Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Cardinals
November 10th, 2019
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
They had it all the way.
Yeah, right.
Even Buc players and coaches would admit they had their heart in their throat during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s matchup against the Cardinals. The game was on the line and this time it was Tampa Bay who made the big plays to ensure the first home victory of the Bruce Arians era.
A crowd that was meager in number made up for it in passion, welcoming the Bucs back to Raymond James Stadium for the first time in seven weeks. Arizona didn’t give this one away — the Bucs took it.
And in the process, Tampa Bay created an opportunity to stack some wins. Kyler Murray lived up to the hype, throwing for 324 yards and three touchdowns, but he hurt Tampa Bay only once on the ground.
Meanwhile, Jameis Winston shook off an early pick and completed 30 passes despite a strong pass rush led by Chandler Jones, one of the NFL’s most underpublicized players.
The Bucs trailed three times in the game, but the biggest individual comeback came courtesy of Jamel Dean, roasted in Seattle and now the toast of Tampa.
Here’s how the Bucs exorcised some late-game demons and ended a late-game slide:
* Much of the story was told on third down, where the Bucs converted 7-of-15 while the Cardinals went 1-for-10. That’s how Tampa Bay enjoyed 13 more snaps than Arizona while maintaining possession for 36:03.
* Dean gave up completions, but he led all players with 4 pass breakups and made the key interception at the Bucs 8-yard line with 3:40 remaining. “I shouldn’t have thrown it up,” Murray said. “Honestly, when I threw it, there’s no way in hell I thought he was going to pick the ball off.” This kid Dean might be a player.
* Another big defensive play was made by ol’ reliable, Lavonte David, who stripped David Johnson after a reception and recovered the ball deep in Tampa Bay territory late in the third quarter. It was Arizona’s first lost fumble all season and it triggered a 66-yard drive that ended with a Matt Gay FG and a 23-20 Buc lead.
* Ronald Jones inexplicably fumbled midway through the fourth quarter without being hit, but he was a major factor as a receiver out of the backfield. Jones caught all 8 passes directed his way and led the Bucs with 77 receiving yards. He has improved his hands markedly from a disastrous rookie season and the Bucs have suddenly rediscovered the joy of an effective screen game.
* Let’s not make believe Tampa Bay’s woes on pass defense have been “fixed.” Larry Fitzgerald grabbed every one of his 8 targets and second-year pro Christian Kirk caught his first 3 TD passes of the season, taking turns abusing this young secondary.
* The teams combined for 20 penalties in a 203-minute flag fest that further erodes the fun factor in professional football. Too much yellow has NFL fans seeing red, and I don’t blame them one bit.
* The Bucs are averaging 32 points per game since Week 2 and it was good to see O.J. Howard rise from obscurity to make four catches, including a 10-yard scoring reception. It’s hard to believe that was his first scoring catch of the season. “This is what we needed, we needed a big win,” Howard said. “You get wins, you stack them up and it starts coming.”
* The game within the game was a tasty matchup between Mike Evans and Patrick Peterson, who departed midway through the fourth quarter with a calf injury. Evans finished with 4 catches for 82 yards, leaving the locker room with a smile and the respect of the guys across the hall. “You have to give them some credit,” said Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury. “Mike Evans is the best receiver in the league.”
* Kingsbury gambled midway through the fourth quarter and Tampa Bay’s special teams obliged during a fake punt on fourth-and-10. Andrew Adams gave up a 26-yard catch and even if the pass had fallenl incomplete, he would have been called for pass interference. That gaffe led to a go-ahead score, but Tampa Bay’s comeback let Adams off a rather large hook.
* Arians said Vernon Hargreaves was told to take a seat for awhile due to lack of hustle. That’s hardly encouraging news for a struggling cornerback in line to count $10 million against the salary cap in 2020.
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Ira Kaufman launched his professional NFL coverage in 1979, back when Earl Campbell was the toast of the league and Lee Roy Selmon was defensive player of the year. After a lifetime at The Tampa Tribune, “The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports” joined JoeBucsFan.com in July of 2016. His twice-weekly podcast and three columns per week appear here year-round and are presented by Bill Currie Ford. Tampa Bay’s only Hall of Fame voter is a regular on SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio and a part of the FOX-13 Tailgate Sunday show, in addition to his other appearances. You can hang out with Ira during every Bucs road games at Buffalo Wild Wings. His schedule is linked here.
