Simms: Play Design Will Sink Bucs
December 8th, 2018
Can the Bucs hang with the Saints on Sunday? Of course they can.
The Saints haven’t beaten the Bucs in Tampa since 2015. And Tampa Bay has won two straight against New Orleans.
But will the Bucs win this critical game for Dirk Koetter’s coaching life in Tampa?
Super Bowl-winning quarterback Phil Simms, the top CBS game analyst, sees a Saints victory because they’ll outcoach the Bucs. That’s not what fans and Koetter want to hear.
Simms was laying out this take on SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio this week. He acknowledged the Bucs are playing better and Jameis Winston is figuring out the NFL, but Simms was clear that the Bucs willl fall to Sean Payton’s play “design” on Sunday.
Joe is aching for a Bucs win, but if they lose, Joe sure hopes it’s not because of the Saints’ play design outsmarting the Tampa Bay coaching staff. That’s a very bad look against a division opponent.
Frankly, given how the Bucs defense is radically different from what it was two months ago, Joe would hope it’s the Saints that are a little off their game because of the new-look Bucs under Mark Duffner.
If the Bucs lose, may it just be because it was a tight, physical game and the Saints found a way to make one more play than Tampa Bay.
December 8th, 2018 at 4:41 pm
We’ll see
December 8th, 2018 at 4:42 pm
Well if Jamies pulls off another miracle by not turning the ball over we’ve got a shot
December 8th, 2018 at 4:48 pm
Sean Payton is great coach but is notorious for making boneheaded decisions in the clutch. He’s been doing it for years.
December 8th, 2018 at 4:53 pm
One important reason Koetter needs to take a hike and why we’ll continue to be in the bottom of the dumpster of the NFC south. A basic playbook that he runs so predictably.
December 8th, 2018 at 4:56 pm
Phil Simms has said nothing but bad things about the Bucs ever since we screwed up his son.
December 8th, 2018 at 5:00 pm
@BucBonzai…. we screwed up his son???? WTFRUTA???? His son was a wanna be QB from the start and he sucked to the end! Yeah he left his spleen on the field but he was well compensated for it.
December 8th, 2018 at 5:00 pm
SOEbuc, Koetter’s playbook has been known to be difficult to learn.
Ironic you say that about a top 5 offensive playbook.
December 8th, 2018 at 5:01 pm
Phil is just venting the family spleen.
December 8th, 2018 at 5:02 pm
I think Chris Simms knows more than his father, and he is 420 friendly. Go Bucs
December 8th, 2018 at 5:08 pm
Bonzai thanks for pointing out the irony. Go Bucs!
December 8th, 2018 at 5:19 pm
The Bucs on offense need to do whatever they were doing in week one to get the WRs running completely wide open down the field. But in any case when the Bucs won in week 1 you know what they weren’t doing? They weren’t running up the gut on every 1st down for no gain, well not until about 7 mins left in the game when Dirk took control and decided running it up the gut 3 times in a row would be the way to close out the game… instead they nearly let the Saints back into the game.
December 8th, 2018 at 5:22 pm
The Bucs’ defense has pulled off such a profound 180-degree turn in the past month that I think anybody prognosticating outcomes with confidence (one way or the other) is full of it. The Bucs are an unknown at this point…
December 8th, 2018 at 5:22 pm
Bonzi and other asinine assumption… Simms has not said anything positive about bucs because there has not been any positives since the firing dungy the clown and Grudens glory year. outside of those 2 events there has been zero positives
Bucs are the biggest laughingstock in all of pro sports period. National analysts do not agendas or grudges to point out how embarrassing this team is and will continue to be for decades to come
December 8th, 2018 at 5:22 pm
“Phil Simms is saying the obvious. Peyton is going to run screens to isolate our linebackers vs Kamara and Ingram
**Even the games we won, both Niners Belida and car mccarthy made our linebackers childish in pass coverage
Dallas linebackers vs Gumps linebackers? Ooopes
These screen play design gets the ball out of Brees hands BEFORE THE PASS RUSH
These screens will setup stop and goes to Michael thomas and draws for explosive gaines
*koetter is going to have to let Monken call the plays. Koetter has to know, we cant throw deep with the rain
LET MONKEN CALL THE QUICK SHORT PASSING GAME
Slants and crosses to Godwin, hump and even Mike Evans
**We will win the game if the most overrated player in the NFL doesnt play mind games with lattimore or trying to match a real reciever, Michael Thomas”
Kobe Faker
December 8th, 2018 at 5:28 pm
Lmao @ ME13 being overrated. That is most definitely your dumbest take in the 4+ years I’ve been comin to this site
December 8th, 2018 at 5:47 pm
Rod Munch you are wrong. The Bucs were actually very aggressive closing out the Saints game.
