“I Can’t Recall A Team That Was More Inept”
September 22nd, 2014
Former Lovie Smith Bucs coaching colleague Herm Edwards said watching the Bucs-Dixie Chicks game was like watching a traveling basketball circus.
As much football as Joe watched over the weekend (and beers guzzled), Joe just cannot get out of his head what a complete and utter debacle it was Thursday when the Bucs began the weekend by giving fans not just acid reflux but pause to wonder about the future.
Neither the loathed defensive mind of former Bucs commander Greg Schiano nor the widely mocked defensive background of Raheem Morris had teams that coughed up 50 points.
Not the bumbling of Leeman Bennett or Richard Williamson nor the demonic control freak Ray Perkins ever saw their teams trail by 56 points in the third quarter. Neither did sainted John McKay who lost his first 26 games as a Bucs coach.
But that did happen to Lovie Smith.
Lovie’s former colleague with the Bucs in his Tampa tour of duty, Herm Edwards, spoke with the one and only Chris “Mad Dog” Russo and explained the game was so lopsided, it reminded him of a traveling basketball troupe.
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo: We go to your Bucs in Tampa. Oh, boy. Now look, Herm: I wasn’t around in ’40 when the Bears beat the Redskins 73-0. I was there when the Vikings got beat by the Giants 41-0 in the NFC Championship game. I have seen my share — I saw the Miami 62-10 loss to Jacksonville in the playoffs. I have seen my share. I can’t recall a team that was more inept in all phases and more ill-prepared to play a game than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were in Atlanta. What is your take on that?
Herm Edwards: I agree. It was really bad. And once they got going, you knew it wasn’t going to stop. It was one of those situations that I have been a part of on the good end of it and I have been on the bad end of it as well. You are playing an Atlanta football team that when they are playing at home, you know they are dangerous. The first game of the season they go into overtime obviously and win it with 37 points. This one was 56 points. In two games at home, they gained offensive yards 568 and 488. This was a game, that was basically, it looked like almost one of those — you remember when the Harlem Globetrotters used the play the Washington Generals? It kind of looked like that. It was like, “Really? C’mon!” You feel bad for the players. Now the good thing? It’s done. Like Lovie said, they are going to have to live with it. And if you are Lovie right now, you are telling your football team, “You know what, we have a 13-game schedule. The first three games don’t even count. Don’t remember that. Don’t count. We have to move on from that.” It was hard to watch.
Joe doesn’t have the time nor the inclination to sift through hours of records trying to find out if a team that started 0-3 with its third loss so one-sided, ever turned things around. Just starting 0-3 is enough of a death knell. As far-fetched as a turnaround is, it just doesn’t seem even remotely possible when your quarterbacks are turnover-prone Josh McCown and less-than-proven Mike Glennon.
Certainly not when your defense cannot stop a cool breeze.
That’s why Joe wrote the time is now to see what Glennon really is made of. If he doesn’t get hurt, that means the Bucs will have 26 games of tape on him. That should be enough to determine if Glennon really is the “quarterback of the future”or the answer to the trivia question, “Who was the Bucs quarterback before [insert name].”
September 22nd, 2014 at 5:36 am
Joe (fellow Bucs)
I tell you that I actually enjoyed Sunday football without the Bucs playing. That’s how pathetic and boring they are. Every game mostly was competitive and had highlights that showcased superior athletes that look like professionals.
The Bucs don’t have the scheme to use some of the athletes they do have. Looking at Seattle offensive attack was very simple and strategic – the way tegu used Harvin speed, hello Demps??? They don’t ask Harvin to run deep routes but the point is they found a way to use their weapons.
Denver put on a adjustments clinic and drove the field to tie the game with less than a minute (how exciting!!!!)
You see all the trick plays – like Cincy using Dalton and Seattle using Wilson athleticism and then you look at Wash vs Philly or even Dallas and the Lambs were all exciting professional games!
I absolutely feel that Tampa doesn’t belong in the discussion with these teams on offense or defense. Carolina defense put on a defensive assignment clinic and they run the same system almost.
The Bucs are just outclassed as a organization. Our picks our players and coaches are just dated. I don’t know how you fix all of this but I do know that football is better without the Bucs.
September 22nd, 2014 at 5:56 am
The frightening part is that is looks like this organization cannot evaluate talent, which is what happened during the Dominik regime, thus, no talent and no depth on the current roster.
