Bucs Now Playing With The “Big Boys”
September 22nd, 2010Ross Tucker of Sirius NFL Radio called Steelers linebacker James Harrison one of the "big boys" the Bucs will face Sunday.
A Steelers fan, who apparently isn’t much of a Steelers fan because he didn’t know where this week’s Steelers-Bucs game is being played, called Ross Tucker this morning during “The Opening Drive” on Sirius NFL Radio to have the Princeton grad and journeyman NFL offensive lineman break down the game.
Tucker believes the Bucs better be ready for what is about to hit the CITS Sunday. He also has the nasty habit that causes Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times to lose sleep, referring to local teams as “Tampa.”
“Well, it’s down in Tampa. Tampa is playing with confidence. I think they will keep it competitive, especially with the Steelers quarterback situation.
“It’s good for them it is at home. I think they believe. But this is big boy football right now. This is big boy football. James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley, man, it’s hard for me to describe those guys without swearing. They are some bad, bad dudes.
“Tampa was playing jayvee football the last few weeks. Now, they are playing varsity football, under the big lights, on the big stage.”
Tucker is exactly right. The Steelers ‘defense absolutely smothered Matt Ryan and Michael Turner in Week 1 and last week drove Vince Young to the sidelines and buried Chris Johnson.
Joe believes this Steelers challenge is more than a formidable task for the Bucs.
September 22nd, 2010 at 8:08 am
I agree. Woodley and Harrison make our LBs look like little boys. Woodley is scheduled to be a FA in 2011. Sure would love to see him in pewter and red.
September 22nd, 2010 at 8:11 am
Stop the run…I know easier said than done then let Lefty or Batch beat us.
(“because he didn’t want know where this week’s Steelers-Bucs game is being played,”)
He didn’t want know? What grammer, sentence structure?
September 22nd, 2010 at 8:23 am
3 – 0 or 2-1 going into the bye. I sure would like the 3-0 momentum, but 2-1 is still way better than last year. I think our o-line will step up to the challenge, and Freeman will have a decent game. I am sure Tucker just insulted the hell out of Cleveland and the Carolinas.
September 22nd, 2010 at 8:31 am
I’m still not sold on the Steelers. They beat the Falcons who have every year everyone annoints them to be the next great team and they never do anything. Matt Ryan is the most overrated QB since Tony Romo.
And then they beat the Titans who are pretty much one demensional if (big If) you can stop Chris Johnson you can beat them.
Now let me add that we havent beaten anyone either but I wouldn’t really call the steelers “Big Boys” just yet. They are a mid level team and it will be a nice test for the young Buccaneers but it’s definately a winnable game.
September 22nd, 2010 at 8:39 am
D-money, I agree, but I think Atlanta looks pretty good this year. I think they are the team to beat in the NFC South, and they will keep getting better. I also beleive that Tampa can at least split the division, and stay pace with Atlanta and NO.
September 22nd, 2010 at 8:48 am
Later in the Sirius broadcast, Peter King calls the Bucs-Steelers matchup the most intriguing game of the weekend. King has done a complete 180 on our team. Right on.
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:07 am
It is the test.
No turnovers and we will win this game.
This one is going to be on Josh.
I hope our oline can keep him upright and healthy – it’s going to be a slugfest.
and I agree with King, even as a non-buc fan, I’d want to be watching how this one goes down.
Go Bucs!
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:13 am
Personally I think this will be Bucball with a 9-7 or 10-9 score.
I want to see how our defense really holds up to the Steelers defense.
As for winning this game. Preseason I had this down as a Bucs loss. After watching the Bucs last week I’m not sure. I’ll go out on a limb and take the hometown boys and the points here.
Go Bucs!!!!
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:13 am
This is going to be a knock em down drag em out game for both sides (hopefully). all we need is a torrential downpour! I love those types of games.
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:17 am
The Steelers will only be considered “big boys” if they beat the Bucs. If they lose, they will be considered over rated. The Bucs will not get much respect if they win this one either. The only thing that will put them back on the map in some people’s minds is if they make the playoffs. Even then some will not be able to get over Gruden.
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:19 am
I agree with Derf. I don’t know how the Steelers will score many points unless we turn it over. Their QBs are statues so we should be able to hammer them pretty good.
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:19 am
Will the game be blacked out?
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:22 am
I hope it doesn’t rain, the Bucs can beat them through the air. If forced to beat them with our running game, we might not succeed. Plenty of sunshine and humidity will help us in the 2nd half, with the Bucs dressed in white and the Steelers in black. The Steelers had trouble with the heat in Tennessee, they haven’t seen anything yet. I just hope the NFL doesn’t change the game time because its a marquis game.
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:30 am
Pittsburg doesn’t have a quarterback. And you can’t win if you don’t score. I say Bucs 10 Pittsburg 0.
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:32 am
Earl:
Very unlikely.
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:37 am
Pittsburgh
Defense – Varsity
Offense – J.V.
4 FG’s on 7 turnovers? Too bad for Leabeu, Polamalu and the rest of the Defense that Roesthlisberger is a scum bag.
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:40 am
I agree with Tucker partly, but the Steelers are playing the Big Boys on defense as well. The Bucs can win this game with field goals and field position. This is where Buc Ball reaches a new level and although the Steeler defense is rough, they will tire in the second half from being on the Field so long. I’m backing off my shut-out prediction but staying with the win.
