Flat Start By Offense Won’t Cut It In Baltimore
November 21st, 2010
Geno Hayes set the tone for the Bucs defense with a violent, ball-jarring hit on the Niners' first drive.
To avoid getting clotheslined by good teams on their Race to 10 — think Baltimore, not San Francisco — the Bucs and Greg Olson are going to have to figure out how to get the offense going early in games.
Today wasn’t their day in that regard — again.
The Bucs’ opening drive in San Francisco delivered 16 yards and a first down, followed by what should have been two 3-and-outs, except the Bucs decided to make the bonehead call of the day with an ill-disguised fake punt that saw Micheal Spurlock rollout on 4th-and-2 and attempt a throw to a covered Earnest Graham.
The defense bailed out the Bucs early, forcing a turnover on a crushing hit by Geno Hayes on the 49ers first possession. Then Micheal Bennett’s sack led to a 3-and-out the next time the stymied Niners got the ball. And a sack by Al Woods and a tackle for a loss by Roy Miller got it done on the third possession.
Game balls to the entire defensive line. Joe can’t say that enough. It was as if the Niners were in shock because they couldn’t run the ball.
Joe knows the pounding early running by Blount sets up a lot offensively later in the game, but it seems like the Bucs are ripe to fall behind early against quality opponents, or at the very least lose the critical field position battle.
Joe remembers the Bucs falling behind 14-0 in Atlanta, and a similar start in frigid Baltimore will take a miracle to overcome. Frankly, Joe’s not sure what the solution is other than the defense continuing to make plays.
November 21st, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Anxious to see steve whites take on our dline
November 21st, 2010 at 10:03 pm
The offense needs to wake up next week. If the offense plays like they did today against the Ravens we’ll lose.
November 21st, 2010 at 10:08 pm
First of all YOU PEOPLE don’t know whats going to happen next week, so just RELAX and enjoy the victory!
November 21st, 2010 at 10:09 pm
I was thinking this exact headline after today’s game. Not to take away from the excitment of a big win for us where we saw our defense dominate and shut out the 49ers to get to 7-3…because this is all awesome!!! but I can’t help but think about how sluggish our offense was today. Freeman hasn’t looked like himself the past two weeks, and that won’t cut it next week in Baltimore. It will take Freeman’s best game of the year to have a chance. I hope he’s up to it….and I hope Mike Williams pee is clean so he can play next week. BIG game.
November 21st, 2010 at 10:11 pm
If the defense plays the way they did in frisco we’ll win.
November 21st, 2010 at 10:15 pm
There was a major offensive distraction this week and they overcame it. If the D plays this good and the O can put up 21 against the Ravens they have a great chance at not only winning but dominating that game. I would consider the Ravens good, but they are not unbeatable.
November 21st, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Offense looked fine on opening drive last week Joe. Don’t live and die week to week, try to maintain big picture. Obviously not getting the offense going early will make it tough against anyone.
I like Josh Johnson in the wildcat because he can actually throw the ball. He’s like one level above Pat White and I think that’s why he’s actually kinda effective. If they can figure that out a little better, I really like it in there 1-2 plays a game.
Michael Spurlock play call was just ridiculous tho. I’m all for having faith that your defense can get a stop but why take the risk? And really that play could have been a pick 6 verrrry easily.
November 21st, 2010 at 10:35 pm
The offense got started a lot like they did in Arizona, slow and sluggish. But it is only Freeman’s 19th game (10-9). These kids play pretty well on the road. Bucs are getting better every game.
November 21st, 2010 at 10:41 pm
What’s the word on McCoy’s injury Joe?
November 21st, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Haven’t heard.
November 21st, 2010 at 11:18 pm
Can u find out for us Thanks in advance
November 21st, 2010 at 11:19 pm
I think this week was important of course because of the win, but I as I watched the game, I think the 3-4 defense may have threw Freeman off a bit. This was good experience for him especially facing the quality linebackers of the 49ers. The Ravens are a 4-3 and a different defense so we’ll see how our O-line matches up. All in all the Bucs came away as the dominant team.
I can’t say enough about the D-line. I’m wondering if Alex Magee helped solidify that unit?
November 21st, 2010 at 11:20 pm
I think San Fran’s defense is as good as the Ravens’ defense, they just happened to be on the field for 85% of the game. The Ravens’ aren’t a lock to win next week. The Bucs can win this game like any other and this was the best game by Buc Defense. Flacco is not as good as Matty Ice either. No mistakes, win the turnover battle, stop the run again, and win the game. Frank gore ran all over the Bucs today for 23 yds on 12 carries, Awesome performance. Just when you think you have this team figured out, they go and get better, in a big way. If I was John Harbaugh, I’d be worried. BTW, the Falcons are going down when they come to town, with or without GMC.
November 22nd, 2010 at 12:54 am
great win!!!! GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 22nd, 2010 at 1:19 am
Come on Joe, I love ya! But can we finally realize that this Team finds a way to win? I honestly don’t fear anybody that remains on our schedule. The other team has a Defense and a linebacker that we should have took if we would’ve listened to the Commish a few years ago, instead we got Gaines… Ahem.. Cough..(got something caught in my throat). Hey lets relish in the victory, one more win and they will have met my prediction that I blogged right here on the Joe Buc… I’m a Buc Fan Loving life right now. Holla at a Playa when you see him walking down the street!
November 22nd, 2010 at 1:29 am
Freeman struggles against 3-4 defenses. He hasn’t looked sharp the past few weeks. He’s got to turn that around next week or it will get ugly.
November 22nd, 2010 at 1:50 am
Great times my fiends. And fuc€ the ravens I just made my best friend a bet for a $100 next weekend with a 7 point lead. By the way a shout out for HIRE Greg Olson on the new name change. At A Boy ! And suck it Morris Haters. Football’s not for every one
November 22nd, 2010 at 7:06 am
Relax Joe. You wanna bet against Freeman, be my guest. Looks to me like he’s figured out how to win, without any ” Advice “from us! Lol. “Hire Greg Olsen” is a cool post name ! Points to you , sir!
November 22nd, 2010 at 8:12 am
Offense did great against one of the best front 7s in the league. I am envious of their LB corps.
The defense beat another 3-7 team with a second string QB.
November 22nd, 2010 at 8:58 am
Buc You = Douche
November 22nd, 2010 at 8:59 am
Ooops.
I mean
Buc You = Huge Douche
Forgot to change my name on the desktop as well.
November 22nd, 2010 at 10:10 am
Actually Buc You, Smith has been named the starter.
November 22nd, 2010 at 10:11 am
Oh, and Buc You…What happened to your Gore prediction?
November 22nd, 2010 at 10:14 am
Buc You-The Bucs are 7 and 3 a you’re still getting your panties in a tight wad.Relax and watch another episode of DWTS and everything will be alright.