“It Was Tackling”
October 16th, 2017
Explained main issue.
The defense of the Bucs was so horrific yesterday, Joe thought for a moment Lovie Smith was fired by Illinois and somehow snuck into the University of Phoenix Stadium through a hole in the fence near the beer delivery bays.
Spotting a team 31 points is simply outrageous and there is zero excuse for that. That is beyond poor game-planning.
Now last year the defense had issues, too, before righting the ship after the beatdown by the Dixie Chicks. For months, we heard the turnaround was because of “communication.”
So yesterday, in his postgame presser, winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter was asked if communication was the culprit for having 31 points hung on the defense early in the third quarter. Koetter said no.
“It was tackling, it was run-fit related,” Koetter said. “You have to fit your gaps.”
Well, this best be fixed pretty damn soon if the Bucs hope to make a run at the wild card. Sure, the Bucs could make up a lot of ground when division play begins.
But after yesterday, it’s hard to believe the Bucs are any better than they were last year defensively. And that was before the communication issues were resolved.
October 16th, 2017 at 8:50 am
Never seen so many wide open lanes and wide open players
That’s coaching /scheme also
October 16th, 2017 at 8:52 am
It does not matter who is coaching when your defense is led and captain by a mentally weak career loser who has led more blowouts and uninspured performances than victories in his 8 years of excuses… can’t change the losing culture with the leader of losing culture cancer93 still on roster… I’m always right team will never win a game that matters with cancer93 on roster. Cancer93 could wreck a defense that had Reggie white and LT playing on it…pathetic career loser with a smile and the results prove it
October 16th, 2017 at 8:55 am
Yup
Sure
Sure
Sure……..Dirk
How about getting that waste of a signing fatty baker to do more…..???? PATHETIC!!!!!!!
How about GMC………..oh wait a minute…….he’s an empty uniform 95% of the time anyways, nevermind on Mr Softie….aka GMC
October 16th, 2017 at 8:56 am
tmaxcon-you dont know spit about spit. GMC is the least of this teams’ problems-youre just trying to fit your own narrative here
October 16th, 2017 at 8:56 am
Receivers were running wide open, the running lanes for AP were huge.
So much hype in the offseason for this. Its justthe same story every year for the bucs
October 16th, 2017 at 8:57 am
Offense 3 and out has to stop !! No flow to offense, spread 5 out and let’s move this thing
October 16th, 2017 at 8:58 am
How about accepting every kickoff from now on. Tired of seeing the offense losing 7-0 before taking their first snap.
October 16th, 2017 at 8:58 am
@tmaxcon
Please stop this endless hate for McCoy. I am as frustrated as you over our poor performance. But 93 is not the problem. IMO he is a good player and a better person. Your endless rants are nothing but a waste of space.
October 16th, 2017 at 8:58 am
Me
Results speak for themselves he’s a career loser POS with nothing but excuses and smiles after losses…
October 16th, 2017 at 9:01 am
He’s a career loser who is paid to win.he is a failure with a smile raise your standards. the tyupe of person he is off the field is irrelevant and meaningless. He has failed at what he is paid to to do period…you can’t rewrite history because you like the losers smile
October 16th, 2017 at 9:02 am
Tmaxipad
“Results speak for themselves”
The result of all your post, scream out that you are an idiot
October 16th, 2017 at 9:02 am
tmaxcon-I just think your anger should be directed elsewhere. GMC is triple teamed….where are the rest of the D line? After every game, opponent players and coaches come up to GMC telling him how they’ve had to gameplan for him. He’s doing his job-hes not perfect, and i wish he’d show up in 4th quarters more, but hes not solely responsible for these embarrassments
October 16th, 2017 at 9:03 am
It’s not a tackling issue when Palmer sits in the pocket comfortably throwing to wide open WRs. Nice try, Dirk.
October 16th, 2017 at 9:04 am
The back end of the D was lost and confused all night 28 just plain sucks right now and is scared to tackle besides playing soft as cotton
Wow
October 16th, 2017 at 9:05 am
Coaching clearly hasn’t been steeler.
I also think the team has been into some of Sabans rat poison.
