Three Bucs Out; Multiple Bucs Return
December 7th, 2018
Fresh faces — and legs — will be among the active Buccaneers on Sunday against the Saints.
But Joe’s not sure what’s good or bad news on the injury report.
On the surface, it’s great to have rookie cornerback M.J. Stewart return from his foot injury, but the defense was playing better without him. He’s looked slow all season. Stewart was “full participation” in practice all week.
Cornerback Brent Grimes also practiced fully all week, so it sure seems like he’ll be back on the field — and as a starter.
Demar Dotson, who missed last Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury (and another one Joe can’t remember) officially is listed as questionable for Sunday but was “full participation” today. So that means he’s likely to play. Last Friday on his radio show, Dirk Koetter said Dotson may be best pass-blocking right tackle in the league.
Cornerback Carlson Davis is doubtful with a knee injury, and Justin Evans (toe), Isaiah Johnson (concussion) and DeSean Jackson (thumb) have all been ruled out.
Evans returned from a toe injury last week and quickly left the game after getting burned. The Bucs are probably better off without him if he’s at less than full speed.
No Evans means Bucs-Panthers hero Andrew Adams makes his first Bucs start. He started 17 games at safety for the Giants through the 2016 and 2017 season, so this won’t be new territory for him.
December 7th, 2018 at 4:24 pm
Im with you Joe. After last Sunday’s defensive outing I’m not sure I want the Starters back.
December 7th, 2018 at 4:28 pm
Guarantee you if MJ Stewart and Grimes see any kind of significant playing time this defense is getting lit up for 30+ points.
December 7th, 2018 at 4:29 pm
Grimes will come in handy against Brees…as a player and defensive huddle
December 7th, 2018 at 4:31 pm
Start the same unit last sunday and see how it goes Duff
December 7th, 2018 at 4:33 pm
I hope they make the necessary adjustments if Stewart can’t keep up with his man.
December 7th, 2018 at 4:42 pm
Blitzing and hard hits in the ribs at the catch are what will win this game. It’s gonna be wet and there will be balls slipping out. Hopefully they can pull this one out.
December 7th, 2018 at 4:44 pm
Agreed with the above commenters.
I know Brees is far more deadly than an injured Cam Newton, but those guys were playing hard last week.
We will need our pass rush to be even better, as Brees gets the ball out lightning fast. Take some cues from Dallas. The formula to beat Brees is always the same: hit him early and often, and harass him all day long without hesitation.
December 7th, 2018 at 5:18 pm
Andrew Adams. I’m ccurious how he will do.
So far ad Stewart, he’s nnot going to improve if he doesn’t pplay.
December 7th, 2018 at 5:19 pm
swifty
i agree….
let grimes and MJ stay on the bench….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!…GO BUCS!!!
December 7th, 2018 at 5:20 pm
Brees is among the best at beating the blitz.
December 7th, 2018 at 5:27 pm
Bonzai, you can’t learn speed.
December 7th, 2018 at 5:33 pm
Could you have picked a worse photo of grimes? Man he looks retired even when practicing
December 7th, 2018 at 5:34 pm
if I were the Bucs, I would not change anything from last week Defensively. A lot of those so called unknowns played their Butts off. let’em play again Sunday.
December 7th, 2018 at 5:39 pm
I still think if he is healthy you have to start Grimes…..I realize he hasn’t played that well this year but he has some speed and experience. I agree that sitting or subbing Stewart is good.
We absolutely need a great (not good) pass rush. And we cannot turn it over.
I’d put LVD on Kamara all game.
December 7th, 2018 at 5:42 pm
Back to the scrubs. We need the guys playing with heart and nothing lose, not Grandpa Grimes and slow feet Stewart.
December 7th, 2018 at 6:18 pm
It appears that DJax has entered the unofficial Deactivation Nation.
December 7th, 2018 at 6:22 pm
I’m eager to see Stewart play with our much improved pass Russo. If an unknown like Adams can have three picks, I think Stewart may hold his own better. Certainly hope so, but gotta have the pass rush.
December 7th, 2018 at 6:51 pm
Brees is short for an NFL player. He is also super quick dropping back. Get in his face and distract him into throwing floaters. The first game was won in an offensive shootout in NOLA. Defense was DOA and we had no kicker. This one is different. Defense has risen partially from the dead and we have a kicker. Why can’t we win Sunday? The one thing will be the refs. Payton has no problem cheating. Hope the players know they have to outplay the refs as well as the Saints. Go Bucs!!
