Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bills-Buccaneers
October 27th, 2023
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
Too little, too late, too depressing.
For the second consecutive year, the Bucs are approaching midseason saddled with a 3-game losing streak. They showed plenty of grit Thursday night in Buffalo against a good football team and a raucous crowd, but that 3-1 start is starting to look like a mirage.
Once again, Tampa Bay’s defense did itself proud, especially in the second half. Buffalo punted on each of its final four possessions, but Baker Mayfield couldn’t get the offense in gear until midway through the fourth quarter.
The Bucs now have extra time to prepare for a trip to Houston, where the Texans have been surprisingly competitive behind rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.
With the trade deadline looming, this franchise must decide on a direction. If the Bucs were 2-5 instead of 3-4, the path ahead would seem clear. Kyle Trask would be on the brink of replacing Mayfield under center and players like Mike Evans and Devin White might be deemed available.
The Glazers would likely weigh in at that point and suggest to Jason Licht that the future is not now. Accumulating draft capital would be a priority.
But at 3-4, the Bucs aren’t ready to abandon plans for a third consecutive division title. The bad news?
While the prime-time setback wasn’t a beatdown, Tampa Bay was outplayed for the third consecutive game.
Despite a better effort in the run game, the Buc offense was stymied most of the night. Mayfield was alright — and alright isn’t good enough in a league shaped by quarterback play. Until he caught a late touchdown, Mike Evans was invisible.
The best thing Dave Canales accomplished was getting the ball to Rachaad White in space. The absence of a tight end who can get open downfield continues to hamper this attack and poor field position was a major factor Thursday night.
Here’s how the Bills made it four losses in a 5-game stretch for a Buc team that is showing plenty of heart but little discipline:
* Another game, another stellar effort by Antoine Winfield Jr., who has been Tampa Bay’s best player through seven games. Winfield came roaring off the left side and tipped Josh Allen’s pass into the arms of Will Gholston. Given Winfield’s play, his passion for the game and his emerging leadership, signing him to a long-term extension is a given in the offseason.
Luke Goedeke had three false start penalties last night, a sign of a bigger problem, says Ira Kaufman.
* Excessive penalties on a weekly basis are killing any chance for this offense to find a rhythm. Players aren’t focused enough on their jobs and Todd Bowles and his coaching staff must take their fair share of the blame. You can’t have almost as many penalty yards as rushing yards and expect to win against a quality opponent.
* These chronic slow starts are ridiculous. The Bucs have scored all of 13 points in the opening quarter this season, a 1.9 average that ranks 29th in the league. Last season, the Bucs scored only 51 points in the first quarter, finishing 27th in a 32-team league. Different quarterback, different coordinator … same problem.
* Whether it’s an injury, the scheme or his frustration with his contract situation, Devin White is no longer a playmaker for Todd Bowles. Heading into November, 33-year-old Lavonte David is playing far better than White, who was supposed to be the face of this defense by now.
* Chase McLaughlin had already kicked a 57-yard FG when Bowles decided to punt from the Buffalo 41-yard line late in the first half and the Bills ahead 17-10. A 58-yard FG would have given the Bucs momentum heading into the locker room and McLaughlin excels on long kicks. Given Bowles’ aggressive posture in recent weeks, the decision to keep McLaughlin on the sidelines remains puzzling.
* Bowles and his staff keep stressing it during practice, yet tackling remains a major issue. There’s been way too many yards after the catch because of poor technique, poor angles to the ball and, at times, inadequate hustle.
* Mayfield took three sacks in Buffalo and it could have been five or six if not for his surprising skill at evading oncoming pass rushers. Tampa Bay’s offensive linemen appreciate his resourcefulness and toughness.
GM Jason Licht should make a move, says Ira.
* This one’s for you, Trey Palmer: Smarten up.
* Third down proved to be a winning edge for the home team as the Bills converted on 7-of-13, with Allen’s mobility a key factor. Stats show the Bucs have the worst third-down defense in the NFL. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay was only 4-for-15 on the money down.
* Licht should not approach the trade deadline passively. At 3-4, the Bucs are still very much in the NFC playoff chase. Make a move or two to address the problem areas and energize a disconsolate fan base.
October 27th, 2023 at 2:05 pm
I wonder how many losses in a row it will take before the tap dancing QB is jazz handed to the bench?
