The Morning After
December 10th, 2018
This is like nasty-tasting medicine. The quicker you throw it down your gullet, the quicker you will feel better.
Less Than Special Teams.
It’s been a while since Joe can remember a special teams unit melting down so badly it killed the Bucs chances.
The Curse of the Bad Kickers, after fooling Bucs fans that it ended for a few weeks, reared its ugly head yesterday when Cairo Santos went all Roberto Aguayo and missed two makeable field goals. That’s six points right there.
Then in the third quarter, third-string Saints quarterback (who the hell has a backup QB playing special teams?) Taysom Hill bolted through a hole made available when Cam Lynch moved to his left to help double-team on a block. Hill raced in and blocked Bryan Anger’s punt. It was the first blocked punt in Hill’s life and set up the Saints’ first touchdown, a one-yard pass to Zach Line from Drew Brees. Alvin Kamara added the two-point conversion and that’s eight points right there.
Add Santos’ two missed field goals and that’s the difference in the 28-14 loss.
Joe doesn’t know what this team can or will do about kickers. Two things that are evident with the Bucs the past five seasons: whoever researches kickers needs to throw in the towel and the folks who scout running backs need to go to Walmart and buy mops and buckets and brooms and try starting their own janitor service.
The Mark Duffner Effect.
The sad thing about the likely purge of coaches next month is we won’t get to see a full season with Mark Duffner running the defense.
There is no question that the Bucs defense is night and day better than what it was under Mike Smith. Joe is still dumbfounded that the Bucs defense, with a secondary put together with duct tape and gum, held the mighty Saints offense to a lone field goal in the first half, a week after throttling pouty Cam Newton.
The loss yesterday was not on the defense. They finally got worn down because the Bucs offense did nothing in the second half. Joe spoke with Ryan Smith and Lavonte David and both nearly got angry when Joe asked them if they ran out of gas from being on the field so much. Pride refused to let them show a weakness.
But that is exactly what happened. The Saints defense suffocated the offense in the second half and the Bucs defense just got ground into the turf.
Glaring Lack of Running Game.
Of course, it didn’t help yesterday that Chris Godwin had by far his worst game as a pro. And, naturally, the Bucs had no running game. Haven’t had one the last three years. When your quarterback is your leading rusher (in the past two games) and his name is not Michael Vick, Cam Newton, Marcus Mariota or Kyler Murray, you have a problem.
The Saints had no fear of running backs whatsoever. They were only concerned with throwing the Bucs off with disguised defensive coverages, only to break out of those looks at the snap of the ball. By then, the trap was set with the cheese in it.
And then there is Ronald Jones, who may as well be in a witness protection program. How bad does Bucs Bit-O-Honey-snacking, Ozark-watching, yams-eating coach Dirk Koetter think Jones is?
When Peyton Barber left the game with an injury in the first half, with Koetter fighting for his life to save his job, Koetter threw all his chips in the middle of the table with Jacquizz Rodgers rather than call on the rookie second-round pick running back.
Let that sink in for a moment.
(To be honest, Joe can’t really blame Koetter here. Jones is averaging 1.9 yards a carry, which makes Doug Martin look like Tony Dorsett.)
JPP: Godsend.
Joe doesn’t know where this team would be without Jason Pierre-Paul. His work ethic and his hustle and his determination is just off the charts.
You talk about disruption? Brees was nearly crapping in his pants in the first half JPP was such an animal. On Brees’ first interception which set up a Bucs touchdown, Vinny Curry was right in Brees’ face and JPP was just two steps away barrelling in on Brees.
Joe doesn’t ever remember the Bucs intercepting a screen pass but that’s exactly what Adarius Taylor did. He read that pass beautifully but it was set up by a pass rush.
JPP is easily the biggest steal of a third-round pick Joe can think of.
The Jameis-Ryan Jensen Dust-up.
Joe doesn’t think this was a big deal. Jensen had just gotten flagged for two penalties in the same second-quarter series, a holding call and three plays later a personal foul. Those killed a drive and Jameis let him have it on the sidelines. That’s what you want your leader to do, right?
