Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening Buccaneer Buckaroos. Since this is my first time writing for this fine journal, I would like to take the time to introduce myself to all of you. My name is Johnny P. Now first off, something that may surprise many of you is that I am not a Buccaneers fan. While I do have respect for the uphill battles that both Bruce Arians and Tom Brady have embarked on during their long and decorated careers. I am far from a Buccaneer Buckaroo myself. Rather than watching Tom Brady launch missiles to Scotty Miller. I prefer to spend my Sundays kicking back on the couch with a cheesesteak and a nice glass of ‘wooder’ (water to everyone else). Watching a team that makes me wince, and oftentimes even hurts to watch. Just in case subtlety isn’t your strong suit. I bleed Philly green. I go by what my junior year English teacher used to tell me every Friday before the weekend: “Birds by seven.” Just like everyone else in my Pennsylvania town. I LOVE the Philadelphia Eagles. Nick Foules is practically a member of the family with how much he’s been discussed during and after winning the Super Bowl. No matter what the NFL world wants to tell you. 2017 was not that long ago. That beautiful year is everlasting. No, we are not being obnoxious. If you think we’re still holding onto the past then try telling a Cowboys fan that 1995 was twenty-five years ago. But what wasn’t so long ago is Super Bowl 55, which took place just six months ago. The game itself wasn’t that great unless you are a Buccaneers fan. From the opening kickoff, to the final kneel down. The game was marked by complete and utter domination on both sides of the ball by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Offensively it seemed that any ball that left Tom Brady’s hand magnetically stuck between the 8 and the 7 on Rob Gronkowski’s chest. Brady finished the game with a completion percentage of 72. Which, at this point may, also be Tom Brady’s age when he finally stops winning super bowls.
The term “super bowl hangover” will not even enter into the same galaxy as the 2021 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. More than any other team in the last 10 years they seem ready to repeat. Tom Brady, the Buccaneers quarterback and leader now has seven championships to his name. With the exception of his first win in 2001, Tom Brady-led teams have returned to the postseason five times after winning the Lombardi Trophy, making it to at least the conference championship on two of those occasions.
From the top to bottom, the Buccaneers 2021 roster is well constructed and balanced enough to avoid any major problems. What stands out, in particular, is the incomparable depth at wide receiver. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will only improve . While younger players like Scotty Miller and Tyler Johnson will continue to make strides in their development. And don’t forget about Antonio Brown. Who on any given play can return to his Pittsburgh form (as seen in the second quarter of Super Bowl 55). The Bucs also have the fortune of being the first team in NFL history to return all twenty-two starters after winning a super bowl. A well-rounded coaching staff. A tough running squad featuring Leonard Fournette. The deepest tight-end room in the NFL and very good offensive line. They also have a ferocious defense led by Lavonte David and Devin White. All of this spells bad news for the rest of the NFL.
At the end of the day, the Buccaneers will go as far as Tom Brady takes them. He is the key to everything in Tampa Bay. But with the current offensive and defensive repertoire. There is no reason not to expect another deep playoff run. With their offensive and defensive chemistry growing stronger by the day. The Bucs will avoid a repeat of last season’s slow start amid their 7-5 opening stretch. Instead they will come out of the gates with cannons blazing. Riding the momentum of their dominant Super Bowl 55 performance. All of this, combined with a retired Drew Brees, will yield in a 13 win season with a division title for Tampa Bay. They just have too much talent. Combined with the lack of opposition within the NFC. They will dominate all who cross their path.
I just wish my Eagles were so lucky. Even if Jalen Hurts takes a colossal leap in year two. It won’t be enough to overcome a brittle, inexperienced roster and an equally inexperienced head coach. Even in the shoddy NFC East, the Eagles don’t stand much of a chance. Defensively, Philadelphia is light years behind the Washington Football Team, aka the Pork Skins, and who knows how the Hurts- Sirianni offense will fare in year one. While the Buccaneers sit atop the NFC I expect the Eagles to be sitting atop the 2021 draft.
-John Peascheck, the Peacock of Philadelphia Football-