the Bucs can change my mind if they still 1 of the next 2 games but.....until that happens, hard to take this team seriously. They will be known as being in a weak ass division and pretenders.
Conceding up front that this is a fan's take, the other scenario is that a rough patch in the middle here combined with the return of a couple players nad maybe easier division opponents has the Bucs coming on strong at the end of the season.
who knows?
The expectations sky rocketed that we thought we had a chance of a #1 seed and actual Super Bowl contenders.
the Bucs can change my mind if they still 1 of the next 2 games but.....until that happens, hard to take this team seriously. They will be known as being in a weak ass division and pretenders.
Because of expectations ("we thought we had a chance of a #1 seed and actual Super Bowl contenders")
FWIW, SR goes on to predict they win 1 of the next 2. I do NOT see that, especially after the Bills getting thumped by Miami. DH made this point last night, I think.
But, the Pats loss is a bad loss no matter what. It was also a bit of a trap game. Coming off a bye, the game they were "supposed to win" of the three etc.
well yeah, if before the season, you would have said we'd have all these injuries and finish 11-6, which would be our best record since the two good Brady Years...yeah we'd take it.
but that's loser mentality talk to be honest and just coping.
At 5-1, were we all not thinking higher hopes this year?
the Patriots game should have been a win. They are not a great team despite their record. They had 3 long TDs which is uncharacteristic of our defense, particularly, the run defense? I had saving private ryan flash backs to our 2008 collapse where Carolina ran all over our defense that one game. Let's hope we all of a sudden didn't forget how to stop the run like we have had since 2020.
We need to at least put up 30 to beat teams like Buffalo and LAR. I dont see how we beat a Buffalo team that will be hungry for a win or a prime time game against LA....both on the road. Yes, if we win one of those, count me back in
if we win both of those, buy me a super bowl ticket
but, if we had to bet, would you not bet what this team has been under Bowles?
the Bucs can change my mind if they still 1 of the next 2 games but.....until that happens, hard to take this team seriously. They will be known as being in a weak ass division and pretenders.
Conceding up front that this is a fan's take, the other scenario is that a rough patch in the middle here combined with the return of a couple players nad maybe easier division opponents has the Bucs coming on strong at the end of the season.
who knows?
oh i have no doubt the Bucs will go on a run to end the season...or help, that's the bare minimum they should do
my expectations are 6-0 as we will be favored in every game, but 5-1 is most likely with a dud game we lay against a division opponent; would guess either Atlanta or Carolina; particularly after a win streak as we can't win more than 4 games in a row
so at 6-5, winning 3 in a row versus Cardinals, Saints, and Falcons; yeah bet the house on that Carolina road game being a loss.
the Bucs can change my mind if they still 1 of the next 2 games but.....until that happens, hard to take this team seriously. They will be known as being in a weak ass division and pretenders.
Conceding up front that this is a fan's take, the other scenario is that a rough patch in the middle here combined with the return of a couple players nad maybe easier division opponents has the Bucs coming on strong at the end of the season.
who knows?
oh i have no doubt the Bucs will go on a run to end the season...or help, that's the bare minimum they should do
my expectations are 6-0 as we will be favored in every game, but 5-1 is most likely with a dud game we lay against a division opponent; would guess either Atlanta or Carolina; particularly after a win streak as we can't win more than 4 games in a row
so at 6-5, winning 3 in a row versus Cardinals, Saints, and Falcons; yeah bet the house on that Carolina road game being a loss.
yes that is probably right, but that could mean -- again, being optimistic - that we head into the playoffs hot.
It was a trap game because we didn’t have the tools to effect the outcome - but the Pats defense wasn’t rolling over and letting us score. We actually turned in a better run game than expected and nearly as effective as Buffalo in their loss to the Pats. I still contend, a healthy Bucky would have made a difference in this game - especially from a balanced offensive perspective.