If this team ends up with a top three pick, will it be able to evaluate a much better crop of quarterbacks.
Joe wanted a quarterback (Johnny Football) last go-round. That would have been a huge mistake, he couldn’t beat out a journeyman in Cleveland.
Isn’t it something that we’re already taking about the draft. Yes, after watching other teams, it’s apparent the Bucs may be worse than we believe they are!
September 22nd, 2014 at 5:58 am
I couldn’t agree more. Watching the Redzone, which I realize is mostly the exciting parts of these contests, just shows how we are not a viable professional franchise. I think I have moved on from being upset about this team. I am not hoping we lose every game this year…but if that’s what it takes to get Mariota and a more dynamic offense/defensive scheme than I am just fine with that result.
September 22nd, 2014 at 6:24 am
Everyone assumes that if e get a top 3 or 5 pick that we will take a QB. The more likely scenario is that they take the top DE in the draft, or they trade down and take the best DE in the draft. Just wait until we start hearing obut how deep the draft is at QB and how you can get a quality starter in the second or third round.
September 22nd, 2014 at 6:33 am
It’s hard to see Glennon as the second coming under the current circumstances.
Is it any worse than when he took over for Freeman? Maybe, just Maybe.
September 22nd, 2014 at 6:35 am
How can the Bucs be so bad? It just does’nt make any sense to me. The Steelers must be licking their chops awaiting this broken down heap of a wreck team. The stinking panthers stunk last night making Pittsburgh look good. Blount and Bell over 100 yards rushing each. A different Bucs team will have to show up next week to have any chance for a win. Is that possible?
September 22nd, 2014 at 6:39 am
When the other teams can get first downs and score at will on you, our QB will make little difference in the win/loss situation.
A few more points might make everyone feel a little better but thats about it. First two picks likely to be middle linebacker and defensive end if things continue as they have been.
September 22nd, 2014 at 6:39 am
Sean P, I echo that sense of dread. There had to be ownership intervention to avert that scenario.
That means nothing will happen. In 3 years, we get another coach and we do the same thing all over again.
September 22nd, 2014 at 6:56 am
Wonder if they’ll chose a different color scheme when they move to Los Angeles….
September 22nd, 2014 at 7:00 am
We all know that one strong win changes the dialogue about our team. Until that time, it really sucks to think of any other football team because everyone seems superior to the Bucs.
Did not watch football this weekend for that reason.
September 22nd, 2014 at 7:04 am
My only question is how long are we going to have to endure this coaching staff? Did you see Big Ben and the Steelers light up Carolina’s defense? The Steelers may score 70 or more on us this Sunday.
September 22nd, 2014 at 7:13 am
I’m holding out hope that having Tedford back will be a huge breath of fresh air to the offense. I don’t know what the defense is doing but hopefully the offense will at least be able to keep up. If not, expect to see Bucs dream seat tickets being substituted as toilet paper at local restaurants and bars.
September 22nd, 2014 at 7:29 am
Couldn’t agree with Architek more. I too had so much fun watching real teams play football yeasterday. I watched the Lambs Cowboys game, and damn that was fun to watch. Austin Davis looked like a rock star again, even thought they lost. You’ll never convince me (yet) that Davis is a better QB than McCown and Glennon, but I’ll be damned if his coaches didn’t make him look like it.
And the pass rushes. Pass rushing all over the place. Another thing we haven’t seen yet.
September 22nd, 2014 at 7:33 am
Exactly! I thought the same thing!
September 22nd, 2014 at 7:39 am
And the way Kelvin Benjamin seems to be outplaying Evans makes me sick to my stomach. That goes back to what Architek says about these teams taking advantage of their players skill sets. Evans is being wasted on this team. Just like GMC is being wasted on this dumpster fire.
September 22nd, 2014 at 7:42 am
Chef I agree.
In my opinion, coaches should reserve two hours of additional game film session to watch how the top 5 players play the game at their position. Make that the players, coordinators, scout team, GM and the head coach.
They need to watch the top tier players and teams each and every week until they figure it out… figure out how top tier players and teams win.
Because whatever it is they are doing… it sure is all wrong.
September 22nd, 2014 at 7:46 am
Any Given Sunday…….were we…..0-7 went to Seattle, a very hard place to play…..took the eventual Superbowl Champs to OT….sure we lost….but who would have thunk?