December 7th, 2018 at 6:52 pm
I’m glad Grimes is back. I love seeing him play 15 yards off his receiver, and get a bigger kick out of watching him bounce off whoever he tries to tackle. Steward is like a slow dog trying to keep up with a car on the freeway. Never catches them, and probably wouldn’t know what to do if he did. It’s amazing Licht used a second round pick on a player that is worse then the walk on Elliott. These guys play, expect an ass whipping by Brees.
December 7th, 2018 at 7:46 pm
Grimes and Stewart spell disaster- keep them off the field, please!!!!!!!
December 7th, 2018 at 7:48 pm
OMG the two of them are like Laurel and Hardy – just ridiculous play one after another
They suck out loud!!!!!
Bench them if we want any chance of victory
December 7th, 2018 at 8:01 pm
Tbbf you can think whatever you like, but that doesn’t change the fact that Grimes has done anything this year other than be terrible, give low effort, and avoid tackling at all cost.
December 7th, 2018 at 8:17 pm
*hasn*t rather
December 7th, 2018 at 8:45 pm
I wouldn’t start Brent Grimes in pop warner league , 3 passes defended in 12 games… A true laughing stock.
December 7th, 2018 at 9:25 pm
Dirk Koetter said Dotson may be best pass-blocking right tackle in the league.
———————–
And this is why Koetter will be fired. Not only has he not replaced Caleb Benenoch but he actually thinks Dotson can still play. Wester outplayed Dotson and so did Seaton in the preseason I remember calling him Beaston I guess he got cut bc he manhandled a DE by clotheslining him. Hey whatever keeps your QB upright.
Dotson let’s the DE hit or sack the QB and still gets called for holding, that is if he doesn’t just turn and watch the QB get hit.
MJ Stewart is a failed Ronde Barber 2.0 experiment sure he can hit but he can’t catch up to the receivers. As for Grimes …. meh
AGAIN I’d cut everyone age 26 or older except for JPP and LVD.
December 7th, 2018 at 9:40 pm
Grimes might be slightly undersized for pop warner but I’d probably still start him.
December 7th, 2018 at 11:58 pm
Waaahhh Charlie bit my finger and it really hurts.
MeJax is softer than baby food.
December 8th, 2018 at 3:33 am
I could see MJ Stewart playing some hybrid safety position.
December 8th, 2018 at 7:03 am
@Easy
I could see MJ Stewart getting burnt while playing some hybrid safety position.
December 8th, 2018 at 8:27 am
Just put on the right cleats
I dont want to see any of these clowns skating around out there trying to make a simple tackle
December 8th, 2018 at 11:05 am
I’d start grimes and Harris at corner. Qbs barely even throw to grimes side. How many tds has he given up this season??
December 8th, 2018 at 11:49 am
The 3 things standing out for me that are the difference makers on D:
1. Corners playing press coverage more often
2. When D does go zone, LB Blitzes are mixed in
3. The front 4 (JPP-Nassib) is simply getting more pressure…a hurry is almost as good as a sack sometimes
I do agree that the new mix of players (Adams and Ryan Smith) has tightening things up last week and at this point all options should be on table for this coaching staff to survive even if it means hurting a few egos. Koetter needs to stop saying anything about job security (dont lose to injury) to media or players; you don’t hear that nonsense in NE and there is a reason called Bill B. It should be week to week until you make the Pro Bowl few times or earn it.
December 8th, 2018 at 12:30 pm
This is a classic Firreeee Licht moment. M.J. Stewart couldn’t cover a piece of bread if he was peanut butter.
December 8th, 2018 at 1:48 pm
Deactivate both Stewart and Grandpa Grimes! Adams, Harris, Ryan Smith, Elliot and Whitehead are all we need in our secondary. Even when Justin Evans returns until he has mastered how to tackle and the correct angles to take to catch a ball carrier. Yes he has great speed and can be a playmaker but his tackling is too poor yet for a NFL Starter.
December 8th, 2018 at 4:07 pm
I really hate how everyone has already given up on MJ Stewart. Guys been injured most of the year just like Vita Vea was. Being Koetter, not knowing sh!t about defense, has him playing nickel when he should be rotating safety with Whitehead.