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Are The Buccaneers A Playoff Team? Jon Gruden Thinks So

By James Yarcho

Dec 17, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) talks to his teammates on the sidelines in the second half against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) talks to his teammates on the sidelines in the second half against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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In an interview with Chris Fisher of Tampa’s CBS affiliate WTSP, former Buccaneers’ head coach and MNF color commentator Jon Gruden talks about the Bucs and their 2016 season.

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The excitement is building, and it’s only May. Buccaneers fans are chomping at the bit for football to get here to see franchise quarterback Jameis Winston lead this team to the postseason for the first time in almost a decade. I mean, those are the expectations, right? Getting to the playoffs? According to Jon Gruden, that’s exactly what the expectations should be. When asked about it, Gruden had this to say,

Jan 23, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; ESPN broadcasters Mike Tirico (left) and Jon Gruden at Team Carter practice at Scottsdale Community College in advance of the 2015 Pro Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; ESPN broadcasters Mike Tirico (left) and Jon Gruden at Team Carter practice at Scottsdale Community College in advance of the 2015 Pro Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

"“I think expectations are high, and they should be. I think they’re a playoff team. The whole league, the way teams reassemble every year, it’s amazing. As a broadcaster, I see that. There’s twenty, twenty-five new guys on the roster, there’s new coaches, new people in the front office on every team. So, it’s not like there’s a sure thing. Minus New England, maybe Seattle, but other than that, it’s a crap shoot.”"

Gruden is also a big fan of the moves the Buccaneers made this off-season, especially with the coaches,

"“[Koetter] has proven what he can do with quarterbacks and offenses. I like Mike Smith, the defensive coordinator that he’s hired. They’ve done an excellent job with their young quarterback”"

And finally, Gruden calls out the Bucs fans,

"“Tampa Bay has got to get off to a better start. They gotta win at home. We gotta get out to Raymond James Stadium and support this team. They gotta win these home games. That’s how you get back to the playoffs.”"

There is no debating the Bucs have a good thing going and are putting everything in place, starting with a reliable, franchise quarterback. They’ve built a line around him to protect him, and given him weapons. As for the defense? Well, that’s still a mystery since we don’t know exactly what they’re going to do defensively. The additions of Robert Ayers and Noah Spence help up front and the additions of Brent Grimes and Vernon Hargreaves III help in the back.

Next: Don't Forget About Kenny Bell

This team has the building blocks of a playoff team, but it’s a matter of putting things together on the field. This can be a playoff team, the question is, will they? What do you think Bucs fans?

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