BALTIMORE RAVENS at PITTSBURGH STEELERS – RAVENS: DNP: LB Arthur Brown (thigh), DT Timmy Jernigan (foot, ankle), T Eugene Monroe (ankle). FULL: DE Chris Canty (ankle, thigh). STEELERS: DNP: T Mike Adams (illness), RB Le’Veon Bell (knee), TE Heath Miller (not injury related), QB Ben Roethlisberger (not injury related). LIMITED: NT Steve McLendon (shoulder), TE Michael Palmer (groin). FULL: S Troy Polamalu (knee), CB Ike Taylor (shoulder, forearm).

ARIZONA CARDINALS at CAROLINA PANTHERS – CARDINALS: DNP: QB Drew Stanton (knee), NT Dan Williams (foot). LIMITED: G Jonathan Cooper (wrist, knee), DT Frostee Rucker (ankle). FULL: DE Calais Campbell (hip), LB Larry Foote (knee), S Tyrann Mathieu (thumb, hip), C Lyle Sendlein (back). PANTHERS: DNP: QB Derek Anderson (illness), G Fernando Velasco (not injury related). LIMITED: S Thomas DeCoud (hamstring). FULL: LB A.J. Klein (ankle), RB DeAngelo Williams (hand).

CINCINNATI BENGALS at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS – BENGALS: DNP: WR A.J. Green (concussion), TE Jermaine Gresham (back), CB Leon Hall (not injury related), RB Cedric Peerman (concussion), WR James Wright (knee). COLTS: DNP: WR Josh Cribbs (not injury related), C A.Q. Shipley (ankle), G Hugh Thornton (shoulder). LIMITED: T Gosder Cherilus (groin), LB Erik Walden (knee), WR Reggie Wayne (groin), LB Bjoern Werner (shoulder). FULL: TE Dwayne Allen (knee), LB Jerrell Freeman (hamstring), G Joe Reitz (ankle).

DETROIT LIONS at DALLAS COWBOYS – LIONS: DNP: DT Nick Fairley (knee), G Larry Warford (knee). LIMITED: WR Calvin Johnson (ankle). COWBOYS: DNP: T Doug Free (ankle), DT Nick Hayden (shoulder), LB Anthony Hitchens (ankle), LB Rolando McClain (knee, illness), QB Tony Romo (back), S C.J. Spillman (groin). LIMITED: LB Dekoda Watson (hamstring). FULL: DT Josh Brent (calf), G Zack Martin (ankle), RB DeMarco Murray (hand).

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BALTIMORE RAVENS at PITTSBURGH STEELERS – RAVENS: DNP: LB Arthur Brown (thigh), DT Timmy Jernigan (foot, ankle), T Eugene Monroe (ankle). FULL: DE Chris Canty (ankle, thigh). STEELERS: DNP: T Mike Adams (illness), RB Le’Veon Bell (knee), TE Heath Miller (not injury related), QB Ben Roethlisberger (not injury related). LIMITED: NT Steve McLendon (shoulder), TE Michael Palmer (groin). FULL: S Troy Polamalu (knee), CB Ike Taylor (shoulder, forearm).

ARIZONA CARDINALS at CAROLINA PANTHERS – CARDINALS: DNP: QB Drew Stanton (knee), NT Dan Williams (foot). LIMITED: G Jonathan Cooper (wrist, knee), DT Frostee Rucker (ankle). FULL: DE Calais Campbell (hip), LB Larry Foote (knee), S Tyrann Mathieu (thumb, hip), C Lyle Sendlein (back). PANTHERS: DNP: QB Derek Anderson (illness), G Fernando Velasco (not injury related). LIMITED: S Thomas DeCoud (hamstring). FULL: LB A.J. Klein (ankle), RB DeAngelo Williams (hand).

