Spotlight On Desire
November 2nd, 2018
BY IRA KAUFMAN
Tampa Bay’s analytics department could have taken this week off because Sunday’s matchup in Charlotte isn’t about the numbers.
It’s about heart. It’s about desire. It’s about the will to compete.
In improving to 5-2, the Panthers just manhandled the Ravens, one of the league’s better defenses. They bludgeoned Baltimore on both sides of the ball as Ron Rivera looked on in delight. This is what the Panthers do. They own the line of scrimmage and eventually, all your fancy plans dissolve over 60 minutes.
All-world linebacker Luke Kuechly
There’s nothing gimmicky about these guys. A dynamic front 7, led by the incomparable Luke Kuechly, plays fundamental football while an anonymous offensive line powers a strong ground game and gives Cam Newton plenty of time to contemplate his options.
“We’re protecting Cam as well as we’ve ever protected him,” says Rivera, whose club owns a 57-21 scoring advantage in the past five quarters.
In the offseason, the Bucs vowed to be more explosive and more physical. Through seven games, they’ve earned a “C.”
The passing game has been sensational, except for the 15 interceptions that prompted another quarterback change this week. Tampa Bay has 34 completions of 20 yards or more and 10 of at least 40 yards, tied for the league lead.
In contrast, the Panthers have 19 completions of at least 20 yards and only one connection of 40 yards or more. But when it comes to running the ball with authority and pressuring quarterbacks, the Bucs appear outmanned Sunday.
“You’re just out there going through your thing,” a battered Joe Flacco said after Baltimore suffered a 36-21 setback, “Before you know it, you are hit over the head with a team that’s playing more physical than you and beating you in every way. You are trying to fight to get back in the game and just can’t get it done.”
These Panthers are bullies. They punch you in the facemask and steal your per diem money.
Attention, Defense
“Yeah, they’re playing well, 5-2,” says Dirk Koetter. “They beat a good Baltimore team last week and got after them pretty good. Strong in the defensive front seven and they’re running the ball. They’re No.2 in the league in running the football. That’s establishing a physical presence. That’ll be a big challenge for us this week.”
The last time the Bucs played a team this physical, the Bears kicked them all over Soldier Field.
If Tampa Bay wants to reach the midpoint of the season with a legitimate playoff chance, the Bucs will have to match Carolina’s intensity in the trenches. That means you, Beau Allen, and you, Vita Vea. You can’t be out of your run fits, like we saw in the first half at Cincinnati.
The Panthers average 5.1 yards per carry and it’s going to be a long afternoon if offensive coordinator Norv Turner is looking at 3rd-and-2 all day.
When the Panthers aren’t handing the ball to Christian McCaffery, they’re throwing it to him. First, you have to know where he lines up. Then, you have to wrap him up quickly after the catch.
There’s no Antonio Brown, Julio Jones or A.J. Green on this team. Carolina has a bunch of possession receivers content to move the chains.
Instead of facing Matt Ryan or Andy Dalton, Newton is a quarterback you’d prefer to keep in the pocket rather than allow him to throw on the run.
Needs help
“They’re committed to running the football, so that’s where physicality certainly starts,” Mark Duffner says. “They’ve got a good solid line as far as that’s concerned. They’re second in the league right now in rushing offense. To get that done, you’ve got to have a physical mentality in terms of, ‘Hey, we’re trying to knock you off the ball.’”
Here’s a hint: Jason Pierre-Paul could use a little help up front. He had both sacks and both quarterback hits last week — and that simply won’t do.
On the road, the Bucs are allowing an average of 40 points. That’s crazy. That’s outrageous.
This key matchup comes down to ball security and physicality.
Analytics? Save it for next week.
Now in his 40th year covering the NFL, Ira Kaufman is the most revered sports personality and writer in the Tampa Bay area. He scored a full-time seat at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters in July of 2016. Tampa Bay’s only Pro Football Hall of Fame voter busts out columns here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and his award winning podcasts fire Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can also hear Ira on SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio Wednesdays at 5 p.m. Also a TV star, Ira is part of the FOX-13 Tailgate Sunday NFL show at 10:30 a.m. He’s also on BayNews 9, Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. “The Sage” enjoys beet salads, Riesling, tennis, Bette Midler, Chiefs victories and needling Joe. …WATCH IRA AND DERRICK BROOKS on the new TAMPA TWO show from The Identity Tampa Bay and JoeBucsFan.
November 2nd, 2018 at 3:23 pm
This is not a team that we will match up well against.
November 2nd, 2018 at 3:33 pm
do I smell another blow out?…..
if dirk doesn’t have them ready to go, it’ll be over before you know it….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
November 2nd, 2018 at 3:57 pm
the Bucs will have to match Carolina’s intensity in the trenches. That means you, Beau Allen, and you, Vita Vea. You can’t be out of your run fits, like we saw in the first half at Cincinnati.
