Tampa Bay Has Never Seen This Kind Of Offense
November 1st, 2010
Joe went on record just a scant few minutes (not hours) after the Bucs win over Arizona to suggest the Bucs offense is on the cusp of blowing up.
It humbles Joe to read veteran sports columnist Gary Shelton pretty much agree with Joe.
Shelton, like Joe, is not hoodwinked over the win to believe the Bucs do not have flaws. They most certainly do.
But the way Josh Freeman spread the ball downfield to Arrelous Benn, Mike Williams and Kellen Winslow, and the bulldozing running of LeGarrette Blount, well, it took Joe’s breath way, sort of like Joe finding Rachel Watson waiting for him on Joe’s leather couch flaunting some naughty getup.
Shelton wrote in the St. Petersburg Times that locals haven’t seen an offense with this kind of firepower since Bobby Bowden, Dennis Erickson and Steve Spurrier ruled the Sunshine State.
Man, what kind of offense might the Bucs have once the kids grow up
Never has there been this kind of explosion, this kind of weaponry, on a Tampa Bay football team. This is a franchise of Lars Tate and Michael Clayton, of Alvin Harper and Randy Hedberg, of second and 9 and third and 11. Throughout the history of the franchise, there have been great defenses, and from time to time, there have been great players scattered across the offense.
But not this many.
And not this good.
And not this young.
Joe, again, wrote this yesterday: Blount was the missing link. With Cadillac Williams at tailback, defenses had zero reason to be concerned with the Bucs’ running game. With Blount, he will not only keep defenses honest, but teams will have to bring someone extra in the box to stop him which means if teams continue to double Williams and shade Winslow, Benn and/or Sammie Stroughter should be free.
There are only so many players a defense has to spread around.
Folks, the Bucs have an offense that’s just about ready to blow up like we’ve never witnessed before.
November 1st, 2010 at 9:11 am
I noticed last year that Freeman had the ability to drive the length of the field and score in two or three plays. The only thing that holds him back is the play calling, which opens up when the Bucs fall behind. I believe the advent of a running game will open up some recievers down field and hopefully the play calling opens up as well. I also believe that Josh is still extremely unexperienced and raw, in a couple years, he will be unstoppable.
November 1st, 2010 at 9:15 am
I think we saw a glimpse of the future yesterday, but folks need to realize we aren’t in the future yet. That was the worst defense in the NFL yesterday. Someday we’ll be able to do that against anyone, but not right now.
I think it’s time to start including Spurlock in the conversation. I love Sammie and want him to be our Mr. Clutch, but week after week that guy is Spurlock. He has been really dependable.
November 1st, 2010 at 9:17 am
Joe – I agree with every single word you just wrote!! We have never had a great offense here. My big concern all off season was the O- line, but looks like we are getting great young players in the right places there, also! I’m just loving watching this team. My wife and I are horse at the end of every one. Just incredible watching this mature right in front of our eyes!! I LOVE THIS TEAM!!
November 1st, 2010 at 9:23 am
BigMacAttack Says:
October 27th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
The Bucs haven’t really had a good game yet this season. If Freeman gets cranking and the run game starts working with Cadi & Blount, they could put up 40 points. I think this offense is fully capable of it. These new offensive linemen made a difference this past Sunday. Stop the penalties, play smart and run a yard on the Cardinals and make them rethink their season…again.
November 1st, 2010 at 9:25 am
If Big Ben Rapistberger could have made half the throws Freeman did, the Squeelers could have beat the Aint’s last night.
November 1st, 2010 at 9:31 am
All this while the young DBs and D-Line mature on the other side of the ball as well.
Add a DE next year and a Safety and more lO-ine help…..
I just hope Huggins can come back healthy and REMAIN healthy to be that spark plug change of pace back to Blount’s style.
November 1st, 2010 at 9:35 am
For a fan base that is used to blistering D and slowly plodding offense……this should be a reason to get fired up
November 1st, 2010 at 9:38 am
I feel bad for Mike Williams. this will be prob the 5 week he has been nominated for the rookie of the week award only this time blount will win it.
November 1st, 2010 at 10:02 am
Isn’t it nice to see a deep ball that isn’t just thrown as attempt to “open things up” or draw a pass interference call but to actually complete it.
Just like last week when they were down. When the Cardinals took the lead I had no doubt that 5 would take them down the field and score.
Also it went a little unnoticed with all the big plays but Spurlock made a couple of really nice catches to keep drives going.
November 1st, 2010 at 10:14 am
yep I agree, that Josh Freeman has got MVP skills. Two magnificant throws on the TD’s. Not like those guys were wide open either – dropped em in perfect. Love the way he buys just enough time to make it happen too.
Now if they could just start a game without looking like their gonna get beat 50-0.
BTW, Ruud made a nice tackle on third down when the Cards were driving in first half – right before they went for it on fourth. Big play IMO.
November 1st, 2010 at 10:19 am
Looks like the Bucs and Falcons game will be the marquee match-up this week.If the Bucs show up for this one,the bandwagon train will be in high gear.
November 1st, 2010 at 10:34 am
Kinda wonder if we’ll be able to sell out a game or not. Excitement is building in this team, but don’t know if it’s enough yet to get people to give up going to the grocery store to watch a game live.
