Running Out Of Excuses
September 26th, 2018
“Hello, 911? I would like to report a missing pass defense.”
Are the formations, stunts and coverages Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith barks into his headset coming through garbled to coaches and players on the field, and thus guys don’t understand the commands and just freelance?
You know, communication?
That’s the only logical explanation for a defense that was well-stocked this offseason yet has grown worse in the first three games of this season than it was last season — and the season before that.
The Bucs are allowing quarterbacks to complete 78 percent of their passes. That’s worst in the NFL by far. In 2017, the Bucs defense allowed opponents to complete 67.6 percent of their passes, 29th worst in the NFL.
Mind you, it looks like the Bucs finally have a pass rush. Jason Pierre-Paul is on pace for 16 sacks. Yeah, really. The Bucs have two outstanding linebackers. And the Bucs added a pair of second-round-draft-pick corners to go along with veteran Brent Grimes. Even Ryan Smith seems to have turned the corner at corner.
Yet the pass defense is a train wreck!
Simply put, Joe doesn’t believe there is any excuse for this rotten of a pass defense with the talent the Bucs have.
September 26th, 2018 at 9:04 am
It is obviously the pass rushing talent…and has been for YEARZZZZZZZ
September 26th, 2018 at 9:07 am
Well they have faced two elite QBs with top tier receivers. And the D is full of rookie DBs. Not to mention facing the Super Bowl MVP QB.
It should start coming together soon. Patience.
September 26th, 2018 at 9:08 am
Yeah, this “Defense” is just sad.
Smith needs to go and Koetter needs to realize his ass is on the line if he keeps him.
He’s done nothing good for the D in all the time he’s been here.
Bye bye Gramps.
September 26th, 2018 at 9:10 am
Oh…… and take Ol’ Softie with you too.
September 26th, 2018 at 9:10 am
Smith is going to be the death of Koetter’s career.
Many think Koetter feels indebted to Smith for giving him a job, way back when.
There were several better defensive coordinators to be had last year, yet Koetter stubbornly clung to Smith, and now look. Our pass defense has got worse, despite the addition of several pass rushers. SMH
September 26th, 2018 at 9:15 am
Let them play the browns first. Chill. They have had a very very tough schedule so far. Let’s get more than a very small sample size. This average offense in Chicago should be a much better evaluation.
Also, they’re 2-1.
R-E-L-A-X!
September 26th, 2018 at 9:19 am
My bad. I said elite QBs. I meant to say Hall of Fame QBs.
But yeah, let’s trash our players again. Always works.
September 26th, 2018 at 9:21 am
Mort is right; the Bucs D has faced tough units so far. If they get torn apart by Chicago, then it’ll be time to worry.
September 26th, 2018 at 9:21 am
Most of the defenses suck, except for Chicago and the Rams.
September 26th, 2018 at 9:21 am
Joe>> I think you need to look at JPPs sacks again. The 2 he had against Pittsburgh were clean up sacks. By pressure from VC97 and I think inside pressure from GMC93.
September 26th, 2018 at 9:22 am
I think they are adjusting. The past two weeks, the defense has adjusted at half time and played much better in the second half. Week one the rookies had to be shell shocked. I think this defense is coming together. Getting Vea and Allen healthy are going to make a difference. Imho, after the bye we are going to be a lot better.
September 26th, 2018 at 9:22 am
Yah. Smith has underperformed as a defensive coordinator. Won’t change his ways with the league ever evolving.
Koetter gave up play calling but is still involved with planning.
Maybe koetter should do the same with Smith and letter duffner get a chance. There is talent on the field but the results are the same or worse then last year.
Just bad. The offense has to put up 30 plus to win.
Godwin doesn’t drop 2 in end zone and bucs win. Desean return took all the gas out of stadium as well.
September 26th, 2018 at 9:22 am
Qbacks are burning us short, intermediate & deep……way too often…..it’s time to jam…….we need to stop the receivers at the line…….disrupt the passer….and for God’s sake….put your hands up….
I ask everyone this…..with all the passing attempts, how many passes have we blocked this year?
