Dancing With Byron
November 22nd, 2019
Fun Thursday.
At times yesterday, Joe didn’t know if he was watching a dancing show or a classic “Three Stooges” routine.
At times, Bucs offensive coordinator Bryon Leftwich danced and weaved to questions better than TV dance show host Brooke Burke.
At other times, Joe could hear Curly Howard in his head.
Leftwich was asked yesterday in his weekly pressure about America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, taking so many hits (12 against the Saints). Leftwich waved the question off as if it is trivial.
“That’s the game of football,” Leftwich said. “That’s what happens in this league when you play quarterback.”
Later Leftwich again was asked about hits and he seemed to take a totally different mindset.
“That’s why you try to make sure he’s always playing smart [and] make sure he’s never putting himself in position to take added hits that you can avoid,” Leftwich said. “If you can avoid them, you want to try to avoid them. Yes, you want to do everything you can to try to avoid hits.”
Joe immediately flashed back to the timeless “Three Stooges” classic “Disorder in the Court” when a bailiff struggled to swear in Curly before he took the stand.
“Are you trying to give me the double-talk?” Curly yelped.
In the same press conference, Leftwich danced when he was asked where the Bucs offense is better than last year. First, he said he wasn’t here two years ago but the local pen and mic club was so they would know better than he to compare.
When pinned down to specify where the offense has improved since he arrived in town, Leftwich waltzed as if Burke was going to offer him a dancing award.
Leftwich began stating the offense was better overall and explained:
“We’re trying to win football games,” Leftwich said. “We’re doing things to win football games [and] to put ourselves in the best position to win football games. When that doesn’t happen, that allows you guys to have this conversation, but if we’re winning football games it’s different because all of the numbers are not bad – it’s just what you choose to pick.
“We’ve got to have awareness of where we’re not as good and try to improve on that, to just try to complete this thing and make this thing whole to where we’re playing better to actually win football games as opposed to trying to prove certain numbers. We’re trying to win every time we go out, and whatever the situation holds within the game, we’re going to do that to try to win the football game.”
And since that was clear, Leftwich’s presser later came to an end when he was asked if Jameis is still his quarterback in the future.
“I love working with Jameis,” Leftwich said. “I think Jameis is getting better. Yes, we’ve got to fix the turnover thing. I know that, I understand that – regardless of if they are on him or not. As an offense, we’ve got to fix the turnover thing. It’s not really all Jameis. We are talking that way, but when we talk as a group, anybody that touched the football is really in control – as you can see the past couple of games – in control of the ball.
“We’ve got to do a better job of keeping the ball and making sure we finish every series and every drive with a kick. If we do that, we give ourselves a chance because of the talent that we have. But we’ve got to have an understanding that we can’t go into games having three [or] four turnovers, regardless of how they [come], especially when you’re playing good football teams.
“It’s going to be difficult to win [those] football games. We understand that, we’ll get better at it and we’ll continue trying to put ourselves in better position to win football games.”
Between Leftwich offering some double-talk, explaining some things in Pig Latin and adding quality dancing, it was one of the more entertaining coordinator press conferences Joe can remember in a while.
Joe isn’t sure if he learned anything but still, it was sure fun.
November 22nd, 2019 at 8:10 am
Multiple recent comments from Arians and Leftwich seem to point to a shift away from Winston. Asking if Winston is the future is a straight-forward question that should be answered in a straight-forward manner, unless…
November 22nd, 2019 at 8:18 am
^
Leftwich aint stupid like his head coach who said the secondary was fixed.
November 22nd, 2019 at 8:22 am
The way I see it. Leftwich is trying to say that hits are apart of the blame but you can’t blame the OL for all of them.
November 22nd, 2019 at 8:22 am
Cmon Joe. What he is trying to say is that the ignorant Canada’s QB is not smart enough to make decisions which result in him getting hit.
November 22nd, 2019 at 8:25 am
6 more games and the question will be answered. If he gets franchised they won’t have much money to work with. If they extend him they are in the same boat . And we can decide to give up on this joke of a franchise for good .
November 22nd, 2019 at 8:41 am
It seems BL & BA didn’t watch much film before taking the job…….
November 22nd, 2019 at 8:42 am
Buc fans are understandably DESPERATE! Desperation rarely sees things clearly.
I certainly do not.
IMHO the only thing I do see it that too frequently we are looking for a savior…one addition…the right QB…the right Coach…the right GM…the right owners.
We will not turn this around with the right SINGLE anything.
Like most of you I have had frustrating times…professionally and personally. The only thing I can remember that brought success was to keep on plodding…keep on keepin on…
We find ourselves mired in yet another nightmare season with questions at the most important spots in the franchise…QB…GM and perhaps even Coach. I love Gene Deckerhoff but even he is getting old.
