A Countdown Nobody Wants To Think About
November 5th, 2022
Click on through to shop at BillCurrieFord.com. Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is ready to help you PERSONALLY and give you the Ira Kaufman discount. Just ask!
BY IRA KAUFMAN
There may be a bright side to the current sad state of affairs surrounding the 2022 Bucs — but fans aren’t going to like it.
When you have Tom Brady taking snaps for your franchise, there’s no choice but to go all in. That’s understood and it’s an approach that has served this club very well for the past two seasons. But Brady’s time with Tampa Bay is growing short. In fact, if the Bucs don’t snap out of their prolonged stupor, Brady will likely suit up only nine more times as a Buccaneer.
That’s where the silver lining comes in, the one Buc supporters don’t even want to think about.
This 3-5 start could be the springboard for a disastrous season. We’ll know soon enough, but there’s a decent chance Tampa Bay will enter the 2023 draft with a premium pick.
That scenario would have sounded preposterous back in training camp.
Guess what? Things have changed. And even though the NFC South is a disaster zone, there’s no guarantee the Bucs will repeat as division champs.
At the moment, the only teams with less than three wins are the Lions, Panthers, Texans, Jaguars, Steelers and Raiders. Should the Bucs continue to falter, they may have an opportunity to do something unique in their 47-year history:
Jameis Winston is fourth on the Bucs’ list of first-round QB disappointments.
Draft and develop a quarterback.
Only four quarterbacks have been chosen in the first round by the Bucs — Doug Williams (1978), Vinny Testaverde (1987), Trent Dilfer (1994) and Jameis Winston (2015). Testaverde and Winston were selected first overall, Dilfer was picked at No. 6 and Williams went off the board at No. 17.
From a Buc perspective, the results have been awful. None posted an overall winning record before leaving Tampa Bay.
Only Winston finished his Buc career with more TD passes than interceptions. Only Winston (2015) and Dilfer (1997) earned a single Pro Bowl berth.
To be fair, Williams and Dilfer won Super Bowls as starters with other organizations. Testaverde found success with the Browns, Ravens and Jets after leaving One Buc Place.
All you need to know about the Bucs and this quarterback quagmire is this: no one under center drafted by Tampa Bay has received a contract extension from the Bucs. Not one.
Think about that.
GM Jason Licht may have an opportunity no fan wants to think about, writes Ira Kaufman.
Jason Licht could change that wretched track record because the 2023 draft features some impressive quarterback prospects who might offer a fresh face for the NFL’s oldest team.
Alabama’s Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud of Ohio State top the list, with Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker closing fast. And why not? Anyone watching Hooker shred Alabama for 385 yards and five TD passes in that epic shootout against Young had to be impressed by his poise, smarts and athleticism. The big knock on Hooker is he will turn 25 by draft day.
At 6-foot and 194 pounds, Young doesn’t fit the typical profile for NFL quarterbacks. Still, he has thrown 65 TD passes and only 10 picks in the past two seasons and NFL scouts like his intangibles.
Stroud may go first overall. He’s a gifted 6-foot-3 quarterback who has thrived since replacing Justin Fields in Columbus. Stroud is a 71 percent passer with elite mobility, boasting a 21-1 ratio of TD throws to picks.
They’re already salivating about these guys in Charlotte, Detroit and Houston. Unless the Bucs collapse, it won’t be easy for Licht to negotiate his way to a better draft position near the top.
Even the GOAT has an expiration date. Without Brady, it’s all about finding the right guy to replace him, someone to build around.
Someone who ends up worthy of that elusive second contract.
Ira loves that lifetime warranty on new and used vehicles!
BREAKFAST AT BIG STORM!
With Ira Kaufman and Bucs fans!
12707 49th. St. North, Clearwater. Sunday, Nov. 13 at 9 a.m. Kickoff at 9:30 a.m. Bucs-Seahawks in Germany.
Great breakfast menu. Bloody Mary bar. Mimosas. BEER! Giveaways. (Lunch menu kicks in at 11 a.m.)
Fun time ahead at the Clearwater taproom with Ira Kaufman and Bucs fans!
November 5th, 2022 at 8:02 am
Seasons over I agree time to move to the draft. This team with clueless coaches has about 5% chance to get their heads out of their butts and turn it around. Reminds me much of the lovie regime bang your head into a wall because your way is the only way. Say one thing do another. Blah if they can get in position to draft hooker I’d be elated but get rid of this coaching staff or they will ruin the new guy too
November 5th, 2022 at 8:03 am
Josh freeman was a 1st rd pk also
November 5th, 2022 at 8:12 am
If this is how we are thinking, then what is Trask even doing here? Fish or cut bait.
November 5th, 2022 at 8:16 am
“Draft and develop a quarterback. Only four quarterbacks have been chosen in the first round by the Bucs.”
What an idiot. Thinks only first rounders can be developed into Super Bowl winners. Favre was a 2nd rounder. Brady was a 6th rounder. Theismann was a 4th rounder. Staubach was a 10th rounder. On and on.
If this Bucs season is over, and I agree it is, 2nd rounder Trask should get playing time NOW with the first team to assess what he has. If he looks good we don’t need to waste a first round 2023 pick on a quarterback who may be a bust.
November 5th, 2022 at 8:29 am
We could end up 3-14, and have a shot at a top QB or, we can finish 12-5, and be having a completely different conversation. It’s to early to tell. This is a big game for the two former SB champs. This game could decide the rest of the season for both clubs. The most important game really is the next one. We should have a better picture on how this season will go after tomorrow.
