The Morning After
September 10th, 2018
DeSean Jackson catches one of his two touchdowns in the Bucs’ season-opening win Sunday. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
It’s Joe’s weekly in-season feature looking back at the previous day’s game.
Welcome to Victory Monday! Bet your throbbing head from your hangover doesn’t feel so awful after such a wonderful win yesterday, does it?
* For a moment early in the fourth quarter when DeSean Jackson caught the second of his two touchdown passes to give the Bucs a 48-24 lead, Joe thought he was taken back in time to watch those old San Diego Chargers games in the 1980s when Dan Fouts had weapons all over the place and rang up yards and points like a pinball machine.
Yesterday, it seemed everything backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick tossed up in the air, a Bucs receiver came down with, and more often than not it was a touchdown. Nearly a fifth of Fitzpatrick’s completions went for a touchdown. It was insane.
If anyone said prior to Sunday that they saw this coming, they were drunk. Joe never saw Bucs coach Dirk Koetter so emotional on the sidelines. It wasn’t like he was freaking out, but once after Justin Evans scooped and scored on a Saints fumble, Joe saw Koetter jump a wee little bit in and raise his arms in the air in celebration.
Joe doesn’t ever remember an offensive explosion quite like that. The last time the Bucs scored 48 points, the Bucs won the Super Bowl.
Joe thinks the one reason why Bucs fans are freaking out in a good way is that no one expected this, not against the defending NFC South champions. Not in their own crib. Bucs fans — including Joe — were dreading an 0-3 start without America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, because an 0-3 start is a death knell for playoff hopes. The Bucs escaped that by stealing a win in New Orleans.
The way the Bucs exploded like that yesterday, imagine when Jameis comes back? Beware Bears, beware.
* During training camp and preseason, several Bucs players warned Joe that the offense had talent to do damage. Of course, Joe heard this the previous offseason when Koetter bragged about the talent on the team on “Hard Knocks.” The team fell so flat and was so awful, Joe, always the cynic, heard the talk of all the talent and basically said to no one in particular, “Prove it.”
They sure as hell did yesterday.
* Is there any doubt Chris Godwin is a starting wide receiver in this league? He made two of the sickest catches you will see. That diving one-handed grab was just unreal and then he did a Mike Evans imitation when he caught a back-shoulder throw in the corner of the end zone and somehow got his feet inbounds for a score.
Ridiculous!
* Wasn’t it nice to have a running back who busted his balls on every play and when he saw daylight, bolted to take advantage? That was Peyton Barber yesterday who ran for 69 yards. Joe is convinced his effective running enabled the passing game to blow up. It was so refreshing from watching you-know-who duck his head when he neared the line and hoped to fall forward for a two-yard gain.
* You know, Joe was sick of Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht continuously talking about how Ryan Jensen was “nasty.” It felt like that was all Licht talked about. Not that Joe didn’t believe him, but Joe was to the point that he wondered if Licht signed a center or a Hell’s Angels biker.
But damned if Jensen and that nasty attitude didn’t live up to the hype. And his ornery attitude (on the field; dude is a softie off the field) spread to the rest of his teammates. Right tackle Demar Dotson sounded like a caller to a sports radio show he was so excited after the game at how Jensen toyed with Saints defensive linemen and is setting a new standard for the rest of the line t play by.
* It wasn’t all balloons and puffy white clouds as Al McGuire used to say.
The Bucs defense yesterday was a nightmare. A complete trainwreck. It reminded Joe of the Tennessee-ready game to open the season three years ago. Or in 2012, in the first road game of the Greg Schiano era in the New Jersey Swamplands, when Eli Manning went wilding on the Bucs defense and threw for 510 yards. Or the Capitol Collapse when Kirk “You Like That?” Cousins went bananas in the second half, wiping out a 24-point Bucs’ lead.
The Bucs coughed up 432 yards to Drew Brees and 475 total yards yesterday. That’s just out of hand. Only twice last year did the Bucs get gouged for that many yards. That was 516 yards to Atlanta and 494 yards to Minnesota. What the hell is it with road games in domes that Bucs defenders act like a bunch of frightened puppies?
If Joe was watching this game at home, he likely would have impaled his TV with a bottle of Bud Light.
You know what made this unacceptable performance even worse? First, the Bucs had all offseason to prepare for Drew Brees. That’s over eight friggin’ months! Second, how many defensive linemen were signed as free agents or traded for and how many defensive backs were drafted, and the defense was just as bad if not worse than last year? That is simply unacceptable. You cannot expect any NFL team’s offense to rack up 41 points a game to cover for such an ole’ defense.
