The Morning After
October 23rd, 2017
Joe isn’t sure where to start on this depressing Monday. The Bucs are now providing much more drama than “Hard Knocks” ever offered.
1. There is no way to sugarcoat this. The Bucs choked away a win. A needed win. An important win. Potentially, a season-turning win. The Bills have one of the best defenses in the NFL and held teams to an average of just under 15 points a game. Yet the Bucs went on the road in a very tough environment and put up 27 points… and it all goes poof! Just like that. Coughing up 75 yards and a touchdown on three freaking plays late in the fourth quarter against a bottom-feeder offense like that? Getting burned by a receiver who hasn’t been on the Bills’ payroll for a week? Making Tyrod Taylor look like John Elway? One could argue T.J. Ward and/or Swaggy Baker, who teed off on Bucs defensive coaches (read: defensive coordinator Mike Smith) after the game, wanted to lose. Problem with that theory is Ward wasn’t even on the field during a critical defensive outing. Why? Is he out of shape? Does he still not know the playbook? Have his skills eroded that much? Is he that much of a freelancer? Why? Why did the Bucs sign the Pro Bowl safety if he’s not going to play when you need your best players on the field? Winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter said at the time of the Ward signing that you cannot have too many good players. Well, apparently Mike Smith can. What’s the point of spending $4 million of Team Glazer loot on the guy if he’s going to stand and watch on the sidelines like a towel boy in a crucial moment?
2. So now we have an insurrection brewing in the locker room. First Ward pops off about Smith. Then Swaggy Baker chimed in. Who is next? How long before DeSean Jackson starts kvetching? How long before Mike Evans stomps a foot complaining about touches, or lack thereof? This is a potential powder keg. And it will only get worse unless Mike Smith somehow finds some pixie dust to cure things. And now! The last coach Joe knows that lost the locker room was Raheem Morris. Joe did have players contact him directly during the sad Lovie Smith days complaining about Lovie’s apparent cluelessness. Joe never went public with the grievances as the players approached Joe in confidence. This, what is festering with Ward and Baker and who knows who else, is public. That’s a big issue. Look, Morris lost his job, in part, to losing the locker room. A big reason why former Bucs commander Greg Schiano was launched was leaky, sleepy Josh Freeman went mental. Now you have two veteran players openly calling out the motives of their defensive coaches. This rarely ends well for a coordinator. Look at what happened to Ken Zampese, the former Bengals offensive coordinator when A.J. Green openly talked about Zampese’s shortcomings earlier this year. Days later, Zampese was gone. How Koetter is able to control this and calm everyone down will likely go a long way to determining his long-term status with the team.
3. On face value, it’s bad when veteran players, especially a Pro Bowl player, calls out his coordinator. But on the flip side, is it terrible thing what Ward and Baker are complaining about? Look, Baker and Ward could just be quiet malcontents and just go through the motions and collect their beefy checks and be happy. But they aren’t. Ward wants to make a difference and he apparently wants to win enough that is p!sses him off when he sees his defense choke away a win and he’s standing on the sidelines, helpless as an equipment manager. He even admitted he’s frustrated because he wants to help. So after some thought, Joe isn’t down on Ward here. Sure, it may have been better if he went to Koetter personally. It could be worse; Ward could just be loafing through the season happy to still be pulling a check in the NFL.
4. Joe is pretty sure someone’s head is going to roll but who is the question mark. Yeah, it’s hard to defend Mike Smith right now. Joe loves the guy and he is a class act through and through. But again, this isn’t high school and it sure isn’t college. Smith is being paid handsomely to produce results. Not for his opponents, but for the Bucs. Smith is a fantastic guy but he’s not being paid to be cool. The trick here is, Smith just re-upped his contract last winter with the Bucs. Is Team Glazer going to eat that so quickly? And frankly, Joe thinks Koetter secured his job yesterday. In a loss. Yeah, really. Again, Koetter’s offense rang up 27 points on one of the best defenses in the NFL, on the road with a quarterback who had a sprained throwing shoulder and no running attack to speak of. That’s pretty damn impressive if you ask Joe. Offense wasn’t the issue yesterday. Koetter even showed needed versatility as well. Yes, the loss was gut-wrenching, but you can’t hang the loss on Koetter or his offense. For those livid folks wondering, Team Glazer has never fired a head coach midseason. Former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik did can an offensive coordinator in the 2009 preseason, Jeff Jagodzinski. And Raheem Morris defrocked Jim Bates as defensive coordinator midseason. Lovie Smith clipped told Jeff Tedford to hit the road, and he clipped Leslie Frazier’s wings seemingly in training camp in 2015 (he stayed on staff but he was nothing more than a figurehead).