Look at how Seattle manhandled Denver in the SB.
I expect us to play well in Pttsburgh. Lovie Smith goes from media darling and the hope of all Buc fans to complete incompetent in one or two games.
Guys, we are stuck with this staff (maybe less Fraizer) for some time….the Glazers aren’t changing coaches again.
Put on your Buccaneer hope hats!!!
September 22nd, 2014 at 8:02 am
Thirty five to zero before a Bucs first down. Can’t get that stat out of my head. Don’t understand how that could happen. I do think Glennon is good move. He has potential. But the D? How do you fix that?
September 22nd, 2014 at 8:23 am
I’m in acceptance as well, I accept the defense is 2011 bad, I accept that even if Glennon plays like Andrew Luck in the next few games he plays during McCown’s recovery Lovie and some fans will still want McCown back in, and I’ve accepted that for better or worse Lovie Smith will be the HC of the team for at least 2014 and most likely the following year. All that is left is hope…hope that Lovie can turn it around like I’m sure he assured ownership and fans, hope Glennon plays franchise QB well, and hope some wins happen
September 22nd, 2014 at 8:30 am
I don’t think we could beat the Washington Generals at football right now and they don’t play football. That’s how bad this team looked on Thursday.
September 22nd, 2014 at 8:33 am
I feel sorry for MG8. No dependable weapons again. Good luck Cannon.
September 22nd, 2014 at 8:39 am
@BoJim – I don’t know that we even know anything about what Glennon has available. They haven’t tried to throw it downfield yet
September 22nd, 2014 at 8:41 am
Sundays game was fun to watch. I also enjoy the Dead End Kids, Keystone Cops, Chaplin and Abbot and Castillo
September 22nd, 2014 at 8:49 am
Joe
No question the Thursday Night Massacre will live in our minds forever, however I think there are some bright spots, if it wasn’t this bac, the changes would have taken weeks more to make and the suffering would have lasted much longer. With the changes being made, we will still suffer, just not as bad.
September 22nd, 2014 at 8:51 am
Steelers did get banged up on defense last night, I think Ike Taylor’s arm got snapped in 2 by his own teammate. Bur even if the Bucs can establish some semblance of an offense (if Tedford finally calls some ****ing plays) we still have to watch the Steeler’s run machine (with our old friend LeGarrett), Antonio Brown and Heath Miller just stuff it down this undermanned D’s throat and have career games unless the D can do a Lazarus and actually show up with all hands on board, which of course I doubt will happen because it is the Tampa Bay Bucs we are talking about, the damn laughing stock of the NFL.
September 22nd, 2014 at 9:05 am
I hope once tedford starts calling plays our offense will no longer be the issue. Assuming glennon remains the QB. Our defense will remain to be the problem unless we change it. Corners are playing with way to much cushion and that has to be by design. I would rather get beat going long than giving them 10-15 yards on every pass.
September 22nd, 2014 at 9:09 am
CHUCKY WERE SORRY
September 22nd, 2014 at 9:12 am
AND SORRY AS$
September 22nd, 2014 at 9:27 am
What, 13 games last season wasn’t enough? Can’t think of a good QB playing that didn’t look good after 13 games.
Glennon’s TD/Int ratio was great last year, but that’s it. His 3rd down % was second to last, he fumbled a good deal, and took all kinds of sacks. Hard to throw picks when you are always going to the checkdown before you punt. No thanks.
McCown stinks but I’d like to see at least one game with him under Tedford before giving in to the Sillymob.
Gimme Tebow.
September 22nd, 2014 at 9:28 am
kelvin benjamin and brandin cooks look great…… and mike evens is looking like he could be a michael clayton repeat. worst part was i wanted tampa to pick one of the 2 later in the draft, and they both end up going to division opponents-.- the steelers game might just be as bad as thrusdays game. and then its going to happen again against the saints. and the worst part is that im going to watch the beatdowns =(
September 22nd, 2014 at 9:34 am
I don’t buy we don’t have talent for a second. Martin, mankins, McCoy, verner, David, Jackson, Evans,sefatianJenkins, foster, banks, goldson, Barron, McDonald, Dietrich-smith, dotson.. It’s on the coaches to make it work. I bet if we had a legit coach; Carroll, harbaughs, Kelly, Rivera, Payton, Ryan we could win 7-8 games and compete. I don’t know much about Lovie just what media reports but so far he has struggled. Frazier I’m done with. Adjust!!’nnn
September 22nd, 2014 at 9:36 am
lol zam….. check the stats on glennons 3rd and 4th downs…. i beleive they put up a full sheet of stats, and not just the basic QB stats, on tampa ‘s web site a couple months back.glennon is among the nfl best on 3rd downs. he struggles on 1st and 2nd. im sure you could find it. and please stop talking about tebow, he might as well be another josh freeman. besides he’s a commited celebrity now.