Grizz was better, just not consistent. Baker still can’t run his scramble drill, and never really tried. I believe Baker isn’t running, or able to avoid sacks due to injury (maybe his knee?), maybe some of it was Pats defense, mostly it’s due to Baker purposely not scrambling?
O-Line is looking better, except for the guard personnel. Don’t like losing Bredeson, but that can be overcome. Getting Haggard back could offset that.
Defense giving up big run/pass gash plays. Bigger issue: and as SR said - why is Morrison in so much at Dean’s expense? That was unexpected. Defense also only had one late INT/turnover, right? That was also unexpected.
Injuries are definitely effecting win/loss - but it’s not like we don’t have SOME of horses coming back.
The sky is not falling.
I’d say if we played Buffalo with the same active players as we started against the Pats, it’s a toss-up, but I’d feel confident the Bucs could win.
Add Bucky to the mix, I’d feel very confident and say the Bucs will win.
Pats are a good team, consistently better than Buffalo, and our score totals against the Pats are similar. Adding Bucky would be like adding water to Sea Monkeys.
It was a trap game because we didn’t have the tools to effect the outcome
With that definition, couldn't you define every game the team has played this season as a trap game?
I wouldn't define a game where the opponent is 7-2 and Nance & Romo are in town to call it as a trap game. I don't think the team was looking beyond the 7-2 Patriots, as that would be an excuse. They just got beat.
I wouldn't define a game where the opponent is 7-2 and Nance & Romo are in town to call it as a trap game. I don't think the team was looking beyond the 7-2 Patriots
And yet everyone here (except maybe WT) had it as the win in these next three and the defense that prided itself on RUN defense got gashed repeatedly and Bowles even emphasized NOT being that team . . .
"
We encourage our players to have accountability,” Bowles said. “I don’t think we had a killer instinct yesterday. I thought we played like we had a bye week from an energy standpoint.
“You know, we have [a killer instinct] when we get rolling, and it’s good for him to speak up and say those things. He’s one of our captains. So guys listen when [captains] speak.
“Accountability is making sure the guy next to you is doing their job. And you know, [Mayfield is] one of the guys that advocates that. He leads by example on offense. Lavonte [David] is the leader on defense that way. And you know, we got to follow suit.”
It was a trap game because we didn’t have the tools to effect the outcome
With that definition, couldn't you define every game the team has played this season as a trap game?
I wouldn't define a game where the opponent is 7-2 and Nance & Romo are in town to call it as a trap game. I don't think the team was looking beyond the 7-2 Patriots, as that would be an excuse. They just got beat.
Yeah.
You can miss me with the "trap game" bullshit.
One of the best team's in the league right now, with one of the best records, and a QB who's a legitimate contender for MVP.
We were out-coached, out-prepped, out-played, and out-executed by a better team.
What's more concerning is this brings Todd's record to something like 2-6 or 2-7 out of the bye week.
Not good.
I’d say if we played Buffalo with the same active players as we started against the Pats, it’s a toss-up, but I’d feel confident the Bucs could win.
Add Bucky to the mix, I’d feel very confident and say the Bucs will win.
Pats are a good team, consistently better than Buffalo, and our score totals against the Pats are similar. Adding Bucky would be like adding water to Sea Monkeys.
i would assume Bucky is out the month of November at this point
same with Godwin and Evan’s
so operate under that premise until we are surprised with positive news
thought Bowles said no time table to return
the Bucs can change my mind if they still 1 of the next 2 games but.....until that happens, hard to take this team seriously. They will be known as being in a weak ass division and pretenders.
