Josh Freeman Didn’t See Mike Williams In Time
November 26th, 2012
It will be a play that could haunt the Bucs for a calendar year.
The Bucs, as Joe pointed out yesterday, left way too many points on the field. At least nine points by Joe’s recollection and perhaps as many as 12.
There was the Mike Williams pass to Vincent Jackson down to the Dixie Chicks-3 which the Bucs could not pound in. There was the E.J. Biggers forced fumble on Matty Ice in Falcons territory. The Bucs could only muster a field goal from it.
Then there was missing Mike Williams.
It was early in the second half and Williams, along the right sideline in the end zone, was so alone he could have been an orphan.
And Josh Freeman missed him. Missed him badly, nearly putting the football in the seats he overthrew Williams so much.
Freeman, eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune documents, was kicking himself over that play after the game.
Freeman was initially looking for Tiquan Underwood on an underneath pattern and by the time Freeman went through his progressions, his overthrown pass for Williams sailed out of bounds, forcing the Bucs to settle for a field goal and a 13-10 advantage.
“There were a few,” Freeman said of Tampa Bay’s missed opportunities against the NFC South leaders. “Obviously, there’s the one on the right sidelines going to Mike. (Cornerback) Asante Samuel fell off and I was initially trying to get it to Tiquan. In hindsight, we had an opportunity and didn’t capitalize. Asante is really good at baiting you.”
Teams that miss those plays are on their couch watching playoff games in January; the playoff teams make those chances, of which the Bucs had plenty.
Is there a reason to jump off the Sunshine Skyway Bridge this morning? Of course not. The Bucs showed they can go toe-to-toe with the squad that owns the NFL’s best record.
Letting this game slip off the hook, the Bucs have now afforded themselves scant wiggle room if they are to be playing into January. Any more than one more loss, and it will likely be time to start researching April’s draft.
November 26th, 2012 at 8:54 am
I think it is high time to start researching Aprils Draft now. You know where you are weak you might as well go ahead and prepare to be better next year. We need so much secondary help its ridiculous and Eric Wright is not the guy at corner, that much we know.
November 26th, 2012 at 9:01 am
I was there yesterday and the more egress miss was Freeman not seeing VJax wide e’fing open in the endzone in the 2nd qtr, he was literally alone in the endzone and Freeman didn’t even look that way.
November 26th, 2012 at 9:22 am
I am very proud of this team. Dont care that they lost to the Falcons, they’ll get them back Week17.
I feel reeeally bad for Peyton Manning and the Broncos. Since the bye week, the Bucs have not had back to back loses. I honestly dont see them losing two in a row.
PLAYOFFS2012!
November 26th, 2012 at 9:25 am
That’s just one play – a what if play. I, myself look at what we had. We held them to a FG and catch a penalty that gives them new life and a TD. Killer
November 26th, 2012 at 9:59 am
Bucs just keep getting better. I’m disappointed we didn’t win, but not disappointed with the effort and strategy.
November 26th, 2012 at 10:03 am
should of gone for it on 4th down instead of trying a 56 yrd FG.. if we convert we are able to run down clock then kick a makeable FG.. Great game …we are on a the road to greatness
November 26th, 2012 at 11:27 am
missed opportunities and injuries are the story of the season. every loss has come down to a couple plays we failed to make – goal line stands, missed WRs, failed 3rd down stops, or blown coverages on big plays (cruz, julio jones) stare you in the face when look at all these one-score losses. this team has gotten a lot better, but they are still learning and still short of talent in key areas.
if we had capitalized on more of our opportunities this year, we could be the team flying at 10-1 right now