Howie Long Talks Criminal Defensive Mistake, And Brady Criticism Is Just “Fodder On TV”
December 5th, 2020
Hall of Fame defensive end Howie Long had very firm and harsh opinions on our beloved Buccaneers this week.
Long really likes defensive coordinator Todd Bowles and the Bucs’ defense acknowledged Bowles “made a mistake” in his opening plan against the Chiefs on Sunday.
As for Tyreek “Cheetah” Hill going wild on the Tampa Bay defense in the opening quarter, Long tossed out a little hyperbole, which certainly isn’t his cerebral style.
“He had over 200 yards in the first quarter. That’s illegal. They should have arrested him right there on the field,” Long told The Rich Eisen Show.
Long also wagged a finger at his media colleagues. He called all the endless chatter surrounding Tom Brady’s game falling off “fodder on TV.”
“It’s a joke,” Long added, noting that Brady looks great and the Bucs have all the pieces to win a Super Bowl.
However, Long suggested the Bucs’ offensive minds all sit down and have a long discussion about running more play-action and eliminating the options in receivers’ routes. Brady thrives on knowing exactly where everyone will be, Long said, so the routes should reflect more precision and less of what the Bucs’ do now. And Long was clear that Brady doesn’t want his receivers to have options.
And to no one’s surprise, Long sees Brady lacking what he always had, a running back who consistently catch the football and execute a screen pass.
On the latter, Joe would love to see LeSean McCoy and/or Ke’Shawn Vaughn get some snaps. They had some success but neither has had a touch since Week 6. Joe suspects Brady doesn’t trust them, so that’s why they had their plugs pulled.
December 5th, 2020 at 1:13 pm
They had AB in the backfield for a few play…
Why not try Chris Godwin at 3rd down back like Ty Montgomery did with the Packers.
He can block, would eat LBers on routes, and he’s one of the most physical runners with the ball in the league. I bet he could pick up yards between the tackles.
December 5th, 2020 at 1:14 pm
How can you have more play action plays when we don’t RUN the ball
December 5th, 2020 at 1:26 pm
How do you run play action with an empty backfield?
December 5th, 2020 at 1:31 pm
the issue is the liaison between coach and quarterback…
which in this case is the OC…
that is where change is most likely to happen next year
#YallKnowEyeKnow 🙂
December 5th, 2020 at 1:35 pm
Howie Long bringing some sanity to the “Animal House” the Bucs have going on this year lol Who knows maybe there will be a John Belushi sighting at the Viking Game. GO BUCS!!!!!!
December 5th, 2020 at 1:42 pm
@tampa bay bucs fan. Exactly.
Its time to “Pound the Rock!
Its time to remember what got us a Super Bowl.
“Pound the rock!!”
We need to run the on 2nd and short. Every time.
Feed Rojo!!!
20-25 carries per game and we WILL win the Super Bowl.
1st quarter? Possess the ball! Pound the rock!
Let Rojo get warmed up!!!
Vamos!
December 5th, 2020 at 1:50 pm
Hold on a minute on the McCoy and Vaughn chatter. I seem to recall that ROJO caught a pass out of the backfield last week and turned it into a phenomenal TD run. Granted both he and Fournette had a terrible day catching the ball against the Rams, but based on his performance last week, I’d give ROJO another chance.
December 5th, 2020 at 1:52 pm
I need to be cerebral when a receiver has 200 yards in a quarter. Pretty cut and dry. Especially considering that has never been done. Ever. It deserves all of the hyperbole and the Bucs deserve all of the blow back and then some
December 5th, 2020 at 1:52 pm
*No need to be cerebral
December 5th, 2020 at 2:23 pm
rojo is going to be up for this next game vs. dalvin cook…
feed the man
December 5th, 2020 at 2:24 pm
rojo and vaughn will be here next year…
fournette and mccoy will not
December 5th, 2020 at 2:27 pm
when hill had 200 in the first quarter and things seemed completely out of control — i was sitting there thinking:
“what if he has like 741 yards for the game…is it even possible?”
my brain started buggin’ out
December 5th, 2020 at 2:55 pm
The ONLY easy win I see for us is Detroit.
Both Minnesota and Atlanta have the capability to beat us.
I agree, the way to win is to run the ball, control the clock.
ROJO has emerged as a dangerous running back, so lets give him 20+ carries, for a change.
December 5th, 2020 at 4:05 pm
Adam, 741 yds…..lol…
I’m glad someone else is suggesting eliminating the option routes. Week after week Arians has said that the reciever and QB didn’t read the coverage The same way. WTF, eliminate the option coach so there’s zero miscommunication between them.
This ain’t advanced coaching rather it’s common sense. Which begs the question, why does this coaching staff persist in forging ahead in a direction that’s proven to be ineffective.
December 5th, 2020 at 4:42 pm
Roll out Vaughn … it’s all about moving the chains!
Bucs cannot lose another game this year!
December 5th, 2020 at 5:35 pm
@D1 … “why does this coaching staff persist in forging ahead in a direction that’s proven to be ineffective.”
The question of all questions D1. Only answer I can come up with is ‘stubborn arrogance’. Seen a number of leaders over the years who persist in ‘that’s the way we’ve always done it’ no matter the consequences. Then someone else comes in and, using the exact same talent in that organization, turns it into a world-beater.
If BA persists in doing it ‘his way’ like he has, we’ll be lucky to make the playoffs (Vikings AND Falcons could both knock us off quite easily if we don’t bring our A-Game). In which case … BA will be gone. Powers that be will surely call it ‘Retired for health reasons’ (again) but Bucs’ fans will all know better.
December 5th, 2020 at 8:04 pm
Defense,
I gotta agree with everything you said. Although, I never considered the exit strategy you proposed. Frankly, that’s brilliant!
December 5th, 2020 at 11:42 pm
Well though he’s dropped 6 passes in 12 games, who’s the only back to take a screen 37 yards for a td??? RoJo is the one! Who’s the only one to take a typical 3-4 yard give us some breathing room half back blast up the gut and turn it into a beautiful 98 yard td jaunt??? RoJo is the one!!! If they’re not going to trust the other 2 then go with the one proven to be a bigger play possibility. Stop fooling around and stick with him, it ain’t like Brady never threw a pick on a simple screen pass! Oh wait he did against the Aints!!!