9 Off-The-Radar Questions Before Game 9
November 9th, 2019
Joe’s not one to type up boring halftime grades at a season’s midpoint. But Joe’s brain is always working Bucs 24/7, and as the second half of the season kicks off tomorrow, here are 9 thoughts swirling in Joe’s dome.
*Hey Team Glazer, your head coach stood at a podium news conference before Halloween and told media he’s not guaranteed anything in 2020. Sure, Bruce Arians might have been talking about being alive or dead, but the context was about being Tampa Bay head coach. Where the heck were you guys to let the world know Arians is here for the 2020 season?
*It’s so much fun to watch Jordan Whitehead sacrifice his body every week. He’s the opposite of “soft.” What would he have looked like 20 years ago before the NFL changed all the hitting rules?
*Those who watch the Bucs’ All-22 film know Chris Godwin is a blocking animal for a wide receiver. He’s taking on the big boys repeatedly. Joe’s concerned that will take a toll on Godwin. And if the Bucs are going to ask Godwin to be an every-down blocking receiver who catches 100 balls, will they offer to pay him like one after this season? After this season, the Bucs are free to open the vault for the third year receiver, per league rules.
*A big reason Devin White was drafted No. 5 overall was his alleged ability to get to NFL quarterbacks in Todd Bowles’ blitz-happy scheme. This should be a focus of the second half. Let White learn on the job in this critical area as much as possible for next season. Right?
*Will the real Ndamukong Suh arrive in Tampa? He hasn’t missed a game and he’s on pace for career lows in many (nearly all) meaningful statistical categories.
*Will the Bucs go all Tampa Bay Rays and try to re-sign Shaq Barrett immediately? Yes, Barrett’s agent, oily Drew Rosenhaus, might want Barrett to hit the jackpot in March free agency as a 15-sack guy, but Barrett is free to wave off Rosenhaus and pounce if the Bucs guaranteed him $18 million for two years right now. Not every player is willing to turn down life-changing cash and risk an injury that would lose everything.
*How is it that the Bucs got their spiritual leader and defensive MVP back in the building, Jason Pierre-Paul, and proceeded to fall apart defensively the past two weeks?
*Shame on the Bucs grows more deserved daily for letting Alex Cappa wallow on the bench late last season in favor of former right guard Caleb Benenoch. Think about all that lost development time in a totally lost season. Benenoch, who is out of football, was one of the worst guards in the game last season. Will Jason Licht and the Bucs learn anything from that situation and apply it to Vernon Hargreaves taking snaps over young cornerbacks?
*Will we see any kind of trick play, or anything one might call “razzle dazzle,” from the Bucs offense? The offense has been executing better, but overall it remains a very predictable unit in many ways. That might catch up to the Bucs eventually.
November 9th, 2019 at 4:27 pm
For the life of me I don’t understand why we don’t line up OJ Howard in the slot. he would be a mismatch for anyone covering him. Imagine both our starting receivers with him in the slot and Brate as the traditional tight end.
November 9th, 2019 at 4:42 pm
a lot of good points Joe
November 9th, 2019 at 4:45 pm
Steven007. I have an even better one! Why don’t we use Vita Vea on short yardage every once in a while. The guy is quick as hell and doesn’t go down. If he can push TWO d,inemeninto the pocket, ya think he could get a yard? Worked for Refrigerator Perry. Even Sapp was used on offense once in a while. Wouldn’t hurt to use our pile mover once in while as we continue to struggle with short downs.
November 9th, 2019 at 4:47 pm
Suh’s numbers have fallen this season so I don’t expect we’ll tender his next contract unless it’s near the veteran minimum. He will be released. Part of a salary shed. He was a cheaper stop gap that unfortunately is in major decline.
November 9th, 2019 at 4:51 pm
Razzle dazzle Joe?
How bout Barber up the middle on 1st, 2nd AND 3rd down?
They’ll never see that coming.
Then on the following series, Barber up the middle on 1st and 2nd and then……..are you ready for this?
Barber off RT?
November 9th, 2019 at 4:55 pm
Jordan’s tenacity reminds me a little of a smaller version of Ronnie Lott. Of course it helps to get advice from your cousin Darelle Revis, but his physicality, and his angles to the ball is what sets him apart.
November 9th, 2019 at 5:00 pm
I feel it is too much to ask our OC to add some razzle dazzle. The guy is still learning on the job how to be an OC and call basic plays. Of course, he has got the concept of run on every first down correct!
