Target: Cam Newton
September 2nd, 2014
If the Bucs had a pass rush, then they could persuade Stinking Panthers QB Cam Newton from doing his Superman schtick.
Only a few days ago the Bucs learned the projected starting opposing quarterbacks to start the 2014 season were less than 100 percent. First, Sam Bradford is out for the season, again, with a blown knee. Then there was Cam Newton.
The franchise quarterback of the Stinking Panthers suffered a hairline fracture of a rib. This is one of the most painful injuries a guy can have and, for a quarterback, it’s even worse. Every time he throws, unless Newton is shot up, he will know it.
Per Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer, there is no reason to not expect Newton to start Sunday.
However, the “Custodian of Canton,” eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune, has the kryptonite for Superman.
If the Bucs get a free shot at Newton Sunday, there’s little doubt regarding their target zone — Cam’s sore ribs
— Ira Kaufman (@IKaufmanTBO) September 1, 2014
This sounds good. Old school football. It’s all too obvious: Drill Newton in the ribs.
This just in: Other than Gerald McCoy, who the hell is supposed to get to Newton? Until otherwise proven, the Bucs are a one-man gang with quarterback pressure, and that is GMC.
It’s nice to talk about roughing up quarterbacks who are less than 100 percent to get in their heads. To do that, you actually have to touch a quarterback.
September 2nd, 2014 at 10:48 am
You know what we should have done this offseason?…pick up a proven stud 4-3 DE. Oh well, looks like we whiffed on that one too!
September 2nd, 2014 at 10:49 am
I’d like to see us blitz a bit…..smack Cammy in the right ribs early and very often….wipe that smile off his face!!!
September 2nd, 2014 at 10:50 am
Or drafted one in place of Sims.
September 2nd, 2014 at 10:51 am
We need a Simeon Rice reincarnation
September 2nd, 2014 at 10:51 am
I don’t think they should target his ribs. Just focus on sacks and turnovers, and if his ribs get hurt along hte way, that’s life. But don’t set out to injure.
I really doubt McCoy would do such a thing anyway. Ira Kaufman is an idiot.
September 2nd, 2014 at 10:53 am
I want to see what Johnson can really do in this defense. He has been completely invisible up until now. I’m hoping that is because they had him holding back in order to catch the Panthers off guard.
September 2nd, 2014 at 10:58 am
Agree with Tampabaybucfan, wipe that stinking smile off that stinking panther QB’s face. If he aint smiling the bucs are winning.
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:00 am
“I’m hoping that is because they had him holding back in order to catch the Panthers off guard.” Wishful thinking. Like with all the other moves this regime has made, I’ll believe it when I see it. From where I sit he looks like more of the same overpaid, under productive FA Lovie and lapdog dig for some reason. I want to be so wrong…
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:01 am
i Hope GMC can return kicks. That spot is blank on dept chart
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:01 am
Nah, it’s going to be Lavonte or Mace on an early blitz laying some wood to the young lad. Rivera is taking a big gamble playing Cam before he is fully healed. Risk vs Gain says this is a bonehead move.
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:09 am
I can just imagine… 2nd play if the game newton lines up to throw. He gets it off under pressure then all of a sudden.. SMACK! Ouch!!! He’s out for the next 6weeks!!
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:12 am
Pat Yasinskas of BSPN has us losing this game to the Pussy Cats. He’s also got us going 8-8, which is reasonable, but the teams he has us losing to I don’t agree with. He’s got us losing all of our division games except the last game vs the Aints. He has us winning against Green Bay and Cincinnati, but losing to the Ravens, Bears, and Lions. I just don’t see that logic.
http://espn.go.com/blog/tampa-bay-buccaneers/post/_/id/5749/2014-predictions-tampa-bay-buccaneers
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:16 am
Aye, hopefully we knock Cam on his arse a lot more that we have in previous meetings. Last year Cam laughed and mocked our DLine as Sheridan stunted Clayborn inside, giving up the edge. Wasnt AC’s fault. Set the edge, give him no where to run, put a linebacker spy on him. McCoy or McDonald will get through. Remember how we defended against Vick back in the day? Same model. Vick hated our D.
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:17 am
Geez, DallasBuc, you do like to bitch! Isn’t every move a GM or coach makes a “believe it when I see it” move? I can’t think of one positive post I’ve seen from you regarding this team or this new regime over the past year. What is your beef dude?
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:26 am
I complained about Dominik and his coaches, but, at least I waited until they had some significant bad seasons and bad drafts and bad FA signings underway.
It’s still 0-0 and people are acting like this is 2009 when Dominik and Morris went 4-12.
Were the complainers complaining at 0-0 in 2009???
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:27 am
I LOVE THE HATE FROM DALLAS BUC!!!