November 5th, 2022 at 8:33 am
JOSH FREEMAN … remember him
?
November 5th, 2022 at 8:36 am
WhAaAt aBoUT kYle TrAsK?!?
November 5th, 2022 at 8:38 am
We
Should
Have the first pick in the draft in 24 and 25.
No need to make trades
November 5th, 2022 at 8:51 am
If there are 3 teams in front of us who need QBs it will be tough to trade up.
We eithre need to have a top 3 or go with Trask and draft a QB in 24…
Who knows….Trask may do well.
November 5th, 2022 at 8:52 am
A rookie QB with an OL giving you 3.0 ypa rushing? Can you say Ryan Leaf? Draft and develop an elite OL , then you can plug in a lot of different QBs.
November 5th, 2022 at 8:57 am
Talkin draft before Thanksgiving. It’s been awhile since we were doing that. Feels familiar though.
November 5th, 2022 at 9:00 am
Last chance, you’re not permitted to make things up about Joe. Yes, Ira has said Trask will not be the next QB and said it a long time ago. –Joe
November 5th, 2022 at 9:05 am
God, this story and attitude is pathetic. How about these guys just get it together like they did two years ago at 7-5?
No. The losers want to start talking draft. Sad.
November 5th, 2022 at 9:11 am
If you think the Bucs have actually gone ” All In” this year , Joe you are sadly and badly mistaken. An All In GM would have replaced Ryan Jensen within days with JC Tretter , an All In GM would have never let Suh leave , and would have certainly signed Suh back immediately upon Hicks’ predictable injury. An All In GM would have gone out and gotten Chubb to rush the passer upon losing Barret. These are moves that an All In GM makes , Jason Licht has been a complete and utter failure this year , and I could go on even further about Lichts’ draft failures this year.
November 5th, 2022 at 9:20 am
“JOE SAYS: Yes, correct, Ira has said Trask will not be the next QB and said it a long time ago. – Joe”
You should put that in all Ira posts that concern Trask. Fans need to know the bias behind what Ira is saying. You might also want to inform fans what Ira said back when Jameis Winston was drafted. It’s called accountability.
November 5th, 2022 at 9:20 am
Honestly what gives you any confidence Licht can draft a decent QB? He’s hit solid on Evans and Wirfs….he’s whiffed on Winston, White isn’t remotely a top 5 pick, Vea is somehow declining in effectiveness. Tryon is terrible, Trask can’t even win the back up role. Oj Howard and Hargreaves were both busts…..Our best chance is trading down to improve our odds.
November 5th, 2022 at 10:14 am
If we lose a few more games let Trask finish the season.
November 5th, 2022 at 10:16 am
Never draft a QB from Ohio State
November 5th, 2022 at 10:34 am
I don’t trust this coaching staff with any talent.
November 5th, 2022 at 11:01 am
If the current coaching staff is gone I’m all for drafting a new qb in 2023 if Will Anderson isn’t there when we pick and as long as it’s not Bryce Young. The dude is absolutely tiny by nfl qb standards.
November 5th, 2022 at 11:26 am
Licht does the drafting. Who does the developing? Would it be the same guy who develops the game plan and the in game adjustments? I sure as hell hope not.
November 5th, 2022 at 1:02 pm
This franchise does better when it pulls in a veteran qb versus drafting one. There is still talent on the roster, and some have financial attachments that are too hard to swallow or get value in trade. This is an advantage this team has over the other 3 teams in the division. Drafting a premium pass rusher would be just as effective. This franchise needs to all in for another established signal caller in the offseason. I would pull every string possible to make that choice Lamar Jackson. He carries himself well, is still ascending, and may be looking for a fresh start. He instantly solves our perceived predictability problems on offense, will revive our running game, I think he still has the capacity to learn to be a better passer. Athletes these days seem to be able to force their way onto a team they would rather play on, and it would be just as historic of an acquisition as the Goat was. I am sure noone in the front office wants to go back to the experience of a team rebuilding.
November 5th, 2022 at 1:10 pm
I think oneil is ghost writing articles for The Sage.
😀
November 5th, 2022 at 1:12 pm
Draft and develop a QB? With this coaching staff? LMAO!
November 5th, 2022 at 2:31 pm
Never thought we would be writing about the 2023 draft the first week of November this year.
November 5th, 2022 at 5:17 pm
Pass on all those future busts of QBs. Let’s see what we have with our draft investment first. We have too many other holes to fill. Worst article ever by the Sage, imo.
November 5th, 2022 at 6:14 pm
So dramatic
This is why I can’t stand sports media.
The schedule gets better and we getting guys back.
Take a deep breath.
November 5th, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Licht had his chance to pick a quarterback which failed. This is not Todd Bowles, it’s BA’s for selling the Glazers on damaged goods . No different than Licht signing injury prone veterans
November 6th, 2022 at 6:42 am
I don’t understand the point of the article. The Bucs are doing poorly so they could draft a QB…but the three highest ranked QB’s will already be taken? Is that the point? They are doing poorly but not poor enough to get one of the three?
November 6th, 2022 at 12:01 pm
1. Replace the coaches
2. Improve the trenches
3. Get a new vet QB
4. Keep grooming a young QB. Trask and maybe Bo Nix?
November 6th, 2022 at 12:46 pm
Trask was a pick that really hurt this franchise.
We could have drafted a CB.
We could have drafted another OLB.
We could have drafted an OG/C.
We could have drafted a DT/DE.
Instead we got Trask, Hainsey and Darden.
Worst draft ever.
We had a chance to build legendary depth.
Which we lacked last year and this year.