Time For Defensive Wizards To Step Up
December 11th, 2014
Yeah, yeah, yeah, lots of Bucs fans want Tampa Bay to lose its final three games and get in position to draft an elite quarterback prospect.
But there is a game to be played Sunday, and Joe wants to see defensive wizards Lovie Smith and Leslie Frazier find a way to stop Panthers quarterback Derek Anderson, the fourth best QB in the NFC South.
Lovie can’t let Anderson carve him up twice in a season. That can’t happen. It just can’t. That’s not too much to ask.
Yes, Anderson make the Pro Bowl seven years ago, but that was seven years ago. He hasn’t been good since.
On opening day, Anderson carved up the Bucs, completing 70.6 percent of his passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Lovie and Frazier have a more seasoned defense now, one that’s improved but was ugly in Detroit. These two veteran coaches should be salivating at the thought of using their deep knowledge of Anderson to their advantage. The Panthers’ offensive line is far from special.
Joe sees Sunday as a big defensive coaching test. If the Bucs have made strides, they should be able to punish the league’s 19th-ranked offense with its backup quarterback under center.
December 11th, 2014 at 1:39 pm
Man you are funny today Joes. The defensive wizards have their team ranked 27th in points allowed per game.
December 11th, 2014 at 1:40 pm
Detroit was a defensive test…. didn’t work out too well even with their anemic rushing attack.
Carolina is going to establish the running game. Very early too.
December 11th, 2014 at 1:46 pm
Lose for Mariota.
December 11th, 2014 at 1:49 pm
I don’t write to defend Lovie I just read these comments and suggest that the the ones dig what’s going on to hush too because Lovie doesn’t need defending. How can anyone tell someone from Chicago that Lovie was terrible missing the playoffs more than he made it. People from Chicago know that his offense was dreadful and QB play cost him games at the end of most seasons, especially when Cutler came. He got “hurt” in the NFC championship game, then twice got hurt at the middle of a season when the bears had seven wins. Now that he is gone and the Bears stink they know who really was the problem. Cutler deserves all the flack he’s getting he got his coach fired because he didn’want to play for him and now that he has his coach he is still throwing 2 ints and a pick a game. Enjoy sucking for the next 5 years Bears, last time I write this. And for those who believe what these trolls are saying more power to ya.
December 11th, 2014 at 1:55 pm
Can’t wait to see MJ getting abused.
December 11th, 2014 at 2:01 pm
Joe,
I agree with the Lovie bashing! I spoke with the Big Poodle after Lovie was hired and made a little known fact clear only to be silenced by the poodle!
My record was better my first two years with ZERO NFL experience than Lovie’s first two years as a HC!
The Buc’s need to win games if they can….but McCown will be calling timeout on the first play of the second half or have 12 men on the field. the Bucs can build a team with the 5th pick in the draft if they have a GREAT coach. Lovie couild have the first five picks in the next draft and still would not be able to coach a winner!
HARBAUGH!! HARBAUGH!! HARBAUGH!! HARBAUGH!! HARBAUGH!!
Greg Schiano
December 11th, 2014 at 2:03 pm
Da Bears, boring. Derek Anderson, meet your worst nightmare, the distinct possibility of losing to the lowly Bucs. Lightning rarely strikes the same player twice, so Derek prepare to revert to the losing side in the game. That’s the encouragement to the Bucs D to get it done.
December 11th, 2014 at 2:31 pm
@Buccfan37
I’m with you….Buc Fans step up!!! Lets beat the stinking Panthers on their home turf and knock them out of the playoffs….have no mercy….worry about draft position afterwards!!! Let’s win!!!
December 11th, 2014 at 3:33 pm
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!
December 11th, 2014 at 4:22 pm
you can just look at some people and tell their a moron. frazier is one of those.
December 11th, 2014 at 5:12 pm
Leslie Frazier sure couldn’t find a way to stop the back up QB at tampa stadium in the 1ST meeting with Carolina. I doubt he will be able to find a way in the second meeting.
December 11th, 2014 at 5:14 pm
Joe your getting ahead of yourself. The defense looked better because like Mr Brooks said we were outmatched. Translation they had better players than us and while lovie had gotten his defense to play better he is playing with an average roster except a couple stars and a couple overachievers
December 11th, 2014 at 5:36 pm
Our defense has looked better because it is. They were left on the field way to long but they also have some responsibility in that. To many third and longs converted.
Still, it didn’t hurt Detroit to get an early INT when they should have gotten a defensive pass interference call on Evans. Right afterwards, the refs ignored a blatant holdings call on McCoy who got hooked when he was trying to get to Stafford.
The Bucs were still in the game until Lansanah got caught in no mans land on the TD pass to Furia. Playing out of position his didn’t help.
Refs looked determined to help Lions into the playoffs were they will lose the first game because they are paper tigers.
December 11th, 2014 at 7:45 pm
I think this game will be the most vital for Lovies future in Tampa. If We get beat by carolina and derek anderson again and there has been no progress from september to december I beleive the Glazers fire Lovie. There has to be improvement from week 1. And the Glazers are billionaires so Im sure they would fire Lovie and have 2-3 coaches under contract if we go backwards from week 1.