Down Four Starters Hurt
August 27th, 2017
Discusses offense last night.
Yes, it was frustrating watching the Bucs offense last night.
Joe won’t even touch Ryan Fitzpatrick’s second half stuff. But when America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, had the ball, he moved the offense until it got deep into Browns territory and then imploded.
Three Nick Folk field goals, including a 43-yard kick in the rain, were the only points the Bucs could muster.
Joe can’t help but think the Bucs being down four starters on offense hurt. Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson, Demar Dotson and Kevin Pamphile didn’t dress for the game. Hey, when you take two of the best wide receivers away, that’s rough. In fact, if you looked at the offense last night, it resembled last year when Evans and Brate were the only legitimate threats.
Joe talked to right guard J.R. Sweezy after the game. He winced when Joe brought up the offense down four starters likely handcuffed the offense. But he admitted it sure didn’t help.
“Of course when you have guys who are that talented, there is going to be a little bit of a drop off,” Sweezy said. “We have guys who stepped up and they can do it and do it well.”
Sweezy was speaking specifically of rookie wide receiver Chris Godwin who had a nice game as a starter, catching four of five targeted passes for 59 yards.
“With the o-line, it’s about cohesion,” Sweezy said. “When you are working with different guys, I think it played into it a little bit.”
Joe is not trying to make excuses. It sure looked as if the misplaced Calgary Stampeder, Donteea Dye, got robbed of a touchdown on a review challenge. That would have been the difference in the game right there.
You can’t convince Joe missing two of the NFL’s best receivers didn’t negatively effect on the offense.
August 27th, 2017 at 8:08 am
Dye’s catch looked good except there is a process to making a catch in the end zone and receiver had possession when he went airborne to make the catch, dragged feet in and as he went out of bounds he had possession.
As he came to the ground and turned around and landed, when he hit the ground with his arms the ball moved around and it one of the camera angles it appeared he didn’t have control for a brief moment in time as he was rolling over.
It was very close in real time but slowed down from different angles on the TV I had my doubts. If that’s Mike Evans with his giant hands, that ball wouldn’t have wiggled like that.
August 27th, 2017 at 8:30 am
Sweezy was a joke last night along with Donovan Smith. Going to be a rough disappointing year if these two overrated players can’t start living up to the constant hype
August 27th, 2017 at 9:00 am
Of course it mattered. Think of the browns last night without britt and coleman. Id prefer they miss all the preseason games after seeing the edelman injury other night. Lets get miami ready. Go bucs
August 27th, 2017 at 9:08 am
But it’s only preseason…
August 27th, 2017 at 9:46 am
I’m not fretting.
August 27th, 2017 at 9:51 am
It didn’t help the Bucs score or Red zone production that Dontae Dye’s touchdown catch was ruled incomplete by the Idiots wearing Black & White strips… How much clearer could there be a completion with all phases visual… Ball is caught with control maintained, both feet down in the end zone and Dontae maintained ball control after he hit the ground. WTH?
August 27th, 2017 at 10:08 am
@Joe
Since training camp is over and fans are no longer at practice…how about you guys?
With “secret” practices now available and the 4th preseason game meaningless do we suppose DK is going to start his “install” and game plan for Miami. He’s got two weeks to use his creativity…I think we’re going to be fine.
August 27th, 2017 at 11:34 am
At Miami we will start attacking the end zone sooner with DJax. At our 40 or mid field watch Jamies hit DJax or even Howard up the middle.
The Miami game will be fun to watch.
Last night it was good to know Sweezy is still able to contribute after last years back issue.
All is right on track.
August 27th, 2017 at 1:37 pm
I think we have to temper our expectations with this team. The pass rush just isn’t there. Besides Dougie our RB’s are blah. And the red zone picks from Jameis are worrisome.
August 27th, 2017 at 2:24 pm
I bleed pewter and red, but have to admit that Cleveland played pretty well. Their new QB DeShone Kaiser looked impressive. It would have been nice to see him pressured though.
August 27th, 2017 at 8:14 pm
Not worried about Bucs- except Pass rush
Which we apoarently are under an Egyptian curse, and cannot ever aquire a pass rushing Defensive end
Kaizer looked really good. Think Cleveland may finally have their QB
August 29th, 2017 at 8:09 am
Cautious optimism, just curious his baby
Superbowls have you played in and how many
Rings do you have