November 10th, 2019 at 8:04 pm
JAMEIS SUCKS. Move on, Tampa, move on.
November 10th, 2019 at 8:05 pm
It was a fun game. A lot of ups and downs. And a tasty W. Mmmmmm!
November 10th, 2019 at 8:05 pm
My 1 takeaway:
1- The Bucs defense is bad
“Simple as that”
November 10th, 2019 at 8:08 pm
Hargreaves is gone.
November 10th, 2019 at 8:10 pm
If we can just get better in the secondary this team could be something for sure. With an offense putting up points like we are it sure would be hard to beat us.
November 10th, 2019 at 8:11 pm
Jameis is the greatest BS artist in the NFL you really think he will get better with time yea right he will just keep leading the NFL for int’s.
November 10th, 2019 at 8:15 pm
Imagine the hate if Jameis couldn’t move the ball which is something that JW does does very well.
An inability to move the ball at QB is a MUCH bigger issue than having a turnover problem.
The Bucs offense is never stagnant.
November 10th, 2019 at 8:18 pm
I dont care what anyone says here or in the NFL when I watch other NFL teams with less talent but a real QB and coaching staff they look like they are all on the same page. U put a Brady,Rodgers,Wilson,Ben,Mahomes ect. in our back field and we would be a team that competes instead of praying the other team screws up so we can win.
November 10th, 2019 at 8:19 pm
Sorry but this team is garbage. The win feels good but reality is Jameis Winston sucks. His stats masked reality. His makes horrible decsions. Why BA doesn’t see this I don’t know. Yes he balls out and has a good heart but he makes way too many critical errors on important play situations to pay this guy franchise money Kyler Murray, who does not impress me, Looked the part better than Jameis with the exception of the Dean Int. Our secondary sucks and has sucked for years. With the exception of some play makers on offense. We will win 1-3 more games at best. Franchise tag Jameis, draft a QB, sign some CBs
November 10th, 2019 at 8:20 pm
A WIN IS A WIN BUT HOW YOU WIN SHOWS WHAT TYPE OF TEAM YOU REALLY ARE.
November 10th, 2019 at 8:21 pm
^ Not true at all.
What did Drew Brees do with a defense similar to the Bucs? Absolutely nothing.
November 10th, 2019 at 8:23 pm
Not a big deal, but why were the Bucs all up in the “crucial catch” logo with cancer survivors during half time and the rest of the NFL was recognizing Veterans Day. We’re we behind due to the away games?
November 10th, 2019 at 8:25 pm
Suh had a good day today 2 solo tackles and 1 sack
November 10th, 2019 at 8:25 pm
The A in Bruce Arians should stand for Alzheimers. Has this guy got any idea what he has on the offense? I’m not talking Winston. Arians has 4 quality receivers: ME13 who went on vacation today, Ungodly who is going to get worn out, OJ Howard who caught a few today and Cameron Brate. When’s Arians gonna blow the noise out of his head? He’s got a week cos Brees and posse will be here Sunday. I am not sold on him.
November 10th, 2019 at 8:28 pm
Here are the QBs I would take over Jameis Right now:
Tom Brady
Sam darnold
Josh Allen
Lamar Jackson
Pat Mahomes
Derek Carr
Ryan Tannehill
Jacoby Brisset
Desean Watson
Nick Foles
Garner Minshew
Dak Presscott
Carson Wentz
Aaron Rogers
Matt Stafford
Kirk Cousins
Drew Brees
Kyle Allen
Cam Newton
Matt Ryan
Ryan Griffen
Jimmy Garapollo
Russel Wilson
Kyler Murray
Jared Goff
Teddy Bridgewater
Ben Rothelsburger
Andrew Luck(un retired)
Strong Consideration:
Mayson Rudolf
Daniel Jones
These are all the active Qbs(or injured reserve) in the league who I think would give us a better chance to win than Jameis Winston. These Qbs are smarter and make better decisions. If you were to look at stats you would think otherwise but reality is reality………This team will only go as far as
November 10th, 2019 at 8:30 pm
oh and I would take Marcus Mariota
November 10th, 2019 at 8:31 pm
Keep building the defense. Sing Jamies to a contract that team friendly. Jamies is good enough to win with he puts up points and people on this site love to say points that don’t mean nothing but all this year and last year and 2017 he put us in position to win 5 games in 017 and the defense could not make stops. You people are crazy a offense shouldn’t have to score 30 to 40 points every game but we have to because of our defense gives up so much points. It is simple put Jamies with the Steelers and they will probably have a undefeated season at this point with the points that Jamies helps his team gets. Why don’t yall see this man we need a better defense and a offensive line would help with the running game man come on you people don’t know nothing about football.
