“Don’t You Throttle Back”
February 6th, 2021
Ian Beckles and friend.
Touchdowns may win; field goals will lose.
That sums up the Super Bowl philosophy the Bucs should enter Super Bowl LV with, said a former Bucs guard who never got to play in a Super Bowl.
Ian Beckles, the retired Bucs guard who now is a popular local sports radio personality, took to his podcast “In the Trenches” to explain how he thinks the Bucs can beat the Chiefs and win the franchise’s second Super Bowl.
* On why the Bucs are one win from a Super Bowl title when they had a losing season last year under Bucco Bruce Arians:
“To get into a Super Bowl is tough. You have to have breaks. You have to have a great football team obviously. Both sides of the ball. And you have to buy in. And I think Tom Brady was the reason why everybody bought in. It’s hard to buy in when you have a quarterback who throws 30 interceptions. There’s nothing to buy into. When you have a quarterback who has been there nine times before, knows what it looks like, knows what you need to do to get there, it’s a little bit easier to buy in.”
* The Chiefs are not infallible:
“The Kansas City Chiefs are pretty darn good. They are beatable. Every team is beatable, you guys know that. But you have to play over and above to beat Kansas City. You’ve got to tackle. Tyreek Hill? Don’t miss that tackle. Don’t miss it. He will take it to the house. We saw that the first game. You remember that.”
* The only way to beat the Chiefs is to light up the scoreboard.
“In the eight losses that [Pat] Mahomes has, the other team averaged 36 points. So you ain’t gonna beat him 20-17. That’s probably not going to happen. … [The Chiefs] are going to score points.”
* Bucs must attack Pat Mahomes like they did Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers. Relentless pressure.
“Gotta keep Mahomes in the pocket. Frustrate him. You have to keep him in the pocket. Sort of like [the Bucs] did Aaron Rodgers.”
* Like several others have predicted, if the Bucs win its two outside linebackers will likely have memorable games.
“I made this prediction: If and when the Bucs win the Super Bowl, the MVP will be JPP and Shaq Barrett. Both of them. If we win this game we will have to trounce them on defense. We’re going to have to. We’re going to have to hit Patrick Mahomes a lot. That’s the only equation. That’s the only equation to beat them.”
* The Chiefs may very well abandon their run game right after kickoff.
“I really don’t think Kansas City will waste their time running the football against the Bucs. I really don’t. They might throw it 55 times. Because this Bucs defense hasn’t given up nothing on the ground. Haven’t all year. Don’t expect it to happen in the Super Bowl.”
* Field goals mean a loss:
“You have to find a way to manufacture some points from special teams and I don’t mean Ryan Succop. You kick three field goals you lose. You’ve got to score touchdowns. You’ve got to score touchdowns against Kansas City.”
* No lead is safe. None. At all:
“Andy Reid will figure you out. If you are winning 20-0 don’t you throttle back. Because they are coming back.”
* Beckles does not like one specific matchup between the Chiefs defense and the Bucs’ offense:
“Chris Jones is better than his statistics because he is wrecking shop in the middle. … You have to watch out for [Aaron] Stinnie against Chris Jones. I don’t love that matchup.”
* The Chiefs may be the fourth-best defense the Bucs have faced this postseason:
“Kansas City’s defense, eh, they don’t scare me. They don’t scare me maybe as much as Green Bay’s defense did and Green Bay’s defense was OK. I thought the Saints defense was better and I thought Washington’s defense was even better. But they don’t have Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City does.”
* Wreck the narrative, Beckles said:
“They are trying to create this whole dynasty thing for Kansas City. Wouldn’t it be nice if we put that in their floopus?
As always, Beckles welcomes feedback and encourages listeners to submit Bucs questions by e-mailing him at IanBeckles@RadioInfluence.com.
February 6th, 2021 at 8:16 am
The Bucs need to score 40+, it is fine to run the ball and play keep away, but you have to score touchdowns, not just eat up time. Again 40+ points is a necessity if they want to win. Like I heard on 98 rock for years “TURN UP THE VOLUME AND RIP OFF THE KNOB!!!!!!!!!!!” That is the way to takedown the “Mahomeboys” GO BUCS-SUPER BOWL OR BUST!!!!
February 6th, 2021 at 8:36 am
If Rojo is the MVP, we win!!!
