Grading The Bucs
September 21st, 2022
Defense is beautiful.
For an undefeated team that went on the road and only gave up two scoring drives, this seems a really low grade for Joe.
But that’s what happens when a team has sky-high expectations.
Some folks believe the Bucs have the same identity as last year’s no-risk-it-no-biscuit offense led by the league’s top quarterback.
Well, for a lot of reasons, it not the same team. Or at least not the same offense.
Joe guesses that is what’s going through Tyler Sullivan’s mind over at CBS. He graded each team on its performance in Week 2 and he’s not very high on Tampa Bay.
B- Buccaneers
The Buccaneers hardly played a perfect game. After all, they were shut out for the entire first half, but the defense made enough plays to also keep them within striking distance, holding the Saints to just a field goal at the break. Then, Todd Bowles’ unit really put Tampa Bay in the driver’s seat as they created five second-half turnovers, including a pick-six. Tom Brady didn’t play the best game of his career, either, but did make a clutch 28-yard touchdown to Breshad Perriman that broke the 3-3 tie and began Tampa Bay’s march toward going 2-0.
Well, a win is a win. And why not give the defense love? The defense balled out. Again. On the road. Again. That’s a bad thing?
For three quarters, that game was not pretty for the Bucs offense. It was beautiful for the defense.
September 21st, 2022 at 4:01 am
Nothing is decided in two weeks. Let’s see if the defense can maintain this tough play over the whole season— and hopefully during a playoff run.
September 21st, 2022 at 4:18 am
Well I mean Buffalo has had an absolute juggernaut of an offense, minus some running back fumbles against the Lambs, which I argue would have been 40 points. Actually putting 40 on the Titans, last year’s AFC #1 seed, plus playing dominant defense. They look like the complete package.
Brady also lead the league last year and was robbed of an MVP, last year was off to a hot start, but not so much this year. So I get it. This is looking like a Patriots year, tbh. Fantastic defense and OK offense. Not too worried, because our offense has more talent than New England ever had (that I’m aware, even in ’07 I’d argue) and will pick up the pace once everyone is healthy and had time to work together.
September 21st, 2022 at 4:37 am
Won’t quibble with his score or reasoning. But left unsaid was that were a number of reasons why the offense struggled. Brady’ finger injury and a less
than a 100 % Fournette, a third string left tackle and last but least but not least,
some of Brady’s favorite targets were not dressed. I am giving them an A+ for
eking out a win against a top defense in spite of the injuries.
September 21st, 2022 at 4:42 am
Got a hunch that what we’re seeing out of our Bucs right now is what the next several years will look like … tough defense with a more ‘balanced’ offense. Welcome back to Dungy-ball.
Before folks freak out, that’s not a bad thing. Our 2002 team coached by Chucky won the Super Bowl with an awesome defense (to include 31 INTs & a total of 38 Turnovers) & a fairly ‘balanced’ offensive attack (40.5% run-pass ratio). That team scored 346 points in the regular season, of which 42 came because of 5 defense Pick-6/fumble returns & 1 S/Ts punt return. Of the remaining 302 points scored by the offense, a LOT of them came because of short fields after takeaways by the defense. Good old-fashioned COMPLEMENTARY FOOTBALL.
September 21st, 2022 at 4:53 am
Sounds like a fair grade to me, it’s hard to think the Bucs, as a whole, are like a B- team. An A for the defense, and a D for the offense.
September 21st, 2022 at 6:00 am
I really really don’t care about “grades”. It’s obviously fluff content meant to generate clicks that the writer totally halfassed to meet a deadline.
September 21st, 2022 at 6:02 am
Remember folks, with only three preseason games played, n starters only played a total of a half of quarter, if that, the chemistry will finally kick in within the next 2-3 games. This is a potent offense with a leader of a qb who’s been through wars n has a proven winning record to back it up. That skirmish between Evans n Lattimore has taken the team to a new level. In such short time, the attitude of the team changed on both sides of the ball. Perriman caught a td but if not for a perfect throw, it would’ve never happened. Over the last two games, Perriman n miller have missed several catchable balls. Once replaced by Julio n Beasley, it’s lights out for this offense. No way Brady have a bad day three games in a row come Sunday. The jelling will take place this weekend, the offense will compliment the defense.
