That Drive
November 25th, 2015
Cameron Brate’s touchdown catch ended a long Bucs drive. But it wasn’t the longest in team history.
As Joe gets ready to mental turn the page from the win over the Eagles to the upcoming game against the Colts, looking back, there was a lot to like about the play of the Bucs in Philadelphia.
The offense, the defense, it was just an all-round good time for a change. It seemed like the win was therapeutic for Bucs fans who have sadly grown too accustomed to having teams kick sand in their faces — like the Bucs did to the Eagles.
Aside from the individual play, the thing that jumps out was that beautiful clock-eating touchdown drive to open the second half. An 80-yard piece of beauty that ended in a touchdown and ran nearly 10 minutes off the clock, ending in Cameron Brate hauling in a pass from America’s Quarterback, Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston.
(And people wonder why Lovie Smith always defers when winning the opening coin-flip?)
The last drive like that Joe can remember was the first possession of the second half for the Bucs in the Super Bowl of January 2003. But there was a drive that was still long, as noted by the good folks in the Bucs’ media relations office.
Sunday’s third quarter opening drive was the longest for Tampa Bay since since hosting New Orleans in September of 1994, when the Bucs chewed up almost 11 minutes, 10:59 to be exact.
Holler if you remember that drive. Joe doesn’t. But given that came in mid-September, it must have totally gassed the Saints.
November 25th, 2015 at 5:36 am
Brate is without a doubt my favorite Buccaneer……
November 25th, 2015 at 6:22 am
I wouldn’t say he’s my favorite, but he clearly works his ass off for this team. I’m glad he’s getting rewarded. I expect him to continue to get snaps even if ASJ ever comes back.
November 25th, 2015 at 6:23 am
There may have been a couple of longer drives in our history, but that one Sunday to open the 3rd quarter will always be my favorite. Bucs were ahead at that point … but then they just bitch-slapped the Eagles and rubbed their face into the dirt. OK, into the grass (close enough).
November 25th, 2015 at 7:38 am
Can someone say two tightend set? When ASJ gets healthy and we start throwing him and Brate at opposing defenses, they will fear them! Imagine loading the backfield up with Jackson, Evens, ASJ, Brate and Sims. It brings a sinister smile to my face just thinking about it!
November 25th, 2015 at 7:46 am
After the Washington game & even Atlanta….having a lead doesn’t mean the Bucs win…..but that drive allowed me to relax and realize….we were going to win that game.
Being a Buc fan means that if you win, it’s usually because of what happens in the last 2 minutes….it’s rare to be able to sit back and enjoy a decisive victory.
November 25th, 2015 at 7:59 am
@BuccoBill:
Stop it, stop it, stop it!!!!!! Stop with all the ASJ stuff, the guys has done NOTHING in this league, nothing for this team, I do remember his fumble last year that was picked up and returned for a TD….
STOP THE MADNESS!!! Bucs are quite fine without him.
Irkel healthy? Could be a sign of the Apocalypse!!!
November 25th, 2015 at 8:10 am
@ TBfan,
I been saying for years Bucs win and loose close games on the last drive. I was confident that if Dallas didn’t score a TD after Winston’s second INT, that it would come down to the end very end.
November 25th, 2015 at 8:31 am
Maybe we could get a 4th or even a 3rd for ASJ. Guy has no heart.
November 25th, 2015 at 11:05 am
It’s hard to get enough celebration in after the last two wins as the next opponent in the way quickly approaches. The Cowboy and Eagle wins were big and unexpected in reality. Now the other teams take notice that these are not the kicked around and laughed at former Bucs, but a team on the rise and a team to be likely to lay a loss in your loss column.
November 25th, 2015 at 11:44 am
Brate is playing well. ASJ should have to win his starting job back, not just be given it.
November 25th, 2015 at 7:03 pm
Right on ! Warthog
“Brate is playing well. ASJ should have to win his starting job back, not just be given it.”