Look, Joe loves Jensen’s play-past-the-whistle style but sometimes that leads to stupid penalties. Jensen has to use his noggin’ a bit more. Being aggressive and mean is great, but there’s also a fine line from being aggressive and foolish.
Joe swears yesterday Jensen was flagged for everything but groping a cheerleader. Sometimes football is like baseball. You know how each umpire has a different strike zone? Once you learn what it is and how to exploit that, it’s all good.
Same with NFL referees. If they are calling a tight game, you just adjust accordingly. It doesn’t appear Jensen did that yesterday.
Lastly…
Joe received one of those Amber Alerts on his cell phone in the second half. You know what Joe is talking about, one of those things that nearly blows up your phone from the alarms going off so loudly and furious as if the Chinese dropped a nuclear bomb on Seattle? Well, this thing nearly caused Joe’s phone to fly off his desk at the Den of Depression and when Joe looked at the phone, the Amber Alert had a picture of Noah Spence on it. Does anyone know his whereabouts?
December 10th, 2018 at 8:42 am
Joe when are you going to address how terrible the OL is and how terrible the entire unit is that you have been trying to tell the ppl here is good? That unit is the worst in the NFL and Marpet is just a guy no matter what licht tells you to save his job, licht has done a horrible job building every aspect of this team…Mike Evans is the only legit success licht has in the draft…he has built a 6-10 franchise
December 10th, 2018 at 8:42 am
Pretty sure i remember Sapp picking one off n taking it in from a few yards out. That game might not have been on tv back then tho.
December 10th, 2018 at 8:43 am
I wouldn’t give up on Cairo….. yet.
Nate Kaczor on the other hand needs to be fired asap.
December 10th, 2018 at 8:57 am
I almost pity whoever comes in next. I mean how do you assess this team? Sometimes the offence looks incredible and the defence lays an egg and sometimes the reverse is true.
Koetter has to go, I think we all see that. As for Licht, who knows? I sure wouldn’t want to let him anywhere near the 2019 draft.
December 10th, 2018 at 8:58 am
Scatter arm Jamyth….Scatter brain Jamyth….until that is fixed (new QB) coaching changes won’t do squat…even #13 is understanding DJax strategy of saving himself on the sidelines with injury…#13 will be the next asking for a trade if Jamyth is still the QB
December 10th, 2018 at 9:03 am
A couple of observations:
1 I like watching Whitehead play, anytime you see someone fly into the picture and hit someone it’s #31. He plays decisive and fast.
2 Carl Nassib played a really good game. No he will likely never be a pro bowler, but this dude can play on my team any day.
3. Velcro seriously outplayed GMC. I had to keep checking to see if GMC was even on the field. While Velcro wasn’t great, he made a couple stops and was seen getting in on plays down field at times, playing to the whistle.
Last the only thing I will say about the offense is this, Donovan Smith played so badly I didn’t even notice how Bene-no block played.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:06 am
Dooshlarue,
That’s that bastards name. Since I no longer live in the Tampa area, can someone please leave a bag of flaming Sh!t on that guys porch for me. His special teams have been leaving it all over the field for years now.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:09 am
I expected nothing and was still disappointed.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:11 am
I find total negligence that the GM and coach didn’t address the RB position. Look at the Giants for instance, they are not world beaters but they sure do have a great RB. Not trading up to grab him vs drafting the meathead from USC was another dumb arse move. I will be hoping we lose out now to secure slightly better draft order for the new regime.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:13 am
Cmon everybody who sticks up for Barber, show your heads and keep telling us he’s a starting NFL running back. I told you before the season started he was nothing more than a practice squad player.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:18 am
Sadly, the rest of the league tried to help us in a playoff bid. We’d be right there if this team would just perform like they’re capable of. Three facets to this game and two failed yesterday. The Aints are beatable for cryin out loud but this team is not disciplined enough to get it done.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:18 am
i thought the benching helped winston….lol…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!…GO BUCS!!!