November 10th, 2019 at 8:39 pm
Ronald DID NOT lead the team in receiving. Mike Evans did.
November 10th, 2019 at 8:39 pm
VHG will get ten million dollars when monkeys fly out of my butt.
We needed to answer some questions. Hard to say JW answered the question at QB convincingly…he’s down to his final seven games to show us. He makes me nervous but I certainly want him to start the last seven.
We needed to find out about VHG…question answered. See ya VHG.
November 10th, 2019 at 8:43 pm
Saints going to the playoff though, when’s the last time Bucs been hmmmm.
November 10th, 2019 at 8:43 pm
We don’t really have a defensive line either, not after the season.
November 10th, 2019 at 8:46 pm
Papa BWuce is just Soft af and a babysitter now.
This is Daycare….. QB whisperer my A$$
Old man Rivers the game has passed you by. Go back to fishing or playing catch with your grandson or some $h!t
November 10th, 2019 at 8:47 pm
Love my Bucs I just dislike Winston as a our QB its always some excuse with this guy. Its never his fault we lose its never his fault he leads the NFl in int’s that’s why we don’t win because there is no real accountability just excuses.
November 10th, 2019 at 9:00 pm
Team isn’t losing the games. Dimwitted HC calls on offense is doing the trick!
November 10th, 2019 at 9:09 pm
Lmao reading the posts above I would swear we lost . Bunch of miserable sobs with Winston Derangement Syndrome. We won today you a-holes!
November 10th, 2019 at 9:16 pm
H8JWLveBucs, no real accountability?
The dude has been constantly raked over the coals in the media and by fans. Last year he got benched. He got suspended.
Here’s what some people seem to forget:
• He was drafted at a very young age (20). Most are 22-23 when they are drafted. That meant he was going to need more time to mature. It’s not an excuse…it’s a fact of life.
• Going into drafting him, EVERYONE knew he would throw a lot of picks in the first hale of his career. Heck, I even pointed it out before he was picked.
• His turnovers dramatically increase when the offensive line fails to protect him, and this has been the case throughout his NFL career. He doesn’t get rattled, he gets ticked off and decides he has to take risks in order to score.
• A team is the sum of it’s parts.
No one is saying Winston is blameless…but he is not fully at fault either.
November 10th, 2019 at 9:16 pm
H8JWLveBucs you do understand that when any QB gets his arm hit as he throws that is not his fault don’t you? Also when a receiver runs the wrong route that caused a INT it is not the QBS fault don’t you? Just like when a QB misses the underneath LB and throws a pick it’s the QBs fault not the receivers fault. It’s called accountability for EVERYONE not just one player. I know this must be hard for you to understand with your blind rage and desire to blame one person but football is a team game and when you are losing there is plenty of blame to go around. No body is perfect but with this team and the amount of mistakes this team makes you would think by now you people would realize no one is covering up for anyone. Plus what are you talking about saying it’s never his fault? Are you living in a cave or something as the guy basically gets blamed for everything. I mean our defense is straight trash yet everyone blames the QB of a top 5 offense for us losing.
November 10th, 2019 at 9:24 pm
On another note Vita Vea is slow as heck, but I love watching Vita chasing dudes around on every play. Vitas effort it what the Bucs need more of.