October 27th, 2023 at 2:06 pm
Ira, tell us what it was like to cover the 1990 Buccaneers, the team I’ve compared this team too all offseason. The ones that went 3-1 to start the year on the way to a 6-10 record.
Anything stand out, anything you remember?
October 27th, 2023 at 2:06 pm
Right guard. Should of kept Mason
October 27th, 2023 at 2:07 pm
Its a bucs life
October 27th, 2023 at 2:14 pm
HC Grover Says:
October 27th, 2023 at 2:06 pm
Right guard. Should of kept Mason
———
Well I certainly said wanted us to keep Mason, not sure why the Bucs were so eager to move him since he was still really good and not that expensive by starting NFL lineman standards.
But with Cody, he’ll get better, as he gets stronger. Last night, he was playing some good talent, some really strong guys, and they were just too strong for him. It happens when you’re coming from a small school and expected to start your rookie year. The good news is that you see a guy in the spot he’s supposed to be in, but he’s got to get a lot more physical, which will come with strength, and everything I’ve heard about him means we should see a massive improvement next year.
But this team was never going anywhere, so you might as well get this year under his belt when it doesn’t matter.
October 27th, 2023 at 2:15 pm
The trade deadline move should be to move assets for draft picks.
October 27th, 2023 at 2:16 pm
@ HC
I agree.
Shaq isn’t great (65.6 PFF grade currently) but he would be our best OG right now if he stayed in Tampa.
October 27th, 2023 at 2:18 pm
@ HC
I would like to see Stinnie at RG – Leverett at Center and Feiler back at LG once he is healthy.
That would be an improvement over what he have now.
October 27th, 2023 at 2:24 pm
We’ve lost all 3 games since the bye week. Maybe next year we ask the NFL to not give us one? LOL
October 27th, 2023 at 2:24 pm
Marine Buc Says:
October 27th, 2023 at 2:18 pm
@ HC
I would like to see Stinnie at RG – Leverett at Center and Feiler back at LG once he is healthy.
———–
You want Cody playing. This team is going nowhere, and Cody needs the reps. He’ll be fine next year, and hopefully the Bucs will have a real head coach and QB that will need him then. What we don’t want is to spend reps to get a minor short term improvement, at the expense of harming long term development.
If this was last year, with Brady, then absolutely. But it’s Baker ‘I didn’t turn it over but also didn’t score any points’ Mayfield back there, and who cares if he gets killed.
October 27th, 2023 at 2:26 pm
power sweep Says:
October 27th, 2023 at 2:24 pm
We’ve lost all 3 games since the bye week.
———-
And 4 of our last 5.
October 27th, 2023 at 2:26 pm
“Baker Mayfield couldn’t get the offense in gear until midway through the fourth quarter.”
That seems to be a pattern. Garbage time, prevent defense, etc.
October 27th, 2023 at 2:31 pm
power sweep Says:
October 27th, 2023 at 2:26 pm
“Baker Mayfield couldn’t get the offense in gear until midway through the fourth quarter.”
That seems to be a pattern. Garbage time, prevent defense, etc.
———-
Plus, does the ball 3 yards down the field over and over again, wasting 14 minutes of clock on a drive where the refs repeatedly bail you out, and bouncing it off a defenders helmets to get a lucky TD count as being ‘in gear’?
To me, I’d say that’s a big no. But it’s just me, I’m picky about that stuff I guess. I just want my QB to actually try to score points – not just protect the ball. But I’m also someone who thinks you win games by scoring more points than the other team, so I’m an oddball.
October 27th, 2023 at 2:32 pm
Wins vs The Vikings ( who were good last year ) and the hated Taints raised expectations, hopes and loins. They’ve reverted to The Bowles mean…where crossed arms resting on a Buddha/Boiler ain’t inspiring at all. “Can Do” Canales was the 10th choice for a reason…a quality control coach/position coach at best charged with outwitting experienced defensive coordinators. With an offense as sluggish as Irv’s colon, poor leadership from the coaches, Evans looking disinterested/ready to be traded to a contender…stick a fork in this season.
