Thursday, 4 a.m.
Often, they are traveling companions. Talent and production. No one wins for long without both of them.
Ah, but in life, there are overachievers and underachievers. There are teams that win less than their roster suggests. There are teams that win more.
That said, where are your Bucs?
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Granted, they have won nine times. They have lost seven. They have some talented players. They have some deficient units.
Now, as they prepare to wrap up this season, it seems a fair time to ask. Are they as good as you'd hope they'd be? Is their roster talent-rich? Is it coach-poor? Are both implications a little exaggerated?
I was looking at the Pro Bowl balloting on Wednesday. I was a little surprised at the rating of the Bucs.
Okay, okay. It's the Pro Bowl, which has more to do with popularity than it does with production. Heck, according to the fan vote, the Detroit Lions have the league's second-best running back, the best receiver, the best two guards, the best two tackles, the best center, the third-best quarterback, the fourth-best tight end, the second-best inside linebacker, the best free safety. the second-best strong safety.the third-best defensive tackle, the best punter, the third best kicker and the fourth-best special teams player.
Should we give Detroit the Lombardi Trophy now?
So. as you consider the Bucs rankings, keep in mind they aren't the sexiest team in the league and they certainly don't seem to be stuffing the ballot box. But maybe, just maybe, this team doesn’t have the raw talent you think.
The Bucs' highest finisher in the voting was Vita Vea, who is fifth among defensive tackles. That's probably about right.
Baker Mayfield was sixth among quaterbacks. His stats are a little better than that, but it"s ahead of Patrick Mahomes, which is pretty good.
Bucky Irving? Not ranked. Mike Evans? Not ranked. Lavonte David? Not ranked . Chase McLaughlin? Not ranked.
Tristan Wifts was ninth among offensive tackles. Just ninth. Cade Otton was 10th among tight ends.
In all, it's the results of a three-win team, not a nine-win team.
Sure, some more Bucs are going to get into the celebrity games that have taken over Pro Bowl weekend. The lists include athletes from both conferences, and no one has opted out yet because they can.
But the next time you are tearing out your hair because this team isn't doing as well as you think, think of this.
They're better than expected.