They recently released their roster rankings 1-32. I think Tampa’s roster in 2020, 21 and the 99-2003 may have had better rosters but I think with time, this will be viewed as at least our second best roster top to bottom ever, and ESPN has us as the 12th best roster this season. I try to account for my, here since ‘76 bias, but even then, the Bills, Commanders, Broncos, Rams, and 49ers all have inferior rosters to us. Player for player, Tampa is as good as any team out there sans the Eagles and we keep them in the basement in a box.
Curious to hear other’s thoughts.
There are higher expectations that normal for this team and that scares me.
think the fans have high expectations for the defense to improve and alot of that is driven by Reddick addition and the higher draft picks in the secondary. It's probably a coin flip that they either perform close to expectations or are non factors this year. Reddick had 1 sack last year in like 10 games; let's not just forget about it and assume he's Eagles version.
And for the offense, with the addition of Egbuka, we assume it will be another top 5 offense but question mark will remain just how important Coen was to the offense success.
i think this team should win 11 games this year but would another 9-10 win season surprise me? No, it's probably most likely
what would really surprise me would be a playoff miss but not totally out of the realm
I'd put it like this:
Bucs win 11+ games - 20% chance
Bucs do status quo, with mediocre 9,10 wins and playoff birth - 60%
Bucs miss playoffs - 20% chance
There are higher expectations that normal for this team and that scares me.
think the fans have high expectations for the defense to improve and alot of that is driven by Reddick addition and the higher draft picks in the secondary. It's probably a coin flip that they either perform close to expectations or are non factors this year. Reddick had 1 sack last year in like 10 games; let's not just forget about it and assume he's Eagles version.
And for the offense, with the addition of Egbuka, we assume it will be another top 5 offense but question mark will remain just how important Coen was to the offense success.
i think this team should win 11 games this year but would another 9-10 win season surprise me? No, it's probably most likely
what would really surprise me would be a playoff miss but not totally out of the realm
I'd put it like this:
Bucs win 11+ games - 20% chance
Bucs do status quo, with mediocre 9,10 wins and playoff birth - 60%
Bucs miss playoffs - 20% chance
Anything less than 10 wins and we are moving on from the coach and blowing this thing up. While I agree with your feedback, it's super safe and doesn't address the simple notion that Tampa is better today than when they walked off the field 6 months ago. Not every team can say that. In fact, most can't.
I think the Coen concerns, while valid, we have talent that quells those concerns. Also, last years defense is a ton better if they stay healthy. If we are healthy, we win 11+ games. Also, look at the teams in front of us on this list. Only the Eagles are more talented top to bottom when healthy. And I think we are better at QB, RB (depth), WR, and TE. They have OL but just barely.
but I think with time, this will be viewed as at least our second best roster top to bottom ever,
This roster isn’t even remotely as talented as the 2020-2021 versions.
Nor, is it compared to our 1st SB team.
That being said, this is a really good/talented unit.
There are higher expectations that normal for this team and that scares me.
think the fans have high expectations for the defense to improve and alot of that is driven by Reddick addition and the higher draft picks in the secondary. It's probably a coin flip that they either perform close to expectations or are non factors this year. Reddick had 1 sack last year in like 10 games; let's not just forget about it and assume he's Eagles version.
And for the offense, with the addition of Egbuka, we assume it will be another top 5 offense but question mark will remain just how important Coen was to the offense success.
i think this team should win 11 games this year but would another 9-10 win season surprise me? No, it's probably most likely
what would really surprise me would be a playoff miss but not totally out of the realm
I'd put it like this:
Bucs win 11+ games - 20% chance
Bucs do status quo, with mediocre 9,10 wins and playoff birth - 60%
Bucs miss playoffs - 20% chance
Anything less than 10 wins and we are moving on from the coach and blowing this thing up. While I agree with your feedback, it's super safe and doesn't address the simple notion that Tampa is better today than when they walked off the field 6 months ago. Not every team can say that. In fact, most can't.
I think the Coen concerns, while valid, we have talent that quells those concerns. Also, last years defense is a ton better if they stay healthy. If we are healthy, we win 11+ games. Also, look at the teams in front of us on this list. Only the Eagles are more talented top to bottom when healthy. And I think we are better at QB, RB (depth), WR, and TE. They have OL but just barely.
i mean i would 100% agree with them moving on from Bowles with a regression season except for the fact that they just extended him; makes me think they could go 6-11 this year and Bowles gets a mulligan
but I think with time, this will be viewed as at least our second best roster top to bottom ever,
This roster isn’t even remotely as talented as the 2020-2021 versions.