Relax guy, season has started yet and you want to run Michael Johnson out of town. He’s been doing a good job. People just have to remeber hes a great player, he is not elite like Gerald McCoy, the plays will come. 1st task, hurt Cam Newton 🙂
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:28 am
I think we will dominate the Panthers. Newton wont be running at all which is a huge difference. I think our D will be as good or better than the Panthers D this year. Panthers Oline will be worse than ours and they got one good rookie WR. Gonna be a fun game. GO BUCS!!!
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:30 am
Panthers D will not be as good this year a suspect.
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:31 am
@ Jbuc–EXACTLY!
Same old song and dance from “DallasBuc”!! Not even a regular season snap and he is already bashing this regime. Some people just like to bicth about everything!
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:33 am
Hit hard, hit clean. Anyone wishing an injury to Newton is an idiot.
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:34 am
We may not have “proven” pass rushers outside of McCoy…but we have proven coaches in regards to finding ways to get to the quarterback…that alone should allow all of us to sleep easier on Saturday night.
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:38 am
Don’t forget, it’s not just the front four who rush the passer. Plus, we didn’t show much in blitz packages during the preseason, so you can expect LB and safety blitzes too. But if Cam gets rid of the ball in 1.5 seconds every play, forget about it. We’d have to line-up in the offensive backfield to get there that early. It’s the short intermediate routes, in the middle of the field where the cover 2 is the weakest, so defending the quick inside slants, and middle screens are paramount if we are to win the field position battle.
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:41 am
Million Dollar Question:
The first year since Dominick’s reign of mediocrity, do we have a 10 sack player?
Simeon Rice is the last Buc to do so?
Do we make the playoffs? Do we win our first playoff game since the Super Bowl in 2002?
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:44 am
I would count on %100 Cam Newton every second he is on the field…….
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:48 am
The Bucs had better game plan for Kelvin Benjamin. That’s is Cam’s #1 and he is a big target much like our Evans
September 2nd, 2014 at 11:57 am
Joe: Here’s a question to ask our NFL contacts.
Why isn’t painkiller injections considered a PED and banned? If it’s too painful to throw the ball without it, getting the drug injection is ENHANCING PERFORMANCE.
September 2nd, 2014 at 12:08 pm
All the pain killers in the world will not help a fractured rib during a NFL game. Walking around your house, getting up and down off the couch, yes they will help but taking a shot to the ribs or hitting the ground…no way! Your taking about an injury that causes pain just from laughing or taking a deep breath! Cam wont be running and if he does, take the penalty for a good shot.
September 2nd, 2014 at 12:22 pm
Mike Shula is their OC.
Of course his offense destroyed us twice last year.
But I like the Lovie vs. Mike match up for us.
September 2nd, 2014 at 12:24 pm
Picaroon.
Anything prescribed by a doctor has to be approved by the NFL.
Doctors can provide steroids to help athletes heal faster if approved by the league. In some cases, that has happened.
September 2nd, 2014 at 12:27 pm
I’m OK with a late hit to the ribs. Just make sure it counts.
September 2nd, 2014 at 12:28 pm
“Or drafted one in place of Sims.”
Let it go already, the draft is long gone and your vendetta against the Sims pick is well known by all of us.
September 2nd, 2014 at 12:35 pm
Picaroon…. great to see you posting. I hope all is good.
September 2nd, 2014 at 12:42 pm
Joe
Remember when you said that Johnson was playing wide so that is why he was their to recover the fumble?
You think he was getting ready for Cam when he starts running from GMC? Just a thought.
Also Mankens just played them for his third preseason game on the 22nd which means he played around a half against their first string defense so he must have some tidbits also.
September 2nd, 2014 at 12:51 pm
Gotta get after Newton early and make him uncomfortable. A rib injury can be extremely painful and even with a flak jacket, if we hit Cam in the chest a few times, we stand a good chance of making him so uncomfortable he becomes ineffective. McCoy and Michael Johnson need to just pin their ears back and go after Cam on every play.
September 2nd, 2014 at 1:07 pm
Sore ribs or not get after him smash his smurky face to the ground, Soggybottom says I would like to sit on his face and punch his sore ribs.. ha ha.. Ya baby..
September 2nd, 2014 at 1:11 pm
Jbuc- “Geez, DallasBuc, you do like to bitch! Isn’t every move a GM or coach makes a “believe it when I see it” move?” To me, yes but for most of you it is not, treating the offseason moves as if they are definitive upgrades. Seen a lot of very questionable moves this offseason and this is where I come to bitch about it!
September 2nd, 2014 at 1:17 pm
Bucsfan47- “People just have to remeber hes a great player, he is not elite…” Sorry pal, Michael Johnson is not “Great”. He is arguably good. Might want to double check your word choice!
