Dial Back The Negativity
August 18th, 2017
BY IRA KAUFMAN
Enjoy the moment.
There’s a lot of hand-wringing going on by national observers and even a few Buc fans about some of the things that went wrong Thursday night in Jacksonville.
Nick Folk had an extra-point attempt blocked and missed a field goal that caused Dirk Koetter to drop his head. The red-zone offense struggled at times. Jameis Winston turned in a bonehead play.
I get all that.
But all I know is Tampa Bay’s starters kicked Jacksonville’s starters all over the field. And after a mediocre game at Cincinnati, the Bucs responded with a crisp, solid effort.
You want trouble? Nothing to see here. Look elsewhere around the league.
The Dolphins, who open with the Bucs Sept. 10, have already lost their starting quarterback. The Cowboys head into the season uncertain about the status of the NFL’s leading rusher. Who knows what’s going on with Cam Newton’s bum shoulder?
Aaron Donald is withholding his services for a Rams team still trying to establish a new fan base. Donald Penn, who made his NFL bones in Tampa, hasn’t reported to Oakland’s camp because he is trying to make more coin.
Those are real concerns.
Are Buc fans supposed to lose sleep because Tampa Bay backups didn’t shine in the second half? Breaking news: most of those guys won’t make the 53-man roster.
Wave-Ready
I know Leonard Fournette and Jalen Ramsey didn’t play for the Jags, but I didn’t see Brent Grimes, either.
What I did see was Doug Martin running well behind an offensive line that pushed Jacksonville’s defense around for 30 minutes. In the first game he ever suited up as a center, Ali Marpet looked terrific, keeping Winston clean.
At times, Winston had enough protection to wave hello to Tom Coughlin in the press box.
The Bucs dominated the trenches, and Jon Gruden, who also turned in an impressive performance, is now all in on his hometown NFL team.
Let’s hope Mike Smith made a mental note to turn Lavonte David loose on the blitz more often this fall. Let’s hope Chris Baker is a heck of a player because right now, he’s a jolly big guy who loves the cameras and may not love football.
Based on what I’ve seen, Clinton McDonald deserves to start next to Gerald McCoy ahead of Baker.
Even some of the bit players got into the act against the beleaguered Jags. Bernard Reedy helped himself and Kendell Beckwith continued his astonishing recovery from major knee surgery.
Granted, the Jaguars looked awful in front of their home fans. Blake Bortles, only two years removed from throwing 35 TD passes, is about to lose his starting job to Chad Henne.
The ESPN cameras kept showing Doug Marrone pacing the sidelines, looking like an embattled warden during a jailbreak.
Breathe Easy And Smile; Team Glazer Is
The 2017 Bucs aren’t going to sneak up on anybody. With a 9-7 record and an enhanced array of weapons for Winston, word is out that this is a franchise you can no longer take for granted.
Koetter wasted no time getting in Winston’s grill following his Keystone Cops gaffe. Guess who was loving every second of it? The Glazers.
They want Winston coached up, not coddled. Koetter is eager to oblige, knowing his 23-year-old leader isn’t going to pout because of a little constructive criticism.
McCoy said the Bucs wanted to atone for a lackluster preseason opener. Mission accomplished.
You can nit-pick all you want, but I saw a good football team Thursday night. Perfect, the Bucs were not, but ask Jacksonville fans if they want to trade rosters.
When your biggest issue is finding a reliable kicker, you’ve come a long, long way. Nick Folk will either shape up or ship out.
My guess is he will be just fine.
Overall, my message to Buc fans is to take a deep breath, knowing you have little to kick about.
Ira Kaufman is the most beloved, revered and esteemed Buccaneers columnist in town. He has hung his hat at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters since July 2016. Tampa Bay’s only Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, Ira busts out columns here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and his award winning podcasts fire Tuesdays and Thursdays.
August 18th, 2017 at 11:55 am
While we are dialing back the negativity, can we please give Baker a fair chance in the regular season?
August 18th, 2017 at 11:56 am
I agree. I’m worried about that Winston play happening again at a more critical juncture, and concerned about the kicking game, but I loved watching our starters last night. Makes me hopeful for the season.
August 18th, 2017 at 12:10 pm
In recent years past, in preseason, our starting offense has been horrible. Nice to see them (and Jameis) starting fast! Its going to be a good year. Agree there is no point in nit picking. We are going to compete this year!
August 18th, 2017 at 12:17 pm
I couldn’t agree more! This best offensive line could turn out to be the best in Buc history. I saw a lot of encouraging signs, very excited about the possibilities this season. I feel a lot of bragging about my Bucs coming on!
August 18th, 2017 at 12:19 pm
Stop complaining. Expecting the Bucs to be in mid-season form by the second preseason game is ridiculous. Those of you who think winston will do that again after what just happened last night are foolish. I’m glad that happened – it was on a nationally televised game and talked about incessantly on sports programs last night. I guarantee that is the #1 coaching point for Koetter and company to grill into Winston this week (we’ll see a lot of that on Hard Knocks, I’m sure).
And let’s not forget the PERFECT bomb that winston dropped perfectly into Mike Evan’s hands for the easiest TD imaginable a few plays before that. Are you kidding me? That was was just as bad and a play Mike makes 95 times out of 100. He catches that simple pass and we’re crowning Winston as an MVP frontrunner this morning.
August 18th, 2017 at 12:29 pm
Agree Ira
That’s I want to see more of the starters out there than the 2nd 3rd team. I want to how well the starters gelled and it was a thing of beauty.
My only rant will be the rbs behind dm cuz of the suspension. This offense looks a little different wit out dm back there i.e. same problem of last yr. Even when the new weapons.