But we have 7-9 8-8 talent after its all
Said and done.
You just can’t win in the nfl with Noah spence as your main outside pass rusher
237 pounds with one outside move.
October 16th, 2017 at 9:05 am
Stellar
October 16th, 2017 at 9:11 am
Does noone want to address the Elephant in the room?
When is the last time Jameis scored 33 points in one half?
October 16th, 2017 at 9:11 am
So they couldn’t cover anyone in the first half but made up for it with poor tackling. There needs to be an imoji for this.
October 16th, 2017 at 9:12 am
TRUTH, why spread 5 when your “franchise QB” can’t make the throws? He is consistently inconsistent. I have the same anxiety as I did without Freeman whenever Winston passes the ball. On top of that the oline is garbage and can’t pass protect long enough.
October 16th, 2017 at 9:13 am
SB Says:
October 16th, 2017 at 9:11 am
Does noone want to address the Elephant in the room?
When is the last time Jameis scored 33 points in one half?
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That’s not the elephant my man…..
All non JW admirers have seen his flaws for three years now
Fitz just cemented what we all thought from the beginning.
October 16th, 2017 at 9:20 am
VH3 is the worst NFL corner according to PFF.
He is currently ranked the #97 corner in the NFL.
However, the problem is the Bucs coaching.
They continue to not be prepared, have poor clock management, poor decision making and poor play calling. Tackling is only one of the issues.
October 16th, 2017 at 9:20 am
It isn’t just the tackling Coach Koetter it was a total failure on your game plan, play calling, adjustments, chasing points and a total lack of effort on both sides of the ball until the Cards went into prevent and helped the Bucs fight back. This was something that could make a top 10 list of most inept and embarrassing losses in Buc history and that is quite an accomplishment considering some of the bad football we fans seen under coaches Lovie, Schiano, Rah, Leeman Bennett, Ray Perkins, etc, etc….
Joe, funny you should mention Lovie, his fighting Illini managed to lose at home by 3 to Rutgers! Rutgers! Of course the way the Bucs D played yesterday I think quite a few Division 1 teams could have rolled up some points against that Coach Smith Defense…. Still, one of the reasons Lovie got canned was not having his team ready to play; Koeter has done that for both road games this season and you could throw in the Pat game to boot….
October 16th, 2017 at 9:21 am
Well I may be the only Gator here that was on board with the JW pick. However I am beginning to feel waves of doubt.
October 16th, 2017 at 9:21 am
No SB. They just want to keep making up excuses. Just like yesterday. They did not game plan for Fitz. Like their coach could not adjust on the fly.
October 16th, 2017 at 9:22 am
Dewey Selmon I concur with always accepting the ball if we win the toss. We should set the pace of the game with our offense not our mowed over defense. I sure hope Kwon is back soon. Damn!
October 16th, 2017 at 9:23 am
Tackling?! For one. How about coverage? The Cardinals have this little-known HOF receiver named Larry somebody (sarcasm alert!). We might have wanted to cover him, maybe!
October 16th, 2017 at 9:23 am
I think the team should forfeit their game checks as an apology to all the fans of Tampa bay. These guys are paid millions to play a game and they can’t get motivated for a road game against a team that kick you in the nuts last year. Inexcusable!
October 16th, 2017 at 9:24 am
Don’t let the garbage time points fool you. If Arizona wasn’t up 31 our offense would have looked the same as it did in the first half… terrible. Same as the NO/Detroit game. Arizona took the foot of the gas in the 4th.
October 16th, 2017 at 9:25 am
Sure. They just quit . So did the Pats.
October 16th, 2017 at 9:25 am
Oh, and the tackling wasn’t the issue. The fact that there was no one in the hole to even attempt a tackle is the real issue.
October 16th, 2017 at 9:31 am
SB Says:
October 16th, 2017 at 9:21 am
Well I may be the only Gator here that was on board with the JW pick. However I am beginning to feel waves of doubt.
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I actually watched tape on Venon “Marshmellow” Graves before he was drafted and I never thought he was a 1st rd pick……I thought he was a solid 2nd rdr……
but my lord, he’s playing like 4th or 5th rd pick….just terrible and it looks like he has regressed from last year.
