The 2012 Buccaneers Season: What went wrong?

by Dub

After a heartbreaking but predictable thrashing loss to the Saints, we as Buccaneers fans are forced to start looking to next year for hope. Our team heated up early in the season, only to slide right back into mediocrity leaving us feeling sad and lost. As with every team, the off season is used to try and improve your team as much as possible through free agency, the NFL Draft, and current roster development/management.

It’s easy to look at our losses this season and see some of the things that plagued the Buccaneers, and turned what could have been a magical season into one focused on “just not losing”. Here is a short (and not all-inclusive) list of the bumps the Bucs hit throughout our season.

• Losing Da’quan Bowers to an Achilles Injury in May and placing Adrian Clayborn on the injured reserve in September.
• Losing both Davin Joseph and Carl Nicks (our Pro Bowl interior offensive linemen) to season-ending injuries.
• Trading the ever troubled Aqib Talib to the Patriots.
• Eric Wright getting suspended for violating the League’s Substance Abuse Policy.
• Losing Jeremy Trueblood and Quincy Black to injured reserve.

Such a beautiful sight, isn't it?

If you’re familiar with the Buccaneers’ roster and some of its impact players, you understand the gravity of the list above. Our very talented young team was decimated by injuries, and players who were specifically brought in to produce and contribute right away were sidelined, unable to prove their worth. Our first two picks in the 2011 NFL Draft were spent on the first two players listed: Bowers and Clayborn. A large contributing factor to our struggles this season have been a lack of consistent pass rush. Michael Bennett and Gerald McCoy have done their part in trying to get to the quarterback regularly but have been consistently drawing double teams. With the probable loss of Michael Bennett in Free Agency, it’s imperative the Buccaneers reexamine our defensive line and try to make a play at an experienced veteran.

Think of Dougie with 2 Pro bowlers
grading the road for him.

Our second huge hit was losing both Nicks and Joseph. These two formed arguably the NFL’s premier interior offensive line, and made the mouths of powerbacks everywhere water. Losing Joseph was deemed catastrophic in its own right, and with Nicks going down only weeks later, the offensive line woes didn’t improve. Following the loss of our guards, Jeremy Trueblood goes down for the season, so our hundred million dollar offensive line only has 2 of the starters from the beginning of the season playing. This can be remedied in the coming season by working to make sure our linemen are well conditioned and rehabbed from their injuries in 2012 and that our backups are well equipped to step in on day 1 and contribute.

Hey Eric, ask GMC about arm tackles.
I've heard they're super effective.

Our biggest hindrance throughout all of the 2012 season is one that we thought was being fixed. When the season was on the horizon, we just spent the 7th overall pick on Mark Barron, All American safety at Alabama. We moved cornerback Ronde Barber to safety to let him utilize his ever changing skillset, and we signed nickel corner Eric Wright to step up and play opposite Aqib Talib to form what could be one of the more formidable cornerback tandems in the NFL. Things were looking optimistic. Well as we all know, things don't always work out the way we want them to, and emergency action must be taken sometimes to make up for miscalculations during the offseason. One huge misstep was thinking that Aqib had cleaned up his act. After allowing opposing quarterbacks to shred him for yardage, and being caught for using adderall, the Bucs dumped Talib for not being one of Schiano's "Buccaneer Men." Then we lost Eric Wright, our very expensive free agent cornerback to the same allegations. Myron Lewis, La'quan Lewis, EJ Biggers, Leonard Johnson, and Anthony Gaitor have tried to fill in, but have so far been unable to stop a nosebleed. The amount of effort our secondary has sucked up is astounding, and for the past two seasons has been embarassing in comparison to our rock-steady run defense. Hopefully we can fill these needs through player development and off season acquisitions.

Hopefully some of these points have helped to clearly outline some of the biggest reasons the Buccaneers have played poorly to this point. While not at all detailing the coaching choices and possible morale-related issues, we wanted to make sure the personnel problems we encountered this season were brought to light so that other fans could have something to watch for the next two games and make their own judgement calls. We'd love to hear your feedback on the Bucs progress, and look forward to seeing how these holes are patched. After all, when you're at the bottom, there's nowhere to go but up.

Tampa Bay v. New Orleans

by John Michael

Downward spiral. After shocking the NFL with a four game winning streak, the Buccaneers have slipped in to an awful funk losing three straight games. Although each loss was close, as they all have this season, it must be noticed that all these losses were due to the Buccaneers struggle with finishing strong defensively in the second half. The passing defense has been the Achilles' heel for the Bucs all season, and that weakness has been exploited by opposing offenses as the Bucs have slipped out of playoff contention as quickly as they slipped into it.

I will admit, I am starting him in my
Fantasy League today.

It doesn't get much easier today, as the Bucs journey deep inside the Superdome in New Orleans to take on the always challenging Saints. The Saints have one of the top-ranked offenses in the league led by Drew Brees. The Saints are averaging almost 300 passing yards per game (2nd in the NFL) and almost 400 total offense per game (3rd in the NFL). But the weak spot for the Saints has been their defense, ranked dead last in the league allowing 436.9 yards per game with disastrous running and passing defense.

