The other day I put an article out stating that If Tampa can play to their full potential the sky’s the limit, and although, others have not been as magnanimous as I have been of late; it seems many writers and analysts are of a like mind, at least in the terms, of more wins coming this season. Espn writer, Mike DiRocco predicted 8-8 in his 2016 Tampa Bay Buccaneers game-by-game prediction article, and NFL.com Elliot Harrison stated that “Dirk Koetter wins as much in one year as Lovie Smith did in two.” Brian DiFeo in his article Buccaneers Schedule Breakdown and Record Prediction, predicts the Buccaneers to finish 9-7.
It is true that we as fans become highly expectant of our Buccaneers every offseason only to be let down. However, this time around it feels different. We say it time and time again, that next season is “our season,” and I’m sure this is not going to be one of those times that “our season” comes to fruition. But, it also may not be out of the realm of possibility.
As pointed out by Bucs Nation writer, Sander Philipse, in his recent article 8-8 is now a ‘bold’ prediction for the Buccaneers, “How low we have fallen, that a two-game improvement in wins is now bold. That is just pathetic.” It is truly sad that Tampa has played so horribly in the eyes of the nation that 8-8 is now considered a bold prediction. In my personal opinion two extra wins, cannot even begin to compensate how much time and effort, also money was spent on rebuilding this team during the past couple of offseasons.
However, I remain solid in my stance that this is the season everything clicks for the Buccaneers. We should sit on top of our division, and we should make it to the postseason. I will not even try to predict how far we will go in the postseason. Just getting there is good enough for me.
With the tough schedule we have this season, anyone saying 8-8 or higher, only proves that the collective mind is not swayed by the past six seasons, and are in the belief, or at least aware of the fact that Tampa is a much-improved football team, and it shouldn’t be long before others begin saying that, “The sky is the limit.”
