A Loss For The Ages
September 19th, 2014
“My teams never gave up 50 points.”
Man, 56 points. Think about it: 56 points! And your head coach is a defensive guru. Not even Greg Schiano and his weird defensive line stunts got torched for that much.
That’s just what happened last night when Lovie Smith’s defense gagged up 56 points to Matty Ice and the Dixie Chicks before the entire nation. In prime time, no less.
Joe grabbed the Bucs media guide and a cursory search shows that was the most points given up by a Bucs team since 1985, when the Leeman Bennett-led Bucs coughed up 62 points in a 62-28 loss at the Jets. (Joe actually attended that game)
Of course, the immortal Ray Perkins also had a team get rung up for 56 points, but the margin of victory was less, a 56-23 drubbing at Cincinnati in 1989.
And to think the Dixie Chicks fumbled the ball away on the Bucs two-yard line last night?
Joe doesn’t care if Warren Sapp, Simeon Rice and Hardy Nickerson were in their prime and hurt for the Bucs, to give up 56 points is unacceptable from a guy who preaches suffocating defenses.
That’s where the 2014 Bucs and Lovie are now. In the Bucs history books, and for the worst of reasons.
September 19th, 2014 at 11:11 am
ESPN just reported the Falcons just scored again….
September 19th, 2014 at 11:11 am
Sorrow goes out to everyone: not just between us fans, but to the media. Sorry you have to cover such an atrocity of a team for a living, Joe. No idea how you do it, it’s admirable.
September 19th, 2014 at 11:11 am
Time to hit reset. Forget it and start thinking about the pit game. I know it’s easier said than done but it needs to be done. Go bucs
September 19th, 2014 at 11:12 am
We are finding out that Lovie is not a good coach. Their defensive coordinator is worse. Bringing in McCown was a colossal misjudgement by Lovie. McCown may not see the field again this year….at least I hope Glennon does well enough that he doesn’t have to
September 19th, 2014 at 11:14 am
Not coincidence that Lovie, Frazier, and Tedford were all canned from their last gig.
September 19th, 2014 at 11:15 am
Beats working for a living.
September 19th, 2014 at 11:17 am
What game does anyone realistically see the bucs winning? Cleveland, Pittsburgh?
September 19th, 2014 at 11:20 am
We’ll probably catch a good team by surprise. Usually what we do. And for the record, rah got pummeled by the jags. Just saying
September 19th, 2014 at 11:21 am
Joe – You listed a few inactive Bucs for the game. Are you sure that was the full list?
September 19th, 2014 at 11:25 am
Magic…you know the history of our results against Pittsburgh? We usually have more difficulty with them than we do Atlanta….they are usually too physical for us. Of course, if we don’t hand the ball over to Pittsburgh as much as we did Atlanta, I wouldn’t expect more than a thirty point drubbing.
September 19th, 2014 at 11:25 am
Our defense sucks!!! Our offense sucks!!! Our coaches suck!!! I’m over it.
September 19th, 2014 at 11:26 am
It is what it is at this point. Bucs got smashed. They aren’t good or lack depth at important positions. Namely QB and the trenches. However I choose to look at the few bright spots. Our defense looks like they’re starting to get some of those turnover opportunities. (Lovie smith strips). Will Gholston looked like a competitor. Should be a solid piece for our dline depth. Danny Lansana showed similarly. (Would like to see him get more starters minutes). Liked what I saw from Evans. Limited opportunity with McClown staring down his recievers.
I just hope they go with Glennon from here on out. Might as well see what the kids got. (Although I’m pretty sure we already know). Bucs finish with a high pick. Could draft Mariota or a defensive stud (front seven) if Glennon proves to be something.
Keep your heads up boys. Sun will emerge from the clouds eventually. And it will be that much sweeter when it happens
September 19th, 2014 at 11:26 am
Was that 8 TD’s, I don’t remember that team connecting on a field goal. I’m going to stick with my Bucs beat Steelers prediction, but I don’t know how they will pull it off. I should have said the Bucs will lose to the Steelers by less than 42 points. That’s more realistic.
September 19th, 2014 at 11:27 am
They could maybe win against the Redskins if RG ME is back. Other than that I don’t any game on the schedule that they could win.
September 19th, 2014 at 11:27 am
Looks like we as fans will have to wait a few more years before we get a legit contender back again. Any coaches out there you guys like for when Lovie gets fired after 2015?
September 19th, 2014 at 11:31 am
The worst point loss was the 45-0 to Oakland in 1999, at the height of the best Bucs D, with Sapp, Lynch, Barber, Nickerson and Brooks on the field.