November 1st, 2010 at 10:41 am
Stop it Joe. That kind of talk is giving me a woody. I’m afraid to have that much fun, I don’t deal well with rejection. LOL.
November 1st, 2010 at 10:43 am
BamBamBuc:
Winning isn’t going to suddenly make people’s bank accounts flush with cash, homes appreciate overnight or someone landing a job.
November 1st, 2010 at 11:08 am
You think anyone cares about the Cowboys vs. Packers game next Sunday night? I think we could get flexed into that spot. I mean come on. We are 5-2, the Cardinals are 5-2. Record wise we are tied with the Giants and Falcons as the #1 team in the NFC and this is a big division game. How is this not Sunday night material?
November 1st, 2010 at 11:10 am
No way!
JDouble, you have to think like a TV exec/advertising suit, not a football fan.
Packers-Cowboys could both be winless and that game is still a cold, stone lock to get millions of eyeballs. Bucs-Falcons, lucky to get half as many viewers.
November 1st, 2010 at 11:22 am
That was semi-sarcastic, Joe. I don’t believe the team winning can suddenly change the economy in Tampa. I do, however, think that winning does change people’s priorities sometimes. They’d rather have one moment of happiness at a game than the dredge of the weekly routine.
If the Bucs beat the Falcons, I see the next home game crowd increasing significantly. If they lose to the Falcons, most fans will fall back to the same old “they’re beating nobodies and losing to good teams” and not go to the game, and the crowd will be about the same.
November 1st, 2010 at 11:24 am
BamBamBuc:
LOL, OK. But you are right. If the Bucs beat the Falcons, people that can afford to go to the game will be more likely now.
Rah’s gotta do something about that defense unless he plans to win an arena league shootout.
November 1st, 2010 at 11:27 am
Joe here,
Hey J-Double and “the other Joe.” There’s no flexed games until week 11. No fighting over something that can’t happen. 🙂 https://www.joebucsfan.com/?p=38365
November 1st, 2010 at 11:27 am
Why can’t I post under my usual name?
No clue. Will check now. You got your caps lock on or something like that? –Joe
November 1st, 2010 at 11:28 am
Falcons look very tough – and that’s against teams with winning records – the last thing Tampa Bay needs right now is to be embarrassed on a nationally televised game against a division rival. Should Tampa Bay WIN this game, I think we could begin to see discussions about moving Tampa Bay’s game against San Francisco (if the 49er’s continue winning) or possibly the Baltimore game the following week – to Sunday night…
You have to do more than surprise the suits – that just gets their attention – teams like Tampa Bay have to show some consistency and MUST show the can knock off a Goliath, before the suits start trusting you again…
In that way…they’re a lot like fans…if you think about it…
November 1st, 2010 at 11:28 am
JDouble (WTH):
No idea. You switch to a different computer?
November 1st, 2010 at 11:37 am
yep, to BamBamBuc’s point – right now this team is just “five-dash-two”…if you know what I mean…
November 1st, 2010 at 11:42 am
Joe
The Bucs offense was really good yesterday. I believe that when the offense can is able to get a 1st down at the end of the game. When we need it to close out the game. They will have arrived. That is the only glaring thing I see they are missing right now.
The defense had some great moments against an offense that has some great play makers. If the Cards had Freeman. We would have been smoked yesterday.
November 1st, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Joe, that picture of Freeman is incredible. What Determination and the way he is built, 6′-6″ and that’s our QB? He is a big strong man. Look at the guns. He chunked that ball 60 yds yesterday like it was nothing. Piece of Cake.
November 1st, 2010 at 1:21 pm
MTM…I am not sure what you mean, they keep winning at the end of the game. I would like them to start getting first downs in the first quarter.
November 1st, 2010 at 1:35 pm
The offesne did finally start good. The defense has to step up and do that. I am afraid it won’t happen until these DTs get a eyar under their belt and really start to mature.
November 1st, 2010 at 1:38 pm
JOE………
You GOT to post Blount’s TD run where he just PUMMELED the Cardinal defender that dared to try to stop him from getting to the end zone!!
November 1st, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Dave:
No can do. NFL rules.
Blount’s run is linked in the highlight post.
November 1st, 2010 at 2:18 pm
I saw the last part of the game when Fox switched to it here in D.C.. I hope the next game at least gets put on up here so I can see a complete game. Skins are on Bye this week. So maybe I’ll get to see a full game and not just Hi-Lites. If we win next week I can start talking trash again to the locals. Trying to get tickets to Dec 12 game here in D.C..
November 1st, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Gotta love Freeman. Did you see on the Blount fumble, Hayes was taking it for a TD, and Freeman fought through 3 guys to get a hand on him and horsecollar tackle him. Yeah, he got a penalty for that tackle, but even as a defender, he never gave up on the play and fought to keep them out of the end zone. That guys has some fire in his belly that won’t quit. Just another sign of what we have in our franchise QB.
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:41 am
I dunno, compared to how boring the team’s offense has always been, I enjoyed the Arena league style shoot out we had Sunday!! That was kinda fun having a Buc team just flat outscore somebody! But, of course you’re right. A better Defense is a priority. I think it’s only going to have small step improvements until next year, when the kids have another summer to improve and learn. It’s about the Dt’s. They HAVE improved the defense already, but DT is a two or three year leaning curve before they are really at their best. It’ll happen. Just takes alot of OTA work!