February 6th, 2021 at 8:53 am
I agree. Do not let off the gas! The Bucs have only put 2 or 3 full 60 minute efforts in this season. Luckily 2 of them were the most recent ones and most important games to date. If they come in focused and prepared, then good things will happen.
February 6th, 2021 at 8:54 am
Floopus? Nice to hear Ian channeling the late great Chris Thomas! Go Bucs!!
February 6th, 2021 at 9:12 am
I don’t always agree with Heckles…but this is an exhaustive list. No lead will be safe…can’t have a mini meltdown like they ( and shockingly Brady ) did in the 2nd half vs The Pack.
February 6th, 2021 at 9:22 am
Bucs need to score every time they get the ball. The Defense will make some plays, but it’s the offense that will win this one by being consistent and efficient.
February 6th, 2021 at 9:29 am
August 1976 Buc … Why 40 Plus? We ‘held them’ last meeting to 3 TDs & 2 FGs for 27 points. Out problem? We only scored 24 points. Can’t let that happen again.
Like Ian, I don’t think they’ll waste a whole bunch of plays trying to run the ball either, UNLESS our pass rush is teeing off on them & compromising run defense to do it (Andy Reid will figure that out soon enough I’m sure).
This time around I expect to once again see a lot of Hill & Kelce, but more of some other receivers too. All the pundits seem to focus on Hill & Kelce, but most forget that the Chiefs have quite a few other ‘weapons’ besides Hill & Kelce. Rumor has it that CEH & Bell are both pretty good rushers who can also catch the ball. And Hardman, Watkins & Robinson are no slouches as WRs either.
Personally think it’ll be an excellent game, but that the Bucs will come out on top 35-27. I agree totally with Ian on one more thing: Screw the FGs; go for the TDs. No risk-it; no biscuit. We got this.
February 6th, 2021 at 9:29 am
4th and long
early on
kick the 3
February 6th, 2021 at 9:37 am
I don’t disagree with Ian’s take here but, why shouldn’t the Chiefs try to run the ball? They have back-ups on the O-line, they’ll want to slow down the pass-rush, run blocking is easier than pass-protection & they have at least two competent RBs.
Of course KC will throw the ball. However, Reid is great at game-planning & may incorporate new, cleverly designed, misdirection run-plays. Imagine Mahommes employing an effective play-action that he doesn’t even need!
February 6th, 2021 at 9:43 am
So apparently we are going to go 2 full weeks without one so-called expert asking the real question… How is KC going to stop the Buccaneers?!?!?
The Buccaneers score more points per game and have a better defense.
February 6th, 2021 at 10:06 am
Because the NFL has determined there will be no cannon fire, we will have rum shots for touchdowns at my house!
I anticipate monday morning to be a little rough!
February 6th, 2021 at 10:11 am
Yes!
February 6th, 2021 at 10:17 am
Hardman scares me too. On returns as well as end arounds, etc. I’m sure they’ll be watching for him. He’s as fast as Hill practically. But I think we have a plan for all their guys. Fingers crossed.
February 6th, 2021 at 11:52 am
Such a huge legacy game for both sides. I agree with most of what Mr Beckles says. I think KC plays too loose, and when they look to turn it up on Sunday, its going to be too late. This Bucs team is playing with a ton of focus, and want this win more they do. I think it will be close for a half before they pull away in the second half pretty much like the clinics they putting on during this steak. THE WAIT WAS WORTH IT! GO BUCS!
February 6th, 2021 at 1:50 pm
There are no hard and fast keys to victory. The wanna bee pimp is spewing a pathetic melange of word salad. Crucial mistakes at crucial times are the only constant. To all of you who read my post, May the fleas of 1000 camels infest your armpits.
February 6th, 2021 at 2:59 pm
“It’s hard to buy in when you have a quarterback who throws 30 interceptions “, somewhere on the Saints fan page N-Dogs and T-Maxipads’ hearts just broke.
February 6th, 2021 at 7:48 pm
Floopus, that’s a Chris Thomas word. Love it Canadian Bacon.
Winder what old Chris Thomas would think of Bucs going to Super Bowl with Tom Brady, miss that guy.
February 7th, 2021 at 11:29 am
DRests I really believe the Chiefs took their foot off the gas. So for me, we need to go for the jugular, and get into 40’s. They are going to score, so like Nick Van Cleve would say back in the 70s and 80s on 98 rock- Turn up the volume and rip off the knob!!! lol GO BUCS!!!!