November 9th, 2019 at 5:13 pm
Soooooooooo. Are we going to talk about how we kept scissor hands Perriman. god forbid this team cut a useless player for a draft pick.
November 9th, 2019 at 5:25 pm
As for the JPP question…
1. The defense, specifically the pass defense in the secondary, had fallen apart far before JPPs getting back. The secondary has 2 good games and 6 awful ones.
2. The pass rush improved significantly upon JPPs return. And he has 1.5 sacks in 2 games coming off a fractured neck. The man is an animal. No questions asked.
November 9th, 2019 at 5:25 pm
Yeah it seems like no matter who is coaching this team we need to anything unique or unexpected. No flee flickers, no double reverses, no half back passes, no fake punts, no fake FGs, nothing ever. On defense we tend to play man and blitz all day or play some all day. Everything with us seems so simple to diagnose and again that is with every coaching staff. It crazy
November 9th, 2019 at 5:31 pm
Damn it Joe, I’m talking about Joe Burrow. After this beat down of Bama we’ll have zero chance of drafting you
November 9th, 2019 at 5:35 pm
Missing a few of important questions here.
1.) Why did the Glaziers give Licht a 5 year extension?
– Save me “He’s BA’s guy” crap please.
– Licht has built this team backwards
– Licht has crafted the second youngest roster & one of the highest paid
2.) BA’s might not have/want this job in 2020, but his salary is damn sure guaranteed. Not be for a dude in his late ‘60s.
3.) How are the Bucs going to resign?
– Barrett
– JPP
– Nassib
– Suh
*Do they have the money and would these guys want to stay?
4.) How are they planning to rebuild the secondary, O-Line, D-Line, etc. in one offseason?
5.) What will become of Jameis?
Might want to hit that edit button.
November 9th, 2019 at 5:53 pm
Joe Burrows just turned the ball over, according to the Jameis haters, so he is trash regardless of anything else he has done today.
November 9th, 2019 at 5:54 pm
Joe
Here’s another thought;
Sitting here watching Joe Burrow pick apart Alabama and imagining how great he would look in Bucs red and pewter …..
November 9th, 2019 at 5:57 pm
does Joe Burrows turn the ball over as much as Jameis?
November 9th, 2019 at 6:00 pm
Just sitting here watching all the run after the catch by this LSU back and thinking how good he would look with Jameis throwing to him. Jean in Joe Burrows playing in the NFL behind our oline with no running game?
November 9th, 2019 at 6:03 pm
Don’t get me wrong I’ve been saying for weeks that Burrows is easily the best QB coming out this year but to comparing the team he is playing with to the Bucs is laughable.
My point was he just got hit from behind and lost the ball, WHICH IS NOT HIS FAULT, but when that’s Jameis it’s all his fault to morons like you Jean.
November 9th, 2019 at 6:04 pm
Bucs won’t draft a qb. 1- Arians won’t be here long enough to develop. 2- Lichts job will be on the line after this year.3- all top qb will be picked before Bucs do. Bengals. Dolphins. Broncos. Even Falcons , titans, chargers and bears will in the race.
Also , Licht strategy is to resign drafted player to big contracts. I would like burrows to be drafted. Or draft pash rusher, Or right guard and move cappa to RT.
November 9th, 2019 at 6:05 pm
lol Ndog difference is Burrow doesn’t go out there and cannot play a game without having at least one usually multiple turnovers a game. I am sorry you do not understand football enough to realize when you turn the ball over that much you have almost no chance of winning consistently.
November 9th, 2019 at 6:07 pm
I bet Joe Burrows would complete more than 53.9% of his NFL passes.
Jameis ranks dead last and the QB’s who have a lower completion percentage than him are riding the bench
November 9th, 2019 at 6:09 pm
It’s not my fault that Jameis has tiny hands NDog you slobbering fool
November 9th, 2019 at 6:10 pm
You like it or not. Winston will be back. Arians has defended him a lot. Arians has a connection with Jameis for a long time and believes like he said he will win a SB.
November 9th, 2019 at 6:12 pm
Winston’s hand size is 9 3/8 inches, which is “not great, below the norm,” in Polian’s view. “9.5 is the norm, 10 is ideal.”.
November 9th, 2019 at 6:12 pm
Tell him to throw the ball 50 times a game cause he team can’t run the ball and be behind most of the time and let’s see what happens. You guys are what is called football stupid.
November 9th, 2019 at 6:13 pm
Wow. You guys measuring hands. Mine is 9in and does a job.
