“Taken A Piece Out Of Them”
August 29th, 2016
Center/guard Evan Smith talked to Joe today and was adamant that players giving “in-game” feedback to coaches is critical.
That’s why Smith was all jacked up and barking at Dirk Koetter on Friday night against the Browns. Smith saw what the Bucs’ up-tempo offense was doing to the Cleveland defense. So he was yelling, “Stay in it! Stay in it!”
Smith said he wanted Koetter to remain in up-tempo “because I could tell that their defense was kind of gassed from those 10 plays.”
He wanted another 10 plays — he got a lot more than that — to bury the Browns.
Smith likes up-tempo for the Bucs since early tempo can completely wear out a defense in the fourth quarter — “because you’ve already taken a piece out of them.”
Smith, considered a pass-blocking-first center when he arrived in Tampa, is no stranger to tempo after playing with the Packers. And, Smith was the guy who spilled the beans on national radio that Lovie Smith’s initial offense, the Jeff Tedford offense, was going to be “up-tempo.”
As well as it’s looked in preseason, Joe doubts the Bucs will do a lot of “up-tempo” against the Falcons on opening day.
First, Koetter wants to run the ball, which is not well-suited to tempo. And Atlanta’s weak defensive line is primed to pounded by the Bucs’ run blockers. Second, a fast pace requires precise communication, something that will be very difficult on opening day in the cauldron-like Georgia Dome.
August 29th, 2016 at 1:21 pm
News Flash Joe: The Falcons have a solid run defense. What they lack is a pass rush.
August 29th, 2016 at 1:21 pm
I believe we will be 4-0 when we face the panthers 10/10….GO BUCS!!!!
August 29th, 2016 at 1:32 pm
CLBucsFan Says:
August 29th, 2016 at 1:21 pm
News Flash Joe: The Falcons have a solid run defense. What they lack is a pass rush.
Yeah allowing 135 yards a game ranking 31st in the league is very solid right??
August 29th, 2016 at 1:38 pm
207BucsFan: Not sure where you’re getting your numbers over there. They allowed 105 yards rushing per game and were in the top half in the league in 2015.
August 29th, 2016 at 1:41 pm
you would be right for some reason it jump to 2013 on me @ NFL.com so I must retract my statement above.
August 29th, 2016 at 1:42 pm
I can’t wait to hear the Falcon fans bellyache some more. Bucs confidently win this opener.
August 29th, 2016 at 1:44 pm
The most important message: Unlike Lovie Koetter, listens to his players.
August 29th, 2016 at 1:45 pm
See, this is where in-game coaching takes precedent. You do what works!
I like the up-tempo stuff, but I like the smash-mouth style more so. If it leads to a ‘W’ who cares?!
August 29th, 2016 at 2:00 pm
First, Koetter wants to run the ball, which is not well-suited to tempo. And Atlanta’s weak defensive line is primed to pounded by the Bucs’ run blockers. Second, a fast pace requires precise communication, something that will be very difficult on opening day in the cauldron-like Georgia Dome.
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Koetter should attack the opposing defense’s weakness. If thats both run and pass…then so be it. If it’s pass then pound them with pass, etc. Bellichick is a master of attacking a team’s weakness. If a team is stout vs. the run and has a real good pass rush…he doesnt care if he has to go no huddle with quick three step drops the entire game…..
The KEY is to avoid third down and keep the opposing defense on the field while scoring points. Just because our strength may be running the ball, doesn’t mean we should shy away from deep outs as eye-rah proposes against teams with weak secondaries lol
August 29th, 2016 at 2:04 pm
At last a Coach that listens and knows how to make game time adjustments. And yes communications from players is a help too.
August 29th, 2016 at 2:24 pm
We saw it as well on the defensive side too!!!! I wrote this on Saturday!!!!
The Exciting part of all this, during games, the schemes will morph and adjust to what is working!!!! We saw some exciting things Friday night scheme wise!!! Did you see the amoeba defense!!!! Where everyone stands up and in the last 2-3 seconds they line up!!! All the browns lineman heads were turning left to right trying to see who was going to jump in front of them!!!! and once the browns o-line was confused in the second quarter, They started to bring the heat with the zone rushes!!!!!