September 26th, 2018 at 9:24 am
Why is EVERY one of my posts delayed before appearing ?
September 26th, 2018 at 9:28 am
I still think Mike Smith should go, however, they faced two elite QBs in Brees and Rothlisberger, not at all easy. Brees even put up 40pts on the Falcons who had one of the top defenses last year.
September 26th, 2018 at 9:30 am
If this defense can’t hold the Bears offense in check in Chicago this weekend, and I live in Chicago and will be there to watch in person, I would like to see Mike Smith relieved of his duties during the bye week. He is brutal. Joe, any chance of that possibly, remotely happening? Fire him and he can spend the rest of the season watching the games at the velvet lined lounge of the Vero Beach Ramada Inn! Regardless, he has to go.
September 26th, 2018 at 9:31 am
I blame Licht, he could have picked up a free agent or taken a corner with #1 pick instead of Vea. This defense will be our downfall when we play good teams. They can’t stop anybody. Both draft pics are busts, they can’t even make it on the field for 1 play, great draft.
September 26th, 2018 at 9:36 am
if koetter don’t fire smith then licht sure as hell should
September 26th, 2018 at 9:36 am
I’m pretty sure the defensive problems are all Jamies’ fault…
September 26th, 2018 at 9:36 am
Mike Smith needs to be relieved of his duties as a defensive coordinator. I can probably list ten teams that have worse talent than the Bucs. Being last in several categories is inexcusable.
September 26th, 2018 at 9:36 am
Replacing Conte with Whitehead will help.
Rookie corners getting more experience will help.
Losing Hargreaves hurt. Remember, Bucs shut out Steelers in 2nd half- they can build on that.
September 26th, 2018 at 9:37 am
I like Dirk Koetter.
However, I blame this on Dirk Koetter.
He is the head coach and he thinks Mike Smith is a great defensive coordinator. The reality is Mike Smith has proven to be one of the worst defensive coordinators in the history of the NFL.
Also, I think he is handling the QB situation poorly. I get it that Fitz played incredible football the first two weeks of the season, but the Bucs QB is and should be Jamies Winston. Dirk Koetter should have the guts to tell the team and media who the Bucs QB is going forward unless there is an injury.
Unless your backup is someone like Lamar Jackson there is no competitive advantage to not say who your QB is.
September 26th, 2018 at 9:42 am
Koetter is my guy 100%… I do agree that Smith is running out of excuses. This is the NFL how long do we need to blame personnel and injuries before we cut the cord?
We are winning team overall looks better than I expected Smith should stay until the end of the season. At the end of the day I am hoping he figures it out so we can keep winning. We will need a complimentary defense if we want to get into playoffs.
September 26th, 2018 at 9:43 am
They’ve had to start two rookies at CB and now have to start a rookie safety as well. Things are getting better. Slowly.
That;s how development works.
September 26th, 2018 at 9:46 am
I’m afraid we are going to waiste this era because of poor defense. We could of been a top team last couple of years if we had a decent defense. But it’s all a waiste because of the defense. It’s like 97-02′ but opposite.
September 26th, 2018 at 9:48 am
Communication is the issue after 3 years? Nope smith is using an outdated defensive scheme for a new passing league. You can only ride the coattails of a Jacksonville defense from 10 years ago for long before the answer is this ain’t the league of 10 years ago, if it ain’t growing it’s dead and this scheme has no bark or bite to it
September 26th, 2018 at 9:53 am
remember when we were afraid to lose Smith. I know the secondary isn’t great but there is enough talent in the front seven to have a D good enough to be rated in the middle of the pack. With that being said, they did enough to win MNF. The 4 turnovers, drops, penalty on punt return and the dumbest of all… not running the clock more before half is what cost us.
September 26th, 2018 at 9:53 am
Lamarcus Says
“I’m afraid we are going to waiste this era because of poor defense. We could of been a top team last couple of years if we had a decent defense.”
If Licht would have focused more on the defense, then the offense would not be as good right now.
He did it right. The offense takes the longest to build, and lasts the longest once set up. The defense is much better than last year, improving from game to game, and will be leaps and bounds better by the end of the year.