October 16th, 2017 at 9:32 am
Tmaxcon
Do you read your posts?…..I know you write them but do you read them.
To state that GMC is essentially exclusively responsible for the 31, point lead is mind-boggling…..absurd and laughingly obtuse.
I certainly hope you aren’t a gun owner. You need a mental checkup….I’m not a psychiatrist or psychologist but even I can spot a nutcase when I read one.
October 16th, 2017 at 9:40 am
Tampabaybucfan
your team captain and highest paid player is responsible for when the entire UNIT comes out uninspired and flat. simple as that. I realize personal responsibility is a lost concept in america but take the C off if you can’t get your teammates motivated and inspired to play with passion…. 93 is a locker room cancer with a smile and a LOVE for losing and excuses for his entire career in the basement.
I”ll start blaming jameis when he does not have to make up 21 points each week because of his pathetic defensive leaders cant seem to get the unit to play with any heart until they spot a team 31.
October 16th, 2017 at 9:48 am
A. No huddle…pass…Pass…PASS!!!
B. 3-4 Defense & blitz on every down
C. Barmaid! A Guinness for everyone!!!
October 16th, 2017 at 9:55 am
Dirk needs to give up Playcalling duties. He needs to focus on the management of the team. He can’t do both!!!
October 16th, 2017 at 9:57 am
Funny! The offense keeps putting the defense on the field with each 3 and out…….yet, they are NOT to blame?! Hmmm. Isn’t this a team game?
October 16th, 2017 at 10:03 am
6 of our next 8 games, are on the road.
If some adjustments aren’t made, and made soon, the playoffs are out of the question.
The Arizona general manager and Jason Licht are great friends. It is almost like Arizona tried to save his job.
They for sure took the foot off the gas.
One of my cocky friends predicted that we would implode this year, and so far, he is correct. He constantly reminds me that Koetter and Smith were fired by Atlanta for a reason, and that Jason Licht is far from the second coming of Jesus.
As a fan, I want the Bucs to win, but I especially want them to win, to shut my cocky friend up.
Go Bucs !!!!!!!!!
October 16th, 2017 at 10:12 am
For those of you saying the running lanes where huge. G back and watch APs long TD run.
Give credit where credit is do…
AP was on a mission and we got burned on a couple big plays from him.
We came back and our D gave us that chance.
SO what we are 2-3. We got the short end of the stick on what was nearly an epic come back… NO QUIT IN THEM BOYS
BUT it wont keep happening this way.
Not every team has an AP or Brady or Montana.
This game showed we have a TEAM beyond #3…
I’M THINKING WE GO ON A 5-7 GAME WIN STREAK NOW.
Hears To Kwon’s return and the continued success of “America’s Got Fitz”.
October 16th, 2017 at 10:29 am
GRUDEN
October 16th, 2017 at 10:32 am
how about McCoy stop talking about the Anthem and start talking about football. This team is soft!!! Hargreaves is pathetic!!… I know this guy was a waste. He’s not big and doesn’t have top end speed. What was their to like???? He was drafted because he was a local. Wasted pick. Ridiculous
October 16th, 2017 at 10:35 am
@Tom
He should have been offered the job after 2 years ago. Fricken Glazers!
October 16th, 2017 at 10:49 am
I find it funny that out of the 33 points we scored Fitz was responsible for 32 of them. ya ya they were playing prevent defense but he hit them when it mattered and came back after a horrible int.
October 16th, 2017 at 10:52 am
and no i dont think Fitz is our answer, just saying i find it amusing which is the only thing i found amusing about this game. I was so disgusted watching the first 2 and a half quarters of Bucs foot-blah.
October 16th, 2017 at 10:54 am
I have to sort of give it up for Fitz.
That TD Pass to Mike Evans was a picture perfect throw!
October 16th, 2017 at 11:06 am
Here comes the save my job excuse train. Beginning of the end folks.
October 16th, 2017 at 11:21 am
It could be said that the lack of practicing skills e.g tackling, is why they struggle.
