Flipping Off The Freakout
September 2nd, 2017
More takes from JoeBucsFan.com Saturday columnist Gil Arcia (@PewterNerdGil).
By GIL ARCIA
The preseason has concluded. Roster cuts are underway. The 2017 NFL regular season is upon us.
Thank goodness.
This preseason was unbearable.
I don’t know if it was because the Buccaneers’ depth was nauseating to watch, or because of the weekly freakout about the offense not scoring touchdowns by many who do not hold any weight in the organization.
Hey, that’s how regular seasons are now measured, apparently. If a team is great in the preseason (like the 4-0 Cleveland Browns), they must be penciled in for the Super Bowl. Book it.
Truly you don’t believe that, right? I mean, the Browns scored 68 points compared to the Bucs’ 43. But if the three touchdowns that did not happen actually did (same for missed field goals), Tampa Bay would be in the middle of the league for points scored. Then maybe we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
Since stats are all that many folks care about, let’s measure the 2017 Dirk Koetter Buccaneers against last season’s version. Now we’ll understand the hysteria circulating the offense.
2017
305.8 yards per game
10.8 points per game
19.5 first downs per game
34 percent third down conversion
-1 turnover ratio
2016
320 yards per game
19.8 points per game
20.5 first downs per game
31 percent third down conversions
-4 turnover ratio
Last season’s team finished 9-7. Using the freakout logic, it’s fair to say this team will finish with about the same record, or worse.
What that logic or theory does not account for are the additions of DeSean Jackson, OJ Howard, a (maybe?) resurrected Doug Martin, a stronger offensive line, and a much wiser, more efficient Jameis Winston in his third year. Still feel the same?
There is no reason for this offense to not finish with a much better record in 2017. And since stats really matter, a much better season statistically.
This was just the preseason. Relax.
Fire up Gil’s Nerds In Pewter Podcast right here on iTunes.
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:09 am
amen lol
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:28 am
We’re looking at a historically good Buccaneers offense in 2017.
I expect to see the best offensive production that we’ve ever seen in Tampa Bay and then some this year.
There are still questions about how well our OTs and RBs will perform – but if both those potential “issues” get sorted out satisfactorily – we will be among the top offenses in the league.
We have sick talent at QB, WR, TE and interior OL.
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:36 am
No fool. All these points were not put up by starters. They were put up by starters and backups. The wins do not matter. What does matter is driving down field and starters not scoring. What team in preseason in all 3 games the starters only scored 6 points in went to the playoffs?
September 2nd, 2017 at 10:00 am
Imagine how good we would be if we had a legit defensive end
And a legit right and left tackle ?
September 2nd, 2017 at 10:20 am
Many…including the Joes wish to pooh pooh statistics and I agree with Joe that how they are presented…which context has a LOT to do with their “interpretation”.
Agree with Gil completely for this reason. As a person who is the son of a bookie I DO look at stats. I studied stats…combinations and permutations a bit in school. And while they can be easily manipulated as Joe continually points out…when done properly they can have value…as in “Billyball”.
But here is what is totally stupid about using these preseason stats. The sample size is just waaaaay too small. There haven’t been enough plays to really make any serious pronouncement.
E.G. Statistically all the talk about #3’s lack of TD’s. ME13 could have had…should have had two…or at least one and the ball 1st and goal from the one. How often do we think ME13 is going to drop a pass on the goal line that hits him perfectly in the hand with the DB beaten? It happened in Jax…that’s 100% of time ME13 had the opportunity…do we really believe he’s going to drop the ball like that all the time? PacMan got away with a clear push off in the end zone of the Bengals game when ME13 had position on him. Is that call NEVER going to be made in the seasons…or maybe 50/50?
There are simply not enough plays from this preseason to make any concrete assertions.
September 2nd, 2017 at 10:42 am
The last two game didn’t even have the full starters playing one snap together so quit the bitchin
Half the starting offense was out in week 3
No starters were in in week 4
In conclusion your whining over 2 preseason games and a handful of drives in which apart from actually scoring the O did show plenty of fire power.
September 2nd, 2017 at 10:46 am
Seems like a lot of weight was put on the preseason this year. It is just practice for players to get work and glorified scrimmage games. People and certain media outlets need to lighten up.
September 2nd, 2017 at 11:32 am
Freaking out over final score or camp meat looking horrible in preseason games is only going to cause a fan stress and angst that is completely unnecessary. The only thing to be bent out of shape about is losing key players to injury during camp and preseason games. Thankfully we were fairly fortunate on that level.
We went 1-3 in preseason…..so what. Anyone really think with our starting caliber firepower playing the Bengals, Browns and Skins starters would have yielded the same results? I seriously doubt we would be 1-3 if those were regular season games. Some fans need to take a chill pill. (Remember that hypertension is the silent killer).
Go Bucs!!! Audios preseason!!
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:22 pm
Sorry Gil, but you wouldn’t make the 53 man roster with junk like this. Step it up man.