November 10th, 2019 at 9:24 pm
@Ndog
not going to even bother reading or further respond to your crap, go ahead and root for this clown. How stupid is he to say “When we play good football we’re a tough team to stop. We just have to continue to play good team football. I’m happy we got the win.” Dude if you think that was good football your a bigger idiot then I thought.
November 10th, 2019 at 9:28 pm
What do u think is going to happen when Bruce Arians keeps putting his players on blast but makes excuses for his pets players. That never ends well its called a mutiny and our best player will jump ship next year.
November 10th, 2019 at 9:35 pm
Ronald jones led receiving yards with 77… Then you say evans had 82 yards?
November 10th, 2019 at 9:37 pm
Yeah bro whatever you say he has called out multiple players including Hargraves, Godwin, Winston, Suh, Evans, Dean, Davis, Jones, Edwards and praised some as well but I guess you missed that. Plus how do you say you’re not going to respond to someone in a response?
November 10th, 2019 at 10:03 pm
The play-calling was very up-and-down, mostly DOWN. Lots of inconsistency, throw in some really stupid plays here and there, and then again, playing to Jameis’ weaknesses rather than strengths.
Please somebody tell me why they have Jameis turning his back to the defense when they are running a blitz? Jameis is slow to read the field, so you want to keep his eyes on the field as long as possible pre-snap and post-snap.
November 10th, 2019 at 10:21 pm
That was hard to watch. Two very bad teams. I don’t take anything from today’s game except that our weather has improved and the place was half empty. There were more big penalties than big plays. Just ugly and irrelevant football.
November 10th, 2019 at 10:30 pm
Bucs won the game but as much as I like Jameis the Bucs have to move on from him. He’s still forcing the ball and he’s still inconsistent also. My opinion is, and opinions or like rear ends everybody has one, the Bucs should not resign or cut Hardgraves trade OL D Smith he get beat too much and we have to move on from Jameis. Every QB has bad days but Jameis just remind me of Blake Bortles never consistent and to many interceptions
November 10th, 2019 at 10:49 pm
The NFL team that ends up in London or elsewhere likely has low attendance numbers in the states. That seems to be a growing group of teams. This supposed booming economy is a mirage when looked at more closely.
November 10th, 2019 at 10:51 pm
Two crap teams. One was going to lose. Flip a coin.
November 10th, 2019 at 11:27 pm
My ten takeaways
1: Jameis Winston is who he is a turnover prone up and down qb who still makes rookie mistakes and on the next play throws a pass very few on earth can throw
2: Vernon heargraves needs to be benched more often. Was a different corner when he came back in. Side not on a 3rd and 5 in the second half I joked with my friends and said this is guaranteed heargraves will give a 8 yard cushion for an easy first down. A high school coach friend said no way he is playing man. And sure enough heargraves backed up 8 yards at snap easy completion first down.
3: quit running up the middle on first down
4: what happened to the screens that were working in first half
5: pass interference is a joke now Fitzgerald hooked Stewart. If it was on Stewart why did Stewart get yanked towards Fitzgerald. Because Fitzgerald did a veteran move to get a call. Which should never happen in a professional league.
6: oj Howard needs 5 more easy catches a game. A guy that big and that fast needs the ball in his hand. Everything doesn’t have to be a contested catch be creative leftwhich
7: quit running up the middle on first down
8: quit challenging everything early so you have a chance to challenge late in the game when it matters
9: why does every kicker kick there career long versus us
10: why does every qb have a career game versus us.
November 11th, 2019 at 12:13 am
Arizona came into this game with the league’s 30th ranked defense.
Thought our offense would have looked better and scored more points.
November 11th, 2019 at 5:20 am
What a riveting post snookman. You are great at copying and pasting and terrible at understanding how terrible this team would be without Famous Jameis Winston. You are a Jameis Basher. I’m a Jameis Winstoneer! Go Bucs!
November 11th, 2019 at 5:34 am
AMI
Not sure they were two crap teams but I certainly take your point. They are two teams that are playing crappy right now.
Do you not get the feeling though that the Bucs are ready to turn the corner? Nah I know they’re the Bucs but it has happened once before.