It can also be said that the Cards are under the same CBA and somehow they can tackle. Hmmmm
October 16th, 2017 at 11:22 am
Tackling is only one issue. All of us “armchair coaches” think we know what the issue is… let’s get real:
The defense needs to be tweaked/overhauled. Playing soft and spotting receivers multiple yards ain’t working.
Koetter needs to turn over play calling; some of the decisions made leave everyone scratching their heads.
The truth is that the Bucs have potential every year. And that potential
October 16th, 2017 at 11:25 am
Is never realized. These men are not being coached to read their full potential. Seriously. Not a single one – even the most talented – seems to ever reach the level expected of him. To me, it’s a preparation, planning, scheming, and coaching issue.
October 16th, 2017 at 11:36 am
Its been scheme…..its gonna be scheme until smith goes. I called this crap two seasons ago….they got lucky for five ganes last season…..this is the same defense as lovie.
Fire Smith promote Hayes
October 16th, 2017 at 11:47 am
sorry joe but this is smitty’s defense….this same defense got blown out a couple times last year….lovie aint the scape goat anymore….the goats are in the building….dirk and smitty….dumb and dumber….GO BUCS!!!
October 16th, 2017 at 11:50 am
AHhhhhh..the frustrations of being a Buc fans. Cry Havoc… let loose the dogs of Depression!! Grab some wood fellow Buc Fans..Grab a huge piece..and see a shrink for some..Anti-Depressants. WE got..lots more comin!
October 16th, 2017 at 11:54 am
Buccaneers now 1-7 when Alexander doesn’t play.
October 16th, 2017 at 11:55 am
PLAYOFFS? Make a run for the PLAYOFFS? Joe you kiddin me? Air express me some of that new concotion you drinkin this morning my dear sir. Rumor has it..Schiano and Lovie were seen adding a fresh new chair to their spot over in St Pete. Somebody saw the initials DK on a brand new reel and Rod Schiano was holding. They are just getting things ready for newcomer Dirk.
October 16th, 2017 at 11:58 am
The reality is that this defense is giving up 403 YPG. In 2015 ( Lovie last season) the defense was giving up 340 YPG. That’s a 60 YPG difference, this defense is on pace to being one of the worst Bucs defense ever.And this team has a lot more talent than they did in 2015. The 2015 defense gave up more points because of the turnovers and penalties.
October 16th, 2017 at 12:20 pm
Gerald McCoy has 35.5 sacks since 2013
The most of any defensive tackle in the NFL
Against the bills
Noah Spence – 1 tackle thats it
Robert Ayers jr. – 1 tackle. thats it
Gerald McCoy- 2 tackles 1 sack ,3 qb hits
You’d have to be a fool to think that McCoy is dominant.
Or DEs are getting Blocked and walled out by TEs and RBs
Pathetic
If only we had a DE. . . Or CB next to Grimes . . .
October 16th, 2017 at 12:22 pm
” a fool to think McCoy ISNT dominant.”
October 16th, 2017 at 12:33 pm
And now Y’all know why I..screamed for a DE instead of OJ ..1 catch per game Howard.
October 16th, 2017 at 12:36 pm
Rumor has it..Schiano and Lovie were seen adding a fresh new chair to their spot over in St Pete. Somebody saw the initials DK on a brand new reel and Rod Schiano was holding. They are just getting things ready for newcomer Dirk.
LOLOL….I needed that laugh so much….that was great!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
October 16th, 2017 at 12:49 pm
This head coach is way too soft. He is afraid of his players and afraid of his defensive coordinator. We need to get Jon Gruden back in charge of this thing from both a head coach and general manager perspective. He lives in Tampa and has hinted that he might want to come back to coaching. Now is the time. The Buccaneers have two games each with the Saints, Falcons, and Panthers. That is six more losses coming their way. I also hope Jamison Winston gets put on injured reserve, the Buccaneers have a much better chance with Bryan Fitz Patrick at the helm. The players in the locker room are getting tired of the preacher boy
October 16th, 2017 at 1:03 pm
According to PFF, we had only 4 missed tackles yesterday. I’m worried about this man’s understanding of the game.
October 16th, 2017 at 1:20 pm
I see a lot of emotional complaining on here. Yesterday was bad – our worst game of the season so far but there are several things to consider.