The last time these two teams met resulted in a thriller, with the game decided in the last second after a controversial call in the end zone against the Bucs. With both the Bucs and Saints in the middle of a three game losing streak, both teams desperately need a win. Here's how the Bucs find a win.

Keys to Victory

Slow down Drew Brees. Brees will be targeting the secondary as every opposing quarterback has done this season. He had tremendous success doing so earlier in the year, throwing for four touchdowns and 377 yards against the same Bucs defense. The passing defense needs to step it up all over the field, from winning in the trenches and forcing errors, to the secondary sticking to their assignments. But the best way to stop Brees is to not let him start, which falls in the next key.

That kid in that video has been doing the
Dougie better than Doug has recently.

Doug Martin. I have listed Martin as one of the Bucs' key weapons several times this season, and he is no less important today. New Orleans has the worst rushing defense in the league, and the only way the Bucs can slow down Brees and the New Orleans passing game is to keep it off the field and win the time of possession battle. Martin should run the ball quite a bit today and find success on the field that has been lacking for him in the past few weeks.

Freeman and Receivers. Like the last game, this game has the potential to become a shootout. Freeman needs to be able to answer Brees' production if the touchdowns start coming. Freeman had success against the Saints in the last game as well, throwing for 420 yards and three touchdowns while targeting Vincent Jackson, Dallas Clark, and Tiquan Underwood for scores. The question is, can he replicate that performance on the road?

My prediction before this season for the Bucs was a 9-7 record. After the winning streak, my expectations were higher, but this losing streak has taken the Bucs out of realistic contention for a playoff spot. However, with the Bucs at a 6-7 record, my prediction is still attainable. But it starts today with this tough road game. While the Bucs may have the edge in being able to stop the run, the Saints have the advantage in playing at home. I see this game coming down to the final seconds, just like last time, but I'm picking the Bucs to find a way in a close game.

John Michael's prediction:

Tampa Bay wins 38-35

'12-'13 Bowl Game Schedule

by Arnaldo

In similar fashion as last year, Bruce & Albert presents a comprehensive bowl schedule that's easy to read and all in one place. This year's is much higher resolution than last's so opening it will allow you to get close to each match-up. Save on your desktop, or print to keep up with all the games, which start tomorrow with the New Mexico Bowl! (To save, click on the picture to enlarge first, right click and save.)

Tampa Bay v. Philadelphia

by John Michael

Ronde Barber shutting down the Vet
in 2002.

History. It used to mean something whenever the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Philadelphia Eagles met on the gridiron, especially in the early 2000s. At that time, whenever the top teams were discussed in the NFC, the Eagles and the Bucs were always at the top of the list. That was no truer than in the most magical year in the history of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the year the Bucs won Super Bowl XXXVII. In the regular season, the Bucs played the Eagles in Philly in a losing effort, and the same Eagles were the only team standing in the way of the Bucs and a trip to San Diego in the NFC Championship. That game became one of the most legendary games in Buccaneers history, which bred a healthy rivalry between the Bucs and the Eagles.

Today, as Tampa celebrates the 10th anniversary of the team that won it all, these two teams meet again. The level of play is obviously not the same as it was ten years ago, but the rivalry remains. Today's teams, however are heading in opposite directions. The Eagles enter this game with a eight game losing streak and a 3-9 record. Their offense ranks 29th in the league in points scored, and their defense ranks 26th in points allowed. Philly is mired deep within a quarterback controversy between Michael Vick and Nick Foles, and Andy Reid is on the verge of losing his job. But the losses discount the talent on this team. Philly should be taken seriously as most of their losses have been close. But the team is still caught in a whirlwind, with little hope of finding their way out.

That seat feeling a little hot, coach?

The Bucs enter this game with a losing streak of their own. After winning four straight and shooting to the top of lists for potential playoff participants, the Bucs lost two straight to two of the top teams in the NFL. The Bucs must show today that they have the ability to recover from such a disappointing two weeks. The playoffs seem very distant now with the Seahawks taking a one game lead on the final spot, and the Bucs must play perfect football for the next four weeks to improve their chances. Here's how they start today.

Keys to Victory

Oh where, oh where has our little Doug gone?

Doug Martin. The Eagles rank in the bottom half of the league in rushing yards allowed per game. In the losing streak, Martin has been almost non-existant after breaking out in the weeks before. The best way for the Bucs to get out of their losing streak is the same way they need to start a new winning streak: running the ball. Keeping the ball on the ground and pounding away at the Philadelphia defense will go far in determining the outcome of the game, keeping the time of possession in Tampa Bay's favor and, hopefully, the scoreboard.

Kneel downs? I don't understand...