Conceding up front that this is a fan's take, the other scenario is that a rough patch in the middle here combined with the return of a couple players nad maybe easier division opponents has the Bucs coming on strong at the end of the season.
who knows?
oh i have no doubt the Bucs will go on a run to end the season...or help, that's the bare minimum they should do
my expectations are 6-0 as we will be favored in every game, but 5-1 is most likely with a dud game we lay against a division opponent; would guess either Atlanta or Carolina; particularly after a win streak as we can't win more than 4 games in a row
so at 6-5, winning 3 in a row versus Cardinals, Saints, and Falcons; yeah bet the house on that Carolina road game being a loss.
yes that is probably right, but that could mean -- again, being optimistic - that we head into the playoffs hot.
but we were hot the last 2 seasons too
we beat a floundering eagles team, one that basically 30 other teams would have also beat. (Reference double digit loss giants and cardinals beating them late that year)
Lost to the commanders in a game where the offense choked
so being “hot” doesn’t necessary make me feel good
again the standards changed. Originally was happy just to make playoffs post Brady but now would be great to do something with it
Kinda what I said prior to the game against the Pats. We don’t (and increasingly looks like won’t) have our horses back in time for these tough games. Baker could get his Oblique/knee thing settled at some point, so there’s always the heroics thing that could surprise one of these next 3 teams, but I’m not counting on it.I’d say if we played Buffalo with the same active players as we started against the Pats, it’s a toss-up, but I’d feel confident the Bucs could win.
Add Bucky to the mix, I’d feel very confident and say the Bucs will win.
Pats are a good team, consistently better than Buffalo, and our score totals against the Pats are similar. Adding Bucky would be like adding water to Sea Monkeys.
i would assume Bucky is out the month of November at this point
same with Godwin and Evan’s
so operate under that premise until we are surprised with positive news
thought Bowles said no time table to return
We get some of our guys back in 3 weeks, maybe some back in the games after the Cards (which we should run through), and then maybe a few more back for a playoff run.
Let’s don’t pretend that you can have a great line that hasn’t yet been on the field, or a great receiving room that isn’t missing EVERY starter for most of the season, or last seasons rookie phenom RB that has missed the last 5 games - and there won’t be consequences.
injuries on this level don’t come without consequences. Those consequences are unexpected losses - because at some point you just have JAGS who aren’t able to step up.
Licht built a great offensive roster, even took some early flack from some fans for drafting a WR in the first round - who is now leading the team in receptions (after also missing 2 games himself).
The plan for 12 to 14 wins and the number 1 playoff seed - is no longer a reality.
The new plan is to get through the schedule with 10 to 11 wins (emphasis on the 10), make the playoffs and see what damage we can do with a new roster of our veteran players.
It’s a good & reasonable plan, lemons into lemonade brother (at least we still have some lemons)!
it ain’t how we drew it up, but it’s the only plan we have, now.
The sky can’t be falling if you know where you’re standing.
The sky is not falling.
The problem is we still have 8 games to play and who says we won't accumulate more injuries. Waiting on players to return is a pipe dream. Time to roll with what we have and forget about the injured players returning. Just assume no one is coming back. That needs to be the focus.Kinda what I said prior to the game against the Pats. We don’t (and increasingly looks like won’t) have our horses back in time for these tough games. Baker could get his Oblique/knee thing settled at some point, so there’s always the heroics thing that could surprise one of these next 3 teams, but I’m not counting on it.I’d say if we played Buffalo with the same active players as we started against the Pats, it’s a toss-up, but I’d feel confident the Bucs could win.
Add Bucky to the mix, I’d feel very confident and say the Bucs will win.
Pats are a good team, consistently better than Buffalo, and our score totals against the Pats are similar. Adding Bucky would be like adding water to Sea Monkeys.
i would assume Bucky is out the month of November at this point
same with Godwin and Evan’s
so operate under that premise until we are surprised with positive news
thought Bowles said no time table to return
We get some of our guys back in 3 weeks, maybe some back in the games after the Cards (which we should run through), and then maybe a few more back for a playoff run.
Let’s don’t pretend that you can have a great line that hasn’t yet been on the field, or a great receiving room that isn’t missing EVERY starter for most of the season, or last seasons rookie phenom RB that has missed the last 5 games - and there won’t be consequences.
injuries on this level don’t come without consequences. Those consequences are unexpected losses - because at some point you just have JAGS who aren’t able to step up.
