Rich Eisen Believes Bucs Have “Ton Of Upside”
March 23rd, 2021
Bullish on Bucs.
Even though the Bucs haven’t yet re-signed all of their free agents, it hasn’t doused the excitement of the original face of NFL Network, Rich Eisen.
Eisen, who still works weekends and some games for NFL Network, has his own talk show on Peacock. Recently, Eisen discussed with his studio littles how he has a hard time not seeing the Bucs making another run at a Super Bowl in 2021.
“Now I don’t know how it is going to play out,” Eisen said. “But you have to assume that the fire that was ignited after [the Bucs] lost to the Chiefs in the regular season last year is only going to be continued. That they have more confidence and an understanding of what worked.”
Eisen then rattled off all the Bucs that AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht either re-signed or reworked their contracts.
“That leaves Antonio Brown, who is kind of like the extra cherry on top you’d have to say,” Eisen began. “That leaves Ndamukong Suh I guess in terms of crucial players. … O.J. Howard is still in this mix. Cameron Brate, you want to bring him back.”
Eisen seemed to think the Bucs can get by without furniture-tossing, bicycle-riding Brown. And if you think about it, the way Howard can stretch the field (provided his Achilles is fully healed), the Bucs could run a lot of two-tight end sets and perhaps use Howard on routes that Brown would have run.
“There is a ton of upside here,” Eisen said.
It makes sense. Especially when quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen said after the Bucs won the Super Bowl that the offense was eight games from peaking.
Eisen also forgot to mention Playoff Lenny. But it is not like the Bucs don’t have a decent running back to replace Playoff Lenny with in Ronald Jones.
Eisen may be onto something. The Bucs might even be better in 2021.
March 23rd, 2021 at 3:41 pm
Of course the Bucs have a ton of upside…..every single one of them thus far had Joe’s coveted ring…..
March 23rd, 2021 at 3:43 pm
Sure, put the 6’6″ Howard in the slot and challenge nickels to cover him.
March 23rd, 2021 at 3:56 pm
rely on OJ?—-opinion is useless as jw licking fingers.
3 things to repeat.
1-sign AB, Suh and draft depth-D line especially
2 Make sure the O line can block someone like VV and TB’s blitzes…….cause if a team figures that out ole tommy boy will be in trouble
3 Don’t believe the hype….any given Sunday. Stay focused
March 23rd, 2021 at 4:01 pm
Teams figured that out a long time ago @ Robert. Easier said than done. That’s a n old old take on pressuring Brady.
March 23rd, 2021 at 4:04 pm
Is there any news on Howards rehab?
March 23rd, 2021 at 4:23 pm
Rojo has become a good runner, but is an absolute liability catching passes. If we go into the season with just Rojo, unproven Vaughn, and draft another unproven dude in the later rounds of the draft, I am gonna be worried. Hopefully, we can bring in a proven third down running back on the cheap.
March 23rd, 2021 at 4:55 pm
Duh! Why wouldn’t they be better in 2021. They continued to play better throughout the latter stages of the season and playoffs and bring back most of their marquee players. Plus they will have a full training camp and pre-season games to implement new schemes and hone existing ones. It’s going to be awesome!
March 23rd, 2021 at 5:04 pm
Wasn’t Eisen one of the D-bags Arians called out after the SB for picking the Chiefs. Only Bill Cowher, in the group of 4 or 5 picked the Bucs , saying he’s seen a wild card team pull it off before !
March 23rd, 2021 at 5:05 pm
Howard’s rehab, lol, yes he will be ready to get injured by the first game of the year !
March 23rd, 2021 at 5:27 pm
Is it too soon to worry about jinxing this?
March 23rd, 2021 at 6:24 pm
The offense clicked late in season …right after chiefs loss…but still brady will admit he missed some throws . Timing wasnt there and brady admitted the same
Oj comes back
They get a receiving back and look out
—-
The defense got hot late too
Secondary got their swag in playoffs
Vea missed most of the year
Jpp played at 70 percent on a bum knee.
——
Look out nfl
March 23rd, 2021 at 6:25 pm
Trade OJ for a 3rd rounder (if anyone would give us that) and use the spare change to pay AB.
March 23rd, 2021 at 6:26 pm
So weird to see someone saying the super bowl champions have a ton of upside!! We put together a team on the fly with no offseason and beat the chiefs so out of the defending champions. Of course they’ll be better with an off-season and should be favored to repeat. Losing oj Howard and vita Vea? I don’t think upside is the correct word to describe this team
March 23rd, 2021 at 6:27 pm
One worry I have is that next year’s schedule at this point looks easier. It might put in them in too relaxed a mood win the Super Bowl (for more details, read the article from yesterday about Kelce).
March 23rd, 2021 at 6:28 pm
The only thing OJ Howard has done is show he can’t play 16 games. Looks like Tarzan plays like Jane.
March 23rd, 2021 at 6:34 pm
Doubt Tom will let anyone relax too much.
March 23rd, 2021 at 6:42 pm
IMO Howard is just going to get hurt again and contribute nothing meaningful. Get value for him now and let’s re-sign Brate.
March 23rd, 2021 at 6:50 pm
Good point
March 23rd, 2021 at 7:40 pm
If Antonio Brown would come on the cheap and you would have some exit clauses for behavior etc, wtf is the reason we aren’t signing him? Why would we not want him back?
@bucfanforever
No way. This is a distinguished group of gentlemen that are professionals. They have all the motivation they need. No complacency at all. If we struggle, it won’t be because they are too relaxed.
March 23rd, 2021 at 7:41 pm
@Alaska. I’d take that trade. Don’t know if he even carries that value right now.
March 23rd, 2021 at 7:52 pm
^^^^
Jags need a tight end bad. And want to help out their shiny new qb
March 23rd, 2021 at 7:53 pm
BUX said it right. Damn sure is the truth. The man has been one ouchie after another.
He was placed on injured reserve on December 20, 2017.
On November 20, 2018, he was placed on injured reserve and was placed on injured reserve on October 6, 2020.
His totals 42 games played and started 37 of them he has had 105 receptions for 1602 yards 14 TDs and 4 fumbles. you tell me. is he worth it?
March 23rd, 2021 at 7:54 pm
I hate to say it, but id take older troubled A.b over freak of nature underperforming O.j Howard.
The guy never does anything….ever!
March 23rd, 2021 at 8:00 pm
Howard has not proven a damn thing. He’s lucky to have gotten his 5th year.
Not great hands, hasn’t shown discipline, doesn’t flash blocking, injured often.
Oh… and completely outclassed in every aspect by Gronk.
In BA I Trust!
March 23rd, 2021 at 9:35 pm
Trade O.J.
March 23rd, 2021 at 10:54 pm
See if Dollar Dollar Bill will give us a three for OJ…
March 23rd, 2021 at 11:09 pm
OJ will have a pro bowl season now that Brady commands the offense. Unless there’s a good trade offer. He will be the spotlight. Brate in the other hand is on a rumor for a 4th rounder to jags …
upside … not there yet. Need a Patterson in special teams or a splash edge on the draft.
I do think we go oline in 1st round. D. Smith. Cappa. Jensen are FA. Next round.
2 Nd rounder DT for sure imo. I like Nixon from Iowa. To sit behinds suh. Vea.
Jpp. Gholston. And vea are FA next round.
March 24th, 2021 at 8:00 am
So sick of hearing “upside” and “Oj Howard” in the same sentence.