A Smelly Win, Er, Loss (?)
December 28th, 2014
Mike Evans said it was not his decision to sit the entire second half, despite being “gassed.”
Just like when the Bucs enjoyed addition by subtraction letting passive safety Mark Barron run off to the Lambs, the Bucs’ loss today is the biggest win of the season.
It means the Bucs have, if they so choose, won the Chase for Jameis.
When Joe was on the field in the final minutes, Bucs faithful roared in glee when McCown was sacked twice, the last time for a safety and the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft.
Joe could also hear the chant of “Shame us for Jameis” from the red-clad fans.
It also smelled of a tank job.
Look, Joe’s not complaining. Not at all. But it looked, smelled and felt awfully fishy. Nursing a 13-point lead (that’s what Lovie’s teams do), the Bucs never threw a pass in the second half until well into the fourth quarter.
In fact, the Bucs went 22:26 into the second half before McCown threw a ball, a play that was complete to the immortal Tavarres King for six yards and a first down.
Lavonte David was pulled in the fourth quarter. Mike Evans sat the second half despite not being injured. Evans said he was “gassed” but stated it was not his decision to sit.
If Joe didn’t know any better, it was as if someone upstairs (not in the coaches box) picked up the Batphone and ordered the Bucs to go all turtle.
Not that it was a far cry from what Lovie does anyway with a lead. only in previous games, Lovie didn’t bench his two best players.
Still, untoward or otherwise, mission accomplished. The Chase for Jameis was won.
December 28th, 2014 at 6:11 pm
Sounds like a winning decision to me.
December 28th, 2014 at 6:12 pm
Honestly Joe picking Jameis Winston #1 Overall is a reach for a player with his trouble off the field. My dream scenario would be trading down with the Eagles (Chip Kelly coached Mariota) and stealing Winston in the 20’s while stockpiling a possible #1 next year and maybe 2nd/3rd round picks. If you thought this offseason had a lot of staff changes this year will be even worse…
December 28th, 2014 at 6:14 pm
So you wouldn’t have drafted Warren Sapp (pot)?
So you wouldn’t have drafted Derrick Brooks (free shoes)?
So you wouldn’t have drafted Adrian Clayborn (punched out a cabbie)?
December 28th, 2014 at 6:16 pm
Well, in retrospect I definitely wouldn’t take Clayborn.
December 28th, 2014 at 6:16 pm
@Ryan that is a dream. Never going to happen
December 28th, 2014 at 6:18 pm
Trade this year’s second round pick and next year’s first to Philly for Chip Kelly and then we have Mariota and Kelly.
December 28th, 2014 at 6:22 pm
O well
December 28th, 2014 at 6:24 pm
It did look like the Bucs tanked at the end. Or was it the Bucs just being themselves? Lovie is very Dungyesque when nursing leads. Maybe Lovie wants Winston as some local writer suggested.
December 28th, 2014 at 6:31 pm
Why are so many people infatuated with trading down and getting more picks? And some are obsessed with getting future #1 picks. Guess what? It takes 2 teams to get a trade done and for the Eagles to move up like 20 spots, that’s multiple #1 picks for a team that holes and needs. Plus there’s no guarantee those future picks will be better than the player we gave up to get them. Usually the higher you draft, the better the player right? Let’s stay where we are. Pick our own players and develop them. Not trade away the best quality picks for value picks. I think we stay at #1 and get a QB.
December 28th, 2014 at 6:32 pm
Joe unfortunately Ryan is right. Take a look at what his teammates are saying about your guy manziel. He is being called out big time and you can’t deny pounding the table for him. As for taking sapp with the 12 or 13 pick or brooks in what I believe was in the 20s or Claiborne, all of those are very different from #1. How about freeman17 or manziel 22, it’s a bs arguement. Ryan is correct, it borders on irresponsibility to invest the first overall pick in a known head case!
December 28th, 2014 at 6:33 pm
I know I wasn’t the only Bucs fan sweating thinking we’d finally pull one out, but at the worst possible time. Didn’t feel good to do, but I’m glad we tanked (or was forced to tank). I ain’t mad at having the #1. I’m sure trades & more picks are coming. Joe?
December 28th, 2014 at 6:33 pm
The Bucs won the consolation prize. Or possibly the booby prize under Lovie.
December 28th, 2014 at 6:41 pm
I will be glued to my tv to watch the FSU/Oregon game this week! At this moment, I think I’d rather have Mariota than Winston, but that can change. To me, Mariota reminds me of Russel Wilson…just taller, faster, with a stronger arm and a Heisman Trophy!
December 28th, 2014 at 7:00 pm
“So you wouldn’t have drafted Warren Sapp (pot)?
So you wouldn’t have drafted Derrick Brooks (free shoes)?
So you wouldn’t have drafted Adrian Clayborn (punched out a cabbie)?”
Right, because pot and free shoes, and punching someone are in the same class as sexual assault.
December 28th, 2014 at 7:08 pm
Cleared three times, the third time by a Supreme Court Justice approved by the complainant. Good enough for Joe.
Time to turn the page on this subject, isn’t it?
