The Bucs played some of the worst teams in the league last year. NFC West plus the Panthers were 6 wins. Another win was against the Redskins only because they botched a PAT. Another win was against the Browns who's coach was fired. Another win against the Bengals whose QB wants to be traded. The Saints game I consider a wash because the Bucs got destroyed in the first meeting.
But the Bucs are better than the Panthers, Bengals, Browns, and the NFC West. I guess that's improvement from 2009. But I dont see this team as a playoff team. There is no pass rush. The LBs are huge question marks. And now the secondary is a mess thanks to Tanard and Talib. And this team refuses to even consider free agency to help fill a couple holes. Why? Because they are cheap!
Does it matter? It's not the Bucs' fault the other teams blow. We are given a schedule by the NFL. All we can do is play it the best we can.
That's not my point. Im not bashing the Bucs for playing their schedule. Im bashing the fans that think playing a cupcake schedule makes this team suddenly a playoff contender.
How many times have you seen a football team (on any level) breeze through an easy regular season schedule, look good doing it, and then get killed in the playoffs when they face better competition? I've seen it a bunch of times.
I don't see this as a playoff team. I just don't. Name one solid position on the defense. Other than perhaps McCoy...name just one position that is rock solid. Ronde will likely be gone next year. Everyone wants Talib cut and the media will run him out of town whether he's guilty or not. No one wants Ruud back. Hayes has his problems with the law. Tanard can't stay off the drugs. Grimm looks promising but there isn't enough to judge for the long term. Biggers, Lewis, and Mack are back-up material. We have nothing at DE but scrubs. The defense is a mess. And the only way to fix it according to Dominik and the Glazers is to use the draft? Give me a f---ing break! Will you explain to me how signing someone like Asomugha would hurt the team? He wouldnt. He wouldnt strap the cap since this team will be so freakin far under the floor its not even funny. But you and I both know damn well the Bucs won't even make an offer to him or anyone else in Free Agency that could fill a few holes until replacements are drafted. Or if they do make an offer it will be for some stupid low-ball amount so they can go to the fans and say, "we tried."
According to JoeBucsFan, the Bucs beat the Saints last year with 24 players on the roster undrafted. Imagine what this team could accomplish if they were willing to spend just a little bit more money for a few good free agents that can provide some leadership and experience to the defense.