November 9th, 2019 at 6:16 pm
By the way Jean Pat Mahomes has smaller hands than Jameis sooo like usual your point is pointless. Ha ha ha ha you are so lame, you have NOTHING. Just go to bed little baby and let the adults talk football.
November 9th, 2019 at 6:16 pm
you don’t play QB ^^^^^
November 9th, 2019 at 6:19 pm
and Mahomes is a much better QB than Jameis
November 9th, 2019 at 6:21 pm
you’re right NDog I’ll let you talk to your silly adolescent self
November 9th, 2019 at 6:25 pm
Wow Burrows got a little pressure and misses two throws out of three when guys are wide open. Wonder why?
November 9th, 2019 at 6:26 pm
Oh Jean sounds about right run away when your losing. I’m shocked.
November 9th, 2019 at 6:29 pm
Luv your questions and thoughts here Joe. Bucs need to win a home game…On Sunday badly. Lets see if they are capable of going all out and stepping out. You know Arians want to ram this game down the Bidwells throats. Actually this should be a very good game with the….Real Heisman winner at QB for AZ. And yes, time for Suh to step his game up. Because to be honest, Thus far he has not been better than GMC.
November 9th, 2019 at 6:39 pm
Dude stop with the trick play stuff. This team can’t consistently run normal plays.
November 9th, 2019 at 6:51 pm
Joe Burrow
Calm
Great decisions
No squinting
November 9th, 2019 at 6:54 pm
Joe Burrows can throw a one yard pass on the top of a players shoes and get six yards plus a first down. Must be nice.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:06 pm
1. There is no need for the Glazers to mention whether Bruce will be here in 20202! we’re only halfway through the season! And by the way, Tony Dungy had a worse record at this point in his first year.
2. The Bucs will NOT offer to pay Godwin more in 202. Why would they? He’s under contract until 2021.
3. You’re dreaming if you think Shaq Barrett will take$18m for two years, when he can probably get $5m more for those same 2 years at the end of the season. Especially if he gets 15 sacks. And he might be able to go to a winning team. It’s not like he showed much team loyalty in his last place.
4. “Shame on the Bucs grows more deserved daily for letting Alex Cappa wallow on the bench late last season in favor of former right guard Caleb Benenoch.”
That was not even the same coaching staff!!!!!
The way I see it, Tony Dungy was 1-7 his first half season. He was turning around a losing franchise. This defense needs a little more talent added, but I’m not as down on the secondary as others. They are mostly young guys, currently under development. Even Ronde took time to develop at CB.
The biggest issues, as I see them, are the defensive line, because if you think about it, we have 3 DL guys becoming free agents, and they are our top guys.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:08 pm
DooshLaRue Says
“No squinting”
There is nothing wrong with squinting. Some people are more sensitive to light, but it doesn’t make them less accurate or alert.
When I was younger, I was an expert at defensive driving and I could shoot the pubic hairs off a flea from 100 yards…with a .3030 lever action rifle.
Winston squinting is not an issue at all.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:14 pm
Lmao the bar is so low mr pathetic NDog is defending Winston against a COLLEGE player lmao.
Ndog likes to call people names behind that computer but I bet my house if I was standing in front of him he wouldn’t call me stupid cause I’d slap that mouth open handed and that would be the end of that conversation real quick.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:16 pm
Ndog doesn’t even know how to use “your” and “you’re” correctly.
Illiterate is the word I believe.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:19 pm
Sounds about right Figures, not smart enough to win with you brain so you cry I’ll beat you up. Whaaa I’m Figures and I’m not smart so I will push you down. I’m a tough guy look at me. Grow up bro.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:19 pm
I like Winston and I firmly believe that, barring any off the field stuff, he will one day be one of the top QBs in the NFL.
But…I do not think the Bucs fans have the patience for him to reach that point, nor do I think they they have it for any drafted QB to be developed.
Seeing as there is not a ‘Drew Brees’ type of QB hitting free agency (and yes, I screamed to sign him before the Saints did years ago, but people here claimed he was washed up at the time), and the QBs predicted to be available in the draft are not considered to be great, our best bet is keeping Winston.
Because even with the picks and turnovers, we still score a lot of points. Let Bowles continue with the defense (he can not fix it all in one year) and keep working on Jameis. DO NOT franchise him. Just offer him 5 years with the first two guaranteed. That way it is really just a 2 year contract but offers the illusion of stability to him.
Load it with incentives. Get a discount because of his record.
And let him know we’re going to draft a quality ‘backup’ at some point.
