Josh Freeman is just part of the regression the entire Bucs team experienced.After a 10-6 season, We expected the Bucs to continue to improve.
Guilty.
After 25 TDs and only 6 INTs, we expected Josh Freeman to become the NFL elite.
Guilty.
After hitting on every practice squad player and draft pick, we expected everything Mark Dominik touched to turn to Bucs gold.
Guilty.
The truth is somewhere in the middle of all of that; too many things happened that we did NOT take into account going into 2011 that ended up coming true. The schedule looked harder, but we had no idea how hard it was really going to get. A lockout that eliminated every single offseason OTA event took away the tool the Bucs used to improve upon in 2010. Yes, every team lost OTAs, but everyone agreed the teams that missed it the most would be young players.
Where do you find the biggest level of improvement? From a player’s first year to his second- that pretty much sums up the entire Bucs roster. Then injuries took their toll at areas the Bucs were the thinnest in talent: Secondary and Tailback. Losing Cody Grimm hurt the run defense, but losing Earnest Graham was disasterous. Bucs havn’t won a game since.
Now I’m not talking about throwing in the towel and losing games on purpose or even ROOTING for the Bucs to lose; thats not for real Bucs fans! But I’m talking about watching the rest of the year with 2012 in mind, and the Bucs need to start figuring out who to keep, and who to let go.
2012 should see the Bucs finally add some free agents if we’re to believe Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds. The Bucs have drafted 3 classes under Morris/Dominik, and for the most part the results are encouraging. A foundation of youth has been built through the draft and practice squad acquisitions at Quarterback, Wide Receiver, and running back, now a veteran free agent WR is required to provide leadership for these young guys. It will develop Williams, and Benn, and either Brisco or Parker. Stroughter is a Kick Returner.
On defense, the Draft has brought in a foundation of Defensive tackles and ends. We see progress each week a long the line, its headed in the right direction. If Albert Hanesworth continues his good play, he will be a part of 2012 and an example of what bringing in a veteran at key positions can do.
The draft has NOT developed anyone at linebacker except rookie Foster who is being groomed at Mike linebacker. Quincy Black and Geno Hayes need to be replaced. Perhaps you can replace one via the draft, but Free Agency will be required to overhaul the linebacker corp. They are all backups, including Dekoda Watson and Adam Hayward. The secondary will require some answers first. Will Aqib Talib be available. I get the feeling his case is a worthless one at this point, and would be surprised if he is not released with charges dropped. Will Ronde Barber return? At times, most times, he shows he is still capable of playing at a high level. But a corner and safety need to be added, perhaps long term with the draft, but some via the draft too. One of the youngsters may be worth developing.
Coaching needs some change too, but not the kind people think. Raheem Morris is no longer an inexperienced coach, he has 3 years under his belt, so I dont want hear anymore about him being inexperienced. I do think Morris should step down as Defensive coordinator, if not for his attachment to his players, just the fact that Tony Dungy was more qualified than he is to be the team’s DC, but even Dungy hired someone to do the job so he can coach. And speaking of coordinators, I’ve grown tired of defending Offensive Coordinator Greg Olsen. Lets be honest, Olsen was not hired to be the OC, he took over when Jagodzinski was fired. The offense is predictable, throws deep balls when its 3rd and 2 from the shotgun, while throwing underneath on 3rd and 20. The Bucs best weapon was taken out of the game continually all year.
The schedule also improves, as the Bucs play the AFC West and NFC East, with a game against the NFC West’s more than likely 3rd place team.
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