This means after you push your man 4-6 yards backwards…DISENGAGE and locate the ball, engage the ball carrier VITA VEA, Bucs #1 draft pick.
Drove me nuts watching that the last 2 games.
November 2nd, 2018 at 4:03 pm
I know we will win. But does anyone else. Yall stop acting like they already won the game. Believe in your team. 31-27 bucs
November 2nd, 2018 at 4:31 pm
I duno wtf to believe in anymore.
Go Bucs.
November 2nd, 2018 at 4:51 pm
LC says, He does not know WTF to beleive anymore. Well LC, Beleive what you see come this Sunday. Believe Them Panthers Will show us what WE..are suppose to look like. They got movers in their trenches. Straight up hogs and beast. I watched’em against the Ravens. Cams on his game. I don’t even think we can beat them..even if Fitamagic is on his game. Thats how good they are. Ohhh yeah, you’re gonna beleive..come Sunday.
November 2nd, 2018 at 4:52 pm
LC says, He does not know WTF to beleive anymore. Well LC, Beleive what you see come this Sunday. Believe Them Panthers Will show us what WE..are suppose to look like. They got movers in their trenches. Straight up hogs and beast. I watched’em against the Ravens. Cams on his game. I don’t even think we can beat them..even if Fitamagic is on his game. Thats how good they are. Ohhh yeah, you’re gonna beleive..come Sunday…We need to start re-organizing next season.
November 2nd, 2018 at 5:01 pm
Watch the game Sunday Buc fans. See a good coach who has created a hellva balanced attack. No not Dirk Koetter, I’m talkin bout Riverboat Ron..Rivera of the Carolina Panthers. They are firing on all cylinders right now. I don’t think we can beat the,..even with a good performance by Fitazmagic. Why? We can’t outscore them. You see..They have a Defense.
November 2nd, 2018 at 6:12 pm
The Panthers can keep their no2 rushing attack, this passing attack will outscore them. Simple as that.
November 2nd, 2018 at 6:33 pm
Ira
Their receivers are actually pretty good. Funchess is by far one of the most underrated wr in the league. D.J. Moore is like a fast Steve Smith sr just attitude for days. Chance are we won’t stop them but wtfdik.
But Ira you see football is not complicated it’s always been about beating the guy in front of you and in order to do that you have to be angry, strong and willing to smack-a-biatch.
The teams with the strongest defenses and running attacks always compete the finesse teams better have Peyton Manning as QB.
November 2nd, 2018 at 6:35 pm
Dubcity06
Thank you …it gets so depressing
November 2nd, 2018 at 8:12 pm
Why even bother watching the game since it’s an obvious foregone conclusion to expect a loss for the Bucs at Carolina. Because I can’t resist watching the chance of something outside of the ordinary Buc comedy of errors happening.
November 2nd, 2018 at 10:03 pm
If Fitzmagic is HOT, anything can happen.
November 2nd, 2018 at 11:03 pm
well call me crazy, but i believe wholeheartedly the bucs are going to win this game, why do i say this you ask? well i’ll tell you, tampa has been in the position to win all but one of their games, that being chicago, and the defense imho just did not believe in mike smith or his scheme, and i am also going to say the team was not feeling jameis, on the contrary they have rallied around fitz in fact he has elevated both sides of the ball offense and defense, with that being said, the players once again imho like koetter, this team knows as elvis presley said it’s now or never, and they are going to come out ready to rock, go bucs show em all wrong
November 3rd, 2018 at 4:56 am
It’s really pathetic that the Bucs D-line is as porous against the run as it is. If Taylor is at MLB then Carolina has a revolving door to the end zone. Vea appears more interested in a one on one strength match with an O-lineman than he is getting the running back that just scooted by him. I don’t know, it might be ugly…Carolina 48-Bucs 17…Koetter fired and a real dumpster fire.
November 3rd, 2018 at 7:00 am
This is a must win game and seriously doubt we can win – physical is not what this team is, at all
They are the image of their coach – soft
November 3rd, 2018 at 8:02 am
Bucs 49 – Carolina 48
November 3rd, 2018 at 8:10 am
The Bucs have nothing to lose, they have no pressure on them this week as there is no one in the media that would pick them to win. Carolina’s players must be in the film room drooling over facing this defense.
This is one of those games that the Panther players are probably not taking too seriously. I’m sure in their minds they know they are the more physical team and will come out punching.
The Bucs cannot outplay them physically so their only way to win this game is with big plays, just like vs New Orleans and the Eagles.
Koetter and Monken will have to diversify their game plan and not do the same thing they have done every game so far. This is the game to pull out all stops and have a daring gameplan.
Change the defense up and get some turnovers while they are at it.
November 3rd, 2018 at 9:37 am
Go Bucs,..and look out for Fitz, the old guy…