“A Big Ol’ Brick”
September 13th, 2019
The impact and meaning of the Buccaneers’ thrilling road victory last night is to be determined.
A big step in the right direction? A sloppy step forward before two steps back? That’s up to the Bucs and the mettle of Jameis Winston and Bucco Bruce Arians.
As ProFootballTalk.com NFL super insider guru Mike Florio discussed this morning on PFT Live, the Panthers deserve a ton of criticism for their decisions on what could have been the game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter. And that, per Florio, likely will overshadow the strong Bucs defensive performance and Tampa Bay’s good-enough and balanced offensive attack on the road in sloppy conditions.
But Florio caught himself while throwing darts at the Panthers and said regardless of how the game is perceived, the Bucs should be able to use that win as “a big ol’ brick,” meaning a building block for a new regime and a quarterback who needed to re-establish solid ground.
Joe likes the analogy. That win has to be a building block.
No, the Panthers aren’t too good, but they have talent and any Thursday night road win is a major accomplishment. Just look at the history of road teams on Thursday. But more important, the Bucs played a balanced game and continued to grind to the final whistle.
It wasn’t spectacular by any stretch, but it was something to build on.
Go beat the Giants a week from Sunday. Then go compete against great teams on the road and punish the Panthers in England before the bye week.
If the Bucs find their way to a 3-3 record at the bye, that would be as good as five more “big ol’ bricks” on the house Arians is trying to build.
September 13th, 2019 at 9:04 am
the points ,dots connected, before I can exhale…certainly some positive signs…I’ll skip over the obvious criticism…ENJOY these next 10 days !
September 13th, 2019 at 9:07 am
…….and that Cam Newton last night is not the real Cam that the NFL knows…
Cam is not 100% healthy
September 13th, 2019 at 9:09 am
The most underrated brick should be Arians slapping Dean in the back of the head
September 13th, 2019 at 9:09 am
Solid win that most didn’t predict. Thankfully Arians didn’t kill us with his Swaggy Baker senior moment.
September 13th, 2019 at 9:09 am
Who cares for injured Can? When JW was hurt he got NO slack
September 13th, 2019 at 9:10 am
It was ugly. The team should have put the dagger in Carolina with a Periman touchdown or Matt Gay field goal. Jameis was great at times and horrible at times. Yes im being critical after a win, just like I was after the Cleveland win last year. Our Defense is much improved and GMC is what we thought he was. I will say that Vita Vea made Jason Licht look pretty good last night. Chris Godwin did as well. We can truly measure the signifigance of this win if they follow it up with a Giants win and play well from this point onward……I still see them as a 5-11/6-10 team
September 13th, 2019 at 9:10 am
Oh man, I sure wish we had that 49ers game back. But then again, maybe that L ends up being the best thing that happens to us this season.
September 13th, 2019 at 9:10 am
……..limit Jameis throws and decision making
run more and the defense bows ups = Bucs wins
#TIMETOMOVEONFROMJAMEIS
September 13th, 2019 at 9:11 am
Alot of points left on the field by dropped passes. Winston might not have won it but Winston didn’t lose it. Overall a road division win is huge no matter how close it was. Now this is where Almighty Bruce will earn his paycheck. How will he handle this win, other coaches blew wins like this away by losing the next week. Can Almighty Bruce change the culture??? TBD!!!
September 13th, 2019 at 9:13 am
How about we hope for a 4-2 start heading into the bye – not 3-3
3-3 is a long way from the playoffs
Means having to go 7-3 in the last 10 games to have a decent chance at a spot or 8-2 to guarantee one….
Just sayin
September 13th, 2019 at 9:13 am
that back to back time outs by Arians and that non challenge for that ridiculous respot from the refs…………. could’ve costed the Bucs the game
I dunno what Arians was thinking
September 13th, 2019 at 9:13 am
You gotta start somewhere. Thursday night, big rivalry game!
There’s still a lot to be cleaned up but, yeah I’ll take it!
September 13th, 2019 at 9:15 am
I’m still NOT a Winston fan at all…but he had a pretty good game overall. On the other hand, Cam Newton SUUUCCCKKKS. Props t to the defense and Barber.
September 13th, 2019 at 9:16 am
………I wouldn’t count out the Falcons….they still have a helluva team
and the Saints are still monsters
September 13th, 2019 at 9:17 am
Bucs Anthem……agree. Arians looked like a complete fool.
