Why The Passing Game May Have Bogged Down
December 8th, 2024
After the Bucs jumped out to a 14-0 lead, the offense, for whatever reason, seemed stuck in the mud.
If the Bucs weren’t turning the ball over, they were punting. Baker Mayfield didn’t have a great game. He had four sacks and a pair of picks.
So why did the Bucs’ passing game vanish until late? Jalen McMillan believes it was the Raiders’ pass rush.
“I want to say just a lot of defense was getting home,” McMillan said. “We didn’t have a lot of time to run routes so we needed to just run our routes faster, come off the line faster, make sure we got open faster.”
At about the same time the Bucs had trouble throwing the ball in the middle two quarters, it was clear that it was a rough day for the offensive line. That unit may have had its worst pass-blocking game of the season.
Whatever the Raiders were doing on their defensive front to confuse and overrun the Bucs offensive line, well, Joe is pretty confident Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is going to throw that at the Bucs in Los Angeles next week.
December 8th, 2024 at 10:09 pm
A few penalties and some not so successful runs had us in third and long a lot. That hasn’t been the case most of the season.
December 8th, 2024 at 10:11 pm
Turnovers is the worry.
December 8th, 2024 at 10:14 pm
Their DL was a handful both in run and pass blocking and led to some holdings and sacks. They also got right in Baker’s face.
Not pretty but a win and that’s what counts.
December 8th, 2024 at 10:26 pm
Not to mention that BS holding call on Wirt’s, even the rules official Gene said he would not have called that. I also didn’t agree with the two interpretations that our defense had given back to LV when if that was the Bucs they would not have overturned those.
December 8th, 2024 at 10:39 pm
They better figure something out because I’m watching the Chargers beat the heck out of Patrick Mahomes. They have one heck of a pass rush.
The back 7 also better figure something out also because if they sit back in zone, Justin Herbert will throw for 500 yards
Need Vea, Kancey, and Yaya to come alive
December 8th, 2024 at 10:43 pm
Since you have my email address can you at least send me an email and let me know why I can barely post anything anymore,
December 8th, 2024 at 10:49 pm
And Gene backs the on field call 99.99% of the time.
December 8th, 2024 at 10:54 pm
Maybe I’m wrong but I think they passing game bogged down because after getting there early lead there was an effort to try and get the ball too Evans for his 1000 yards. I get it, get the man his number, but maybe try and game plan it in instead of holding the ball trying to find an opportunity to force it in
December 8th, 2024 at 11:05 pm
“At about the same time the Bucs had trouble throwing the ball in the middle two quarters, it was clear that it was a rough day for the offensive line.”
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How was the offensive line an issue when Baker was literally holding the ball for 5+ seconds on multiple plays?
The issue was not the line, it was Baker.
December 8th, 2024 at 11:06 pm
Conte Piscatelli Says:
December 8th, 2024 at 10:54 pm
Maybe I’m wrong but I think they passing game bogged down because after getting there early lead there was an effort to try and get the ball too Evans for his 1000 yards.
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You’re wrong.
The issue is NOT forcing the ball to Evans and trying to get these other scrubs involved. Throw to Evans on every play if he’s single covered.
December 8th, 2024 at 11:13 pm
As for that punting stuff, we’re shoppers still, right? Better be.
December 8th, 2024 at 11:43 pm
Exactly as RobMunch said. On both accounts. Not sure what’s got Baker hesitating to throw the ball, but whatever it is should be solved by, if he effing doesn’t know throw it to Mike and let him figure it out!
December 8th, 2024 at 11:52 pm
Wish Joe knew. Sadly, the code for WordPress doesn’t respond to verbal inquiries.
December 9th, 2024 at 12:35 am
Im with the Baker held the ball way too long guys.
He didn’t read the blitz with the sack fumble and even pump faked then.
Well not a pump fake, but he didn’t throw the ball. Throw it away dang.
Baker’s FIRST read was WRONG through the 3rd and 4th quarter and I do believe Coen let him try to throw the ball downfield to ME13 too much.
If Coen is gonna say we don’t need to throw downfield, then stand behind those words. Baker had guys open all night against a terrible secondary.
December 9th, 2024 at 3:10 am
How was the offensive line an issue when Baker was literally holding the ball for 5+ seconds on multiple plays?
The issue was not the line, it was Baker.
