2-1 Without Talib
October 26th, 2012
If Aqib Talib has fans, then Joe is probably one of them. Joe doesn’t think Talib is a terrible dude, just one of those guys who’s going to do something incredibly foolish once or twice a year.
As Joe tells his kid, being a good person in 99 percent of your interactions makes you an a-hole a couple of times a month, which is not good enough.
Now the Bucs have the chemistry flowing after winning two of three games wihout Talib and shocking the NFL with a road beat down of the Vikings, a team that flat out embarrassed the 49ers not too long ago.
Joe’s starting to think that bringing back Talib and his Adderall problem might not be worth the potential risk of screwing with the Bucs’ chemistry, especially if the Bucs can beat the beatable Raiders in nine days.
Leonard Johnson flashed some greatness in Minnesota. Maybe the Bucs can add some cornerback depth before Tuesdays trade deadline? If the Bucs can go 3-1 without Talib, then Joe wouldn’t bother bringing him back.
October 26th, 2012 at 1:02 am
May have been 3-0 with him.
October 26th, 2012 at 1:05 am
Don’t forget who the QB was tonight. Drew Brees throws better left handed than Ponder.
October 26th, 2012 at 1:05 am
Might be the last weak link leftover from the ol’ raheem…er…ahem…regime. But we have to remember, we didnt exactly play the Patriots tonight. We need solid corners that can cover superstars. Last time I checked, there was only 1 guy we were worried about covering tonight. Lets not get too excited about our secondary.
October 26th, 2012 at 1:09 am
We played two Qbs who aren’t great, Brady Quinn and Ponder.
October 26th, 2012 at 1:11 am
I still say we need him. Eric Wright looks miserable. Thanks for the peek into the life of Joe the father.
October 26th, 2012 at 1:11 am
The Vikings were one of the teams with the best record…the Bucs made them look bad.
As to Talib…it is just a matter of time until he does something really, really disasterous.
October 26th, 2012 at 1:13 am
Just because we beat two good running teams that have no QBs is no reason to lose your mind! Think about it. We have Manning, Ryan twice and Brees again. Mama said don’t cut off your nose to spite your face!
October 26th, 2012 at 1:14 am
We’ve been covering guys about as well without him, and it looks like Johnson might be a similar type ball-hawk that can cover as well. Of course, I wouldn’t have brought him back anyway…
October 26th, 2012 at 1:17 am
I sure would miss that voice though
October 26th, 2012 at 1:18 am
Talib is coming back and will be the starter.
There can never be enough DB depth.
Really, Joes, you are better than this.
Uh, how bout you stick to facts, Mr. Facts Matter. Chemistry matters, too. And it’s worth revisiting Talib’s return if the Bucs were to go 3-1 in his absence. And since you’re on the subject of DB depth, perhaps there are options out there at the trade deadline Tuesday for the Bucs. Schiano repeatedly talks about one-game seasons, and the next game is played without Talib. –Joe
October 26th, 2012 at 1:31 am
@espo,
I don’t see how Eric Wright was miserable. He gave up a TD to the NFL’s leader in yards from scrimmage, but it was on an absolutely perfect throw. He was all by himself on Percy Harvin, and was all over him. Not too many CB’s would make that play. Sometimes you just have to tip your hat to the other team.
October 26th, 2012 at 1:32 am
@ Joe
Really? Ponder was Wright and Biggers bff 2nite. They we constantly getting beat due 2 Ponders many bad passes. Being brutally honest our CB’s are trash, although I like what I saw from Johnson. Look forward 2 seeing more of him in action.
October 26th, 2012 at 1:33 am
*were
October 26th, 2012 at 1:35 am
No Joe, we need him back. Since after the Oakland game, we have some very strong passing attacks coming. We don’t have the luxury of being naive and thinking we go at it without him. Otherwise we shall be seeing weekly repeats of the Saints game.
October 26th, 2012 at 1:41 am
Omg Joe did you see Eric Wright out there he looks terrible. Talib needs to get back fast and I meen fast. It sucks how bad we really need Him even though he has his issues. We need all the Corners we can Get with the Teams we have left 2 play!!
October 26th, 2012 at 1:50 am
If we go 4-4, then F Talib. He’s not that good people. We’re not winning the Super Bowl this year. Let what we’ve got develop and take out the trash early.
October 26th, 2012 at 1:54 am
Hawaiian- I completely agree. Feels weird. Wright defended ok but ponder/harvin connection was an excellent play. We made several more than they did tonight.