This false narritive was put on the Bucs after that game and after the Philly game and last week too. Not sure if you guys just aren’t watching or don’t understand end game football but you’re wrong and the play calling has been agressive.
Maybe stop preaching what you’re reading on bumper stickers?
December 8th, 2018 at 5:49 pm
Kobe – Actually outside of really one play where McCaffrey juked LVD into giving up a first down, LVD, when he was covering McCaffrey, did a pretty good job. We shall see what happens, but in any case while I think McCaffrey is good, Karama is a completely different level, a guy you have to gameplan for. While I think LVD is one of the best LB’s in football, he’s not Derrick Brooks, you can’t just say take this guy out of the game, you have to do what Sapp says, have a plan. So we’ll see what they do, but matching up LB’s one on one with a special talent like Karama isn’t a good plan I don’t believe. We shall see.
As for the passing game they need to do what they did in week 1, if guys are running as wide open as they were in week 1 it will be a huge day if the weather isn’t completely awful. While people talk about the misses between Winston and D-Jax, that really hasn’t been the case with anyone else, so if they’re wide open like that, Winston can hit them – perhaps not in the best passing day in team history way that Fitz had in week 1, but he’ll put up points. If they have adjusted to take away the deep ball, then yeah, some more quick slants and perhaps even a bubble screen or two would be a good plan I think.
December 8th, 2018 at 5:56 pm
JimmyJack…
Hey dummy, below is the actual play by play when Dirk took over and shut the offense down at the end of the Saints game nearly allow the Saints back into the game. They had 11 runs, 1 pass, and 0 points in the final 8:51 of the game.
But yeah, that’s some aggressive play calling to close out he game. Anywho if you’re ever actually right about anything, ever, let me know, because it will be a first.
Moron.
1st & 10 at TB 25
(8:51 – 4th) P.Barber right guard to TB 29 for 4 yards (V.Bell; S.Rankins).
2nd & 6 at TB 29
(8:07 – 4th) P.Barber left guard to TB 32 for 3 yards (C.Jordan).
3rd & 3 at TB 32
(7:22 – 4th) (Shotgun) R.Fitzpatrick pass deep right to D.Jackson to NO 33 for 35 yards (K.Crawley). TB-D.Jackson was injured during the play. His return is Questionable. Pass 27, YAC 8
1st & 10 at NO 33
(6:36 – 4th) P.Barber right guard to NO 32 for 1 yard (T.Davison; C.Jordan).
2nd & 9 at NO 32
(5:51 – 4th) P.Barber left end to NO 27 for 5 yards (A.Okafor).
3rd & 4 at NO 27
(5:04 – 4th) P.Barber left end to NO 26 for 1 yard (M.Williams; C.Jordan).
4th & 3 at NO 26
(4:57 – 4th) C.Catanzaro 44 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-G.Sanborn, Holder-B.Anger.
1st & 10 at TB 25
(3:31 – 4th) P.Barber left tackle to TB 21 for -4 yards (A.Klein). Penalty on TB-D.Dotson, Offensive Holding, declined.
2nd & 14 at TB 21
(3:27 – 4th) P.Barber left guard to TB 24 for 3 yards (M.Te’o).
3rd & 11 at TB 24
(2:42 – 4th) (Shotgun) R.Fitzpatrick scrambles left end to TB 36 for 12 yards (A.Anzalone).
1st & 10 at TB 36
(2:00 – 4th) R.Fitzpatrick kneels to TB 35 for -1 yards.
2nd & 11 at TB 35
(1:18 – 4th) R.Fitzpatrick kneels to TB 35 for no gain.
3rd & 11 at TB 35
(0:37 – 4th) R.Fitzpatrick kneels to TB 34 for -1 yards.
December 8th, 2018 at 6:02 pm
Nope you are the moron…….Shotguns on every third down except when they were setting up for a FG.
One of them was a bomb.
When the team is electing to throw for first down rather then run the clock that is the defenifition of agressive.
Just look above…..Calling a pass play on 3rd & 11…..If you don’t consider that agressive you just dont understand situational football.