The defensive line was upgraded, was it not? The secondary was upgraded, was it not? So what in the name of Jim Bates is going on here?
And with Brent Grimes out for who knows how long with a bum groin and Vernon Hargreaves (who had a decent game and a fantastic forced fumble to set up Evans’ scoop-and-score) had his left arm in a sling last night, you are likely looking at two rookies and/or Ryan Smith as your starting corners.
Yeah, better grab a rosary.
And this is another reason why Joe was reminded of watching the old San Diego Chargers yesterday. Those old Don Coryell/Fouts teams had to outscore their rotten defense to win games.
* It was a fantastic time Saturday at the Bourbon Street Takeover, which began at Manning’s Sports Bar (Archie Manning even showed up and greeted the Stick Carriers!). It was good to meet new faces and old ones (Outlaw, Port Richey Lou, Dr. Wenk and Dr. Wierzbicki, just to name a few). There were Stick Carriers there from Canada, Mexico, Pennsylvania and Western Tennessee. Joe thinks it is safe to say a good time was had by all. Thanks for showing up! And thanks to Sean at FanRetreat.com for helping set this up.
September 10th, 2018 at 5:26 am
I was skeptical when it was announced that as part of the D line turnaround that JPP was going to be the centerpiece of the DE rotation. A step in the right direction, but not enough. Picking up Carl Nassib a step in the right direction, but not enough. Simply put unless this team is ready to pony up for a premier pass rusher on the outside or draft a dude who doesnt have to eat up 60 lbs in an offseason just to compete at his position, the medicrocity is only gonna continue.
September 10th, 2018 at 5:38 am
Is it possible we look into bringing Breshard Breland in for a visit? With Brent Grimes already being out with a groin injury, which can linger all year, we need a veteran that can stick number 1 receivers or we are going to be in trouble. We can’t afford to waste offensive outbursts like this by watching apposing teams drive down the field at the end of games with no resistance.
September 10th, 2018 at 5:39 am
Ziggy Ansah or Jadaveon Clowney next year
Plus- 2 young DE’s.
Nassib looked really goodby the way.
Perhaps, he is better suited for a 4-3.
He looked long and fast.
September 10th, 2018 at 5:40 am
“Todd Monken?”
#KobeMonkBFF
September 10th, 2018 at 5:45 am
…… And Trade Jameis
…. And get a real defensive coordinator
September 10th, 2018 at 5:46 am
JPP didn’t do crap either
September 10th, 2018 at 6:15 am
As I have been saying all along. Our coverage unit doesn’t play tight enough long enough for any type of pass rush to develop. The receivers simply plant their foot in the foot in the ground and look for the ball and their wide open. If the timing is disrupted then the qb now has to anticipate more where to put the ball. Its no longer just repetition. Our defense just gave up 40 points EVEN AFTER a good offensive time of possession. They never adjusted for someone to cover Kamara and we got lucky.
If you take Monkens GUTSY play calling its the same old story….a beatdown!!!
Ive been saying it all along give this team a decent defense and they are a playoff team. This scheme and DC is a joke. Just wait for Philly to be reminded that defense wins championships.
GOOD JOB MONKEN THOUGH!!!
September 10th, 2018 at 6:49 am
Really, really fun to watch on Sunday.
Anybody missing Jameis yet?
September 10th, 2018 at 6:49 am
The single most explosive performance by the Buccaneer Offense ever. The O line was the unit that stood out the most , but they will get overlooked as O-line play is never given enough cred. Not signing DRC at corner when he was available is now a haunting mistake. Great beginning to be sure , but time is now to forget this game and focus on Foles and Company. Iggles offense is not what Saints was , but Philly D is way better. Get well Vita and GO BUCS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 10th, 2018 at 6:50 am
Joe says: “The way the Bucs exploded like that yesterday, imagine when Jameis comes back“
Not sure the Bucs would have won with Jameis yesterday. Fitz was throwing perfectly, better than we have ever seen Jameis play. Not saying Fitz can keep up that level of play, just saying that yesterday he was the best QB on the roster.
September 10th, 2018 at 6:55 am
Y is MSmith playing the same conservative defense. Two players that has a history of embarrassing our defense…Kamara who makes our defense look like 2nd string high schoolers, n Cam Newton who taunts, showboat, n tease our defense. Can we just give a first rounder n something for the Browns defensive Coordinator Greg Williams. I guarantee u you’ll see a difference especially with aggressiveness. He’ll maximize the rookies skill sets. Take a snippet from the Broncos when they only needed to add one player to the team (Peyton Manning) to complete the puzzle. MSmith is dumbfounded.