5. Once again the Bucs running game didn’t show up. The Bucs averaged 2.8 yards a carry which is, well, lame. Sure, Doug Martin had a couple of nice runs yet he still averaged 2.5 yards a carry which simply isn’t going to get the job done for any NFL team.
Trinkets: It was refreshing to see Koetter work in new wrinkles. Yeah, he still loves to call a pass play that hasn’t worked yet this year: a bomb to DeSean Jackson. Sure, it’s OK to try that once or twice a game, if nothing else but to scare the wits out of cornerbacks. But why must Koetter call this play four times a game or more? Everyone in the stadium and watching on TV know America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, and Jackson have not connected yet. So why continue to call a play multiple times a game that doesn’t work? Even Daryl “Moose” Johnston on FOX stated not every pass play from Koetter has to be a bomb. Finally Koetter seems to be catching on and had Jameis throw short twice to Jackson in space to allow Jackson to use his wheels. Joe also liked how Koetter mixed in O.J. Howard more, and responded with six catches for 98 yards on six targets. Versatility in the passing game is not a bad thing. … Oh, the one time Jameis and Jackson connected on a bomb, wouldn’t you know it, Donovan Smith got flagged for a shaky holding call. Of all the times that play hasn’t worked, Smith decides the one time to get flagged the one time it connects. Unreal. … This defense would really be in a sorry state without Lavonte David. Say what you want about some players, but David was balling out all game long and had another key strip-fumble late in the game. … Trading deadline is a week from tomorrow. Will the Bucs be active? Given how jobs might be on the line, maybe there might be a transaction or two?
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:06 am
GMC aka “Mr Softie” didn’t show up again
Did he even dress out????
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:08 am
The ship is sinking fast. I really hope the coaches plug the holes quickly before it gets really ugly.
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:09 am
The defense is bad, no doubt!!! But 3 offensive turnovers does not help the bad defense!!!!!!!! Last year, around this time, The defense picked this team up and carried it to a winning record!!!! Can the offense do the same this year?????? Bucs beat themselves several times and only lost by 3 on the road to a good team!!!!! It is close and I do not think “heads should roll” as Joe is Suggesting!!!!!! Fix the D-line and see what the team actually has!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:12 am
Trade mccoy, ward and djax to contenders get some draft picks and then get a new GM
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:15 am
There is a deeper issue here
There is something going on with the team and in the locker room……for whatever it is
The defense and offense seems “off”…….there was “swagger” last year……this year it just looks like they’re playing more for a paycheck and look at self comments from players like fatty baker and BS Ward and their selfish “me first” mentality is making this ALOT WORSE.
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:16 am
Yeah, trade deadline coming: Call someone for a 2 for 1 deal. “Big Mouth” Baker and Ward can’t go f*ck themselves. Throw McCoy in too and get a young D Lineman and draft picks….Tired of this sh*tty team…..
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:18 am
The only players right now that are even worth a damn on defense are: Beckwith, LVD, Kwon, and Grimey…………that’s it
……that’s pretty pathetic
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:19 am
As the year goes on this old defensive team is going further deteriorate. Life long Buc fan but we don’t win shoot outs then we ain’t winning. Fire the w
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:21 am
I remember the announcers kept talking about Shady McCoy and how he was so confident that this was the week he gets back on track. It was this game. Lol
The Bills knew.
Why is it so hard for us Bucs fans to just admit it. We suck.
You can change the players
You can change the coaches
You can change the management
BUT YOU CAN’T CHANGE THE LOSER MENTALITY OF THIS TEAM
The Bucs are that girl every guy wants to take to prom, if you know what I mean.
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:21 am
Toothpick carriers!
