Takeaways, Not Turnovers
November 23rd, 2014
Gerald McCoy gets around a block on his way to blast bratty Bears QB Jay Cutler. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com)
As he usually does, defensive tackle and team leader Gerald McCoy spoke about the game, after the game.
Many today will blame Bucs turnovers for ruining what looked to be a promising day, up 10-0 on the road at halftime, only to toss their cookies all over their shoes in the second half for a 21-13 nut-kick of a loss to the Bears at rainy, chilly Soldier Field.
No, GMC said, it was not turnovers that cost the Bucs the game. No, it was lack of takeaways from the Bucs defense that cost the team a win, GMC said.
“Nah, it was not enough takeaways on our end, that was the problem,” GMC said. “We didn’t take the ball away enough. What, we had one? One? Yeah, that ain’t gonna win it. We have to do more than that. Oh yeah, we have to score on defense. Something.
“Who cares where you get the ball? Or where they get the ball? The great defenses are made by getting stops in the red zone and forcing them to kick field goals. We didn’t do that, so we have to be better with taking the ball way.”
Joe really cannot argue. The Bucs did have the Bears offense at third down on the Bucs-2 but a misplay on defense enabled a Bears touchdown. If the Bucs hold there, it is a 17-13 game.
Sure, it was still a one-score game, a touchdown was still needed. But that touchdown would have been a game-winner.
The Bucs offense coughing up the ball does not or should not mean that it is an automatic six points for the opponent.
November 23rd, 2014 at 7:10 pm
This loss is all on McLown!
November 23rd, 2014 at 7:18 pm
At this point, I will truly be pissed off if we win another game this season. “Go Everbody We Play Against!” Suck for the Duck!
November 23rd, 2014 at 7:18 pm
The defense is the last thing we should be blaming this loss on. Check the defensive stats and Chicago’s offensive stats. Chicago was pretty much shut down except for the fact they got 2 gift wrapped turnovers courtesy of McClown. Our defense was missing LVD. The offense has no excuse. Everyone is healthy…
QB is awful
O-line can’t block
RB’s get tackled by blades of grass.
OC sucks
Lovie’s time management and use of time-outs is laughable.
November 23rd, 2014 at 7:20 pm
Look on the bright side Gerald. Coach says the team is getting better. The record does not show it but it does not matter. You are still only two games from first place. Glazers- stay the course. In Lovie we trust.
November 23rd, 2014 at 7:21 pm
The defense played well today believe it or not. Only got harder for them when there back was against the wall for the better half ofthe 2nd half. Our special team sure does suck!
November 23rd, 2014 at 7:25 pm
Wow! The value of the $ sure has decreased a lot now days. So this is what $100 million buys you now days? Dam! What a rip off. Not worth the money.
November 23rd, 2014 at 7:27 pm
I like the team that Lovie is building up there but that o-line is just terrible and the QB is worst than cutler and I never thought I’d say that. But I think I’m going to enjoy being a Bucs fan and the Bucs missed so many interceptions, ah well
November 23rd, 2014 at 7:28 pm
Come on Ray, after all Gerald is the face of our franchise. He represents the organization from the Glazers all the way down.
November 23rd, 2014 at 7:41 pm
You’ll have to keep you’ll eyes on the prize. We should be able to snag Jameis now. Even if we don’t finish with the number 1 overall pick no one is going to trade up for him with his character concerns so he should be ours. Again for the mathematically challenge Atlanta came in 2 games ahead of us and 4-0 in the division. That means they were a full 3 games ahead of us.
November 23rd, 2014 at 7:43 pm
I don’t promote losing but as a fan if u put me through a season like this I better get a high draft pick in return. Draft 5 from FSU
November 23rd, 2014 at 7:47 pm
iamkingsu, Lovie said it was two games therefore in Lovie we trust.
November 23rd, 2014 at 8:35 pm
Harkens back to Buc ball of old……..Defense knows that it’s on them to win the game, hence the not enough take aways comment………GMC and the boys know that they have an impotent offense incapable of winning a game.
November 23rd, 2014 at 9:37 pm
@Ray Rice,
McCoy has 4.5 sacks in the last 4 games. The defense was lights out today, and if you watch the last series, McCoy was in the backfield on every play, which led to the 3 & out. He forced a turnover which led to our only TD of the game. How exactly did he not play good? You are so completely biased against McCoy that no matter what, you’ll be criticizing him. Your bias makes you look completely stupid when it comes to football. Sad part is, take away your bias and I think you’re a pretty smart guy.
November 23rd, 2014 at 9:40 pm
Lovie’s hand picked offensive line,and coordinator are offensive!
November 23rd, 2014 at 11:21 pm
@ Hawaiian
I’m not saying he isn’t good. He’s just not $100 million good. 1 game changing play in the 1st quarter over a 60 min game isn’t enough. He’s our highest paid player for a reason. Need more production from him. He said it himself. They need to get stops and turnovers no matter where the offense starts from. Just because we turn it over on our side of the field doesn’t necessarily mean it should be a TD. Sure you can say Johnson sux and no one helped him and he got double and triple teamed. But the truly great players find a way no matter what when their backs are against the wall. No bias here. I just call it how I see it.
November 24th, 2014 at 1:46 am
With the Head Coach blind or brain dead, our QB from the second quarter on was abysmal. Every play was snapped with less than 5 seconds remaining on the play clock, most of the time the QB didn’t see the open receiver nor was he aware of how long he held the ball, the OL on runs was beyond bad with the caveat that the OC or who ever was calling the plays had every run up the middle with on play action at all. The punt/kickoff returner is a joke and the punter is just plain bad.
How can you expect the defense to stop them when they are given the ball within our 15 yard line.
No adjustments at halftime expect for the QB to turn the ball over or throw so non of his receiver could catch it most of the time.
November 24th, 2014 at 1:10 pm
To the football Gods above,please send that Seminole to the Bay. Please send that Seminole to the Bay.