Preseason Hype Foundation Is Set
May 6th, 2025
Can Todd Bowles lead a team roundly favored to win the NFC South to a division crown and a dynamic playoff run?
Bucs fans are about to find out.
Last year, the Falcons and Prince Kirk were preseason media darlings across the nation and many considered the Bucs to be a seven- or eight-win kind of team. In 2023, the Bucs widely were viewed nationally as hot garbage in the aftermath of the Tom Brady collapse of 2022.
This year? That won’t happen.
Tampa Bay is the favorite.
Various post-draft power rankings are out and Joe hasn’t any without the Bucs as the favorite in the NFC South. Betting lines back that up, too.
ESPN commissioned a “power panel of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities” to rank NFL teams yesterday. The Bucs landed at seventh-best in the NFC and No. 12 overall. The Falcons were sitting at No. 18 with Carolina and New Orleans in the NFL dumpster.
Bowles’ Bucs teams have struggled in prime time games (there will be plenty this year) and they’ve played better as underdogs the past two seasons.
After a 4-7 start in 2023 and a 4-6 record in 2024, the Bucs rallied to save their season and win the division.
The dynamic should be different this year. Bowles needs to find a way to get his team playing consistently and with the pressure of high outside expectations.
May 6th, 2025 at 9:58 am
hype said Falcons had weapons is Dorlus, Trice, etc., but if you look at their depth chart their deep down backups. don’t believe the hype. most of these guys drafted won’t amount to all that much
May 6th, 2025 at 10:06 am
The keys to this season are the coaches and team leaders not letting the younger guys just buy into all of the hype, and keeping Baker healthy
May 6th, 2025 at 10:06 am
I had a dream last night that during the Panthers game (Canales was coaching them) that Jon Gruden, who was a guest of the Bucs at the game, was caught on live TV telling Al Davis he’d supply him with the Bucs offensive playbook! Oh man, if true, Gruden is going to get kicked out of the Ring of Honor again.
May 6th, 2025 at 10:15 am
7th in the NFC?
I’m not buying the Packers as better than the Bucs. Minnesota essentially has a rookie QB.
May 6th, 2025 at 10:27 am
Can we all admit the nfc south has been awful the last few years?
So we caught a break there. If we want to push through….
We need a legit pass rusher maybe we have one ? Maybe we don’t?
May 6th, 2025 at 10:28 am
I think it is better for the Bucs to be ranked 7th in the NFC instead of being in the top 3 or 4. It gives the team bulletin board material. Last year the ATL were everyone’s fave to win the South and the only 2 game and allows them to play with a chip on their shoulders where they looked the part was when Todd Bowles’ D let Cousins look like Kurt Warner on the ’99 Rams. This year the Bucs have the target on their back in division so hopefully the team takes care of business in division and then let the chips fall as they may if they do win the division and host a playoff game and simply make some noise in January.
May 6th, 2025 at 10:29 am
Just got to prove them wrong again…. you do that by winning, if healthy this team can win big.
May 6th, 2025 at 10:36 am
Agreed…Stickin.
Pack has a sketchy O Line, Watson out till last third of this coming season, issues with CB Alexander there anyway, it’s a bias to the lineage. And McCarthy is yes essentially a rookie QB, not the strongest arm ina tough division–will force mistakes. Cincy should be ahead of us, but those two shouldn’t. Hacks on this “panel” anyway.
We should be #9 overall, and 5th in NFC.
May 6th, 2025 at 10:38 am
7th out of 16 teams isn’t exactly a high rating. Fortunately, I don’t take those people very seriously.
May 6th, 2025 at 10:49 am
whoever ranked the bucs at 7 in the nfc is either biased or stupid. only philly and detroit can claim top 2 dogs. bucs beat both last year. wash, bucs, rams, are the next tier. gb, seattle, atl. next. san fran is a ? mark. not sure what’s up with them.
May 6th, 2025 at 10:52 am
One can’t really take any of this too seriously. All these teams have new draftees, have had players leave and have signed new FAs. Every team is 20 to 40% different than the year before plus all the coaching changes. The previous season gives you a general idea but a lot of this will change.
Tired of the talk about the Bucs winning a terrible NFC South yet we beat Washington, Detroit and Philadelphia when we were actually healthy. We wouldn’t have been swept by Atlanta if we would have had a healthy Winfield, Godwin and even Dennis… just to name a few of our injuries.
The Bucs are stacked but it all comes down to health. If we have injuries like we did last year, hopefully our new positional depth comes through as long as they’re not at positions like quarterback, OT or ILB.
