The Buccaneers lost their compass when Malcolm began to take a lesser role in the running of the organization. The kids have slowly brought us back to where we were prior to Malcolm Glazer purchasing the team. Whether it was disinterest, focus on their other sporting commitments (Man U), or just complacency with the state of the organization, this team has no direction. Our rotation of GMs, coaches, free agents, draft picks, etc. have all been short term, reactive decisions with no long term goal. Does anyone feel like there is someone at the top of the organization that has a plan? I literally think they go season to season, and try their best to fill in the gaps after the season is over. This may work, who knows, with a team that is functional and competitive year in and year out, and has core philosophies, identities, and proper stability within the organization to maintain them - that's not the Bucs. It's been so long since I have felt that this team is truly trending in the right direction, it is heartbreaking as a fan.
Remember what it felt like, when Dungy was coaching, and we had a young Derrick Brooks, Sapp, etc.? We weren't dominant immediately, but we were stable, and our defense was trending toward dominance game after game and eventually got there. We had a focus - guys were drafted to the scheme that Dungy and Monte had built, and they never waivered from their plan. They were consistent and steady, and our defense was a spectacle. Our offense paid the price, we all know it, but we were in every game we played. We weren't perfect, but we were a successful franchise with real hope and direction. We easily could've been in the Super Bowl vs. the Titans after the 99 season and loss to the Rams. No one liked playing the Bucs back then. All of the position coaches and coordinators that moved on to bigger and better things in the NFL were evidence that this organization knew what they were doing . Other teams wanted what we had - it was a great feeling.
So where do we go from here? Does anyone feel that we have a single focus as a team? The ownership, management, coaching interests of the team haven't convinced anyone, in my opinion, that there is anything that looks like a core philosophy or direction to follow. We have tons of skill position talent that has truly been wasted over the past few seasons. We don't need a re-tread who has failed somewhere else, or a legend looking for a couple more years of glory. We need a new identify - someone who has been bred from successful organizations that can bring a plan into the building and stick to it. The owners aren't bad, in my opinion, but I think they are very much in need of true counsel at the top of the organization. Robert Kraft isn't a football genius - he is committed to winning, and has smart people around him.
I have been on this site forever, and never post. Hopefully the coming months will bring some positive hope and direction to a franchise that desperately needs it.
Looking forward to Sunday, as I always do. Whether I am in the stands or yelling at my TV, my passion for the Bucs will always be there. Just hope we find that compass that has been lost for 10 plus years.