I hate to break it to you fans, but development takes time. Sometimes half a season, sometimes a year or three. Each player is different. We are having to start Davis, Stewart and Whitehead now…all rookies. The experience will help them get better faster, but it won’t happen overnight.
Beau Allen is out with a foot injury this week. We might have to start Vita Vea soon at this rate, so we’ll be starting 4 rookies on defense.
And Rojo…I have a feeling he’s going to be active soon.
September 26th, 2018 at 9:55 am
Oh, and btw…they played more press in the Monday game. Did not help.
September 26th, 2018 at 9:57 am
Unbelievable defense wasted by poor offense but one super bowl at least with players on 2 all decade teams. Ironic that unbelievable record setting offensive talent will be wasted on poor defense. Window is closing for a lot of key players and the coaches
September 26th, 2018 at 9:58 am
I would’ve REALLY been disappointed this morning Joe is you hadn’t followed your 2 Jameis pieces with a ‘WOE IS US – OUR DEFENSE SUCKS – FIRE MIKE SMITH’ piece. Thankfully you never disappoint.
Kudos Slugglife, Mort, Clarence and Thisisouryear!! for seeing through all the lazy analyses. But hey, it is Joe’s site and at least he’s consistent in his love for Jameis & apparent dislike of Scapegoat Smitty. Nice touch BTW Joe with inserting the word ‘garbled’ in there (with no evidence of course). After all, ‘garbled communications’ MUST BE the reason for why all these youngsters & beaten-up vets aren’t performing to your satisfaction. Rest assured though, THE SKY REALLY IS FALLING.
As I previously commented to Joe’s “Thank God Jameis the Savior is Back to Save Us” earlier piece this morning: @Dusthty Rhodes … “Pathetic semblance of a defense”. Aah yes Dusthty, Joe is sooo proud right now. You and most JBFers have bought into his ‘Defense Sucks’ diatribe very nicely. Not much sense in defending our defense on JBF any more since I keep seeing the same, tired cliches (FIRE MIKE SMITH … which effectively manages to get all the sheep in tow). Missing 3 of our 4 starting DTs? Who cares? Infant Secondary that’s been improving steadily every game? Big deal (Smitty certainly can’t take credit for that). LB-play that’s also been improving steadily? Unquestionably that’s because of Kwon, and has NOTHING to do with Smitty’s game-plan & play-calling. Oh, almost forgot, did you happen to notice that the PATHETIC Bucs defense has created FIVE turnovers in 3 games? Oooh, and did you happen to notice that that PATHETIC Bucs defense scored a Pick-6 in Game 2 … the margin of victory? Oh, and did you maybe notice that the margin of victory in Game 3 was the Pick-6 thrown by our OFFENSE but that the POINTS SCORED counted against our PATHETIC defense? Nah, didn’t think so.
September 26th, 2018 at 10:00 am
Smith sucks
September 26th, 2018 at 10:03 am
Keep giving Smith excuses, year 3 we need better results period. S/O to Buckner though
September 26th, 2018 at 10:04 am
@lamarcus… if you only score 20 points a game like last year, you don’t win much and monday night, you win if you don’t turn the ball over 4 times.
September 26th, 2018 at 10:06 am
I don’t want to give any excuses… but here’s one. We’ve played some of the best offenses in the league. Hopefully, they figure it out. Maybe we get a 2016 like run here pretty soon…. after the bye.
September 26th, 2018 at 10:08 am
Look historically when any team is rebuilding and almost invariably the Defense is the first unit to bloom. Which is why the failure of Mike Smith’s Defense is so puzzling. Sure, there have been highlight moments by individuals, but as a unit they are under-performing for the talent they have on that side of the ball. After restocking with arguably the most defensive talent of any Bucs team ever, I honestly think the answer is scheme – not personnel – and am left wondering if the Mike Smith is the guy to drive this bus. Gotta believe someone else at 1 Buc is thinking the same…and could there be a change after the bye?
September 26th, 2018 at 10:10 am
Another excuse.
