Buccaneers: Running Out Of Time

There’s a buzz around Tampa, Florida, for the first time in a long time. It’s not the summer bugs, it’s the hometown football team, the Buccaneers. But the Buccaneers are running out of time.

The Bucs have been more of a buzzkill for the past 12 seasons, having not made the playoffs once in that span and ending up last in the NFC South seven of the last eight years, and multiple top 10 picks. The past two seasons, the Bucs have won only 10 of the combined 32 games and had one of the worst defenses in NFL history. 

Enter Bruce Arians, proven winner and “QB whisperer” and his army of ex Cardinal coaches. Next, his first round draft pick Linebacker Devin White, a new-look Jameis Winston. Now, there’s something that hasn’t been in Tampa for a while. Hope.

But with hope comes pressure and expectations. And after 12 seasons of no 17th game, there’s one dark cloud overhead of Raymond James Stadium:

The pressure of making the playoffs 

It’s almost unfair to put playoffs as a must-have on Arians to-do list for the 2019 season, but with his “Reload not rebuild” motto, his three year contract, and the Buccaneers veteran players getting up in age, they can’t afford to miss out again.

New Sheriff in Town

Arians signed a three year contract with Tampa, coming out of retirement after one year, due to the amount of talent the Bucs had as well as his good friend Jason Licht being the general manager. Tampa has some of the best skill players in the game. Such as star wide receiver Mike Evans, Linebacker Lavonte David, Edge specialist Jason Pierre-Paul, rising star Chris Godwin, Ndamukong Suh and untapped potential in Ronald Jones. 

What’s the issue?

Three of those star players are 29 years or older. Tampa has “revamped” their team in some positions, but their weakest links continue to be offensive line and defensive line. Who also happen to be their oldest. Arians isn’t getting any younger either, turning 67 in October, and had to retire the first time due to health. Arians has had a battery of physicals and is healthy at this time but could become an issue down the road. 

Talents Wasted

There’s also the issue of “wasting” talent they already have, like star WR Mike Evans. Notably one of the best in the league, Evans has posted five straight 1,000 yard seasons. This has earned him the nickname “Godzilla”. Fitting as the ball can be thrown up to him and there’s a good chance he’s coming down with it. Evans has shattered both franchise and league records, but there is one thing that eludes him. 

Playoffs.

It’s one of the bigger reasons players like Evans and also stud lineman Ali Marpet are overlooked. They’ve played for a bad team. Tampa is slowly running out of time with some of its strongest players. The moral of the team and stigma of being a “bad” team has left a bad taste in the Bucs mouths for years. While unfair, 2019 is playoffs or bust.