CINCINNATI BENGALS at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS – BENGALS: DNP: WR A.J. Green (concussion), TE Jermaine Gresham (back), CB Leon Hall (not injury related), RB Cedric Peerman (concussion), WR James Wright (knee). COLTS: DNP: WR Josh Cribbs (not injury related), C A.Q. Shipley (ankle), G Hugh Thornton (shoulder). LIMITED: T Gosder Cherilus (groin), LB Erik Walden (knee), WR Reggie Wayne (groin), LB Bjoern Werner (shoulder). FULL: TE Dwayne Allen (knee), LB Jerrell Freeman (hamstring), G Joe Reitz (ankle).

DETROIT LIONS at DALLAS COWBOYS – LIONS: DNP: DT Nick Fairley (knee), G Larry Warford (knee). LIMITED: WR Calvin Johnson (ankle). COWBOYS: DNP: T Doug Free (ankle), DT Nick Hayden (shoulder), LB Anthony Hitchens (ankle), LB Rolando McClain (knee, illness), QB Tony Romo (back), S C.J. Spillman (groin). LIMITED: LB Dekoda Watson (hamstring). FULL: DT Josh Brent (calf), G Zack Martin (ankle), RB DeMarco Murray (hand).

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They have been outstanding ever since, and are still chasing their first NFL title since the 2004 season.

”I think when you’re young, there is no perspective,” the 37-year-old quarterback said Wednesday. ”Now that I have a little perspective on it, yeah, it’s hard to do. To do what we accomplished in a short period of time was amazing.”

The Patriots have been to two Super Bowls in the last nine seasons. Helped by two late receptions – one on David Tyree’s trap against his helmet, the other on a long throw down the sideline to Mario Manningham – the New York Giants won close games.

If those passes were incomplete, Brady might have a Super Bowl ring for each finger of one hand.

”We’ve come up short a few times in some big ones, but we’re lucky to be in those games, too,” he said after the Patriots held a rare scrimmage during practice to motivate them during their bye week.

”It was fun to have a real competitive day,” Brady said. ”I could see why it’s so hard to score on our defense, though, I can tell you that. They’ve got a lot of good players.”

In the blue vs. white scrimmage, the white team won, cornerback Brandon Browner said – his team.

”We won by a field goal,” he said. ”It was a great way to keep guys competing and get something out of practice because it is a bye week so you’ve got some guys, their minds are on maybe getting out of here or trying to get done with the week.”

The Patriots (12-4), the AFC’s top seed, practice Thursday, and then have three days off before a weightlifting day Monday. They will start practicing on Tuesday for their divisional game.

Many of them will watch this weekend’s playoff games that will determine their opponent on Jan. 10 in Gillette Stadium.

It will be the Baltimore Ravens if they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. Otherwise, it will be the winner of Sunday’s game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals.

Whoever it is, the Patriots offense needs to improve over its last two performances, the least productive of the season.

New England gained just 231 yards but edged the weak New York Jets 17-16 on Dec. 21. Then they picked up 260 in a 17-9 loss to Buffalo, although Brady played just the first half and tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receiver Julian Edelman didn’t play at all because the game had no bearing on their postseason seeding.

And the Patriots have beaten three other AFC playoff teams – Cincinnati, Denver and Indianapolis – by at least 22 points.

”You just have to believe in what you’re doing and believe in each other and go out there and play with a lot of confidence,” Brady said. ”In spurts we’ve done some really good things, and other times our execution hasn’t been as sharp.

”It really doesn’t matter at this point what has happened – good, bad or indifferent. It just really matters what we really do from this point on. Every team has the same record.”

Brady won his first 10 playoff games. But in the last five seasons, he is 4-5 with losses in the Patriots’ first game in the first two years, and then the Super Bowl loss followed by losses in the AFC championship game the past two years.

”To be that final team is pretty tough,” he said, ”but we’ve also put ourselves in a good position, so that’s all you can ask for at this point for us.

”We look ahead to it with confidence knowing that we are capable of playing the best teams and playing really well against some of the best teams. All year we’ve done that, and now we’ve just got to do it in a single-elimination tournament.”

The post Brady gains appreciation for early championships appeared first on IdealCapper.

