The Rookies
September 12th, 2022
Played like he belonged.
Anyone seen the movie “Memphis Belle?” Joe was reminded of it last night when watching the Bucs rookies.
For those who never saw the movie, it was about the crew of a B-17 bomber in Europe that flew 25 successful bombing missions. A brand new bomber crew joined the same unit and the guys from the “Memphis Belle” derisively tagged this new group “The Rookies,” as they were just out of training and green as grass.
On their first bombing mission, “The Rookies” had their plane blown out of the air.
Well, last night, the Bucs had their own crew of rookies. And in their first NFL mission, they didn’t get blown up.
Luke Goedeke started at left guard and played a mostly solid game. Rachaad White displayed why he is a multi-purpose running back. Defensive tackle Logan Hall made contributions. Tight end Ko Kieft played a little fullback and laid the lumber to some Cowboys defenders, while fellow TE made special teams tackles. Jake Camarda became the first NFL punter to hit the famed scoreboard at Jerry’s World in a regular season game.
It was a very promising start for the rookies. Their first mission, not only did they survive, but they thrived in a win.
As Bucs coach Todd Bowles said this summer, rookies are no longer rookies after a handful of games. They become veterans. Joe is excited to see how these guys progress.
At least in their first NFL at-bat, the rookies played key roles in a key win over a big opponent on an international stage.
https://twitter.com/DallasTexasTV/status/1569163211819126786?s=20&t=C8Fp5COcmvWIoC0fzl32CA
September 12th, 2022 at 1:02 pm
As coach Bowles said last night in the locker room after the game!
Bury the dead, clean your rifles and march on!
September 12th, 2022 at 1:10 pm
Modine better in Vision Quest. Our O-Line is on their vision quest.
September 12th, 2022 at 1:14 pm
Every single rookie that played yesterday had solid game.
So each one who were cryning like babies becuase of Goedeke should learn the lesson…..Just, let the time do the talking….
Don´t each dinner before breakfast……
September 12th, 2022 at 1:18 pm
In my view this is one of those instances where you *can* grade a draft based on their first outing. Some of those guys will hit a wall but really, I can’t recall too many instances where a handful of rookies made positive impacts in a big game their first time out there.
September 12th, 2022 at 1:19 pm
Uh, my point was solid 2022 draft for Licht.
September 12th, 2022 at 1:20 pm
Otton also had some nice blocks. Sealed the edge pretty well on an outside run I saw. Can’t ask for much more from your rookie class I. Game 1
September 12th, 2022 at 1:28 pm
Was really impressed with Otton and Ko Keifts blocking.
September 12th, 2022 at 1:29 pm
The Bucs new rookies had a very good first game. And they have added some physical toughness the Bucs have needed on offense. Bet Lenny buys them some beers! I don’t remember a game when Lenny broke free as much as he did last night. And once he gets going down hill he is awesome. Looks like the Bucs have added some muscle to the ground game this season! That kind of ground and pound can take some of the pressure off Brady. Who knows, maybe that could keep him around for another year!
September 12th, 2022 at 1:30 pm
I think I read elsewhere that Otton led the NFL this weekend with 3 ST’s tackles. Glad to see all our rookies contribute, and the great thing is none of them sucked and they all played competitive ball. Great class we just drafted!
September 12th, 2022 at 1:33 pm
They had plenty of time to evaluate the talent from this years draft. They knew what they had going in. These guys had to practice against a pretty bad a$$ defense all summer. These guys had the talent and they were coached up the rest of the way. They all belong out there. With the possible exception of Darden. I would of kept Tyler Johnson over him any day.
September 12th, 2022 at 1:40 pm
When we drafted Camrada, I put this in the category of Licht must know something I don’t. As why would he not take Punt God on of San Diego State. I read and Licht said he loved and preferred his accuracy and ability to angle….but 80 year punts are 80 yard punts. Two weeks ago, I realized why I put my trust in our GM. I am so glad the Bills had to deal with Punt God and we did not. There is enough muck in our rear view mirror. Today’s Bucs are a much cleaner group. And I like that.
September 12th, 2022 at 1:43 pm
That was not the first time a punter hit the scoreboard in a regular season game. It also happened in the very first game played in AT&T against the Eagles.
September 12th, 2022 at 1:46 pm
Licht really hit the 2022 draft, because all our rookies played very well!
Otten and Ko Kieft blocked especially well!
And Goedeke was flattening people on his run blocks!
