Bucs need “work.”
In the mind of one NFL columnist, the Bucs have need to resolve several issues before they can consider themselves on the cusp of being a contender.
That’s how Eric Edholm of Yahoo! sees the Bucs. He had a preseason power ranking of all 32 teams, but instead of ranking them from Nos. 1-32 he broke the teams up into four different groups.
He had the Bucs in the third group under the heading “[Work to Do](https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/from-true-contenders-to-tankers-ranking-all-32-nfl-teams-by-tiers-entering-the-season-051206810.html).” Interestingly, Edholm has the entire NFC South landfill in this category.
The bottom category is “Tankers” where Edholm believes four of those six teams will break out into an MMA match for the right to pick Arch Manning or C.J. Carr.
Edholm has a subgroup of four teams under “Work to Do” which includes the Bucs, Vikings, Colts and Steelers. Those four teams, Edholm noted, could surprise and maybe rise up to the No. 2 group “If Everything Breaks Right,” but those four will not be contenders.
> The Bucs, Steelers, Vikings and Colts all had stretches last season where they were competent to very good contenders with some actual clout, but they all had incomplete seasons. With good health and more consistent quarterback play, each of them are capable of rising up the ranks.
Joe doesn’t think Edholm is exactly wrong. What is that you say, the Bucs’ defense is much better? Well, the way the defense quit and collapsed on the Bucs last year, it left many with a rotten taste in their mouths and unless or until the Bucs show they have a competent defense, folks might then turn into believers.
Joe has zero issue with the offense. But that defense, losing its best corner and banking on three rookies to play like veterans, well, Joe doesn’t know how objective observers can’t have any questions.