Hey, we hate on the Bucs a lot here, but it’s Thanksgiving. Let’s try to be a little positive. So here are 5 things Bucs fans can be thankful for.
1. Shaquil Barrett is tied for the NFL lead in sacks:
Tied for first in the NFL in sacks, Shaq Barrett is looking like a steal for the Bucs in free agency. He’s been a beast on the edge for a defense that has really needed a good pass rush, as their secondary has looked pedestrian to say the least. However, in Bucs fashion, Barrett is only one a one-year deal. So while this is certainly fun to watch this year, don’t expect the cash-strapped Bucs to be able to re-sign the pass rusher this upcoming offseason.
2. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are both top-5 in receiving yards:
Coming in at two and three on the receiving yards leaderboard in the NFL, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have been fantastic options for Jameis Winston (when Winston isn’t throwing his league-high 20 interceptions). Evans is locked up on a deal and is considered a franchise cornerstone, so he likely isn’t going anywhere. Godwin, on the other hand, will be a free agent after next year, and he may even want to get paid this offseason, as his rookie contract is not great compensation for the numbers he’s putting up. Can the Bucs justify giving two players at the same position so much money, when they have so many other glaring holes on their roster? Or will Godwin be flipped for a first rounder in this upcoming draft? Either way, be thankful the Bucs have two amazing options for Jameis to overthrow half the time.
3. The Bucs will probably get a high draft pick:
The Bucs may fall out of the top-12 in the upcoming draft if they keep winning (although they could go 0-5 to finish the season, who knows), and right now they’re projected to pick at 12. But teams above them could very well play their way out of the top-10, allowing the Bucs to get a great pick. It’s the holidays, so let’s have some hope. If the Bucs lose just enough, they could draft (yet another) cornerback, as Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah looks like a lockdown guy, and LSU has another great corner coming up in Kristian Fulton. Or maybe the Bucs go safety and get Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons. Either way, they’d be a huge help to a defense that has been atrocious against the pass. Or maybe the Bucs abandon the Jameis Winston project and draft a QB, like Oregon’s Justin Herbert or the recently-injured Tua Tagovailoa. Given, both of those guys have their flaws (Tua with his injury and Herbert with his playing weak competition) and the Bucs may want to give Winston one more year (isn’t that what we said last year?), but both will probably be available, as the Bengals are likely to pick LSU-product Joe Burrows, and the Dolphins may continue their tanking into next year so they can get Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence or Ohio State’s Justin Fields as their franchise QB. The Bucs have options, and that’s always a good thing.
4. Maybe they’ll finally fire GM Jason Licht
Man, they should’ve done this last year. Or maybe just not hired him at all. Regardless, Licht has yet to make a big splash that defines a GM’s time with a team. He drafted a QB in his first year that has been up-and-down (to be generous), he made that awful decision to trade up to draft kicker Roberto Aguayo, who is now unemployed (cut from the Bucs after one season), and he also has yet to draft anyone of value that is still around. Vita Vea has turned in a solid season but has yet to produce any great numbers. Vernon Hargreaves was cut a couple weeks ago. OJ Howard has been silent for most of the year on the offensive end, and was rumored to be traded at the deadline. And those are just the first round selections he made. And yet, the Bucs extended Licht’s contract this past year to go until 2023. So what do I know. But it’d be nice to get that guy out of there. Hire a dog as the GM. Who cares? Anyone would be better than this guy.
5. The season is almost over, which means next season is closer to starting:
Put us out of our misery. There’s no chance of the Bucs doing anything this year, so please, let’s just move on. Get it over with. We’re all tired of watching opposing QBs throw for 289 yards a game (second-to-last in the NFL) and Jameis Winston throw almost two picks a game. It’s been a frustrating season. Let’s just hit the restart button. Maybe the Bucs can end that historic decade-plus playoff drought. Or maybe they’ll continue their quest for history and set the record for most consecutive years without a playoff appearance (14 more years, baby). So, let’s go Bucs, and remember to be thankful as you watch Jameis throw 3 picks against the Jaguars this weekend. At least they’re not threatening to leave Tampa.
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This article appears in Nov 21-28, 2019.
