Bucs.
June 29th, 2015 at 8:23 pm
By the time we got to November, there’s no way Lovie could possibly think McCown gave us the best chance to win. They let him go pretty early in the Offseason. If they were that sure about him being gone they would have never let him play over Glennon the last 5 or 6 games. A coach would never tell the players to lose on purpose. It’s all about the players that the coach plays that goes into tanking. It might not have started week 8, but it sure as hell started before week 17.
June 29th, 2015 at 8:25 pm
Theory….
Is it possible for a coach to be brilliant enough to make his team tank without them knowing it? Sounds impossible, but think about it.
Starting McCown over Glennon.
Ripping the Oline apart before the season and not fixing it before opening day.
Losing your OC and handing duties off to someone with zero experience.
Making countless questionable in-game decisions.
Etc, etc, etc……..
Lovie could have totally sunk us by just not fixing key problems. Or am I giving him too much credit?
June 29th, 2015 at 8:33 pm
Coaches can make tanking not seem like tanking. Untill it’s obvious when you pull out the starters when your winning big!
June 29th, 2015 at 8:34 pm
Wow Joe
You’re really digging in deep with Winston
June 29th, 2015 at 8:43 pm
We have already been told that Licht wanted Winston long before he got here. Was that part of the deal in Licht taking the GM job? Could he be that smart? Tank the season for Jameis? How can any person not think about it watching the leads given away that easy. Be in almost all the games. Then top it off to watch that last game. This was not some freak season. It just could not have been.
June 29th, 2015 at 8:46 pm
A GM from the NBA gave an anonymous interview to BSPN about his plot to tank the entire season. He got the owners and the coach to agree to the plan but they tried to keep it a secret from the players. Perhaps Licht did the same thing.
June 29th, 2015 at 9:10 pm
Joebucsfan. If I remember correctly you applauded then rock star general manager Mark Dominique for getting rid of Bennett due to some sort of undisclosed shoulder injury.
June 29th, 2015 at 9:15 pm
Wow, BucFan20!! You just took the tanking theory to a whole new level!! I like that one! Licht tells the Glazers the only way he’ll GM is if they tank for Jameis out of the gate!! Lovie agrees and off we go! Does that mean Evans was faking his injury at the end of that game? Maybe we had 12 players on the field on purpose!! I like this one!!!
June 29th, 2015 at 9:17 pm
BucFan20…I don’t think they planned on tanking before the season. Because they brought in so many free agents. They would of never signed so many of them.
Unless last season was just a practice run to see who could fit or not fit.
June 29th, 2015 at 9:17 pm
I’ve got a better one! The Glazers wanted Winston and told Lovie and Licht they’d better get the first pick or else!!!
June 29th, 2015 at 9:21 pm
I’d also like to mention I don’t believe in any of the typical conspiracy theories.
911, no walking on the moon that type of stuff. I’m not one of those people.
June 29th, 2015 at 9:24 pm
All joking aside, I’d find it hard to believe that the tank job was in before the second Carolina game.
June 29th, 2015 at 9:25 pm
We all have our personal beliefs as what went on last season I especially like “sic of the wait”s break down. Make since to me. I’m of the belief that not everything is cut and dry that something are to be sold not told. What ever the case me and a lot of other folks are quite pleased with the ultimate result. That young man from Huewy town Al. is now a Buccaneer.
June 29th, 2015 at 9:26 pm
Yea 87, I’m not one of the 911 or moon conspiracy people either.
June 29th, 2015 at 9:28 pm
Yup, I’m definetly glad for the outcome of last season. I was rooting for the Saints the whole way, sad to say!
June 29th, 2015 at 9:42 pm
It hurts to say it and i still feel dirty, but i was hoping we would lose too after the bye week. But, even in that situation there are some good things to cheer for. Evan’s rookie season, the development of some good players on Defense, like J. Smith. Watching Banks prove Lovie a fool. Kept hoping the run game would improve but that never happened. Lol.
June 29th, 2015 at 9:45 pm
Yea Sick, it felt good to have BSPN and NFL network talking about the Bucs a lot more! I don’t think it was as much as other teams in other years though.
June 29th, 2015 at 9:48 pm
I always listen to Draft podcasts every year, about 3 or 4 of them. I always get mad cause they talk about the top QBs in the draft and we’re never in position to get one. Now, we are in position and it seemed like they talked about it for 2 miniutes, then talked about everything else for 58!!! It’s a Bucs life I guess!
June 29th, 2015 at 10:32 pm
Leonard:
“Applauded???” Joe got jumped on from Bucs people because he kept whining about not signing him.
If anything, Joe reported/speculated why he wasn’t re-signed.
June 30th, 2015 at 12:16 am
My theory is that once it was obvious the season was lost (2-8 or so) – that there was one player who was brought in on the tanking and assisted the task for the rest of the season. A player in a key position to take a sack here or throw a bad ball there at key moments. A player who most felt didn’t deserve to even be on the field for the last few games because of his terrible “decision making”.
Now you tell me a better reason as to why Josh McCown was the starting QB for the entirety of the last half of the season.
It was blatant in the Saints game that McCown was “helping” us to lose at the end of the game. Go watch it again. If you think that was the 1st time he had done that all season – you would likely be mistaken.
Bottom Line:
Once it was obvious the season would not lead to post season – The Bucs enlisted McCown to screw up just enough to get us Jameis Winston….
Nice Job Josh. and Thank You!! Good luck in Cleveland.
June 30th, 2015 at 9:06 am
Give me a break ’87! This is the NFL and coaches get fired for going 2-14. Foolish to think the team was tanking in November. Completely foolish!!!! They tanked the last game of the season and that is the only one. Lol that you think you had it nailed though! SMH!
June 30th, 2015 at 9:11 am
Evans, Vjax, and LVD were all pulled in the second half of game 16. We had two shtty options at QB so if you think that was the key to the Bucs losing that is just silly. Only one game (half actually) offers proof of a tank. That is when the tank started.
June 30th, 2015 at 10:27 am
TouchDownTampaBay …did you ever think the Glazers might have been in on the tanking?
Me and Ira are right. NOt just me.
June 30th, 2015 at 10:30 am
Besides I didn’t just come up with this “foolish” notion. I was saying it in October.
June 30th, 2015 at 11:01 am
The tank job started the minute we cut Revis and Penn, honestly. McCown was the man for the job, and once the OC was out of the picture (and we lost our first two home games to weak opponents)….it was a race to the bottom. Glennon almost screwed it up, but Lovie put an end to that. Outside of the Washington game, Josh was flawless.
Wonder who Cleveland’s gonna take #1 next year….
June 30th, 2015 at 12:15 pm
Well said “what?” well said.
June 30th, 2015 at 5:39 pm
You are right, it began with Rivas, followed by releasing Penn, Joseph, Camiri and trading Zuttah and Williams. Then replacing our starters with a back-up and a one year wonder ghost from Cinci. Don’t forget those quality players from Cleveland. It could not have happened if not for the boys club signing of McClown. The reward is here but will the taste linger like the deoderizor used after the smell of stink which fills the air.