September 21st, 2022 at 6:24 am
^^^^^
Kinda like “Power Rankings”……. you mean who just won and who just lost right?
September 21st, 2022 at 6:56 am
SUH SUH SUH
September 21st, 2022 at 7:20 am
Suh is done he’s not coming back give it up ..
September 21st, 2022 at 7:27 am
Oneill, Suh himself was clamoring to be signed by the Bucs just a few months ago on his social media. So I don’t think he thinks he’s done.
September 21st, 2022 at 7:27 am
Up the gut for 1 yard is not ‘great’.
September 21st, 2022 at 7:49 am
Go set Suh. When/if Hicks is ever healthy again, rotate the meats. They’ll be fresher for the playoffs.
Suh.
September 21st, 2022 at 8:02 am
How many years have we played equally well (or, per the person providing the grade) played equally poorly…and have been 0-2 or 1-1? We’d be Monday morning QB-ing, “Look, we’re still good. Not out of this yet. If a couple of plays/calls would have gone our way, we’d be leading the division.”
That used to be called Bucs Mental Gymnastics.
But we’re legitimately 2-0. Two tough road games.
Fricking awesome!!!
September 21st, 2022 at 8:03 am
Here’s the grade I give the Bucs. 2-0 on the road against tough opponents in LOUD domes confusing to two young OL with a silent snap count.
My bottom line grade though is 2-0..ALREADY first in the Division with a win against the strongest competitor in the Division in THEIR HOUSE. How is that not an A+. Are we really that concerned about stats and how games LOOKED. Or do results matter.
Think about his. Two months ago if people had forecast this record the entire JBF board would be jumping up and down with joy. What has changed?
Ah we’re not in the moment. That past can’t be changed and you can’t play the future. Bring on Green Bay and get our injured players healthy. This season is off to a FREAKING GREAT START!!!
September 21st, 2022 at 8:04 am
Well as far as how we look as a team and not just defense, it’s about right. We can’t be graded as an A with Buffalo who have been unstoppable on offense as well. We’re 2-0, but I think we understood even at the beginning of the yr that it’s gnna take a bit for our offense to round in to form. Perhaps if guys would, you know, stop getting hurt that would be helpful. I would also like a 32 million dollar receiver to start playing like 32 million dollar receiver
September 21st, 2022 at 8:41 am
Don’t think one person’s grade matters……..should be a consensus grade to matter.
This Buc defense played well enough that Gabbert or Trask could have won both of those games…..
September 21st, 2022 at 9:09 am
This guy probably didn’t even watch the game. Likely just looked at the box score and highlights before giving his assessment.
September 21st, 2022 at 9:47 am
I think a B is a good grade it’s not a C or a D!!
September 21st, 2022 at 10:15 am
A- in my book. They did all they could with Scotty as the clutch receiver, a band-aid of an offensive line, and a one legged running back.
Brady did get some confidence in his O-line, and we have a new clutch receiver.
I expect some more offense this week, but the defense will win the game, if White wraps up and gets the Packers running backs on the ground.
The Packers are still short on known receivers, Carlton will have another big day.
September 21st, 2022 at 11:40 am
Agree, 8. We need more man-meat.
September 21st, 2022 at 11:54 am
Don’t forget the special teams. That rookie punter is getting his kicking timing down now. He’s going to be scarily good if he doesn’t get hurt by a cheap shot. And Ryan S is going his share, too, plus no turnovers.
September 21st, 2022 at 11:58 am
My Momma say’s: What would Tyler have said of the 2000 Raven’s Super Bowl winning team with the immortal Trent Dilfer at the helm?