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Ever heard of coverage sacks? I’ve not watched the all 22 yet, but there may be very good reason for holding on to the ball – especially since Baler usually favours an early release.
December 9th, 2024 at 5:16 am
Maybe Baker isn’t as great as many of us had hoped. That is also a possibility.
December 9th, 2024 at 6:08 am
15 is no good, he drops easy passes and is responsible for 1 of Baker’s picks,
the only reason he was open on those TD’s is ME13
December 9th, 2024 at 6:41 am
David Pear, your narrative on our Head Coach has been consistent and shrill. Now you’ve decided to attack our QB. Have to admit your posts make me chuckle. I don’t know much Dave Pear but I do know what I know. We’re a team that has a very good chance to be the hottest team entering the NFC playoffs. And we’ve got a Head Coach and QB who are leading the way to making that happen. You Dave Pear, need to go outside and ascertain which direction the wind is blowing. Then drop your drawers and piss into that wind. That’s what you do. And you’re good at it!!
December 9th, 2024 at 6:55 am
Kenton. Baker Mayfield did not play good yesterday and that’s a fact. You must be here because of Baker Mayfield and not the bucs.
December 9th, 2024 at 6:57 am
Oneilbuc, it’s a fact because you say it’s a fact? Sorry I’ll pass on that.
December 9th, 2024 at 9:06 am
Baker worries me. Believe me, I have no dawg in the QB fight. I’m a Buc fan first, and want my team to win. I know BM is nicked up (who isn’t by this point in the season). There are times when I wish he would sit and ease some of those wounds. Trask is no threat to him. Walking wounded Bucs are now 7-6. They’ve won 3 in a row. Let that sink in. Joe, I know what a PITA WordPress is as my home blog is on it. Thanks for the info.
December 9th, 2024 at 10:16 am
I admit I’m a Mike Evans fan over a Buc fan here. All my other favorites have retired and my only favorite player left is Evans. I hope the Bucs win the SB as it will boost Evans HOF resume. I hope Bucs make the playoffs as it will boost Evans playoff stats.
But Mayfield is a curiosity. He has shown to be better than an average QB. He is a top 10 QB but not a top 5. If the defense can play better, I think getting to the conference finals should not be a surprise.
December 9th, 2024 at 11:00 am
O line was horrible yesterday. Mayfield had no where to step up because pressure was coming from middle of the line. Watched the LA Rams /Bills game late and both QB’s had 5 seconds to throw. Result was a 44-42 shoot out. The formula is simple. When you pay mega millions to a QB give him a chance to do his job by protecting him properly. Few teams do this better than Detroit Lions who will be the winner of this season’s SB. Not a coincidence that Jared Goff has gone from obscurity to a top flight QB. Same is true of Sam Darnhold.
December 9th, 2024 at 11:27 am
@joe: The commentators pointed out how effectively the Raiders clogged up the passing lanes. Even without heavy pressure, their strategy made it tough for shorter Mayfield to spot his targets, forcing him to hold onto the ball too long. This really disrupted our passing game and kept Mayfield off balance. I’m sure teams will see this and copy. I wonder what adjustments the Bucs will make to counter this in the future. 🤔
December 9th, 2024 at 12:13 pm
Since when did Graham Barton become a tight end?
December 9th, 2024 at 12:49 pm
Couple of things:
1) Yes, Baker held the ball a long time. Part of that was excellent coverage. Part of that was calling plays that had no immediate open hot route. And part of it was Baker getting pressured up the middle. Raiders took away the screen game, which also hurt
2) Interior line was getting mauled, especially Mauch.
3) Receivers were NOT getting separation.
December 9th, 2024 at 2:22 pm
Not going to have Mayfield or Bowles say post game that O line got manhandled. Nor will either say that receivers weren’t getting open. Nor will either say that Coen called a curious game. All three were true. Don’t get why there were not more inside quick slants or sideline outs to slow the defense down. Know it is easier with hindsight to say what should have been done. Mostly a communication problem. Coen should just ask Baker, “What do you think will work?”
December 9th, 2024 at 3:44 pm
Baker fan here, been TB fan since he arrived. He typically surprises to the good side after beating down, here’s hoping. Sunday wasn’t the best for many position groups but still win by 15. Noticed that the Chiefs beat Panthers by 3 (same as TB) and Chiefs beat Raiders by 2. Not saying the Bucs are better than the Chiefs, just thinking it’s pretty tough to win in NFL, I’m still believing in Bucs.