Offense Returned To Life
November 21st, 2011Let’s be honest here: The Bucs offense this season has been largely — to be polite — sluggish.
Mike Williams struggled in his second season. Josh Freeman struggled in his second season as a starter. For reasons unknown, offensive coordinator Greg Olson seemed more intent on using Arrelious Benn on end arounds than pass plays.
And of course, the coaching staff seemed to have a fear that if LeGarrette Blount — this season without question the best Bucs best weapon on offense — got more than 10 carries that somehow an outbreak of the Ebola virus would spread through One Buc Palace.
Yesterday against he Packers, the Bucs had their best offensive showing this season, and Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune documented the feat.
The last time the Bucs had a 300-yard passer, 100-yard runner and 100-yard receiver in the same game was Dec. 2, 2007, against the New Orleans Saints.
On that day, QB Luke McCown completed 29 of 37 passes for 313 yards, RB Earnest Graham ran 22 times for 106 yards and WR Joey Galloway caught seven passes for 159 yards.
Well, Joe can explain the reason for this and just about anyone rolling out of a bar after a three-hour drinkfest can figure this out. It’s as obvious as Rachel Watson’s… um, er, features:
The Bucs gave LeGarrette Blount the damned ball. With Freeman struggling all year, with the receivers among the league leaders in dropped passes, Blount is clearly the Bucs best weapon.
When he gets the ball, defenses have to adjust and that frees up the passing game. The Bucs have a completely different offense when Blount is involved.
November 21st, 2011 at 10:31 pm
I think Olson spends more time worrying about his hair. (dude is too good for a hat). He has to be the dumbest OC in the NFL. He’s has a weapon like Blount and it took him 10 games to realize what everyone in the world knows. The dude is a freakin beast. IMO he should have used him more yesterday. Other teams have to be laughing and happy that the best weapon on our team is under utilized. As youve (Joe) stated many times the only one that can stop Blount is Olson. I’m hoping for a change in the offseason that includes firing Olson.
November 21st, 2011 at 10:32 pm
Blount has the potential to be the best Buc RB ever, and probably more! Give him the ball! RBs like him don’t come around too often.
November 21st, 2011 at 10:43 pm
By every measurable stat, the buccaneer offense is much better than the defense.
So why all the olson hate? It was his offense that pulled off all the miracle finishes last year, and his offense played well yesterday. Ranked 18th in the league. With a young QB and receivers.
On the other hand Rahs defense sits at 31st, and the drafting has focused much more on the defensive side of the ball. hell, thats no better than Jim Bates!
isnt it fair to say Olson gets a lot more out of the talent on offense than Rah gets out of the defense?
So why does one get lambasted and the other given a pass?
Looking for a scapegoat if you ask me in order to mask the real truth:
Raheem Morris is a bad defensive coordinator. Very bad.
November 21st, 2011 at 11:07 pm
Lets be honest. Green Bay’s D aint all that. They’ve given up a lot of yards and points this season
November 21st, 2011 at 11:13 pm
It seemed like the offense was crediting Man Coverage as opposed to balance. But I’m game to consider any theory.
November 22nd, 2011 at 12:32 am
We need Monte Kiffin back. His departure was the worst thing for us. He’s welcomed to bring his son.
November 22nd, 2011 at 12:35 am
Really, what was the point in firing Gruden if Olsen is still using his playbook anyway? At least Gruden is smart about football, unlike him.
November 22nd, 2011 at 12:51 am
HELP WANTED : Defensive coordinator
November 22nd, 2011 at 1:14 am
A new head coach and coordinators would change everything. As talented and experiences as this team is, fresh blood would make this team an instant Super Bowl contender. This team is greatly underachieving. They should be blowing everybody out with the studs we have on our team.
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:07 am
Hey, Norval will be available next year. He’s a name right? Lets get him. LMAO
November 22nd, 2011 at 10:16 am
The reason Olson hasn’t been using Blount as much this year is because Blount doesn’t run hard every game. He doesn’t hit the hole hard and tends to tip toe to the line looking for a hole instead of making one. When he does run hard he’s effective but up until the time he broke off the big run Sunday he was only averaging a little over 2 yds a carry. It’s hard to stick with that for long when your down by two scores every game. If Blount would start being more like Michael Turner or Gore and just run hard and break tackles instead of stopping at the line of scrimmage all the time he’d be much more effective. An offensive coordinator can only do so much. When the players execute, which they did on Sunday, then the play calling always looks a lot better. When Blount hits the line hard and breaks tackles then he’s a threat and it makes the play action work. If he’s tiptoing up to the line of scrimmage then he’s no harder to stop than Lumpkin.
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:08 am
it also took olson half the year to use rub routes and pick routes to free up recievers against man coverage. he’s either too stuborn to adjust his scheme or he’s not very smart. either way, he’s holding the offense back.
November 22nd, 2011 at 12:04 pm
The issue is not leaving Blount in on 3rd Down, which in turn happers our abilty to execute effective play action passes. The PAP is the bread and butter, but if our plays are dictated by personel we will never be a good at PAP. Also Freeman could use some acting lessons, his fakes leave a little to be desired.