Vulnerable Bucs
May 8th, 2025
While the Bucs’ bandwagon needs extra seating, one reasoned and seasoned NFL analyst thinks the Falcons are primed for a revival after a special draft and behind their strong running game.
That’s the word from CBS game analyst Charles Davis, a Tampa-friendly guy who is known to visit Bucs training camp and talk to Tampa Bay movers and shakers. Davis also was a college assistant coach alongside Jon Gruden and an old friend of the late great “Big Dog,” Steve Duemig.
Davis was on CBS HQ this week naming the Falcons as a team that could be one of this year’s clubs that makes the postseason after missing it last year. (Joe will add that Atlanta hasn’t seen the playoffs since the 2017 season.)
Davis loves the Atlanta first-round draft picks of edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce, Jr., and Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts (Round 3), former teammate of Bucs second-round pick Benjamin Morrison. Davis thinks they’ll contribute quickly and the Atlanta running game and offensive line can help carry the team.
But what caught Joe’s ear was Davis ranting about how the Bucs have squeaked by winning the NFC South in recent years and they’re ripe to be caught. Joe was expecting Davis to paint Atlanta as a possible Wild Card team.
Still, Joe can’t say Davis was unfair.
Last season in Week 18, the Bucs trailed in the fourth quarter in a must-win game against a tanking Saints team.
One year earlier, in a must-win Week 18 game, the Bucs needed a miraculous defensive play to beat the tanking Panthers 9-0.
Joe thinks the Bucs are clear favorites in the NFC South, but they still must prove they can play consistently good football throughout a season. Another 4-7 or 4-6 start to a season would be troubling.
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May 8th, 2025 at 8:11 am
I’d have to bet whenever Atlanta is on our schedule we’ve got an entire organization with a score to settle. It ticks a team off to lose to an opponent they should have beaten. And losing twice to that team. We’ll be double ticked off. I wouldn’t want to be on the Falcons side of that equation this year.
May 8th, 2025 at 8:17 am
Could be.
I also think that the Atlanta first-round draft picks of edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce, Jr., and Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts (Round 3) were good picks.
But let’s look deeper.
1. They gave up next years 1st rounder as well.
2. They drafted zero (0) other guys that will help this year.
3. They lost a pair of starters from last year in Grady Jarrett and Drew Dalman.
And lets face it. Their receiving duo of Pitts and London are way worse than the Bucs receiving group.
May 8th, 2025 at 8:18 am
Fire todd 🔥
May 8th, 2025 at 8:19 am
The Falcons number 2 WR would be fighting for a roster spot on the Bucs
May 8th, 2025 at 8:30 am
I like the title … ‘Vulnerable Bucs’. Certainly proved true last season. Why? As much as anything … lack of depth in certain position groups. And that’s a key issue IMO: excellent teams are balanced across the board. Bucs weren’t, and it cost us.
Thankfully adding 2 CBs will help our defense. Adding 2 new Edge will also help. Right now though we lack depth in the ILB position group, and it sure would be nice to add 1 more true beast to rotate in with Vea. Maybe even add another Safety. Long ways to go until September.
May 8th, 2025 at 8:41 am
I thought this post was going to be about Bucs in danger of losing their jobs. Nope. This hits my gut far more. All the Bucs love and Bucs will be favored talk has made me really nervous. This team needs to come out on fire and make a statement early on in the season. We don’t need them thinking that they’re all that. No more Denver games. No more mid-season slumps. The goal should be seed numero uno for the playoffs and go from there. Todd always has the team prepared for the first game. Now he has to up his game for what comes next. NO LET DOWNS!
May 8th, 2025 at 8:42 am
With Atlanta’s new QB, they are definitely the team we have to beat… Tampa simply ca not afford to lose against them 2 times like last season.
This means our pass defense has to be able to blanket the WRs and TEs… our pass rush needs to chase Penix out of the pocket to halve the field to the QBs weak side throws.
Gotta beat Atlanta and Penix or Tampa will be praying for them to lose… like last season.
May 8th, 2025 at 8:48 am
Joe thank you for mentioning Steve “Big Dog” Duemig. He was an amazing person and talent. R.I.P. Big Dog.
May 8th, 2025 at 9:19 am
Going to be interesting to see how Penix and Young develop. Our window could slam shut in our faces really quick if one of these guys turns into a legitimate QB.
May 8th, 2025 at 9:28 am
Bucs are better. If they don’t get a linebacker to pair with David to be one and two in tackles like the David / White combo from 2019-2022 then better have plenty of depth in the Secondary. To have David being the top tackler at his age will leave the team ripe for an injury in that area that could crash the season but hey they go an Edge Rusher.
Bucs will compete and have had a nice run and for fans it’s nice to go into a game knowing they have a good chance to win.
Although the Bucs got better other teams have too and not just in the Division.
Rams added Adams and Stafford will have his best deep threat receiver since Megatron and could have an MVP year.
Commanders added Samuel to go along wit McLaurin.
Lions are Healthy and if Goff can avoid the 4 INT brain farts will be contending.
Cowboys added Pickens to go along with Lamb.
Eagles are still the Eagles and still have Barkley.
Seahawks could surprise some after getting the Best QB in Barkley’s Draft Class.
Then you have the Packers, Vikings, and Bears (with a new Offensive Head Coach).
NFC is Stacked.
Wild Card from the NFCS is probably not going to be an option so the Bucs will need to take care of business against the Falcons and Panthers who will both be much better as they had more room to move.
Then there are always the Saints that could always be the spoiler no matter how bad they are. With new offensive guy at the helm he might add a Legitimate Pro Bowl QB to the mix if the price is right.
Going to be exciting and will be a lot of games that are decided late in the 4th quarter. Get your Popcorn ready.
May 8th, 2025 at 9:47 am
Coming out flat in must win games or in playoff games is unacceptable and we’ve seen too many examples of that, with the disgusting home playoff loss to the Cowboys in Tom Brady’s final game being a prime example.
Coaching.
May 8th, 2025 at 10:16 am
Jason Pierre-Paul is available. If he is not a starter, his leadership would be great, and in a pinch he could fill-in as depth. I think he just wants to play at this point, and would sign for minimum.
May 8th, 2025 at 10:16 am
I know JPP is 36…that’s why I said depth.
May 8th, 2025 at 11:21 am
That’s right Geno. Can you imagine where the Bucs would be ranked if we lost our starting C and Vita Vea?
We should have improved lines and aside from adding a couple rookie OLB … what have the Falcons done? Who is their replacement for Dalman, that gets to line up across Vea and Kancey?
If the Bucs don’t win the South, something has gone terribly wrong.
May 8th, 2025 at 11:24 am
No to JPP, we need a younger vet that hasn’t been out of football. We also need Jalen Ramsey for a year or two. Think the Bucs are headed for a disaster if they don’t do something about the depth on defense. Atlanta and Carolina have gotten better.
May 8th, 2025 at 11:39 am
Bucs OL and running backs are better. Bucs QB and receivers are better. Bucs HC is better. Bucs DL is better.