“That Would Have Sealed The Deal”
September 7th, 2014
Careers, seasons, perceptions and more can change on one play.
Just ask Danny Gorrer (2012) or Lavonte David (2013), among endless examples. Safety Dashon “Hawk” Goldson had one of those choke moments this evening at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway.
With Tampa Bay trailing 17-14 with 1:52 left in the fourth quarter, the Panthers had 3rd-and-9 from the their own 21 yard line.
The Bucs got a little pressure (not too much) and Derek Anderson overthrew Greg Olson about 10 yards downfield with Lavonte David covering. The ball landed right in Goldson’s hands, but he couldn’t squeeze it.
If he caught it, Goldson had plenty of real estate in front of him for a pick-6. If not, the Bucs would have been in field goal range at worst, with plenty of momentum to put the game away.
Goldson was asked about the blown interception after the game and didn’t back away.
“That would have sealed the deal,” Goldson said. “No excuse. I just missed it.”
That’s the kind of play that will keep takeaway-obsessed Lovie Smith tossing and turning tonight — and the kind of play that won’t entice the Bucs to keep Goldson next season at his $8 million-a-year salary.
(You can hear Goldson’s locker room chat below via 620wdae.com audio.)
September 7th, 2014 at 10:14 pm
When he’s released, he can think of this play as one of the reasons why he’s been let go. Inexcusable.
September 7th, 2014 at 10:15 pm
It’s amazing that as aweful as this team played today, we came that close to pulling out a victory.
September 7th, 2014 at 10:18 pm
I do not see the Pro Bowl-pedigree player this guy was touted to be.
Just curious, because I never understood the signing – has anyone seen anything that would give us some hope that Goldson will live up to his contract? Besides laying players out, what are the qualities that define Dashon Goldson as one of the top-paid safeties in the league?
September 7th, 2014 at 10:19 pm
He’s horrible in coverage – awful!
September 7th, 2014 at 10:24 pm
Bucsfaninchina – run support and dishing out concussions were his two biggest talents.
September 7th, 2014 at 10:28 pm
Let’s not go overboard. Our safeties are the least of our worries. The main issues are our DE’s and our unexpectedly erratic QB.
September 7th, 2014 at 10:31 pm
Vincent Jackson is right there with him.
September 7th, 2014 at 10:34 pm
No more big secondary acquisitions. So far none of them (Wright, Revis, Goldson) have worked out, Verner TBD.
September 7th, 2014 at 10:43 pm
The bucs that pray at night are saying LORD WHY DID I HAVE TO BE A BUC..
September 7th, 2014 at 10:47 pm
As soon as he missed that pick, I knew the game was over. You can’t continue to squander opportunities and expect to win. We had momentum, we finally got pressure, and he threw a bad throw right into his hands. He was going to score on it too. Instead, we have to go about 75 yards in a minute and a half, and we saw what happened. I swear we just can’t catch a break sometimes, and I’m really starting to believe that we are cursed. (and I don’t even believe in that kind of stuff).
September 7th, 2014 at 10:51 pm
I would have loved to win that game in a flurry at the end but that would have unjustly sugar coated a horrible beat down, play in and play out for 3 1/2 quarters of meaningful football from the game-time decision scrub backup Anderson.
Joe, stop peddling excuses with straw men for fundamental and obvious organizational failures that the media has been reluctant to report on. I’ve been bitching about them since February yet nothing from the most trusted site of all things Bucs. Love you and your site dearly but the blind eye has been fibbing!
September 7th, 2014 at 10:54 pm
*Sigh* I have no words.
September 7th, 2014 at 10:56 pm
Jim Carrey was at the game, I don’t think he is a buc fan any more.. check it out http://www.imagesup.net/?di=014101447825
September 7th, 2014 at 11:01 pm
Wow! To a man, the. Bucs choked heavily. I thought Bucs were in a ” win now” attitude. Sure didn’t see any intensity or urgency today that would suggest that. Amazing that the Panthers without their staring QB, revamped Oline and one receiver came in and dominated but that shows you how bad the Bucs are. Shameful, embarassing, humiliating, unacceptable. He’ll, Schiano and Raheem could have done that without a roster turnover and big spending spree. New GM said fans shouldn’t be patient so we’re not. If you lose next week, things will get ugly in a hurry. Someone needs to light a fire under this team ASAP! McKown clearly not the answer. Sign Incognito tonight!
September 7th, 2014 at 11:06 pm
Anybody else watching Sunday night football so they can experience what a real football team is supposed to look like?