September 12th, 2022 at 1:53 pm
I actually think Darden did OK….he got some positive yardage on several punts….and Anger can kick with great hang time…….
Our punter looked good….averaged over 50 yards per……
You have to be impressed with Goedeke…….solid run blocking & adequate pass blocking…..
Would have like to have seen more targets for TEs…..we only had 2 to Brate & none to the others……
September 12th, 2022 at 2:09 pm
No one is doing it better than Licht right now and he has been robbed of the executive of the year award every year since 2018, just like Brady has gotten robbed of the mvp award 2 years running. The bias against our team is real and 90% of the sports media up north have no business voting on anything sports related. Just like science usually only advances one funeral at a time, I’m afraid the same holds true with our team one day getting a fair shake once a new generation of sportwriters takes over for the current crop of (mostly) buffoons.
September 12th, 2022 at 2:14 pm
My biggest concerns for this game was LG Goedeke, our special teams coverage units and allowing Godwin to play too early.
Special teams coverage was solid. Goedeke played OK for a rookie. But Godwin…Not good.
Godwin wasn’t ready to play and we could have easily won this game without him. Playing him was not a smart move.
Oh well – As Meatloaf would say – 2 out of three ain’t bad.
September 12th, 2022 at 2:16 pm
My Momma say’s, ” You better look at the tape again. Goedeke got beat with smim move after swim move in pass pro. Decent showing in run blocking. Unlike the last two years, Brady was not comfortable passing, just take a look his eyes.”
September 12th, 2022 at 2:42 pm
Anyone seen the movie “Memphis Belle?”
——
I’m pretty sure I saw that as a kid and just remember the painting of the chick being hot. I don’t recall anything else about the movie other than it involved WW2 and bombers.
September 12th, 2022 at 2:44 pm
MM… Brady was uncomfortable. He missed a great deal of camp, only ran one series in the preseason, and was busy trying to make sure all the calls were right and the guys were lined up correctly. He had to talk to Julio a few times, as I remember. So suggest you look at the tape again.
September 12th, 2022 at 2:49 pm
I’m not going to say they nailed the draft after one game. I will say every single rookie that played flashed as to why they got selected and why they’re playing. Bo had some great blocks in the run game. So did Goedecke. The punter is the real deal. I saw Logan Hall early on but was really watching JTS and the linebackers whenever they run defense.
LFG!
September 12th, 2022 at 2:58 pm
Having these younger, tougher guys that are blocking is refreshing as Hansey, Goedeke, Ko and Otton all played with an attitude that I havn’t seen from the Bucs these past 2 seasons.
I watched the Falcons/Saints game and saw Cordelle Patterson run the ball down the Saints throats. If Patterson can do that, Fournette has even more power. I think NFL teams are so used to teams throwing the ball 65-70% of the time that their lineman aren’t playing the run well. The Saints can be run on and I’d like to see what I saw vs Dallas. Attack the Saints in the trenches rather than having to pass block all game.
We also saw last night when the Cowboys had to come up closer to the line that
Mike Evans and TB12 could play catch.
I’m fine with ugly wins over physical teams. Save the air show vs teams that can’t rush the passer.
September 12th, 2022 at 3:11 pm
Anyone hear from George? Hahahaha. Dope
September 12th, 2022 at 3:37 pm
Interesting point in the comments. Run game for the bucs might be a useful counter in a pass happy league.
This was definitely a run oriented draft. Mostly imo
September 12th, 2022 at 3:48 pm
Mark2001 yea man I’m with u.
I like what I saw. Tommy throwing the ball well
I do think Byron doesn’t know how to use all his pieces.
YET 🤙🏾👏🏾👏🏾
September 12th, 2022 at 3:54 pm
I was delighted with the win.
The offensive line performed better than my expectations . They were just Good enough so Brady can be Brady. When Donovan Smith got hurt and Wells came in it was not a good thing . We are not in a good place with Donovan Smith hurt though, we need to sign some offensive lineman. Goedeke got owner a few times but also showed some promise on run blocking . Hopefully he improves each game
Ko Kieft is a very valuable asset . The punter and Otten also showed up.
September 12th, 2022 at 5:30 pm
I think the cow-girls bought into all the media coverage of our O-line. They sucked even more than they normally do against a Tom Brady led offense. Let the season start now. Be Ready and get Ready.
September 12th, 2022 at 5:36 pm
Man I was impressed! Stay healthy and keep it up Luke and Robert.
I’ll admit, I was worried but still rotting for you guys and you def showed up! And I guess going against our stout D in practice helped a lot too.