September 10th, 2018 at 6:59 am
Exactly, Dreambig
September 10th, 2018 at 7:02 am
Must say Joe, what makes JBF fun after games is that you are SO PREDICTABLE. Let’s see, get a Jameis plug in there, then follow with bashing the defense. Love it.
@Joe … “The way the Bucs exploded like that yesterday, imagine when Jameis comes back? Beware Bears, beware.” I read that Fitz had a 156 passer rating … he completed 21-of-28 for 417 yds passing (average 15 yds/pass), rushed for another 36 yds, threw for FOUR TDs & racked up 26 total first downs, had ZERO INTs or fumbles, and was throwing perfect balls dead on target all afternoon. But instead, we all really can’t wait for Jameis to get in there and improve on THAT performance. Newsflash Joe: Jameis has NEVER had a game that good in his 3 years here. (might want to check his 5 TD day in Philly. Same type of game. –Joe) He’s still (probably) the Bucs QB of the future, but please stop pretending like he’s the messiah. He’s still got a lot of improving to do to perform at the level that we saw Fitz perform at yesterday.
@Joe … “The Bucs defense yesterday was a nightmare. A complete trainwreck. And with Brent Grimes out for who knows how long with a bum groin and Vernon Hargreaves (who had a decent game and a fantastic forced fumble to set up Evans’ scoop-and-score) had his left arm in a sling last night, you are likely looking at two rookies and/or Ryan Smith as your starting corners.” Funny how you admit that the Bucs’ defense is badly beaten up already (Vea, Unrein, Beckwith, Grimes, VHIII, etc) and yet … it’s a ‘complete trainwreck’. How long have many of us (including one of you) been beating the drum for Licht to bring in a veteran corner? So now the TWO senior CBs are down with injuries (Grimes & VHIII) & we have to rely on 3 rookies for our corners against probably the best QB in the league. Ya right, that’s a good plan Jason. It might’ve worked IF our LBs had done a better job of short coverage yesterday, but that’s not what I saw. I was very unimpressed with our LB play yesterday. But hey, that was just part of the ‘nightmare’, so no biggie I guess.
September 10th, 2018 at 7:02 am
Fritz hit DJax and Evans on long throws
Jamies has not been able to do that
Why are certain players never questioned about their plays
Winston has not shown what Fritz did yesterday and who is New in the Offense
The center
No new weapons
September 10th, 2018 at 7:06 am
I’m not trying to give the Dline slack but the Saints have one of the better young Offensive lineman in the NFL. Secondly, Brees is known to throw that quick short pass not giving much time for the Dline to make a sack. Next week’s game against the Eagles will not be any easier. The Eagles Oline was one of the best in the NFL. PFF rates them as the best Oline in the NFL. They probably have the best tandem tackles and their center Kelce and guard Brooks are rated top 10. Hopefully the bucs can create some pressure.
September 10th, 2018 at 7:10 am
ATrain- Watching that I felt the same way. Fitz looked like he had ice running through his veins, literally surgical! We’ve not seen that from Jameis……yet!
I guess we’ll just have to outscore teams until Mike Smith figures out how to get his defense right. LB’s were horrendous! It’s called tackling for a reason.
September 10th, 2018 at 7:11 am
@ Defense Rules – “How long have many of us (including one of you) been beating the drum for Licht to bring in a veteran corner?”
First of all, Licht did sign a veteran CB – Grimes. He was a FA who sign for 10 mil. Secondly, Licht did draft 2 CB in the draft. I am sure Licht and the rest of the general managers in the NFL would love to open up their pocket books and sign all the great players. Fortunately this is not how it works – we have a salary cap and we are competing with 31 other teams to find and sign talented players. There is only so much a general manager can do in one season.
September 10th, 2018 at 7:12 am
If Fitz can play like this against a much better defense in the eagles dirk should seriously consider leaving Winston on the sideline imo.
September 10th, 2018 at 7:17 am
If Jameis would have finished with this same performance yesterday , this website would have written 15 articles on how great he is. They would have screamed to the high heavens , I told you so haters.
Fitzpatrick has one of the best performances ever by a buc qb (the game set record for most points in game ever) and you know what they do here . They write 1 article about Fitz and how he stole a game. Not that he didn’t earn one. Playing with almost the same players and same crappy defenses.
Not saying Jameis ain’t the franchise qb but let’s give Fitz some dang credit. He deserves it. One of the most exciting games I have ever watched bucs play. Up there with super bowl !