September 26th, 2018 at 10:10 am
C’mon man people can’t be sonblind to continue supporting this guy can they?
He is going to be the reason this entire team gets re set we are going to waste the prime of this offense and defense without anything to show for because of this fool
September 26th, 2018 at 10:11 am
Still cant believe Mike Smith survived last seasons nightmare. Only getting worse. 2-1 is saving him now. If trubisky lights them up can him after the game. Cant stand the guy any more. Like u said he has had way too much time and resources to be so bad. Highest paid dline in league i think and good players everywhere
September 26th, 2018 at 10:11 am
Promote Buckner
September 26th, 2018 at 10:12 am
I agree with @Slugglife..we’ve played pro bowl caliber qbs and full playoff teams
September 26th, 2018 at 10:15 am
If Nick Foles is a Hall if Fane quarterback, then why isn’t Shaun King already in Canton?
September 26th, 2018 at 10:15 am
I would argue the Browns dont have a better defensive roster than the bucs but their numbers are far better. The big difference is the D coordinator. The bucs have exceeded expectations but the defense will hold us back again
September 26th, 2018 at 10:16 am
Buckner for D coordinator
September 26th, 2018 at 10:19 am
Defense will continue to get better as the season progresses. Lots of new pieces learning how to play together including 3 new starting DL players and 3 rookies and a 2nd year player starting in the defensive backfield.
September 26th, 2018 at 10:32 am
This guy gotta go. Defensive scheme looked terrible
September 26th, 2018 at 10:33 am
The defense is where we thought it would be!!!! We all talked and knew how hard the first 3 games were going to be!!!! How strong the first 3 teams were that the Bucs had to face Back to back to back!!!!!!!!!! What we did not know is how thin the secondary got, and how banged up and thin the d-line is!!!!!! With all that, the Bucs faced the 2nd , 4th and 19th ranked offenses!!!!!!!! The problem is that local media cannot evaluate talent and overestimate what the Bucs have on the field!!!!!!! or it is just an agenda!!!!!!!! This past offseason NFL Jason Licht started to fix the defense!!!!!! and it is a work in progress!!!!!! That high flying offense was not built in 1 offseason, and shame on the local media and so-called fans that it would with the defense!!!!!!!!!!!!! maybe wait and see what the defense actually looks like in the second half of the season!!!!!!!!!
#trust the coaches!!!!!!!!!! Fix the “real” problem, the roster!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 26th, 2018 at 10:36 am
Bonzai
I’m not in no mood for fairy tale defense stories. Licht and Msmith has all pro dline men. 2 of them. 2 probowl lbs 1 probowl corner and on the flip side is a bunch of kids excluding djax and JW and Me our the only probowlers.
We drafted offense but got established talent on defense but u couldnt tell because you choose to dream
September 26th, 2018 at 10:40 am
Defense rules
Stop it. Don’t make it difficult. The defense is trash, Swiss cheese my friend. The dbs are literally covering guys from across the field having to run/overpursue just to get to thier man they are covering. Point blank the scheme is boo boo
September 26th, 2018 at 10:42 am
Miken
It’s a team game and that’s what defense is for. Keeping the other team from scoring it’s that simple. IDC we only have a pass game to show for so with saying that this defense is not acceptable
September 26th, 2018 at 10:44 am
I don’t think the scheme is the issue really honestly. Something was wrong on the horrible Vance Mcdonald TD; and the coverage on Brown in the red zone was confusing; but we also have 3 rookies starting in the secondary and have faced 3 of the best offenses in the league through 3 weeks based on 2017 and 2018 results (other than 2018 Eagles).
We should NOT have expected anything better than an average pass D at best. Given the talent / circumstances I’m just hoping the overall D at this point can be average.
I have definitely seen more press and more blitzes.
The D-line pressure is 3X better than the horrid pass rush of last year.
Week 4 will be more telling. To date the 3 teams we’ve played were all super high octane offenses in 2017 / all top scoring offenses. Not the Bears. If we give up 24-30 points to Trubisky then I will start to panic. He has not impressed me this year at all.
