Ira’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Rams
September 25th, 2016
BY IRA KAUFMAN
In the morgue better known as the Buccaneer locker room Sunday, the home team said all the right things. Players talked about the need for a quick rebound, with unbeaten Denver coming to town, but there was also an acknowledgement that an opportunity was missed — a big one.
Here are 10 items that jumped off the page after yet another forgettable chapter in Buc lore:
* There’s no getting around it … this was a devastating setback. The crowd was pumped for the home opener, the heat index of 115 should have been an advantage, but Tampa Bay didn’t get the job done with the Broncos and Panthers on the horizon. Simple as that.
* The Buccaneers have scored 70 points in three games, but their offensive balance is way out of whack. They are throwing on 67 percent of their snaps and that ratio is simply not conducive for success — whether or not Doug Martin is dressed.
* While the ground game remains a work in progress, give it up for the guys up front protecting Jameis Winston. In 58 pass attempts, Winston was sacked twice and hit on only six other occasions, despite facing one of the better front-fours in the league.
* Aaron Donald, arguably the NFL’s premier defensive tackle, was handled very well as he lined up all along the Rams’ defensive front. Left tackle Donovan Smith, beaten by Robert Quinn on a critical sack and strip, was the only offensive lineman that struggled.
* With five catches, including two touchdown grabs, tight end Cameron Brate reinforced the decision to release troubled Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Brate is the credible red-zone threat ASJ was supposed to be but rarely was.
* Through three weeks, Mike Smith’s defense has been rather underwhelming. Players continue to talk about how the new scheme allows everyone to make a play, but no one is making enough plays.
* The Rams converted only 6-of-27 third-down situations in their first two games, then succeeded on 6-of-13 against the Bucs. That’s not an acceptable standard when you’re facing one of the weakest attacks in the NFL.
* Somehow, some way, a better pass rush must emerge. The Bucs didn’t put enough pressure on Case Keenum, who joins Matt Ryan and Carson Palmer on the list of opposing quarterbacks who aren’t particularly mobile, yet weren’t made to feel uncomfortable in the pocket.
* Mike Evans and Adam Humphries were outstanding targets for Winston, who completed 19 of the 25 balls he threw in their direction. Evans made seven catches in the second half and he has already matched his 2015 total of three touchdown receptions.
* Dirk Koetter made nice calls in rolling up 30 first downs, but he’ll surely need to have better days in terms of clock management. He wasted precious seconds by not calling a timeout after a late 12-yard catch by Charles Sims and the game ended with Tampa Bay still owning a timeout. That simply can’t happen when the clock runs out with you on the opponent’s 5-yard line — and two downs to work with.
* In a game where Winston threw for 405 yards, the Rams averaged more yards per pass play (6.8) than the Bucs (6.5). Why? Keenum’s 44-yard touchdown throw to Brian Quick and a 43-yard scoring strike to Tavon Austin continued a disturbing pattern. During their 1-2 start, the Bucs have already allowed six completions of at least 40 yards. The long ball is killing this defense.
September 25th, 2016 at 11:28 pm
Ira
What happened to your boy McCoy today? Does he get a free pass again?
September 25th, 2016 at 11:30 pm
Koetter did say one time that his biggest fear of the HC job was time management..it is a new job for him..so of course he will mess up..
Good write up Ira..
I did see some bright spots in the Bucs among the clouds…Brate and Humphries..wow to both..and of course Kwon..I know I am leaving out a few more..
September 25th, 2016 at 11:35 pm
Verner is killing this defense.
September 25th, 2016 at 11:37 pm
Donovan Smith is soft… With his penalty drawing ass. No matter how much the Joes wanna pump up this OLine.
Three Games In & we have ZERO RUN GAME.
Look at Jameis’ jersey right before the lightning delay… Dude got roughed up all day.
OLINE IS SOFT. AGUAYO IS SOFT. AND OUR DEFENSE GIVING UP 30+ IS SOFT.