October 27th, 2023 at 2:33 pm
Trade who you can and get draft picks. Full rebuild with new coaches. This is not going to get better under Bowles
October 27th, 2023 at 2:42 pm
They decided on a direction when Brady unretired and they blew up the cap for another run. $55M over the cap and had to let a lot of talent walk this year. What do you really expect out of a team that rosters 13 rookies and UDFAs? Which position were they able to upgrade in the offseason? Its a young team making young mistakes. Better in November
October 27th, 2023 at 2:44 pm
Sage is right on the money…as usual! Here’s what BUD Lyght should do today….trade 45 for Davin Cook…immediately if not sooner!
October 27th, 2023 at 2:56 pm
First , there was no quit in our guys , they literally kept fighting right up to the final gun! Makes you proud to support the Bucs! That being said , it doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement, many of the things mentioned can be easily corrected, some cannot, the false starts by Goedeke , three of them, it’s obvious he couldn’t hear the count, it was extremely loud, and his attention was turned to the outside, he can either cheat back a half step when he’s lining up and hope he doesn’t get called for not being on the line ,(I’ve seen many tackles do the same thing and were not called),or he needs to wait until he sees the defensive player move, he loses a half beat but IMHO I think he is fast enough to get in done , Trey Palmer’s dancing hand in hand with the defensive back, if it’s an away game they will call you every time, maybe try shadow dancing , staying between the defensive back and the ball carrier without making contact , most of the time it’s just as effective. I did like how Canales was getting more receivers and the running backs involved in the passing attack , it was effective and can only get more so as they get more used to it and finds out what works best, the Defense , I’ll give a pass, they were banged up a little , but still we have been within two scores or less of everybody we have played , which leads us to the offense, everybody knows what isn’t working, we need more scores and if there isn’t some contractural agreement that prohibits making a change , we should , while the season is still salvageable.
October 27th, 2023 at 3:02 pm
Rod Munch Says: “I just want my QB to actually try to score points – not just protect the ball.”
That reminds me of Aaron Rodgers’ early years in Green Bay. Whether it was his fault or McCarthy’s fault I don’t know, but Rodgers was called “Stat Boy” by fans for never taking risks and being overly concerned with his stat line.
October 27th, 2023 at 3:06 pm
Mayfield got going in the fourth?????? So relying on penalties for drives = QB getting it together???? Wow. Mayfield is the biggest problem this offense has. Bar none. I would rather have Winston than Baker. At least “something” was happening on offense with him. If we lose another game just leave Mayfield in for the season. Secure the high draft pick at that point.
October 27th, 2023 at 3:06 pm
“Inadequate Hustle” should be the title of Bud Licht’s memoirs..
October 27th, 2023 at 3:12 pm
Cody Mauch needs to hire a personal body guard because he’s been getting bullied all game
October 27th, 2023 at 3:15 pm
To Mike S, Rod Munch and other quitters. You’re the worst kind of “fans.” I think I speak for others on this site when I say that you make us sick. Ahhh, that felt good.
October 27th, 2023 at 3:33 pm
@ Rod
I understand your point. Get Mauch reps now so he can develop more rapidly.
That worked well for Goedeke, Cappa, Marpet and Wirfs…
I guess it depends on how much potential you see in this team.
If you believe the Bucs aren’t going anywhere then leave Mauch in there to take his lumps and hope he develops quicker.
If you still think the Bucs have a chance to win the NFC South and make the play-offs then a change should be made because Mauch is struggling and it is hurting an already bad offense.
October 27th, 2023 at 3:39 pm
That’s what happens when you hire a inexperienced offensive coordinator offense isn’t going to be getting better any time soon #!! Well maybe next year we can actually draft a new quarterback and running back #!! And a new head coach #!!
October 27th, 2023 at 3:44 pm
Are they going to wait until we’re out of the playoff race to make a QB change?