As of now my opinion of the team formula for winning isn’t much different:
Top 5-10 scoring offense
Average-ish defense
We’ve been a top 4 scoring offense and a bottom 4 scoring defense so it’s a bit skewed; but i think over the year we will see that balance out a bit more (although I’d like to keep up the offensive production all year).
September 26th, 2018 at 10:45 am
The Steelers were sitting on the lead.
September 26th, 2018 at 10:50 am
Buckner Coached with the successful Cardinal’s defense and he knows our present Smitty’s defense. He could take over and have this defense humming in no time and be a lot more aggressive. We have a much better OL but the Steeler’s aggressive defense with a lot of creative blitzes won the last game anyway. Make Smitty walk the plank now and we will be in the playoffs if we promote Buckner to DC. Or Koetter can stick his head in the sand and let Smitty be his demise. No way this is Licht’s fault and he should be retained!
September 26th, 2018 at 10:57 am
mort
I agree….we just played 3 playoff teams that know how to score…..
now if the bears and browns score 30+ then smitty has to go…….
#TUNNELVISION!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!!
September 26th, 2018 at 11:01 am
Draft Derwin James when you had a chance after you signed all those DL in FA, then you have D James back there with evans, and Davis is good, maybe VH3 pans out and can play nickel another FA corner and that is an improved backend just with Derwin James back there….but draft a guy who will have less sacks than a DB this year and will be in the NFL top 100 in the off season
September 26th, 2018 at 11:04 am
In today’s NFL if you give up 23 points to a top 5 offensive team you should win. So why didn’t the Bucs win? Their own offense who turned the ball over 4 times. Dropped TD’s and settled for FG’s. Some people are blaming the defense but it was the offense that blew this one.
#Get After It!
September 26th, 2018 at 11:04 am
Rule changes are affecting the game all over the NFL. Not just the Bucs.
September 26th, 2018 at 11:04 am
We could have Derwin back there and still have a crappy defense
September 26th, 2018 at 11:06 am
LC
those 2 TD’s were on the vets conte and grimes…..before the TE made his cut, conte slipped…that’s how he got so wide open but if conte used proper technique, the result would’ve been a first down and not a TD…..
grimes and his off coverage was getting cooked all night…..on AB’s TD, davis was in man to man with juju while grimes was playing 8yards off….even booger and Jason witten said grimes should’ve know down, distance and game situation…..they said he should’ve been playing the same technique as davis……but playing off gave AB freedom to do whatever he wanted to do…..
like you, ive seen more blitz and better pass rush….but we’re still lacking interior push and a speed rusher….something that we thought we had in spence and still waiting to see in vita…..
#TUNNELVISION!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!!
September 26th, 2018 at 11:07 am
The offense always has to save the defense. When will it be the other way around???
September 26th, 2018 at 11:08 am
I get our situation in the defensive back field isn’t perfect. Neither are most teams in this league. We have two of the better pass rushers on our line(JPP and GMC), two stud linebackers, and a rising young safety with a knack for big plays. At this point, its time for Mike Smith to spit or get off the pot. We have enough to where we shouldn’t be the worst defense in the league. I expect this group to make Mitchell Trubisky miserable on Sunday. If he shreds us then, with the bye week to follow, that would be THE time to relieve Mike Smith of his duties.
September 26th, 2018 at 11:11 am
The defense only gave up 23 points, and shut them out in the second half. Not to mention two touchdowns were called back. If it was 41-23 people would be saying something completely different.
September 26th, 2018 at 11:22 am
Bring in Jack del Rio as a consultant ahead of the bye, and get down to business. Licht and del Rio should then talk about the problems identified — is it Smith, or the position coaches? Koetter is too loyal to Smith and won’t question him. Take it out of Koetter’s hands with the guy who taught both of them, and who is one of the best defensive coaches ever.
This is too painful.
September 26th, 2018 at 11:33 am
It’s about the talent on D not coaching….especially D line
September 26th, 2018 at 11:44 am
after rereading this, im shocked….I cant believe we have a worse defense with more talent…..
but with that said, if the bears and browns put up 30+ smitty has to go….
