2025 Bucs Thread: Fire the Cannons

[Eckstein197]

The 2025 season is here! Man I am real late creating this thread, usually do it before the offseason and missed the entire thing. That’s my bad but we are here for the start of the year!

Going for our 5th straight division title, Bucs have absolutely put themselves as the class of the NFC South. Bucs are also still in the running to be the best NFC team of the 2020s, eagles have pulled ahead but we are just right behind them.

I will say, the injuries have made me nervous. Wirfs especially, but hoping things come together quickly

[Siberian13]

Curious how good Egbuka will be. I’ve seen so many good things about him.

[majestik101]

Should be an exciting year! Bucs are commemorating their 50th season, will be featured in four (!) prime-time games, will be wearing the Creamsicles for three (!) games, look to clinch their fifth (!) consecutive NFC South Division Championship, Baker will be seeking his 3rd (!) consecutive Pro-Bowl nod, and of course, Mike Evans will be on track to break Jerry Rice's 1,000 yard consecutive season record (!)

That's not counting likely the last hurrah for veteran Lavonte David, the unfortunate injury to Tristan Wirfs (who will be out a few games), but also the return of Chris Godwin, the addition of Haason Reddick playing opposite Yaya Diaby, SirVocea Dennis taking over for K.J. Britt, and the emergence of rookies Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson.

To address your question Sibs, yes, I am looking to see Emeka Egbuka as well. He is going to be in the Rookie of the Year discussion, he's that good.

Let's Go Bucs!!

[rippev]

Wish we had Wirfs this week against Atlanta. Big game already week 1.

[majestik101]

Originally Posted by rippev

Wish we had Wirfs this week against Atlanta. Big game already week 1.

Count me in as being more than a little skeptical that back-up LT Charlie Heck is up to the task against those speedy athletic Falcons pass rushers.

Fingers crossed that he can meet the challenge, otherwise, it could get ugly

[Siberian13]

Originally Posted by majestik101

Count me in as being more than a little skeptical that back-up LT Charlie Heck is up to the task against those speedy athletic Falcons pass rushers.

Fingers crossed that he can meet the challenge, otherwise, it could get ugly

I’m excited for the young rushers but the Falcons finish like 30th in sacks every year on defense. Hoping Pearce and the gang can get to Baker a few times.

[majestik101]

1-0!!

It wasn't pretty, but the Bucs squeak by with a win on the road.

Baker throws for 3 TD's and rookie stud Emeka Egbuka had a heck of a debut catching two of those TD's

Next game is a prime-time showdown at the Texans on MNF


Let's Go Bucs!!

[Eckstein197]

Originally Posted by majestik101

Count me in as being more than a little skeptical that back-up LT Charlie Heck is up to the task against those speedy athletic Falcons pass rushers.

Fingers crossed that he can meet the challenge, otherwise, it could get ugly

Seems like the staff agreed. Just insane the OL adjustments in this game and they worked!

[Siberian13]

Originally Posted by Eckstein197

Seems like the staff agreed. Just insane the OL adjustments in this game and they worked!

Falcons haven't had edge in years and they can't even beat backup olineman. Going to be a long year. Only sack was from a DB blitz

[majestik101]

Congratulations to Kameron Johnson, winner of NFC Special Teams Player Of The Week! His punt return of 54 yards was the best of the week, and it set up Baker's TD toss to Bucky Irving in the 3rd Quarter.

That award hasn't been given to a Buccaneers player since Bobby Rainey (!) won it in 2015

Let's Go Bucs!

[Floridacardguy]

Originally Posted by majestik101

Congratulations to Kameron Johnson, winner of NFC Special Teams Player Of The Week! His punt return of 54 yards was the best of the week, and it set up Baker's TD toss to Bucky Irving in the 3rd Quarter.

That award hasn't been given to a Buccaneers player since Bobby Rainey (!) won it in 2015

Let's Go Bucs!

The real special teams MVP for you guys

[majestik101]

Bucs squeak by against the Texans Monday Night. Tough sailing, but a win is a win.

Let's keep it rolling!

Baker Mayfield is Built Different ------------>https://www.youtube.com/shorts/z8c8W...?feature=share

Good:

Baker already in the MVP discussion.
Emeka Egbuka is a front-runner in the ROY discussion
Bucs are 2-0, about to face the NY Jets at home (in the throwbacks (!)) and go up 3-0 and take a commanding lead in the NFC South standings


Bad:

Calijah Kancey (possibly) out for the season
Right Tackle Luke Goedeke might be out for a few weeks
Tristan Wirfs still out for a while
Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan still out for a while
Special Teams is a mess

Let's Go Bucs!

