Okay, got the NFL season off to a nice start this opening weekend. Highlight was the Triple star winner on the Vikings. Also breezed to an easy winner with the under 37 in the Titans and Eagles snooze fest. Free winner on the 49ers as they went into Arrowhead and cashed against the Chiefs. Over the past two seasons now the mark with my preseason releases stands at 10-2. I will likely have a couple more this upcoming weekend. Preseason is a land mine field that is to be navigated carefully.
I am looking this time around at a team I think is a solid choice as a post season player. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tuned in last week and watched the HBO show Hard Knocks that is featuring the Buc's. Not sure that is a good omen. But it makes for entertaining television.
I will make an exception and start this post with the offense. I generally start with the defense because I think too often they are over shadowed by offensive units. Make no mistake about it, the face of the franchise and the pulse of this football team is James Winston. I've taken a wait and see attitude with Winston all along but it seems he is on the right track. He screwed up at school some and make some bone headed decisions most all of which were played to the hilt by the media. Well, I was not the pillar of stellar judgement all the time either at that age. I'm still not, lol. Point is he seems to be maturing into a solid NFL QB. I did get frustrated with him at times last season as he did turn the ball over too many times. Nothing much more maddening than turnovers. He still was forcing some passes. I know that has been a pet project for the staff. It's no secret Mike Evans has developed as a pro into one of the top wide outs in the game today. But the Buc's could use some more weapons to have a Winston's disposal and went out and picked up DeSean Jackson. Say what you will about Jackson, the guy is a play maker who can pop one at any time. If you get Jackson the ball in space he can be as exciting as any player in the league still. He is fun to watch. I love the move drafting OJ Howard out of Bama. At 6-6 and 242 pounds he is the prototypical NFL tight end. I wish the Packers had him. If he can stay healthy and pick up the system I can easily see Howard being an all pro within a couple of seasons. Winston had to be smiling when hearing of the additions of both Jackson and Howard. The move that has been kind of under the radar on a national scope was the drafting of talented Penn State receiver Chris Godwin. What I liked in the times I watched Godwin play in college was he was a guy who would catch the ball in traffic and get physical with guys and fight for the ball. Plus, and this tends to fly under the radar as well. Godwin is a solid wide out but he will also be willing to do the dirty work and actually block. Some NFL receivers have little taste for blocking but that will not be the case with Godwin. I think the Bucs absolutely nailed this one. He is not the electric player of, say Jackson. But he will be in Tampa longer when all is said and done. Now, if only Doug Martin could line up and play football for the Buc's on a consistent basis. Martin is one of the best backs that many still don't fully appreciate. But, coaches readily state all the time, talented players on the sidelines don't do much good. I remember when Green Bay drafted the talented Eddie Lee Ivory out of Georgia Tech. He looked amazing early on but simply could not stay on the field. It was sad to watch and frustrating for all concerned. Hate to say it but between injuries and suspensions now Martin could be in the same boat. And that is a shame because he has the skill set to be a special back. Sims and Rodgers are capable, NFL quality backs but there can be no reasonable denying the Buc's are a better team with Martin healthy and on the field. The offensive line is very sound. Nothing I would rave about but certainly a solid unit. I have no issues with them. Bottom line is this is a good offense that should be better and potentially very, very good.
Now we move onto the defensive side of the ball and one of my favorite players in the league. I liked Gerald McCoy at Oklahoma and thought at the time when the Buc's drafted him they had nailed it. No secret about McCoy or the fact he could use some help in the trenches and they made a key move I think in picking up Chris Baker from the Redskins. I like Baker. Some will raise eye brows and bring up the fact the Skins did not even offer him a contract. Well, let me retort, the Redskins recent history with management decisions is not exactly top drawer. I think the 333 pound Baker will be an asset to McCoy and that Tampa defensive line. Robert Ayres is an outstanding guy at end and young Noah Spence has the tools. The Buc's inked veteran William Gholston to a five year deal because they know he is a solid worker and producer at end. At 26 years of age Gholston, the Michigan State Spartan is in his prime years. In the secondary I do like Brent Grimes but at 34 how much is left in the tank to play corner in the league at the highest level? They need Florida Gator and high draft pick Vernon Hargreaves to live up to his potential (and contract). Not the best secondary around but well coached. I have known secondary coach Jon Hoke since his days at Mizzou under the late Larry Smith. Although not as well known as his brother Brady I assure you Jon is a football guru. Football and family is his whole life. Good man, on and away from the field. One of the better assistants in the league. I am sure he is taking a special interest in getting it right with Hargreaves. Would love to be a fly on the wall. Will be tuning into Hard Knocks just to hopefully get some footage of Jon plying his trade. Lets just say he is passionate about his work. The linebackers are okay but nothing special in my view. They chose to invest a third round pick on LSU product Kendell Beckwith and they are really needing him to pick things up and produce on the fast track. No question when you ACL issues on your resume it is always a concern, and a valid one. Very athletic kid but needs to be coached up on wrapping up, missed too many tackles. But seems most agree the foundation is there for a legit NFL linebacker. All in all a potentially very stout defense and certainly a playoff quality unit. Lot of moving parts have to come together but I have a good feeling about this team, this year.
As I look at their schedule I can see them breaking out of the gate quickly. Interesting intra state battle in the opener with the Dolphins. I like Dirk Koetter a lot as a coach. He was also here at Mizzou earlier in his career. Sharp football mind. If they can stay at least reasonable healthy I see the Buc's making the post season. I do not think ten wins is out of the question but they do need a fast start.
Okay, that will do it for now. I will have another team preview up and posted soon. On the football business end I want to sincerely thank those returning for the football season and those new who have signed on. I do appreciate it. We got things off to a good start this weekend and hopefully will keep it rolling this upcoming one. I do already have my Triple Star College Kick Off release up and loaded as well as a week one NFL Triple star release. Those selections are available now. The Early Bird football packages are showing to be very, very popular once again. Keep in mind these early bird football subscription prices are grandfathered in. What you pay in 2017 will be the same you will be asked to pay in 2023. Not a small thing.
Thanks and best of luck this week with your action guys.