Accepts responsibility.

Joe remembers how former Bucs coach Dirk Koetter always harped on fast starts.

Koetter was right. Fast starts are what winning teams often do. But Koetter was specifically speaking of offense. His defenses, mostly, with Mike Smith coaching, well, Smitty believed in fast starts. For the opposing offense.

The Bucs defense has truly been the bright spot of the 2022 team through three games. And even though they are allowing just a touchdown a game, fast defensive starts have been a struggle.

Dallas, New Orleans and Green Bay scored on their first possession. Co-defensive coordinator Larry Foote said yesterday that is on the coaches. He lauded how good the defense is playing and said it is up to the coaches to have the players ready to start the game. That’s not happening for some reason, Foote said.

“That’s the thing – we’ve been saying the last couple of weeks: jump into the pool, don’t put your toe in there, just jump headfirst.

“As coaches, we’ve got to do a better job of getting [those] guys ready to go, might mix up some things pregame – slap them around a little bit. They just have to get ready.”

Well, if the offense didn’t look like Father Dungy was its coordinator, the slow starts by the defense wouldn’t be an issue at all. The Bucs held the great drama queen Aaron Rodgers to 14 points. That should have been enough for a win.

Sadly, if the defense doesn’t play lights out, the way the offense cannot execute plays the Bucs lose.

Pretty soon, the offense must live up to its end of the bargain and start scoring more than 20 points a game.

Joe’s partners at Big Storm Brewing, makers of Florida’s best craft beer, launched an effort Thursday to collect supplies for Southwest Florida hurricane victims. View the video below for information.

To donate to Big Storm Brewing’s drive, click here. Needed supplies can be dropped off at Big Storm Brewing in Clearwater at 2707 49th St. North in Clearwater, just south of Ulmerton Road, and the Big Storm Brewing taproom in Odessa at 2330 Success Drive, just east of Duck Slough Blvd., and a couple hundred yards north of SR 54.

A message from @LJGovoni regarding the SWFL relief effort. If you are in any position to help, please reach out. pic.twitter.com/5m1owr6g5S

— Big Storm Brewing Co (@BigStormBrewing) September 29, 2022