A Drive For The Ages
November 22nd, 2015
Tight end Luke Stocker (88) congratulates fellow TE Cameron Brate for his eight-yard TD catch that capped an impressive drive to suck the life out of the Eagles. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
A lot of Bucs fans grumble that the Bucs almost always defer the opening kickoff to the second half under Lovie Smith.
Joe likes it. If a team is leading, then it’s an opportunity to pad a lead.
The first coach Joe noticed that did this routinely was old man Bobby Bowden. His theory was his defense had a great chance to be leading at halftime, and getting the ball to start the second half was a good chance to blow the game open.
Well, the Bucs had the ball to start the second half today. Not sure if it was an opportunity to blow the game open (it was), or to demoralize the Eagles.
It was a beautiful drive in that it ate so much clock. It was a 19-play, 80-yard drive capped by Cameron Brate’s eight-yard touchdown catch from America’s Quarterback, Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, for a 35-14 lead.
For all intents and purposes, it broke the back of the Eagles. The Bucs chewed up nearly 10 minutes of clock, converted four third-down situations and overcame four offensive penalties.
Joe couldn’t believe his eyes. Bucs teams of the past would have folded with just one penalty, let alone four. It was impressive, but after the game, left guard Logan Mankins shook his head chuckling at how the Bucs’ overcame four penalties in a drive to score.
Mankins has been away from the Patriots for so long, he was getting used to the Bucs’ losing ways. It seems like those days may be past after today, and specifically after that drive.
The last time the Bucs had such a drive was their first possession of the second half in the Super Bowl back in January 2003.
On the Buccaneers Radio Network, Anthony Becht marveled at that drive, which he believed sealed the win and sucked the life out of the Eagles
“That’s how you get teams to quit,” Becht said. “Converting third down after third down after third down, it’s no mas!”
For Joe, that drive will be a drive to remember for quite some time.
November 22nd, 2015 at 6:11 pm
I don’t recall the drive but we chose to go for it on 4th down & one and made the first down. Lovie is starting to be rewarded for taking some chances….
November 22nd, 2015 at 6:11 pm
converted four third-down situations and overcame four offensive penalties.
Amazing for sure. Justs another chapter in the legend of #3!!!
Last week for the first time in a long time the Bucs figured out a way to win a game they could have very easily lost as #3 lead a great 4th Q comeback again completing critical 3rd down passes.
This week #3 adds to his legend as he teaches the Bucs yet another lesson.
When you have a team down you can never let up. You need to jump on them and choke them out. #3 choked out the Eagles with that drive.
November 22nd, 2015 at 6:12 pm
Joe, that game will be remembered for quite some time. After week one it looked like an impossible win. We went out and won each and every phase of this game. Also put the redskin game in the rear view mirror, i would say they have learned from it and it showed today.
November 22nd, 2015 at 6:13 pm
Perhaps that drive will allow us to forget that jonathan Stewart stiff arm on Ronde on a Monday in late 2008.
November 22nd, 2015 at 6:14 pm
The Bucs of yesteryear had a history of mounting drives like that, but they almost always ended in a FG or no points. The difference? We never had a QB like Jameis Winston. He has the same will as our only other franchise QB, Doug Williams, but more pure talent as a passer. We are going to love the next few years! Go Bucs!
November 22nd, 2015 at 6:18 pm
This is the best game we have played in years….
November 22nd, 2015 at 6:18 pm
The wife and I kept saying tick tick tick during that whole drive.
November 22nd, 2015 at 6:30 pm
I will admit I was one pushing for a trade down in the draft. I’m sold on JW. I saw things today, I haven’t seen in a long time. Great game in all phases! I was wrong about Winston.
November 22nd, 2015 at 6:44 pm
Probably since the win at Minnesota on a Thursday night in Schiano’s first year.
November 22nd, 2015 at 6:59 pm
BucfaninMi …it’s okay man. Many fans were. I know I did say before the season that by midseason every Buc fan on the planet will realize just how good this kid is and by th end of the season they’ll fall in love with him.
The thing is Winston hasn’t reached his ceiling yet. His ceiling his so much higher than this and I already expect 2 SB’s out of this kid when it’s all said and done.
November 22nd, 2015 at 7:15 pm
I, too, wanted to trade down because the Bucs needed so much help.
Who knew the Bucs could draft Winston AND 2 starting Olinemen AND a starting MLB?
Go Bucs!!!
November 22nd, 2015 at 7:17 pm
This post hit me….I’ve been a fan since ’78 and yes, we’ve never had such a QB not even Doug Williams fired me up as much!
Bucs Fan Since ’76 Says:
The Bucs of yesteryear had a history of mounting drives like that, but they almost always ended in a FG or no points. The difference? We never had a QB like Jameis Winston.
November 22nd, 2015 at 7:29 pm
Jameis Winston is a God.
November 22nd, 2015 at 7:33 pm
Their confidence was palpable…somehow everyone watching just KNEW those two penalties would be overcome. I thought ok first and 20…two plays and we’ll get a first down. Then very next play…first down. It HAD to have crushed the Eagles. Just watching this offense grow up with Koetter calling in awesome play after awesome play, and Jameis and Martin leading the charge just makes me giddy thinking about the future
November 22nd, 2015 at 8:25 pm
I knew something was up when Lovie and Licht hired Koetter after Mike Smith was canned. Being a Glennon fan (still am), plus his off-field college hi-jinks made me suspicious of famous Jameis. Now, I’m scratching my head. I have NEVER seen an offense like this in Tampa Bay. Final 6 games will be fun to watch. 8-8 for sure. Go Mighty Bucs!!
November 22nd, 2015 at 8:37 pm
Id like to apologize to joe I was wrong about Winston this team has a great future buc fan have so much to look forward too . when we get ajs back it will be yet another weapon
November 22nd, 2015 at 10:22 pm
I kept calling out the minutes being used on that drive. Was shocked and pleased when we entered the ninth minute! The TD was icing on the cake. Which btw made this my birthday an even more enjoyable day!
November 22nd, 2015 at 10:35 pm
5 TD’s is great, but controlling the ball with a 2 TD lead for 9+ minutes in the third quarter and then finishing it with a score is simply EPIC.
For Winston this was a type of pay back for the ROSE BOWL loss. He learned how to beat that offensive and now everyone else knows too.
BALL CONTROL
But it was also that OL. Playing with so much confidence. Even taunting Connor Barwin when he dropped a would-be interception…… The Bucs owned the Eagles on this day. This game will be remember for years to come. EPIC
November 22nd, 2015 at 10:48 pm
Joe you should put that complete drive as a video up here or on youtube. Anyone who recorded the game should out it up on YouTube for those of us who couldn’t see it.
November 22nd, 2015 at 11:02 pm
I think it was a 15 play drive not 19 ..?
November 23rd, 2015 at 12:54 am
This game was just as good as when we #BUCS shut down the Vet, just needed #54 saying he’s being robbed o the probowl.