“It’s A Horrible Situation”
December 1st, 2012
The timid pass rush of late by the Bucs demonstrates just how much the team misses injured right defensive end Adrian Clayborn.
Earlier this week, Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune dropped a phone call to talk all things Bucs with “The Fabulous Sports Babe,” heard on WHFS-FM 98.7. During part of the interview, “The Fabulous Sports Babe” acted like any Bucs fan, fearing the worst for Sunday, with one of the greatest quarterbacks to every take a snap lining up opposite one of the worst Bucs cornerbacks crew in memory, maybe in franchise history.
It doesn’t take a wizard to figure out Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning will try to light up the scoreboard by roasting the Bucs through the air.
“The Fabulous Sports Babe:” What about the defense, [Peyton Manning] is used to throwing and throwing and [the Bucs] have defensive backs that sound like me. They are not very good. So what does that say? He will be throwing it and they will be trying to defend it.
Woody Cummings: Yeah, you are right. It’s a horrible situation for the Bucs. You are going against a Hall of Fame quarterback who is clearly on top of his game and he is going up against a bunch of kids and I think it will be an issue for them. But here’s what they have to do: They have to rush the passer better they have to find a way to make Peyton Manning uncomfortable which is not easy to do became he gets rid of the ball so early. But if you are going to help that secondary, you have to get some pass rush and we haven’t seen enough of that really. I think we are starting to recognize how important Adrian Clayborn was to this team. I think Gerald McCoy is doing his part and he is facing two blockers every time. It’s hard to beat those guys. Michael Bennett has done is part but on the other side, Daniel Te’o-Nesheim has had some splash plays here and there but not enough, certainly not what Adrian Clayborn would have done. They are waiting for Da’Quan Bowers to get the feel back, get healthy. He is getting there, he is getting healthier every week but it will probably be the end of the season before he is fully in football shape. It is a tough deal for them, no doubt about it. They have to rush the passer better and cover better and maybe hope that Peyton Manning has an off day and if that all comes together, they have a chance. If not, they will be in some trouble.
Joe thinks Cummings hit on several points. Joe remembers asking GMC two weeks after Clayborn went down if he had noticed different blocking schemes by opponents to double- if not triple-team him in Clayborn’s absence. GMC didn’t want to answer the question, as admitting to this all but makes him look like he is searching for an excuse, but after beating around the bush for a while, GMC nodded “yes” to Joe that teams were going after him more, sans Clayborn to worry about.
If the Bucs are going to put heat on Manning, Bennett has to show up like he has most of the season. He was virtually invisible last week against the Dixie Chicks.
Going after Manning is virtually impossible unless the Bucs bring blitzes on just about every play because Manning will be in a three-step drop. Combined with his quick release, that’s nearly an impossible task to get Manning on the ground, regardless of how slow he is.
Joe’s of the mind that Manning can’t hurt you if he is standing on the sidelines wearing a cap and sipping Gatorade. So this should be a big day tomorrow for Doug Martin.
More Martin = less Manning, which means better chance to win.
The Bucs are in a pinch. They can realistically afford to lose one more game if they plan on playing after New Year’s Day. An upset would be a glorious step.
December 1st, 2012 at 11:27 pm
Someone said “It is what it is”! I won’t cry over spilled milk. We won’t always be in this predicament. I like this team more than any I’ve seen in a long time. Our day is coming. And soon!
December 2nd, 2012 at 2:00 am
I can handle a loss if it comes…what I can’t stand is no one giving the Bucs a chance to win this game, not even the fans.
I personally believe we can win this game.
December 2nd, 2012 at 7:19 am
Ball control and the neutralization of Herman Munster by keeping him on the sideline will equal a victory.
December 2nd, 2012 at 10:08 am
Eli lit us of for over 500 yards, I hope we will have better results against Peyton.
I think the secondary should try is to jam the receivers on the line and change the timing of the route passing routes. So many times the receivers are clean for the first 5 yards and are at full speed making it hard for the DB to change direction and catch up. Our MO in the past has been “don’t get burned deep” so the secondary gives way too much cushion. You see how well that worked against the Dixie Chick last week.
Another change might be a straight up pass rush. We don’t have time to wait for line stunts to work. Manning will throw the ball in 3-4 seconds. Getting hands up and blocking passing lanes will also be very important.
I think the Bucs can win, but it is going to take a huge effort, no dumb penalties,a timely turn over or two and keeping Manning off the field.
December 2nd, 2012 at 10:23 am
I really would love to see the Bucs win today, but realistically I can’t see it happening. The scrappy bunch of Bucs have too much to deal with today. I wish them well, but feel that today will be an absolute blow out.
December 2nd, 2012 at 11:46 am
This is the kind of game where the Bucs need Doug Martin to put it on his back like he did in Minnesota and Oakland.
He seems to shine in these road games and I think today he comes through in a big way.
December 2nd, 2012 at 11:58 am
I believe every week the bucs have a chance at winning it just depends which team comes off the bus for us. Freeman can’t leave points on the field this week. If we get up on Denver we have to add to the margin on every drive. I just don’t want to see us get up and get scorched like the Monday night comeback which is kinda his second largest comeback thanks to Phillip rivers and co this season lol
December 2nd, 2012 at 12:01 pm
Pete, I agree with you.
I know the pass D is 32’nd rank, but I can’t say anything is horrible. These guys are young and improving. I believe the CB’s tend to try and stop YAC instead of making plays on the ball in close coverage. I hope to see more of that and I also think this is a winnable game. I think the key is coaching and scheme.
Last season was horrible. At least now they can stop the run and put up points. 2 out of 3 ain’t bad.
December 2nd, 2012 at 12:23 pm
At this point, putting our defensive woes aside, to beat them we have to outscore them. Make every possession count. No mercy, no FGs.
December 2nd, 2012 at 3:50 pm
Hate to say it but I think we’re gonna see the Bucs score their lowest point total of the season today. It’ll be a loss. Hope I’m wrong.