December 10th, 2018 at 9:22 am
Why hasn’t the GM been given his pink slip? I am not for a head coaching change.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:31 am
A Few more observations and question; If we clean house why does Duffner have to go. If the Defense is improving why can’t the Glazers keep him on, Same with Buckner. We need to go out and get about six kickers anyway necessary, Draft, Free agency, tryout, and find one that can perform consistently. I may be exaggerating a little but feels like over the last two years we have in part lost 10 close games because of missed FG’s. Finally at this point and I know it sounds harsh but either get rid of Ronald Jones and make RB a big need next year, get rid of Benenoch or put both on terminal Practice squad until they either produce or another team takes them.My only concerns during these bi or triennial house-cleanings is Who would come here, how long before we see any change, and ultimately are we going to be better off.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:31 am
Good morning …. Bucs are so stupid
December 10th, 2018 at 9:35 am
Joe’s pretty sure he’s written a few times already how bad the OL was yesterday.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:46 am
Let’s just skip the rest of the season and head directly to the housecleaning process.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:47 am
Mike Smith was astoundingly bad, but Dirk Koetter couldn’t fathom that the D would improve in his absence.
Peyton Barber and Jacquizz Rodgers are below average at best, but Ronald Jones isn’t given an opportunity (23 carries).
Dirk Koetter’s it-could-be-so-much-worse brand of decision making is cowardly and disgraceful.
Welcome to Mediocristan.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:48 am
Dufner and Buckner both need to go…i do not understand the fascination with ppl thinking buckner is some great coach, look at vea, that guy is nothing special he is super strong but all of the TD runs were rub right at him yesterday…this team needs an entirely new everything from GM/president to scouting to coaches it is just bad and has been for a long time during licht regime
December 10th, 2018 at 9:48 am
Serious question:
Do you think the way JW is playing right now is to avoid turnovers by all means necessary which also effects his game where he holds the ball too long and scrambles too often? There are almost no quick passes like he doesn’t trust or let his instincts rule his game and I think for the QB he is, it makes him much less effective. Its not like he can just wipe out the mistakes and keep the positives. His best plays used to be the risky ones.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:49 am
specifically our left tackle.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:50 am
Colin Kaepernick wants to play. He’ll sign with anyone.
[insert rolling eyes emoticon here]
December 10th, 2018 at 9:51 am
the Bucs are a very fragile team without the mental toughness to finish or withstand a turnover…….they fell apart after the missed field goals and the blocked punt.
This is on coaching….the Defense is playing much better under Duffner and that damns Koetter for saying it would do no good to get rid of Mike Smith.
Again, Koetter through a challenge flag when there was no way he would win…..he had no idea if he would need the timeout and lost a challenge that he might have needed.
Peyton knew when to throw his.
Dirk Koetter is a nice guy…..so was Smith…..but there is no way he “walks softly and carries a big f-ckin’ stick”
December 10th, 2018 at 9:52 am
isr:
His coach has pounded into his head turnovers are bad no matter what. Koetter has said in the past he didn’t want Jameis to become a Checkdown Charlie, but that’s what is happening.
Koetter yesterday actually praised Jameis for no turnovers (yeah, he had a throwaway turnover with seconds left when Mike Evans fell down).
Yesterday was a perfect example of why this turnovers = losing is so overblown. Good teams can overcome turnovers. But if your goal is to not have turnovers at all costs, then yesterday’s miserable offense in the second half is what you will get.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:52 am
THE QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“I expected nothing and was still disappointed.”
LMFAO!!! Thanks Dewey!
December 10th, 2018 at 9:55 am
Joe is sure whoever the new coach is (assuming this happens — you never really know with the Glazers) would have the option of bringing anyone back they wish. And Joe is certain most of the coaches would love to remain in Florida.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:56 am
Joe, are you aware Jensen already cost us 100 yards in penalties this season? (other than being top payed center in the league)
How long are you going to keep backing up this guy and his UFC moves?
December 10th, 2018 at 9:59 am
Thanks for the answer, that’s what I thought. I think it should be said. Jamies looks like a gunslinger with no gun right now. That’s not his game.
December 10th, 2018 at 10:00 am
@Duthsty Rhothdes I would say they need new owners. How many bad decisions can one group of idiot sons make? #FireTheGlazers
December 10th, 2018 at 10:02 am
So what are you suggesting, the Bucs cut him? Joe has a better chance of sleeping with a Bucs cheerleader. Whatever happened to working with a guy to help him overcome speed bumps in his game? You know, coaching? To the best of Joe’s knowledge, there aren’t any better centers panhandling at interstate exits looking for work.
