Anything is Possible
by ericshysterics on Dec 18, 2011 10:09 AM EST
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PrintAfter eight straight losses, it seems like a given that a new coach will be found for next season. I can't say how much I wish that wasn't the case. I, like everyone else, had sky-high expectations and figured at this point in the season we'd be breaking down wild card scenarios. It's a shame.
But since we're probably getting a new coach for Christmas, who will have all sorts of ideas about who goes, who stays and what direction to take the team in, I'm left wondering about decisions that will affect next year.
Some things are up for debate: the defense is arguably bad enough to warrant scrapping the scheme and going 3-4, despite the heavily invested in D-line. Some things are a practically a given: the offense needs speed at every skill position and the offensive line, in my opinion, isn't worth the money they spent on it. One position has been circling my brain more than any other though. Quarterback. What will the new coach think about him?
I like Freeman. He's young, he clearly has potential and I do think he can be a good, if not great, quarterback if surrounded with some serious weapons. But if you were the new coach and were charged with winning now, what would you do? Tampa is going to have a high first round pick. Would you go quarterback to inspire some competition? It would be easy to say players like Matt Stafford, Cam Newton, and Sam Bradford have higher ceilings than Freeman, and that another quarterback would, too--although nothing is for certain in the NFL.
And drafting a new quarterback is easily justifiable. Using a first round pick wouldn't put the team behind as much as one might think. If Freeman takes off and becomes the quarterback we all hope he can be, the team has an excellent backup quarterback that they can probably trade for a first round pick. If the new kid, whomever that may be, took off, the team could probably trade Freeman just as easily or give him a meager contract extension and keep him as an excellent back up.
It all depends on what the new regime (assuming there will be one) decides to do with free agency and the draft.
What would you do? Stay devoted to Freeman or inspire competition by stockpiling?
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No to the 3-4 and no to a new QB
Freeman needs at least another year under new coaches. Moving to a 3-4 would make the only good players on our defense worthless. Stick with the 4-3, get some new linebackers, corners, and safety. That’s enough rebuilding without making it worse.
Yugly.
I don't understand why people are so focused on moving to a 3-4
For one, a 3-4 is not some magical fix. Especially not when you do not have the talent at either DL or LB to run a 3-4. The Bucs would need to spend another two+ years to rebuild the entire front seven if they made that move. It makes no sense.
As for drafting a quarterback high in the first round, there are so many needs that the Bucs really shouldn’t even consider that. I can understand doubting Freeman at this point, but you can’t give up on a first-round quarterback after three years when he’s had one terrific season in between and shown that he has the skill and talent to succeed.
Maybe because the 3-4 is the "flavor of the week"...
but I have always preferred the 4-3. Having 4 big guys up front always seemed like a better way to control the line of scrimmage. Personnel should be key in making that decision, and our last 2 drafts have invested heavily in our DL.
No reason to change that. Example: WAS had a very good DEF in 2008, and Shanahan made the switch to a 3-4. They are not nearly as good, so it seems stupid now.
by Cracker Ball on Dec 18, 2011 12:05 PM EST up reply actions
I agree....the Bucs made their bed
by drafting Freeman. They have to give him another year no matter how much he blows. Unfortunately, they have to draft other areas which are in more disarray than the QB position.
No and No
Freeman needs another year under new coaches before we seriously consider replacing him as our starter. Moving to the 3-4 would mean we would waste picks on the front seven, when we really need to address the back seven- it’s creating more needs for us on defense, when we already have too many holes.
Eight straight losses and counting- time to go, Raheem.
as of right now we're lined up for a top 5 pick
go for blackmon? or trade down and gather some picks and take care of a WR in later rounds
I don't think there's a wrong answer to this question
My only consistent complaint with Freeman is that his passes are high much of the time. Didn’t we bring in a new Quarterbacks coach this season? Van Pelt? I wonder if that’s part of the issue…
by ericshysterics on Dec 18, 2011 7:35 PM EST up reply actions
Van Pelt was the QB coach last year too
And while he throws his passes a little high, they’re not uncatchable. If you watch Ryan or Brady, they consistently throw their passes at that height on a lot of throws. Except their receivers do make the catches.
His accuracy has been really off this season, though, but a lot of different things about his game have broken down this year.
You mean the "Best player available...
in a position of need", this list being CB, LB, OL, WR, RB and TE?
When you have as many needs as we do, we badly need to fill specific areas with quality starters. The “draft the best player” philosophy works when you are already good and you have the luxury of adding a great player when you have no glaring holes.
For us, CB, LB and OL should be addressed first. Then WR and RB and eventually if we get there, TE. Also, we ust participate aggressively in the F/A market as well. No more “swing and a miss” here.
by Cracker Ball on Dec 19, 2011 6:24 AM EST up reply actions
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