yes
not because they got better in the offseason but none of the "top" teams improved in the off season at all.
tampa however is fighting the history books because repeating is so tough.
personnel wise the foundation is still there. the great defence, who knows that if tampa repeats, this tampa defence will be known top 2 or 1 of all time.the offence is good and will only improve under another year under grudens offence. and of course JOHN GRUDEN.
NO OTHER YEAR IN FOOTBALL HISTORY HAS A COACH BEEN MORE OF A FACTOR TO WINNING FOOTBALL GAMES
what he did coaching against philly in philly opened my eyes.
those who dont think tampa could repeat should list the teams who will win and explanation
big lou what do you think about seau in miami
its do or die year for dave wanstant
not because they got better in the offseason but none of the "top" teams improved in the off season at all.
tampa however is fighting the history books because repeating is so tough.
personnel wise the foundation is still there. the great defence, who knows that if tampa repeats, this tampa defence will be known top 2 or 1 of all time.the offence is good and will only improve under another year under grudens offence. and of course JOHN GRUDEN.
NO OTHER YEAR IN FOOTBALL HISTORY HAS A COACH BEEN MORE OF A FACTOR TO WINNING FOOTBALL GAMES
what he did coaching against philly in philly opened my eyes.
those who dont think tampa could repeat should list the teams who will win and explanation
big lou what do you think about seau in miami
its do or die year for dave wanstant
Lou,
Of course Tampa Bay CAN repeat, but I don't think that they will. I think that their offense was very mediocre last year and they won despite it due to their outstanding defense. I think it will be difficult to win despite their offense again.
I also think that their defense will take a dip this year. Not because of people that they lost, but because great defenses aren't great for two straight years (as we saw with Baltimore a couple years ago). They'll almost certainly make the playoffs, but I can't imagine them winning another Super Bowl.
Throw in the fact that it was Gruden's first season as their head coach, I think that helped motivate them.
Jeffrey, you said:
"NO OTHER YEAR IN FOOTBALL HISTORY HAS A COACH BEEN MORE OF A FACTOR TO WINNING FOOTBALL GAMES"
I disagree with this. I think that Bill Parcells' work with the Jets was more of a factor when you consider that he inherited the worst team in the league and brought them to an AFC Championship game in only two seasons.
Trench
Of course Tampa Bay CAN repeat, but I don't think that they will. I think that their offense was very mediocre last year and they won despite it due to their outstanding defense. I think it will be difficult to win despite their offense again.
I also think that their defense will take a dip this year. Not because of people that they lost, but because great defenses aren't great for two straight years (as we saw with Baltimore a couple years ago). They'll almost certainly make the playoffs, but I can't imagine them winning another Super Bowl.
Throw in the fact that it was Gruden's first season as their head coach, I think that helped motivate them.
Jeffrey, you said:
"NO OTHER YEAR IN FOOTBALL HISTORY HAS A COACH BEEN MORE OF A FACTOR TO WINNING FOOTBALL GAMES"
I disagree with this. I think that Bill Parcells' work with the Jets was more of a factor when you consider that he inherited the worst team in the league and brought them to an AFC Championship game in only two seasons.
Trench
trench youre right it will be tough to repeat
but name another team that doesnt have holes in their team. with the salary cap teams cant have both great off and def sides of the ball.paying all those key players will take them well over the cap.
baltimore defence completly broke off after the superbowl year because of the salary cap, while tampas def is pretty much intact
tampa cant? but who then?
yes tuna did a good job with bellick in new york but they didnt even win a champ game
what gruden did x and o against philly and oakland was amazing. i guess i feel this way because philly def in philly was a tough task to beat.
but name another team that doesnt have holes in their team. with the salary cap teams cant have both great off and def sides of the ball.paying all those key players will take them well over the cap.
baltimore defence completly broke off after the superbowl year because of the salary cap, while tampas def is pretty much intact
tampa cant? but who then?
yes tuna did a good job with bellick in new york but they didnt even win a champ game
what gruden did x and o against philly and oakland was amazing. i guess i feel this way because philly def in philly was a tough task to beat.
