“Close”
October 11th, 2014
Lovie Smith explains
The Bucs offense was horrible the first three games. The Bucs pass defense has been miserable. And aside from one game, quarterbacks had as much time to themselves as if they were in a confessional to throw the ball.
Just last week against the Saints, Drew Brees went back to throw 57 times and not once did Brees hit the ground. Granted, Brees is Houdini-like in his ability to escape, but geez.
Still, there are signs of a potential turning of the corner. Don’t believe Joe. Believe the words from Lovie Smith who sees the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, documents Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com.
“I think most of you know me well enough to see that I feel real good about our football team,’’ Smith said. “I know what our record says. Before those wins come, you have to take care of some other things. I realize how many penalties [15] we had this past week, but that’s not who we are.’’
The Bucs also are getting some injured players back. Middle linebacker Mason Foster, who missed the last three games with a shoulder injury, is expected to play against Baltimore. Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (hand) and defensive end Michael Johnson (ankle) have been playing through injuries and they’re getting close to being at full strength. The offense has looked better with quarterback Mike Glennon playing for an injured Josh McCown.
“I see progress,’’ Smith said. “We’re getting healthier. This is probably as close to the team that we started the season off with as we’ve had in a while. We’re playing better ball in so many areas. Offensively, I’m pleased with what we’ve done the last couple of weeks. We’ve put plenty of points on the board. We’ve protected the football for the most part. Defensively, we haven’t played our best ball, but that’s coming. Getting a few of our players back and No. 1 our Mike linebacker should help that. My glass is half full each week, but I think this is as close as we’ve been.’’
If it is true that Mason Foster, Johnthan Banks and Mike Evans are all green lights, that could be a big step forward.
Another big step forward would be to somehow fix the running game. Joe is not in the anti-offensive line crowd, as many are, so let’s hope Doug Martin rubs his rabbit’s foot enough to return to his rookie form.
It would be a nice stepping stone if the Bucs could somehow upend the Crows Sunday.
October 11th, 2014 at 8:28 am
Running game will get better when the oline improves the run blocking. Maybe a couple times they created lanes, and the RB didn’t see them every time. If they opened them up more consistently, we’ll get the yards.
October 11th, 2014 at 8:36 am
We’re gonna win this week. And I got 53 bucs that say so.
October 11th, 2014 at 8:54 am
“Don’t believe Joe. Believe the words from Lovie Smith who sees the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel ”
It seems if my memory is correct that Lovie promised the light at the beginning of the tunnel also.
October 11th, 2014 at 9:54 am
I’m not feeling the win this week, my windar is off kilter. Others feel the win, I hope they’re right. It would be a big plus going into the bye week. Go Bucs!
October 11th, 2014 at 9:57 am
I didn’t expect playoffs this year, more like 8-8. I knew with all the changes they would struggle but with Lovie at the helm, improve gradually. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bucs get hot after mid-season.
October 11th, 2014 at 10:12 am
You are what your record says you are. This is the NFL not high school.
October 11th, 2014 at 10:16 am
The o-line is busy thinking about what they are doing and not playing by instinct yet. It will come and once they start playing that way, they’ll be able to play with a little anger, which will improve the run game, you can see it, they’re close.
October 11th, 2014 at 10:22 am
It’ll come around.
Go Bucs!!
October 11th, 2014 at 11:05 am
What happened to the up tempo, no huddle offense Tedford promised? That would mask a lot of sins by the offensive line. By the way, Isn’t Tedford ready to come back yet ? I had a friend that had a stent put into his heart on Wednesday and was with us out on the beach watching the sunset on Friday.
October 11th, 2014 at 11:09 am
As much as our secondary gives up yards, I would say Smith Sr. Is going to have a good day against us. Just hope we get some kind of pressure on Flacco.
October 11th, 2014 at 11:36 am
billy buckaroo Says
“It seems if my memory is correct that Lovie promised the light at the beginning of the tunnel also.”
Your memory is faulty.
Lovie said from the start that things would not get great right away. It was the media that built expectations. Lovie DID say he gets why the fans don’t want to be patient, but he also told us it would take time. He said there was a lot of need from the start.
October 11th, 2014 at 11:39 am
Bear the Bucs Says
What happened to the up tempo, no huddle offense Tedford promised? That would mask a lot of sins by the offensive line. By the way, Isn’t Tedford ready to come back yet ? I had a friend that had a stent put into his heart on Wednesday and was with us out on the beach watching the sunset on Friday.
First, Tedford probably will never come back. You don’t take an indefinite leave of absence with the intention of returning. Not this year.
Second, this is no longer Tedford’s offense. It is Arroyo’s offense. Sure, Arroyo started with Tedford’s playbook when it was believed tedford would return, but since then Arroyo has been in charge.
If Arroyo does an acceptable job by the end of the year, don’t expect Tedford to come back next year either.
October 11th, 2014 at 12:38 pm
The only way a win is coming this week is if the offense produces it. Secondary is going to get lit up again. I mean QBs are completing passes at a 75% clip right now against the Bucs secondary. That has to be close to the worst of all-time.
October 11th, 2014 at 12:42 pm
I see a lot of improvement in less than one year. Last year when we went to New Orleans we laid down and got blow out. This year we took them to overtime (should have won that one too) so YES, we are going in the right direction but will take time.
October 11th, 2014 at 1:06 pm
I agree that we’re moving in the right direction.
I agree that patience is a component.
I think we shouldn’t lose sight of the epic mismanagement
at all levels (especially the higher ones) that got us in this
situation where we’re rebuilding every year.
I liked a lot of things about Schiano but overall I think we’re
in better hands with Lovie.
Telling the fans the they’re the problem is mentally ill.
The fans and the media should have no real power over
personal decisions and if they do it’s a sign of extremely
poor ownership and management.
October 11th, 2014 at 1:45 pm
Yea OK because it’s not like our defense sucked before Mason Foster got hurt. Seems everyone is taking on the personality of the coach, fans and media are delusional too
October 11th, 2014 at 5:46 pm
Close only counts in horseshoes. This is the NFL not some company picnic. Results are what counts. Right now 1-4 is pretty poor results. Enuf talk. Produce!!!
October 11th, 2014 at 8:37 pm
“Doug Martin…. Returns to rookie form”
People’s memories of 2012 are illusory. Martin IS in his rookie form. He just not that good. He’s an average and maybe below average guy who got fed the ball a million times and got lucky a few time with all those shots.
October 12th, 2014 at 12:16 am
Martin hasn’t had anywhere to run through, it hasn’t been his fault.