September 13th, 2019 at 9:17 am
Bowles bringing to “D” back in Tampa..forget offense, D wins football games.. O don’t turn the ball over, score win you can and let the D win the game..
September 13th, 2019 at 9:18 am
The defense looks surprisingly good. A good “brick” or omen for the rest of the season.
September 13th, 2019 at 9:20 am
^^^^^^
Thank God for Tood Bowles defense
September 13th, 2019 at 9:21 am
A New Day in Tampa Bay! Add a new QB sometime soon and this team can be something!
September 13th, 2019 at 9:21 am
I’m pretty certain BA and Bowles knew of the penalty calling the back to back TO’s, but thought doing that was better than letting the play run with the personnel on the field. It worked out just fine. Quit nitpicking.
September 13th, 2019 at 9:22 am
Agree that it seems something is wrong with Cam.
This looks like a real D. It’s way more fun to watch than racking up offensive playing from behind.
Lots of room for optimism!
September 13th, 2019 at 9:23 am
SHAQ.
September 13th, 2019 at 9:24 am
I’m glad most Bucs fans are waking up and realizing Jameis is not the Answer to the success of this team…..
Bucs need to draft Trevor Lawrence
#TIMETOMOVEONFROMJAMEIS
September 13th, 2019 at 9:24 am
The Panthers will be putting cam on IR pretty soon and turning to will grier who will give them a better chance to win, cam looks like jameis out there missing people horribly and then not being able to run like he used to puts his game in one dimension and Bowels to his credit exploited that in a big way! Just sitting in the pocket that is not his game, cam might have to go the A Luck route which may explain why he is creating that hideous clothing line he trots out every game
September 13th, 2019 at 9:26 am
I actually liked Will Grier coming outta college too……^^^^^^^
September 13th, 2019 at 9:27 am
Even as a Bama fan I must admot O.J’s blocking this year has been horrible.
btw, Am I the only person who thinks the defense got better when D. White left the game?
September 13th, 2019 at 9:30 am
Bottom line…this was EXACTLY the kind of game we usually lose.
See last week’s Niner’s game.
But instead of finding a way to lose we actually found ways to win!!! There were some brain dead penalties and blown assignments but the Bucs made plays when they had to…VHG!!!
If the Bucs are finally learning how to win then yeah this could be a major building block.
September 13th, 2019 at 9:32 am
I agree Bama. I think Minter is actually better at this point and that’s nothing against White. What a blessing it is to have someone to be able to step in like that.
September 13th, 2019 at 9:33 am
I am a huge fan of the D. Fun to watch the aggressiveness. As a fan, and competitor, I’d much rather see and aggressive approach vs the Mike Smith- sot back and give up the booty approach.
September 13th, 2019 at 9:33 am
Cams best days are behind him. He’s 30 and has been getting hit like a RB for his entire career. Everyone is mortal. Doesn’t mean he’s finished, but the old Cam will only be back occasionally. His days of *consistently* being the best player on the field are over.
About BA: What’s the deal with coaches coming here and making bone headed mistakes all the time? He’s supposed to be smarter and have too much experience to call that timeout….Unless he thought they would score with the defense we had out and the penalty was the worse of two evils.
September 13th, 2019 at 9:35 am
You mentioned OJ, hes been dropping balls and fumbling too. Is he ok? Doesnt look like the same OJ. I hate to be negative after a win, but the Panthers had a number of very open recievers that Cam just missed. I hope that coverage improves.
September 13th, 2019 at 9:36 am
The BEST byproduct of the game last night is that Friday Night Football is BACK!
On my DVR!
September 13th, 2019 at 9:37 am
BamaRich
You are not the only one thinking that.
Our D stepped up and won the game.
Go BUCS
September 13th, 2019 at 9:37 am
Dustthy did you even see Grier in preseason? He was horrid. Its best to keep all your hate directed at one team.
September 13th, 2019 at 9:40 am
Damn the Bucs defense is looking pretty good early in the season.
They need to iron stuff out still but a more consistent offense (STOP THE PENALTIES!) and the D will be even better
September 13th, 2019 at 9:42 am
“BamaRich Says:
September 13th, 2019 at 9:27 am
Even as a Bama fan I must admot O.J’s blocking this year has been horrible.
btw, Am I the only person who thinks the defense got better when D. White left the game?”
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You’re 100% right!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m not sure why OJ Howard is struggling this year……..he’s not even a factor in games now
and
The Defense looks GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…….and Devin white maybe better in ROLB not as a Mike backer……….
