Un-Special Teams
September 14th, 2014
Lovie Smith’s special teams coach and guru Kevin O’Dea has work to do
It was ugly out there today on special teams for the Bucs, one of the worst special teams performances in the post-Chucky era.
First, Major Wright choked and whiffed big time on a punt block of Michael Koenen. Joe’s got the video evidence.
Here it is, courtesy of NFL.com.
That just can’t happen. You can’t get beat inside on punt coverage. That’s Josh McCown-like high school stuff.
The block came with 3:20 left in the second quarter and set up the Rams’ second score, which put them ahead 10-7 at halftime.
And then there was the fourth-quarter Bucs field goal, with Tampa Bay leading 14-13. It was blocked, too. Luke Stocker failed on the line, getting beat inside like Wright. And the kick sure seemed low. Here’s the video evidence.
On the long list of things that caused the Bucs’ loss, put the special team gaffes pretty high up there. This Bucs team isn’t good enough to overcome those kinds of setbacks.
September 14th, 2014 at 10:37 pm
I blame Lovie Smith.
September 14th, 2014 at 10:43 pm
87- According to some Buc fanboys (Bonzai) special teams assignments are driven by instinct alone. Certainly not coaching!
What a disaster that was today. I almost forgot with the other aspects of this high speed slow motion train wreck that is my Bucs…
September 14th, 2014 at 10:44 pm
please no more bears’ coaches, players, or schemes (twin towers,ha)
September 14th, 2014 at 10:46 pm
Thank God that details oriented, big meanie, Greg Schiano isn’t around anymore.
Wasting time on special teams details is so 1998. Schiano was so silly – he focused on actually being the team that blocked the kicks and punts!
September 14th, 2014 at 10:50 pm
Are you seriously sticking up for Schiano NOW. Don’t even try to tell me you didnt want Schiano gone, like the rest of us. Nice flip flop though.
September 14th, 2014 at 10:52 pm
Andrew- instead of keeping track of others you should check yourself
September 14th, 2014 at 10:52 pm
Heinous special teams play contributed to the loss. Lovie preaches running the ball, takeaways and solid special teams. 1/3 won’t get it done.
How does this team have ZERO interceptions? C’mon now. Can someone get their hands on the football? Make a play.
September 14th, 2014 at 10:55 pm
Our defense SUCKS!!!!!!!!! #firelovie
September 14th, 2014 at 10:55 pm
Flip flop? You must not have been on here for long. Have always been a Schiano supporter and hated the Lovie signing from day one.
But, hey, Lovie and McCown are having such better results than Schiano and Glennon. Who am I to criticize?
September 14th, 2014 at 10:57 pm
@DallasBuc
Sure, We’ll do. Last I checked I’m still firmly behind Lovie Smith, and you’re still the buc hater you’ve always been. keep on keepin on jerk.
September 14th, 2014 at 10:57 pm
Schiano was gone because he rubbed the fans the wrong way and proved to be a bad coach on Sundays but what has Lovie showed that is any different.? Schiano was asked to win with players he inherited. Lovie is losing with players he picked. We got dupped again. What a sorry ass franchise!
September 14th, 2014 at 10:57 pm
Sum1 needs be fired
September 14th, 2014 at 11:01 pm
Lovie great press conference ! Yes the int, blocked punt, and blocked FG was a big reason we lost. Another big reason we lost is your conservative play calling! I think I can speak for % 75 of Buc fans. All we want is for this team to push the gas and try to win games , instead of playing conservative and not make mistakes to lose! When you have 3 timeouts left before the half try moving the ball upfield to get another score ( field goal ) that could end up winning the game ( WEEEE LOST BY 2)!. in other words get some ba**s then win or lose you will be respected !!!!!!
September 14th, 2014 at 11:02 pm
@ Lightingbuc
If you can honestly say that at no point in time did you want Schiano gone, then I apologize to you. Kinda hard to believe, but if you say so then I apologize for calling you a flip flopper.
September 14th, 2014 at 11:04 pm
I’ll give Schiano credit, he said we had to use stunts because our front four can’t get any pressure and so far he’s been right… Lovie’s turned them loose and we haven’t seen much of an improvement
September 14th, 2014 at 11:13 pm
Remember when Luke Stocker was being praised for his BLOCKING.
YEAH. can we cut him now??
Dominik traded up for this turd.
September 14th, 2014 at 11:30 pm
Andrew- your “hater” card is a crouton. It does not fly in light of facts, stats and ol’ win/loss record. Thanks for playing
September 14th, 2014 at 11:41 pm
Greg Schanio went 7-9 with a QB he hated. Than ran his pill popping A$$ out of town.
He then wins 4 games with a Rookie QB who set records for a Tampa Bay Rookie who had 19TDs to 9 Ints.
And he gets fired.
Lovie Smith Brings in his Guy. And we are going to go 0-9 before he makes the switch.
Fire Lovie.
September 14th, 2014 at 11:57 pm
@ DallasBuc
Yea, great comeback buddy. Do yourself a favor stop referencing me.
September 15th, 2014 at 1:05 am
Andrew- stop calling people that don’t agree with you a hater and I will stop highlighting your guilt in the matter
September 15th, 2014 at 1:44 am
not to mention releasing sure handed Eric page in favor of unproven rookie fumbler patton. Very lucky
September 15th, 2014 at 2:04 am
I.followed.this.camp.battle, wonder how many other players got pushed.out just for change. Gaitor.comes to mind. Some DB in NE. THE DEFENSE WAS GOOD NO NEED TO REINVENT THE WHEEL.
September 15th, 2014 at 3:17 am
I wonder who led the charge to run Shiano’s ass out of town? oh that’s right it was the afternoon dog. He took pride in it. How do you like your man Lovey and his Chicago team? The special team is not worth crap.
September 15th, 2014 at 6:06 am
The Bucs blocked FG was not a low kick. It was blocked 4 yards in front of the placement and already reached a height of hands over head. Thats plenty of height even for a short FG.
September 15th, 2014 at 10:23 am
I think we are going to upset the falcons guys saint are 0-2 12% chance they make it to playoffs too we lost another one posession game it’s going to click for our team sit back and relax enjoy this season
September 15th, 2014 at 12:07 pm
Lol, “sit back and relax”… Silver lining in this is I have Matt Ryan in a couple fantasy leagues. He may very well put up 600 yds Thursday. God I hope I’m wrong.
We got duped. I feel like those people who bought iPads at Wal-Mart only to find pads of paper inside…