Greg Schiano. The Bucs are a young team, and a two game losing streak is difficult to overcome this late in the season. The leadership starts at the top, and the top starts at Schiano. Schiano has already come far in changing the culture of the Buccaneers in his first year, but today's game provides the Head Coach a chance to grow the maturity of the team even more. The Bucs still have a lot to play for this season, and it's up to Coach Schiano to continue to remind them as such

Going against one of the worst teams in the league after facing one of the best teams the week before provides a chance for a let down. Especially if the Bucs are looking ahead to next weeks' divisional matchup on the road in New Orleans. But I believe that the talent of the Bucs is too good for the Eagles to pose any threat, especially late in the game. The Eagles may keep it close for a bit, but the Bucs offense rolls after a while and puts the game away early in the fourth.

John Michael's prediction:

Tampa Bay wins 38 - 21

Tampa Bay v. Denver

by John Michael

Heartbreak. Last week was a huge letdown for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After being the victors for four weeks, the Bucs faced the team with the best record in the NFC - the Atlanta Falcons. The Bucs failed to make a strong statement for the playoffs, unable to capitalize on numerous opportunities losing a close battle to the Falcons 24-23. But the Bucs aren't out of the hunt yet. Last week's loss dropped the Bucs down to a 6-5 record, still in contention for the final wildcard spot with the Seattle Seahawks, the Minnesota Vikings, and several other teams right behind them. With five games including today left to go in the season, this leaves little room for error for this young Buccaneers squad. And it does not get any easier today.

Also, former league MVP, Super Bowl Champion, Secretary of
Treasury, Backstreet Boy member, volunteer firefighter, etc.

Today, the Bucs go on the road to face one of the toughest teams in the league, the Denver Broncos (8-3). Led by former Indianapolis Colts quarterback, Peyton Manning, the Broncos have emerged as a possible contender to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. The Broncos rank fourth in the entire league in Offense and Defense, and fifth in passing yards per game with an average of 287.5. The Broncos defense ranks fifth and ninth in passing yards allowed and rushing yards allowed, respectively.  If the Bucs want to rebound after last week's heartbreaker, they'll have to earn it the hard way.

"You kids and your newfangled drugs..."

The Bucs didn't make things any easier for them this past week either. Already ranked dead last in the league in passing yards allowed, Tampa Bay lost one of their starting cornerbacks. Offseason free agent acquisition Eric Wright, following in the footsteps of another cornerback on the Bucs roster earlier this year, was suspended for the next four games for testing positive for Adderall without a prescription. This loss is a huge blow to the already struggling Buccaneers secondary. It will take a monumental effort to hold off Manning today in Denver. But this Buccaneers team has shown in recent weeks that it can hang with the best the NFL has to offer. Here's how the Bucs can pull out a victory today and stay at the front of the pack for the last playoff spot.


Keys to Victory

Here's hoping those weekly chats with Warren Sapp
start paying off.

Get to Peyton Manning. Manning will be throwing the ball a lot today. And who can blame him? Denver is a pass happy team, and Tampa Bay has yet to prove that it can stop the pass. And with the Bucs secondary starting two backups at the corners, you can bet that passing is a huge part of Denver's gameplan today. The secondary will need a lot of help from up front. It's up to Gerald McCoy, Michael Bennett, and the rest of the front seven to put significant pressure on Manning, forcing him into making mistakes. Allowing Manning time in the pocket to find Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker will be disastrous for Tampa Bay.

Please, Josh. Please.

Josh Freeman. This is the type of game where Freeman's skill set will be the most important item for the Bucs to leave the field with a "W". Freeman has shown that this offense is capable of having huge days when he is locked in with his top receivers, Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams. Doug Martin may find his role reduced to pass blocking and receiving in the flats if this game turns into a shootout with Peyton Manning. Every time Manning finds a way to put points on the board, Freeman must find a way to answer. Unfortunately for Freeman, he will have to do it against one of the top passing defenses in the league.

No, I'm not proud of highlighting a former 'Nole on this
blog. But sometimes it has to be done.

Special Teams. If this game turns into a shootout, the difference maker between winning and losing falls on the special teams. Connor Barth has been reliable this season, hitting 80% of his field goal attempts and being perfect on extra point attempt, and Michael Koenen has been successful in the punting game averaging about 45 yards per punt. These will all come in handy in the ever important battle over field position. Dekoda Watson will be needed as well. Named the NFC Special Teams player for the month of November, Watson blocked a punt and recovered a fumble on special teams. It will be hard for the Bucs to find turnovers against Peyton Manning, so forcing them in the special teams game will be crucial.

This game is probably the worst case scenario for a team looking to rebound after a close loss to a divisional opponent. Especially if that team has the worst passing defense in the NFL. While I want to be optimistic and point out the talent that the Buccaneers have, I can't point out one matchup where the Buccaneers have a distinct advantage. I believe that the Bucs have too much talent to not have any hope, but Manning and the Broncos prove that they are a force to be reckoned with in the AFC and pull away in the 2nd half to drop the Bucs back down to .500 and dimmer playoff hopes.


John Michael's prediction:

Tampa Bay loses 38 - 28