OT: Official 2021 Tompa Bay Gronkaneers Thread

[RicoG]

The goalposts are moving with this years Patriots team. It’s now the 2000 team meaning this is all setting the groundwork and it’s NEXT year when we’ll actually be good.

Not a good comparison, that 2000 team was a talented team ready to explode into a multichampionship team with the right QB.

A better comparison is actually the 2019 Bucs team. A talented team a GOAT and a couple veterans away from a multi SB run.

I would compare the 2021 Pat's to the Titans a couple years ago. Game manager at QB. Run heavy. Good defense. If the rebuild goes well, they'll look alot like today's Titans. Playoff caliber, but not clear cut favorites to win a SB much less several.

 

[RicoG]

Team Tom vs Team Bill is played out. We need to move on to other discussions.

Team Montana vs Team Walsh?
Team Starr vs Team Lombardi?
Team Graham vs Team Brown?
Team Unitas vs Team Ewbank?

I'd love Team Herbert to shock Team Mahomes and end up with the better career many years down the road.

After ONE SB, when they started talking about Mahomes and the Chiefs winning more SB then Brady and the Pat's, it just seemed way too early and way way over the top.

Reminds me how they use to fawn over Manning and the Colts, and Brady and the Pat's rained on their parade.

Hope Herbert does the same to Mahomes.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Seriously though, could you imagine Aaron Rodgers last game in Green Bay being one where he gets eliminated by the coach who he called a buffoon and forced out?! Now I have another scenario to wish for in the 2021 season. It would be even better than Earl Thomas getting run over by Derrick Henry after mouthing off.

 

[Guts]

Seriously though, could you imagine Aaron Rodgers last game in Green Bay being one where he gets eliminated by the coach who he called a buffoon and forced out?! Now I have another scenario to wish for in the 2021 season. It would be even better than Earl Thomas getting run over by Derrick Henry after mouthing off.

Aaron owns the Cowboys

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Aaron owns the Cowboys

Dak is the better QB now.

 

[Guts]

Dak is the better QB now.

I'm not so sure about that. I would still take Rodgers over anybody not named Brady. Even over Mahomes

 

[Deus Irae]

After Richard Sherman hurt his hamstring in last Thursday’s win over the Eagles, head coach Bruce Arians said that the team would work with players already on the roster to fill out their depleted cornerback corps.

One of those players was signed off of the practice squad on Tuesday. Agent David Canter announced that his client Rashard Robinson has been signed to the 53-man roster.

Buccaneers sign Rashard Robinson to active roster - ProFootballTalk

 

[sb1]

Poor Fields facing this defense.

 

[sb1]

Not a good comparison, that 2000 team was a talented team ready to explode into a multichampionship team with the right QB.

A better comparison is actually the 2019 Bucs team. A talented team a GOAT and a couple veterans away from a multi SB run.

I would compare the 2021 Pat's to the Titans a couple years ago. Game manager at QB. Run heavy. Good defense. If the rebuild goes well, they'll look alot like today's Titans. Playoff caliber, but not clear cut favorites to win a SB much less several.

I've said it before - I think the comparison to make for today's Pats is the Buffalo Bills a few years ago after Fitz left under coaches Doug Marrone and Rex Ryan.

The Pats aren't a tire fire of a team. Those Bills weren't either. They were a team reasonably well coached. Not much in the passing game. EJ Manuel/Kyle Orton/Tyrod Taylor was QB. Not that attractive a FA destination. Trying to get by with a decent running game and playing good defense. They were an 8 win caliber team give or take. Sound familiar?

A new coach, a new GM and striking gold with their franchise QB and look at them now. So... interpret that how you will. Is it that crazy to expect the Pats to make the same jump in a few years as they did?

 

[Deus Irae]

With #Bucs having released KR Jaydon Mickens, does that mean Arians has confidence going forward in rookie Jaelon Darden? "Totally," the coach said.

We've signed CB Rashard Robinson to the active roster, waived G John Molchon and brought back WR Jaydon Mickens to the practice squad.