October 27th, 2023 at 3:45 pm
put mauch on gatorade duty like they did with sean tucker
#GatoradeDuty
October 27th, 2023 at 3:50 pm
as for ryan neal…
please vita and wirfs…
hold him down and shave his head…so he can see what’s going on out there on the field
October 27th, 2023 at 3:50 pm
🙂
October 27th, 2023 at 3:57 pm
Rod occasionally has good points to make. He cares. The others aren’t really fans. Who really thought the Buccaneers would win this game without their best defensive lineman who eats space and gives paths to other rushers. Get real. Baker Mayfield isn’t the solution, but he isn’t the problem either. The problem is all those who overestimated the quality of the roster and underestimated the significance of the salary cap. The three backup pass receivers are two free agents (one signed last year) and a fourth round draft choice. Two of the starters on the defensive line last night were a practice squad player and a free agent nobody else wanted to sign. The offensive line is one rookie, one second year player, one free agent. This was always going to be a rebuilding year and the anger spewed on this site about the team’s performance is really unjustified. Yes, the players have been too undisciplined and yes they play hard and don’t give up. But Tom Brady came at a cost and we are paying off the bill. This is not Bowles fault and it’s not Baker’s fault. It is NFL life in the age of the salary cap. That is not a sin. Look at the LA Rams. They are paying off a debt. Look at the Chargers. Look at the Packers. Look at the Saints. The Patriots. All lost world class quarterbacks. Then look at the Raiders, the Titans, the Jaguars. Then look at the teams that just miss year after year after year: the Cowboys, the Vikings.
As for me, I’m grateful that Licht signed Brady and did what and to be done to win a super bowl. The franchise is healthy and the upper brass is strong. It will take a couple years and some luck but we will be back. For now, I lower my expectations and take pleasure in the competitiveness of the team and its heart.
October 27th, 2023 at 4:02 pm
🙂 Ira’s analysis on the offense is about as off as his projection of a multiple touchdown blow out (actually far worse). I don’t think I have ever before seen an analysis where the writer argues a QB should have been sacked 6 times by the pressure he was under but then proceeds to divorce that from his ability to get the offense going. I like and even love most of your stuff Ira – but that one is just delusional
Darn right its a QB league – so go ahead and tell me how many QBs there are in the league that would be better than aright with the pocket collapsing so regularly they should have been laid out on their back six times?
I’ll be waiting.
Thats Totally out of touch with the true state of QBs in the NFL. Kind of something someone thinks based on being spoiled from renting Brady (but less sense after even he couldn’t make the offense stellar last year).
and lets not kid kidders – These Houdini acts by baker to save the OL from registering sacks happens multiple times IN EVERY GAME rendering the claim of good pass protection by the line as total nonsense.
another example of the scientific principle and common sense that correlation doesn’t equal causation. BAKER is why there is less sacks and its obvious as a clear blue sky.
October 27th, 2023 at 4:03 pm
Close but no Cigar…The Template.
October 27th, 2023 at 4:06 pm
A Fan….It is not rational to promote failures. A Fan should be objective not stupid subjective….TO ALL SUBJECTIVE IDIOTS ” UP YOURS”.
October 27th, 2023 at 4:10 pm
” Two of the starters on the defensive line last night were a practice squad player and a free agent nobody else wanted to sign. “…Buddah
And, you left off the star of the show, JTS.
October 27th, 2023 at 4:11 pm
the pocket wasn’t collapsing last night…
it seemed like the pocket wasn’t even being created…
there was too much congestion in the so called pocket for baker to cook…
thus resulting in baker having extremely happy feet all evening
October 27th, 2023 at 4:13 pm
>> Rod occasionally has good points to make. He cares. The others aren’t really fans.
You might want to read around the blog today before exonerating Rod. HE has a doozy today where he openly states he doesn’t care about weaknesses on the oline because its Baker and it doesn’t matter if he gets killed – and I am not changing his words. They are all Rod’s. IF fandom is wanting one of your players to get hurt because you want him replaced there’s a strange definition of being a fan around these parts.
October 27th, 2023 at 4:20 pm
A Saints or Falcons loss this week would help motivate this Bucs team….but then again Todd Bowels would help demotivate them.
Baker seems to be the only leader on this team that players rally around.
October 27th, 2023 at 4:24 pm
And it’s still too early to give up on Devin White…White was dominant for the first 4 games and now all of a sudden after 2 sluggish games were ready to ship him out of town? Nonsense.
October 27th, 2023 at 4:24 pm
oh ….LOL…..I was wrong . You don’t need to even leave this page to see it
Rod Munch Says:
“But it’s Baker ‘I didn’t turn it over but also didn’t score any points’ Mayfield back there, and who cares if he gets killed”
I Truly love it. really rips the mask off there. Cue the excuses and rationales but does that really qualify for good fandom around here?
October 27th, 2023 at 4:27 pm
Last year it was Leftwich….this year it’s Canales. Common denominator seems to be Bowles. We had the same offense that Brady did well in the first two years, Bowles takes over and suddenly we can’t score 20 pts per game. Now this year, new coordinator, new scheme….same crappy results. Bowles is the problem.