There are some posters here who gave up years ago…some are simply negative human beings…others have been understandably crushed. I’m not critical of those posters at all.
I get it.
NOT ME! I am not giving up. I want to beat Atlanta. That’s the place to start.
November 22nd, 2019 at 8:48 am
Harsh post @joes
November 22nd, 2019 at 9:02 am
What we are tired of is seeing constant excuses, accusations of racism for being done with this QB, warm beer at RayJay, and overpriced food that tastes like cardboard.
Not to mention RayJay seems like an away game every time I dare waste my time and money to go watch this circus of a franchise play. In no other area of this economy would I continue to invest hard earned dollars to receive such a substandard product.
But of course, none of that matters. When the fans take the game more serious than the face of your franchise, you are ridiculed for demanding more. Just pay your money and STFU.
November 22nd, 2019 at 9:11 am
“It’s going to be difficult to win [those] football games. We understand that, we’ll get better at it and we’ll continue trying to put ourselves in better position to win football games.”
“Do or do not. There is no try.” – YODA
November 22nd, 2019 at 9:11 am
Deshaun Watson 303 pass attempts without an Int at home!!!
Sorry Crabby but your just not good enough!
November 22nd, 2019 at 9:19 am
BL. Even if JW doesn’t turnover the ball we are STILL losing. Explain that? I’m listening….. Or is it the secondary soft? Or the kicker? Or OJ Howard? Which one in which week.
Y’all getting out done by Koetter and that’s pretty embarrassing but when do u guys take some blame? Like coaching challenges and being gangsta on the field and why doesn’t BA yells at you on the sidelines? Then the Qb throws 4 picks and yes that’s the problem?
Brett Favee threw 400 int and still won so turnover are part of the problem not the problem. Just admit we are good enough to beat the Saints. There is nothing wrong with that
November 22nd, 2019 at 9:30 am
I agree with the turnovers. Seems like we all have to agree with Qb turnovers. Too many. This defense can’t stop the other team so we need mistake free from the offense. We can’t stop the other team let’s not even try that no more we can stop the run tho.
November 22nd, 2019 at 9:33 am
chris
i agree…
BL saying:“If you can avoid them, you want to try to avoid them. Yes, you want to do everything you can to try to avoid hits.” translates to get rid of the ball quicker….make a decision and let it rip, either at the WR or out of bounds….
GO BUCS!!!!
November 22nd, 2019 at 9:41 am
Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
TAKE OFF THAT HAT!
Classic, and one of my all-time favorites.
tickrdr
November 22nd, 2019 at 9:53 am
lamarcus
JW has had a TO in every game except for week2….a “W”…
so explain that?….every game its someone elses fault….
you a damn fool comparing JW to a HOFer…lol…
GO BUCS!!!!
November 22nd, 2019 at 10:21 am
Deshaun Watson
33 Career Starts: 21-12
Playoff Gms: 1
#Texans 33 gms B4 drafting DW
19-14
Playoff Gms: 3⃣
TEAM WIN % INCREASE w/ Deshaun: 10.5%
Jameis Winston
64 Starts: 24-40
Playoff Gms: 0
#Bucs 64 gms B4 Jameis
17-47
Playoff Gms: 0
TEAM WIN % INCREASE w/ JW: 41.2%
November 22nd, 2019 at 11:15 am
Leftwitch what a doofus. Stands at the podium and on the sidelines always with this stupid look on his face. Just staring out in space making all kinds of ignorant comments. God, what a circus they have going.
November 22nd, 2019 at 11:19 am
Well those quotes do little to inspire confidence. Yikes.
November 22nd, 2019 at 11:31 am
Here’s another repost from two years ago, but NEW and UPDATED:
You are always welcome to ignore.
—————————————————————————————–Did you know that in the three years since Winston was drafted (not even counting this year’s games), that there is a group of games that the lowly Bucs (of Buccaneer Cove fame) went 15-4. That’s right 15 wins vs. only 4 losses.
No, it wasn’t when Jameis passed for more than 300 yards, because the Bucs were 4-7 in those games.
No, it wasn’t when Jameis passed for 3 or more TDs, because the Bucs were only 4-4 in those games.
It wasn’t even when Jameis passed for LESS than 230 yards a game, though they were 9-4 in those games!
No, it was when they WON THE TURNOVER BATTLE!
Five game winning streak in 2016? Yep, they won the turnover battle in every game, and the “trainwreck” defense had 14 takeaways during that five game streak. (BTW: The defense held the opponents to 17 ppg or less in SEVEN games that year, accounting for 7 of those 9 wins that year)
Oh, and when Fitzpatrick started those three games last year, the Bucs won the turnover battle every game, and went 2-1 in the process.
