Yesterday, Joe brought word of Bucs legend Rondé Barber revealing his frustration with the Tampa Bay defense.
Barber also let that weave into his chatter about Baker Mayfield during his chat with Forbes.
“Baker’s really showed that he can be the guy,” Barber said. “They’ve been fortunate that they have Baker Mayfield and the dynamic offense. They can go out and score points and keep them in games. Otherwise, they’re not winning.”
Ouch.
Man, Barber was harsh on the Bucs defense. It was the defense that kept the Bucs in their must-win, Week 18 game against the slimy Saints. As hard as it is to believe — and most Bucs fans have blocked it out — the Bucs trailed 19-13 in the fourth quarter at home against the Saints before clinching the division with a win.
The Bucs defense also played a stout game against the Chargers in December in a huge road win. Los Angeles ran for just 32 yards and did not convert on third or fourth down all game.
The Bucs defense also was big in early wins against the Eagles and Detroit.
Joe can’t call the 2024 Bucs defense “good,” but take it easy, Rondé. The defense had its moments.
So how great is the Bucs offense? It was elite last year, but Joe doesn’t think it got commensurate respect in the national media.
Tampa Bay averaged 29.5 points per game, fourth-most in the NFL. Were the Bucs the fourth-most hyped offense entering the playoffs? No chance.
For 2025, the entire starting offense has returned, and nearly every backup. That’s how confident the Bucs are in the offense. At the NFL owners meetings last week, Joe asked Todd Bowles about needs on offense in the draft and the head coach didn’t offer one specific position or area of need.
Bowles was much more direct about his defensive desires.
Joe can’t wait to see the crop of defensive talent the Bucs score in the draft. This defense is not a rebuild job. If the defense can at least generate an extra handful of big plays this season and a consistent year from new edge rusher Haason Reddick, that should be enough to be very dangerous in mid-January.