Not sure Fitz can keep up his magic as 2 upcoming games will be tough but what a class act He could save this season . Good qb play can win games all by themselves
September 10th, 2018 at 7:26 am
Bucsfan
I was calling for Smiths head early on but as I watched there is one thing that stood out
When GMC pushed into the backfield the defense was on but most of the time he was pushed down the line
When he wasn’t on the field the line looked like we got more pressure
I’m not a Trade GMC guy but I would Demanf more from a high paid player he is suppose to be elite and at times he is just not the whole game
September 10th, 2018 at 7:36 am
Fitz played with poise, confidence, intelligence, experience and accuracy…
September 10th, 2018 at 7:36 am
ATrain- It was hard to watch that d-line group. I think my expectations far exceeded reality. I didn’t see GMC come out that much, then again, I was trying to watch JPP, Curry, Allen, and Nassib. I wanted to see more from this group than what they did on Sunday.
We have to consider too that Brees is a 1st ballot HOF’er. He knows how to mitigate a pass-rush: quick-strike passing.
Hopefully they gel and start getting consistent pressure. GMC has to be part of that push.
I thought the LB group was the worst, IMO. Way too many missed tackles and bad angles.
It’s a W so, I’ll temper my criticisms. We’re agreed on d-line play though.
September 10th, 2018 at 7:39 am
@Bird and Defense Rules
Fitz deserves plenty of credit. The O line gave him time. But he is the one that had a spectacular game. ten completions over 20 yards ,leading receivers properly and turnover free. Limit the tight window throws and you can get a 75 % completion percentage and still throw deep when needed. Eventhough DJax and Evans got the bulk of the catches Godwin, Brate and Hump all got a at least one chance to make a big play.
September 10th, 2018 at 7:39 am
AlabamaBucFan … I readily acknowledge that there’s only so much money to go around. I would’ve been perfectly happy if they’d brought back Robert McClain, although there are a couple of other guys I’d rather have. Everyone knew Brent wouldn’t make it through 16 games … that’s a lot to ask of a 35-year-old corner. It wouldn’t have taken much $$$ to sign a respectable veteran backup. Relying on Ryan Smith & 2 rookies is inviting highly-experienced QBs like Brees to pick us apart. And guess what …
BTW, Bama looked very good Saturday. Very methodical. Loved it. (Unless you’re an Auburn fan of course).
September 10th, 2018 at 7:41 am
And, people wanted to get rid of Jackson ….. SMH
We have tremendous Firepower, as we demonstrated yesterday, but our Defense nearly gave up that game.
I agree with another poster here that that game was the most exciting since the Super Bowl victory.
September 10th, 2018 at 7:42 am
Watching some of the later games on Sunday, I was reminded about how freakishly accurate Drew Brees is. The Bucs defense will get better just by virtue of playing more mortal quarterbacks. Our offense was fantastic and the game was fun to watch. But Koetter better read the riot act to Mike Smith.
September 10th, 2018 at 7:44 am
” Right tackle Demar Dotson sounded like a caller to a sports radio show he was so excited after the game at how Jensen toyed with Saints defensive linemen and is setting a new standard for the rest of the line t play by.”
This Joe…
THIS is YUUUUUGE Tampa.
September 10th, 2018 at 7:44 am
The most pleasant surprise for me was the very solid Oline…Watch Jensen….he is a beast.
Now, we need to get production from Vea & Rojo.
Is it just me or didn’t Ryan Smith look a bit better…that penalty on him was bad…but not as bad as the one on Brate.
September 10th, 2018 at 7:48 am
ATrain … Interesting observation about GMC & the DLine (I focused more on the LBs, but certainly the DLine didn’t consistently pressure Brees).
Jim & Bob … Fitz also provided that ‘Field Generalship’ that the Bucs desperately need. EVERYONE was stepping up & making plays, and that tells me a lot about their confidence level at this point. They were playing some good old-fashioned smash-mouth football IMO.
September 10th, 2018 at 7:48 am
Awesome game by the Bucs! Great to see the offense finally click like that.
hopefully the guys that went down will be ready to go next week. Need all the healthy body’s we can get to keep this train rolling.
September 10th, 2018 at 7:48 am
Bucs defense should look better this week against foles but he is the streakyiest qb ever and he has been having some crappy games lately hopefully the bad foles continues this week, because that bucs defense is gawd awful, bucs still need an electric rb licht has passed on the past 3 years, but fitz, monken and koetter deserve all the credit, great that koetter ceded control and that monken could do it and then fitz is just smart and could throw that deep ball which has not been seen in these parts since the tampa bay bandits
September 10th, 2018 at 7:53 am
I think I could get hit by a semi truck this morning and still walk away smiling!