October 27th, 2023 at 4:35 pm
I rewatched most of the game. Just to focus on Baker alone. He got rid of the ball quickly in the first qtr. But was really inaccurate. After the scripted plays 3 out of 4 plays pressure came because he held the ball too long. Sometimes upward of 5 seconds. That’s just too long. For the rest he got rid of the ball in around 3 seconds. Not bad. But watching it again …….man is he inaccurate.
October 27th, 2023 at 4:39 pm
Mauch is struggling but I would leave him in there. He needs to find it in himself to not get bullied out there. I believe he is a 25 year old man who is fully developed physically. Yes he will get stronger over time but he isn’t some 22 year old who hasn’t fully developed yet.
October 27th, 2023 at 4:40 pm
I knew when we lost to the Falcons at home that this team just isn’t very good……we have been dominated in the trenches and that’s where most of our draft capital has gone.
When you get beat up on both sides of the line…you can’t win.
Add very poor coaching and there you have it.
Perhaps we can turn it around with a win vs Texans.
October 27th, 2023 at 4:45 pm
@BobbyM: ^^^
yeah it’s bowles…
he chose to not kick the long field goal going into halftime…
yet we just booted a 57 yarder…
he brought in a kicker with a leg built for 50-60 yards…
etc, etc…
bowles has issues in his skull to fumble away 3 points for a team that barely even puts up points…
i consider that stunt about on par with the cleveland debacle of last season
October 27th, 2023 at 4:49 pm
i swear the only reason mclaughlin shouldn’t have attempted a long field goal was if he had diarrhea and had already run back into the locker room to blast out a toilet
October 27th, 2023 at 4:53 pm
Last night was the first time I thought maybe we should see Trask. Baker looked indecisive. For either of these QB’s to be remotely successful, we need a run game. 45 passes per night for either QB isn’t going to cut it.
IMO, Payne Durham needs to be the starting TE. He’s not there yet, but he’s by far the best all round TE we have. He’s going to be a big blocker plus he had great hands in college. We need a true 3rd receiver. Mayfield had several nice throws that were dropped by our 3rd receiver wannabe’s and we need to figure out how to gain 4 yards per carry in the run game.
Unless we do that, we need to unload a ton of salary. I’m a huge ME13 fan, but if we are not going to compete, we need to trade ME13, DW45 and one of our 20M/yr cornerbacks (maybe both). I think we have some key pieces to build on, but it would be awesome to have several picks and a ton of room under the cap next year.
October 27th, 2023 at 4:53 pm
also if we kicked that field goal and it was good……………..
it’s a long shot everything would have went exactly as it did….but let’s just say it did…
then there would have been no hail mary at the end of the game, and we would have been simply trying to get enough yards to get into field goal range to kick a long field goal and take the team into overtime…
just sayin’
October 27th, 2023 at 4:56 pm
Something is surely wrong in Tampa. The defense seems to be loafing, how do you draw a team off sides when you don’t even have your hands on the ball. Even if the Bucs go 500 the rest of the season ( which I doubt) they will still end up 8-9. I am hoping not but, I think our season is over. As I have said many times, I be watched the Glazers since they bought the Bucs and I wouldn’t be surprised if they haven’t already start looking at head coaching candidates
October 27th, 2023 at 4:57 pm
Marine Buc – You’re right, if you think this team can still be a playoff team, then sitting Cody makes sense – I just have no faith in Bowles or Mayfield to do anything but take us to a 5-12 or 6-11 season. I think Baker had his year ‘warm’ streak already, and Bowles is who he is, a loser. I don’t see the team losing 4 of 5 and then suddenly turning it around.
Hopefully they’ll turn it around, but I doubt it.
For example, the offense, again, did nothing – and what does Bowles do? Talk about penalties. Meaning he’s still all-in on this offense, and just thinks if we can have a perfect penalty free day, the offense might get to 19 points.
So nothing changes, it’s business as usual.
October 27th, 2023 at 4:59 pm
Tony Marks Says:
Rod Munch Says:
“But it’s Baker ‘I didn’t turn it over but also didn’t score any points’ Mayfield back there, and who cares if he gets killed”
I Truly love it.