December 8th, 2018 at 6:03 pm
Throwing bombs and going for it on 3rd & 11 isn’t agressive? Lay off the sauce bro.
December 8th, 2018 at 6:05 pm
I do apprecite youre well versed description of the plays. Thanks for not making me have to look it up.
December 8th, 2018 at 6:07 pm
JimmyJack – That’s your comeback… putting yourself into 3rd and long so you have to throw deep, one pass in the final 9 mins of a game, 0 points, and that’s aggressive? LOL! What an idiot. Even for you that’s a lackluster and low IQ comeback.
December 8th, 2018 at 6:09 pm
Who is Karama?
December 8th, 2018 at 6:14 pm
It’s not a comeback Rod it’s a fact. It’s not my fault you do not understand situational football.
You obvisously don’t understand situational football. Being agressive does not mean you neglect to work the Clock.
That’s a good balance above. That went agressive and called pass plays when they needed too. That’s being agressive. Not my fault if you dont understand that calling a 35 bomb from your own 32 is agressive.
December 8th, 2018 at 6:15 pm
Joe is censuring posts again… He censors more ideas than the old commie newspapers. Sad sad Joe
December 8th, 2018 at 6:18 pm
Bucs have got to play both the Aints and refs. They play error-free and they will back refs off. Payton cheats as Buc fans know. He got kicked out of the NFL for a year cos of it. Hope it’s a monsoon. Aints are a dome team. Bucs play outdoors.
December 8th, 2018 at 6:23 pm
Granny
The refs are not out get the bucs…. the bucs have a garbage undisciplined roster of bums…. deal with reality dont blame the refs for bucs being a minor league franchise
December 8th, 2018 at 6:25 pm
Running the ball on 92% of your plays is aggressive play calling according to JJ, by that standard you must have thought Mike Shula was a nut to only run it like 58% of the time. Or as the saying went with Ray Perkins, run left, run right, throw deep, punt – he was the most ultra aggressive coach of the 80s!
So anywho if throwing the ball 8% of the time is what you deem aggressive, what is a normal middle of the road offensive look like? Do they just come out in a wishbone? I’m wondering what year you’re stuck in, if the forward pass has yet to be invented or not. LOL!
Come on, you got owned. Just admit to that, everyone will forgive you, I mean after all it’s not like anyone has very high expectations for you after all. But sticking to your guns, saying one pass in 9 mins of football is aggressive play calling… you just come off as silly.
Also, just curious, if you think 11 runs and 1 pass was aggressive play calling then what word do you use for the rest of the game? Let me know.
December 8th, 2018 at 6:31 pm
“Ron, agreed
Koetter has to help JW by passing on 1st and 2nd down. 3rd and long is a reciepe for disaster and cause a downhill momentum for the saints whole game
*with the rain and wet field, the reciever has a huge advantage because he knows WHEN he is stopping and changing direction on the slipery field
*peeps who doesnt know how JW can play in the rain, checkout FSU vs Boston College.”
Kobe Faker
December 8th, 2018 at 6:42 pm
Rod it has nothing to do with percents…….So the heck what if they ran three time when setting up a FG.
The fact is they were agressive enough to go for the FG.
You’re crying about a 1st run run call but the fact is they were very agressive to try and pass for the first downs.
They were agressive on each situation and one each set of downs. What are you going to say…..They should have been even more agressive and went for the TD rather then a FG try when they were up by 2 TDs and 2 XPs? Being agessive doesn’t mean being stupid.
Like I say it’s not my problem you don’t understand situational football.
December 8th, 2018 at 6:43 pm
One thing we can bet on for sure is the Saints game plan will be different than the first time. Also now, there is last weeks film on our guys and they will look to exploit our weakness. We’ve been swarming to the ball lately so I’m sure they’ll probably lean toward spreading the defense out.
December 8th, 2018 at 6:45 pm
And Rod the fact that you are comparing other offenses and percents to that situation when Dirk was up by 16 points with less then half a quater prooves you simply don’t understand situational football.
December 8th, 2018 at 7:08 pm
Dirk Koetter’s offensive system is inherently flawed. Amazing how people don’t see it. His offensive rushing since he started as OC in Atlanta in 2012 has ranked; 29th, 32nd, 24th, 5th (DM22 1,400 yds), 24th, 27th and 26th. In the 3 years he coordinated Atlanta’s offense, Matt Ryan’s interception totals jumped to 43, while in his first 3 years prior to Koetter’s arrival he only threw 34. Ryan has since only thrown 40 in almost 4 full years. His offenses prior to being in Tampa were also, not surprisingly, infamous for stalling out in the red-zone as well. In fact, this was one of if not the major reason he was fired in Atlanta. In 12 seasons of running his system, it has ranked top-10 in scoring only 3 times, and consistently ranks in the BOTTOM half of the league in terms of turnover ratio. Yikes.