BALTIMORE RAVENS at PITTSBURGH STEELERS – RAVENS: DNP: LB Arthur Brown (thigh), DT Timmy Jernigan (foot, ankle), T Eugene Monroe (ankle). FULL: DE Chris Canty (ankle, thigh). STEELERS: DNP: T Mike Adams (illness), RB Le’Veon Bell (knee), TE Heath Miller (not injury related), QB Ben Roethlisberger (not injury related). LIMITED: NT Steve McLendon (shoulder), TE Michael Palmer (groin). FULL: S Troy Polamalu (knee), CB Ike Taylor (shoulder, forearm).

ARIZONA CARDINALS at CAROLINA PANTHERS – CARDINALS: DNP: QB Drew Stanton (knee), NT Dan Williams (foot). LIMITED: G Jonathan Cooper (wrist, knee), DT Frostee Rucker (ankle). FULL: DE Calais Campbell (hip), LB Larry Foote (knee), S Tyrann Mathieu (thumb, hip), C Lyle Sendlein (back). PANTHERS: DNP: QB Derek Anderson (illness), G Fernando Velasco (not injury related). LIMITED: S Thomas DeCoud (hamstring). FULL: LB A.J. Klein (ankle), RB DeAngelo Williams (hand).

CINCINNATI BENGALS at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS – BENGALS: DNP: WR A.J. Green (concussion), TE Jermaine Gresham (back), CB Leon Hall (not injury related), RB Cedric Peerman (concussion), WR James Wright (knee). COLTS: DNP: WR Josh Cribbs (not injury related), C A.Q. Shipley (ankle), G Hugh Thornton (shoulder). LIMITED: T Gosder Cherilus (groin), LB Erik Walden (knee), WR Reggie Wayne (groin), LB Bjoern Werner (shoulder). FULL: TE Dwayne Allen (knee), LB Jerrell Freeman (hamstring), G Joe Reitz (ankle).

DETROIT LIONS at DALLAS COWBOYS – LIONS: DNP: DT Nick Fairley (knee), G Larry Warford (knee). LIMITED: WR Calvin Johnson (ankle). COWBOYS: DNP: T Doug Free (ankle), DT Nick Hayden (shoulder), LB Anthony Hitchens (ankle), LB Rolando McClain (knee, illness), QB Tony Romo (back), S C.J. Spillman (groin). LIMITED: LB Dekoda Watson (hamstring). FULL: DT Josh Brent (calf), G Zack Martin (ankle), RB DeMarco Murray (hand).

The post Cowboys take bounce-back D into Detroit game appeared first on IdealCapper.

Co-owner John Mara said Tuesday that re-signing unrestricted free agents Jason Pierre-Paul and Antrel Rolle and continuing the rehabilitation of the 22 players who wound up on injured reserve were among the biggest needs for the franchise.

While expressing pleasure about the season-ending 3-1 stretch, Mara left no doubt that much energy will be expended to avoid another 6-10 disaster.

”This has been a very difficult year for our fans, and an even more difficult year for me,” Mara said. ”I haven’t stomached this very well. It’s going to be a long offseason. But I think there is reason for optimism. I think we’ll be a better team next year, but just talking about it right now isn’t very convincing. Not coming off this type of season.”

Shoring up a defensive line that generated one of the league’s weakest pass rushes the first 11 games of the season will be a priority. Re-signing Pierre-Paul, whose nine sacks over the last five games gave him a team-high 12 1/2 for the season, will be a decision wrought with salary cap consequences. But Mara was cautiously optimistic about keeping him in the Meadowlands.

”I’ll be surprised if he’s not a Giant next year,” Mara said.

But he also said he won’t break the bank for him.

”I’d like him back, but for the right price,” Mara said, adding that slapping the one-year, $9.04 million franchise tag on him is also an option. ”He had a great finish.”

Reese said he met with all the team’s unrestricted free agents Monday, but has yet to engage in any negotiations with Pierre-Paul’s representatives. How he weighs the defensive end’s finish against the rest of his season could decide his future.