Minter played very well last night
September 13th, 2019 at 9:42 am
LSU linebacker goes down? Replace him with and LSU linebacker. All good.
September 13th, 2019 at 9:45 am
LOL
LSU BLUES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 13th, 2019 at 9:49 am
All this talk about Cam not being the same, doesn’t diminish the performance of the Defense. They held one of the most versatile talents in McCaffery to one of his lowest totals yards in 18 games. Just like last week the defense is able to get off the field on 3rd and 4th down. We still have to clean up the sloppy mistakes and penalties, which are keeping opponents in the game despite being dominated. And we still are missing easy field goals. I like what I’m seeing. But for the first time in a long time I’m confident in our Defense. Now we just need to continue to limit turnovers, limit penalties, and make field goals.
September 13th, 2019 at 9:50 am
LOL White played one series and he gets judged on his performance
September 13th, 2019 at 9:52 am
OJ…..looks like something is up…hopefully nothing too serious or didnt get lost in the south tampa life…but he doesnt look anything like he was last year or at bama
September 13th, 2019 at 9:53 am
Where is the Realist……this “Sheep” wants to know….
And, nobody is talking about the key to last night’s victory…..the interior Dline….Vea, Suh & Gholston stopped the run dead….McCaffery only had 37 yards…..this is why they made the decision to go wide at the end….
Hats off to the big boys!!!
September 13th, 2019 at 9:59 am
“Dusthty Rhothdes Says:
September 13th, 2019 at 9:52 am
OJ…..looks like something is up…hopefully nothing too serious or didnt get lost in the south tampa life…but he doesnt look anything like he was last year or at bama”
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Yeah, OJ maybe battling an Injury non disclosed……..
I would love to see what Tanner Hudson can do in passing situations
September 13th, 2019 at 10:01 am
I think this is the most important takeaway. There are no easy wins in the NFL but to win on the road on a Thursday is very key.
September 13th, 2019 at 10:01 am
“Tampabaybucfan Says:
September 13th, 2019 at 9:53 am
Where is the Realist……this “Sheep” wants to know….
And, nobody is talking about the key to last night’s victory…..the interior Dline….Vea, Suh & Gholston stopped the run dead….McCaffery only had 37 yards…..this is why they made the decision to go wide at the end….
Hats off to the big boys!!!”
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Well nobody is particularly singling out that group
BUT EVERYONE is giving props to the DEFENSE………..
The DEFENSE is what won us the game last night………..back to the roots of TAMPA D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 13th, 2019 at 10:06 am
I called local sports radio early this morning in the 6 o’clock hour to talk specifically about Vea. He was a force and I hope the slack jawed mouth breathers out there don’t criticize him for only having one QB hit.
September 13th, 2019 at 10:06 am
Vea, Sus and Gholston have had two good games now. Gholston is FINALLY in the correct position as a base end in a 3-4. Now.. a bit of fantasy.. Dolphins are truly trying to tank and Minkah wants out. What Bowles could do with Minkah is honey badger 2.0. I’d talk to the agent to test the situation. Allow the Bucs to move on from the Justin Evans experience and he’s still got 3 seasons on his rookie deal. Definitely would give a second for him.
September 13th, 2019 at 10:11 am
Defense is absurdly better this year under Todd Bowles. 12 points this game, 14 pts last game (ex 2 pick sixes and the blocked punt that led to a FG). That is incredible in today’s NFL (NFL teams have averaged ~23pts per game over the last 4 years).
Yes it wasn’t against top offenses but its also early in the season in a brand new scheme. Truly exciting to have a defense that hopefully can still improve significantly with a young core under Bowles.
(
September 13th, 2019 at 10:12 am
Vea did his job………….stuffed/plugged the middle of that line which in each disrupted their whole run game
the WHOLE D-LINE DID GREAT stopping the run
September 13th, 2019 at 10:15 am
D-Rome,
Vea is a monster! I saw him pummel McCaffrey in the backfield one play and completely gobbled him up on the tackle. Later in the game, McCaffrey shook one guy and saw Vea closing. McCaffrey dove to the ground, smartly, bc Vea was going to crush him.again…
September 13th, 2019 at 10:15 am
@ asdf
Well if everyone watched all the Preseason games……….it was clearly evident then how much better the defense looks
but my god……….I had now idea that this defense would now affect games can win us some
It’s great knowing your defense can actually stop people now
September 13th, 2019 at 10:15 am
Limpchimpi shat a big ol’ brick when the back 2 back timeouts were called. So many times in the past that was a game the Bucs lost in gut-punching fashion.
