“Aggressive Posture” – “Conservative Decisions”
September 22nd, 2015
Trent Dilfer talks about offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter and Jameis Winston
Yes, Tampa Bay went all turtle late in the game against the Saints.
But the Bucs really weren’t playing scared of Jameis Winston and what he might do with the ball, says former Bucs and Super Bowl quarterback Trent Dilfer.
Dilfer, now a premier NFL analyst for BSPN, joined the Ron and Ian show this afternoon on WDAE-AM 620.
He explained that the Bucs had a lot of “coin-toss play calls” and opted to run based on the look of the defense. He had heavy praise for Jameis dealing with so many third downs (14), the most difficult scenarios for rookies. The Bucs converted 5-of-14 on third down.
“Here’s the term I’ll use. I thought they had an aggressive posture and the countenance to the offense looked aggressive, but they made conservative decisions. And that’s probably the best way to handle any young quarterback,” Dilfer said.
“You can’t just put yourself in a box where now teams can start knowing that you’re running the ball primarily on first down. … You still have to make some aggressive calls on early downs to get the quarterback in rhythm and make the defense sit back on their heels a little bit.”
For the record, the Bucs started 12 drives and opened them with runs 10 times. Joe can’t quibble, as the Bucs had plenty of success running in those situations.
To further illustrate that Bucs coaches weren’t fearful of Jameis, Dilfer pointed to the back-of-the-end-zone throw to Vincent Jackson for a score.
“The touchdown to Jackson in the back of the end zone, that’s a high-risk throw,” Dilfer said.
September 22nd, 2015 at 3:12 pm
Dilfer for next qb coach..love him or hate him he has pretty good insight.
September 22nd, 2015 at 3:22 pm
The Bucs used the correct formula for winning a football game, I’ll take it anyday over a loss.
September 22nd, 2015 at 3:22 pm
off topic but the Mariota titans have 4 straight home games coming up..I’ve never seen a schedule like that. WTF???
September 22nd, 2015 at 3:29 pm
I don’t mind some of the running late….but we should have tried to get Martin to the outside more often….their defense had to be getting a bit tired. Too many runs up the middle.
September 22nd, 2015 at 3:40 pm
Agreed tbbf, a few too many runs off the LT, it did become predictable. At least mix it up a bit with a quick slant or screen pass, or run to the outside to at least keep the defense on their heels.
We can’t do that against the better teams, or we will end up of losing. That game was very close towards the end, I really hope the coaches see they need to be just a bit more aggressive in those situations.
September 22nd, 2015 at 3:52 pm
“Tampabaybucfan Says:
September 22nd, 2015 at 3:29 pm
I don’t mind some of the running late….but we should have tried to get Martin to the outside more often….their defense had to be getting a bit tired. Too many runs up the middle.”
Thought the same thing exactly. A pitch or something. Up the middle was not happening. A few more firsts would have iced things much easier.
September 22nd, 2015 at 4:00 pm
It was a high risk throw but he threw it so that even if Vjax didn’t make the catch no one could at least
September 22nd, 2015 at 4:06 pm
@Bucco Brice
That means little home field advantage in the second half of the season for them.
September 22nd, 2015 at 4:08 pm
Tampabaybucfan Says
“…but we should have tried to get Martin to the outside more often…”
I was saying that all during the second half. He made yards primarily on the outside in the first half. Nearly every time he ran up the middle they stuffed the run.
September 22nd, 2015 at 4:09 pm
Coaches are rarely aggressive enough to satisfy fans. There are only a couple exceptions.
September 22nd, 2015 at 4:09 pm
Yea that is kinda strange Bucco,but if those DC are not hand cuffed by the league it really won’t matter. Jamies a four game home stretch ever in his career,Methusala wouldn’t wait on that.
September 22nd, 2015 at 4:39 pm
I agree with TBBF and all the others about the overemphasis of running it up the gut.
Having said that the screen play late was a thing of beauty if not for the braindead call by the zebra negating a big call. That call and the two quick fumbles are far more responsible for making this a nail biter than any play calling.
September 22nd, 2015 at 5:01 pm
StPete, I thought the same thing. The Bucs actually ran a good screen pass, I was cheering my head off! Last few years, screeen pass attempts were complete train wrecks. I do also think going turtle and playing not to loose will burn you more times than not. If Brees wouldn’t have had a hurt shoulder, we might be having a different conversation. But at the end of the day, a win is a win, and win’s build confidence, string together a couple and great things will happen. Hope the D decides to show up for all the rest of the games this year.
September 22nd, 2015 at 5:55 pm
Jesus they won. I love JW and think he will be great but I would be uncomfortable letting him sling it all over the place with a late lead. It was only his second game in the NFL. Rookies make mistakes. If he had thrown a pick and the Bucs lost you guys would be crucifying Lovie for letting him do that.
September 22nd, 2015 at 6:02 pm
Isn’t it ironic that we played conservative to try to avoid a possible interception and we fumbled twice?
September 22nd, 2015 at 6:55 pm
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed defensive end Josh Martin to reinforce their pass rush, the team announced today. The defensive end was an undrafted free agent out of Colombia in 2013 and has played 19 games for the Kansas City Chiefs over the past two years, registering 14 tackles, a forced fumble and half a sack as well as 13 special teams tackles. At 6’3″, 245 lbs. he’s a little undersized, but could have the right size for a speed rusher in the Bucs’ defense.
