Lombardi Turns On Packers
October 18th, 2020
Big game predicted.
With a name like “Lombardi,” you’d think a guy would be throwing cash all over the Packers today.
Nope.
Former general manager of the Browns and a coffee-fetcher for Bill Walsh, Al Davis and Bill Belicheat, Michael Lombardi, thinks the Bucs hand the Packers their first loss of the season.
Lombardi believes Ronald Jones will wear down Green Bay.
Speaking on his podcast “GM Shuffle,” Lombardi — no relation to Packers iconic former coach Vince Lombardi — thinks the Bucs eat a W today.
“This is a great game,” Lombardi said. “I have it as a pick’em game. But teams have some rest. Tampa’s really healthy but they lost [Vita] Vea inside.
“It’s going to be hot. It’s supposed to be in the 80s. As we have seen in the past, that heat and humidity, if you are not in shape come the fourth quarter, you are going to lose. I think that’s what happened to the Chargers at Tampa Bay two weeks ago. They wilted.
“I like Tampa in this game only because I think the heat and humidity will be a factor. I think Brady will play better. I think their defense will do a good enough job. They’ve got to control. They have to play complementary football.
“I think you will see LeSean McCoy play a bigger role in this game as a nickel receiver which they need. I think Ronald Jones — you can run the ball on Green Bay. I think this is going to be a great game. I’m leaning towards Tampa.”
Joe is getting worn out hearing folks talk about the heat. It’s like “Well, I haven’t watched the Bucs much. How can I come up with an angle for the Bucs to win? Oh, that’s right. They play in Florida! It’s hot there. That’s it, the heat! I will use that.”
By Lombardi’s theory, the Bucs must have played nearly every home game the past 12 years against teams that were in peak fitness because the Bucs have the worst home record of any NFC team since Chucky was fired.
Joe does like Lombardi’s angle of Ronald Jones. The way RoJo is running and the way the Bucs offensive line is blocking inside, Joe would try to pound the Packers with RoJo.
And if that worked, Joe sure as hell wouldn’t take the ball out of RoJo’s hands like Bucco Bruce Arians/Byron Leftwich did at Chicago.
October 18th, 2020 at 5:19 am
If the Bucs win today to start 4-2, they have indeed turned a corner. They have played the Packers three times in the last decade, and have lost every one of them, even when they were without Aaron Rodgers. In fact, the last time they beat them, it was rookie Josh Freeman coming off the bench on throwback Sunday to win. THAT is how long it’s been.
October 18th, 2020 at 5:31 am
Pure BS
…………..heat………..SMDH
CMON MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Bucs looked pathetic against mediocre teams………..now they’re playing against one of the best in the NFL.
Sorry……..I love my bucs…….but everyone today can mark this down as a big fat “L” on their stats sheet.
October 18th, 2020 at 5:37 am
Temperature in the 80’s? Wow, I didn’t know we were having a cold spell. BTW Joe, I agree with you that temperature impact is overrated. It’s real, but it’s still overrated because these guys stay well-hydrated & are in excellent physical condition overall.
Lombardi hit the offensive keys to the game IMO when he said ‘They’ve got to control. They have to play complementary football’. If our offense can be more CONSISTENT and CONTROL the clock, our more-rested defense will have a much better chance to play COMPLEMENTARY football & keep the Pack’s offense from doing too much damage.
When I’ve watched the Saints’ & Chiefs’ offenses, they both seem be quite ‘unpredictable’. I have a lot of difficulty telling whether it’s gonna be a run or a pass. IOW, they’re both very good at disguising what’s coming at you. Not so with the Bucs (and most NFL teams it seems). Obviously both the Saints & Chiefs have exceptional QBs surrounded by superb weapons, but their play design & play calling are exceptional too (for the most part). Bucs offensive coaches need to work harder on that IMO.
October 18th, 2020 at 6:29 am
Wasn’t Winston’s first win against the Packers?
October 18th, 2020 at 6:32 am
@ Defense Rules
See………you have said it…….”unpredictable”
and that’s what pisses me off and every other Buc’s fan………….is that our offense if stuck in neutral. I think the bucs offense is ranked like 22nd in the NFL.
You know………..I could careless about stats and numbers……….that statistics don’t lie and speaks volumes about how bad and inept this offense is with the caliber of talent on it.
People keep on saying “work in progress” or “it’ll all come together then watch out the NFL”.
I personally now it’s not the players now………..but coaching and unfit system for Brady and how unimaginative it is.
BYRON SUCKWICH NEEDS TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 18th, 2020 at 6:44 am
Not a great sign he picked the Bucs. Lombardi has his own system of numbers to discuss and bet on games during Pat Mcfee’s Hammerdahn ( Hammer down) show 3x’s a week. I don’t know if he hasn’t been trusting his numbers this season or what but on real bets he’s the only one on the show under .500 so far this season.
October 18th, 2020 at 7:10 am
If Rojo is running well again today and Leftwich/Arians shut him down like they did last week, I am going to lose my freaking mind. Stop trying to be cute with your play calling Leftwich/Arians and save that extra energy in keeping our guys focused and disciplined.
If we want to make the playoffs, we cannot afford any more losses to inferior teams like Chicago. Green Bay talent wise isn’t that far away from us and we need to be at our best. This team is so gosh damn frustrating, but I love em anyways. 😅
October 18th, 2020 at 7:15 am
Except, Rodgers is on a tear to shove it up the Packers’ (br)ass for drafting Jordan Love. This would be a huge statement game for Rodgers.
And we’re still the Bucs. Can’t get by without penalties. If we win, I’ll be shocked.
October 18th, 2020 at 7:17 am
The D has to come to work for 60 if we have a chance. And they need to cover that Packers TE.
