A Different Bridgewater
September 19th, 2020
Bucco Bruce Arians said quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and the Panthers were “not even close” to a turnover in their season-opener and Bridgewater’s mobility was impressive.
Joe also watched the game to see what Sunday’s Bucs opponent has to offer.
Man, Bridgewater looked especially confident, mobile and rather sharp. In the first half against the Raiders on Sunday, he was victimized by two bad drops and still finished 22-of-34 for 269 yards and a touchdown.
Bridgewater did have a near interception, but it came with about 20 seconds left in the first half near the Raiders’ 20 yard line. If it was picked, the Raiders likely would have taken a knee to end the half.
The Panthers racked up rushing yards, but Joe didn’t see a great job of blocking by the Panthers’ O-line. It was more Christian McCaffrey.
Joe thinks the Bucs will be able to lock McCaffrey down well again. But McCaffrey did draw a flag on a deep pass route with a linebacker struggling to cover him. Joe suspects the Panthers will try that again.
As for the Carolina run defense., it wasn’t special, but the Raiders’ Josh Jones is a special back. Damn! The Bucs don’t have anyone at that level toting the rock.
Panthers special teams definitely were above average, which should make Bucs fans nervous.
Overall, Joe saw a dangerous Panthers team that was surprisingly sharp with a new head coach, only five penalties and no turnovers.
However, there’s really no good reason for the Bucs to lose Sunday. They should be able to oustscore the Panthers — offense vs. offense — and Joe certainly expects the Bucs to generate more of a pass rush than the Raiders did last Sunday.
September 19th, 2020 at 11:32 am
Josh Jones? You mean Jacobs. We have no running back on our roster that compares to Jacobs. Bucs D wins this game for us. Brady is pedestrian and the questions will continue
September 19th, 2020 at 11:34 am
Since last year,
Teddy Bridgewater is 155-232, 1653 yards, 10 td’s, 2 interceptions
If Bucs offense plays like last week, Panthers will win.
September 19th, 2020 at 11:42 am
Our defense is much better than the Raiders……..we will bring our A-game……again, this game will depend on Turnovers, penalties & Special Teams…..hopefully, we will improve on all 3.
September 19th, 2020 at 11:46 am
I am concerned that the Bucs are not good enough to beat the Panthers. Sure on paper we are better but are we just paper champs. We have awful special teams, mediocre OL and LT is awful. Alsi very undisciplined as far as stupid penalties go.
I hope I am wrong of course but I think the Panthers are good enough to keep the den of Depression exactly that.
September 19th, 2020 at 12:21 pm
The pressure is all on our Bucs. After all, the Panthers do not have a 50 million dollar man now do they? If we lose,. Mike Johnson is in charge of the rope committee. I’ll even say a scripture from my Buc bible. Hang’em high baby.
September 19th, 2020 at 12:21 pm
Bridgewater not likely to throw the game away but I can’t imagine the Bucs coming out without a win in the home opener. I refuse to even think it.
September 19th, 2020 at 12:34 pm
IF the Panthers win tomorrow, it aint gonna be pretty. I can see us totally Imploding, if that happens.
A loss tomorrow will leave us 0-2 in our division, so I see tomorrows game as a must win for us.
September 19th, 2020 at 12:43 pm
We got this – alot of the things that the Bucs do well were just missing against the Aint’s…pass rush, interior push by the D line etc. The O got hot – then not. It kind of felt like the first game with a bunch of guys still getting used to each other…wait, that’s exactly what is was.
The guess here is the focus is on Easy Ed McCaffery’s kid thus putting our defensive backs in one on one coverage with average recievers..read “no Steve “Buc Killer” Smith”.
Prediction: Winfield get’s his first pick.
September 19th, 2020 at 12:44 pm
@Joe
josh jacobs
not josh jones.
Come on!
That’s Gruden’s guy out there!