[majestik101]

Just announced today:

Starting Right Guard Cody Mauch out for the season.

The Buccaneers offensive line is decimated.

[majestik101]

SIGH

The injuries keep piling up.

Rookie of the Year front runner Emeka Egbuka listed as "questionable" against the New York Jets on Sunday.

Dag nabbit!

[majestik101]

Rookie of the Year front runner Emeka Egbuka expected to play against the New York Jets today.

Huzzah!

[blackbears86]

Another squeaker win!


Loving this team.

[Siberian13]

Originally Posted by blackbears86

Another squeaker win!


Loving this team.

Easily division winners this year. You can’t leave that much time for good teams.

[blackbears86]

Originally Posted by Siberian13

Easily division winners this year. You can’t leave that much time for good teams.

And they have a bunch of injuries.



this division should be wrapped up by week 13

[Siberian13]

Originally Posted by blackbears86

And they have a bunch of injuries.



this division should be wrapped up by week 13

Probably week 10

[majestik101]

Bucs survive another close game, squeaking by with a win against the Jets (!) at home. Enough with these close games, Tampa Bay. The Bucs improve to 3-0, but they have won these 3 games by a combined 6 points.


And right on cue, just like the past 7 years Mike Evans exits the game early with yet another hamstring injury. How serious is it? He was seen walking around post-game. Didn't seem too angry or hurt, will undergo tests.

Allow me to put on my Sibs pair of rose-colored glasses...

Maybe it's a good thing that Mike Evans has his hammy issue so early in the season. Get it out of the way, sit out a few weeks. Let the back-ups do their thing.

Next few games

Home vs Eagles
@ Seahawks
Home vs 49ers
@ Lions
@ Saints

Big game next week at home versus Philadelphia where it's expected that Chris Godwin and Tristin Wirfs may be making their return, and Emeka Egbuka will get more touches.

So, heal up #13, get better.

Let's Go Bucs!

[majestik101]

Baker, Chris Godwin and Tristan Wirfs all expected to play in tomorrow morning's best scheduled NFL game.

Should be a good one.

Chucky's break-down of the game is worth a watch. His excitement is infectious



Let's Go Bucs!

[sportzluvr1]

Man, if Baker n’ co. can get Evans/Godwin/Emeka/McMillan healthy for last few games and playoffs the Bucs will be a serious contender.

[majestik101]

Bucs were going to lose eventually. Why not to the defending Super Bowl Champs?

Despite the loss, it's not the end of the world. The Bucs still hold a 1 game lead in the NFC South standings.

Emeka Egbuka is already a superstar. Seeing a lot of posts online that Egbuka's 77-yard TD catch made in the 3rd quarter between 2 helplessly out-covered leaping defenders is being called a candidate for catch of the year.

Also worth noting that Baker damn near brought his team back from an insurmountable 24-6 deficit in the 2nd half to within a touchdown with a little over 12 minutes left in the 4th quarter. Defense played better, but Special Teams still needs some work. (Other than Kicker Chase McLaughlin who nailed a 65-yard kick to become the LONGEST outdoor field goal in NFL history ) -----> https://youtube.com/shorts/gJ3TLfhrZ...IWFv0RaF54kc8a

Next week, the Bucs travel to Seattle to play the Seahawks in the Expansion Bowl! Should be fun, as both teams are going to be wearing their 1976 unis!

Seahawks vs. Bucs Expansion Bowl Promo: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lSnTwZkY1_g

Let's Go Bucs!

[Siberian13]

Curious what all 3 WRs roles will be when Mike is back and Godwin is up to speed. Someone’s gonna be left out.

[majestik101]

Originally Posted by Siberian13

Curious what all 3 WRs roles will be when Mike is back and Godwin is up to speed. Someone’s gonna be left out.

Well, if Emeka Egbuka keeps progressing the way he has been, there's a chance he moves to WR1. Evans, being the unselfish player he is may then agree to move to WR2, and they'll probably shift Chris Godwin to his more natural position of slot WR3, once he feels more comfortable and is ready.

If that happens, there is a distinct possibility Evans will not break Jerry Rice's consecutive season record.

He might make that sacrifice if it means it gives his team a better shot at contending for a Super Bowl.