Bucs Now 3-1 Without Talib
November 4th, 2012
Does anyone still miss helmet-wielding, cabbie-slugging, Adderrall-popping, coach-cussing, referee-charging, pistol-friendly, granny-hassling Aqib Talib?
Probably, given today’s Myron Lewis sighting and other cornerback troubles. But Joe sure doesn’t miss Talib.
Last Sunday, Joe was on the 98.7 FM airwaves saying he definitely would dump Talib if the Bucs won in Oakland. Joe’s rationale was simple: if the Bucs could go 3-1 without Talib, then the benefits of Talib returning to the roster would be outweighed by the potential hit to team chemistry from the arrival of post-suspension Talib.
The Bucs never had to make that choice, as rockstar general manager Mark Dominik fleeced the Patriots and sent them Talib and a seventh-round pick for the Patriots fourth-rounder in 2013.
Yeah, the playoff-hunting Bucs might miss Talib if, say, they head to the SuperDome with a 7-6 record in December. But Joe’s still on board with the trade, even with the Bucs’ thin secondary. The Bucs still have damage-control options. Ronde Barber returning to cornerback with Ahmad Black at safety remains on the table, if necessary.
November 4th, 2012 at 9:38 pm
Sure as hell isn’t because he’s not there that’s for sure hahaha.
November 4th, 2012 at 9:41 pm
Playoffs??? Take a closer look at the schedule.
Wright is going to be leaving for a month long vacation soon and probably more suspensions coming after that.
The Bucs are going to be playing some of the best QB’s in the league with an Adderall depleted defensive backfield.
Playoffs???
November 4th, 2012 at 9:43 pm
Ahmad Black had a pretty nice game. I wouldn’t mind seeing Barber take increased snaps and corner and having Black come in.
What an awesome game. Invited all my Raider friends over to watch this thrashing.
November 4th, 2012 at 9:43 pm
I actually have up agree with SeÑor Miguel about the depleted backfield bit.
November 4th, 2012 at 9:44 pm
What thrashing?
November 4th, 2012 at 9:46 pm
Talib wasn’t playing particularly well this season but anyone who thinks he wouldn’t be an upgrade over the crap we have now is out of their minds. We’re winning IN SPITE of the league’s worst cornerback group. We’re routinely giving up 400+ yards passing and that’s despite having safeties that win in man coverage and make big plays in zone coverage. Our corners just can’t make plays on the ball and give up tons of catches on opportunity throws in man coverage. Our DB coach had some of the best playmakers in college football at LSU so I know it’s talent, not coaching, that’s the problem.
We have to spend at least a 1st round pick on the CB position next April. Xavier Rhodes would be a good selection, although his nagging injury issues are concerning.
November 4th, 2012 at 9:47 pm
Talib? Who’s that?
November 4th, 2012 at 10:14 pm
Did you guys watch the game today? Wright barely played. He was pretty much only in on 3rd downs due to injury. It wasn’t stellar by any means, but I’d say all things considered the secondary held their own.
Leonard Johnson has won one of the starting jobs in my opinion. I guarantee you the Bucs knew what they had in him when they decided to pull the trigger on the Talib trade.
Biggers is still biggers, so once wright returns, he will default back to the nickel, but even he finds an INT every now and then like he did today.
Looking at the schedule, I can’t imagine the Chargers or Panthers lighting us up beyond anything our offense can’t catch up to. Falcons and Broncos, that’s a different story. It would be tough to complain if we finish at 6-6 once Wright’s (reported) suspension is up.
November 4th, 2012 at 10:28 pm
Are you kidding? Wright with Pi calls, biggers with PI calls, Palmer with 3 TDs in the 4th, reminiscent of Eli a few weeks ago. 400 yrds on us is the norm because the Bucs can’t cover a JV wide out without getting a flag. Decent DB play would have the bucs at 6-2 right now! Say what you want about team chemistry, that’s not going to stop Brees and Matty ice down the road. Today bucs won because of a Herculean offensive effort, but can you count on Josh and Dougie to put up 40 a game??? Good luck with that. I understand the Talib issues but this was bad timing
November 4th, 2012 at 10:38 pm
Can I count on them putting up 40? I’m starting to think I can. This offense is good son. Real good. Defense be damned.
November 4th, 2012 at 11:11 pm
Bring 8 men in the box and Free abuses you with VJax and Mike Williams…Put 7 and Dougie runs all over on you…Leonard Johnson is a good young player…Ahmad Black can handle his own, the only reason he wasn’t drafted a little higher was his 40 time…Biggars is ok…let Rhonde play nickel/rover and we will be ok on D, (not great, but serviceable on D)
November 4th, 2012 at 11:13 pm
BS. Pressure on the QB would help the secondary. QB’s are going to make good throws. Today one was an arm grab when he was covered well. Had that been VJ or MW OH what an acrobatic catch that would have been!! There is almost NO that’s ZERO pressure on QB’s. Today their QB threw over 60 passes. How the hell did he get that many off? No pressure. When they did get pressure on him he was off target. Don’t blame it all on the secondary. The only thing clicking is the run defense.
November 4th, 2012 at 11:16 pm
Aqib Talib probably wouldn’t get burned by a FB like Myron Lewis did.
November 4th, 2012 at 11:45 pm
First off, to those thinking our secondary would be better with Talib…think again and look at his stats here. Honestly..he was horrid this year (and last). Other than Wright.. all we have right now is potential…but then that’s all Talib has EVER been here…unrealized potential.
This way we see what the young guys have for half a season. That will help Dominick/Schiano determine if they really need to draft a CB or get one in FA.
If L. Johnson (sp) turns out to become really good, then we won’t need one so long as Wright stays clean. Biggers is not a starter…but he IS acceptable depth.
November 5th, 2012 at 2:30 am
We do need draft/sign one regardless. We need 3 there are 3 receivers that need covering not just two.
November 5th, 2012 at 3:02 am
I wonder why Wright was playing basically only in nickel. I have a hard time saying it was because of injury, because he was listed as probably, and you would think if his Achilles was sore you wouldn’t want him to keep coming in and out like that (may tighten up). I’m wondering if they did that to give Biggers and Johnson some experience as the starting corners, because that’s what’s going to happen for 4 weeks while Wright is (allegedly) suspended. Seems a little far fetched, but why else would they do that? I guess Carson Palmer is a warmup for Drew Brees and Peyton Manning, and probably even Philip Rivers.
November 5th, 2012 at 5:33 am
Myron Lewis and EJ Biggers were, well, who we thought they were, Myron Lewis and EJ Biggers. One has been in the league 3 years, and the other 4 years, respectively. The int for Biggers was a gimme, right in his hands, nothing acrobatic or outstanding about that play. Lewis is just a body that we desperately needed. I’ve said it many times bfore, Biggers cannot tackle. This guy switches like a female and cares more about his uniform fitting than playing smash mouth football. I feel more comfortable with Gaitor and Johnson in the game than these two. Lewis is awful at tackling to be 6’2 203. Don’t know what the old regime saw in Lewis and Biggers. They both are always manhandled by opponents receivers. It’s time to draft top tier corners in the upcoming draft.