Offense Shined Early
August 9th, 2018
“Dang Fitz, you looked like you played this game before.”
Lovie Smith always used to talk about fast starts — when he wasn’t talking about takeaways and talking up the Hall of Fame skills of Mike Jenkins.
But the Bucs rarely got off to fast starts under Lovie. Unless of course folks were referring to the opposition.
Fast starts have for the most part eluded Dirk Koetter as well. But in a bit of a surprise, that was not the case Thursday night in Miami.
The Bucs looked crisp on their opening drive (if you ignore the missed extra point), guided by backup Ryan Fitzpatrick. And when America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, entered the game in the second quarter, he quickly led the Bucs on a five-play, 32-yard drive capped by a two-yard plunge by Ronald Jones.
In training camp thus far, Koetter has kvetched a time or two how the defense was getting the better of the offense, sometimes drastically so. That was not the case against Miami.
Asked at halftime what he was happiest with from his team, Dirk Koetter went right to his gunslingers and their quick start.
“I was probably happiest that Fitz and Jameis took us right down the field to score,” Koetter told the Buccaneers Radio Network, adding that he thought the offense was “efficient.”
“We started well. Got off to a good start, then you get subs in and it can get a little choppy after that. But both Fitz and Jameis moved the team well.”
Yeah, yeah, yeah. It is preseason. It is the first preseason game. It came against the dreadful Dolphins.
But Koetter spent a great deal of time talking in the offseason about an inability to get the ball in the end zone enough, and Koetter grumbled about the offense getting its hat handed to them in training camp, so the offense sure seemed to take a nice step forward when the lights came on.
August 9th, 2018 at 11:00 pm
Agree
Scoring 6 is a must this year. Too many field goal attempts and you know how that movie ends…wide left. Wide right
August 9th, 2018 at 11:08 pm
I wouldn’t call RoJo’s TD a plunge. He threw a nice little cutback. He didn’t have a great night but it was nice to see him get his first NFL TD. Hopefully a lot of weight off his shoulders even if it is preseason.
August 9th, 2018 at 11:13 pm
Ali Maroet is a pro-bowler, hands down!
Brad Seaton looks great at RT! Thanks Jon!
Alan Cross though, what a catch! Speaking of which what’s up with Howard? You’d think he was the UDFA bc he rarely gets used. He’s actually been playing tackle for us quite well.
August 9th, 2018 at 11:18 pm
Btw what happened with mike Evans catch? Phantom tackler? Is he experiencing ptsd? Inquiring minds what to know.
August 9th, 2018 at 11:18 pm
Is the same person calling the plays tonight the same person who calls the plays during practice?
August 9th, 2018 at 11:39 pm
Did anyone else notice that Alex Cappa played great?
August 9th, 2018 at 11:43 pm
DB55 I agree with the ME13 play. There wasn’t anyone close to him. He should have had plenty of YAC on that play. Just fell down WHY????????????
August 9th, 2018 at 11:50 pm
DB55 there was plenty of opportunity for YAC on that play. WTF ME13!!!!!
August 9th, 2018 at 11:51 pm
There was plenty of opportunity for YAC on that play. WTF ME13!!!!!
August 9th, 2018 at 11:58 pm
Koetter did not call the plays today which helps explain why we did better in the red zone and helped our Offences play better which is why he is called the Offensive Coordinator. However, when Jameis tries to throw in the redzone he has to still rely on field goals. So the solution is easy when Jameis can play during this season, when he comes in the red zone let him rest up and put Fritz in. I was disappointed in Benenoch tonight but Cappa should start at RG. Our Tackles did well in this game. It will be even better when Dotson comes back healthy.
August 10th, 2018 at 12:37 am
LOL I thought my post weren’t going through because I typed DB55. Should have waited.
August 10th, 2018 at 7:56 am
Nice start for the offense. Regarding Evans “phantom take down”: better to hit the deck than pull a hammy. It’s preseason….. relax.
August 10th, 2018 at 11:13 am
Alan Cross played one heckuva game, including ST’s.
August 10th, 2018 at 2:45 pm
DB55 Seaton played very well. The O line played well. Miami has good D line that presented very few problems.