His system relies too heavily on pushing the ball too aggressively down the field, as evidenced by the astronomical air-yards per attempt year in and year out. He does not even try to supplement or balance this by utilizing his running backs in the passing game. It results in turnovers, empty yards between the 20’s, and an inability to control time of possession; some of the core concepts of winning football.
The system is high-risk and requires perfect quarterbacking whilst ironically being reckless philosophically, but the pigeons want him to stay because his offense is awesome and “the players are the ones not executing”. My favorite is that it’s somehow a top 5 playbook. Oh yeah? How many playoff games has this prolific playbook produced in twelve years? I’ll wait.
And now we have a Superbowl QB saying he’s about to get outcoached (like usual). Gee, ya don’t think…
December 8th, 2018 at 7:29 pm
If the Saints win it will be because they have a running game and we don’t.
Or
We turn the ball over and they don’t.
December 8th, 2018 at 7:40 pm
Exactly like I said….our players can beat anybody. This roster is loaded with young high emotion talent. This staff has been playing checkers for far too long. I hope Koetter starts to fall.into his own now that Smitty is gone lime.I thought he would three seasons back….but Im not holding my breath
December 8th, 2018 at 9:19 pm
A couple things –
1- If Sean Payton gets the best of the Bucs coaching staff it is not a big deal…. He has gotten the best of most coaching staffs for awhile now.
2- I expect it to be close because the Bucs offense and, let’s not forget, the bucs defense played darn good for awhile against the saints in game 1
December 8th, 2018 at 9:23 pm
@TBBF … “If the Saints win it will be because they have a running game and we don’t.
Or we turn the ball over and they don’t.” Agreed TBBF, those a their primary advantages. That PLUS having a great game manager in Drew Brees, the better OLine and the better defense. Still, ‘On any given Sunday … yada, yada.’
@BucEmUp … “Exactly like I said….our players can beat anybody. This roster is loaded with young high emotion talent.” Have to commend you for your consistency. We get it: the Bucs coaches suck but our players are SuperBowl talented (in your opinion of course). That certainly does explain why we’ve beaten exactly ONE team with a winning record so far this year doesn’t it. It also helps explain why we lead the league in turnovers and why our defense is ranked #30 in Points Allowed … it’s ALL on the coaches obviously. Winning & losing is rarely as simple as ‘Players good; Coaches bad’.
December 8th, 2018 at 9:43 pm
I dare that POS to say something about the Lightning 😂😂😂. They are absolutely killing it right now. Hottest ticket in town. Great Owner, great staff and great team, with depth in spades.
December 8th, 2018 at 10:14 pm
JimmyJack – Wait… Dirk did the right thing playing it safe at the end, yet you told me he didn’t play it safe and was “aggressive”… LOL! You’re really floundering.
December 8th, 2018 at 10:53 pm
Sims sucks
December 8th, 2018 at 11:00 pm
Give me a break fellow Buc Fans..MEMORY SERVES. And the Saints are Yeah pissed off about that season openeing loss to the Bucs. They will show no Mercy. Despite our good play. Simply put…The Saints are steam rollin to the playoffs and will not be denied. We..are in their way..FACT. We will play good..But not good enough. Sure we want to win..But the Saints want it more because they are playing for more..makes sense right.?If Only Dirk had given the team more confidence at the begiinning of the season by firing his Road Dog..Pressbox Smitty!!!!! We might truly have something to dig deep for. The Saints..will dig Deeper.
December 9th, 2018 at 2:48 am
How people in this town get swayed in any direction is beyond me. Get we beat the saints but meanwhile every team in this division makes the playoffs and we sit in the basement. Sure there’s a down year but it’s always a surprise, it’s a surprise we don’t finish last. Stop kidding this staff gets out coached 90% of the time. Dirk isn’t demanding enough to propel this team anywhere. I think they can win sure but in the end it’s the winnable games they disappoint the most, we are clear underdogs here can’t wait to see how the players respond to the pressure of the game
December 9th, 2018 at 5:13 am
Worst fans ever. Go Bucs!