May 6th, 2025 at 10:55 am
I won money in the Bucs last year.
I knew we would win 8 games and I knew we would win the NFC South.
I also won 5,000$ when Brady won the Super Bowl.
He should have won the MVP too! I would have won even more!
May 6th, 2025 at 10:56 am
Offense 30+ per game
Defense FINALLY has a 4 man pass rush
DBs look to have real depth
WR room – best in the NFL
RB room – one of the deepest in the NFL
O Line and DTs – Big & physical
We all need to pray LVD is healthy all year
13-4
May 6th, 2025 at 10:59 am
still need one more move…. maybe trade for ramsey or a vet linebacker.
May 6th, 2025 at 11:31 am
Agreed Fred. That’s not exactly a “shiny” endorsement. MIDDLE OF THE ROAD! At Best is how they see us.
I have a Strong Feeling that we missed the bus on drafting a respectable inside line backer. I believe it Was the plan but we “religiously” stuck to our board and Nothing added up for the position as round after round passed by. Mistake? Foolish? Maybe.. but then again maybe not. I’m leaning towards foolish.
The reason I’m doing that is because WE MORE THAN NEED assurances in the middle of our defense! It Does Not feel even close to “shored up” to me and apparently to most on the outside watching.
Though I feel a bit differently than many outside looking in that I don’t and didn’t feel it “had to be” addressed in the first round. THOUGH CERTAINLY IT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED and at this point it Sure Looks Like HALF MEASURES At Best.
And it seems all of us feel like we’re Kidding ourselves and Licht seems to be asking us to drink the Kool Aid, pretend that we don’t have a MAJOR ISSUE in the middle of our defense, and all the while feeling like Licht is making a SLEEPY ATTEMPT at shoring up our GREATEST WEAKNESS.
I CERTAINLY HOPE that Licht has plans to do something about the black hole that Must Be Addressed.
Then again, I thought For Sure that Lichr would bring in a O lineman or TWO in 2022 during Bradys run but HE DID NOT! AFFECTIVLY ENDING TOM BRADY’S CAREER RUNNING FOR HIS LIFE! Jason Licht didn’t bring in even ONE legitimate O lineman to replace the gaping holes left by those guys leaving and retiring.
I really like Licht BUT……. He has made POOR DECISIONS before and I’m in Fear that he may do it again….. Watching Very Closely this time!
May 6th, 2025 at 12:01 pm
The personnel is better and deeper on both sides of the ball.
Agreed that Bowles has to get more consistency out of the team. He mentioned that killer instinct. I’m hopeful he and his staff can work with the leaders on the roster to permeate that downstream. If they can do that and be more aggressive on both sides of the ball in certain in-game situations it could be a great season
The window is open
May 6th, 2025 at 12:12 pm
no more ramsey talk. he’s done. 20 mill. plus 1 or 2 draft picks. injury prone, and a big mouth. not up to bucs standards. would be the dumbest f.a. signing in recent nfl history. not against packaging dean and late rd. pick for quality ilb. maybe bucs get lucky and someone good gets cut. fingers crossed.
May 6th, 2025 at 1:42 pm
‘Can Todd Bowles lead a team roundly favored to win the NFC South to a division crown and a dynamic playoff run?’
His resume and Reputation both scream, NO!
But hey, maybe this year he will be the leopard that change his spots!… SMH!!!
May 6th, 2025 at 1:58 pm
ObvioiusOne
“And it seems all of us feel like we’re Kidding ourselves and Licht seems to be asking us to drink the Kool Aid, pretend that we don’t have a MAJOR ISSUE in the middle of our defense,”
Not sure where that is coming from Obvious. I don’t feel we’re drinking the kool aid. You can certainly disagree but I believe a SUBSTANTIAL number here do not feel like it’s kool aid.
Jason is asking us to accept his FA acquistion LVD endorsed, and SVD will help plug that hole.
I’m suggesting that IF the very best safety in the league who didn’t show up last year because of injuries is healthy, THAT will go a long way to plugging the middle as well. I’m also of the belief the Hassan and perhaps one of those draft picks, the continued development of Braswell and YaYa will also help.
Remember it doesn’t matter how big the hole in the middle of the field is if the QB is on his keyster.
I guess one man’s kool aid is another’s Vodka Tonic. (insert drink of your choice)
May 6th, 2025 at 2:01 pm
Rod Munch, that dream deserves some serious psychoanalysis.