Regarding talib, we are getting picked on out there with our substandard corners playing out of their minds. I can stand biggers, macdonald and I can get excited about Leonard Johnson but Myron “the horrendous” Lewis scares me. Keeping Talib means cutting ties with Lewis.
My thinking long term on talib is that he has likely been through his worst, I want him to re-sign with us. He can be great. I hate his issues but I love his game
October 26th, 2012 at 1:59 am
I don’t know about you Kennedy, but I would like for us to be able to knock the smug off of Atlanta’s face. We’ll be needing Talib for that. Not to mention if we drop Talib, and one of our corners gets hurt, Myron Lewis gets on the field.
October 26th, 2012 at 2:01 am
Ok I rewinded the Johnson play on Harvin at end of first half and slowmo shlws that was an INT 29 had ball pinned with shoulder then right foot down ball still in control with right hand away from body second foot down and controlled ball when going out of bounds INT…. They got the kick off to quick we missed that and could have saved 3 points!
October 26th, 2012 at 2:02 am
Anybody who thinks we should cut Talib must not be paying very close attention to just how bad Erik Wright is. We are in no position to be cutting starting caliber CB’s, bad chemistry or not. Jerome Simpson and Michael Jenkins aren’t a very good barometer for guaging how good an undrafted rookie CB can do against real life NFL receivers.
October 26th, 2012 at 2:17 am
@ Hawaiian
It’s not just his coverage, Wright is worse against the run than he is against the pass and that’s saying alot. Go back and watch the Adrian Petersen TD run and look at who fell to his knees to get out of the way right in the middle of the hole. And that’s an every game occurance with him. Most of the longest runs against this defense have come this year with Wright having the opportunity to make a tackle, or even just slow the runner down, and he completely whiffs.
My guess would also be that he is our most targeted DB by opposing offenses. Teams game plan towards him, not away.
It’s not Talib when he returns that should be worried about losing snaps to Leonard Johnson, it’s Erik Wright that should be looking over his shoulder..
October 26th, 2012 at 2:24 am
Talib is still our best CB inconsistent or not. However, if he’s gone by tha trade deadline or not resigned this off-season, I’d say we double up on CB’s in tha draft and cut bait with Wright after next season. I mean seriously he’s been a pro 4 a while and he doesn’t look 2 get any better. Let tha young Bucs get tha experience and gel as a team with our front 7.
October 26th, 2012 at 3:18 am
@gotbucs,
I disagree with you that he hasn’t been good in run support. I’m not going to judge him on one play (although on that same play Ronde missed a tackle on AP), especially against the best RB in the league. Wright leads our CB’s in tackles, so obviously he sticks his nose in there and makes tackles. He is also tied for the lead in passes defended. I’m not saying he’s All-Pro, but he’s not garbage. That’s silly talk right there! He’s not a #1 CB, but he has played it all season for us (very similar what happened to EJ Biggers much of last year).
I just don’t understand all the hate this guy gets, and he’s only been here for 7 games. We have probably the worst pass rush in the NFL, and when that happens, of course the secondary is going to get abused. One thing you will find that virtually all elite CB’s have in common is a good pass rush. Give the guy a break and understand what is really going on. You may also want to lower your expectations a little out there, because he’s not Deion Sanders.
October 26th, 2012 at 3:32 am
@Joe, Where are the reports about there being a chemistry problem on the team with Talib this year? Has Talib held press conferences demanding the team run defenses the way he likes? Did he give an interview saying the team needed a suggestion box and sit on the sidelines with a towel over his head during games?
Tampa didn’t lose games this season because of Talib. They were competitive with the Giants but the Giants are the Giants aka The Defending Superbowl Champs and Eli is Eli.
Was the 6 pt loss @ Dallas Talib’s fault because of chemistry??
Or was it the 2pt loss to the Redskins that was solely’s Talib’s fault for “chemistry” issues?
And what GOOD DOMINANT PLAYOFF TEAM has Tampa beaten in this 2-1 “magical chemistry” run? Or even if they go 3-1?
Good teams can lose close games. Tampa hasn’t been blown out, but has blown out others. The wins will come, with or without Talib. But they are more likely to come with Talib as the starting CB playing up to his abilities.
What CB is on the trade market who can step right in, and won’t cost a ton more in draft picks than he’s worth? Have you actually analyzed the rosters of the other 31 teams to see a possibility – or are you just speculating that someone might be traded for?
You are picking some excessively small nits. And there is no reason to even mention Talib after a good win like this. And I HIGHLY doubt there is anyone out there worth a draft pick – especially as the team is NOT in a win now at all costs year.