September 19th, 2020 at 1:21 pm
…and to think you guys pretty much called Bridgewater a bum ..tsk
September 19th, 2020 at 1:35 pm
Im hoping the team can come together and win some of these early games. I expect by week 5 this team will come together and be extremely dangerous. They will get better and better week after week hopefully able to get a playoff spot. By then I could see us being a lethal threat and have a real chance to run the table.
September 19th, 2020 at 2:55 pm
Carolina really has nothing to lose. No one is expecting them to light the world on fire with the 1st year head coach, and that makes them dangerous.
September 19th, 2020 at 3:16 pm
I just love the fan base. They always give up after the first loss.
What a bunch of wimps.
September 19th, 2020 at 3:17 pm
We are going to beat the Panthers. This team is going to play much better.
BTW, Bridgewater looked good…against a bad team in the Raiders. Don’t forget that.
This is not a bad team.
September 19th, 2020 at 3:18 pm
All lives matter, he is a bum.
One game has been played. A game does not make a season. By the end of the year, the Panthers will want to draft a QB.
September 19th, 2020 at 3:19 pm
And the Saints won’t beat us in game 2.
September 19th, 2020 at 5:03 pm
Ints are going to go up or down based on playcalling and offense. Bridgewater was a int machine in his brief playing time in Minnesota and was extremely effiecient and didnt turn the ball over in New Orleans. Leftwich nearly doubled Jameis int.numbers and now the “GOAT” has two (almost three) under his belt to start the season.
If Cam Newton and the Pats ( with a bunch of opted out starter ) beat Seattle Sunday and the Bucs lose to the panthers Leftwich better be canned or relinquished of his playcalling duties. That will be all the proof anyone with common sense needs to see what coaching and coordinating will do to a team.
September 19th, 2020 at 5:07 pm
Why is it that professional coaches…experts cannot see the problem? Becuase its a good ol boys club.Leftwich is part of the arians, bowles trio and Arians will take it until the axe comes down.
Bruce, I was your biggest fan when you came here, but now I see your just cashing in..Please prove me wrong. Park the golf cart, get off your ass and call the plays. Your boy SUCKS!!!!!
September 19th, 2020 at 5:17 pm
Tomorrow is a rare week 2 must win for the Bucs.
But they shouldn’t be afraid of 1 TD 0 INT Bridgewater.
September 19th, 2020 at 5:44 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai–good to see you and hope all is well at your end. Only reason I’m listening/watching games is Bowles’ defense. The geriatrics QB stunt turned me off.
September 19th, 2020 at 6:27 pm
Didn’t Josh Jacobs have less than 100 yards on 25 carries. I’m not saying the guy is not a baller, but that many carries just mean they didn’t abound on the run. But the Raiders offensive line is better than the Bucs.
September 19th, 2020 at 8:29 pm
That was a huge game one against the Saints. No game play. No game film. Secondary shut down Thomas to three receptions for 17 yards. Mike Evans only got one reception against a top five defense but it was a TD. Lots of jitters week one. I’m assuming with more game film and time it won’t be so scary. I’m wondering what happens if Smith gets ran through again. We have to go Wirfs week three at LT and Haeg at RT.
September 19th, 2020 at 8:57 pm
Bucemup,
re; BL
Why wait to see more of the same!
I mean we’ve seen an entire season, and 1 game this year which looks like last year, what do you want to see change?
I’m not on the BA offense fan wagon, never was, and I don’t see much difference between BL or BA calling plays. BA isn’t going get off the cart and save Sunday’s!
September 19th, 2020 at 9:18 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
“I just love the fan base. They always give up after the first loss.”
.
.
It’s not giving up. It’s just healthy skepticism.
I think people are just tired of getting their heart broken. Pessimism is self-preservation.
September 20th, 2020 at 12:12 pm
Lol….so many excuses for Brady’s lackluster play. During the off-season you guys just knew he was going to be our savior. I’ll be back in 3 weeks to rub it in.