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:26 am
you guys can talk and debate until the cows come home but the bottom line is NO TEAM captained by GMC will every win any game that matters or requires guts, heart or effort to finish…. gmc has a good get off but can’t finish ANYTHING a play or a game…
joe
you have to stop living in denial about your “Stud” DT that can’t finish… might want to look up STUD it implies he is potent when it’s proven he is impotent…
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:29 am
how many coaches does the soft one have to burn through before the glazer clowns wake up and realize their selfish choirboy fraud of a DT is the core problem and the main reason the bucs will never every get to the next level.
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:30 am
D getting killed and O gets a pass. The O scored 13 points in 1st 57 minutes and was terrible in 1st half but Dirk made some nice adjustments. TJ ward was Cut bc he doesn’t play at a high level anymore. So many weapons on offense, they have to be more consistant. This season is over, but at least we found a kicker… the kicker we had before we wasted two high picks on a kicker.
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:30 am
STUD = Ndamukong Suh
atleast SUH brings that passion, fire, and anger to the field
instead of GMC aka “Mr Softie” smiling, help players off the ground while your team is getting curb stomped in their teeth.
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:32 am
BS Ward and Fatty Baker needs to go……..the bucs don’t need their “me first” mentality…….that’s not what bonds teammates or a locker room
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:32 am
Major improvement from Dirk. Same ole same ole from Smith. These teams that are slamming them arent good offenses. No idea why he refuses to blitz more. Whats the worst that can happen…you let the bills score the game winning drive in 3 plays? Oh yeah that happened anyway. Get a new dc who can limit teams scoring. Thatd be nice
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:33 am
Perfect solution trade Ward and Baker for a respectable DE. But unfortunately that’s wishful thinking.
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:35 am
Jason Says:
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:33 am
Perfect solution trade Ward and Baker for a respectable DE. But unfortunately that’s wishful thinking.
————————————————————————-
THAT’s A GREAT IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:37 am
Stop looking for for reasons why this defense sucks. They just don’t have the horse’s. Sadly we need another off-season t to improve. Its the sad truth.
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:38 am
How to stir the pot Joe. I know that’s what media types do, but danged how about a bit of a broader picture.
1 – Sure the Bucs offense put up 27 pts, but it should’ve put up even more (I’ve said before that if they don’t score 30-35 every game, we won’t win with this defense). They turned the ball over THREE (3) times … 2 fumbles & 1 INT (and in actuality they fumbled the ball SIX times in the game, but thankfully only lost it twice). The defense sucked, but the same weaknesses remain and Buffalo took advantage (every team will).
2 – Hard to tell how good a job Mike Smith is doing WITH WHAT HE HAS TO WORK WITH, but one thing’s for sure: some of these guys on defense couldn’t play for my college team (Bama). I’ve never seen such poor DE & CB play in as many years as I’ve been following the Bucs. And the interior DLine … which I thought initially would be a strength … is totally flat. And I seriously doubt we have the talent to improve it all that much.
3 – If Baker & Ward ever pulled that stunt (mouthing off to the media) on Saban’s Bama team they’d be sent packing before they even got off the plane. If you’re a T-E-A-M player, you resolve that kind of stuff in-house. No exceptions.
4 – Smitty’s safe til the end of the season at least. This team is stocked with a number of marginal players who couldn’t even make it to 2nd or 3rd string on most good defenses. No amount of defensive scheming can overcome such a drastic lack of talent. And yes, someone needs to put a sign on Licht’s desk that reads ‘The Buck Stops Here’ instead of what he apparently has … ‘The Bucs Stop Here’. His GM job is to stock this T-E-A-M with talent, not just stock selected positions with supposed super-stars.
5 – Martin actually ran quite well yesterday I thought, considering that our OLine was manhandled far too often when run blocking. He did a good job IMO of just getting back to the line of scrimmage in several rushes. And before heaping praise on Dirk Koetter for his play-calling, consider that many on JBF have been calling for him to use the short passing game a LOT more than he had used it in the 1st 5 games. It was super-effective I thought, and it showed in Jameis’ stats. Many have called for several games now to use OJ more in the passing game, and to use DJax more in the short passing game. FINALLY he does it, and voila … it actually worked. Downright amazing.
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:39 am
Calais Campbell has 10 sacks and the Jags are rolling…just sayin’, Mr. Licht.