Just saying it happens to the best…and clearly from last night less than the best.
ESPN is reporting that Roger Goodell has suspended the entire falcons team for its assault on the Bucs last night.
September 19th, 2014 at 11:31 am
Raheem’s team quit on him in YEAR 3. Lovie’s team quit on him by GAME 3.
Shame.
September 19th, 2014 at 11:37 am
Joe
Now the Falcons only scored 56 points in less then three quarters with most of their first string partying on the sidelines, if they had stayed in, it would have been worse but most of the fans had left the stadium and it didn’t matter any more.
Now I do believe that some of the Bucs cared and I know that no TV network will ever have the Bucs on again until we win a SB, but just think of the Falcon’s owner looking at all the people that left and thinking of how much in concession business he lost, that is some serious money.
Will other owners try not to play us at their home because of this loss of money? Will any fans show up at any of our games because this was hard to watch except to wonder what would we do next.
I know the players were frustrated because of all the personal fouls called.
Having said all of the above we will now see what kind of person and coach that Lovie is because he will either make the correct tough decisions or not, but he has 10 days to do it in.
Joe you were there and got to see the entire field was it just me or did McCown only look at one receiver and then throw it to him? What else did you see good or bad?
September 19th, 2014 at 11:37 am
There is no question in my mind anymore when it comes to Lovie.
He’s not going to be the answer. He’s got the resume, the linkage to Dungy, and the whole 9 yards. But he’s not going to turn it around.
“Just give him more time.” Is the new mantra for his remaining supporters. It’s as if they can’t see the writing on the wall.
I too thought that by the end of the season that this team would be humming. Not anymore. No way. Not a chance.
September 19th, 2014 at 11:38 am
Joe, I started reading this site during Gruden’s last year in Tampa. Knowing that the Glazer’s have very little football IQ and bow to public pressure, it is not a stretch to surmise that this site contributed greatly to the firing of Gruden. At some point, you have bad-mouthed every coach we have had, since. Your past infatuation with Freeman and continuing defense of Dominick, just to name a few, are laughable. You are constantly being called out by fans that have long memories, yet your’s seems to be very short. It almost seems that you take to opposite position of 70% of the fans. I know it gets web views, but it’s dishonest and poor journalism. Glad you aren’t worried about the defense, BTW. I find this hypocritical. Own up to your mistakes.
September 19th, 2014 at 11:40 am
This team not physical enough for the NFL. Gerald McCoy can ask for whatever he wants now
September 19th, 2014 at 11:41 am
@Joe…I’m not looking for any trouble from you guys, but this guy does make a lot of sense.
Scotasaurus.
September 19th, 2014 at 11:44 am
The 42-0 before halftime debacle a few years ago was horrible but at least it was week 17. But week 3 this happens? If absolutely nothing else, going back to McCown will ensure even more quitting.
September 19th, 2014 at 11:45 am
The biggest concern. Lovie cleaned house. He picked HIS players, He picked HIS coaches, He picked HIS GM. These were most likely all conditions for him signing a contract with the Bucs. ALL of this falls on Lovie. There was no execution in the backfield, on the Oline, on the Dline, LB’s, secondary, or special Teams. The entire team stunk it up.
You can pin this on the missing OC or injuries. This is an epic failure that started when Lovie was given FULL control of this team. Lovie signed a 5 year deal and it’s going to take a huge feat to just win back the locker room. Fixing this is going to be difficult, because talking FAs to sign here in the offseason is going to be difficult,
September 19th, 2014 at 11:46 am
sorry “CAN”T” pin this on the OC or injuries
September 19th, 2014 at 11:47 am
Look! I think Lovie has Obama-itis. Has he come to the podium and took the blame for any of these losses yet?
No I’m serious. I have not listened to any of the pressers. Has he taken any blame at all?
September 19th, 2014 at 11:56 am
87- sounds more like Bush/Cheney-itis to me but probably best to keep the politics out of this site. It is the one mostly pure refuge to get away from that crap.
September 19th, 2014 at 11:56 am
I get to go to my first game this year, the vikings game, You guys will see me I will be the only fool there but you still wont know what i look like because I will be wearing a turtle neck shirt zip tied over my head..
September 19th, 2014 at 11:58 am
@lightningbuc- getting fired doesn’t mean anything. Lovie was fired after a season with a winning record. Dungy was fired from here and went on to win the SB. Bilichik was fired from Cleveland. That doesn’t mean anything to me. What matters is that there is no talent on this team. Mike Evans at 6’5 got out-jumped by a DB who nearly picked off a pass. Herron looks to be another Dexter Jackson (WR) who curls up in a ball and slides every time he catches a pass instead of using his speed to gain YAC. Barron bites at every misdirection or play-action, the back of Leonard Johnson’s jersey is in lots of camera shots of long receptions. It goes on and on.