August 29th, 2016 at 2:26 pm
Two great points at the end Joe, and some good points made in the comments too. The key phrase I keep looking for is ‘off-balance’ … I’m convinced that Coach K’s offensive philosophy (like Belicheck’s) is to keep the other defense off-balance. Just when they’re convinced you’re going to run, you hit a quick slant or a screen or whatever. If they want to put 8 in the box, let ’em … then burn ’em with a QB scramble to buy time and a deep pass to VJax or ME13 or ASJ. The nice thing about the up-tempo to me is that the way Coach K runs it, it seems to effectively keep the other team off-balance … if Jameis is hot. As long as we don’t shoot ourselves in the foot with penalties and turnovers, this offense has a good chance to be very high powered. And for any who think that Atlanta will be a cakewalk, might want to think again. We’ve improved over last year, but so have they. Plus we’re playing in their house. Every game is a dogfight.
August 29th, 2016 at 2:31 pm
Buccfan37 Says:
August 29th, 2016 at 1:42 pm
I can’t wait to hear the Falcon fans bellyache some more. Bucs confidently win this opener.
I said the same thing about the titans game last year!
August 29th, 2016 at 2:34 pm
I say experiment with up tempo here and there within real games and try to get a feel for when it can be used advantageously. When its working – go with it. Jameis is good at it and as long as everyone is on the same page with hand signals and communication – up tempo offense can be a real advantage.
And Running out of the no-huddle is not a problem Joe. If we can catch them in nickle pkg and not let them substitute – then a nice draw play or even an off tackle run is more likely than not to gain 5 or more yards – especially with the quality of backs we have.
August 29th, 2016 at 2:39 pm
I have a feeling that as Jameis and Kwon grow this team into a perennial winner, the Atlanta game will become a 9th home game for those two here in a few years!!!
Go BUCS!
August 29th, 2016 at 2:59 pm
Nothing wrong with using the pass to set up the run. That would be a first in this franchise’s history.
August 29th, 2016 at 3:22 pm
If I ever see Jeff Tedford on the street I’m going to punch him in the face.
August 29th, 2016 at 3:24 pm
Atlanta look like hot garbage all pre season. I’m sorry if we don’t sweep them and the saints something’s wrong. I almost wanna include the cats. They look like a team happy with the fact they appeared in a Superbowl not one poise to make another run at it.
August 29th, 2016 at 3:27 pm
They should’ve never let Norman out the door. He was the pulse of they’re entire team not cam. cam a cry baby and they’re locker room knows as much.
August 29th, 2016 at 3:40 pm
I hope are run fits are shored up prior to 9/11… the run D has not been very impressive.
August 29th, 2016 at 4:29 pm
OK, I take back my prediction that the Bucs would beat the Falcons. Still think they have a good shot at it.
August 29th, 2016 at 6:18 pm
I see the tempo getting used a bit here and there to give the offense a jolt.
Probably happen more as the weeks pass because of a few things –
1. Like joe said, communication. Young team needs to always improve that.
2. The defense. Need to pound the rock sometimes and give the defense a breather.
3. Mostly, though, I think it will be used to get the offense going and get some points to get a lead.
August 29th, 2016 at 6:22 pm
As for the Falcons – I see them being able to do both pass and run on them.
If JW stays calm and doesn’t get so amped up where he overthrows a bunch, they can drop 30+ first game with 300 passing and Dougy e fresh getting 100.
I’m being very optimistic, but the point is —
The potential and the players and the coaching are there. FINALLY!!
I want to also see about 3 sacks and consistent pressure through the game.
August 29th, 2016 at 8:14 pm
Jameis and koetter say the same stuff every week. ” Take it week by week.” I don’t know whats gonna happen with any of these games but from what I can see is these guys are hungry and Dirk, Smitty, and Jameis aint puttin up with any nonsense.
August 30th, 2016 at 7:13 am
I say it will be whatever Jameis wants.