Everyone says that JW3 played his best ball during the last five games last season, but in those last five games the Bucs gave up 13 turnovers, with JW3 losing 5 of 7 fumbles, and he also threw 5 INTs, while the Bucs went 1-4.
BTW, even though the Bucs won that last game vs. NO, that was the only game that the Bucs were able to win when they had three or more turnovers in a game. That’s right, the Bucs were 1-12 in games with three or more turnovers.
—————————————————————————————-
So now to update for the last four years plus ten games:
Win the TO battle: 20 – 6
Tie the TO battle: 3 – 7
Lose the TO battle: 5 – 33
More than 3 TOs: 2 – 18
Points scored matter, turnovers matter, total yards not so much.
tickrdr
AKA “clueless fan”
BTW: Please note that nothing else about the team was different. They didn’t import a new defense, nor a new running back, kicker, coaches, play only at home, or in temps > 40 degrees etc.
November 22nd, 2019 at 11:48 am
It must be a tough job turning the Bucs into a competitive team. Look how many have failed. This loser team is a turnover waiting to happen. The Bucs..ha ha ha Go Bucs Beat Atlanta! Or the sloppy joe usual.
November 22nd, 2019 at 1:06 pm
Byron Leftwich got concussed watching the game tape.
November 22nd, 2019 at 1:07 pm
Tickrdr-
You are wasting your time with Joe- he is all about fix the secondary.
And then if or when that is fixed, he’ll blame the running game.
Statistical facts mean very little compared to his bias.
November 22nd, 2019 at 1:10 pm
Gotta call it as I see it this article is a embarassment.
November 22nd, 2019 at 1:25 pm
ArmandoG Says:
November 22nd, 2019 at 10:21 am
Deshaun Watson
33 Career Starts: 21-12
Playoff Gms: 1
#Texans 33 gms B4 drafting DW
19-14
Playoff Gms: 3⃣
TEAM WIN % INCREASE w/ Deshaun: 10.5%
Jameis Winston
64 Starts: 24-40
Playoff Gms: 0
#Bucs 64 gms B4 Jameis
17-47
Playoff Gms: 0
TEAM WIN % INCREASE w/ JW: 41.2%
Any JW doubters want to dispute this?
November 22nd, 2019 at 1:31 pm
stpetebucsfan is correct, the team as a whole has issues and to blame any one person is asinine. One more time, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a WHOLE, has problems. Those who say that Licht is the problem might be one to something. The Glazers for sure don’t have a clue about this team. They would be better off reading the JBF comment section on what to do with the team, well a select few that watch the games lol
November 22nd, 2019 at 2:01 pm
LETS PUT SOME MORE LIPSTICK ON THIS PIG……
November 22nd, 2019 at 2:26 pm
1. Find a new QB in the draft or FA. Many of Jameis’ interceptions, fumbles, and sacks I’m not going to totally put on the oline like many ppl do.
2. You f#cking fix a scheme to get two of the best receiving TE on the field.
3. Pay a prime CB and S.
4. RT in draft or FA.
November 22nd, 2019 at 4:17 pm
Somebody relay this to Leftwich:
1) Stop having Winston turn his back to the defense. He is slow at diagnosing (and physically turning his body around,) he needs to have his eyes on the backers and DBs as long as possible.
2) Roll Winston out of the pocket more. Why? See #1, why is it a mystery to anyone why JWs stats are so much better when rolling out? Again see #1. You are also giving him a chance to run when nothing is there– which he has great instincts for and great determination (teach him how to carry the ball in traffic). If he takes a big hit, well that will make some of our fans happy as well (for the wrong reasons)
3) Stop being so predictable! You need to do a better job of setting defenses up and making for easier throws. Dak Prescott isnt better than Winston but he often has only 1 or 2 reads to make before throwing versus 3 or 4 for Winston.
November 22nd, 2019 at 8:54 pm
Don’t be silly Dalvin…Leftwich is just positive that one of these times he runs up the middle on first down it will net a yard or 2 gain. He is sure of it because he keeps doing it. We replaced Dirk with Dirk. Same predictability same slow developing 4 verticals with limited screens and no draws…and ALWAYS run on first down and no QB sneaks either. Did I miss anything? Lol
November 23rd, 2019 at 4:48 pm
This kinda why it sux when the team isn’t winning & ya’ll still got a job to do. You guys are asking “how has the offense improved” & “is Jameis your QB for the future”. lmfao like NOBODY cares really about that right now!
Nobody cared yrs ago when Pats offense was lighting the world on fire & their defense was trash; they were winning & that’s what it comes down to. This yr the Saints offense isn’t that potent as yrs passed & their defense is carrying them. NOBODY CARES b/c they’re winning.
So I get why coaches don’t wanna answer these type of questions b/c they’re only concerned w/ the win/lose record; the ONLY #s that really count!