Otherwise it’s was awesome display of an elite offense
August 18th, 2017 at 12:33 pm
My bad. Also big props on defense alotta stand outs there. Run d game looked good. Pass defense was decent amid blown assignment’s again. I can live with that.
Overall grest game and looking forward to an awesome season
August 18th, 2017 at 1:00 pm
There’s the Ira we know and love. Nice article.
Good showing last night overall. That game would have ended up like 29-13 or similar if starters had played the whole game.
August 18th, 2017 at 1:08 pm
@TonyfromLA…. Spot on!!!
Thank you Ira!!! Another Touchdown Baby!!! Good Job!!!
The first preseason game of the 2017 season might be worth going to. We might see this offense firing on all cylinders. And what better opponent than the Cleveland Browns to light it up against.
Stick Carriers show the Browns the Dawg Pound has nothing on us!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!
August 18th, 2017 at 1:09 pm
Stick Carriers lets make the next game a sellout!!!!!
August 18th, 2017 at 1:12 pm
Good article Ira. Every other team in the league has pro athletes too. Every game wont be pretty, or a victory. The starters wooped up, all good. On the extra point calais made a hell of a play, gota tip your cap. The only thing i have a slight thougbt about is baker. For those saying wait until the reg season…fair point. But, the only things i wana see out of the preseason are effort and improvement. Not sure if ive seen either from him yet. Be is a buc tbo, so i am a fan..for now. Go Bucs
August 18th, 2017 at 1:17 pm
I thought Ryan Smith turned in a good performance. If he can step up it could change the whole dynamic of this defense. Grimes and Hargreaves could cover the slot in nickel defense with Smith covering the outside.
August 18th, 2017 at 1:17 pm
@Ira … “Based on what I’ve seen, Clinton McDonald deserves to start next to Gerald McCoy ahead of Baker.” Thank you for that Ira, that’s exactly what I was thinking. If Clinton can stay healthy, he’s a force in the middle & the perfect complement to GMC. Baker just looks slow & out of condition to me. Still wondering why he came out of the game so quickly last night.
August 18th, 2017 at 1:21 pm
Tony from Los Angeles Says:
August 18th, 2017 at 12:19 pm
Stop complaining. Expecting the Bucs to be in mid-season form by the second preseason game is ridiculous. Those of you who think winston will do that again after what just happened last night are foolish.
——–
You could have at least called me by username instead of going on P-A. I guess I’m foolish. Nothing you’ve said leads me to believe Jameis won’t make that mistake again. I’m a huge JW fan, but what was truly foolish was that play, and Jameis is good for one of those every now and again. If you don’t think so, welcome to the Bucs bandwagon.
August 18th, 2017 at 1:23 pm
Tony from Los Angeles Says:
August 18th, 2017 at 12:19 pm
Stop complaining. Expecting the Bucs to be in mid-season form by the second preseason game is ridiculous …
He catches that simple pass and we’re crowning Winston as an MVP frontrunner this morning.
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LOL … oh, the contradiction!!!!
August 18th, 2017 at 1:27 pm
If the starting defense did thatagainst a good offense I would be excstatic but its the jags….the playcalling was bad, the qb play was horrible by Bortles. lets face it had Chad Henne started it woukd havr been ugly. Lets see what happens when hue jackson draws up a few plays for them next week.
August 18th, 2017 at 1:32 pm
I can’t help but read Ira’s articles with Ira’s distinct voice in my head.
August 18th, 2017 at 1:49 pm
If you are not encouraged by that performance by our starters then I don’t know what to say.
It is fairly obvious the Bucs now have elite talent and a QB that I am convinced will win multiple MVP’s in the league.
August 18th, 2017 at 2:15 pm
Based on last night, I think Bernard Speedy Reedy has a real chance to make this team. Good article Ira.
August 18th, 2017 at 2:25 pm
Well said Ira!
Can’t wait to hear that moment between Dirk and Winston on Hard Knocks.
August 18th, 2017 at 2:29 pm
“The ESPN cameras kept showing Doug Marrone pacing the sidelines, looking like an embattled warden during a jailbreak.”
Lol, that may be the best analogy Howard has ever heard
Go Doug!
August 18th, 2017 at 2:33 pm
Ben
Winston has done it before, he migbt do it again…correct…the point is who cares if they win? He did that against oregon n lost. Last night they won. Plus it was ruled down. No idea what the deals about. I dont care if he does that every game as long as they win. He is a great competitor. So gota take the bad with the good, he doesnt wana give up on plays. It was a terrible mistake of course. They all wont be won on style points. As long as they are won weeebeeee happppyyyyy. Go bucs
August 18th, 2017 at 2:36 pm
There’s nothing negative about a victory. I just thought our Bucs left far to many points on the field in the 1st half. I counted 21 easy points we should have had in the 1st half. Its becoming a theme of ours to march up the field and come away with nothing or 3 pts. We will not beat the better teams like this. I did not see the Jags as a test. They are way down there at the bottom. We really do need improvement the next 2 games. I hope we get it..in the scoring Dept.
August 18th, 2017 at 6:01 pm
What Pickgrin said!
August 19th, 2017 at 3:02 pm
Baker understands the “game.” He knows as long as he produces on Sunday he’s fine. He may look uncommitted & uninterested at times but so did D.Jackson early in training camp. On the Ira Kaufman Podcast (Tuesday’s & Thursday’s) you mentioned Baker heckling the kickers during practice like it was a problem. As the season grows so will our appreciation this alpha male / bully mentality. Let’s just hope he has a positive impact on the field.