Hang in there!

by Buctooth on Oct 6, 2009 12:29 AM EDT Comment 11 comments

With the entry of kicker Shane Andrus, I began to think…

Hey, things might not be so bad after all!

Yes, the odds are against us, but it could be worse: we could be the Raiders! Joking aside, I’m still holding out for Raheem and his so called "dream." This season is no different than any in the past. This is a test for us, Bucs fans. This is a test to see how strong our faith will endure. It doesn’t help that we got rid of our bread and butter players. It doesn’t help that we’ve got a coach who’s got little to no experience under his belt. It doesn’t help that we have a long road ahead, full of difficult opponents.

But that’s the way the ship sails.

The bread and butter were starting to get rotten. The coach, while inexperienced, is learning. We’re bound to hit a rough schedule sooner or later. This is just the sign of the times. But hey, things might not be so bad after all.

This upcoming game against the Eagles, Tanard Jackson will finally make his much-needed return to our ailing defense. I spoke of our team as having to assemble the pieces to a puzzle. And what’s happened so far has been good… so far.

As our roster stands…

OFFENSE

QB - Josh Johnson

HB - Cadillac Williams

FB - B.J. Askew

WR - Antonio Bryant

WR - Michael Clayton

TE - Kellen Winslow Jr.

LT - Donald Penn

LG - Jeremy Zuttah

C - Sean Mahan

RG - Davin Joseph

RT - Jeremy Trueblood

DEFENSE

LE - Gaines Adams

RE - Jimmy Wilkerson

DT - Chris Hovan

DT - Ryan Sims

LB - Geno Hayes

MB - Barrett Ruud

RB - Quincy Black

CB - Rhonde Barber

CB - Aqib Talib

FS - Tanard Jackson

SS - Sabby Piscitelli

Bucs fans, we have some good pieces here. The players in bold are what I believe to be the superstars on our team.

I’ve been a supporter of Josh Johnson. The only problem he faces at the moment is experience. He hasn’t had enough time to get acquainted with the NFL teams. But he showed signs of brilliance. And hey, at least he doesn’t sit like a duck in the pocket waiting to be sacked!

Michael Clayton, though he’s slipped up in the past weeks, can still be a strong contributor.

Our O-Line, save for Sean Mahan, can survive. Hopefully, Faine will be able to return in due time from his injuries.

The Defense has its holes, but there are bright spots. Talib is finally stepping up, so is Geno Hayes. Barrett and Rhonde, our new bread and butter, don’t seem to stand out much in discussions. Then again, that means they’re doing their job. In fact, Ruud currently ranks second in the league with 40 tackles. Overall, the defense will hopefully be remedied when Jackson steps into the fray. If the big plays were killing us in the past few games, then Jackson will make a big difference.

We all knew we were in for tough times. This is the season to rebuild. But I wouldn’t start pointing fingers yet.

We’re positioned for a good draft pick. It'd probably be best if we drafted a DT or someone on Defense. I opt that we make good on that pick, and possibly trade for a few more. Throw in some good Free Agents and we’re looking at a better team in 2010. So in a way, this is like a LONG preseason.

Hold on, guys!

- Zeke

Poll

How's your morale?

Great, the storm's bound to end!

17 votes

I've seen better days, but I'll manage.

26 votes

Forget that, I'm jumping ship!

6 votes

49 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I see alot of good solid players

we need to fill some holes and have the coaches good enough to point them in the proper direction. Good schemes and good play calling on both sides of the ball is needed.

by buccanator on Oct 6, 2009 12:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hang on

Im working on a post for the draft (week 4 version), have it up tomorrow or thursday.

J.J LOVE SPREADS while RAHEEM MORRIS'S PLAN FOR NFLDOMINECION IS COMING TO AN END.

by Some other guy who does not care on Oct 6, 2009 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The question isn't whether or not there is potential

I think we all agree that there is. The question is whether or not the front office really has a vision for this franchise or if they are just content to be a so-so football team. Many people suspect that the Glazers simply do not have the money to sign free agents because of their committments overseas.

I also am concerned about whether or not they are fit to draft the players we need. We essentially passed on a first round pick this year by picking Josh Freeman, a QB who will not be playing or learning (in a learning year) and whose talent level could have been obtained in this years 2nd or even 3rd round.

The bottom line is that we have still haven’t re-signed Ruud, and there are several other players that will be up for free agency. Needless to say, if this team goes into the season $43 million under the cap again, we will not be competitive. I’ve said it many times, but you get what you pay for.

by LeeCaz on Oct 6, 2009 12:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I know what you mean...

regarding the Glazers. If you can, check out my post about it.

Two things can potentially happen. 1) Josh Johnson becomes the Bucs version of Brady and leads our team to success OR 2) Josh Johnson fails to meet expectation and will place Josh Freeman at the helm. Either way, this’ll determine the fate of Freeman. While I’m a huge supporter of Josh Freeman, I kind of hope that Josh Freeman gets to start as quarterback. I mean, we DID draft him, he IS the quarterback of the future.

Still, I think the organization can focus on better drafts now that the quarterback hunger has been sated. The question is whether we decide to build upon our defense or offense. If anything, I don’t feel comfortable with Jim Bates’ style of defense. I’d rather get someone who knows their football better than he does.

As far as Ruud is concerned, I think Ruud has been speak volumes with his recent performance. If the organization is as smart as I hope they are, then they’re going to re-sign him. If they don’t, I think I may have to reconsider this fandom I have for the Buccaneers. I kid. But seriously.

"What we do in life echoes in eternity..." - Maximus Decimus Meridius

by Buctooth on Oct 6, 2009 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

WRECK'd

for OPTIMISM

J.J LOVE SPREADS while RAHEEM MORRIS'S PLAN FOR NFLDOMINECION IS COMING TO AN END.

by Some other guy who does not care on Oct 6, 2009 8:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

your wrong!!!!1even the Radiars have a better record morris must go….PERIOD…then we can be optimistic

the mart man

by martymar on Oct 6, 2009 10:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Morris is the only problem?

Once he’s fired everything will be fixed? Sounds like to me that’s what you are saying.

"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"

by UNFNOLE on Oct 6, 2009 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I still think...

you guys are expecting too much out of a first-time coach. With the exception of Mike Tomlin, I don’t think there are any coaches who won immediate success in their first run as a NFL head coach.

"What we do in life echoes in eternity..." - Maximus Decimus Meridius

by Buctooth on Oct 7, 2009 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs