SMB On His Pick-Six
December 16th, 2019
Sealed the deal. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
It was nice to see a pick-six count for the Bucs for a change yesterday.
The Bucs looked like they were going to wax the Lions in Ford Field. Mr. Entertainment, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, was hot as a firecracker. The passing game looked unstoppable.
Then, Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich began to believe their own words and started to hand the ball off to ice the game.
Someone forgot to tell them that the Bucs have no run game.
This opened the door for the Lions to make it a one-score game but rookie corner Sean Murphy-Bunting closed that door with his pick-six, his third interception of the season. For the Michigan native who grew up about 35 miles north of Ford Field, the pick by SMB was all sorts of special.
Basically, SMB baited Lions backup quarterback David Blough.
“Well, the entire game [Lions receiver Danny Amendola] was running those quick out routes and he got me on a few and it was like you kept getting hit with the same jab,” SMB said. “We had to counter back on it, and so I kind of showed blitz, and made it looked like it was a hot read, bailed out last second and slipped underneath because I knew it was an out route.
“Once I got it, I just knew I wasn’t going to get caught.”
And why did SMB think he could score from 70 yards out? He had confidence in his speed.
“I was gone,” SMB said. “I saw a quick 80 on the right side, but I looked back straight ahead, I knew I wasn’t going to get caught. I got burners, these are real life wheels over here.”
Now SMB may not (yet) be a lockdown corner. But one thing he has demonstrated lately is a knack for making a big play at a key point in the game.
Two weeks ago when the Jags were trying to get back into the game where the Bucs were blowing them out in the first half, SMB had a crucial pick of Gardner Minshew in the end zone.
Now yesterday when the Lions were trying to tie the game, SMB comes up big again. That was a 14-point swing by SMB as the Bucs took a commanding 31-14 lead.
You know what, Joe loves this. It’s called stepping up when you need a play. SMB is doing that. Such a good sign from a rookie.
December 16th, 2019 at 5:13 am
“I knew I wasn’t going to get caught. I got burners, these are real life wheels over here.”
Love it! It appears like “Mr. Entertainment” has some competition …
December 16th, 2019 at 5:24 am
thankfully some of the draft picks show improvement and growth……
December 16th, 2019 at 5:28 am
I believe he leads rookies with picks now
December 16th, 2019 at 5:30 am
Isnt it amazing? In less than one full season Bruce Arians and his staff have already begun to do what Koetter and Smitty were incapable of doing in 3. Develop. Young. Players.
December 16th, 2019 at 5:44 am
this team is morphing in front of our eyes…
this saturday — real team — real game — time to show out at ray jay
December 16th, 2019 at 5:48 am
jameis is trying to get live on jenna at press confrences of late…lol
December 16th, 2019 at 5:56 am
SMB’s got wheels alright…..4.42…….we have great speed on defense…..
This isn’t the first 2nd half impotence we’ve seen from our Offense……and, it’s true….we don’t have a running game…..and if you watch regularly, you know it’s not the RBs……we don’t create any holes and the opposing defenses are all over our backs at the LOS……
We are also giving up some very deep plays…..once teams figure out that they can’t run on us…..that’s when they start burning us.
December 16th, 2019 at 6:12 am
Who is Gordon Minshew?
December 16th, 2019 at 6:47 am
He was playing in his home state.
SMB grew up in Macomb County, Michigan, just north of Detroit.
December 16th, 2019 at 6:48 am
So there’s only bin a few of us an I know 813 was one of them but that’s what we’ve bin saying for long time now. Sorry for you Jason haters but he has filled this team with talent it just has not bin developed until BA an his staff came aboard. It deff took a little longer than I expected but this staff has this team pointing in the right directions. Maybe just maybe we have changed this culture in Tampa. I know one thing WE AINT IN THE BASEMENT THIS YEAR T M A X I P A D hahaha feels great to be a buc fan again
December 16th, 2019 at 7:16 am
Great job kid….playing up to the 2nd rounder spent on you….i was like who the fk is this when they picked you….but you’re showing talent. Now step it up a few more notches, we’ve got a superbowl to win next season.
December 16th, 2019 at 8:39 am
I think all the rooks and second year players are making huge strides. Next season will be a season of major success and maturation. Everyone should be on the same page at least. Let’s just hope we can keep Todd Bowles.
December 16th, 2019 at 9:07 am
“SMB has 1 skillset that all shutdown corners have
He can jump routes
The timing, quick twitch , loose hips and change of direction quickness and speed
Opponents target away from a shut down corner because they fear if the QB throws a inaccurate pass, it will get jumped and intercepted
Kobe thinks SMB is going outside and cover #1 wrs starting next year”
Kobe Faker
December 16th, 2019 at 9:12 am
Band of Brothers!
SMB
Dean – should have had a pick 6 as well
Davis
Edwards
Stewart
Vea
White
And an honorable mention for offense – how about Cappa?
This group will be the core of this team.
Strong athletes, strong character, strong coaching
Go Bucs!
In BA I Trust!
December 16th, 2019 at 9:16 am
Man that’s a good story.
December 16th, 2019 at 9:33 am
#1
thats right….
talent has been here….the coaches and development have not….
GO BUCS!!!!!
December 16th, 2019 at 9:34 am
KOBE
BL ask: WHO’S YOUR DADDY?!!!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
December 16th, 2019 at 9:35 am
2nd time this season the Bucs needed someone to step up and make a play to close out a game and he did it. The goal line INT in Jacksonville was the other game. They may finally have a CB.
December 16th, 2019 at 9:48 am
Like seeing the defense closing out games that is progress to be happy about. Where last few years you didn’t see growth
December 16th, 2019 at 10:06 am
I believe he was playing nickle at the time, I dont imagine MJ Stewart will be back next year
December 16th, 2019 at 10:48 am
sarasota
i think you’re right…..
stewart wont be back and edwards better tighten up too….
hope ryan smith returns….he’s great on ST….
GO BUCS!!!!!
December 16th, 2019 at 10:51 am
This guy is talking baiting, scheming, falsifying his look to the QB! Would love to see Bunting and Dean in their second year under this same DEFENCE…keep bringing in talent and keep grinding…as the secondary melds together the team rises!!!
December 16th, 2019 at 1:09 pm
SMB is CLUTCH
December 16th, 2019 at 1:10 pm
Also, we all love to give Licht crap about how his 2016 draft was bad, but his last two have been great! With the exception of MJ Stewart.
December 16th, 2019 at 5:04 pm
These young DBs that everyone hated Licht for drafting feels like they could really change this secondary as they continue under Bowels. Grant Delpit in the first round could be a huge piece added to the puzzle.
December 16th, 2019 at 5:45 pm
^ yep, if he’s still there….Delpit would be the money pick to set back there….Simmons is going top 10 so he’s out of reach.