There is an important difference between being a bad football team and having a bad roster. Over the past three weeks, the Buccaneers have unquestionably been a bad football team. They are 0-3, have lost 10 of their last 12 games dating back to last season, and have repeatedly found ways to beat themselves. What makes the start so frustrating is that Tampa Bay does not have an 0-3 level of talent.
Tristan Wirfs remains one of the best tackles in football; Antoine Winfield Jr. has already proven he can be an All-Pro safety; Vita Vea has been underwhelming; Chris Godwin Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and Bucky Irving give the offense legitimate playmakers; David Walker has emerged after missing his entire rookie season; both second-year corners Benjamin Morrison
and Jacob Parrish have flourished, amongst others that give Tampa Bay pieces to build around. But Tampa Bay has gained 838 yards while allowing 848. Opponents have scored only seven offensive touchdowns over three games, but the Bucs have consistently lost in the areas that turn close games into losses. The offense is only 14 of 43 on third down and has failed on all three fourth-down attempts. Baker Mayfield was sacked six times against Minnesota. An 85-yard Chris Godwin touchdown was nullified by a holding penalty on Luke Goedeke, and special teams surrendered an 86-yard punt-return touchdown in a game Tampa Bay lost by seven.
That is execution, discipline, and coaching, not simply a lack of talent. It is also why the pressure on Todd Bowles and his staff should continue to increase. Tampa Bay is not working with a roster that needs everything to go perfectly just to compete. There are established veterans, recent high draft picks, and young players already showing legitimate potential. Good players do not automatically create a good team. They still need to communicate, avoid penalties, understand assignments, and consistently be placed in situations that maximize what they do well. The Bucs are a bad football team through three games. Their record says it, and their mistakes have earned it. But this is not a talentless roster.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: The Bucs have too much talent to be playing this poorly