———
Thank you! Glad to hear it.
October 27th, 2023 at 5:16 pm
The consensus BEFORE the season started was that the following teams had the best Free Agency period:
Jets
Texans
Lions
Falcons
Bears
Each of these teams is currently in contention with a winning record or at .500. Each of these teams spent freely and had the most to spend in Free Agency. Only the Bears blew it and it would be no surprise if they finished strong. The reality is that roster building in the NFL is a money game. The NFL want to assure parity and they have succeeded.Four of these five tams are in contention to win their division.
October 27th, 2023 at 5:51 pm
Rod munch. I am with you. I have no confidence in Mayfield or Bowles either. It just looks like the team has no urgency. The defense is loafing and Mayfield just don’t look like a veteran QB. The offense is a mess.
October 27th, 2023 at 6:00 pm
This Bucs team has way to many great players on it to not be winning consistently. They fight all the way to the end. There is no quit in them Baker Mayfield has proven he can lead and win in the NFL. Give him time, he will figure it out. What this team needs, and it is quite obvious, Bruce Arians. Football players respect strong leadership where they aren’t best friends with the head coach. Make that change today and watch the mistakes disappear.
October 27th, 2023 at 6:06 pm
Payne Durham WTF did you not see that drop he had that was right in his hands for a first down. Not the best TE ON THIS TEAM.
October 27th, 2023 at 6:06 pm
I choose to be optimistic, but its a struggle. These guys were still playing hard. I still think if the center position played better, the run game, and Baker would be better, and Canales can learn his craft. I dont think the five we start on the O line are our best five, and I expect the coaching staff on this team to make changes NOW. Would be wise to grab a running back, but preparing Leverette to snap balls should be this week’s priority. Lets put Hainsey in for Mauck, leave Baker in and let all these guys earn their spot on the roster next season, or find something else to do. Dont you dare subject Kyle Trask to this bull jive. These are the decisions that are made to keep and lose jobs in the NFL- Wishing Coach Bowles the best.
October 27th, 2023 at 6:12 pm
Carolina 2x, Saints, Falcons, Texans, Titans, Colts, Packers, are certainly winnable games……SF & Jags maybe not…..or maybe.
The season is definitely not over……..Phil, Det & Buf were always likely losses.
The problem is winning games we should win….like Falcons at home.
This team needs to open up its offense earlier in games….
The defense needs to tighten up it’s coverage and play more man….
Yes, we can make the playoffs….
October 27th, 2023 at 6:17 pm
I cannot believe you think the Bucs defense “did itself proud.” Just look at the last three games and you see a complete inability to stop anybody. They didn’t stop Goff, they didn’t stop Atlanta’s rookie QB, and they didn’t stop Allen. But it’s worse than that because they also did not stop the running game. Yes, they come up with the occasional turnover but they basically have no pass rush anymore and they seem to have given up on third down blitzes that were successful earlier in the season. For anybody to come away from last night’s game thinking a QB change is in order is ludicrous. You rate a QB on how well he does with what he has to work with. Without a running game, an effective Oline, and a solid defense to get decent field position, you have a battle that no QB can overcome.
October 27th, 2023 at 6:18 pm
Cant wait for the Houston game. “IF” the Bucs lose, I really think the wheels start to fall off. The D is not gonna be thrilled about killing themselves every week and keeping the team in the game, only to have the offense sabotage their effort
October 27th, 2023 at 6:33 pm
@Tampabaybucfan:
i was looking at the final 10 games…and if we win all the win-ables you listed, we will have a terrific season…while losing the 2 that seem like lose-ables…
that would be an 8-2 finish…equaling 11-6
if we go 7-3 = 10-7
if we go 6-4 = 9-8
so we still have a legit shot at the division…
no one can change what happened the past few weeks…we gotta show support…i was not happy that we went into the bye week on fire, because we completely lost steam and momentum…but we have now entered a mini bye – maybe we come out of it with a fresh head of steam and start rockin’ & rollin’
October 27th, 2023 at 6:45 pm
@ Rod
I had the Bucs winning 7 games this season.
So – ya. No big surprise we are currently 3-4 at this juncture.