Bucs 17 – Steelers 3
Freeman is unstoppable right now. Look for Spurlock to break one for a TD. Bucs D line will have a 6 Sack day. This could get very ugly for the Steelers.
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:45 am
We arent going to turn the ball over 7 times like the Titans and that alone will keep us in the game.
If we can take this one, imagine how great of feeling that would be! We match last years record already!
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:46 am
The Steelers have the 4th ranked run defense but only the 17th ranked passing defense. The Bucs have shown they can be effective with very little running game.
Freeman+M.Williams+K2=Bucs Win
Bucs 13 Steelers 6
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:12 am
I think Josh Freeman is living in the film room right about now. The way he studied in the off-season, I bet he’s going over every second of every Steelers game this year, over and over, figuring out how to NOT turn the ball over. If he studies hard, and doesn’t turn the ball over, the Bucs have a chance to win this game. I’m not even sure we have to score on offense to win this. I can see a game in which we get a couple FGs off of turnovers or special teams returns, and a defensive TD to win it… so long as Josh does his homework and doesn’t turn the ball over.
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:17 am
Reminds me a little of the 79 season, when the bucs got off to a hot start and the Rams came to town. Bucs took care of them and showed they were for real.
I disagree with one thing, we are gonna have to run it better to win this one IMO. (and stop the run)
If we do win there ought be no more blackout tours.
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:24 am
Eric…I agree with you on this one…Too bad those Rams beat us in the championship game. I hate the Rams!
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:42 am
Eric, I agree as well… for the most part.
I think the key is not giving up on the run. Like last week, we may not have had success running the ball, but we didn’t give up on it. The Steelers D is so disciplined that we won’t be breaking out 30 or 40 yard runs. We need to stick with the run game if we’re getting 1 or 2 yards and the occasional 6 or 7 yard carry.
Thing to understand is that running the ball runs the clock. Time of possession is key. Keep the Steelers D standing on the field in the hot sun as long as possible, not on the sideline in the cool mist getting oxygen and coming out fresh. Defenses make mistakes when they get tired or when they substitute in guys that don’t normally play to give a breather to the starter. Keep them on the field. Run the ball. Success of the run game can be counted on the clock. Over 30 minutes of possession is success, even if we end up with less than 100 yards rushing.
September 22nd, 2010 at 11:08 am
I hope Olson opens up the playbook.We have to be able to pass to open up the run.Offensive line needs to be up to the challenge with some decent pass blocking.Nervous about the running game.Looks like its Mike and Mike time.
September 22nd, 2010 at 11:14 am
I hope Leftwich still has cement in his shoes and the eight second windup!
September 22nd, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Pittsburgh has a great defense, we have a mostly young defense that hasn’t given up a point in the second half. I don’t expect this to continue forever but we have a defense that is very good also. Because they are young, they will make mistakes. But guess what old troops do also. Now as to offenses, Lefty can’t run, we know that, so does that mean we have sacks, who knows but I am sure we will. Five can run and pass and most importantly think on his feet. He is like an air traffic controller making split second decesions constantly. This is what will make him a great QB. He has people that canand do catch the ball. Our running game keeps them in the box. Will we win, I have picked the Bucs but realisticly the best offense will win the game. If the defense gets the ball and the offense dosn’t score, what does it mean?
As to respect, if we won the SuperBowl and went undefeated, we still would not have respect in the media because they have not picked us and we are not supposed to win anything but a couple of games, so it would all be a fluke. Oh, I would not trade Balack or Hayes for anyone, period. All of these guys care including the coaches, they don’t give up because they believe that if they get Five the ball, he will score. I belive also.
September 22nd, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Welcome back Sluggo! Don’t let the turf hit you in the ass on your way down!
September 22nd, 2010 at 1:45 pm
BamBam…You are spot on once again my man.
September 22nd, 2010 at 1:48 pm
I think turnovers will decide the day, with leftwich making the most mistakes. Pittsburg is a team of huge, strong players. That normally is a great thing, but not in the Tampa bay heat! Plus. They get the loss of Respect/ bad Karma button for allowing the Rapist on the team. Mike Tomlin sent Raheem Morris a text message Monday. It stated simply” I’m coming”. Very cool. I hope Raheem sends back the equally cool ” we’re waiting”! We can win this game. I think we will- it’s all about Josh”Neo” Freeman, as always. That’s a good thing!
September 22nd, 2010 at 4:53 pm
To win this game We need to be able to Run the ball, not 27 carries for 50 something yards that is not going to cut it! We will need to get at least 3-4 yards a carry. And if Caddy is not getting it done lets at least try someone else for a series.
I do hope we make use of our FB Pressley in this game, not disrespecting Graham but we need a truck to hit these “Big Boys” LB in the mouth time and time again, not sure we get our best out of the FB position trying to win with a 5-9(+-) 225lb FB. We need that POP when we run it up the middle time after time after time…. Like a 5-11 260 lb FB it at least gives us a chance to exert our force on them, and not allow theirs on us…. Just the way I see it
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:24 pm
Yeah, i pretty much agree with all of that. Thanks goodness the Dead-Heads didn’t jump in on this one. It’s pretty cool reading all intelligent fan’s comments. Great job guys. Go Bucs!!!