September 13th, 2019 at 10:26 am
SteveK,
What I really love about Vea is that regardless if the play is away from him, he does not stop going after the football until the whistle blows. He was in on a tackle on McCaffrey near the sideline along with Devin White. So many other DTs around the league just let the other guys handle it.
September 13th, 2019 at 10:29 am
It all starts with stopping the run..stop the run, make them throw it and bring the HEAT! I love it..
September 13th, 2019 at 10:30 am
Sometime in mid second quarter I said to myself, “I can’t believe this is a Buc defense!” It looks so much more AGGRESSIVE than in any year since Sapp and company. Again, Jameis threw high, wide and low to start the game. Open receivers but no connect. Later sporadically better.
The defense and Cam’s inaccuracy (worse than Jameis) won the game for us.
1-1 on the way to 5 or 6 wins.
September 13th, 2019 at 10:49 am
Nobody running all over this defense this year. Goldston not getting enough cred. He’s been a monster in the run game so fast this season. He,Darf Vea and King Suh will lead this defense to the best run stop unit in the league this season. Oh and that JPP fella comes back from vacation sooner or later.
September 13th, 2019 at 10:54 am
Byron and Todd called great games….
I agree with some above…defense turned it up when minter took over…..
GO BUCS
September 13th, 2019 at 11:00 am
14 more games to go for Winston.
September 13th, 2019 at 11:12 am
You want to build a Brick, here is a thought how about we see this brick making play from the “franchise” for a few games, not just one game and the Winston world is all warm and fuzzy. No SHOW US more than one game of good play, play consistently good or better. Then and only then IMHO will the “franchise” be building anything.
September 13th, 2019 at 11:23 am
The accountability sheet:
It’s great to see a HC calling himself out for a boneheaded coaching flub.
Team has to bring down the penalties numbers.
Two games in:
The new coaching staff and the offense are still settling in.
The OL is doing decently well.
The running game exists.The defense is showing up in all facets.
September 13th, 2019 at 11:41 am
BucAnthem
Let’s sum up your idiot comments…
1. You scream to get rid of Jameis after he plays a good game and wins. Your solution? Draft Trevor Lawrence.
Uh, ok. He’s not eligible for the draft until 2021. So your genius strategy is to hope we have the #1 pick in two years? Great. Super knowledgeable.
2. You already want to move the #5 pick in the draft from middle linebacker to a different position on the outside after two games: one in which he had the flu and the other after he left hurt early in the game. Super intelligent strategy, we should always give up on early first rounders after less than 5 quarters of play. Thanks for that brilliance.
3. You want to bench OJ for a preseason darling who lit it up against 3rd stringers and is fundamentally lacking in the blocking department. Yes, all of those amazing preseason guys always become stars. This advice sounds like a guy who doesn’t realize what OJ contributed to the ground game with his blocking and who’s probably a little sad because OJ msg him down on his fantasy team.
So the plan is…
Get the first pick in a draft 2 years away
Give up on the #5 pick after less than 5 quarters
Put our TE hopes on a 4th stringer who can’t block
Thanks, buddy. We’ll let the grown ups take it from here.
September 13th, 2019 at 11:44 am
Can you idiots please stop saying draft Trevor Lawrence next year- HE CANNOT COME OUT!!! You wanna hate on Jameis at least sound somewhat intelligent in your arguments!! Too, Herbert or anyone eligible will do…However, stop- weill re-sign JW3 to a longterm deal by week 8.
September 13th, 2019 at 11:45 am
@ Tony LA
WOW! YOU’RE SUCH A SMART GUY!!!!!!!!!!!
…………and you figured all this out by yourself???????
keep the great comments coming!!!!!
September 13th, 2019 at 11:47 am
“jjbucfan Says:
September 13th, 2019 at 11:44 am
Can you idiots please stop saying draft Trevor Lawrence next year- HE CANNOT COME OUT!!! You wanna hate on Jameis at least sound somewhat intelligent in your arguments!! Too, Herbert or anyone eligible will do…However, stop- weill re-sign JW3 to a longterm deal by week 8.”
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Triggered by a name??????
………………………..interesting…………………………………..