Bottom line, that’s the smart move. Because franchising him will pay him much more than he is worth. We could probably get him for $20m per year under an incentive contract right now. But if you franchise him, it will cost over $30m…and even more if you do it next year as well.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:20 pm
I meant squinting to mean simply that…..
Jameis sucks.
I’m glad you’ve overcome your shortcomings to be the prolific author you are today a Bonzai.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:21 pm
Figures Says
“Ndog doesn’t even know how to use “your” and “you’re” correctly.”
That’s not really fair, because most of the people on these comments don’t know either, lol. Drives me crazy.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:22 pm
Oh, and do forget ‘to’, ‘too’, and ‘two’.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:24 pm
Forget about the QB talk. How the Bucs drafting that RB from LSU. Beast mode with a swag.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:25 pm
@DooshLaRue
I’m nowhere near prolific, lol. Nor am I a best seller, unfortunately. But my whole life I said I would write novels when I retired, and I retired at 50. I just enjoy writing.
Now if only I could finish ANY of my current novels, I’d be happy. New genres are harder than I thought they would be.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:27 pm
Coach O’s voice = 24 grit sandpaper!
I never cared for LSU but he has this team believing.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:28 pm
Yep. As earlier stated, Joe Burrow would look Fantastic in Bucs red and pewter.
It would give Bucs fans something to be excited about for the first time in a long time.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:30 pm
If you don’t think we need another QB after watching that game you are beyond help !
November 9th, 2019 at 7:31 pm
Guys it’s a freaking blog people know what they are typing they just don’t care if the grammar police is out. It’s called debating and if you are looking to win the debate based upon grammar then I think that speaks to the weakness of your argument. But considering who brought it up who here is surprised, the weakest poster on this board FIGURES.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:31 pm
Bye Jameis. Hello Burrows! Whata game!
November 9th, 2019 at 7:34 pm
Great job Joe. You’ve been exceptionally analytical and thoughtful this year.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:35 pm
Congrats to Lovie Smith for once again coaching winning football. Upset over Michigan State.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:41 pm
The police IS out.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:41 pm
The police IS out.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:45 pm
Wow look at the success Lovie is having after Licht stabbed him in the back. Winning football and Jason Licht don’t mix.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:46 pm
Joe is not coming here he will be a number one over all pick. He is great but if we can get the defensive end out of Ohio state that will be great. Jo Burrow will not help us win. Remember this is college this is not the NFL. It depends on what team he’s going too. Jamies only lost 1 game in college and he got drafted by the bucs and every body is blaming him for ever lost since he got here . The same thing will happen to Joe Burrow if he came to Tampa. You can’t expect a quarterback to overcome the defense and the none running game and expect to win it just don’t happen that way. Jamies came in and was asked to do too much . We need to focus on building our defense and offensive line and if Jamies struggles then draft a quarterback. Because that way a rookie quarterback don’t have to feel like every thing is on him. You can develop him easily that way . But if you going to put the hold team on his shoulder and blame him for ever lost then we ain’t going to win nothing. Keep Jamies and keep building the defense and please get help on the offensive line and we will win!!! Go Bucs….
November 9th, 2019 at 7:47 pm
Very cool article Joe. Love the out of box thinking. I barely frequent other site because of that generic midseason drivel you mentioned. I like stuff that gets you thinking. Agree or disagree youre site delivers.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:49 pm
Guys…critiquing spelling and grammar on any blog is considered low…especially on a sports blog. I will match writing skills with folks here but I can guarandamntee you I don’t waste time editing my posts. I give them one quick over and then hit submit.
My weakness…the homonyms that get Figures and Bonzai worked up….You’re…your….are absolutely a mistake I could make because I tend to write for the ear…as in speaking…if I take the time to edit I can clean them up.
Sorry Figures and Bonzai bust me for being lazy.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:51 pm
Joe – as the Princess from Frozen has sung repeatedly: Let it go, Let it go.
Peace, out
November 9th, 2019 at 7:54 pm
Money ball. Can’t afford Jameis. Draft a QB, any QB, round 1 or 2, get a decent one. They will be there. Jameis can be a backup at $5mill if he wants it. $20-30 mill ??? No way Jose. No no no not worth it.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:54 pm
Hope to see a solid crowd tomorrow……Anybody following the Bucs knows we aren’t been home in about 2 months.
Players gotta deal with opossing fans screaming at them every week. Yeah the losing sucked but they I’m sure they are glad to finally be back home to play a more comforting game. Having a big crowd for this one should be a big deal(for non fair weather fans). If the crowd sucks it might get in the players heads a little bit……..Always a bonus in life when someone’s got you back.
