Coughing Up Leads
July 14th, 2020
Bucs DC Todd Bowles
Many people following the Bucs and even those who gander at a distance are of the mind the Bucs defense will be better this year.
If so, that will go a long way to solving an ugly knack the Bucs developed last year: wasting second-half leads.
Going through Warren Sharp’s 2020 Football Preview, Joe saw Sharp detai how the Bucs were awful at holding second-half leads in 2019.
Historically, teams with halftime leads win 77% of games. Teams with leads entering the fourth quarter win 83% of games. And yet Tampa Bay lost 40% of games they led at halftime and a whopping 45% of the games they led entering the fourth quarter.
They held halftime leads in 10 games and won just six. They held leads entering the fourth quarter in nine games and won just five.
To show how rare that is: in the last 30 years, only seven other teams held leads entering the fourth quarter in at least nine games but won no more than five. Out of 955 teams, it happened just seven times (0.7%) previously.
Was this partly because Mr. Entertainment, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, played Santa Claus too often? Joe is confident that was a factor.
But Will Gholston sure doesn’t want to hear that. The Bucs’ starting defensive lineman recently dropped in on a podcast called “Laces Out” and was asked about Jameis’ picks and if that jammed the defense.
In so many words Gholston said, no excuses.
“What the offense does is out of my control,” Gholston said. “Whenever we get on the field, you have to shut them down.”
It sure will be interesting to see if a lack of interceptions enables the Bucs to hold leads better.
July 14th, 2020 at 12:12 am
*“What the offense does is out of my control,” Gholston said.
Now *that*, is an adult statement!
I think I like this kid!
I can say that cause he’s younger than my oldest son
July 14th, 2020 at 12:48 am
I’m trying to remember what games we had a second half lead in the only one that comes to mind was the giants game where he still had an ill timed interception but for the most part that wasn’t his fault.
Atlanta which well he had the ball and……………
Seahawks which wasn’t his fault granted we got lucky and very unlucky a lot during that game.
And 9ers which should have been a W but he fell on his face and messed it up so poorly
July 14th, 2020 at 12:54 am
🙂
July 14th, 2020 at 12:59 am
Now *that*, is an adult statement!
It’s more like a kid statement.
What about special teams ? Is it under his control?
Ppl still been drinking toilet water up here
July 14th, 2020 at 2:30 am
Adrnagy be quite that bum fired his agent why you ask ???? I’ll tell he realizes cam is about to have a starting job. All that great situation BS he was spewing all talk he/they panicked with no interest.
July 14th, 2020 at 2:52 am
@Joe Just for fun – asking for your feedback here…if you are inclined to respond.
Please – JUST looking at 2019 – REVIEW GAME STATS with Bucs leading at halftime or 4th QTR leading score. Curious where your thoughts land. Check out the D-Performance in those 2019 games — just for fun.
How did the Bucs D perform? Did Bucs D pin their ears back and shut down the opposing offense who needed a score? How many easy TD’s did the D surrender in 4th Qtr to put the Bucs behind at end of games? (too many games to reference). Not to mention, that Bucs had ZERO running game to bleed the clock – a different issue.
ALSO – Review past 5 years’ D-performance when Bucs were leading at halftime or 4th QTR? Rinse/Repeat of D giving up the lead?
Brady would have blown a gasket losing games when leading in Q4. JW did not have Brady’s credentials to go ballistic on the sideline. JW took on a HERO role to score and make up the difference….we know those results.
Bucs fans should expect Tom to unload “HELL” on his teammates>> should the same crap happen in 2020 as it did to JW for last 5 years. It will be interesting to see how Bucs players respond to the GOAT’s fury vs JW coddling his teammates and trying to be the HERO.
The difference is Brady’s 6 Rings/20 yrs of experience. Brady can demand PERFECTION from everyone. AND, if Brady throws a pick 6 or INT at end of game, it will be fault of teammate, not Brady. I do not expect that result, but it could happen. (IT did in 2019)
Got my popcorn ready for Bucs in Super Bowl! No EXCUSES – BEST Team on paper, in NFL!
July 14th, 2020 at 6:13 am
We can also factor in a heavy focus on offensive talent for some years too. When was the last time you looked at our DL and went, “Whoa!” Shaq, Suh, Vea, JPP! Then LVD and White!
The only thing lagging talent-wise, is the secondary. But, even that is trending up.
There’s no getting around how atrocious this defense has been, and for how long it has been.
The hope is that we can play more complementary team football for a change. You know, offense bails out the defense, defense bails out the offense, kicker makes kicks, etc…
July 14th, 2020 at 9:19 am
Not sure what stats specifically you want Joe to look at. There are a ton of stats.
It seems you want Joe to review gametape. That’s a whole bunch of research and not sure what the end game is?
Warren Sharp does a pretty good job of detailed stats which Joe thinks that’s what you are looking for.
July 14th, 2020 at 9:56 am
Let’s sharpen Redzone’s query regarding Buc D puking up easy scores. Ask yourself why was the field short for opposing QB’s. Could that be the result of a JW int? Hmm.. Just sayin’ Football is a field position sport. Think about penalty shots in soccer. Or, more brutally, a masked prisoner facing a firing squad. As Jules said to Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction, ‘Don’t put me in that position!’ Give it a rest nugglers. ‘Check yo sheets’ Mr Entertainment, 30/30 don’t wear our jersey anymore and thank God for that. Go Bucs!! Beat the Aint’t in the Super Dome on a 4th qtr Famous Pick. Yeah baby!!
July 14th, 2020 at 12:47 pm
JimBuc2. Says:
*Beat the Aint’t in the Super Dome on a 4th qtr Famous Pick. Yeah baby!!*
If Jameis comes into the game in relief of Drew, It’s almost as if he *owes* us at least one!
July 14th, 2020 at 2:27 pm
It seemed like every time the defense got a turnover, they didn’t even have a chance to get a drink of water, before the ball was turned back over and they were back on the field.
That is not the defense’s fault. Gholston is right, especially in not really laying blame.