To make room for Martin, the team released defensive end Kourtnei Brown. Brown was claimed off waivers after final cuts, and played 19 snaps this past Sunday. He apparently did not quite impress the coaching staff, who are still waiting for T.J. Fatinikun to return from injury. The Bucs already signed tight end Cameron Brate to replace Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who’s expected to miss four to six weeks with injury, releasing linebacker Orie Lemon to make room for him
The team also released preseason favorite Rannell Hall from the practice squad, in addition to defensive tackle Derrick Lott and linebacker Julian Stanford. They signed Lemon , wide receiver Evan Spencer and guard Martin Wallace to replace them. Spencer is the son of Bucs running backs coach Tim Spencer.
September 22nd, 2015 at 6:59 pm
Josh Martin played at Columbia U, so the Bucs signed 2 Ivy League players today to their roster.
September 22nd, 2015 at 7:13 pm
I appreciate the heads up Lakeland. Them arse hole at bspn would’ve never shed the light. Thanks to you I ain’t gotta wait on it.👍
September 22nd, 2015 at 7:40 pm
Thanks Lakeland,
Too bad about Hall, really think he’s gonna make a difference somewhere. Was hoping it would be in Tampa..
September 22nd, 2015 at 7:54 pm
That running it up the middle is so freaking predictable of the bucs later and constantly also!!!! 1st down up the middle. 2nd down up the middle. 3rd throw for first where we usually end up punting on 4th. SWITCH IT UP!!!
September 22nd, 2015 at 7:55 pm
TBBF
I’m looking for to dotsons return, between he and Marpet on the right that instantly becomes the strength of our line. Just run right all game! Ha!
September 22nd, 2015 at 8:14 pm
Bucs Sign Special Teams Demon: DE Josh Martin (KC)
Source: Pro Football Focus (2014)
Special Teamer: Josh Martin (KC)
Only played 52 defensive snaps but finished with the best overall grade for special teamers. He also led kickoff coverage grading.
September 22nd, 2015 at 8:25 pm
Cowboys traded for Matt Cassel. Wasted opportunity.
September 22nd, 2015 at 8:41 pm
Good look LUV. Maybe we’ve just picked up our version of Steve Tasker.
September 22nd, 2015 at 9:12 pm
Who would you rather have? Matt Cassell or Mike Glennon? Not a good sign for Glennon’s value? 4th rounder? May as well just keep him. Defensive end Kourtnei Brown did not look good last Sunday in limited action. Winston had the most success when Koetter ran a two TE set. With ASJ out we should use an offensive lineman as a TE to block. When Dotson returns they should move Cherlius to LT. The OL would be –
LT Cherlius – LG Mankins – C Marpet – RG D. Smith – RT Dotson
Does anyone think WR Evan Spencer has a better upside than WR Rannell Hall?
September 22nd, 2015 at 9:54 pm
bucsbedabest Says:
LT Cherlius – LG Mankins – C Marpet – RG D. Smith – RT Dotson
No way.
Should be
LT D Smith LG Mankins C Anyone but E Smith RG Marpet RT Dotson
September 22nd, 2015 at 10:33 pm
@BucBonzai
What did the Cowboys give up for Cassell…until we know that we do not know it was a “wasted opportunity”.
We are going to see this sudden rash of signings because at the end of this month the selection order of who gets first pick at the waiver wire will change. Amazingly we will no longer be the worst team in the league picking first!!!
I like the picks but it’s an “honor” I’m willing to surrender!
September 22nd, 2015 at 10:54 pm
The reason we ran the ball in the forth was main to run the clock. I dont think it had anything to do with fear of jameis throwing a int in that situation.
I dont agree with that philosophy…. Running the ball when they know we are going to run the ball is setting yourself up for failure. 3 consecutive runs and a punt knocks off 2-3 minutes on the clock. But an 80 yard 15 play drive can seal the game. Id rather seal the deal and go for the knock out punch. Calling plays to run clock, instead of score points, is pretty stupid imo. Sure some scenarios its necessary, but that was not the situation. Yes you want to run the clock, but you also want to get first downs. Playcalling should always be done with getting first downs in mind. A third and long run up the gut is the stupidest play ever.
And yeah you dont want to throw all three downs and end up only taking 30 seconds off the clock, but you gotta make it easy throws and screens, just to keep the defense honest. Thats the worst thing about the bucs offense, we are predictable and that makes it easy for the defense.
September 22nd, 2015 at 11:20 pm
GLENNON- I read the best scenario for him. They signed that other WB to give him a year in the system. To groom him as backup. Glennon will remain backup this year then be traded and the other kid steps in as backup at that point.
Makes sense to me unless a team (Bears, Cowboys) get desperate and offer a 3rd. Otherwise they will bide their time.
September 22nd, 2015 at 11:21 pm
As for this chatter by fans thinks Marpey is moving to center… Not a chance. They are for spending a year grooming him at guard after he played tackle in college. They aren’t going to turn around and move him again.
Besides, he has the makings of a beast at guard.
September 22nd, 2015 at 11:42 pm
@Dave
Marpet is a better center than Guard.
And I would say it all depends on how Evan Smith and his backups do. Yes, he’s doing well at guard, but the center is a more important position.
September 22nd, 2015 at 11:42 pm
Wait…why am I even talking to you?
September 23rd, 2015 at 12:47 pm
I cant stand Dilfer. He thinks he is relevant since he was carried to a SB. A poor QB and an ever worse analyst. He still pouts over being benched for Grbac ( however you spell his name ).
September 23rd, 2015 at 12:54 pm
Late in the game, with a 2 score lead is the time to go for the jugular and end any chance for a comeback