Rolled Down Cheetah Hill
November 30th, 2020
Grades.
Joe already remarked how it seemed Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles hadn’t even scouted the Chiefs offense and particularly Cheetah Hill because of the way the star receiver boatraced through the Bucs defense.
In the first quarter, Hill quite literally looked like the proverbial deer bouncing through an Illinois cornfield. Sometimes the Bucs defenders guarded Cheetah like stationary corn stalks.
The embarrassing stunt where Cheetah stood near the goal line, waiting for a Bucs defender to come near him, and then back-flipped into the end zone should be on a continuous loop in the secondary room at One Buc Palace the rest of the season. Play it in the cafeteria, too.
Patrik Walker of CBS Sports wondered why none of the biggest and brightest coaching staff of the Bucs could figure out a way to slow Cheetah before it was too late.
Joe never, ever saw a receiver rack up 203 yards in the first quarter. Not even against the sh!ttiest NFL teams.
What Cheetah Hill did seemed to totally turn off Walker who, even though the Bucs came back to within a field goal, gave the Bucs a “C” grade for Sunday’s loss.
You’d think someone, anyone on the Bucs secondary would be able to at least slow down Tyreek Hill, but nope. The speedy wideout gutted Tampa Bay like a fish reeled into a canoe, so confident he couldn’t be stopped that he taunted the Bucs fans in attendance by pretending to take a call and then saying out loud, “Help is on the way! They can’t stop me!,” before getting back to racking up more production. To make matters worse, the connection from Tom Brady to Mike Evans has still yet to become a consistent thing, although they did link for a much-needed TD in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late — Brady’s two interceptions in the third quarter not helping the effort. Credit them for not giving up though, forcing the Chiefs to bite their nails.
Just like in the loss to the Saints on Sunday Night Football, the Bucs couldn’t do a damn thing early in the game. The Bucs offense was stuck in the mud and Cheetah Hill looked like he was playing backyard football with children.
Even though Ronald Jones had a helluva game, he was limited because the Bucs were so far behind they couldn’t run much.
Though the offense is not blameless, the Bucs’ pass defense was inept in the first half in trying to slow down Cheetah.
Game, set, match.
November 30th, 2020 at 8:07 am
The ineptitude of the offense and the defense in the 1st half of games is so puzzling. Is like they don’t have a game plan and then they come up with one at halftime.
Don’t look now but the Falcons are no pushover. If you think we are winning out, think again.
November 30th, 2020 at 8:07 am
Though the offense is not blameless, the Bucs’ pass defense was inept in the first half – Joe
Same story last 7 games
November 30th, 2020 at 8:22 am
Pathetic losers. I am tired of wasting Sundays routing for these idiots. Bad play calling from either AB, BL or TB or more likely a combination. How does a team with 3 #1 WRs, a HOF TE, a very good Oline and a “GOAT” at QB get outscored 17-0 and only score 24 points against a – at best – mediocre defense.
Same with last week, and every time we play a good team. I don’t care if we beat the crap teams. We are way past the “they need to gel” BS.
November 30th, 2020 at 8:23 am
While yes, a very upsetting loss, this is not a total negative. Like the Saints game, in the first quarter, we were one play away from being completely out of the game. But, this time, we didnt let it happen. Despite Mahomes and despite Hill both having career quarters and halves, we were still very much in the game at halftime. Considering the stats both of those two had (both players arguably the best at their positions in the NFL), you’d think the game was going to be worse than the Saints game. It was VERY impressive that we were able to salvage the game from that point, especially since our offense couldn’t manage a first down for most of the first half, and that speaks volumes about our defense.
While certainly not a pretty game on the yardage front, holding the Chiefs to only 27 points is pretty impressive. The defense single-handedly kept us in the game, and if we had managed any semblance of offense in the first half or didnt have two picks in Chiefs territory, we win this game or force OT. I think on another day, we beat this team.
Even though we lost, this was our most impressive game in the month of November. (Considering how this month went, that really isnt that impressive, but still.) We went toe to toe with far and away the best offense in the NFL, and while our defense gave up a LOT of yardage and did look overmatched at times (ahem, Davis, Carlton III), we did a great job at limiting them in the red zone and keeping them out of the end zone.