Nor, is it compared to our 1st SB team.
That being said, this is a really good/talented unit.
A really good talented unit that doesn't crack the top 3rd of the league roster wise. How can anyone write this with a straight face. Not you, ESPN.
I guess my optimism has the best of me to think that Evans, Godwin, Mayfield, Egbuka, Bucky, Wirfs, Goedeke, Vea, Kancy, LVD, Dennis, AWJ, Izien, Parrish, Morrison will someday be viewed as one hell of a roster.
but I think with time, this will be viewed as at least our second best roster top to bottom ever,
This roster isn’t even remotely as talented as the 2020-2021 versions.
Nor, is it compared to our 1st SB team.
That being said, this is a really good/talented unit.
yeah agreed; saw on ESPN that they had the 2 Buc Superbowl teams ranked in the top 12 since 2000. It's clear to be that the 2020 team likely the most balanced of the three
the 2002 offense was not as great and a different era really so it ranks towards the bottom in many of the offense categories, but the 2002 defense is great where the 2025 defense is not.
and as good as the offense is in 2025, i still dont see them being better than 2020 squad. So even if Baker throws another 40 TDs; who do you trust more in the playoffs - him or Brady.
QB Ranking
1. 2020
2. 2025
3. 2002
RB Ranking
1. 2025
2. 2002
3. 2020
WR/TE Ranking
1. 2020
2. 2025
3. 2002
O-Line Ranking
1. 2020
2. 2025
3. 2002
D-Line Ranking
1. 2002
2. 2020
3. 2025
Linebacker ranking
1. 2002
2. 2020
3. 2025
Secondary ranking
1. 2002
2. 2020
3. 2025
A really good talented unit that doesn't crack the top 3rd of the league roster wise. How can anyone write this with a straight face. Not you, ESPN.
Didn’t we crack the Top 3rd?
and as good as the offense is in 2025, i still dont see them being better than 2020 squad. So even if Baker throws another 40 TDs; who do you trust more in the playoffs - him or Brady.
They’re not better than the 2020 squad.
Brady clears Baker by a country mile (not a knock on Baker, just reality).
And, again, Brady was the one who changed the culture of this franchise.
Lastly, good breakdown on your positional rankings. 🍻
A really good talented unit that doesn't crack the top 3rd of the league roster wise. How can anyone write this with a straight face. Not you, ESPN.
Didn’t we crack the Top 3rd?
We didn't. We were 12. Weak shit by anyone's evaluation except ESPN, I guess...
and as good as the offense is in 2025, i still dont see them being better than 2020 squad. So even if Baker throws another 40 TDs; who do you trust more in the playoffs - him or Brady.
They’re not better than the 2020 squad.
Brady clears Baker by a country mile (not a knock on Baker, just reality).
And, again, Brady was the one who changed the culture of this franchise.
Lastly, good breakdown on your positional rankings. 🍻
Agree. I would say our OL now (healthy) is better than 2020 but, I agree with the rest.
They have Godwin and Walker starting. Not very informed.
Anything less than 10 wins and we are moving on from the coach and blowing this thing up.
Somebody is going to ask you to pair that with your McMillan bet!
For my part, that could definitely come true BUT it would take a catastrophic season without something like injuries to offset things.
You can probably find a dozen posters posting some version of that sentiment in 2022, 2023 and 2024 . .. the same time frame that led the owners to extend both Licht and Bowles.
Anything less than 10 wins and we are moving on from the coach and blowing this thing up.
Somebody is going to ask you to pair that with your McMillan bet!
For my part, that could definitely come true BUT it would take a catastrophic season without something like injuries to offset things.
You can probably find a dozen posters posting some version of that sentiment in 2022, 2023 and 2024 . .. the same time frame that led the owners to extend both Licht and Bowles.
You may have already done this but, if not, when you have time, go look at who needs to be re-signed after this season. Next off-season is going to suck. Not only are our two sure fire HOFers probably going to retire, but, we have to sign many to keep the band together. Certainly Licht's strength but, the year to grab eternity and the roster to do it, is right now!
The 2002 defense was off the charts good, so on that basis alone there is no comparing today's Bucs rosters to the 2002 team
The 2020 offense was very good and very loaded with talent, including the best QB ever, so not exactly comparable. If anything, the 2024 offense gets credit for doing it a different way (less talent, different offense etc)