Paper Thin
July 7th, 2026
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
When it comes to season previews, “on paper” could just as well be toilet paper.
Maybe it’s just Joe. Even though Joe is not from Missouri, Joe is a “Show Me” kind of guy. You know, a burning bush. Prove you can play and then Joe will believe you can. Otherwise, it’s nothing more than tooth fairy hope stories and we all know what “hope” is.
*On paper* Joe doesn’t know how one could argue the Bucs are better than last year. But that’s the case Gilberto Manzano of SI.com is trying to push.
On paper, Tampa Bay appears stronger than at this point last year. The Bucs used their first-round pick on edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., and signed linebacker Alex Anzalone and defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson. But the hype around them isn’t the same as last summer, partly because of how the team crumbled after a 6–2 start in 2025. Even with a star-studded roster, the Buccaneers ended the season in a three-way tie with the Panthers and Falcons atop the division. Carolina won the NFC South crown at 8–9, due to having a better head-to-head record among the three teams.
Joe doesn’t know how a team can lose its best receiver, a future Hall of Famer; its best linebacker, a future Hall of Famer; and its best corner and still be stronger after all three bolted.
No, Lavonte David was not the same player he once was. But on the proverbial paper, at least David brought a Hall of Fame resume and he made some plays. The Bucs had hoped — there’s that word again — David could have been able to dial it up a couple of more times like he did in his glory days. Father Time had other plans.
Same with Mike Evans.
Joe already documented how the Bucs were a better defense with Dean. A Hall of Famer? No! Injury-prone? Yes. But as Raheem Morris once said, “I will tolerate you until I can replace you.”
Joe hopes (UGH!) the Bucs are better on the field. But on paper, there are way too many ifs, specifically on defense.
Outstanding whiff by (not that) Mike Jordan (No. 60). https://t.co/5ptg7JaMLE
— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) July 7, 2026
July 7th, 2026 at 9:09 am
gotta agree with you joe….slightly younger yes, but better, not so sure…
gotta see what the new coaches bring to the table…that will determine a ton
GO BUCS!!!!
July 7th, 2026 at 9:20 am
Just have to say it. ME13SF was NOT our best receiver last year and LVD was putrid. Dean is a big loss but only for about 9 games that he would have played in so that has to be discounted too. Just like Kancey may be the best interior lineman but doesn’t matter if he rarely plays. It definitely was time to move on from ME and LVD. Anzalone, Trotter and Roseboom are big upgrades over last year’s LB group. Let’s see how offer SVD can get on the field now….By mid season the defense will be better. JMAC will more than make up for what was lost at WR. The youth and hungry players will get their chance to shine.
July 7th, 2026 at 9:33 am
Mike Evans knows how good the Bucs are going to be.
July 7th, 2026 at 9:57 am
I cant get on the Kool aid joe is on, it’s more that they are no better because of what they kept rather than what they lost which is only Mike which isnt as big as joe is making it out to be.
July 7th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Just find a way to concede all preseason games without playing , because when you add in the inevitable injuries that occur to key players the Bucs will not be better-even on paper.
July 7th, 2026 at 10:43 am
We’re Evans and David ascending or on the way down…rapidly? Nostalgia can get a team in trouble.
July 7th, 2026 at 11:04 am
Evans exit is in a way a blessing for the Bucs. He was due to get a big paycheck entering the tail end of his career. That money can go ro pay Mayfield and Via and other Bucs now. The Bucs loyalty to Evans speaks well about the Bucs.
However, Evans sudden bolt from the Bucs remains a mystery. He loved the Bucs but couldn’t wait to get out of Tampa and sign a low grade contract in San Francisco with ahigh State income tax.
It’s so out of character. Rational people don’t make decisions like that unless something big happened. Hopefully we learn the true reason for his departure.
July 7th, 2026 at 11:07 am
The 2026 season will be a referendum on Bowles’ and Mayfield’s future with the Bucs
July 7th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
On paper the Bucs are much stronger because they didn’t have their starters available. A healthy Bucs team is a completely different team than what we had last year. It’s multiple times more talented with the starters playing. So yeah, this year’s team on paper is infinitely better than last year’s team on that basis alone. Then add in all the new talented players (draft and free agency) and it’s not even close.
July 7th, 2026 at 12:23 pm
We’ll see what the Pom Pom squad has to say after the week one loss to the Bengals.
Bowles defensive scheme will be fully exposed for what it truly is.
When Todd puts burgers on the grill, he prefers Swiss cheese.
He’s the Sultan of Suck!!!
July 7th, 2026 at 1:56 pm
3.28.Evans Says:
Mike Evans knows how good the Bucs are going to be.
^^^^^^^^^^^
1000% Agreed.
Optimistic Bucs fans are going to have a rough year.
5-12
July 7th, 2026 at 2:54 pm
They will be far closer to 12-5 than 5-12.
July 7th, 2026 at 3:26 pm
We can have Pom poms or a sour attitude. I’ll take the Pom poms bro. I’m realistic but see no reason to piss in my own cornflakes daily.
July 7th, 2026 at 3:27 pm
Seriously ? Hell yea we’re better than last year.
Not sure how that’s not obvious to everybody.
We lost a couple of good players but we added even more high upside talent.
Going to be fun watching us prove the poo krew wrong.
July 7th, 2026 at 4:05 pm
Yes it is really hard to tell if the Bucs are better until they get started. The defense was really really bad last year. It possibly could be worse with the current CB situation and depth at LB. Paper means nothing. We will know more as the season starts. I am predicting 7-9 with a slow start and stronger finish as the rookies begin to mature. The Bucs know this is not a playoff year. They are rebuilding now and hoping 3 Rookies play like All Pros, which is not likely. Don’t expect them to fire Bowles with a losing season because they know that is more likely than not
July 7th, 2026 at 4:48 pm
I watched LVD stand flat footed and have a WR blow right past him for a TD last season. I also saw ME13 drop easy passes. I think both players are past their prime. I think it’s time for the Bucs to move on. Think the Bucs will be better w/o them. More worried about replacing Dean. The secondary is my one big worry.
July 7th, 2026 at 5:16 pm
Unbelievable..how could Joe not agree the Bucs are better on paper than last year?
On defense, they switched out an aging, unproductive and unmotivated edge rusher in Reddick for a young stud in Bain. The switched out another dud in JTS for a 10 sack guy in Mohammed. They added strong vets at DT in Robinson and Nacho to replace Hall They added a highly productive LBer in Anzalone. They drafted a guy to replace Vos. They added a solid DB in Scott. They get JJ Roberts back at safety and Walker. While both unproven, they have talent.
On offense they upgraded the OC. Added a duel threat RB. The oline is healthy. Sure, losing Evans stinks, but sooner or later it was time to move on.
The biggest upgrade is on ST with a fantastic new ST coach.
Yes this team is definitely better “on paper” than last year.
July 7th, 2026 at 6:52 pm
Well with Bowles as the HC how can anyone possibly doubt the Bucs
July 7th, 2026 at 7:11 pm
Since when is “optimistic ” a bad thing ! 328 and Sly Please take off mike evans jocks off your head this is the joe bucs fan club not the 49er/ evans fan club hes gone please set sail
July 7th, 2026 at 7:43 pm
A year ago at this time we learned the best player on our team was having knee surgery. So yes, it is possible to be better now than we were then.
July 7th, 2026 at 8:27 pm
So much negative crap from you people. Back in the day we loved our team.