I think this team is talented at certain positions but if the Bucs lose in Houston the wheels might start coming off the wagon…
October 27th, 2023 at 6:49 pm
Hey fellas, ignore Tony Marks, he’s a windbag. He said that Trask’s preseason points to Trask throwing a lot of picks. LMAO. Trask threw 69 passes in preseason and had only one INT, which is an INT% of only 1.4% … LOWER than Baker’s career INT% of 2.7%!!!
October 27th, 2023 at 6:55 pm
Power sweep, learn the difference between pre season and regular season.
October 27th, 2023 at 7:00 pm
I like your enthusiasm Adam but given how this team has looked since the bye, going over 0.500 down the stretch is a reach. I suspect the Bucs will only be favored in 4 games of the final 10 if Vegas put out odds today (some houses do have them in their futures); Titans, Carolina twice and the Saints. Now odds do not mean the Bucs will only win 4 as the Bucs have only been favored twice so far but it is a good measuring reference of where the wiseguys think the Bucs are compared to the other clubs. If the Bucs continue to make the same mistakes you are looking at 6 or 7 wins. About the preseason over/under. I hope you are right but stubborn Todd Bowles is the HC and we have a learning on the job OC and many holes on the roster.
October 27th, 2023 at 7:02 pm
Jason Licht is bragging about starting an undrafted free agent! That actually means you didn’t draft well enough in the years before
He’s scared trade D white and white playing like he ways out of Tampa. Jamel was a Third-rounder like SirVocea Dennis, get him on the field
October 27th, 2023 at 7:13 pm
Sage … ‘Bowles and his staff keep stressing it during practice, yet tackling remains a major issue. There’s been way too many yards after the catch because of poor technique, poor angles to the ball and, at times, inadequate hustle.’
I agree that tackling is a huge issue Ira, but I think you need to add 1 more reason to your list: our front defenders are getting blocked out of their gaps & opposing runners etc are getting up a nice head of steam by the time they reach the 2nd level. Seeing far too many missed arm tackles.
Our Secondary guys are making way too many tackles as a result. Winfield, Neal, Davis, Dean, Izien & Hayes had 28 solo tackles plus 6 assists in last night’s game. Same guys had 23 solo tackles & 11 assists in the game against Atlanta (so 34 total in each game … waaay too many since Buffalo ran 68 total plays & Atlanta ran 64 plays).
October 27th, 2023 at 7:20 pm
The Bucs are losing because the interior OLine is not driving the defenders on blocks, they’re missing blocks on LB’s, Palmer is missing blocks, TE is missing blocks- it’s one thing or another or sometimes a combination.
You can blame Mayfield and White all you want, but until they figure out how to block as an offensive unit, they’re not going to sustain drives or score points.
October 27th, 2023 at 7:47 pm
Team has no chance to win a super bowl. None. Zero.
Everyone but Winfield Wirfs and maybe a few others are untouchable.
Everyone else? You are for sale. Jason if fighting for his job too thoiugh.
The GLAZERS would have to demand JL to sell. No way you keep JL.
October 27th, 2023 at 7:47 pm
Tbbucs3 a/k/a Jethro Bodine, learn to read.
October 27th, 2023 at 8:26 pm
Living in Tampa at the time, I burned my Packer teeshirt and flag on April 24, 1974, when the NFL awarded the city an NFL franchise, and became a lifelong Buc fan.
I held on tight through the first 22-game beginning, disappointed of course yet proud to cheer that if we were going to be bad, let’s be the best bad there has ever been and set the record, and the Bucs did and so far the record till stands.
There have been more bad years than good, but winning is supposed to be difficult, isn’t it?
Going into this year, losing TB, the cap hit and the lack of attention given to developed Trask better in advance of TB’s departure has led to bringing in an “ok” QB as a one-year TB replacement. But that decision has likely cost a few steps up on the ladder to drafting one of the top college QBs next draft too. Bad mistake Bucs, the future is more important than a chance at a 10-7, 9-8 or what I expect will be a 7-10 record at best.
It’s time now to start trading the veteran players who have brought the Bucs much recent success but are nearing the end of their careers, because other than money, what else do the Bucs have to work with to climb that draft ladder?
And WyomingJoe, I love your heart and faithfulness to the team, nobody wants this team to win more than me. However, the big picture says it’s time to regroup and rebuild, it WILL be better that way. I’m in my 70’s now and can’t afford to wait another 20 years for their next SB run because of too many years of signing middle tier rejects from other teams and drafting somewhere between 10-18 on the draft ladder. That just makes too long.