September 10th, 2018 at 7:54 am
Bench Conte! The defense will fix itself after that happens…
September 10th, 2018 at 7:57 am
Can we call law enforcement to have them do a well being check for Reality is a Beocth / They used to call me TMax?
Cops: “Yes ma’am, we need to check your basement to make sure your son is ok. Yes ma’am, he’s the one in the fetal position clutching the GMac doll and sucking his thumb.”
September 10th, 2018 at 8:09 am
Brees puts up points on everyone….even in their crappy seasons. I dont think we can make much of our defense from that game. We got two turnovers, scored on one….Got a sack, held them to some field goals….We checked a lot boxes against a Hall of Fame QB still playing at an elite level.
All that being said, i think this game is a great example of what Koetter and Monken refer to as “one score” games….Had we turned the ball over just ONCE…we probably lose that game. That ONE missed FG made the game way more uncomfortable then it should have been. We hit the deep ball, the offense opens up like we’ve never seen. Those are all the things that went wrong last year. Its my opinion, Winston starts week 4 but as a fan of the team, i want to see wins vs QB stats. I could careless about Winston’s “potential”….He’s in year 4 and there’s still question marks swirling him. Meanwhile guys like Trubisky, Mahomes, Garapollo, Wentz, etc…all look the part. Winston comes out and starts with another string of 8 pt first halfs and Tampa fans are going to lose it.
September 10th, 2018 at 8:11 am
NewTampChris is spot on. Brees avoided at least 3 sure sacks just with his pocket presence alone. I cannot wait to see the D against some lesser QB talent not just for stats padding but because they need and can continue to build confidence.
As for the Fitz lovers who are also JW haters who want him benched or traded I’d just say there is more than one way to look at the situation at QB.
1. Embarrassment of riches. When did we ever have this level of depth at that position?
2. QB competition could easily become QB controversy and I for one, do not believe this team’s mental game could survive a controversy and I hope the front office is capable of managing this situation to the Bucs benefit and not detriment.
All of that said FITZ MAGIC INDEED. Such a beast game for him and the offense generally.
Lastly, 24 points given up by our D when we had a 24 pt lead? Mr. Smith, your life is calling, get it together.
September 10th, 2018 at 8:13 am
What was nice was to see someone throw deep to D-JAx for once.
September 10th, 2018 at 8:18 am
Just rude to disrespect Fitz like that joe, even for clicks. ???????????????–Joe
Low…
September 10th, 2018 at 8:21 am
How excited is DeSean Jackson now for Winston to return?
September 10th, 2018 at 8:22 am
I hope Tony LA is feeling better about Fitzy.
“K_Bassuka Says:
September 10th, 2018 at 7:54 am
Bench Conte! The defense will fix itself after that happens…”
This is a joke, right?! Because of poor LB play, if Conte and Evans don’t make tackles, Kamara would still be running down Bourbon Street!
September 10th, 2018 at 8:29 am
Maybe Monken should call the defense.
September 10th, 2018 at 8:34 am
PSA: SORRY FOR DOUBTING FITZ’s ABILITY TO WIN THESE FIRST THREE GAMES
That said, I find it hard to believe Jackson is going to miss this next game against his former team (who really drug his name through the dirt in order to cut him), the Eagles.
September 10th, 2018 at 8:38 am
I think….if the Bucs are somehow (unlikely) 3-0 that Jameis himself would endorse Fitzy as the starter after the suspension. Just get that impression about the kid.
September 10th, 2018 at 8:42 am
Really disappointed with LB play, as is everyone else I suppose…
It took Kwon almost an entire half to get in the game, and even then he wasn’t stellar. Leading the team in tackles is nice and all, but not when a majority of them are 10-15 yds down the field… Lavonte couldn’t find an angle with a protractor, and appears to give up more than he attacks.
Serious envy after watching Mack and Roquan for the Bears last nite. Man what a tandem that is gonna be. Like having two DBrooks at the same time, only bigger.
September 10th, 2018 at 8:47 am
I didn’t know it would be that much of an issue but Carlton Davis looked like he was running in mud and extremely overmatched MJ looked like he belongs though. I can’t wait to get rid of Mike Smith and his horrible off ball coverage. It doesn’t work and he refused to change
September 10th, 2018 at 8:50 am
Once again I believe the refs made three very poor calls against the Bucs yesterday… I bringing back a tremendous play of about 56 yards by Adam Humphries and the call against Brate showed no unusual contact that would account for offensive pass interference, however the refs made sure to void a 23 yard pick up and a 1st down gain that was certainly on track to put that game away…. I am frankly sick of sorry calls that get heaped on this Tampa Team…
September 10th, 2018 at 8:52 am
@TBBF … “Is it just me or didn’t Ryan Smith look a bit better…that penalty on him was bad…but not as bad as the one on Brate.” I was disappointed with the officiating all game long. And Ryan Smith did do several good things I thought, but he’s still playing too far off. Fairly solid tackler though IMO. Personally I’d rather see him play the nickel than outside, even if we end up going with 2 rookies outside. What I really want though is better LB coverage (I don’t personally care if we blitz them or not). Our DLine needs to get the QB moving off his spot; without that, every QB will have a field day against this defense.