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:42 am
As much as I hate DB55 and tmaxcon’s (idiotic) comments about GMC, where was he late in that game? You could have told me he was standing next to Ward on the sidelines and I’d have believed you. Dude seemed to just be getting pushed around all game and was a complete no show at the end. Maybe these GMC bashers are actually onto something…
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:45 am
BucFanFromOH Says:
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:42 am
As much as I hate DB55 and tmaxcon’s (idiotic) comments about GMC, where was he late in that game? You could have told me he was standing next to Ward on the sidelines and I’d have believed you. Dude seemed to just be getting pushed around all game and was a complete no show at the end. Maybe these GMC bashers are actually onto something…
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
It’s not being a “GMC Basher” when you actually evaluate his “whole body of work” and see GMC and his play for what he truly.
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:48 am
Defense Rules
you must be a politician sir!!!! That is some amazing spin there….
martin ran good if so then he would not have had 2.5 yards per carry average.. maybe instead of cherry picking optimist view points you analyze the entire game and accept martin is garbage just like the other hold overs.
as far as the offense should have scored more… No they basically doubled what the bills allow how about addressing the real issue the piece of S…. Soft captain disappearing again and his soft arse defense folding like a cheap tent instead of getting a stop.
THE SOLUTION IS EASY SEND GMC TO DALLAS FOR A 4TH AND WATCH THESE YOUNG GUYS FLOURISH…
getting a 4th for a heartless crybaby would be a steal
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:49 am
Dusthty Rhothdes Says:
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:12 am
Trade mccoy, ward and djax to contenders get some draft picks and then get a new GM
Was thinking the same thing, maybe keep Djax and throw baker in there instead.
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:51 am
@Defense- No, no, no. LT whiffing on blocks, offensive fumbles and interceptions by our QB can ONLY be attributed to GMC!
I agree about the talent level. This game and the fact that EVERY opponent seems to cure their offensive woes only supports that theory. I’m even starting to question our LB talent.
And Martin. How can a back be met so often in the backfield?! Maybe try a FB more often? You know, one that can BLOW UP defensive ends the way that Ayers got BLOWN up! It seems like just about the time Martin gets the ball a defensive player is there to meet him.
BURN the page in the playbook with that useless bubble-screen! Burn it!
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:51 am
Joe, actually the bomb to Jackson did work yesterday if not for a bad holding call against Smith. It was not holding and as the DE fell on his own and Jameis did connect with Jackson. My opinion is that you need to keep throwing that pass at least 2-3 times a game to keep a defense honest.
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:52 am
I looked all the defensive backfield I could think of,and my conclusion is
that we didn’t get much pass defense from any player in the secondary.
Zeroes from Grimes ,Conte and TJ ward. Ward needs to shut up or be released.
He got burned for a touchdown.
VH3 led with 2 pass defense ,followed by Maclain with 1.
October 23rd, 2017 at 8:54 am
The problems with this team on offense and defense come down the line of scrimmage. We are getting demolished on both sides. The oline isn’t bad, it is terrible. These guys upfront, especially the sacred cow Donovan Smith. The Dline isn’t bad, it is terrible. These guys are getting crushed by blocks. Tons of missed tackles doesn’t help.
This is a talent problem as well as a perception of talent problem. These guys are all overrated and our sacred cow GM continues to avoid accountability and scrutiny for it by the institutional programming covering this team.
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:00 am
@Bob- You should use quotes for “passes defensed” with VHIII. One was off the fingertips of the WR and the other was poorly thrown. VHII and his finger-wagging just needs to STOP!!!
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:00 am
Bucsfanman
jameis and the offense showed up to play that can not be said for the defense captained by the soft heartless POS GMC… You must have hit your head the same place Hawaiian did… wake up my man and stop giving the fraud of a captain a free pass. he is already crying about fans being mean. instead of living in denial do something productive and buy the big foolish clown a crying towel. maybe he will turn her season around
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:02 am
@DallasBuc
Look again dude, Jameis has more time to throw then any Qb in the NFL.
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:06 am
@Dallas- You win in the trenches and this team does not have the talent. Smith got owned yesterday and the o-line did nothing to help Martin, who continually has to fight off defenders 4 yards in the backfield.
The d-line is A-W-F-U-L. GMC manages to get up field but teams seem to key on that, running away from it. Ayers FINALLY makes the play he’s supposed to while GMC got double-teamed. Woo-hoo! Watch the play, haters. Overall though, man we stink! Where was the LB help yesterday?
