Bucs Tops In Interceptions, 28th In Sacks
December 2nd, 2013
Winning the turnover battles means two things this season. Joe explains.
One great mystery of this season that doesn’t involve sleepy, leaky Josh Freeman is how the Bucs are 3-9 with a +10 turnover ratio. That’s a true oddity in the NFL. It’s as rare as Joe getting a call from a cheerleader for an evening of clubbing and hot tubbing.
Winning or tying the turnover battle consistently means a winning record during a normal season.
In 2010, Raheem The Dream’s Buccaneers had a +9 turnover ratio and won 10 games. In 2011, they recorded a heinous -16 ratio en route to a 10-game losing streak.
The last time the Bucs won the NFC South (2007), Chucky’s Bucs had a +15 turnover ratio. Before that (2005), the division champ Bucs had a +7 ratio. In 2008, it was +4 in the 9-7 season.
The New Schiano Order Bucs were +3 last season and, as Joe just referenced, are a whopping +10 today.
It really tells you two things: the 2013 Bucs protect the football and have a truly impotent offense.
After two interceptions yesterday against Carolina, Tampa Bay now leads the NFL in interceptions with 17. That’s right. Keith Tandy has three along with Lavonte David to lead the team.
Interestingly, the Bucs are an ugly 28th in sacks with a total of 24. That’s no surprise to anyone who has watched the Bucs rush the passer.
One can spin stats in all kinds of different directions. So Joe’s not going to go there.
But again, Joe can safely say the Bucs take care of the football and have a poor offense. You simply have to convert turnovers into touchdowns to succeed in the NFL.
December 2nd, 2013 at 5:28 pm
How many times have we had to go for field goals when within the red zone or within the thirty? I think you hit the nail on the head that we have been very incapable of converting them into touchdowns. Is that because of a shorter field for the opposing defenses, our lack of speed, and poor offensive line play? Probably…among other things.
December 2nd, 2013 at 5:40 pm
Schiano is a dead man walking.
The next coach is _____? (Billick? I can’t imagine the Bucs go college again.)
December 2nd, 2013 at 5:42 pm
stupid penalties, poor 3rd conversion rate, and a crappy fg kicker will lead to alot of losses
December 2nd, 2013 at 5:43 pm
part of the losses is poor kicking
turn the ball over, get held to a field goal attempt, miss
December 2nd, 2013 at 6:14 pm
the story of us bucs fans, their is always next year i am so dissapointed at everything this year especially when i had high hopes for this team, hopefully they go 3 and 1 or 4 and 0 this last 4 games. go bucs
December 2nd, 2013 at 6:21 pm
Schiano plays not to lose games. That’s why those turnovers don’t get cashed in for touchdowns. It’s a loser’s mentality.
But hey, Joe says 5 wins is acceptable for the season, even if it does mean the team got worse year over year! So it’s all good!
December 2nd, 2013 at 6:50 pm
Almost every time we have gotten into the red zone….we run of first down…and it’s usually stuffed….our red zone problems are caused by poor playcalling. We do a pretty good job of taking care of the ball….we just don’t fumble that often.
December 2nd, 2013 at 7:02 pm
“It really tells you two things: the 2013 Bucs protect the football and have a truly impotent offense.”
bingo.
December 2nd, 2013 at 7:07 pm
I like the head coach but time for a new offensive coordinator. Before we ship Schiano out he has done an excellent job, as Joe mentions, with ball security. A better offensive coordinator, mike williams and doug martin back, and add in free agency and draft. I knew if we lost a game most fans would quickly abandon ship.
December 2nd, 2013 at 7:11 pm
@ Jon
Its not so much the fact that we lost the game, its how we lost it. The same problems associated with coaching have already returned after just 4 games. Regardless, if this guy wins 5 games I bet he stays.
December 2nd, 2013 at 7:24 pm
If you keep me click on “read more” you will lose me.
December 2nd, 2013 at 7:26 pm
If the Glazers bring back Private Pyle Schiano next year, will they also buy up the tickets again so we can watch another losing season on teevee?
December 2nd, 2013 at 7:46 pm
@Jon
I think the Bucs have the personnel but they need an OC who can take advantage of the talent we have. When the OLine blocks well it doesn’t matter who the RB is as proven this year. Personally, I would trade Martin because I think James, or Rainey are very capable. In addition, I don’t find Martin adept at pass receiving.
When it comes to WRs the team has 2 capable possession type WRs in Jackson and Williams. My problem is that it seems like a jump ball type of passing, who whether you agree, Freeman was much better at than Glennon.
The Bucs need a slot receiver, and an actual TE that they will throw the ball to once in a while.
December 2nd, 2013 at 9:09 pm
Note to Glazers…please don’t trade Martin! Unless the torn labrum injury ruins him (doubtful) this young man is the most well rounded and most talented RB we have on the roster. No knock on James or Rainey, they’re excellent depth and change up backs to rest Martin. It’s been a bad season, but no need to hit the reset button yet with some of the young talent Dom and Schiano successfully drafted over the past couple years.
December 2nd, 2013 at 9:17 pm
@NYBuc
Where did you hear that the Bucs are trading Martin? That’s crazy talk man, they only have a few good players on offense their not trading the best one.
December 2nd, 2013 at 9:31 pm
I do not have to admit freeman was better than glennon at anything old fan. Clearly he is not. Glennon is ahead of freeman after less than a year.
December 2nd, 2013 at 9:37 pm
Don’t matter who is running, throwing and catching if you don’t do a better job blocking. The highly paid offensive line is in need of some young blood. Penn and Joseph are over-the-hill. Dotson and Zutah are solid.
We all agree you have to have tight ends that can create the mismatches. Whether it’s the Patriots, the Cowboys, the Broncos, the Eagles, the Saints, all those good offenses have tight ends that can run and hold on to the ball.
I have been watching the NFL for years and there has never been an era where the tight end is used the way they are today.
The Buc offensive coaches are brain dead thinking they can compete offensively with extinct tight ends like Crabtree and Stocker. They have to get into the 21st century and build a solid offense.
Give Glennon a big receiving tight end, a quick slot receiver, some time to throw the ball and an offensive coordinator who knows how to adjust to defenses and the Bucs will have a top 10 offense. Glennon has the skills but this offense is too slow developing. They lack quickness. When you watch it you really see players that are slow.
December 3rd, 2013 at 9:43 am
Whenever you have extremely unbalanced stats like this one and last year’s great against the run but lousy against the pass, it speaks poor coaching. The weakness is exploited by the other team, especially as our team fails to adjust to what is being done to us.
December 3rd, 2013 at 10:47 am
@ ed
Agree totally! we have no speed anywhere offense or defense
IMHO 1 reason we don’t make adjustments is we don’t have the
players, most are trying to figure it out on the fly. Coaching can only
due so much. we have some talent but a lot of new and young players.
Negative results now but could help in in the future. we need SPEED
THANKS