December 9th, 2018 at 6:14 am
It will come down to trenches and turnovers-
If Brees has all day, it’ll be over quick, if Brees has pressure, then new born secondary tight coverage may get a pick or 2.
Assuming run game will suck again, Jameis will need some semblance of protection to find his excellent array of receivers and one hopes he will be as cool as he has been last 2 weeks.
December 9th, 2018 at 6:39 am
The organization as a whole has complemented bad draft decisions and poor coaching choices together for 15 years. It reminds me of the 80s. We are constantly in flux trying to decide whether or not to rebuild or shore up existing problems w overpaid free agents. The best new franchises ( Rams Chiefs etc) and old power houses returning to glory ( Cowboys, Bears etc) have achieved success by drafting quality young players and having good staffs coach them up to build strong foundations to build on. Having new Coaches n staffs every 3 to 5 years provides 0 continuity for players to have confidence in or a coach that inspires them or commands their respect. A culture of loosing takes true warriors that are from Florida and have pride in Florida football to overturn it. It’s about pride then not stats and money. The 95 draft is the best example of this. Sapp hated loosing as much as Jordan did and w Brooks Dunn etc their were enough local boys on the roster to take pride in Florida football. I’m optimistic by nature however I dont see the pride n culture that makes me proud to be a bucs fan. Even the state boys we do have havent showed the best character to rally the team by example or inspire a team first mentality in the locker room. On a positive note 95 ,my senior year in HS in Clearwater, showed it only takes one draft n one coach to change the culture and turn it around. Go Bucs
December 9th, 2018 at 7:06 am
The field is going to be drenched, wet and muddy on Sunday. The ball will be wet, and eventually over time it will be heavy and waterlogged. This is why you shouldn’t put a whole lot of stock into “experts” like Phil Simms. They can’t even factor in something as Captain Obvious as weather conditions that the Weather Channel has forecasted all week for Tampa on Sunday into a game. Running the ball, stopping the run and turnovers will decide this game. The more physical team in the trenches will win in these weather conditions. Doesn’t matter if you’re Lombardi or me coaching the team. The weather takes a lot of the coaching/scheming/strategy out of today’s game.
December 9th, 2018 at 7:58 am
I agree with you Reach. This town is full of people pretending to be fans and people that don’t know how to be fans.
December 9th, 2018 at 9:24 am
Simms was a decent young qb for the bucs..and the bucs failed to act fast to get Simms to the hospital when is injury happened.
December 9th, 2018 at 9:42 am
Buc believer Says
“@BucBonzai…. we screwed up his son???? WTFRUTA???? His son was a wanna be QB from the start and he sucked to the end! Yeah he left his spleen on the field but he was well compensated for it.”
I meant in his view, not mine.
December 9th, 2018 at 9:43 am
tmaxcon Says
“Bonzi and other asinine assumption…”
I made zero assumptions. I merely established a timeline. Since Chris left, has he said anything positive? No.
So nice try, chump.
December 9th, 2018 at 9:47 am
Buc believer Says
“Joe is censuring posts again… He censors more ideas than the old commie newspapers. Sad sad Joe”
You do know the system is automated, don’t you? Do you really think Joe sits in front of his computer all day, deciding what posts get through?
When the system flags a post, he has the option to approve it, but he has to actually see it first, and he may not be at his computer immediately.
It’s not like Joe targets you specifically. lol
December 9th, 2018 at 12:40 pm
***** tmaxacon
I’m sure that SOMEONE has asked this before but WHY ARE YOU HERE? I was under the impression that this is a “fan” site. We appreciate you taking the “con” position on all our optimistic fan takes, trying to save us from our own “unrealistic expectations”. Certainly there are enough negative things going on in the world, but let’s pile some more of it in our recreational time. Not EVERYONE can be the Patriots and have a Dynasty for a decade or more. Of course ALL YOU NEED is the best coach in NFL History and a greatest of all time QB. EASY! Why didn’t the Glazers just get those and take over the NFL? Oh that’s right, because EVERYONE ELSE is looking for the same things, and they didn’t grow on trees! I can’t stand the mentality that takes the position that : If you don’t win it all YOU ARE A LOSER. Ask Philly how EASY repeating is. Just let us hold onto our little Glimmer of Hope RIGHT NOW. I’m sure that there will be plenty of time for the Glass-is-Completely-Empty people to say “I Told You So.” Later.
December 9th, 2018 at 12:56 pm
@tmax leave you ignorant bastard