 

[Deus Irae]

Arians said Winfield remains in concussion protocol but could return this week. He’s hopeful on 2-3 others, including Gronkowski.

 

[Deus Irae]

Bucs offense ranks 3rd in the NFL on third downs, and those numbers include 0-for-5 in endgame situations -- kneeldowns vs. Falcons, Patriots, Dolphins, Eagles. Even had a designed incomplete vs. Cowboys to run off clock. Take those out, they go from 49% to 53% for the season.

Along same lines, part of the reason Bucs are lower in red zone rankings is that they've ended the last two games taking a knee inside the opposing 10-yard line. That counts as a red-zone miss, when it's just running out the clock.

 

[Deus Irae]

Here are this week's NFL rankings for the Bucs offense after six games -- 3rd in total offense, 3rd in scoring offense, 1st in pass, 28th in run, 3rd on third down, 12th in red zone, 3rd in INT percentage, 3rd in sack percentage.

And here are the current NFL rankings for the Bucs defense, steadily improving: 9th in total defense, 16th in scoring, 1st in run, 27th in pass, t-23rd on third down, 18th in red zone, 10th in INT percentage, 24th in sack percentage.

 

[Deus Irae]

Over the last three weeks, Bucs' Leonard Fournette ranks third in the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 376. Only the Titans' Derrick Henry (463) and Colts' Jonathan Taylor (441) have more yards in the last three games. Ezekiel Elliott (374) and Najee Harris (360) round out top 5.

Bucs will have a lot of decisions to make with key players and free agency next spring. Fournette, Jones and Bernard will all be free agents, so could see big change in the run game for 2022.

 

[VectorPrime]

The Bucs run defense is frankly unreal.

 

[gobesmug]

That's an easy decision. Keep Fournette and kick RoJo and Bernard to the curb, unless Bernard takes a vet min deal.

Then sign a bunch of UDFA RBs, there always seems to be 1 or 2 decent UDFA RBs every year

 

[Tottie]

That's an easy decision. Keep Fournette and kick RoJo and Bernard to the curb, unless Bernard takes a vet min deal.

Then sign a bunch of UDFA RBs, there always seems to be 1 or 2 decent UDFA RBs every year

I would sign both Fournette and Bernard if possible and keep drafting defense. Trade that QB they drafted last year as well.

 

[RicoG]

I would sign both Fournette and Bernard if possible and keep drafting defense. Trade that QB they drafted last year as well.

Agreed. Bernard will be cheap to keep. Fournette will be tricky depended on how well he plays. Top 10 to 15 RB gets paid about 5-6 million.

If Fournette continues to play really well, he could end up being paid in the top 10 which is 8 million to 16 mil at the top with Mccaffery. Might be too rich for the Bucs.

 

[VectorPrime]

Do not pay a running back too much.

 

[RicoG]

I've said it before - I think the comparison to make for today's Pats is the Buffalo Bills a few years ago after Fitz left under coaches Doug Marrone and Rex Ryan.

The Pats aren't a tire fire of a team. Those Bills weren't either. They were a team reasonably well coached. Not much in the passing game. EJ Manuel/Kyle Orton/Tyrod Taylor was QB. Not that attractive a FA destination. Trying to get by with a decent running game and playing good defense. They were an 8 win caliber team give or take. Sound familiar?

A new coach, a new GM and striking gold with their franchise QB and look at them now. So... interpret that how you will. Is it that crazy to expect the Pats to make the same jump in a few years as they did?

Depends how high you think the ceiling is for Mac. Right now the ceiling looks to me to be a good top 11 to 15 QB similar to a Mayfield. Bottom is 16 to 20 similar to Tannehill.

Herbert, Mahomes, Lamar, Allen, other top 10 types had wow and or clutch plays. But it's still early and Mac hasn't had the benefit of sitting and learning his 1st year.

So I expect the Pat's will be a competitive team like the Titans and the Browns, but not a favorite like the Bill's unless Mac can crack the top 10 in a few years.