September 10th, 2018 at 9:02 am
This was the offensive EXPLOSION we’ve all been waiting to see.
Brees. Michael Thomas and Kamara are three of the best offensive players in the league – and were showing that repeatedly in game 1. The Saints offense we saw yesterday is going to put a hurting on a bunch of defenses this year – so lets give it a couple more games before we officially declare the 2018 Bucs defense a “nightmare”.
All that matters is the WIN!
This is a particularly sweet victory Monday!
September 10th, 2018 at 9:05 am
@NotThereYet … “I can’t wait to get rid of Mike Smith and his horrible off ball coverage. It doesn’t work and he refused to change.” Remember how open DJax & ME13 & Godwin were yesterday on several of those deep balls? Lattimore got burnt several times as I remember, and he did quite well last year IMO. Playing press works great if you have talented, FAST CBs & speedy Safeties behind them, but it’s easy to get burnt if you don’t. And the Saints got burnt early & often yesterday.
Got a feeling (but don’t know for sure obviously) that Smitty is trying to keep that very thing from happening. And to an extent it’s working … we’re not getting beaten on deep balls much, but it’s almost like he’s chosen the ‘death by a thousand cuts’ option instead. Great Secondaries probably take awhile to gel, and we’ve certainly had a lot of ‘moving parts’ back there, but Smitty needs to start taking some risks in terms of trying to shoot for some tighter coverages. Whether our CBs & Safeties have the talent & speed to do that is anyone’s guess right now.
September 10th, 2018 at 9:06 am
interesting how all the naysayers have conveniently remained silent….and this is probably what everyone is thinking,,,,Reality is a bitc…..hahahaha, our offense looked awesome and our d stopped a great run team that we had no clue with last year…i can’t wait for our injured players to return on the defensive side…..
Jason Licht has quietly built a nucleus to expend upon, next years draft should be d line and more d backs, and a developmental right tackle …
GO BUCS
September 10th, 2018 at 9:09 am
I saw press coverage from the CBs as often as not yesterday. Funny how once a thing becomes a “thing” its hard to shake the perceptions that its not happening all the time…
September 10th, 2018 at 9:10 am
Well last time I checked Trubisky, Garrapolo and Wentz didn’t win games yesterday so quit comparing Winston to them.
Fitz played well yesterday, but this offensive outburst has been a long time in the making.
Winston could have easily just have had the same numbers. Who knows.
Not so much RPOs but checking at the line and then Evans and DJax just beating their man.
It was great to watch, and we are fortunate, but crowning Fitz the starter is just ridiculous.
And the defense CANNOT be measured against Drew Brees. Next week against Foles we will see what this D is made of. AT HOME BABY!!
September 10th, 2018 at 9:13 am
Why am I the only guy pointing out the special teams failure to close the show?
Again IF we make the kick a lot of this talk about prevent defense and Moncken turtling to early becomes academic.
We’re not going to play any better than having a defending champ in their house down by 16 midway through the 4th with a 44 yard FG attempt that would absolutely close the show. That’s not a strategic failure on the part of the coaches…it’s on the players to EXECUTE.
I watched Carlton Davis stick to some receivers like a wet blanket…then of course he also mixes in some dumb rookie mistakes. But he did NOTHING that made me believe he won’t be a good DB in this league.
@Joe
What is going on with JPP? He left the game early and didn’t seem the same when he returned. Is he OK?
September 10th, 2018 at 9:14 am
(Sang to the theme of B.o.B’s – Magic)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq-NShfefks
We’ve got FitzMagic in TB,
Every time he throws the ball,
It turns into 1st and goal,
Everybody knows…
We’ve got FitzMagic in TB,
His beard is magical,
No one can sack our new QB,
Now everybody wants a pass from…
FitzMagic, Magic, Magic,
FitzMagic, Magic, Magic,
FitzMagic, Magic, Magic… aaawoooo
We got FitzMagic in TB
September 10th, 2018 at 9:19 am
chris godwin is like a mix of micheal thomas and mike evans . he has the slick footwork and ability to box out his defender like mike, and is really valuable in his ability to work outside or from the slot like thomas and can get you the yards after the catch. also his hands are extremly strong. only thing working against him is he is playing beside one of the 5-6 receivers in the league and on an offense with an embarrassment of talent. no doubt in my mind that godwin is one of the top 10-12 best receivers in the league he just isn’t on a team where he will be able to show it every week.