”The guy has the ability to be a game-changer, and we didn’t see that the first half of the season,” Reese said. ”He’s had some injury problems. We’ve seen the guy be a dynamic player, and he’s still a young player. So now we have to have a conversation with John (Mara) and his agents and see what makes sense for everybody.”

Reese said regardless of Pierre-Paul’s or Rolle’s status, he did not plan on equaling the $116 million he spent on free agents last year.

”It won’t be wholesale changes. Last year we had to turn the roster over,” Reese said. ”We’ll definitely do something to upgrade our roster. We’ve got a good corps of people coming back, regardless. You can’t turn your roster over every single year.”

Although quarterback Eli Manning has one more year left on his contract, Mara said they could discuss an extension. Mara said he believes Manning still has a championship left in him, and that the organization would like to see him retire as a Giant. ”But it depends on what they’re asking for,” Mara said.

Continuing the rehabilitation on the vast list of injured players that included starters such as wide receiver Victor Cruz, linebacker Jon Beason, cornerbacks Walter Thurmond and Prince Amukamara, and offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz will be another off-season concern.

”I’m very frustrated about the number of injuries we’ve had,” Mara said. ”It’s been two years in a row now that we’ve led the league in putting players on the IR. We cut down on the number of soft-tissue injuries, and all of a sudden there’s broken bones and torn tendons and torn muscles.

”If we just get half of them back healthy next year, we’ll be a much better team.”

The Giants must also find a replacement for quarterback coach Danny Langsdorf, who after just one season to become the offensive coordinator job at the University of Nebraska.

Despite all the ”ifs” and uncertainty facing the Giants, Coughlin believed 2015 will be a success, even if it does take a long, arduous offseason to accomplish it.

”We’re going to be better next year,” an animated Coughlin said. ”Why am I here? You think I’m in my office with my feet up? We’re here to win!”

The post Giants co-owner Mara outlines busy offseason appeared first on IdealCapper.

Co-owner John Mara said Tuesday that re-signing unrestricted free agents Jason Pierre-Paul and Antrel Rolle and continuing the rehabilitation of the 22 players who wound up on injured reserve were among the biggest needs for the franchise.

While expressing pleasure about the season-ending 3-1 stretch, Mara left no doubt that much energy will be expended to avoid another 6-10 disaster.

”This has been a very difficult year for our fans, and an even more difficult year for me,” Mara said. ”I haven’t stomached this very well. It’s going to be a long offseason. But I think there is reason for optimism. I think we’ll be a better team next year, but just talking about it right now isn’t very convincing. Not coming off this type of season.”

Shoring up a defensive line that generated one of the league’s weakest pass rushes the first 11 games of the season will be a priority. Re-signing Pierre-Paul, whose nine sacks over the last five games gave him a team-high 12 1/2 for the season, will be a decision wrought with salary cap consequences. But Mara was cautiously optimistic about keeping him in the Meadowlands.

”I’ll be surprised if he’s not a Giant next year,” Mara said.

But he also said he won’t break the bank for him.

”I’d like him back, but for the right price,” Mara said, adding that slapping the one-year, $9.04 million franchise tag on him is also an option. ”He had a great finish.”

Reese said he met with all the team’s unrestricted free agents Monday, but has yet to engage in any negotiations with Pierre-Paul’s representatives. How he weighs the defensive end’s finish against the rest of his season could decide his future.

”The guy has the ability to be a game-changer, and we didn’t see that the first half of the season,” Reese said. ”He’s had some injury problems. We’ve seen the guy be a dynamic player, and he’s still a young player. So now we have to have a conversation with John (Mara) and his agents and see what makes sense for everybody.”

Reese said regardless of Pierre-Paul’s or Rolle’s status, he did not plan on equaling the $116 million he spent on free agents last year.

”It won’t be wholesale changes. Last year we had to turn the roster over,” Reese said. ”We’ll definitely do something to upgrade our roster. We’ve got a good corps of people coming back, regardless. You can’t turn your roster over every single year.”

Although quarterback Eli Manning has one more year left on his contract, Mara said they could discuss an extension. Mara said he believes Manning still has a championship left in him, and that the organization would like to see him retire as a Giant. ”But it depends on what they’re asking for,” Mara said.

