“Let Me See That Headline On JoeBucsFan.com: ‘Conor Orr Thinks That The Buccaneers Are Good Enough To Make The Conference Championship Game And Play Well In That Game'”
July 1st, 2025
NFC title game?
Joe is usually happy to grant a kind request from someone. Especially if the request is fair.
Now, Joe has taken to task Conor Orr of SI.com a few times for things he has typed about the Bucs. There has been zero personal animosity involved. No malice of any kind. Joe’s met Orr a couple of times at past combines and he seems like a good guy.
However, Joe guesses Orr has been frustrated by that.
But fair is fair. So here goes:
Many Bucs fans will likely remember when Orr predicted the Bucs to win two games in 2023. Despite the Bucs still having the core of their 2020 Super Bowl-winning team intact, Orr smelled a collapse brewing as the Bucs also transitioned away from a dysfunctional offense under Byron Leftwich to fully unproven Dave Canales.
Tom Brady also retired for good. Replacing him was Baker Mayfield, who was on the NFL’s trash heap, having been released by Carolina but seemingly revived by Sean McVay (and Liam Coen) in Mayfield’s brief time with the Rams.
Hey, Orr was hardly the only guy who didn’t believe in Todd Bowles and Mayfield. Some still don’t.
Since, Bowles has coached the Bucs well enough and Mayfield has played well enough that — combined with a solid (strong?) roster — Orr sees no reason the Bucs cannot win another NFC South title.
“I don’t see any reason why this team shouldn’t and won’t win the division again,” Orr said on SI.com’s MMQB podcast. “I don’t.”
Orr also predicted the Bucs to win the division in 2024.
Then, the SI/MMQB podcast turned humorous. It seems Orr wanted to make sure Joe gave him credit for his prediction and he called out Joe, adding a request as well.
Orr said he could easily see the Bucs advancing to the NFC title game, and at worst, keeping the game close.
“I think this is a team that’s good enough to go to the conference championship,” Orr said. “Put that on JoeBucsFan.com, G*d d@mn it, instead of all the other stuff they put about me on that website that I get Google alerts for, that I’m some kind of crazy @sshole.
“Put that I think that they can make it to the conference championship game. Let me see that headline on JoeBucsFan.com: ‘Conor Orr thinks that the Buccaneers are good enough to make the conference championship game and play well in that game.'”
No, Joe doesn’t believe Orr is a “crazy @sshole.”
Ask and you shall receive, Conor, as evidenced by the headline.
The podcast is pretty good, and both SI senior NFL columnist Albert Breer and Orr hit on all the key elements and questions concerning the Bucs this fall.
Yes, as Joe has stated a few times on “The Ira Kaufman Podcast,” the Bucs have the talent to make an NFC title game on paper. Joe’s two question marks with this team are how quickly new Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard can get up to speed and can inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis stay on the field for 15 games?
Shoot, if Dennis can stay on the field for 12 games, that may go a long way to help the pass defense.
Joe will have additional excerpts from Orr’s solid podcast as the short work week goes on.
July 1st, 2025 at 7:08 am
Well written Joe.
July 1st, 2025 at 7:56 am
I saw that video last night, man Conor was super butt hurt. I found it pretty funny.
July 1st, 2025 at 7:59 am
Just watched the podcast , dude seems like an ok guy. He needs to ditch that Dead head lid tho, probably the lamest band right up there with Springsteen .
July 1st, 2025 at 8:03 am
Great article Joe but Connor Orr is a crazy @sshole. He can’t hide from his crazy takes about the Bucs in recent seasons. If you want more proof look at his game picks in general toward the end of the season.
July 1st, 2025 at 8:14 am
The Bucs will win 12 games this season (12-5) and advance to the divisional round of the playoffs. I can’t predict beyond that.
July 1st, 2025 at 8:14 am
I love this so much. Good for you Joe.
July 1st, 2025 at 8:43 am
Orr picked the Bucs to win two games back in 2023.
Yeah that would qualify you as being a crazy @sshole. Sounds like he does not like being held accountable for his foolish predictions.
July 1st, 2025 at 8:50 am
I think predicting us to win two games in 2023 is not really the makings of “crazy @sshole” but more of a dumb @$$ that didn’t really know what was going on with our team. Just another Baker hater, at the time at least.
July 1st, 2025 at 8:59 am
The 2-win prediction was insane and got deservedly slammed. The JBF comment is hilarious and hopefully a running joke.
July 1st, 2025 at 9:23 am
Wow. JBF is so over the target the world is paying attention, even when those in the world pretend they don’t.
Well done, Joes!
July 1st, 2025 at 9:32 am
Wow I saw that podcast on MMQB and wanted to contact you guys at JBF to tell you how much of the podcast was dedicated to Joe Bucs Fan. Poor Connor was upset he’s being painted as a Bucs hater lol. You guys rock keep up the great reporting.
July 1st, 2025 at 10:08 am
That guy is a crazy @sshole.
July 1st, 2025 at 10:21 am
Projecting any NFL team to win 2 games is disrespectful, stay on this guys neck Joe as “My bad ya’ll” is not enough to forgive it.
July 1st, 2025 at 11:02 am
At the very least, Orr seems to have finally started watching the Bucs instead of making lazy and unfounded public opinions. Licht let him know we uncovered that. I’m a bit sorry Joe took his bait, but it’s a good article.
July 1st, 2025 at 11:10 am
Seeing is believing!! Orr came around. Now it’s time for the team to believe they can win every game and that they are never out of a game! If this team believes and plays to their potential, things will be exciting this season!! LFG!!
July 1st, 2025 at 11:25 am
Did he just jinx us?
July 1st, 2025 at 11:40 am
Joes!
You’re rock stars! More proof that you make a difference. And, credit where credit is due.
This
“ “I think this is a team that’s good enough to go to the conference championship,” Orr said. “Put that on JoeBucsFan.com, G*d d@mn it, instead of all the other stuff they put about me on that website that I get Google alerts for, that I’m some kind of crazy @sshole.
“Put that I think that they can make it to the conference championship game. Let me see that headline on JoeBucsFan.com: ‘Conor Orr thinks that the Buccaneers are good enough to make the conference championship game and play well in that game.’” “
Made me laugh my @$$ off 🤣
July 1st, 2025 at 11:50 am
How’s that crow, Mr Orr. Great article, Joes.
July 1st, 2025 at 12:36 pm
Good article, Joe! Partially thanks to your reporting, people are watching, and talking about, the Bucs this year – with good reason. We will be more consistent this year, methinks, with 12 wins a ceiling and a division title the floor. Me hopes.
Go Bucs ! ! !
July 1st, 2025 at 1:11 pm
It’s NFC Championship or bust no more excuses!! Go bucs!!
July 1st, 2025 at 1:31 pm
If we can stay health and cut the “crucial” mistakes out, just the “crucial” mistakes, we can make little mistakes and Grizz is creative with all the talent we have on offense there is NO WAY anyone keeps us away from the big dance. If Grizz is an exceptional OC no one will stop us. When we were on our game last year we were unstoppable. Grizz, hopefully will have us on our “A” game every week.