Ira’s Top-10 Takeaways Out Of Eagles-Bucs
August 12th, 2016
So what did a guy covering the Buccaneers beat for decades see last night during the preseason opener.
The Custodian of Canton, eye-RAH! Kaufman, delivers his top-10 impressions for your lunchtime pleasure.
BY IRA KAUFMAN
Dirk Koetter didn’t look happy – with good reason — following Tampa Bay’s 17-9 preseason setback last night. The offense and special teams struggled, offsetting an impressive effort by the defense in Mike Smith’s debut as coordinator.
Ten angles emerged from the game that will be long forgotten by the time the Bucs head to Atlanta for the Sept. 11 season opener:
1) Entering his fourth year as an NFL broadcaster, Ronde Barber has made serious strides. The Bucs icon is finally learning how to transmit his vast knowledge of the game to the audience while keeping it simple. He also is more willing to point out mistakes, as he joins former teammate John Lynch as a rising star in the analyst business.
Robert Ayers
2) The Bucs may have the makings of a deep defensive front. Rookie Noah Spence and Howard Jones provided plenty of heat off the edges, while free agent addition Robert Ayers showcased his versatility. Add in Jacquies Smith, William Gholston and a Pro Bowl interior presence led by Gerald McCoy, and this could be the year Buc fans are treated to a scary pass rush.
3) After the game, Koetter showed us once again that his candor makes for must-see viewing. “We scored nine points, so offensive coordinator … not so good,” he said, poking fun at himself. That’s the kind of self-deprecating humor that goes a long way with your players in establishing trust. When Koetter says he must coach better, it doesn’t seem like a cliche out of the handbook– you believe him.
4) In last year’s 26-16 loss at Minnesota in the preseason opener, special teams were shabby and Vikings quarterbacks completed 27-of-33 passes for 284 yards. That was a harbinger of things to come for the demise of 2015. Thursday night’s pass defense, aided by a strong rush, was stellar. Special teams, however, were anything but special, starting with a Kenny Bell gaffe that could land him in Koetter’s doghouse.
5) Russell Shepard is developing a comfort level with Lincoln Financial Field. His only career TD catch came at Philly last year, during a 45-17 rout. He scored again yesterday off a well-thrown ball by Jameis Winston. Known primarily for covering punts and kickoffs, Shepard senses a big opportunity to emerge as one of Winston’s key targets.
6) The wait for a double-digit sacker has spanned more than a decade and the search for a dangerous punt returner has proven nearly as elusive. Adam Humphries looks like a guy who won’t muff many, but he also won’t bring Buc fans out of their seats very often this fall.
7) How many years do we have to listen to Buc head coaches talk repeatedly about discipline, only to see a flurry of flags on the ground? The Seahawks are talented enough to get away with excessive penalties … the Bucs are not. Either the coaching staff has to teach technique better, or the Bucs have the wrong guys on the field.
8) Quarterback Chase Daniel looked awful for the Eagles and Mike Glennon didn’t exactly shine as Winston’s backup. Glennon’s lack of mobility was glaring when he floated a pass down the middle while being pressured, resulting in an easy pick. Glennon is smart and a hard worker, but his physical limitations are evident every time he takes the field. He didn’t take a single snap last season — and the rust showed.
9) Buc fans watching the broadcast were barraged by WFLA’s incessant house ads touting a new radar technology that will supposedly astonish viewers. My guess is it will show a bunch of thunderstorm clouds stacked upon one another, with fancy graphics and vibrant colors. I say ditch the radar upgrade and hire a few more reporters for a station that seems to be going to an all-news format.
10) Three predictions to monitor: Bryan Anger will beat out incumbent punter Jacob Schum, Kenny Bell’s days as a Buc are numbered, and Joe Hawley edges Evan Smith for the starting job at center.
August 12th, 2016 at 11:57 am
But, Ira, IT IS A BRAND NEW RADAR! How could you not be excited for that radar?
August 12th, 2016 at 11:58 am
If Bell doesn’t do anything for the rest of the preseason, I have no problem with him being cut. I thought he deserved a shot while healthy, nothing more.
August 12th, 2016 at 12:05 pm
LOL, I was thinking the same thing about that stupid radar. Just tell me when it’s gonna rain – that’s all!
August 12th, 2016 at 12:06 pm
I think the screen pass will win us a lot of games this year……
Our defense from top to bottom looked very stout…..
August 12th, 2016 at 12:10 pm
It’s way early but this looked like a game between two teams that might win a total of 14 or 15 games combined.
August 12th, 2016 at 12:11 pm
I enjoyed the radar ads ! It is exciting news, to me. I agree, this might be the end of Kenny Bell, after last night.
Special Teams need to get better, especially after what Atlanta did to Washington.
That returner of theirs took it 96 yards to the house, and I mean he can fly.
August 12th, 2016 at 12:12 pm
@lightningbuc Forecast every day from May 20 to Oct 5: “Really hot and humid with a good chance of rain later today” with the occasional “It’s gonna rain all day.”