Mike S, Rod Munch are not quitters or traitors, they can read the tea leafs too. It’s that time.
October 27th, 2023 at 8:32 pm
Bowles is a patient man. He should have his team disciplined around week 19. Every season. What a coach!!
October 27th, 2023 at 8:33 pm
power sweep Says:
October 27th, 2023 at 6:49 pm
Hey fellas, ignore Tony Marks, he’s a windbag. He said that Trask’s preseason points to Trask throwing a lot of picks.
———
hard to tell which poster are just kids but on the sllght possibility you actually claim adulthood – the discussion was about play under PRESSURE when one person made the declaration Trask would have had no sacks because he releases the ball too quickly. It was a totally dumb argument based on Trask’s limited playing time to claim ANY release timing in regular games for trask..
I raised what did in fact happen when he actually was under pressure (in fact really under pressure he threw two but one was dropped by the defender)
NO one made Any general assessment of Trask throwing more picks ( except its pretty common for new players to do so). However feel free to continue to fit in with the other nonsense going on in the comments – like the poster a few spots above this post that actually thinks the standard should be competing for a super bowl title this year.
Oh Lordie……… SMH
October 27th, 2023 at 9:09 pm
7-9 on 3rd down. Before they did their Buccaneer impression in the 4th quarter. To be honest i can see why the Bills have 3 losses if thats how they finish games this year. Would have been a big egg in the face had they lost on national television. Antoine winfield should have been put in on that hail mary maybe we win n he gets his national glory. He was earned that much last night.
October 27th, 2023 at 9:19 pm
Calbucfan
Won’t matter if Bud Licht isn’t sent packing.
October 27th, 2023 at 10:53 pm
No, Mike S. Is the worst by far…
October 27th, 2023 at 10:56 pm
I rewatched the game as a few of you also did. Baker was under constant pressure as opposed to the limitless pocket time that Allen received. He also didn’t “dance” around for the fun of it. He was frantically looking for someone to throw it too. Baker did miss a few, but he also had 4 passes dropped, and lost a couple of long gains because of penalties. By the way Baker was bashed throughout the game, I’m surprised that he could even muster enough strength to throw the 60 yard Hail Mary! Something Trask is unable to do btw… We have 10 games to make something happen and I think that we will.
October 28th, 2023 at 2:48 am
Wyomingjoe, give it a rest, your boy is just not getting it done.
October 28th, 2023 at 3:53 am
Baker is basically a midget.
Height>skill>accuracy>talent>moxie
So far, MOXIE is code for crappy player that sometimes appears to be trying.
October 28th, 2023 at 8:36 am
Let’s be sellers NOT buyers… more draft capital please
October 28th, 2023 at 8:50 am
I’m sick and tired of hearing about Baker’s “moxie”, at the end of the day he is not a good QB and doesn’t read defenses well, misses too many open passes and is not that accurate. It is time for a change.
October 28th, 2023 at 11:04 am
••FLAG•• “Disconsolate” Exceeding JoeBucsFan reader vocabulary. 15 yards, Kaufman.
October 28th, 2023 at 11:31 am
@TonyMarks
“BAKER is why there is less sacks and its obvious as a clear blue sky.”
Completely agree. He is also operating with no run game and multiple dropped passes a game. Baker has not been perfect, as he has missed multiple shots, but he is not the problem. It all comes back to the interior line getting dominated in this scheme. Our tackles look good.
As an aside, what was Ira referring to when he was telling Trey Palmer to, “Smarten up.” I did not catch that?
October 28th, 2023 at 4:05 pm
Bucs should be in full sell mode at the deadline right down the furniture in Bowles’ office.
October 28th, 2023 at 8:57 pm
I predicted the Bucs would be 8-9 or 9-8. They are exactly where I thought they would be at this juncture – 3-4. Of course, I had them losing to the Saints in week 4 and beating Atlanta but either way, they are exactly where they should be considering the competition.
With only two tough to win games the rest of the year, I believe the Bucs’ fate will come down to injuries. With few, they could win as many as ten games. With a lot, they could end up with the same record as last year – not bad for a team that had the worst salary cap situation in the league, no QB, no O-line, no proven RB and no proven OC. Many pundits had them finishing with the second worst record in the NFL – something highly unlikely unless massive injuries occur.