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:07 am
Terrible call on D. Smith on that connection, because Hughes was already falling from the start, plus the Bucs still marched back down the field. Penalties at the wrong time the last few games are another thing in losing these close games. Bobby McClain hit, was that hit on a defenseless player (unnecessary roughness when you are trying to jar the ball lose). Last week when we had finally stopped the Cards offense, we get a lining up in the neutral zone infraction for them to keep the drive going. This week on the first drive we get a hands to the face penalty and delay of game to stall the drive. Reminiscent of last year.
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:08 am
I live in Denver, and they LOVED Ward here. People were shocked and disappointed when he was let go. He was one the leaders of one of the best Ds in football. How Conte is in there more than this guy is beyond me. He may not be the guy he was 5 years ago, but he knows what it takes to win, and the current situation isn’t cutting it. We are a half hearted team right now, without a direction or identity. Yesterday was heartbreaking but I knew it was coming. This D could be better, but it somehow isn’t. At the end of the day, the blame falls on Smith. He isn’t getting it done at all. Something needs to give. We are one of the 3 worst teams in the NFL on defense. It’s really bad.
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:10 am
@tmax- No pass T. Our defense is pathetic. The whole side. Where was the LB help? Bad tackling, awful scheme, no talent DBs, there’s not much else that can be said.
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:10 am
I wouldnt be surprised if Licht moves both Ward and Baker. Its a contract year for him and the team is in a tail spin. He almost HAS to make moves to save his job.
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:12 am
I think the Bucs should keep Dirk Koetter as head coach(Bucs have the number 1 passing offense in the NFL and the #2 overall offense).
However, heads have got to roll on defense and that starts with Mike Smith.
If the Bucs defense was even average the Bucs would at worst be 4-2 this year.
I actually think the Bucs should consider letting him go now.
Accountability is priority number 1 in the NFL.
That’s why they cut Folk. He wasn’t doing his job well. Mike Smith isn’t doing his job well either so he needs to go.
Jason Licht should be on thin ice too.
Poor choice of free agents(Baker, Ayers, Folk) and not addressing obvious needs(pass rush, running back and depth at corner).
He gets high marks for his draft choices in my opinion despite some misses(VH# and Aguayo). However, he did not address obvious needs.
If the Bucs draft high (8-15)look for these players as possible choices for the Bucs:
Bradley Chubb DE NC State
Derwin James DB Florida State
Clelin Ferrell DE Clemson
Austin Bryant DE Clemson
Arden Key DE LSU
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:12 am
I am 100% serious please try to trade McCoy before the deadline and get as much as possible for him. Please hear me out even those of you that love McCoy. We are horrible on defense and literally cant get worse so why not especially since his value is going to be even less after another horrible year by the team on defense. Maybe we get a 2nd round pick that we can use to rebuild this defense. Heck if we are not going to play Ward then maybe we can get a 4th or 5th round pick for him as well. We need to just load up on picks at this point as this defense needs about 9 new starters and that includes 4 along the front line (or 3 if they want o make a major change). It is not all McCoy’s fault but no one can say he is a difference maker on this team so why hang onto him when in reality anybody we put in there can do the same thing since we get destroyed either way?
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:16 am
Kenny
ward and baker are not the problems they are used to winning franchises that sniff the playoffs they are not used to teams captained by clowns who are more worried about camera time than wins… you want the defense fixed get rid of the soft underachieving crybaby dt…. if gmc was half the man you fools think he is he would have turned that C in a long long time ago.
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:18 am
Seeing McCoy take off his helmet and wish Incognito good luck with his injury during the game was a sign of thing to come. The Bills commenced to run the ball down our throat and Incognito was back in no time. Shady gave him the ball to spike when they reached the end zone. The Bills knew then we lacked the toughness to compete. I seriously doubt Incognito would’ve wished anyone on our Dline good luck with an injury. He would’ve picked out another guy to hurt, and would’ve gone after the injured player even harder. That’s the difference. We need dogs on the line. Not nice guys.
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:21 am
ndog
please explain to me what gm will give anything higher than a 5 or maybe 4th for an aging, declining soft player who has a proven track record of disappearing when his team needs him the most. Not to mention the FACT that he DOES NOT make other players around him better. Brandon Marshall who has borderline hall of fame numbers only fetched a 6 i believe maybe it was a 5th. GMC has not accomplished anything but meaningless pro bowls. Remember licht will be trading with professionals who have skin in the game not to a bunch of fanboys who base everything on cherry picked statements and their feelings….