#TUNNELVISION!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
September 26th, 2018 at 11:44 am
If Bucs win Sunday then what are all the yahoos on here going to do? Not only did the Offense stumble, but the refs added the usual blown calls. 3-1 Sunday.
September 26th, 2018 at 11:51 am
Gotta disagree with the smitty must go crowd, the D held Pitt to zero second half points, nearly completed the comeback. Also factor in the injuries. We need Allen, Vea, Unrein and others. But if the Browns hang 30 on us then all bets are off.
September 26th, 2018 at 12:02 pm
Ghostofschiano
It’s done. Why wait another week for same result? It’s done. Our defense is trash. There is no ifs. It is what it is.
Besides in my eyes. The game with Steelers was a blowout out by halftime. Steelers didn’t need to score so that said it all. Too deep of a hole
September 26th, 2018 at 12:12 pm
Looking at stats is one thing but when you look at the tackling on defense it is vastly improved. If you don’t realize that your not paying attention.
Monday Night our tackling took a step backwards and was a huge reason we lost IMO.Two missed tackles(Grimes,Conte) resulted in TDs.
We need to shore up our tackling and we should be able to gel and get better throughout the season.
September 26th, 2018 at 12:15 pm
Lamarcus don’t go to far buddy. That game was not over at halftime. In fact in years past I’d of went to bed early but not with this team and their big play ability………..You can’t say the game was over if we had the final(could be) possession and a chance for the go-ahead.
September 26th, 2018 at 12:17 pm
Horse Liver i like that call but they better do that fast he is going to be the USC HC in 2019
September 26th, 2018 at 12:18 pm
In defense of Grimes, nobody can cover AB. Those touting Whitehead must’ve missed the Bucs signing another safety. Conte got rag-dolled, true, I can guarantee his experience will be missed.
I’ll preface this statement by saying I thought that Smitty should’ve been fired last year, HOWEVER, look at the injuries and the rookies replacing them. Look at the d-line without Allen. When these guys get back; Allen, Vea, Unrein, we’ll see a healthier defensive front. That should translate into better secondary play.
If the defense doesn’t improve, they HAVE to fire Smitty, plain and simple. The bar is set low. We need to be just average to be a contender.
September 26th, 2018 at 12:21 pm
I haven’t seen Chicago’s offense too much but this game could change some of y’all opinions. This could be a type of game that our defense can get us the win. Then what? Keep Smitty? Then we play the Falcons who are explosive…..then what? Fire Smitty? Then the 9ers? Keep Smitty?
Why not we just let this offense grow? I notice most of our starters didn’t play here last year. If the D peaks in Nov/Dec that will be a good thing believe it or not.
September 26th, 2018 at 12:27 pm
Bucsfanman…….I agree about Grimes and any time you play a receiver the caliber of A.Brown you should expect them to make some plays on you during 4 quarters. It’s just gonna happen that’s why AB is All-Pro.
However, Grimes has no excuse to miss that tackle and allow Brown to take the entire sideline. It just inexcusable plain and simple.
Godwin’s play was also inexcusable. Hey the kid took his lumps that game and you can basically say he cost us a W. I believe he’ll tighten up but his game was what it was……a horrible performance.
September 26th, 2018 at 12:33 pm
JimmyJack, the Bears offense is middle of the Road with a decent RB and a rookie qb with a big arm but there is allen robinson…..but problem is that defense is for real with leonard floyd on one side and then the NFL MVP in mack, and then akheem hicks is a player coming on….the steelers defense has a couple good players that the bucs made look like superstars monday…..I think the steelers defense wanted to knock the crap out of fitzee regardless of fouls, id imagine the bears come a little faster and much harder at fitzee,
September 26th, 2018 at 12:39 pm
Mike Smith needs to find a job, maybe flipping burgers or a Walmart greeter. He’s shown nothing as a Defense Coordinator.
I’ll pack his bags for him. Get rid of this clown. Is Monte Kiffen available?
September 26th, 2018 at 12:51 pm
Way to go Joe. You know damn well I wasn’t referring to Foles as an HOFer.