JW3 has played well. Not perfect but well. Coach Koetter has asked the “gunslinger” not to gunsling so much – to limit the chances he takes with the ball. He’s taken the Favre element away from someone who is a lot like Favre. It’s like putting restrictor plates on a race car. Since his coming out party against Pitt @ FSU, he’s largely been expected to be like that every time out. It’s just not possible. As much as he controls, he does well. Does he put in the work to get better? Yes. Does he value being the QB/Leader? Obviously. Is he the Franchise? Yes. So it starts with his play – but everything isn’t about him.
The concerns for me are when the line between conviction and stubbornness are skewed. DK and Mike Smith (more DK) seem to struggle with that. Our offense lacks motion and hot routes which means we are heavily dependent on always winning 1-on-1 or finding a matchup disadvantage. This must evolve. Our defense is another story. Save for GMC (yes, T-Max – he balled out yesterday), CM98, LD54 & Grimey, no one stood out. Our lack of gap discipline in the first half was shocking. Baker made one play in the back field yesterday but I was under the impression that he was going to take some of the pressure in the trenches off GMC. It hasn’t been consistent – just one play a game.
As it relates to VH3 – I’d like for someone to tell me when was the last as a franchise we drafted a Gator and it ended up well for us? Even in college, he was more bark than bite and their front made the back end look really good. He should move in with Grimey and do everything that Grimey does everyday (except Miko of course…LOL). Seriously, VH3 seems to concerned about getting beat that he’s actually getting beat. Football is a game of inches – you will win some, you will lose some – just play smart and fast and prepared and live with the results.
One last note – we have some good players – a few foundational guys that make it intriguing to be a Buccaneers fan. What I’d like to see is at least one run of consistency from both sides of the ball. As a long time Bucs fan (30+ years), I’ve learned that cautious optimism is the way to approach every season.
October 16th, 2017 at 1:55 pm
“buddah Says:
October 16th, 2017 at 11:54 am
Buccaneers now 1-7 when Alexander doesn’t play.”
Coincidence????
I don’t think so
…….we all saw how Carolina’s defense struggled when Luke went out of the game
October 16th, 2017 at 2:43 pm
Every single defensive player that was interviewed said that “we came out flat”. That’s on the coaching staff. I was waiting on one of them to as AP For an autograph during the game, while an actual play was being run.
October 16th, 2017 at 3:37 pm
*Repost Before the 2016 Draft
LUVMYBUCS Says:
March 24th, 2016 at 1:17 pm
It’s all about Trench Warfare.
All the rest – is just window dressing.
I respect everyone’s opinion bruddah. Just remembering how many times we’ve been down this road in the past. We never truly protected our former Franchise Quarterbacks.
• Doug Williams
• Steve Young
• Vinny Testaverde
• Trent Dilfer
Only to see them win with better protection elsewhere.
It’s almost like we’re chasing our own tails – every time we come to the crossroads – we don’t know which way to go. Successful franchises always make sure the fortify the Offensive & defensive lines. Why? Because we’re this game is played
So If a Blue Chip prospect is there draft’em. If not trade back – fill out the depth chart with grade A talent.
October 16th, 2017 at 3:44 pm
I’m looking at the coaches here on this one, and this is something that has plagued the Bucs for years/regimes.
That Vikings game, the offense/Winston/Koetter knew they were heavily handicapped on defense. They knew it would take 30+ to win that game. They came out through 2.5 quarters and gave us 3.
Saw several points left out on the field against the Giants, and watched balls sailing on the Patriots (either thrown or kicked).
When is this going to come together… when is anyone going to play to their abilities?
Why do I feel like I’ve been seeing this since Schiano?…
October 16th, 2017 at 5:21 pm
Gerald McCoy is doing his job. he is double-teamed on every play; so that means somebody else is 1 on 1; and they have not won those individual battles. What is Mike smith doing? I have never seen so much basic defense. We have the personal for a 3-4, but this guys refuses to make in game changes. We better find a way to get desean the ball quick, or it’s gone be a wasted signing.
October 16th, 2017 at 5:46 pm
Tmax you are a moron. Simple as that.