“All I Wanted To See”
August 24th, 2024
If you blinked last night, you missed the first team Bucs offense smack around the Dolphins’ backups at The Licht House.
The Tampa Bay starters made their preseason debut and were gone after one series. On offense, a seven-play touchdown drive was highlighted by Rachaad White rushing for 16 yards and a touchdown on four carries — with an A-list deep catch by rookie Jalen McMillan in between.
Baker Mayfield completed two other short passes without a hiccup, and that was it.
Todd Bowles praised his team’s readiness.
“That was all I wanted to see was continuity,” Bowles said.
He got it, and then it was over. The Bucs face Washington in the season opener in 15 days.
Joe knows one huge goal of the offense was an opening drive touchdown, something that never happened last season.
Mission accomplished.
August 24th, 2024 at 12:46 am
What a joke.
I suppose he probably made a deal with the Dolphins since they were playing backups, but the lack of playing time in the preseason is a horrible development.
I know that those governed by fear will ask “Why put starters at risk?”
I’ll tell you why:
One series tells you nothing. A bad unit can come out strong in their first series and then be way off after that.
Being their first game since last year, they were clearly hyped. It just wasn’t a good guage of preparedness.
I get that the Dolphins did not play their starters…but that’s on Bowles for not putting in our in last week.
I saw by the open thread comments that after the pick, Trask improved? Good for him. I stopped watching soon after the starters were pulled.
#PlayToWin
August 24th, 2024 at 1:28 am
First series looked amazing however, let’s realize the Dolphins second string defense was on the field.
August 24th, 2024 at 1:29 am
Take a Benadryl, Bonzai. Maybe inquire abour some soft legs. Too many words from you after an efficient effort. Go Bucs!
August 24th, 2024 at 1:53 am
We’ve only seen our offense against 2nd team defenses. I’m not ready to crown this team… but I am pretty excited!
August 24th, 2024 at 2:05 am
We’ve seen our offense mostly against 2nd team defenses, so I’m not ready to crown this team… but that first drive showed me enough that I’m ready to see what this team can do in a REAL football game!
#LetsBake!
August 24th, 2024 at 4:55 am
Is 12 retired by team? I don’t believe there’s any official designation on that number but sometimes a team simply elects to not hand a number to anyone.
August 24th, 2024 at 6:46 am
yep i blinked……………..and bam……td…
re-watched the drive tho…looked pretty darn good…
the first 4 weeks of the season nowadays are just a warm up act for the meat and potatoes of the season which starts around week 5ish…
nowadays teams are def still working out kinks the first quarter of the season…
the whole early season plan is just don’t slip into a hole the first 4 weeks for any nfl team…2-2 or better is good…1-3 and you’re in trouble…and the daunting 0-4 start usually washes out a teams season before it even starts
August 24th, 2024 at 7:07 am
Anyone who wasn’t impressed with that opening drive no matter who it was against is very hard to please. The Oline looked like a gang of bullies. Barton is going to make the pro bowl as a rookie, I’ll say it now. He will become the highest paid center in the league, maybe Olineman period, when his time comes. He makes it look easy, because he faces Vea everyday! Did you see what Vea did last night? Barton is battle tested. Mauch got bigger, and better, Goedeke is looking better, Wirfs, is Wirfs, Bredeson a big strong vet. You can go places when you own the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Bucs owned it last night.
August 24th, 2024 at 7:23 am
Spot on Hodad!
August 24th, 2024 at 7:23 am
The offense goes up against an excellent defense every single day in practice. Coaches can easily see where the team needs improvement and where it doesn’t. Too much hype watching preseason football. This team will be improved and we’ll find out how much in a couple weeks.
August 24th, 2024 at 7:53 am
I always find it interesting when takes are that was the wrong way to coach. Pretty sure that the coaches that got to the highest level understand how much they want to play their starters.
I would ask Buccaneer Bonzai:
1. Were the Bucs stupid for only playing their offensive starters one series
2. But the 49ers were smarter for playing their offensive starters two series.
3. Or were the Dolphins genius’ for not playing their offensive starters at all this week but playing some of their offensive starters for 1 series last week.
4. We will see if the Lions or Eagles who have not played their offensive starters all preseason, today put their offensive starters in for 4 series today.
My gosh it is a 17-game schedule. For every less snap an offensive starter takes, you also get more actual NFL in game experience for one of the lesser players who may be playing later in the season due to an unfortunate injury.
There is clearly not one model that fits all teams or situations. But the clear model seems to be that none of the established starters on any team play a lot of snaps in the preseason.
August 24th, 2024 at 8:16 am
I notice some comments on here indicating 4 preseason games. Nope, only 3 now. I will repeat: Bucs look tight and sharp. McLaughlin’s leg is back, and Camarda’s is getting there. Bring on DC 9/8!!
August 24th, 2024 at 8:21 am
So many experts
August 24th, 2024 at 9:54 am
Nice Bonzai , I think they get that much of a look in practice lol. Technically the online continuity is the biggest thing needed, I mean if one of them even fart the flag happy ref might throw a flag. Come On Baby, in two weeks they are going to be on the field and everything will count, Let’s Go Bucs!!!!
August 24th, 2024 at 10:22 am
Great hopes for the season. We are improved but we also face a first level schedule. We can have a winning season. Can’t wait to see one game at a time. We have to be humming come December and January.
Go Bucs!!!
August 24th, 2024 at 12:15 pm
Don’t get me wrong, I think the offense looked good. I won’t say great because it was against backups, and there was no way I guess to really test the starters…but other things could have been addressed.
I got the impression that Bowles did not want to play them at all.
And…so far as it being a 17 game season…if 2 series was truly an issue, then we have the wrong players.
August 25th, 2024 at 9:49 am
Too bad it’s just a “worthless pre season game” Joe. When Baker can do it in the regular season then we can be excited. Hopefully he don’t play inconsistent like last year and shows up every quarter for every game
August 25th, 2024 at 11:44 am
Leave it to Buccaneer “Cassandra” Bonzai with another pitiful take safely from the patent leather recliner. I can’t imagine his world view is any less critical. Nothing ever right, nothing according to the book of Bonzai ever happens but it gives him something to look forward to each day : flapping their gums in the wind. The correct answer is the Bucs have a solid roster with continuity and will be competitive this year. As fan that’s a great reason to cheer.