August 12th, 2016 at 12:15 pm
I will say, that quote form Koetter was way better than “We messed up. All of us. Top to bottom” drivel Lovie spouted after every loss after agonizing loss
August 12th, 2016 at 12:16 pm
I was hoping for a better performance from Glennon I recently read on these pages that Glennon was starter material and had recently “Come into his own”… I guess that never really happened. Add Backup Qb to bucs needs. I am never one to give lovie credit for antyhing since he is a failure but maybe he was right sticking with mclown over glennon.
August 12th, 2016 at 12:22 pm
All of you had better pray..and I do mean pray real hard that our 1st teamers stay healthy all season. Because our backups suck to holy hell and beyond!
Injuries will happen. Our backups are weak..real weak. That’s what I observed. But maybe a lot of YOU..were looking at a different game.
August 12th, 2016 at 12:25 pm
Tmax
You started drinking early? As bad as Glennon played last night he’s still 100x better than he who shall not be named.
Im yet to hear anyone mention Devante Bond, he missed a tackle on KO coverage but he got around the corner in a hurry when rushing the passer. This kid is impressive can’t wait to see him play more.
August 12th, 2016 at 12:33 pm
The offense line was not doing Mike Glennon any favors. Anyone who says different is just a Glennon hater.
August 12th, 2016 at 12:37 pm
I want a radar that’s going to warn me when the lightning & thunder is going to scare the sh*t out of me.
August 12th, 2016 at 12:41 pm
But is going to be the most powerful in the nation. Even the military does not have it!
August 12th, 2016 at 12:44 pm
DB55
Yes i have it’s beer Friday. Glennon is going to walk therefore i was accurate with bucs need backup.
August 12th, 2016 at 12:45 pm
Maybe if it is that powerful they can help find the Bucs find some wide receivers!!
August 12th, 2016 at 12:58 pm
The greatest radar ever made by mankind. It has but one flaw that it cannot accurately predict the weather.
August 12th, 2016 at 1:01 pm
I enjoyed Ronde Barber calling the game. Much better then Lynch was. Gene Dekerhoff absolutely butchered his broadcast, but what else is new.
August 12th, 2016 at 1:06 pm
Ira, hitting on “WFLA’s incessant house ads touting a new radar technology that will supposedly astonish viewers” in #9 tickles me. I love it.
[Your last sentence, which Joe edited out, is a very good way to get banned. Tread carefully in the future. And please don’t feign ignorance. You know exactly what you did otherwise you would not have typed it. — Joe]
August 12th, 2016 at 1:13 pm
@Buccaneers- Gene is way too excitable. My wife and I were listening to a Bucs game driving home one Sunday and in typical Deckerhoff(sp) fashion….”McCown to throw, has a receiver open on the sidelines…….CAUGHT, CAUGHT BALL! Oh no, that ball’s been picked off!”
From absolute euphoria to dread in one sentence!
August 12th, 2016 at 1:16 pm
Quick poll:
If you had to choose a radar based on name alone, would it be:
A) Klystron 9
or
B) Max Defender 8
Incidentally, I don’t know about you guys but these both sound like arcade games!
I gotta get me a roll of quarters!
August 12th, 2016 at 1:29 pm
Not looking good for Kenny
August 12th, 2016 at 1:34 pm
I can look out a window (or go outside!!!) and see if it is raining. I don’t need a radar.
August 12th, 2016 at 1:35 pm
I’m glad I wasn’t imagining the inordinate amount of commercials last night.
August 12th, 2016 at 2:19 pm
The new radar ads were stupid repetitive nauseating self promotion. Big freaking deal! Glennon is only as good as those surrounding him. Barber let “hell” slip, is that even a bad word? What the hell?
August 12th, 2016 at 2:23 pm
i think if kenny bell doesn’t make the 53 (and based on practice reports and last night’s game he shouldn’t), he will find a home on the practice squad. they seem to like having him around the team and there is some skill set there, they could hold out hope that a year of not playing and practicing has taken its toll and that he’ll discover his mojo during the year
August 12th, 2016 at 2:25 pm
Can Max Defender 8 defend a slant pass? Inquiring minds want to know.
August 12th, 2016 at 2:34 pm
D-Rome- LOL! A stiff breeze could’ve defended the slant better than our D last year!!!
August 12th, 2016 at 6:39 pm
The love of everything that’s holy people ( and yes that includes you Ira) we can never ,ever have enough radar! Florida clouds are very tricky things. Without radar keeping them off us they would just come down to our homes and Crush us.
August 12th, 2016 at 6:53 pm
Having not seen Glennon for a while I forgot how bad he is. We need to upgrade at back up QB. At least Griffin looked better than him. He looks like an injured baby giraffe out there. It was actually painful to watch him after seein good QB play in Tampa the last year. As for Bell, the dude is just to small. He looks like a 17 year old kid out there playing with grown men. Don’t think he will make the roster this year.
August 12th, 2016 at 6:57 pm
No predictions about Jameis being a top 10 qb this season !
August 13th, 2016 at 10:55 am
I still can’t figure out why they call them weather men or women. Then somebody told me that it was because they really don’t know whether it will rain or not. Being wrong half the time is bordering on palm reader accuracy. The get paid for that? Damn, I could have been a whetherman.
August 16th, 2016 at 1:21 pm
Oh my God…you killed Kenny