September 7th, 2014 at 11:09 pm
Realitycheck
September 7th, 2014 at 11:25 pm
Bridge jumpers lining up after 1 awful game. How predictable.
Who believed this team would not struggle at the beginning? It’s disappointing, but it’s where they are at the moment, and things can improve, and will improve.
September 7th, 2014 at 11:25 pm
@ RealityCheck Ya but did you see our other division rival game saints and falcons shoot out.. We are going to have are hands full we better figure it out and fast, Oh Ya No..
September 7th, 2014 at 11:26 pm
That’s really the story of our franchise – every since the rebuilding from the Gruden led era we have so much empty promise.
Hard to point the finger at one person because many players have done things like this. All we can do is play through it and temper expectations.
Very hard to be a Bucs fan and get excited for this franchise.
September 7th, 2014 at 11:30 pm
1 game. Things change.
September 7th, 2014 at 11:39 pm
Could not believe it when I seen mankins down already.. It did not take long to bring down my hot air balloon in this game..
September 7th, 2014 at 11:40 pm
Ha you know, he reminds me of that one guy we paid all that money to and never panned out…
September 7th, 2014 at 11:43 pm
Please no floppy hat..
September 7th, 2014 at 11:47 pm
Man, just think about it. If Goldson picks that pass off on we go on to score a touchdown and win the game? This team would go on to win a lot of games. Being able to pull out a win like that is just the kind of confidence this team needs. It’s not to late though, to get another season defining play like that and make it. I still think this team is going to get it together at some point during the season and string together a long winning streak.
September 7th, 2014 at 11:49 pm
15 games left. Time to improve.
September 7th, 2014 at 11:56 pm
like the bucs of the late 90’s, its just going to take a little bit of a losing taste in the mouths of the players before they say enough is enough and start making those kinds of plays.
September 8th, 2014 at 12:08 am
That’s the difference between playoff teams, those that are ready make those plays and those that are not, well they let them slip through their hands.
September 8th, 2014 at 12:55 am
If our backup qb, poor d-ends, bad safties and average mlb/casillias can hold the panthers to 17 points than the Bucs have nothing to worry about. the arrow is moving upward, trade some players and draft well with the 5-11 record and all is well. 5-11 is not bad and dare I say should be wanted by fans because if this scrub team gets an 8-8 record or better than our draft position will hurt the club.
September 8th, 2014 at 1:07 am
Well at least the team showed some balance…. Last year, we couldn’t score in the second half of games, this year we start off unable to score in the first half.
September 8th, 2014 at 1:13 am
Joe
I have always said “Ignorance can be corrected, stupidity is forever”. Many players proved today that they are stupid and their play will never be corrected. I don’t care what we pay them, cut them and find someone else. It is time to clean house and it is only the first game of the season.
September 8th, 2014 at 2:40 am
Quite a few Drama queens after this one.
You actually thought that 26 new players, new coaches, and new front office would instantly Jell into a contender??
Really??
Even jello can’t do that.
Josh had first game jitters. Won’t happen again.
And we are still missing a few pieces.
And we still could have won.
Relax, dry your tears.
It’s gonna be ok
September 8th, 2014 at 8:31 am
Like the optimism today of Bucs fans. Like what happened yesterday didn’t happen or it was just another game. Are you guys seriously saying is just one game, or we have a new staff, or we gutted the whole roster for a last year as an excuse? Ok so the Chiefs didn’t do the same last year? How many teams in the league including our divisions don’t have new staff, rookies or new players? The fact is we suck! There is a thing called fundamentals and they just didn’t have it! There’s a thing called been a pro and they just didn’t have it. This guys are getting paid millions of dollars to do this on the field? I would rather pay $5 dollars or whatever high school games tickets are going for these days and see players with heart, pride and a winning attitude than see this crap the Bucs are putting on the field. Is just pathetic! You positive fans can go ahead and continue to drink the Kool Aid! I know what I saw yesterday and is just awful. No heart, No pride, nothing! There was nothing positive about yesterday and whoever is over here thinking it will is just lying to themselves and not been realistic about what we have as a team. Like I said yesterday I’m a huge fan just like the next one but yesterday it’s just enough! Something is not right down at Buc Place and is not just MERSA, Schiano or Dominik. I’m just saying something is not right.
September 8th, 2014 at 9:43 am
Funny bird
September 8th, 2014 at 3:47 pm
It’s crazy that he gets half a million per game to suck this bad. Another crap signing by Dominik.