Well it's been awhile and mainly because of a lack of enthusiasm on my part. Year after year my optimism is crushed by the end of October, even earlier most years. Year after year a late offseason surprise, always a negative. Year after year a seemingly positive move that turns into a nightmare. Remember thinking signing Mike Smith after the 2016 season was the best of multiple moves making the Buccaneers a Super Bowl contender? We've had hurricanes causing a week one "bye" week! Kwon suspended, Jameis suspended, Hard Knocks indeed!
So I've been spending this offseason with a shut up and show me attitude. And what happens? JPP breaks his neck, our best pass rusher and team leader in 2018. And then there's the lovely schedule! Seven (7) SEVEN consecutive weeks on the ROAD! 22,000 traveling miles!
But here we are. It's August. What do we really have here? ALL my opinions only but let's hope it pans out.
1) The Buccaneers have the perfect coaching staff for a turnaround. The perfect coaching staff to get Jameis Winston where he needs to be. I like EVERYTHING I've heard from Bruce Arians! EVERYTHING! This man knows football, how to teach, lead and win. Our QB whisperer is ideal for Jameis. I'm confident the we'll see less turnovers and more long passes completed this year.
2) Todd Bowles and his Buccaneers defense WILL be far better than the old, stale and ineffective mess we saw last year and the year before. Not only will it be a lot more fun to watch but I believe we'll see more turnovers from this defense as well. This defense will get better as the core young players gain experience game action and extremely competent coaching. This is exciting!
3) Enough of the kicking curse! Forget Matt Bryant's release and the subsequent disasters since then. Jason Licht takes a lot of crap for drafting Aguayo and all the other failures brought in since Matt left town years ago. But damn it he kept TRYING to fix it and now I have to believe it's done, the curse is done. Nothing, absolutely nothing lasts forever. I know, I know, we'll see how it goes when the real bullets fly but from what's been reported so far, the loser will most likely be signed to start for another team.
4) Devin White. Watch OUT! Does anyone think he won't be a Pro-bowler very soon? In my opinion Devin is as can't miss as can't miss gets. Yes, I believe we have our Hardy Nickerson/Derrick Brooks LB and defensive leader! Talk about can't miss with an upside! Can't wait to see him play. Sure, he's going to make mistakes early on, but watching him improve every week is going to be a lot of fun.
5) Mike Evans. The man. Mike is a pro's pro. On and off the field he handles himself with class. Great work ethic, a fine example for the players even younger than he still is to look up to. Winston to Evans is almost unstoppable and with so many other options still in Tampa, OJ, Brate, Godwin and a host of young talent at WO? Good luck defending Mike this season!
6) Ndamukong Suh and Vita Vea in the middle? Type about strength! These two are going to make offensive lines miserable! I know so many wanted Derwin James. But Vea's position alone makes him the better pick. Look for the reason why this season. Right away.
7) CB's and safeties. I really like this bunch! There is talent there, the kind of talent that good coaching can really help. There could be two rookies starting in September, Bunting and Edwards, maybe more. Look for the defensive backfield to get better game by game. And what a future!
8) The defense allows less points, the offense scores as many or more than last year? Nice math that could result in wins. Right?
So yes, there IS optimism in the air again for Garv in Sarasota. But......... having typed all that? I am in full agreement with Scott Reynolds. Show me. Just SHOW ME! Because it's all just opinion and bullshit until the games are played. Get better week by week. Be in contention in November with contributions from our multitude young players and we will FINALLY have a team to believe in again. And that my friends, is exciting!
Damn it to hell, we're due.