Tampa will probably go 3-1 AND Talib will be brought back as the starter.
October 26th, 2012 at 8:13 am
Had Talib been on the field last week, we would, in all likelihood beat the Saints. I guess with your a$$inine logic, we should not bring back Davin Joseph either. Lay off the booze!
October 26th, 2012 at 8:51 am
WTF are people on here talking about. Talib is not that good. Biggers has outplayed him this year, and when he filled in for him in the past. so quickly we forget the giants game where Talib was shown for what he really is. a fast guy who gambles, but not a Great CB. he’s good, but his good is far outweighed by his inconsistentcy. ride the pine and clean your weapon dawg.
October 26th, 2012 at 9:01 am
Please dont jump the gun after we play Brady Quinn and Christian Ponder. Lets fact it Aqib is the best corner we have, and may be one of the most underrated corners in the league. Give heat to where heat is due, to EJ Biggers and Brandon Macdonald who besides a few good plays here and there, routinely get beat. I have watched EJ Biggers dreads running behind people way more times than I have seen him bat balls down. I really hope not only does Aqib return this year, but that we can bring him back after this season. After one good game now all of the sudden Leonard Johnson can fill Talib’s void, lets not kid ourselves no player is as talented as Talib in our secondary, and according to coach the guy has done all of the right stuff. Give Talib and Wright some love because without them playing well, we will be watching other teams play each other come playoff time.
October 26th, 2012 at 9:01 am
Please dont jump the gun after we play Brady Quinn and Christian Ponder. Lets fact it Aqib is the best corner we have, and may be one of the most underrated corners in the league. Give heat to where heat is due, to EJ Biggers and Brandon Macdonald who besides a few good plays here and there, routinely get beat. I have watched EJ Biggers dreads running behind people way more times than I have seen him bat balls down. I really hope not only does Aqib return this year, but that we can bring him back after this season. After one good game now all of the sudden Leonard Johnson can fill Talib’s void, lets not kid ourselves no player is as talented as Talib in our secondary, and according to coach the guy has done all of the right stuff. Give Talib and Wright some love because without them playing well, we will be watching other teams play each other come playoff time.
October 26th, 2012 at 9:08 am
@robert that was one of the most foolish comments I have ever seen. Biggers has outplayed Aqib Talib? Stop it. A fast guy who gambles? Talib is not known for his speed, he is known for being a tall corner with long arms who can get physical with receivers. If Biggers was one on one with Hakeem Nicks all day we might as well just put no one on him. Do you not remember Biggers getting tossed around like a rag doll last year, think Brandon Lafell? Does anyone remember the Cardinals game in 2010 when Aqib shut down Larry Fitzgerald ending the game with 2 ints? Anyone remember the Packers game when Talib held Jennings to 2 catches for 6 yards? Aqib has proven to us that he is a shutdown corner, we just let the mistakes he put in the newspapers blind us from seeing the great player he is.
October 26th, 2012 at 9:35 am
shut down corner….lol…end credibility there…
October 26th, 2012 at 10:47 am
I agree completely with AqibSwagTalib… Talib has owned Roddy, Steve Smith, Greg Jennings, Fitz, amongst other elite receivers over the past 4 seasons. Everyone just loves to hate the kid, damn shame if he leaves after this season only to be embraced by Dallas, NY, GB, SF, or another NFC team that ends up getting his best years of service.
One bad game against Hakeem Nicks doesn’t erase almost an entire rookie contract worth of solid production. Pretty sure not too many corners without safety help on an island would give up some big yardage to Nicks also.
October 26th, 2012 at 11:05 am
EJ Biggers is god awful and Eric Wright played horrible last night. He was RIGHT IN FRONT of a Vikings receivers and still got burned! And Biggers just can’t cover.
I see us taking a CB in the 1st round next spring. But right now, we’ve still got a season. I could see us going 9-7.
October 26th, 2012 at 11:08 am
Draft a cornerback in the 1st round, but keep Talib……he’s a serviceable backup and he’s had more good games than bad. Biggers needs to go. Leonard Johnson……let’s see if he keeps it up. Wright…….well he’s made some nice plays this year but still gets beat quite often.
October 26th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
They aren’t undefeated without him because he is the best CB they have and Brees torched them.
Of course, if they get the pass rush going all the DBs get better.
I am on the fence with him. I can see them keeping him the rest of the year (barring another screw up of ANY sort) but I think he is definately not in the long term plans anymore.
As of right now – DB and D-Line depth is sorely needed (not to mention O-Line) and Schiano strikes me as the type that will be drafting linemen… alot… every draft.