4 Struggling NFL Teams That Need To Remain Patient

By Keith Myers | Oct 30, 2014

Oct 26, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Matt Asiata (44) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Danny Lansanah (51) as the Vikings beat the Buccaneers 19-13 in overtime at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 5, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Robert Herron (10) celebrates a touchdown with wide receiver Louis Murphy (18) against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Current Record: 1-6

When the Buccaneers dropped wildly unpopular head coach Greg Schiano in the offseason and replaced him with a proven winner in Lovie Smith, the expectation was that Tampa Bay would be improved right away. That clearly hasn’t happened.

Instead, the Buccaneers have regressed and appear to be headed to a top-5 draft pick. If Tampa Bay fans are frustrated, it is because they should be.

But not all is bad in Buccaneer-land. The record is a bit deceiving. Two of Tampa Bay’s losses have come in overtime, and the team was competitive in three of the other games. Moral victories don’t mean anything in the NFL, but at least the Buccaneers aren’t getting blown out with regularity like Jacksonville and Oakland.

Part of the problem this season has been that the players and the schemes haven’t always meshed properly. Safety Mark Barron is perhaps the best example. He’s an in-the-box strong safety that doesn’t fit the cover-2 base that is part of the underlying core of Smith’s defense. That is why the Buccaneers decided to trade Barron earlier this week.

It will take time for the roster to be molded into what is needed to win consistently. There are pieces in place, but not enough win consistently; not yet at least.

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