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:22 am
^^^How is any of that relevant? We have the “Beastly” Ayers, remember? Swaggy? Kwon? NOBODY showed up when it mattered most.
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:26 am
This is the time of year where Joe reminds us how nervous he is that other teams will soon be clamoring for Mike Smith to be a head coach.
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:30 am
I guess Joe didn’t see what Miko put on her Snapchat page about Brent “suffering through 9 more games of this spit” sounds like grimey will soon be checking out lol. Time to start over. Again. Although the way he played yesterday I think he’s already checked out
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:32 am
That’s nice, except nobody every wrote what you just claimed. And that’s why your posts are moderated. –Joe
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:33 am
IMO…the run game is struggling for a multitude of reasons…
-Can we even run to D. Jackson’s side of the field?….He weighs 170 soaking wet.
-The o-line is terribly out of sync which is expected with Marpet at a new position and Sweezy back in the line up.
-D. Smith at LT is terrible….I’m done hearing about the sky is the limit and how he’s physically gifted…blah blah blah. The dude IS the weakest link on the o-line and he factors into the most important areas of our offense.
Joe Thomas is hurt…maybe trade for the LT at Houston holding out and try to clean up the o-line. The d-line is a total rebuild with the exception of maybe Spence. Trade McCoy while he’s got top value and let the dude shine on a winning team….he deserves that. We’ve wasted his talent for long enough.
I’ve been saying for a long time….you cant have a solid o-line AND then praise how great Winston performs under pressure. If he’s under constant pressure, the o-line isn’t good. The ole saying….games are won in the trenches is exactly why we are struggling. As i said above, try to shore up the o-line, the offense has talent to execute if there’s blocking. The defense needs a new line and a solid CB. By the time they acquire the missing pieces, we may have totally different staff with an entirely different scheme. We have to win like the Patriots….just outscore and hope for some turnovers.
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:34 am
@defense
Agree pretty much with all you said above. The only thing I wonder about has Jameis been keying on OJ like he should have been in previous games. He is still throwing passes he should not throw and there was too much emphasis on getting deep balls to Evans and DJAX and also some of his favorites Hump and Brate.
The stats don’t show how much help Jameis got from Martin. He had some good runs to help set up the play action pass. Run blocking isn’t good enough, Martin was outnumbered several times well behind the line of scrimmage. Maybe we should go back to the things that worked in 2015. While Evan Smith is in at guard Pamphile could handle some swing tackle reps.
I have my doubts on the Marpet move. He has more bad snaps than Evan Smith and I thought that was a problem.l
Think that Koetter has always wanted to call this type of game, but Jameis
slow starts and turnovers have Stymied his offense too much.We have to
establish the run and improve our run blocking.\for jameis to play like he did in the second half, which was pretty dan good. If jameis can put a whole game together like that we will start winning on a more regular basis.
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:34 am
@Wausa … “heads have got to roll on defense and that starts with Mike Smith.” Can’t disagree with you Wausa because that’s how the Bucs management does things. And look at how that’s worked out for us. Lovie hired Leslie Frazier to be his DC when he came onboard in 2014, then took over the position himself when Frazier’s defense didn’t do squat. The team that beat us yesterday has a smash-mouth, Top-5 defense. Guess who’s the DC of that Buffalo defense. Yup, that very same Leslie Frazier. The very same coach … with much better talent in Buffalo. Talent counts! Used to be a saying that I kinda liked: ‘It’s hard to soar with eagles if you work with turkeys.’
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:43 am
@Bob … “Think that Koetter has always wanted to call this type of game, but Jameis
slow starts and turnovers have Stymied his offense too much.” Totally agree that this is the type of game Koetter called in the past (take a look at what the Bucs did in 2015 when he was OC). Would contend though that if Dirk used the short passing game more earlier this year, Jameis would’ve been a lot better off (not so many slow starts). Not sure what’s really happening there though. Maybe Koetter has really been building that stuff in all along and Jameis has just been laser focused on Evans, Hump & Brate while still looking for DJax … but missing the shorter opportunities to the RBs & TEs especially. No idea what’s been really going on, but yesterday’s game-plan is certainly a step in the right direction towards fixing it.
