“Situational Football Moments”
June 21st, 2020
We all learned that Bucco Bruce Arians and Byron Leftwich disike Zoom meetings and other types of virtual communication with players.
They stay away from it and prefer ink, paper and in-person teaching.
Joe would have rather learned about how Bucs leadership is on the cutting edge of virus-fueled adjustments by NFL coaching staffs.
Perhaps they’re hiding their innovation? Joe can hope but it seems unlikely.
Weeks ago, Joe asked Todd Bowles if any player — in any way — is standing out during online coaching sessions. Bowles laughed off the suggestion that he could even answer the question.
Last week, BSPN popped a stat to its TV audience that made Joe look twice, despite Joe believing that QBR is a garbage stat.
See the screenshot above. It illustrates just how much Tom Brady relied upon Rob Gronkowski over the past 10 years. It’s striking.
Joe wonders whether Leftwich and Arians should at least be taking Gronk Management classes led by Tom Brady online.
Former Pro Bowl safety Ryan Clark talked during the BSPN segment about how he expects the Bucs to preserve Gronkowski this season, cutting his usual snaps total so he’s there for all “situational football moments.” Clark essentially said that means Brady would have — and would want — his security blanket with him when it matters most.
For all the Bucs accomplished last season offensively, their third-down conversion dropped considerably, down to 13th-ranked in the NFL.
In the prior three seasons, they were never worse than sixth-ranked on the money down. And they were 10th overall during Jameis Winston’s rookie season in 2015.
That should be where Brady takes the Bucs up a notch. And Gronkowski should be a significant part of that, not only from what he catches but from what he opens up for others.
Joe will keep an eye on that third-down data. If it doesn’t improve, Joe won’t expect the Bucs to challenge for the NFC South title, only a Wild Card berth.
June 21st, 2020 at 10:50 am
Easy solution throw it to Evans he is a 1st down machine ! If covered throw it to Godwin! Not concerned
June 21st, 2020 at 10:59 am
I’m with pryda here. With all due respect to the patriots wide receivers in the last 10 years, none of them come close to the skill set that Evans has. That’s without factoring in Godwin and brate, who are also excellent on money downs.
June 21st, 2020 at 11:20 am
Gronk will only make Evans and Godwin more of go to outlets. How is a defense going to cover all 3 in the red zone?
June 21st, 2020 at 11:31 am
Third downs and red zones will belong to the Bucs.
June 21st, 2020 at 2:24 pm
I was reading & reading and getting ready to congratulate Joe on an article that didn’t mention the running game or Jameis……but there it was…
Oh well, maybe one day…
June 21st, 2020 at 2:52 pm
TBBF – im not saying give up, because I don’t believe in it, but your hopes of Joe changing his ways are close to zero. The only evidence whatsoever of change is if marketing dollars are involved. See posts regarding beer of choice and his adamant stance on what is good beer vs bad beer prior to a sponsor partner vs afterwards.
In BA I Trust!
June 21st, 2020 at 3:10 pm
jameis proved he was a horrible decision maker. that is why the red zone numbers were bad. he excelled in throwing it up to 13, 12 down the field but consistently failed in the red zone. He couldnt process the defense quick enough, period.
June 21st, 2020 at 4:38 pm
I’d have to say that stat is irrevelant to the Bucs. Gronkowski was Tom’s most targeted and trusted receiver. He was the go-to guy. Somehow I doubt this offense will run through Gronk.
It’s a totally different situation taking Gronk out of those New England offenses and leaving Tom with basically nothing opposed to taking Gronk out of Tampa Bays offense where he still has 3-4 potent weapons.
It’s like saying Tom cant do his job if he only has Mike, Chris and Brate as a safety valve. I’m not buying this stat. Not for this team.
June 21st, 2020 at 4:38 pm
I like the idea of a 2 TE, 12 personnel base offense. Maybe Brady will build chemistry with Howard and/or Brate, also.
June 21st, 2020 at 4:52 pm
Bucs will play in a lot of “12” personnel…and maybe even “13”….packages this year, and opposing defenses will have to ask themselves…”who do you double team?”
This offense with Brady at the helm is going to be fun to watch! Unless you are a defensive coordinator from whatever team the Bucs are playing that week!
June 21st, 2020 at 5:12 pm
QBR is a garbage stat. At least look at passer rating – it is a better qualified stat.
QBR over rates running quarterbacks as a whole.
June 21st, 2020 at 5:41 pm
@ Sport
I’m not trying to change Joe’s ways……it’s his site…..I’m simply pointing them out.
June 21st, 2020 at 6:04 pm
TBBF. I understand that Joe had a repetitive nature to him, while some see it as annoying drivel I see it as smart business, the sites are all about clicks, and what better or more proven click bait than Mr. Entertainment him self and our ground beasting run game.
June 21st, 2020 at 6:33 pm
Wouldn’t passer rating under rate a QB’s running ability then?
June 21st, 2020 at 9:39 pm
Bucsfan77
He gets my clicks no matter what the subject…….repetitive or not.