October 18th, 2020 at 7:27 am
A very winnable game. GO BUCS!!!
October 18th, 2020 at 7:32 am
Lazy take by Lombardi. He’s doesn’t know jack about the Yucs. Packers 40 Yucs 24. Rojo runs for 50 yards. Brady has a fumble and two more picks. Defense can stop the run without Vea. This is a slam dunk Packers blowout. Simple as that. The Yucs are total garbage no matter what temp they play in. The “heat” is an advantage to the Bucs, LMAO!
Arians is a lazy coach. All Bucs fans will realize that very soon.
October 18th, 2020 at 7:39 am
BucsAnthem … I remember a game years ago where several of the Bears’ defenders said they knew what was coming virtually every play (Bears whooped us that year too). THAT’S wholly on coaching IMO.
I don’t think we’re THAT bad, but our offense seems to lack the ‘imagination’ that I see in some of the great offenses. Play design is a huge part of that IMO, but so is play-calling … the ‘best’ play at the right time to keep the defense off-balance. In the end it still comes down to EXECUTION on the field, but poorly designed plays or bad play-calling certainly factor into that.
Our Bucs have a very solid starting offense, even with a 43-year-old not-so-mobile QB running the show. This offense SHOULD be a lot more dominant than it’s been. Scoring points is obviously the ultimate goal, but DOMINATING THE GAME is really what it’s all about. Minimizing errors (turnovers, penalties, etc) and controlling the clock is at the heart of that IMO. And we’ve got the talent to do exactly that. It’s up to COACHING to make that happen.
October 18th, 2020 at 7:51 am
Let’s play a game. On offense before each snap write down R or P on a piece of paper. If you’re right put a check mark next to it. Let’s see who gets the most right.
October 18th, 2020 at 7:53 am
No Godwin, no Fournette, no OJ, no McCoy, banged up Miller and Watson.
The offense has not been running on all cylinders- let’s see how they do with many of the producers back.
October 18th, 2020 at 8:16 am
Bucs are winning today fella’s. Calling it now.
October 18th, 2020 at 8:33 am
Pound the rock! GB has 4.6 ypc and the Bucs got two bulls in RoJo and possibly Fournette. Brady has been sick on the PA and if we can get that started I there is no reason we couldn’t win easily.
WIN IT FOR THE RAYS!!!!!! TITLE TOWN!!!!!!!!
October 18th, 2020 at 8:56 am
If Godwin is back, I think that could be the straw that breaks the camels back with Green Bay. You cant stop everything, Miller could have some very favorable matchups. It wont shock me if Green Bay dares us to throw. We’ll need to execute well on pass protection.
October 18th, 2020 at 9:10 am
Winstons first win was against the saints i believe.
@ joe
The heat can be a factor if the teams is good. During the dungy era, tampa had one of the best home records in rhe league during that span. Opposing teams would constantly cramp up, have to go back to get iv’s and some team found drinking pickle juice would help. The defense would just reek havoc while the offense would just pound them with a little WD/40. By the time the 4th quarter came around the other team would have giving up by the 4th qtr. Those were sapp and the boy’s words. You dont remember that? When you suck there are no advantages anywhere. If you’re good, then the heat can definitely aid in the win.
October 18th, 2020 at 9:11 am
That’s right. Let’s see some good old fashion football. Pound the rock. If it’s working keep pounding and sprinkle in some new age high flyin offense in their but pound that rock. Keep Rogers off the field. Let’s go Bucs
October 18th, 2020 at 9:30 am
Bucs can win if they can overcome Byron leftwich simpleminded play calling at crucial points in a game
October 18th, 2020 at 9:53 am
The packers defense is really, really bad. It’d be an upset admittedly, but if Brady and the offense can play 60 minutes, I see a bucs win.
October 18th, 2020 at 11:06 am
BL. If RoJo is hot, please continue to use him.
October 18th, 2020 at 12:01 pm
I kinda feel like the season starts today. If you had asked me if I’d be happy going into this afternoon’s game with a winning 3-2 record I would have taken it in a heartbeat in the off season. We didn’t know what we really have.
We’ve had most questions answered now. We have enough if EVERYBODY brings their A game…we’re not talented enough for any margin of error. So a lot of that horrible “p” word…potential remains to be either realized or forsaken.
I think the game today will tell us a lot. We’re rested…the Pack is obviously a worthy opponent…we are at home…without fans to make us choke.
I’m not saying we need to emerge with a W….but we do need to play well enough to win…this game is a perfect final exam for the real season up ahead.
October 18th, 2020 at 12:37 pm
Leave Leftwitch out of this…the last and every other lost that he is QB…..will be his fault
October 18th, 2020 at 12:40 pm
I’ve got my Tums ready to go. Anxiety level is high right now. I love the Bucs, but they can be bad for my health. For once I wish they’d play a complete game and kick some major arse. Then I could relax.
October 18th, 2020 at 12:56 pm
Gawd I hope this da##ed Bucs team outwits the refs and plays up to its talent level. This is the most talented across-the-board group Bucs have ever had. That includes the SB krewe. It is SO frustrating when they continually shoot themselves in the arse! How about a perfect game, Tampa Bay??!
October 18th, 2020 at 3:35 pm
If you’re saying the heat wont make a difference that’d be like saying it wouldnt make a difference if we played in 20 degree weather. Makes a big difference. Ive senlen many teams over the years hardly make it in the tunnel for halftime. Had seats right by visitors tunnel for decades. Still gota protect the football and not commit bone head penalties tho. Go Bucs
October 18th, 2020 at 8:56 pm
[If you are talking about Ira’s podcast you are dead wrong. Why do you lie like that? — Joe]