December 28th, 2014 at 7:09 pm
@Joe
If it had been Chip Kelly or Sean Payton calling plays for the Bucs I might be suspicious. But this is how Lovie plays it ALL THE TIME. This was just another example of Lovie/dungyball. Never put a team away. Always depend on the defense in the second half.
Today’s game exactly mirrors the vast majority of Lovie games.
December 28th, 2014 at 7:11 pm
well rob was he not cleared of the allegations, and how do you feel about big ben up in Pittsburgh, I don’t know just saying, just saying. this team needs some hope and excitement I do not care whether one they draft just get it done. and if the glazers made the call to tank the second half it is the first thing they did right since hiring that moron lovie smith now fire him and get us a coach
December 28th, 2014 at 7:19 pm
“So you wouldn’t have drafted Warren Sapp (pot)?
So you wouldn’t have drafted Derrick Brooks (free shoes)?
So you wouldn’t have drafted Adrian Clayborn (punched out a cabbie)?”
[Winston has been cleared, sir. We live under laws in America. Innocent until proven guilty. Joe understands this is not a popular concept on Twitter. — Joe]
December 28th, 2014 at 7:28 pm
“Winston has been cleared, sir. We live under laws in America. — Joe”
That’s cool. But it’s not just that. It’s that and MORE. The kid has real maturity issues. Being accused of smoking pot is one thing….even been linked with rape is very concerning and is cause for serious concern….enough concern that the #1 pick shouldn’t be used on him when there’s a real gem in Mariota right there for the taking. No character concerns, tons of talent. It’s a pretty easy decision.
December 28th, 2014 at 7:43 pm
Yes, Winston was ‘cleared’ of the allegations – due to lack of evidence.
So maybe he didn’t do it – but his version of the story was hardly proven to be true.
Red Flags abound with this kid despite the ‘clearing’ of Jameis Winston.
December 28th, 2014 at 7:49 pm
Lovie calls a time out, next play, Saints score, Lovie is on board
December 28th, 2014 at 8:59 pm
Bucnut2… How is Famous Jameis Winston a headcase or a liability to a team when all he literally does is Win and the Coach likes him? Ask any current player, they prefer a teamate that shows a broad range of emotions…it shows he cares about his winning!
December 28th, 2014 at 9:35 pm
I didn’t see anything that looked like the Bucs were tanking it. They ran the ball well in the first half to take a lead. One of the smartest things you can do against the Saints is keep Brees off the field. So they didn’t convert – it didn’t look at all like they weren’t trying. I hope the Bucs remember Jamarcus Russel when someone suggests they look at that felon-in-waiting Winston from free seafood university.
December 28th, 2014 at 9:52 pm
The Bucs tanked it for sure! I’m willing to say that if the Bucs saw that the Colts were losing to the Titans instead of blowing them out that we would have seen a very different 2nd half today at RJS. I am pretty sure the Glazers were scoreboard watching and kind of advised Lovie how to “proceed” in the second half…. So now the big debate starts: Winston, Mariota or trade down for multiple picks ala RG3 or Ricky Williams? And shouldn’t the Bucs be on the phone right now trying to target some OC candidates with Black Monday coming up? Tough break that the Bucs had Marcus Arroyo as OC but I wish the kid well, I hope he has his desk cleared and has a U-Haul reserved for wherever his career takes him.
December 28th, 2014 at 9:54 pm
Bucs win division next season. Carolina proved what defense and a running game can do with a competent offense. Seattle did the same thing today, when your defense stops the run and holds an opponent to 3 points or less in a half. While it scores 14 or more in that half it forces the opponent to change their game plan and throw the ball more. That’s when mistakes happen and it’s up to the defense to capitalize on those mistakes.
December 29th, 2014 at 1:28 am
Carolina went 7-8-1 and fluked their way into the playoffs because the whole division was terrible. You need a QB to win in today’s fantasy football driven NFL.
December 29th, 2014 at 2:09 am
Bullspit Joe
Someone tanking doesn’t go for an onside after a safety and nearly recover it regardless of the odds
December 29th, 2014 at 5:14 am
Seattle whooed Denver last year.
Its all about defense and a running game.
We have 3 backs but no -O-line.
Our defense is going to be great.
We just need some beasts up front that can actually move people backwards!!
December 29th, 2014 at 8:14 am
Joe Says:
December 28th, 2014 at 6:14 pm
Honestly Joe picking Jameis Winston #1 Overall is a reach for a player with his trouble off the field.
So you wouldn’t have drafted Warren Sapp (pot)?
So you wouldn’t have drafted Derrick Brooks (free shoes)?
So you wouldn’t have drafted Adrian Clayborn (punched out a cabbie)?
——————
Adrian Clayborn never punched out a cabbie. I’m thinking you’re talking about Aqib Talib… and that was AFTER he came to the NFL. In college, however, Talib failed 3 drug tests for pot…. and NO! He wouldn’t be close to being worth the #1 overall pick in the draft.
If you want to make a point about Winston, use Peyton Manning’s putting his bare naked boy parts on top of the head of a female trainer while at Tennessee.