Take Care Of The Ball!
June 27th, 2012
Trying to remember the Bucs’ 2011 season, including the grotesque 10-game losing streak, it reminds Joe of the fateful night he experimented with peppermint schnapps.
So Joe can understand how new Bucs coach Greg Schiano’s stomach has turned several times over, especially watching so many turnovers.
With this in mind, Joe and other members of the pen and mic club at One Buc Palace over the past several weeks were witness to how taking care of the ball has been a paramount focus of the New Schiano Order.
It has been such a focus that eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune explained how ball security is so important to right the Bucs ship.
“For everyone who touches the ball, we give specific coaching points about ball security being paramount,’’ said new running backs coach Earnest Byner. “It is consistently emphasized and coached. The bottom line is we can’t score if we don’t have the football.’‘
The three teams with the fewest turnovers—San Francisco, Green Bay and New England—went a combined 41-7 last season. The clubs with the most giveaways—Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Washington—were a collective 17-31.
“More games are lost than won in this league,’’ Byner said. “That’s because people are giving away opportunities, shooting themselves in the foot.’‘
This can be easily corrected, Joe believes.
First, Josh Freeman had an unthinkable 22-interception season. Say, cutting that in half — not unlikely — would be a big boost right there.
And to see all of the Bucs running backs biting the football in preseason practice, Joe wouldn’t be shocked if the Bucs force more turnovers this season than times they cough up the ball.
June 27th, 2012 at 8:09 am
Just having a reliable route runner and pass protector at RB on passing downs will reduce Int’s.
Any truth to the rumor that the Bucs are looking at Blount for FB snaps?
I hear that Martin has already cemented his superiority to Blount in the passing game by running crisp routes to the proper spots and on time.
June 27th, 2012 at 9:11 am
I think schiano has done a great job preaching ball security. The players know that if they cough it up, their ass will be on the bench. I just hope that it doesn’t get to the point where they stop being aggressive
June 27th, 2012 at 10:16 am
Thomas, source links? Read that on the net or are the gremlins whispering to you at night again?
June 27th, 2012 at 10:23 am
Come on Thomas for as smart as you claim to be, you really believe anyone let alone a rookie has cemented anything just from OTA’s? Your hatred for certain people makes you look like a real fool sometimes.
June 27th, 2012 at 10:24 am
Seems like if they used one of those big chocolate footballs the biting would be more enjoyable.
June 27th, 2012 at 10:44 am
Turnovers ar…………..hmmm chocolate footballs!!!!!
June 27th, 2012 at 11:01 am
Thomas you are so annoying lol. You post in this tone like you know exactly what’s going on. the simple fact that a TE that runs the wrong routes is gone will help with ints.
June 27th, 2012 at 11:03 am
Actually Mr. Byner, an equal amount of games are won and lost in the NFL, ha!
June 27th, 2012 at 11:34 am
Does anybody else think lol looks like someone drowning?
June 27th, 2012 at 12:49 pm
Hey, I thought stats were for losers…
June 27th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
The old Bucs scored seemingly more often when the other team snapped the ball, then when we started the play with possession.
Holding on to the ball is great, but teaching the defense to be vultures is better.
June 27th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
OAR – thanks! I’ll probably see that forever now! lol
June 27th, 2012 at 8:41 pm
Every single comment Thomas ever posts has something to do with his dislike for a player, coach, or front office person. Even in the rare cases when he does compliment someone, he does it by putting someone else down. What a dope.
June 28th, 2012 at 9:12 am
Hawiian
And don’t forget his love of asteism!