No they will not Lou.Although I'm a lifetime Bucs fan, I just do not see it happening. There are many factors involved in why they wont, from another killer schedule, the loss of "hunger", to other up and coming teams playing a factor. Which, in turn, leads me to believe they may not even win the South this year.I believe Atlanta is the surprise team this year.The Falcons just look "similar" to the Bucs of a couple years ago to me, with a young team, pretty tough D, and loads of talent on offense. The addition of Peerless Price is huge in my opinion.I tell you one thing though, Trench is absolutely wrong when he says the Tampa offense is mediocre.Gruden's offense is very complicated and he even said at the beginning of last season that it will take a good while for the players to learn the system.If you really keep up with the NFL, you know that the offense just got better and better as the year went along.Brad Johnson even admits he still doesnt know the offense like he should.I just believe the factors I mentioned before will prevent them from being contenders again.Of course, as a fan of theirs, I wouldnt mind if I'm wrong!
Jeffrey, you make solid arguments, however, I'd like to correct you in one thing you said:
The Baltimore Ravens defense was largely intact the year after they won the Super Bowl. It was the year AFTER THAT that they were dismantled due to the salary cap. In fact, I believe that their entire starting defense returned except for safety, Kim Herring, who went to the Rams. For this reason, I thought that the Ravens would win another Super Bowl, and they made the playoffs and won one game against the Dolphins, then they lost in the Divisional Round (forget the team they lost to).
Dominant, Super Bowl winning defenses tend to take a slight dip the following year. I believe Tampa gave up just under 200 points last year, and next season, I expect that number to rise to about 240-260. This is all speculation, but I am make these predictions based on history.
Trench
The Baltimore Ravens defense was largely intact the year after they won the Super Bowl. It was the year AFTER THAT that they were dismantled due to the salary cap. In fact, I believe that their entire starting defense returned except for safety, Kim Herring, who went to the Rams. For this reason, I thought that the Ravens would win another Super Bowl, and they made the playoffs and won one game against the Dolphins, then they lost in the Divisional Round (forget the team they lost to).
Dominant, Super Bowl winning defenses tend to take a slight dip the following year. I believe Tampa gave up just under 200 points last year, and next season, I expect that number to rise to about 240-260. This is all speculation, but I am make these predictions based on history.
Trench
In five short years as a head coach, Jon Gruden has established himself as one of the best. Let's look at the numbers:
1998: 8-8, missed playoffs
1999: 8-8, missed playoffs
2000: 12-4, lost in Conference Finals to the Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens
2001: 10-6, lost in the Divisional Round to the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots
2002: 12-4, won the Super Bowl against the Oakland Raiders
All that adds up to a 50-30 record during the regular season (.625) and a 5-2 playoff record (.714).
Besides the numbers, Jon Gruden has taken veteran QB's Rich Gannon and Brad Johnson and transformed them into pro bowl signal callers.
It is scary to think that the Tampa offensive players are still learning Gruden's offensive scheme, and they still went on to win the Super Bowl. They also did it with no real speed at the WR position and no 1,000 yard rusher.
If this offense continues to improve in 2003 I have to say they are serious contenders to repeat as champions. It will be fun to watch!
Big Lou
P.S. - NFL Draft less then a week away!
1998: 8-8, missed playoffs
1999: 8-8, missed playoffs
2000: 12-4, lost in Conference Finals to the Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens
2001: 10-6, lost in the Divisional Round to the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots
2002: 12-4, won the Super Bowl against the Oakland Raiders
All that adds up to a 50-30 record during the regular season (.625) and a 5-2 playoff record (.714).
Besides the numbers, Jon Gruden has taken veteran QB's Rich Gannon and Brad Johnson and transformed them into pro bowl signal callers.
It is scary to think that the Tampa offensive players are still learning Gruden's offensive scheme, and they still went on to win the Super Bowl. They also did it with no real speed at the WR position and no 1,000 yard rusher.
If this offense continues to improve in 2003 I have to say they are serious contenders to repeat as champions. It will be fun to watch!
Big Lou
P.S. - NFL Draft less then a week away!