This loss was not all negatives, there is certainly positives to build on from this. Bring on the playoffs! 11-5!
November 30th, 2020 at 8:24 am
CD got roasted……….
but so did alot of DBs over the years trying to cover TH.
Todd Bowles really doesn’t have top tier secondary talent either to he’s playing prevent / softer zone defense and that is a NO NO against Pat Mahomie!!!!!!!!
November 30th, 2020 at 8:26 am
I am that this is a slight overlook by joe, but exactly 3 years ago, Joe was coming for and calling out coaches for defense and slow starts!!!!!!!!!!!! Joe was screaming about “no excuses” for the D coordinator because the defense gave up 516 yards!!!!!!!!!! By the way, yesterday debacle was 543 yards!!!!!!!!!!!! I am sure that Joe will quickly correct this error and give equal fury and assessments to the current failure of coaching staff!!!!!!!!!!
And for those keeping score!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Coach Smitty thru first two years!!!!!!!!!! 23.5 pts per game avg.
Toilet bowls failure so far!!!!!!!!!!! 25.7 pts per game avg.
go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 30th, 2020 at 8:33 am
No way this team wins out. 2-2 at best. We’ll win both on the road, and lose both at home. Hope I’m wrong…
November 30th, 2020 at 8:34 am
Sorry but this defense is better than Lovie’s defense by far……….
it’s not JPP, SUH, Shaq, Vita, Devin White, LVD fault that our secondary is still suspect and cannot stop the pass………..sorry……that’s not fair to them cause they are all balling out.
November 30th, 2020 at 8:36 am
Raheem the Dream will Light UP this team TWICE!!!!! Can’t wait for the excuses then!
Raheem 3rd best coach in franchise history behind Gruden and McKay! Best minority coach in team history by far!
November 30th, 2020 at 8:40 am
We’ve just got to draft another few DBs this year and we’ll be alright.
November 30th, 2020 at 8:45 am
@Walker … “Credit them for not giving up though, forcing the Chiefs to bite their nails.”
NOPE … No way any professional team in any professional sport should get kudos for ‘not giving up’. This is how these guys earn their living. Quitters have no place in the profession.
TheBucsAnthem … The way Todd Bowles has these guys playing defense, a pass rush that at least pressures the opposing QB is critical. Blitzes getting there a reasonable percentage of the time are also critical. Fact is neither is happening right now. Our Secondary is probably the youngest in the NFL, and really has no ‘Field General’ to guide them when things get nasty. Eventually I think Winfield will gravitate into that function, but right now the rookie has his full just keeping from making his own mistakes.
November 30th, 2020 at 8:47 am
No way we win out. 2-2 finish at best. Win both games on the road and lose both at home. 9-7 and we need help to get in. Hope I’m wrong…
November 30th, 2020 at 8:48 am
Toilet bowls failure so far!!!!!!!!!!! 25.7 pts per game avg.
realist don’t try and talk sense pal. you have been around long enough to know low standard bucfan buys into a coach regardless of results they are great!!!!
NOT A SINGLE ASPECT OF BA’S SYSTEM OR STAFF IS WORTH SALVAGING!
Anthem
LVD is the most mentally weak player in the league. nowhere to be found in critical times and he whiffed on more tackles than he made yesterday. mccoy taught him well how to disappear in big games
November 30th, 2020 at 9:33 am
Frank….I agree with you and also hope we are wrong. Not sure what makes anyone think the Bucs won’t continue on their current path…underperforming, making mistakes, vanilla offensive scheme…etc. 2-2 at best over the last 4 games.
November 30th, 2020 at 9:55 am
How do you not plaster C.Davis and A Winfield Jr. or J.Whitehead on T.Hill? There were several instances where Davis had tight coverage while in tow but there was never any danger of help from the top. On everyone of Tyreek Hill TD catches he was greeted with an open lane. Never once did T.Hill have to contend with two defenders at the bottom or top of his route. Poor defensive planning and oversight to not give C.Davis help. Plus I also believe, if I had instant replay, that on several of T.Hills deep go routes he was a fraction ahead of the snap count. Just enough to catch Davis on his heels, but even so, had there been a double team with a safety on top it may have caused Hill to sit down on his route tree instead of all the uncontested TD catches.