Continuing the rehabilitation on the vast list of injured players that included starters such as wide receiver Victor Cruz, linebacker Jon Beason, cornerbacks Walter Thurmond and Prince Amukamara, and offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz will be another off-season concern.

”I’m very frustrated about the number of injuries we’ve had,” Mara said. ”It’s been two years in a row now that we’ve led the league in putting players on the IR. We cut down on the number of soft-tissue injuries, and all of a sudden there’s broken bones and torn tendons and torn muscles.

”If we just get half of them back healthy next year, we’ll be a much better team.”

The Giants must also find a replacement for quarterback coach Danny Langsdorf, who after just one season to become the offensive coordinator job at the University of Nebraska.

Despite all the ”ifs” and uncertainty facing the Giants, Coughlin believed 2015 will be a success, even if it does take a long, arduous offseason to accomplish it.

”We’re going to be better next year,” an animated Coughlin said. ”Why am I here? You think I’m in my office with my feet up? We’re here to win!”

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Co-owner John Mara said Tuesday that re-signing unrestricted free agents Jason Pierre-Paul and Antrel Rolle and continuing the rehabilitation of the 22 players who wound up on injured reserve were among the biggest needs for the franchise.

While expressing pleasure about the season-ending 3-1 stretch, Mara left no doubt that much energy will be expended to avoid another 6-10 disaster.

”This has been a very difficult year for our fans, and an even more difficult year for me,” Mara said. ”I haven’t stomached this very well. It’s going to be a long offseason. But I think there is reason for optimism. I think we’ll be a better team next year, but just talking about it right now isn’t very convincing. Not coming off this type of season.”

Shoring up a defensive line that generated one of the league’s weakest pass rushes the first 11 games of the season will be a priority. Re-signing Pierre-Paul, whose nine sacks over the last five games gave him a team-high 12 1/2 for the season, will be a decision wrought with salary cap consequences. But Mara was cautiously optimistic about keeping him in the Meadowlands.

”I’ll be surprised if he’s not a Giant next year,” Mara said.

But he also said he won’t break the bank for him.

”I’d like him back, but for the right price,” Mara said, adding that slapping the one-year, $9.04 million franchise tag on him is also an option. ”He had a great finish.”

Reese said he met with all the team’s unrestricted free agents Monday, but has yet to engage in any negotiations with Pierre-Paul’s representatives. How he weighs the defensive end’s finish against the rest of his season could decide his future.

”The guy has the ability to be a game-changer, and we didn’t see that the first half of the season,” Reese said. ”He’s had some injury problems. We’ve seen the guy be a dynamic player, and he’s still a young player. So now we have to have a conversation with John (Mara) and his agents and see what makes sense for everybody.”

Reese said regardless of Pierre-Paul’s or Rolle’s status, he did not plan on equaling the $116 million he spent on free agents last year.

”It won’t be wholesale changes. Last year we had to turn the roster over,” Reese said. ”We’ll definitely do something to upgrade our roster. We’ve got a good corps of people coming back, regardless. You can’t turn your roster over every single year.”

Although quarterback Eli Manning has one more year left on his contract, Mara said they could discuss an extension. Mara said he believes Manning still has a championship left in him, and that the organization would like to see him retire as a Giant. ”But it depends on what they’re asking for,” Mara said.

Continuing the rehabilitation on the vast list of injured players that included starters such as wide receiver Victor Cruz, linebacker Jon Beason, cornerbacks Walter Thurmond and Prince Amukamara, and offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz will be another off-season concern.

”I’m very frustrated about the number of injuries we’ve had,” Mara said. ”It’s been two years in a row now that we’ve led the league in putting players on the IR. We cut down on the number of soft-tissue injuries, and all of a sudden there’s broken bones and torn tendons and torn muscles.

”If we just get half of them back healthy next year, we’ll be a much better team.”

The Giants must also find a replacement for quarterback coach Danny Langsdorf, who after just one season to become the offensive coordinator job at the University of Nebraska.