September 2nd, 2014 at 1:21 pm
Panhandle- “Some people just like to bicth about everything!” Nah, I don’t bitch about everything. I bitch about very specific things, like mediocre starting QB, mediocre oline, quantity over quality approach in FA, etc. it does seem like a lot though lately, I’ll give you that!
September 2nd, 2014 at 1:23 pm
DallasBuc, every move is questionable in the offseason which is what makes coming to Joe’s site fun. However, I don’t seem to recall you ever making suggestions as to what should have been done in place of the moves they have made but I could be wrong. For example, I’ve seen you bitch quite a bit about McCown being added to this roster as a starting QB. What would you have done? Who else was out there? Would you have drafted a QB or were you content with Glennon? Again, only remember the bitching and don’t recall any suggestions.
September 2nd, 2014 at 1:32 pm
@DallasBuc, Wait and see, you are worrying to much, we will be just fine..
September 2nd, 2014 at 1:56 pm
Jbuc- “For example, I’ve seen you bitch quite a bit about McCown being added to this roster as a starting QB. What would you have done? Who else was out there? Would you have drafted a QB or were you content with Glennon?” Mike Vick was out there. He has had success throughout his long career, especially lately. He was good enough to start for an innovative coach like Chip Kelly and seems like a perfect fit for Tedford’s offense. I would have also drafted a QB high. I liked Manziel, Carr and Garropolo near end of round 1, top of round 2. Given Vick’s durability issues we could have had a rookie able to step in.
Regarding Glennon, I have never liked him or advocated for him as our QB of the present or future but when he was playing last year I was pulling for him. I just don’t see it though. In any case, what Lovie did was get us a mediocre starter and kept Glennon so we have no hope for the present and no hope for the future with these 2 mediocre QBs. I have stated all of this many times previously so you just don’t remember…understandably.
September 2nd, 2014 at 2:28 pm
OB:
It seems Johnson, just watching him in preseason, has two moves: one, to run completely aound the tackle (which creates a large hole for Newton to run through), or bullrush.
September 2nd, 2014 at 2:33 pm
“It seems Johnson, just watching him in preseason, has two moves: one, to run completely aound the tackle (which creates a large hole for Newton to run through), or bullrush.” Sounds like Lovie acquired Gaines Adams! It wouldn’t be the first time!
September 2nd, 2014 at 2:44 pm
And if one of our guys gets a red flag for a high hit on Newton he gets the braindead award of the week. This should make it pretty simple. Good old fundamental football. Hit him in the midsection as hard as possible as frequently as possible.
BTW by “frequently” I mean I’m willing to eat several 15 yarders if needed for questionable “late” hits if done in the right area of the field.
September 2nd, 2014 at 2:45 pm
Oops…yellow…no red cards in REAL football.
September 2nd, 2014 at 3:28 pm
So when he mock-pulls his shirt open, he’s showing the Bucs where to hit him.
September 2nd, 2014 at 4:25 pm
Some people crack me up. There are basically two moves you can apply to get by someone attempting to block you. Either you run around them or you go through them. I suppose you could go over them or under them but I digress. If he is good at both going around and through his opponent then we should be ok.
September 2nd, 2014 at 4:58 pm
DallasBuc- now we are getting somewhere. Appreciate your opinions and apologize if they were previously stated and I missed them. Don’t agree with your take though. Vick is oft injured and prone to turnovers. Not sure you can say he is perfect for Tedford’s offense since we really don’t know what that is yet. I say let Tedford make that call and I choose to believe he played a roll in the decision to get McCown. With respect to Glennon, I agree that he does not create excitement but I think he has the potential to be a better than average backup. If not, there is always a new crop of picks and free agents to choose from.
As for drafting any of the rookie QB’s, I believe they seriously would have entertained any of them if they thought they were worth a high pick. I think they liked Borttles but not enough to trade the farm and move up. I liked Carr as well but Tedford was familiar with him and they still passed. That should tell you something.
My problem with your comments is that you seem so eager to blast these guys without any of this playing out so far. Have a little more trust in these guys that been successful at a high level of football for a long time.
September 2nd, 2014 at 5:56 pm
You guys sound like a bunch of divorced women hating on men… Damn
Ive broken my ribs numerous times playing receiver in high school and college… Sneezing, coughing and laughing was the worst!! Even cam newton putting zip on a pass… Expect some floaters from him and more pocket passer style rather than scrambler newton
September 2nd, 2014 at 6:01 pm
I used to smoke pot for pain… Like many NFL players do… Avoided opiate pain killers at all costs… Wore a flak jacket… Pot before and after games/practices helped… Pure toughness, pain threshold and determination can push a man through injuries but you pay the consequences eventually… Cam Newton will have a tough game
September 2nd, 2014 at 6:15 pm
Nice, looking forward to seeing Mason Foster slam the Cam