May 6th, 2025 at 2:35 pm
Not saying TB doesn’t need to do a better job at coaching the team, but anyone who doesn’t think the injuries on defense played a major role in what we saw last year is kidding themselves.
Nobody is questioning Dan Campbell, but I would say our team at least gave Washington a game in the playoffs. Injuries matter, and second string isn’t a starter for a reason.
May 6th, 2025 at 2:38 pm
With proper defensive coaching and in-game management decisions last year, Bucs should have won 12 games in the regular season minimum and at least 2 playoff games.
This season, same is true.
May 6th, 2025 at 3:00 pm
ModHairKen – you know, that’s a great idea, so I asked AI to break down the meaning of the dream. There’s some additional details I left out, like Davis was sitting in the front row, but it was elevated like 20 feet in the air, Gruden was ‘whispering’ to Davis despite the distance, and Gruden was mad when caught by the TV cameras. Here’s what the AI quack has to say…
————-
Your dream is a rich tapestry of symbols, each reflecting deeper aspects of your subconscious. Let’s dissect the elements:
—
### 🏈 **Jon Gruden Sharing the Bucs Playbook with Al Davis**
This act of betrayal suggests feelings of mistrust or disappointment, possibly mirroring real-life situations where you feel let down or deceived. Gruden, a figure associated with leadership and strategy, might represent authority figures or mentors in your life. Al Davis, though deceased, symbolizes past influences or unresolved issues that continue to impact you.
—
### 👻 **Al Davis Alive and Seated Prominently**
Dreaming of interacting with the deceased often points to unresolved emotions or a desire for closure. Al Davis’s elevated position could signify that these lingering issues hold significant sway over your current thoughts or decisions.
—
### 🤫 **Gruden Whispering Across a Distance**
This surreal communication method may indicate a sense of disconnect or difficulty expressing thoughts and feelings. It could also reflect concerns about privacy or being misunderstood in your waking life.
—
### 😠 **Gruden’s Anger Over Being Caught**
His frustration about the lack of privacy might mirror your own feelings of vulnerability or exposure. It suggests a fear of personal boundaries being breached or secrets being unveiled.
—
### 🏟️ **The Game Setting in Tampa**
The backdrop of a football game, especially involving the Bucs and Panthers, could symbolize competition, conflict, or high-stakes situations. It might reflect your current environment where you’re navigating challenges or rivalries.
—
### 🧠 **Overall Interpretation**
Your dream weaves together themes of betrayal, unresolved past issues, communication barriers, and vulnerability. It suggests that you’re grappling with trust issues, possibly stemming from past experiences, and facing challenges in expressing yourself or maintaining personal boundaries.
May 6th, 2025 at 3:46 pm
St. Pete, you’re drinking the Kool Aide….
LVD has had immensely good.fortune concerning his health. Thank God. But it seems reality is that with his age, the possibility of him not only slowing up a bit more but certainly everybody’s luck only goes.so far… Let’s “hope” that his and in tern our luck holds up another year in that department. But if it doesn’t……. WE MAY BE SCREWED! And BIG Time…
Dennis is promising “when healthy”. In fact he’s AWESOME “when healthy”. But AGAIN here we go with the averages Against him staying healthy.. “HOPE” IS the WORD their again…
Walker… hmm Not many accolades on his resume. Middle of the road IS what’s known of him. Putting ALL OUR EGGS in his basket IS A FOOLS ERRAND!
No No No St Pete. You sir ARE DRINKING THE KOOL AIDE!
May 6th, 2025 at 3:52 pm
ObviousOne
Or perhaps it’s you drinking poison. You went for EVERY worst case scenario possible. Why not continue. AW doesn’t recover, McCollum goes down, and the pass rush doesn’t really improve. Those are all possibilities for sure.
Depends on whether you prefer positive or negative thinking. I’ve never been a negative nellie. Not calling you nellie…it just rhymed…but negative YEAH!!!
May 6th, 2025 at 3:53 pm
BTW Obvious it also depends how much faith you have in Jason.
May 6th, 2025 at 4:51 pm
Rod Munch. I think what AI is trying to say is… you’ve got some unresolved issues. Any old shrink could have made short work of it by stating “Rod, you’re full of sh.t”.