November 30th, 2020 at 10:01 am
First series. 3rd and 3. Let’s call a wheel route and throw an uncatchable ball.
This coaching staff is a joke.
November 30th, 2020 at 10:17 am
Jason Licht still drafting and acquiring 5-11 talent; brady and gronl run the next 2 years will be a little speed bump back to 5-11 bucs what does the future look like what is the identity of this franchise?
November 30th, 2020 at 11:06 am
There is only one thing that removes Jones and the running game and that is Lefty ……….. btw the 100 percent success of the dump off for the td was improved timing , touch and ball placement from Brady……….. Hey Jones isn’t James White as far as catching but the Goat is dam near as bad as Winston so far on short dump off ball placement, touch and getting it out at the right time ……… Folks you must understand Jones did what he naturally does but you have to get it to him in a way that he can easily catch it and turn upfield with full vision and the ball easily secured.This all adds up to a dam near two step difference and you saw what that can mean……….. AND make no mistake Romo said half of what was on his mind , he pointed out so many route flaws, formation flaws, under educated position players , motion flaws ,it is embarrassing . Let’s not get fooled by the end of the game commentary , that’s Romo saying if they are this poorly executing and educated on offense , I know AS Tom told me , Tom will get more of what he does into the offense and educate these bozos……….. I actually give Bowles a little bit of a pass because Winfield is playing worse not better, they didn’t really know how mush faster the cheetah is than Davis and one ball was just kinda lucky timing , Davis gets that next time. I was also happy to see Jpp and Barrett switching sides ( uhh duhh)…….. One thing about old veteran coaches is change has to beat into their skulls but Andy Reid May be the exception but he can go turtle also but at least his ideas and playbook are fresh……. I wouldn’t even say Reid out coached the staff like Peyton did , I think the staff out coached themselves and is stuck in the Mud, you get allot of good with experience but you also get allot of slow change and stubbornness!! 1/3 of what this staff does is stuck in the mud and Romo is like man I see so many things wrong that if they can do what they did in the second half and correct half of what I see , WELL they can be pretty dam good !!! Listen Romo will always talk scheme and tech but I don’t ever recall him calling out so many little things a team is doing wrong and he didn’t even pick up on them and their ridiculous motion runs !! For the love of God they are playing two safeties 15 yards off the ball just tell them you are running , motion or no motion you should Avg 5 yard. Per . I honestly truly think these bull headed coaches can learn a ton from the Romos and Anthony Bechts that can sit back and collect their deficiencies………. Problem is will they listen and Romos end of Game comments were based on that they will listen to Tom . I will also say that is the toughest Tom has played in 10 years but he has to take it up about one more notch ( Jones td is a prime example)because he pulled a couple no no s due to pressure , so again Arians told Tom via the Media after game one ,You better toughen up if you want to win here. So Toms starting to get a lil tougher, now Bruce and lefty , listen to Tom, Tony,Anthony B and many many others that are loud laughing some of your coaching or lack there of !! No Bruce You Don’t Know it All !! Go Bucs 👍🏻
November 30th, 2020 at 11:21 am
The “young secondary” is killing us.
They blew up my fantasy football team too. How does Tyreek Hill triple his Fantasy points from 20 to 64! Thanks shutdown corner Carlton Davis III. LOL. Just read the receiver’s eyes and turn around. You were actually in position for an interception. In another you actually got your hand on the ball, but Tyreek Hill ripped it from your hands.
Maybe I am too harsh on them. But Goff carved them up. Drew Brees too – OK, I should expect that. I expected my QB Patrick Mahomes to score well, yet the Vegas (!) Raiders beat them and they are inferior team to us – or at least I thought so.
WOW. After my rant I feel so much better! Didn’t know JoeBucsFan was therapeutic.
November 30th, 2020 at 2:16 pm
Someone should have thrown their beer at Hill for that stunt.
That dude is a total POS off the field by the way. Beating and choking pregnant women, beating and breaking the arm Of his own 3 year old son.
Total coward.
I hope someone smashes his face in. Guy deserves to rot in hell, not be making 15 million a year.