Keep hearing there gonna be tons of empty seats. We can all get up tomorrow and do something about that. Hope I’m pleasantly surprised tomorrow.
November 9th, 2019 at 7:55 pm
GO BUCS!
November 9th, 2019 at 9:09 pm
JimmyJack it will be empty but that doesn’t stop us from screaming as loud as possible. I’ll be there like always cheering like hell.
November 9th, 2019 at 9:23 pm
Cool Ndog. Glad to hear it. I freaking take these empty seats personally. I talking to every Buc fan I know all talking telling them to get to the game and every one showed me how fair wheather this fanbase is. Really kinda ticks me off this fanbase carnt be tougher.
That’s cool eff y’all…….I wanted to my adult tailgate time for another year orso but I’ll bring my son to the next game and add one to the stadium fanbase. Bottom line is we need every fan we can get.
So I’ll make it a little mission of mine to scout out tomorrow the best tailgate spots and spots inside stadium to enjoy with children. I’ll let him choose my next game. If anyone got any tips about that it’s appreciated.
Anyways I’ll be in the South Endzone tomorrow most the day. If I feel like it I’ll post here so y’all check in. Well shake hands and talk some football.
GO BUCS!
November 9th, 2019 at 9:41 pm
St. Pete,
Don’t sweat it man, you’re very good, but mistakes happen.
In the immortal beliefs of our beloved yet misguided ndog, as it pertains to his leader and savior, and so therefore it must also be so among us,
; his hopefully equals….
“It’s not your fault, someone else is to blame “
We good.
November 9th, 2019 at 10:49 pm
^^^poetry^^^
November 9th, 2019 at 10:56 pm
Had said all year that this team will hit a turning point.
Tomorrow may very well may be that turning point. All them empty seat will miss it. And heard quite a few fans saying how they aren’t watching no more. They will miss our turning point too.
Y’all can jump on the bandwagon later. Us diehards will do the dirty work and keep youre seats clean.
November 9th, 2019 at 11:19 pm
Joe when I looked at highlites of Barkley Coming out of penn state. On every long run I noticed I think his number was 12 out running Barkley and lead blocking every play. Celebrating like he made the run. Turned out it was Godwin. Barkley is a generational talent and watching the film Godwin stood out more to me. He is a football player blocking isn’t taking a toll on him he just loves to play. Blocking is a part of it he is good at it and likes doing it
November 10th, 2019 at 2:56 am
You can fix the OL by simply picking a top LT in the draft, move D. Smith to RG, and play Cappa at RT. Give Jameis a five year contract with incentives for playing with no more than one turnover a game, and so much for when he takes us to the playoffs, and an incentive for high rates of TDs in the red zone too. Trade Vernon for the highest draft pick you can get. Sign a Veteran CB who can also play Safety if needed. Use your second pick on a large DE to replace PFF in the future. Sign Barret to a five year contract now, and offer PFF a contract for next season.
November 10th, 2019 at 7:10 am
Jimmy Jack! Please don’t tell us how to Spend are Money!
Thanks,
Jonh.L
November 10th, 2019 at 8:32 am
There’s at least four college QB’s I’d take over Jameis right now, and their coaches. Joe Burrow would top my list at QB.
November 10th, 2019 at 9:28 am
Go Bucs!!! Start your Undefeated 2d Part of your season like the Bucs did for the last Coach that cured the losing culture—Dungy!
November 10th, 2019 at 9:31 am
Hodad, Burrow will be the first pick and Miami will get him! Stop dreaming and get real.
November 10th, 2019 at 10:31 am
Burrow looked good against Alabama and who doesn’t like to see Alabama lose? I know I do because enough is enough. Burrow thinks he’s the greatest QB that ever graced the position.
November 10th, 2019 at 11:12 am
Lmao Ndog is so illiterate he tries to defend the fact that his grammar is the level of a 6th grader by saying it’s because it’s a debate lol.
And yea I can defeat you in a debate but your blind loyalty doesn’t allow you to see anything other than “Winston best ever” “team bad”
“Never Winston’s fault”
So yea slapping a little sense in you would probably help
November 10th, 2019 at 11:24 am
Sounds like in order to pay JW 20 or 30 mil it will mean sacrificing the rest of the team. Shouldn’t do it. At some point Griffin needs to play to see if he is a viable replacement. Unless Licht & BA have already made up there minds. Of course the clueless Glazer’s will go along with anything.