Despite all the ”ifs” and uncertainty facing the Giants, Coughlin believed 2015 will be a success, even if it does take a long, arduous offseason to accomplish it.

”We’re going to be better next year,” an animated Coughlin said. ”Why am I here? You think I’m in my office with my feet up? We’re here to win!”

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Co-owner John Mara said Tuesday that re-signing unrestricted free agents Jason Pierre-Paul and Antrel Rolle and continuing the rehabilitation of the 22 players who wound up on injured reserve were among the biggest needs for the franchise.

While expressing pleasure about the season-ending 3-1 stretch, Mara left no doubt that much energy will be expended to avoid another 6-10 disaster.

”This has been a very difficult year for our fans, and an even more difficult year for me,” Mara said. ”I haven’t stomached this very well. It’s going to be a long offseason. But I think there is reason for optimism. I think we’ll be a better team next year, but just talking about it right now isn’t very convincing. Not coming off this type of season.”

Shoring up a defensive line that generated one of the league’s weakest pass rushes the first 11 games of the season will be a priority. Re-signing Pierre-Paul, whose nine sacks over the last five games gave him a team-high 12 1/2 for the season, will be a decision wrought with salary cap consequences. But Mara was cautiously optimistic about keeping him in the Meadowlands.

”I’ll be surprised if he’s not a Giant next year,” Mara said.

But he also said he won’t break the bank for him.

”I’d like him back, but for the right price,” Mara said, adding that slapping the one-year, $9.04 million franchise tag on him is also an option. ”He had a great finish.”

Reese said he met with all the team’s unrestricted free agents Monday, but has yet to engage in any negotiations with Pierre-Paul’s representatives. How he weighs the defensive end’s finish against the rest of his season could decide his future.

”The guy has the ability to be a game-changer, and we didn’t see that the first half of the season,” Reese said. ”He’s had some injury problems. We’ve seen the guy be a dynamic player, and he’s still a young player. So now we have to have a conversation with John (Mara) and his agents and see what makes sense for everybody.”

Reese said regardless of Pierre-Paul’s or Rolle’s status, he did not plan on equaling the $116 million he spent on free agents last year.

”It won’t be wholesale changes. Last year we had to turn the roster over,” Reese said. ”We’ll definitely do something to upgrade our roster. We’ve got a good corps of people coming back, regardless. You can’t turn your roster over every single year.”

Although quarterback Eli Manning has one more year left on his contract, Mara said they could discuss an extension. Mara said he believes Manning still has a championship left in him, and that the organization would like to see him retire as a Giant. ”But it depends on what they’re asking for,” Mara said.

Continuing the rehabilitation on the vast list of injured players that included starters such as wide receiver Victor Cruz, linebacker Jon Beason, cornerbacks Walter Thurmond and Prince Amukamara, and offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz will be another off-season concern.

”I’m very frustrated about the number of injuries we’ve had,” Mara said. ”It’s been two years in a row now that we’ve led the league in putting players on the IR. We cut down on the number of soft-tissue injuries, and all of a sudden there’s broken bones and torn tendons and torn muscles.

”If we just get half of them back healthy next year, we’ll be a much better team.”

The Giants must also find a replacement for quarterback coach Danny Langsdorf, who after just one season to become the offensive coordinator job at the University of Nebraska.

Despite all the ”ifs” and uncertainty facing the Giants, Coughlin believed 2015 will be a success, even if it does take a long, arduous offseason to accomplish it.

”We’re going to be better next year,” an animated Coughlin said. ”Why am I here? You think I’m in my office with my feet up? We’re here to win!”

The post Sam Bradford: No problem if Rams add QB appeared first on IdealCapper.

But instead of venting frustration, the NFL’s highest-paid player at his position spoke about what he’s convinced will be much better days ahead for the Buccaneers.

”I know how to handle losing. … I don’t want to handle losing anymore,” the fifth-year pro said. ”It’s time to start handling winning.”

The Bucs (2-14) missed the playoffs for the seventh straight season, finishing with their worst record in 28 years. Barring a trade, they’ll have the first overall pick in the draft for the first time since 1987, when Vinny Testaverde was the selection.