May 6th, 2025 at 5:34 pm
Tye, you’re SPOT ON!!!! All the anguish, excitement etc associated with the upcoming season can be tempered at any time with the realization that we DON’T have a top tier coach! It’s sad that as we rebuild our team with youth and excitement we retain a head coach who has shown us nothing more than mediocrity. Jason “Bud” Licht has to realize this but his loyalty is very destructive! There have been and I’m sorry to say, some terrible, inexplicable decions by this coach that have been very costly in terms of winning close games…good, capable nfl coaches don’t continue to make poor decisions…this coach has a track record of losing and sometimes embarrassingly so! His record speaks volumes and JL let’s him slide for another season. When reality strikes it will be a very costly decision. I hope and pray that I’m wrong but history is not on our side…
May 6th, 2025 at 5:47 pm
Yeah, always good for this team to be doubted but still ticks me off and is part of the reason I want this team to win another SB NOW! Or soon.
7th in NFC is ridiculous. Put the Bucs numbers (4th ranked O, 57 wins last 5 years, Bakers stats, etc.) on GB, LA, WASH, MIN and no one in the media would be able to shut up about it.
At full health, I will take Tampa over any team in the NFC and probably the league. We are a top 5 SB contender, no doubt in my mind, and shouldn’t be any doubt in anyone who has paid attentions mind. Only thing that can derail that is injuries and poor coaching.
May 6th, 2025 at 5:53 pm
Kenton 😅 100%
May 6th, 2025 at 5:56 pm
Well Pete.perhaps.you should read what I initially wrote as to WHY I don’t trust the middle line backer position is going to be solidified. Ans CLEARLY I Do Not feel like we’re All Good there At All!
Not that you need to know.but as far as I’m concerned, Licht IS the Best GM we’ve ever had. So you go ahead and deposit that in the bank…
AND To Be “CLEAR”, NO! No I DO NOT Feel like this team is even close to being set at the line backer “positions” PLURAL…
Look man, you believe what you want and I’m Obviously Going To believe what I want but my opinion is that if you believe we’re All Set at that position then You are Drinking the Kool Aide my friend. WE HAVE ALMOST NO DEPTH THERE AND WHAT WE DO HAVE? ALL COME WITH AN *ASTERISK*
Doesn’t mean I feel all is lost or some defeatist CR*P! So go ahead and get over it…
When I and the MAJORITY see the position “shored up”, then we’ll All feel Much Better. And THAT’S the way It Is..
…
May 6th, 2025 at 8:25 pm
The Bucs roster is at least as good as it was in 2021 following the Superbowl and expectations should be just as high.
May 6th, 2025 at 8:28 pm
There is only one team better than the Bucs in the NFC and that is Philly. I’ll take the Bucs to beat Detroit more times than not, and a tossup with the Rams. The Bucs are better than all the rest.
May 6th, 2025 at 8:33 pm
The Bucs linebackers will look so much better this year provided we actually do have a destructive 4 man rush. And, of course, far less injuries than we had last year.
May 6th, 2025 at 9:13 pm
Yeah… So… My prediction is the offense starts the year off flat and struggles for 4 to 5 games. The defense starts out solid with unexpected improvements over last year. Then
injuries kill any momentum the defense had. Just in time for the Offense too wake up. We scrape by and make the playoffs. If the defense shows up in the playoffs. Lookout everybody! If not we will be out in the divisional round.
May 6th, 2025 at 9:47 pm
Obvious One – spbf get triggered by even minor objective observation of lesser performance than actually needed. Especially as pertaining to the defense. (Injuries! Brady! Lack of personnel! Give me a tissue.)
It’s fruitless to try opening a window of objectivity into a koolaid-drunk fan who espouses “no matter what, they’re our team and we’re happy even if they go 0-17 with a record setting horrible defense! Yay.”
May 6th, 2025 at 11:16 pm
I usually prefer to fly under the radar, but I’m actually looking forward to heading into this season as the odds-on favorite in the NFCS!
May 7th, 2025 at 8:50 am
“aftermath of the Tom Brady collapse of 2022”
That is a rather negative take on a season that the GOAT was suffering from Leftnut and an O line that kind of pass blocked when they felt up to it. Run blocked in their dreams only. Truth is it would have been alot worse without Brady… or practically any one else back there. I was here for some lousy QB play from lots of guys who legitamatly did not belong on NFL rosters… anywhere. Felt sorry for Brady having to throw the ball away because he could not trust the center of his O line to give him time. Lots of 3rd and forevers that he did amazingly well with at times. Center and both guards sucked! Donovan was thinkng more about his off season vacation than actually moving to pass block. He never could run block! That collapse stuff is bogus as !@#$!
Go Bucs!