Cleanup Needed
December 7th, 2024
Bucs RB coach Skip Peete.
So lost in the ecstasy of the Bucs win against the Giants two weeks ago was the reality that the Bucs fumbled four times in that game.
Last week’s win in Charlotte saw two more fumbles for the men in pewter and white.
Thankfully, the football gods were kind and the Bucs recovered nearly all those fumbles, but it was/is a little concerning.
However, ball security can be coached up with improvement expected.
Tonight, Joe watched game film of the past two Bucs games and afterwards felt compelled to look up fumbling stats. Per NFL.com the Bucs lead the NFL in running game fumbles this season with 11, after only 4 last year. Ouch!
The Cowboys have the second-most with 9. The NFL team average is about 5 1/2 for this season.
Obviously, this is something the Bucs must correct before bouncing balls further short-circuit the season. (See Falcons-Bucs on Oct. 3).
But the good news is there’s reason to expect the Bucs to be sharper with the football after two messy weeks, especially at home with fewer distractions.
If not, fumbling issues are sure to catch up to the team, and Anthony Nelson can’t be counted on for a bailout every week.
December 8th, 2024 at 8:36 am
Good stuff Joe.
Something not mentioned is once a guy gets any sniff of a reputation as a fumbler. It becomes the focus of an entire defense when he gets the ball. creating …. even more fumbles.
Go Bucs!
December 8th, 2024 at 9:38 am
garro
Excellent point! I hope the Raiders spend the day trying to get a Lovie style turnover by concentrating more on knocking the ball out of Bucky and White’s hands. That can be feast or famine for the D. If you do that with Bucky you have to get the ball out or he’ll make you pay. They better wait until teammates have him wrapped before punching at the ball and risking a sloppy tackle what Bucky will turn into beaucoup yards!
December 8th, 2024 at 12:11 pm
Lack of situational coaching contributed to Bucky’s fumble against the Fowlclowns. He did not have both arms wrapped around the football, and that is due to absence of detailed coaching and situational ignorance. Lots to clean up all right.