An opportunity to maybe bring in another Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback – namely Oregon’s Marcus Mariota or Florida State’s Jameis Winston – to help rejuvenate the franchise on and off the field isn’t the only reason McCoy believes the future is bright.

He likes the foundation coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jason Licht laid for the team this season, including giving McCoy a seven-year contract extension worth up to $98 million. The third overall pick in the 2010 draft had 8 1-2 sacks before spending the final two weeks on injured reserve with a knee sprain.

”One of my closest friends is Michael Bennett. He’s on a team that once again is at the top of the NFL,” McCoy said of his former Bucs teammate, currently with the Seattle Seahawks.

”I think it’s great to get advice from people who have been around the winning culture and what it takes,” the team captain said. ”I ask him from a player’s standpoint. If I want to hear it from the coaches; I’ve got plenty of coaches who have won (championships) on our staff.”

That begins with Smith, who led Chicago to three division titles, two NFC championship games and one Super Bowl appearance in nine seasons as coach of the Bears.

Despite finishing with his worst record as a head coach, Smith feels he has Tampa Bay headed in the right direction. He bases that on being relatively competitive in all but three games – blowout losses to Atlanta, Baltimore and Detroit, who outscored the Bucs 138-48.

Tampa Bay lost eight games by six or fewer points.

”I think we are close. … We will handle some situations a lot better this coming season, 2015,” Smith said. ”I know where we’re drafting and that’s what you are, what your record says you are, but I just feel like we can move up the ladder fairly quick.”

The first order of business will be hiring an offensive coordinator to replace Jeff Tedford, who underwent a heart procedure in August and did not coach a regular-season game.

Even though the offense featured a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, Josh McCown wound up with the second-lowest passer rating in the league.

”I want to talk to as many people as I possibly can to get the right fit for us,” Smith said, declining to say if he will seek a candidate with NFL play-calling experience or a replacement with a college background, something Tedford brought to the job. ”I would like to get the best offensive coordinator. I just don’t think you put yourself in a box. You look and you talk to as many people as possible. Every guy in the NFL was once in college, so I don’t think you can close the door on that.”

Reasons the Bucs went 2-14, and others supporting Smith’s belief that the future is positive:

QB WOES: McCown was a disappointment after signing a two-year, $10 million deal in free agency. But having the No. 1 pick in the draft gives Smith a chance to add a potential franchise passer, even though there are glaring needs in other spots, including offensive line. If Mariota and/or Winston declare for the draft, fans will scoff if the team does anything other than take a quarterback.

SHODDY PROTECTION: Smith and Licht rebuilt the offensive line, primarily through free agency, and it didn’t work. Besides having one of the worst running games in the league, the Bucs allowed 52 sacks, their most since giving up 56 in 1995.

THROW IT, WE’LL CATCH IT: Evans, the seventh overall pick in the 2014 draft, and Jackson are the first Tampa Bay tandem to have 1,000 yards receiving in the same season. Jackson has done it four straight years, three with the Bucs.

MISSING TEDFORD: Losing the former Cal coach left play-calling duties to QB coach Marcus Arroyo, a first-year NFL assistant. Smith won’t say how much going through the entire season without an offensive coordinator hurt, but McCown summed it up: ”It tough. … There’s a reason every team has one.”

IMPROVED D’: Smith’s team prospered in Chicago on stingy defense. Tampa Bay made strides after its bye week, playing better against the run, forcing more turnovers and cutting down on points allowed. McCoy and linebacker Lavonte David form the nucleus of a unit that bolsters Smith’s optimism.

”I think we were closer to how we are going to eventually play defensive football around here, but no, we are not there yet,” Smith said. ”We wouldn’t be 2-14 if we were there.”

—

Online:

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

The post Buccaneers eye better days with No. 1 pick appeared first on IdealCapper.

But instead of venting frustration, the NFL’s highest-paid player at his position spoke about what he’s convinced will be much better days ahead for the Buccaneers.