September 19th, 2014 at 12:03 pm
Realistically looking at this the bucs are a good 4 years away from winning again because say they draft Bryce Petty (whoever) at QB, he may or may not play next year so that is a wash, he starts in year 2, maybe they win some but that puts us at 2017-2018 where we might be relevant again. Unless they go and get a qb now without , giving up a #1, who could that be? Eli maybe he is available? Michael Vick, Mark Sanchez? Matt Schaub or any other retread, maybe a trade for RG 3 is they accept say a mark barron and a #2….the future looks bleak
September 19th, 2014 at 12:05 pm
Could be a problem here, If you can stand it, watch the drop by evans, his eyes are closed before the ball hits his hands.. I think it was the play were it almost got picked..
September 19th, 2014 at 12:06 pm
news flash, GMC will and should test the market, do you not think a man of his caliber would not want to play for a winning program!! I feel mankins may retire, after this seasons beat down. mark barron could not cover a baby’s butt with a diaper, and probably get traded after this season. L&L will get the top pick in next years draft, but a QB will not be chosen. patience patience patience will be this years ,and next years mantra. this is a joke of an organization and should sell the team to a person in the bay area that has football only mentality,and want’s to make this club a winner. I say the next home game should be boycotted by ticket holders and buyers to send the glazers a message. we will not tolerate this B.S. any longer and demand a winning product. on and off the field!!!!!
September 19th, 2014 at 12:20 pm
Leslie blows. She really I mean he really sucks.
September 19th, 2014 at 12:28 pm
@Brent, I dont know about that, when he was with the vikings he put in freeman.. LOL..
September 19th, 2014 at 12:32 pm
Joe is NOT infatuated with Josh Freeman. That is Steve D.
Joe has called Freeman out many or days, sometimes several times in one day.
The one thing Joe does is write articles in many perspectives… primarily, I believe, to get the readers reaction so they will comment.
But Joe is pretty good about not picking favorites… except for Johnny Manziel of course.
I think he was fair with Raheem, Schiano and Lovie. All three coaches have had their team quit on them, so that falls on the coaches. When your team can’t stop another team in this game, or win, then the news of the day is to talk about those issues.
If the teams would simply win, or play competitive then it would be easy to report positive perspectives.
Joe is doing a good job.
The only two things I disagreed with him about was his Johnny Manziel tantrums and when he personally calls out players with hate like the top 20 worst Buc list of no names.
September 19th, 2014 at 12:55 pm
We need to clean house and make everyone available in my opinion… we can keep lavonte david.. thats all in my opinion…
September 19th, 2014 at 1:11 pm
That game was uglier than the uniforms.
September 19th, 2014 at 2:18 pm
UMMM WE’VE ALREADY ‘CLEANED HOUSE’. WE NEED TO GET THROUGH THIS SEASON.
We all held the sheets over our eyes expecting this miracle turn around in 1 season.
September 19th, 2014 at 2:23 pm
Again, uniforms wouldnt be an issue if we were winning.
on that note,
maybe we should finally wear the RED jerseys and maybe we’d win.
i mean come on… whites for the first THREE games straight?!
(i have a red lavonte david)
September 19th, 2014 at 2:30 pm
We are the worst football team in florida. behind the jags. behind the fins. behind plant highschool…
September 19th, 2014 at 3:02 pm
Technically the defense only gave up 49 points.you can’t put the pick 6 on the defense…it doesn’t make it much better but the D can’t be punished for fluck mc cowns fuck up…besides the offense turn the ball over in our territory all fucking night.
September 19th, 2014 at 3:04 pm
The d only gave up 49….the offense gave up a pic 6
September 19th, 2014 at 3:44 pm
GMC won’t be able to test the market, Bucs will simply franchise him. Now he can be traded at that point and if they can get a massive haul for him they’ll have to seriously consider it.
September 19th, 2014 at 10:49 pm
The uniforms look like what a college football team would wear. They play like one too.
September 19th, 2014 at 11:09 pm
The Bucs pooped all over themselves and not even Bucco Bruce could shake the stench
September 20th, 2014 at 6:45 am
The 99 Bucs got rung up 45-0 out in Oakland with Dungy at the helm. Sometimes it’s just a perfect storm. If I remember correctly, the Bucs didn’t lose again that season until the NFC Championship game. Perhaps this is a wake up call to everybody?