September 13th, 2019 at 11:51 am
It’s a Bucs life man. Even after a win we all dysfunctional😊.
September 13th, 2019 at 11:53 am
Not at all-Just your ridiculous incompetence showing you know very little about football. Like said- throw out Tua, Herbert or any other ELIGIBLE QB- that is all.
You are not the only one calling for him- trying to help you out- get a new schtick
September 13th, 2019 at 11:59 am
“jjbucfan Says:
September 13th, 2019 at 11:53 am
Not at all-Just your ridiculous incompetence showing you know very little about football. Like said- throw out Tua, Herbert or any other ELIGIBLE QB- that is all.
You are not the only one calling for him- trying to help you out- get a new schtick”
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You mad bro?????????
September 13th, 2019 at 12:05 pm
Fans ready to settle long term for JW3 after a 208 yard 1 TD sloppy offensive win sound ridiculous.
Jameis has to do a lot more before the Bucs can fully trust him like that.
My problem with JW last night was he had a select # of throws to put the Panthers away early last night and he failed to make them. But overall average game for JW3 hopefully something to build from.
September 13th, 2019 at 12:18 pm
Anthem- no Bro- happy we won!! Unlike some people but good talking to you
September 13th, 2019 at 12:28 pm
“Tbbucs3 Says:
September 13th, 2019 at 12:05 pm
Fans ready to settle long term for JW3 after a 208 yard 1 TD sloppy offensive win sound ridiculous.
Jameis has to do a lot more before the Bucs can fully trust him like that.
My problem with JW last night was he had a select # of throws to put the Panthers away early last night and he failed to make them. But overall average game for JW3 hopefully something to build from.”
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Your comments are spot on……………BUT
Unfortunately alot of fans think just because Jameis didn’t turn the ball over and because the Bucs won…….they think Jameis had a good game when in reality:
Bruce Arians treated Jameis last night as a GAME MANAGER.
He limited his decision making and throws by running the ball more and also by the formations that were called……..that wasn’t by mistake but by design.
Jameis really wasn’t impressive last night…..he did his job and his QB play at best was AVERAGE.
September 13th, 2019 at 12:34 pm
Bruce Arians treated Jameis last night as a GAME MANAGER.
NO!!!!!!!
Byron Leftwich treated Jameis like a game manager…..
BLs game plan was to keep JW below 28 attempts and run the ball….
Leftwich called a great game….
GO BUCS
September 13th, 2019 at 12:44 pm
BucsAnthem
Good point that goes for most NFL fans……meaning that a lot of NFL fans in general see a QB had 0 INTs and assume he played a good game but that’s not always the case.
September 13th, 2019 at 1:17 pm
The Bucs defense was spectacular and will only get better. Barrett is a 50BMG Beast. Great job by K Minter stepping in to QB the defense. Their total effort was outstanding to say the least.
September 13th, 2019 at 1:34 pm
Bowles deserves the game ball!
September 13th, 2019 at 1:41 pm
Enough of the “Cams’ not healthy “ nonsense. If that is true, it is on the coach to make the call that gives his team the best chance to win. They put ”Camdaddy” on the field so that’s who our guys played.
The Bucs did enough to win…it’s a start, enjoy it.
September 13th, 2019 at 1:47 pm
A well deserved win by a few inches with this defense getting after it big time.
September 13th, 2019 at 2:14 pm
Man I don’t care about game manager if we can with it then let’s keep doing it. I’ve seen quarterbacks throw for 400 yards and 3 touchdowns and no picks and still lose. Jamies has had games like that and we still lost. Defense wins championships!!!!
September 13th, 2019 at 2:45 pm
@Tony LA
That was priceless!!!
September 13th, 2019 at 3:48 pm
GAME MANAGER?
Jameis’ final stats LOOK LIKE he was “treated” like a “game manager” by Leftwich, as he only got 25 passes …
HOWEVER …
The Bucs ran just 59 plays. Jameis dropped back on 32 of them … 54.2% … not exactly a “game manager” percentage, though very low for Jameis “gunslinger” Winston.
September 13th, 2019 at 4:30 pm
They won because they didn’t turn the ball over.
And they will continue to win if they don’t turn the ball over
Got that, Jameis?
September 13th, 2019 at 5:09 pm
NOSBOS Says:
September 13th, 2019 at 11:51 am
It’s a Bucs life man. Even after a win we all dysfunctional😊.
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If that ain’t the da##ed truth. More like shell shocked. 🙂