”I know how to handle losing. … I don’t want to handle losing anymore,” the fifth-year pro said. ”It’s time to start handling winning.”

The Bucs (2-14) missed the playoffs for the seventh straight season, finishing with their worst record in 28 years. Barring a trade, they’ll have the first overall pick in the draft for the first time since 1987, when Vinny Testaverde was the selection.

An opportunity to maybe bring in another Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback – namely Oregon’s Marcus Mariota or Florida State’s Jameis Winston – to help rejuvenate the franchise on and off the field isn’t the only reason McCoy believes the future is bright.

He likes the foundation coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jason Licht laid for the team this season, including giving McCoy a seven-year contract extension worth up to $98 million. The third overall pick in the 2010 draft had 8 1-2 sacks before spending the final two weeks on injured reserve with a knee sprain.

”One of my closest friends is Michael Bennett. He’s on a team that once again is at the top of the NFL,” McCoy said of his former Bucs teammate, currently with the Seattle Seahawks.

”I think it’s great to get advice from people who have been around the winning culture and what it takes,” the team captain said. ”I ask him from a player’s standpoint. If I want to hear it from the coaches; I’ve got plenty of coaches who have won (championships) on our staff.”

That begins with Smith, who led Chicago to three division titles, two NFC championship games and one Super Bowl appearance in nine seasons as coach of the Bears.

Despite finishing with his worst record as a head coach, Smith feels he has Tampa Bay headed in the right direction. He bases that on being relatively competitive in all but three games – blowout losses to Atlanta, Baltimore and Detroit, who outscored the Bucs 138-48.

Tampa Bay lost eight games by six or fewer points.

”I think we are close. … We will handle some situations a lot better this coming season, 2015,” Smith said. ”I know where we’re drafting and that’s what you are, what your record says you are, but I just feel like we can move up the ladder fairly quick.”

The first order of business will be hiring an offensive coordinator to replace Jeff Tedford, who underwent a heart procedure in August and did not coach a regular-season game.

Even though the offense featured a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, Josh McCown wound up with the second-lowest passer rating in the league.

”I want to talk to as many people as I possibly can to get the right fit for us,” Smith said, declining to say if he will seek a candidate with NFL play-calling experience or a replacement with a college background, something Tedford brought to the job. ”I would like to get the best offensive coordinator. I just don’t think you put yourself in a box. You look and you talk to as many people as possible. Every guy in the NFL was once in college, so I don’t think you can close the door on that.”

Reasons the Bucs went 2-14, and others supporting Smith’s belief that the future is positive:

QB WOES: McCown was a disappointment after signing a two-year, $10 million deal in free agency. But having the No. 1 pick in the draft gives Smith a chance to add a potential franchise passer, even though there are glaring needs in other spots, including offensive line. If Mariota and/or Winston declare for the draft, fans will scoff if the team does anything other than take a quarterback.

SHODDY PROTECTION: Smith and Licht rebuilt the offensive line, primarily through free agency, and it didn’t work. Besides having one of the worst running games in the league, the Bucs allowed 52 sacks, their most since giving up 56 in 1995.

THROW IT, WE’LL CATCH IT: Evans, the seventh overall pick in the 2014 draft, and Jackson are the first Tampa Bay tandem to have 1,000 yards receiving in the same season. Jackson has done it four straight years, three with the Bucs.

MISSING TEDFORD: Losing the former Cal coach left play-calling duties to QB coach Marcus Arroyo, a first-year NFL assistant. Smith won’t say how much going through the entire season without an offensive coordinator hurt, but McCown summed it up: ”It tough. … There’s a reason every team has one.”

IMPROVED D’: Smith’s team prospered in Chicago on stingy defense. Tampa Bay made strides after its bye week, playing better against the run, forcing more turnovers and cutting down on points allowed. McCoy and linebacker Lavonte David form the nucleus of a unit that bolsters Smith’s optimism.

”I think we were closer to how we are going to eventually play defensive football around here, but no, we are not there yet,” Smith said. ”We wouldn’t be 2-14 if we were there.”

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Online:

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