Here is a question. If you simply swapped QB’s wouldn’t the Bucs be a pretty good team. Murray set a record for consecutive pass attempts without an int. Can you even imagine that for a rookie on a bad team? Murray is an incredibly explosive runner…he’s like Wilson with way more speed…and he has touch on deep balls. This kid can play.
And think about this…I’m comparing a rookie to a five year vet!
November 11th, 2019 at 8:05 am
Obvious from all the comments on this site that Buc fans understand that this was a win against a bad football team. The only thing I take away from this season is that Jameis CAN make all the throws. He just DOESN’T.
November 11th, 2019 at 9:11 am
Amen AMI_chris
November 11th, 2019 at 9:24 am
The Cardinals and the Bucs have the same number of wins and both teams played as expected.
The Bucs’ monster receivers helps a below average quarterback whoe completion percentages continue to dive on a downward pattern. His interceptions aren’t fluke when for the past 5 years.
I believe Jameis is on the tightrope now to be a journeyman quarterback. He certainly cannot be paid median NFL money because he isn’t a median quarterback. Jameis is only completing 59.7% of his passes.
Other ex-starters with worse %:
Marriota (benched) 59.1%
Cam Newton (IR) 56.2%
Josh Rosen (benched) 53.2%
For those who insist Winston is the future, the following QB’s are in the same class as Winston’s 83.8 QB rating:
Jared Goff 82.7
Andy Dalton 79.2
Josh Allen 81.6
Joe Flacco 85.1
Mitch Trubisky 85.2
Only Baker Mayfield and Philip Rivers have double digit interceptions with Jameis the league leader. Jameis’ passing yardage is top 5 in the NFL. He has also taken more sacks than any other quarterback.
My point is that Jameis Winston does not deserve to be locked up into any kind of long term high dollar contract because he DOES NOT DESERVE it based on Wins/Losses and these pedestrian numbers. You can’t see him for the amazing plays he makes because he can’t do it consistantly.
Over halfway through the season, player evaluations:
Good/Great: Shaq Barrett, Ronald Jones, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Vita Vea, JPP, Devin White, LaVonte David, Suh.
Solid: Carl Nassib, Whitehead, Alex Cappa.
Mediocre/average: Jameis Winston, OJ Howard, Donovan Smith, Carlton Davis, Will Goulston, Jensen, Ali Marpet.
Not cutting it: Perriman, Scotty Miller, Cam Brate, Hargraves, Demar Dotson, Jamel Dean, Sean Bunting, MJ Stewart, Beau Allen
In the salary cap era if you are paying mediocre to average players above average money your are a bad evaluator. You can’t have a high paid offensive line that can’t open holes or protect the quarterback. You can’t have money tied up in tight ends that aren’t game changers. You can certainly move on from these younger DBs and replace them with mid level paid veterans that in the least can understand who to cover.
Next season there will be some very easy decisions as to who to invest money in and who not to.
November 11th, 2019 at 9:26 am
I believe the TV crew stated that the referee crew has thrown more flags than any other ref crew. My next question is for the NFL:
1. You already gave the Bucs a crappy travel schedule
2. Why does every time the Bucs cause a fumble the whistle is blown and it has to proven beyond a shadow of a doubt…, this has happened three straight games and 4 times this season with the first Saints game
November 11th, 2019 at 10:06 am
The most important stat from yesterday is not the Jameis had 300 and some yards. It is that he had one touchdown and two interceptions. That is a loss, even thought the Cards gave the game away.
Jameis’s five seasons all started with 2-6 or 3-5 record. That is his only consistency and it is all his because he is the only constant.
November 11th, 2019 at 10:24 am
Ryan Smith trash 🗑 Jameis will be extended and oh yeah the TD passes from Murray 2 were blown coverages …. not impressed
November 11th, 2019 at 10:43 am
JMon
We have a lot of blown coverages..every week.
November 11th, 2019 at 4:20 pm
Jmon300 Says: What reason would the Bucs want to extend the quarterback that was drafted to lead the Bucs to the playoffs 5 years ago, that was surrounded with “weapons for Winston” and continues to display bad habits and leads the league in interceptions/sacks?
The major issue he can’t shake besides turnovers is being able to be consistant, he flashes great throws but can’t make the basic plays.