FanPost

Lets all just take a deep breath.....

I want to start by saying that I am a huge Buccs fan. I watch every game, go to at least one (hopefully two) games every year. I want the way last year ended to be what we see for a long time in Tampa. I am nervous though. I found myself in an argument last week with some co-workers about how good the Buccs would be this year. Half way through the conversation I realized I was talking about them like they could have beaten the Packers to death in the Playoffs last year.....

 

Thats what made me decide to post this out there to all my fellow Buccs fans. I think that we all got a little bit over confident as we watched the youngest team in the NFL wipe the floor with teams over the last three weeks or last season. I really hope they are as good early and even better as the year goes on...

 

       Unfortunately a lot of young teams who have a surprising year fall two steps back the following season. I think it was Jimmy Johnson a few years ago who talked about young teams watching too much ESPN and it makes them think they're better than they really are. A lot of those "one hit wonder" teams excel because of a new coach who fires them up, but the next year that wears off a bit and they lack leadership from players in the locker room. The difference here could be Josh Freeman. As his mini-camp demonstrated he has plenty of control in Tampa despite being only 23 years old. He seems to be all that and a bag of chips. I'm not talking a $.99 bag either. I'm talking one of those mondo bags you get from Sams Club that your whole family can live off of for like 3 days. He showed unbelievable poise all year long, especially when the game was on the line. If he plays that good or even better (which I expect him to be better) then we will be in the Playoffs this year. The Saints will be our biggest competition this year as I really think the Falcons will fall back. Their Defense has a lot of holes in it. The Saints however should have a much improved running game and with that their offense will be lethal. It wouldn't be a stretch to say the Buccs can win this division and it surely wouldn't upset me any, but for them to pull it off I think they have to set a tone early and build from there. Week 1 in Tampa is a must win and week 4 on Monday Night Football vs the Colts is a must win if this team is going to take the next step. 

Obviously they can lose those two game and still make the playoffs....but it would send a message to these young players as well as the rest of the NFL if the Buccs can off the Colts in front of a National audience. 

 

Anyway, this is my first time posting and I hope to get better as I go. Let me know how I did and don't be gentle cuz I won't be. ;)

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