Licht built a great offensive roster, even took some early flack from some fans for drafting a WR in the first round - who is now leading the team in receptions (after also missing 2 games himself).
The plan for 12 to 14 wins and the number 1 playoff seed - is no longer a reality.
The new plan is to get through the schedule with 10 to 11 wins (emphasis on the 10), make the playoffs and see what damage we can do with a new roster of our veteran players.
It’s a good & reasonable plan, lemons into lemonade brother (at least we still have some lemons)!
it ain’t how we drew it up, but it’s the only plan we have, now.
The sky can’t be falling if you know where you’re standing.
The sky is not falling.
Sure! I mean why worry about free agents & hitting on high draft picks and doing a good job identifying starters in the later rounds?The problem is we still have 8 games to play and who says we won't accumulate more injuries. Waiting on players to return is a pipe dream. Time to roll with what we have and forget about the injured players returning. Just assume no one is coming back. That needs to be the focus.Kinda what I said prior to the game against the Pats. We don’t (and increasingly looks like won’t) have our horses back in time for these tough games. Baker could get his Oblique/knee thing settled at some point, so there’s always the heroics thing that could surprise one of these next 3 teams, but I’m not counting on it.I’d say if we played Buffalo with the same active players as we started against the Pats, it’s a toss-up, but I’d feel confident the Bucs could win.
Add Bucky to the mix, I’d feel very confident and say the Bucs will win.
Pats are a good team, consistently better than Buffalo, and our score totals against the Pats are similar. Adding Bucky would be like adding water to Sea Monkeys.
i would assume Bucky is out the month of November at this point
same with Godwin and Evan’s
so operate under that premise until we are surprised with positive news
thought Bowles said no time table to return
We get some of our guys back in 3 weeks, maybe some back in the games after the Cards (which we should run through), and then maybe a few more back for a playoff run.
Let’s don’t pretend that you can have a great line that hasn’t yet been on the field, or a great receiving room that isn’t missing EVERY starter for most of the season, or last seasons rookie phenom RB that has missed the last 5 games - and there won’t be consequences.
injuries on this level don’t come without consequences. Those consequences are unexpected losses - because at some point you just have JAGS who aren’t able to step up.
Licht built a great offensive roster, even took some early flack from some fans for drafting a WR in the first round - who is now leading the team in receptions (after also missing 2 games himself).
The plan for 12 to 14 wins and the number 1 playoff seed - is no longer a reality.
The new plan is to get through the schedule with 10 to 11 wins (emphasis on the 10), make the playoffs and see what damage we can do with a new roster of our veteran players.
It’s a good & reasonable plan, lemons into lemonade brother (at least we still have some lemons)!
it ain’t how we drew it up, but it’s the only plan we have, now.
The sky can’t be falling if you know where you’re standing.
The sky is not falling.
Theres a reason why you don’t know the names of other teams replacements and 3rd string back ups - They’re role players, but aren’t starters that someone doesn’t like & decides to bury on the depth chart.
JAG’s are temporary/emergency starters. To be used sparingly, because relying on them for more than resting a player, or for a short term injury, exposes their weakness.
“Next man up” only works for a play, part of a game, or maybe one game. You may beat struggling teams with them, but not the playoff caliber teams (like Seattle, Detroit, and New England)
We have been forced to rely on JAG’s due to injuries.
You don’t have to like it but backups aren’t going to help us beat really good teams. We are getting some starters back, depending on which we get back, and when, will determine which games we win, and which we lose.
If you don’t get out starters back for 3 weeks, then I don’t expect us to win those 3 games, because overall, we don’t have the talent available at skill positions to match up.
Now, it’s possible that some of those teams may have a spat of injuries, or one key player of their own that will be injured - and that could give us an advantage, but that’s called hope, and it’s not a winning strategy.
you don’t have to like it, but that is the plan.
Trust the plan. The sky is not falling.