September 10th, 2018 at 9:27 am
hilarious the fans in the comments talking about fitz is better than jameis LOL. like this story hasn’t been told before , fitz is as hot and cold as can be . that is not a guy you want to rely on for more than 3-4 games unless you want to see what the opposite of a 5 td performance looks like. and did no one watch jameis in the preseason? or the end of last season for that matter? laughable to even entertain the idea that fitz is better than jameis . weird how fans don’t seem to realize that it is completely possible that fitz can play a game better than jameis has ever played in his career but yet still not be the better qb. it’s like the dumb media talking heads claiming the eagles have a qb controversy . they just like to talk. and unfortunately bucs fans have no clue when they have something good. especially at the qb position . jameis is the franchise . it’s not changing to fitzpatrick anytime soon or ever for that matter .
September 10th, 2018 at 9:28 am
There was a ton of press and man coverage, until the Bucs were way ahead and it was time to keep everything in front of them and keep the clock running!!!!!! I think some of the so-called fans don’t watch the Buc’s games let alone other teams that run off coverage as well!!!!! Who are all these other Defensive coordinators who run man press and get 3 and outs every drive????????
The so-called fans and local media will say that Coach Smitty pitched a shut-out in the 3rd quarter!!!!! They won’t say that NS57 had a QB pressure and hit in the second half!!!!!!! yet the unstoppable in training camp JPP had what???? The training camp reports are about as worthless as a 813 post!!!!!!!! Micheal Clayton and Tkras pregame show had a great interview with a saints reporter, who commented that the saints secondary did not have a break out game until week 9!!!!!! Imagine that, a talented rookie corner getting better in the back half of the year!!!!!!!!!!
Kudos to the coaching staff that out schemed and flat out out coached the saints with less experienced talent!!!!!!!!!
#trust the coaches!!!!!!! fix the “real” problem!!!!!! the roster!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 10th, 2018 at 9:31 am
I agree our defense was toast, but the same Drew Brees threw for 300 yards on the Vikings in the playoffs last year who is supposed to be the best defense in the league (it’s what Brees does)
September 10th, 2018 at 9:33 am
Oh yeah, I definitely believed there is no way this offense shouldn’t average 24 points a game, the defense hopefully can contain other teams to 21 or less.
September 10th, 2018 at 9:43 am
Fitz has the IQ to instantly assess the situation. JW takes an extra 3 seconds to do the same. Consequence, sack, fumble or interception.
September 10th, 2018 at 9:48 am
JPP was not listed on any injury list. Nothing was announced in the press box.
September 10th, 2018 at 10:01 am
Did JPP Play? I never heard his name one.
September 10th, 2018 at 10:19 am
@James Walker
JPP played 48 snaps which was 75% of defensive snaps!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!
September 10th, 2018 at 10:24 am
I’m giving Smitty a pass too for this game….as it was Brees and the Saints at home….
He’s still on a VERY short leash….
To Realist he’s a defensive guru….to 98% of JBF posters he’s clueless.
Sorry Realist majority rules. We’ll see.
September 10th, 2018 at 10:33 am
Pickgrin as usual, is right on it. I haven’t rewatched the defensive portion of the game, but our rookie outside corners played press coverage a lot. I said last night that Hargraves was in the slot most of the night with the two rookies outside. That was only partially correct; we were in nickel most of the game, Taylor only played 28 plays, but while Davis played almost the whole game 88%, Smith played more than Davis.
Hargreaves seemed to be the one who was primarily responsible for Thomas’s huge night, but he also made the play of game.
September 10th, 2018 at 10:33 am
Watching Sean P.’s post game presser was an entertaining way to start the season! The Saints’ D was PUTRID yesterday. From schemes to execution they were downright P-U-T-R-I-D. Dennis Allen has to be a dead-man walking.
There were times during the game when our D wasn’t any better–that opening drive, for example. Kwon taking terrible angles and getting washed out. Conte lacking any range. Too much Gholston and the DL playing like it hadn’t been “upgraded” at all.
Then, they settled down a bit in the 2nd quarter, VHIII played his best 1/2 as a Buccaneer, the DBs hunkered down, the LBs started to play with more feel…then boom, the huge fumble/TD! They kept the momentum going through the entire 3rd Quarter and were even outstanding at times-with some pressure, MUCH better tackling, good coverages too- all the way into the middle of the 4th qtr.