September 22nd, 2014 at 9:43 am
Some of you guys are dreaming, if the bucs keep sucking some heads will roll. I’m guessing Frazier first. Contracts or not glazers can’t afford, pun intended, many more debacles like Thursday. This team will have to improve. These coaches contracts won’t mean ass if stands empty, blackouts, and laughing stock of league. Coaches have to show competence. Don’t fool yourself
September 22nd, 2014 at 9:44 am
rainey is better then martin. although martin can take it to the house if you give him a clean hole. but then again, who cant ? evans and asj unproven. foster banks and goldson suck.
September 22nd, 2014 at 10:08 am
Our coaches need coaches.
September 22nd, 2014 at 10:10 am
Ha! Foster, banks, golson (former all pro in prime) all are good players. You put those guys on waivers they’d have plenty of jobs waiting. Poor coaching hurts good players!
September 22nd, 2014 at 10:50 am
Zam Says:
September 22nd, 2014 at 9:27 am
“McCown stinks but I’d like to see at least one game with him under Tedford before giving in to the Sillymob.
Gimme Tebow.”
You people crack me up. You go into this rant about how bad Glennon is at this and that. Then you end it with. “Gimme Tebow.”
OMG…LMFAO!
The guy with worst throwing mechanics to ever play in the NFL and you say gimme Tebow over Glennon.
Damn you Gator fans are so jaded when it comes to this guy. You’re orange and blue is gleaming through. I’m a big time FSU fan. I think Winston is a helluva lot better QB than Tebow, but his immaturity makes me not even want the Bucs to go near him with a 10 foot pole. NOT TEBOW though. To you Gator fans Tebow is like the second coming of Jesus Christ. You people are relentless. Danny Wuerffel was a helluva lot better QB that Tebow. Guess what though? Wuerffel sucked in the NFL and he was STILL better than Tebow.
Newflash! There is a reason why Tebow is STILL unemployed.
How many years will it take for people stop clamoring for this bum? 2, 3, 4, 5 years?
Josh Freeman was 10 times the QB than Tebow…I can go on and on and on. Just like the Tebow fans. YES Tebow is THAT bad!
September 22nd, 2014 at 11:05 am
1987… I’m a Gator fan for near 50 years even when they suck, as they mostly have over the years, but Tebow as an NFL QB is quite the laugh.
September 22nd, 2014 at 12:09 pm
Totally inept in every phase of the game. That’s the Bus so far this season. Total clowns and an embarrassment to the NFL and Tampa.
It was nice watching real football teams play on Sunday. Not the boring-arse, incompetent Bucs. Maybe I’ll just be a RedZone fan from now on.
September 22nd, 2014 at 1:26 pm
I always will be a Tebow fan,not because of his football skills or lack of.He has character,positive attitude,and makes people around him better.He did beat the Steelers and passed for over 300 yds.The media and religion hatters killed Tebow just as racist announcers crucified Doug Williams for throwing to hard,but praised brett the gunslinger for doing the same.Where is Paul Harvey when you need him.Oh he is dead.No truth in the media anymore,they have a one sided agenda and that’s not good.
September 22nd, 2014 at 4:59 pm
Ohhhhhh please. I was he
September 22nd, 2014 at 7:20 pm
Tebow has THEE worst throwing motion in NFL history. That’s what did him in. Not the media or fans or anyone else. Why do you think he kept looking for more and more “experts” outside of the NFL to teach him how to throw a football.
I can’t even believe I just typed that. Tim Tebow has to be taugh how to throw a football, but somehow is qualified to be an NFL QB.
That shipped sailed a long time ago. Maybe back in Pop Warner. And no I’m not every religious, but that has nothing to do with his skill, nor would I ever hold that against him. I actually liked the whole Tebowing thingy.