Sometimes, the alternative is much worse than the problem.
Also, that’s a grand total of 7.5 yards per game. Joe’s not making excuses, but let’s not go overboard here.–Joe
December 10th, 2018 at 10:04 am
I agree that Jameis has be neutered. Somehow he needs to find a middle ground……some risk and some conservatism…….a gameplan needs to be designed for him…..he needs shorter quicker passes when the pressure is on.
That’s what all other QBs do to us but we can’t seem to gameplan that.
And……Evans did NOT fall down….he was pushed in the back….look at it again.
December 10th, 2018 at 10:08 am
Winston was checking down and could only complete 47% of his passes?….Wow
December 10th, 2018 at 10:09 am
Never said he should be cut. Doesn’t mean we should be blind to his exaggerated post whistle actions and misplaced aggressiveness. It’s just dumb.
December 10th, 2018 at 10:15 am
Looks like today is going to be a good day to just sit back and laugh. Watch the same people flip flop. It was Jameis. No It was the Oline because they got owned and gave Jameis no time to do anything. And we have even seen the stories written both ways. Plus more.
December 10th, 2018 at 10:22 am
“I expected nothing and was still disappointed.”
Outstanding, Dewey Selmon! It cannot be said any better.
The hardest job in America is selling Bucs’ Club Seats for 2019.
December 10th, 2018 at 10:27 am
Winston is playing not to lose…can’t say I blame him…his career is at a crossroads. Maybe placing DJax in unofficial Deactivation Nation was a bit premature. Godwin looked like an average # 3 receiver and Hump looked like a #4 who is a bit small and slower suddenly ( credit due for hanging onto a catch after getting lit up, however ). It’s time for some fresh leadership…from GM to special teams coach. Maybe the Bucs can scratch out a win next week against the Ravens…causing Harbaugh to be fired. He would be a fresh answer in Tampa and knows his special teams.
December 10th, 2018 at 10:35 am
Objectively looking at the game from the coach’s video would give everyone the exact reasons winston was terrible, the rb was terrible, the ol was terrible, but from the regular tv shot, you can see winston missing wide open guys and doing as he has in the past. You can see 76 just being terrible as well as everyone on the OL, you can see with your own eyes that barber is not a#1 nfl rb. Love this site but it seems that sometimes you guys do not want to offend licht or others in the front office by calling out how bad this team has been built and that as fans and a community we dont deserve to be hoping for 7-9, we deserve what those jagoffs in new england get a consistent WINNER
December 10th, 2018 at 10:39 am
Its the same outcome year after year. Moments joy but mostly moments of disgust. One thing I would like to point out that I have noticed year over year is referee Jerome Boger. If you are a Bucs fan you have to loathe this man. I have watched him single handily destroy game after game with BS calls. He seems to be in charge of every big Bucs game. Its the same usual calls, offensive pass interference 1st, followed up with a holding call on the O-line and finished off with a false start penalty. Literally in that order which leads to repeated 3 and outs. This f*cker is the biggest momentum killer to the offense I’ve ever witnessed. The offense is constantly trying to recover after needing 25 yds to get a first down. If the Bucs have won a game he has officiated, its news to me.
December 10th, 2018 at 11:26 am
The running game is bad. Blame it directly on the offensive line being bad. They can’t block, they can’t get push. They beat by rookies. They’re horrible.
December 10th, 2018 at 11:45 am
6-10 or Bust!
December 10th, 2018 at 11:53 am
No running game, when have we had a decent kick return or punt return without a penalty. Why hasn’t the special,teams coach been held accountable for bad FG kicking, can’t block a punt or FG to save our playoff lives, ijs
December 10th, 2018 at 12:27 pm
Just keep blaming all the running backs for the bad run game.
It definitely couldn’t be the offensive line, that is incapable of opening more than 2 holes a game and his been this way for 3 years straight.
But no, it’s not the o line. It’s probably still Doug Martins fault. Oh wait, he’s gone? Well we can still blame him. Or else we can blame Rodgers. Or Barber. Or ROjo. But definitely not the o-line.