September 25th, 2016 at 11:38 pm
I’m surprised that Ira did not mention something about:
001. VJax – I’m not sure what is going on with him, but he does not look like the same player. He may be injured. He goes from no targets to a ton on the final drive. Unfortunately, he dropped a bunch when it mattered.
His blocking used to be above average, but now is not even mediocre for such a big dude. Which is big for our screen game.
002. Safety – Our safety play is atrocious. Conte, McDougald, and Tandy(?) are constantly out of position in the pass game!
September 25th, 2016 at 11:42 pm
Bright spotss..Take aways..PLEASE..Give me a GD break. We lost. by 50 or 1..we lost. And you know what? grab a big piece of wood cause we got lots more losing comin our way! And Ira will write and talk about those losses too.
I’m sick of this team. Excuses. coulda’s/Woulda’s/Shoulda’s…It is the SOB;s (same ole Bucs) tampa problem is it has always made coaches the scapegoat and not the players. So why Change. Lets let the anointed savior..Koetter and Co. get their blessing on the way out of the door also. How do you let a team who has not managed to score one single TD in 2 game come into your house and conduct a Barnum and Bailey aerial and track assault? Well guess what? Koetter and Smith get no breaks. You guys ran Lovie out of town on a rail. Run the lot of’em out. All of’em. Hell, Lovies Defense looked better than that garbage on the field tonight. yep, grab some wood Brother Ira, we got lots more (losin) comin!
September 25th, 2016 at 11:47 pm
I’m laughing at all the people who were worried Mike Smith would get a head coaching job after one season here. This guy will be lucky to still be a DC after this year. This sh-t unit is allowing more points than any other team in the NFL.
September 25th, 2016 at 11:54 pm
Ira don’t call out the deep balls are killing us, be honest…Grimes and Verner can’t run and teams see that! You scared to write that?
September 25th, 2016 at 11:55 pm
Someone please tell me if Noah Spence was spotted with Michael Johnson, George Johnson or a milk carton?
September 26th, 2016 at 12:04 am
Adam Humpries (walk on from Clemson) is better than Vincent Jackson (Washed up hall of farmer)
September 26th, 2016 at 12:28 am
Strange how the kicker was not mentioned in Iras rant! Guy missed an extra point and an FG. If he made those kicks the Bucs could have won the game via an FG or forced OT. Bucs were forced to go for 2 to try twice in order to make up for the miss. Unacceptable!
September 26th, 2016 at 12:37 am
The same ole, same ole
September 26th, 2016 at 3:45 am
I’m a Licht supporter and believe he’s increased the talent level on this team with improved drafting and FA signings, but damn this guy has two second round busts on his record already: ASJ and Aguayo. Clean it up Licht, you can’t be throwing away second rounders and hope to keep your job in the long run!
September 26th, 2016 at 4:33 am
Db55
You ever watch tape? Its called a double team. I think you mean what happened to all the other linemen who were getting singled, and beaten every play.
September 26th, 2016 at 6:22 am
All we heard was how Mike Smith and Jay Hayes were going to upgrade the D and pass rush this summer. What a mess, at some point we need playmakers
September 26th, 2016 at 8:39 am
Ira, We have given up over 80 points in 2 games. Our offense can’t out run that kind of dismal performance. Defense wins football games and we have not shown that we have one…
September 26th, 2016 at 10:10 am
Please correct me if I’m wrong but doesnt koetter have someone on his staff whose job is it to help manage the time in the end of the game so koetter can focus on calling the plays ?
September 26th, 2016 at 10:35 am
Our Safety’s are terrible, out of position way to often. Verner was burned because of an out of position Safety. If he was where is was supposed to be that pass in incomplete or picked off. No pass rush is also a major issue, AGAIN! With Denver coming in it is looking like a 1-3 start and a top 5 draft pick next year.