September 26th, 2018 at 12:51 pm
@813
Agree and I didn’t see the slip. Grimes was looking rusty/old.
The Bears are a good reality check. That’s an improved offense but nothing like what we’ve recently been facing. If we give up easy to points to that team then we’re back to square 1 of having one of the worst Ds in the league apparently.
But right now for me bottom line is the D gave up 23 points to the Steelers – a top offense in the game; despite 3 turnovers given up by our offense. I am completely fine with that as a performance given the talent.
Who knows how that game plays out if not for the turnovers and red zone blunders.
September 26th, 2018 at 12:57 pm
AB’s the best WR in the league.
I wanted Ju Ju badly the year he came out….to pair with Evans.
Studs against rookies…..Smith still gets a pass.
September 26th, 2018 at 1:15 pm
Dusthy……Thanks for the update….Itd be real nice if we can stop Howard like we did last year…..Other then that it sounds like a good test for our Dline. They got a rookie QB and some cooler air to play in and they better be frickin hungry!!! It will also be nice if we can push up on coverage so fans can stop bitchin. Calling press coverage on AB and Michael Thomas is a disaster waiting to happen.
Their defense versus our offense will be a very exciting match up. you got to like our chances on that side of the ball. Why wouldn’t you?
GOO BUCS!!!!!
September 26th, 2018 at 1:17 pm
Correction…….I forgot Mitch is not a rookie QB. 2nd year.
September 26th, 2018 at 1:29 pm
I said this on an earlier post but it needs repeating. Joe is picking one stat line that really means very little. All that matters is points. Yes they gave up 30 Monday but 7 came from Fitz and we turned the ball over 4 times in one half. No points in the 2nd half
All kinds of rookies in the secondary and playing 2 of the best ABs in the league. Cut them some slack man.
September 26th, 2018 at 1:31 pm
This week and the week after the bye will be better indicators as to where the D is. If they start to get healthy then maybe some good things can start happening
September 26th, 2018 at 1:35 pm
Lord is accurate. Top 10 scoring offense with an average d gets you to the playoffs. You turn the ball over 4 times then you will give up 30 points to a HOF qb. Bucs when with just one less turnover or one less drop or better clock management. Not saying the d is great but if we average 20 points on offense then of course we go 6-10this year. If Mitch puts up 30 on us then yeah, that would be a different story.
September 26th, 2018 at 1:52 pm
So we have to be careful how we tackle the QB and be careful how we tackle WR’s and you expect this year to be better than last year? New rules creates a new baseline and we shouldn’t be comparing this year to last year. My thoughts.
September 26th, 2018 at 2:43 pm
… in the run game.
They both look like liabilities against the pass. Just being honest.
September 26th, 2018 at 2:54 pm
Three games and you’ve had 91 points scored against you. We are not even a quarter thru the schedule yet. We may win enough shootouts to win 8 games. But to truly be a contender, you gotta start playin Defense. I just don’t see it happennin with our Bucs. I hope..But I’m callin it like i..See’s it !! The Glazers will have to steop in and Give Koetter the order to Fire DC Smitty. Koetter will not do it on his own. Smitty is his Road dog. Its been time for Smitty to go.
September 26th, 2018 at 3:52 pm
I remember one of the announcers on 3rd and three.
“Bucs LBs are pushing up towards the line. Now they’re backing off.”
Easy first down run.
People say Brent Grimes is the best at playing deep but it doesn’t even matter in this BS zone defense.
September 26th, 2018 at 3:57 pm
First round CB, BUCK as DC, Ronde as CBs coach 2019.
September 26th, 2018 at 4:52 pm
no doubt AB is one of the best in the league but why didn’t davis play off when covering AB?……
because playing off gives AB the advantage….gives him a free release…..when the browns played the steelers, they had a rookie(ward) just like davis matched up with him playing him close to the LOS……
I would rather have the CB get his hands on AB, disrupt the route and throw off the timing vs allowing AB to get a free release off the line with a full head of steam….at that point AB has you on a string….
#TUNNELVISION!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!