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:44 am
When Joe has an NFL offensive coordinator or head coach or GM tell Joe that GMC is as garbage as you think he is, Joe will change his tune.
***Multiple*** times Joe has spoken one-on-one with NFL coaches/suits that a segment of Bucs fans want to run GMC out of town and they look at Joe as if he has three eyes.
GMC isn’t and never will be Warren Sapp. And if you beat your head against the wall demanding the Bucs get the next Sapp, you quite possibly will die a bitter, angry old man. Sapp is a once in a lifetime player.
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:44 am
Why is it ok for the offense to score only 6 points in a half? Last 2 bills drives removed – would you still say defense had nothing to do with the comeback and taking the lead?
Why is it Smiths fault more than Lichts that we have no pass rush, for example? Was he the one drafted Spence, VHIII and laxury picks instead of addressing the glaring holes?
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:44 am
‘It’s hard to soar with eagles if you work with turkeys.’
that’s exactly what ever draft pick or free agent says after meeting Cancer93
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:44 am
Bucs defensive players begin to wake up after a late night of partying at the club last night. They open their phones and check the bank account. Ok cool, my game check cleared. Players say to them selves, ok this ain’t so bad and only 11 weeks to Go. That’s the reality folks.
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:45 am
I’m just here talking Bucs football. Last I checked that’s the whole point.
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:46 am
joe…. in this pc world do you think for a minute you ever are told the truth… you are not naive sir…. you admit there is a losing culture yet you give the leader of the losing culture a free pass every single day!
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:51 am
People walking around with free passes:
McCoy
Donovan Smith
Jason Licht
Commentors not named DallasBuc
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:51 am
Not sure why, but you have to credit the O line for their pass blocking during our offensive spurt.The road graders have seemed to change their identity to better pass blockers .
October 23rd, 2017 at 9:54 am
@Defense- “Yup, that very same Leslie Frazier. The very same coach … with much better talent in Buffalo. Talent counts!”
A-Freakin’-MEN! Talent!
October 23rd, 2017 at 10:00 am
Chris Conte could not make many South Florida (Broward/Dade) high school football teams at the safety position. Why do we have him? He must have pictures on someone. Get TJ Ward in the game and DO NOT take him out. And this Baker guy is stealing money from the Bucs. With a last name like that he may also want to put down the cakes and donuts…
October 23rd, 2017 at 10:03 am
The leader of the “change in culture” has always been Jameis Winston. Have these “senior” free agents taken over the locker room with their own culture? Would not be Jameis’ fault btw.just inquiring minds want to know.
October 23rd, 2017 at 10:15 am
@REALIST SAYS…..Bucs beat themselves several times and only lost by 3 on the road to a good team!!!!! It is close and I do not think “heads should roll” as Joe is Suggesting!!!!!!
WTF!!!!….
the bills missed a FG!!!!…their HC also almost screwed up by not kicking the FG right before half…instead they ran another play and the time ran out!!!!…wake up and smell the roses!!!!
we were/are not close at all….the only thing we’re close to is a top ten pick and the door that dirk and smitty are about to be pulled out of!!!!….
with this much talent, heads need to roll if we cant win 10 games and make the playoffs!!!!….DIRK’S SEAT IS BLAZING HOT!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:06 am
I keep seeing the same issues every week/year. The defense can not stop the run and get off the field. The offense makes some big plays and scores some points late. It always happens after they turn over the ball several times leading to the opponents multiple scores. The offense consistently makes it harder on an already lousy defense. If the offense could eliminate the turn overs they would win numerous games. Yes I know I’m stating the obvious.
October 23rd, 2017 at 11:41 am
Before the season Joe had several posts where Mike Smith openly said. “For my defense to work, we have to be able to get pressure with our four man rush.”
Jeff Fischer was one of the best coaches in history in my opinion. He consistently went 9-7ish with the worst, skinflintiest owners and clueless front offices. Nevertheless, the game has passed the Fischers, Lovie Smiths and Mike Smiths by. You’re going to need a Sean McVay in this new era. A Local Rams correspondent noticed right away in OTAs how the planning, structure and pace of practices intensified dramatically when he arrived. More complexity, more flexibility, more adaptive ness.
October 23rd, 2017 at 5:21 pm
They should be worried about keeping Winston and hope he doesn’t sign with a contender