“Frustrating” Penalties
December 4th, 2015
Twelve penalties helped sink the Bucs in Indianapolis.
By Joe’s quick count, penalties were responsible for eight lost points (field goals on potential touchdown drives that were stunted by penalties).
Yesterday, Bucs coach Lovie Smith talked about the team’s return to stupid penalties after almost turning the corner.
“The frustrating part is the fact that they are pre-snap penalties,” Lovie said. “We talk about how important it is for us not to give a team first-and-10, first-and-5, and third-and-5 becomes a first down. To see it happen again on Sunday, after going two ball games where we had one penalty per game on defense the last couple weeks prior to the Indy game, was a little bit frustrating.
“Hopefully we can get past that. We don’t need to do anything to give [an opponent] second-and-shorts or third-and-shorts as a defense. It’s something we’re talking about. We’re trying to handle, and hopefully it will show up this coming Sunday.”
This crap has to come to an end now!
Joe doesn’t see any blowout games for the Bucs the rest of the way. If this team wants to make a playoff run, then it has to keep its collective head out of its rear end.
Penalties in close games are suicidal. Generally, dumb teams don’t make the playoffs, and most penalties are as a result of not using your head.
December 4th, 2015 at 9:08 am
But, That’s “Buc football”!!!
December 4th, 2015 at 9:15 am
Joe doesn’t see any blowout games for the Bucs the rest of the way.
Indeed!!! Blowout games are the exception not common in the NFL and we are still talking about the Bucs. We’re a very young team with a ways to go..promising..getting better…but blowouts…not unless we find a team that quits like those dogs in Philly.
As for penalties a few thoughts. First I know it sounds like homerism to whine about officiating. But it has been suspect throughout the league and the zebras had an awful day in Indy. Many of those penalities should have simply been no calls.
Having said that though teams get reps and we have established a solid rep as an undisciplined heavily penalized team!! It is what it is and the refs are just aware of this as we and the rest of league are. It’s going to take awhile to break that perception and begin to get a better shake from the officials.
December 4th, 2015 at 9:21 am
I’ve said for the last 4 years that penalties or lack of can make or break a franchise. Look at the New England Patriots. Probably the least penalized team in the last decade. Its doesn’t matter if they have rookies or veterans. They never get called for penalties at crucial times. All penalties are subjective calls. Its just a matter if the ref chooses to pull the flag or not. Does anybody in the right mind think that teams like the Pats are just some how better than everybody else for 5-8 years. The NFL has turned into pro wresting in my opinion. It looks shady as sh*t 90% of the time when I watch it.
How many bullsh&t offensive interference calls have Buc fans seen against Mike Evans this season? Those type of calls kill drives and momentum. The Bucs gets those type of calls against them all day long. Every good punt return the Bucs get I wait for the flag to come out and you know what, it always does.
December 4th, 2015 at 9:26 am
Seahawks are typically one of the most penalized teams esp pre-snap
There was some story about how it relates to their aggressive style of play or something
December 4th, 2015 at 9:30 am
@ Lord Cornelius
Depends what down the majority of those penalties come on. For instance of your constantly penalized on 3rd and long you’re going to struggle to do anything on offense.
December 4th, 2015 at 9:33 am
BTW It’s not just the Bucs…NFL officiating is simply not up to par with the rest of the game.
I like what some pundits on Sirius suggested. No more part time refs! Used to be a nice “human interest” story when the announcers would say..here’s Ed Hocholi an attorney when he’s not calling the games.
Hochili interviewed by John Clayton talked about how time consuming his job was during the season…15 hours of viewing tape…travel and the games. TOUGH DARTS.
Hochili and all the officials should be full time! They should be working year round. They should be paid some big bucks and treated with the importance they deserve. Next to the players and coaches they have the most effect on any game and it’s quality.
December 4th, 2015 at 9:58 am
Whether its full time or part time refs, It still does not excuse the Bucs as being the worst in the league!!!! It would be interesting to know in the last 10 years how the last place finishing teams did with penalties the year after. Is there a stigma for being horrible the year before?? or are the Buc just a sloppy team with a coach that the sheep (lovie loyalist) keep trying to say is very good????
December 4th, 2015 at 10:13 am
I’ve often wondered how the other team plays into the penalties equation. Mike Evans getting flagged for offensive interference a number of times this season (and last season) is a good example. Are the CBs and Safeties baiting him? Given Mike’s tendencies to push off a little at times (yes, he does that), wouldn’t be that hard for an experienced CB to make it look (to the officials) a lot more significant that it really is.
Same thing with some of the calls for unsportsmanlike conduct. The one who throws the last punch usually draws the flag. Not that hard I’d bet for some of these experienced players on one side to bait inexperienced players on the other. Bucs penalties situation will improve I’m convinced as our younger guys gain more gametime experience.
December 4th, 2015 at 10:17 am
More than half of these refs looks older than 60.
December 4th, 2015 at 10:37 am
@The Buc Realist
The only sheep here is you and all the other “non-sensical radicals” that think Lovie is a “bad” coach! No one here is trying to compare Lovie to the likes of Bill Belicheck(then again it’s hard to compare any current coach to Bill Belicheck)!!
The Bucs are going to win the next two games and you will disappear like a lil B!TCH until our next loss..
December 4th, 2015 at 10:48 am
@OneLove
Agree basically with your post except that I have actually compared Lovie’s situation to Belichick’s.
People forget Belichick’s record. He was a LOSING coach before he lucked into Tom Brady in the sixth round with a supplemental draft pick.
Listen I’m not going to be like the Lovie haters, even though I detest Belicheat…he’s obviously a good coach. But he did not win..other than as Parcells very successful DC for those Super Bowl runs.
But Belichick is no different than many successful coaches. They ride the back of a HOF QB!
This is why I call Don Shula the greatest NFL coach ever. He did it with various QB’s…Unitas and Marino HOFers…and also with some journeyman like Earl Morrall.
Lovie has had a good…not great career up until now….I think Realist’s greatest fear is that #3 is going to make Lovie a great coach just like Brady did for Belichick.
December 4th, 2015 at 11:48 am
If they have not solved it with all their collective brains by this time of the year it will not get done. Good luck trying to solve it next year.
December 4th, 2015 at 11:52 am
When you watch the Bucs and see how often Lovie is prone to making rookie coaching mistakes, its not surprising his team follows his lead. After all, how many times have we heard a team takes on the identity of its coach?….
December 4th, 2015 at 3:19 pm
IMO the reduction of penalties starts with the veterans. If a teams veterans are making penalties you know the other players concern will be much less. GMC, Logan Mankins, Gosder Cherilus, LVD, Vincent Jackson and Chris Conte. These players should be stepping up and not only not committing penalties but reminding the other players in the huddle to not lose focus on penalties. Stephen White commented on how the line he played on didn’t have a lot of off sides penalties. White said because it was important to us. We did “get off” drills every single day and it wasnt a bu!!shit period. It was to force you to wire in and watch the ball. The neutral zone infractions, 12 men on the field and false starts should not happen. Do the players care? Then show it.
December 4th, 2015 at 8:33 pm
“Generally, dumb teams don’t make the playoffs”
Last year the Seahawks, Pats and Colts were the top 3 penalized teams – ALL made the playoffs and 2 were in the Super Bowl – so much for that theory Joseph.
MTM Says:
“The NFL has turned into pro wresting in my opinion. It looks shady as sh*t 90% of the time when I watch it.”
Sad but true… And the Bucs get the short end of the stick from the Refs 90% of the time as well.