The did everything they had to do to ice the game- then our kicking game reared its UGLY head. What a nut punch that was. The D was gassed and Brees was Brees. The fact that the Saints took a TO during the 2pt conversion would come back to haunt them, allowing Fitz’s feet to save the day.
Look, our weaknesses are still our weaknesses- but yesterday we actually managed to overcome them and expose the other team’s weaknesses. That rarely happens around these parts. Very rarely.
Kudos to the coaches and players for the effort and the HUGE win! Now, it’s time to hunker down and get ready for a monster D and the SB Champs…let’s show up and play hard, please!!! Let’s have some pride and not get mauled in game 2 like last year!
#Fitzmagicisreal
September 10th, 2018 at 10:35 am
@Buc1987
just because the sheep are headed to the field to graze, does not mean you have to go with them!!!!!!!!
Did you expect a good outing from the new D-line???? did you think the rookie and young secondary to dominate????? did you think the linebackers on Kamara was a favorable match up?????
The defense will get better as the year goes on!!!!! But if you think the pieces are all there and D-line will dominate with the 3rd round pick trade and two salary cut casualties pickups then you might as well start grazing in the field!!!!!!! The “real” question is what was the local media watching and reporting all training camp long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Look for a DE drafted in the first round for the Bucs in the 2019 draft!!!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 10th, 2018 at 10:37 am
@stpete- That missed kick changed everything. He makes it, it’s game over. Play whatever bland defense/offense you want.
That 4th quarter stretch had me consume several Beam & Cokes just to calm my nerves. I’ve got bandages on all my fingers as I type this from biting my nails!
What ’87 said! It was Drew Brees. He’s going to make you look silly.
Short leash indeed!
September 10th, 2018 at 10:45 am
In my own small way,I may have helped in this victory. I was walking the dog sunday morning and listening to Pandora. Some Blues came on I clicked on
a bunch of Louisiana blues songs by Tuit. I figured it was better to listen , than be singing them later. LAWD knows that wouldn’t be pretty! Lawd knows that
wouldn’t be pretty!
September 10th, 2018 at 10:57 am
@ Defense Rules “BTW, Bama looked very good Saturday. Very methodical. Loved it. (Unless you’re an Auburn fan of course).”
I must admit, I grew up in Tampa bay and was not much a college football fan growing up. I am just an Alabama transplant. I like both teams but I favor Alabama. It is crazy college football here. You have to a choice – hate one team and love the other team.
As for Grimes, I agree, the older you get the more injury prone you are. I am not sure if Grimes was the best choice but it was slim pickings this year for Free agent CBs.
September 10th, 2018 at 11:05 am
Fitz really did a great job yesterday and basically won the game . I predict we will win the first 2 of 3 . Then the idiots will put JW back in and the season will go to crap.
September 10th, 2018 at 1:29 pm
Every year is different…better offensive line, a productive running back, different play caller, great pre-seaon play from all QBs!!!
Preparation time for N.O.
Great win, great job with Fitz, and no doubt JW would have performed the same or better!
September 10th, 2018 at 2:59 pm
Yes it was great to see the offense clicking like that! But to score 48 points and still be worried that it’s not enough is a terrible feeling. And everyone that’s saying we’ll get a true measure of the defense against Foles must forget that every time he plays us he has a career day. Defense better tighten up.
September 11th, 2018 at 4:26 am
Look, let’s be real. Teams are now going to understand that the Bucs offense is scary good. It’s not going to get easier for Fitz. But, who would respond better to opposing defensive game planning, trickery, stunts and pressure more? Fitz never played on an offense like this where almost every weapon was a highlight reel waiting to happen. I prefer Fitz’s poise under pressure. If JW gets the call and starts winning, awesome! But if he stinks it up 2 games in a row or makes costly bone headed plays where he thinks his talent is greater than the mechanics of the game – bench him. I would rather fight and lose to a better opponent, than cause my own demise. But if Fitz balls out these next 2 games, you would be a homer not to continue to play the hot hand. Koetter, Smith, and Licht are in win now mode or go fishin for a new job. They will play the hot hand if it’s there.
But, apart from all the QB controversy, we won’t go far without an average defense that can take out at least one of the opposing teams’ offensive weapons.
Even with all the back and forth about the QBs, I’m enjoying the fact that we can debate which QB is better. It means the offense is slaying. Is this offense built around the strengths of the QB or is the system making the QB? We will see. I don’t really care, just win baby!