Thankfully, Just Preseason
August 11th, 2016
Bucs DE Robert Ayers puts Eagles quarterback Chase Daniel on the turf. Defensive coordinator Mike Smith weighed with some postgame disgust. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com)
How well did the defense of the Bucs play? They pitched a shutout!
Well, sort of.
The Eagles won the first preseason game of the year 17-9. Every one of the first half points the Eagles scored came off turnovers. It’s against the Bucs defense with players likely to make the final 53-man roster Joe is worried about.
There was Kenny Bell’s fumble on the opening kickoff. Ugh!
There was the strip of America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. Geez.
Other than those two gaffes, which gave the Eagles short fields, the defense pitched a shutout. Mike Smith, though, agonized to Joe in the locker room after the game. He was unhappy about touchdowns instead of field goals on those early Eagles’ scores.
But harassing the quarterback, linebackers drilling opponents, secondary with taut coverage. Man, is this really the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Lavonte David discussed how the defense played aggressively.
“It means a lot,” David said at halftime. “Just the way we practice, we take pride in it. Even though we were in not such a great field position in the beginning, we as a defense have to bow up and play football. But after we settled in, it got better with guys flying around, so that’s a positive.”
As far as the turnovers, well, unless Bell completely and totally blows up in the next three weeks — and there is zero tangible evidence to suggest that could happen — that kickoff fumble will be taken care of.
As far as Jameis’ fumble, well, he should know better.
Thankfully, it is preseason.
August 11th, 2016 at 11:04 pm
Keep in mind that we had 5 turnovers and the last was to give us a shot at tying the game at the end…..It’s hard to say you played well while losing….but we did.
Our special teams weren’t so special tonight…..
August 11th, 2016 at 11:08 pm
We also turned the ball over.
August 11th, 2016 at 11:09 pm
Exactly it’s only pre-season and Mike Johnson will see the light eventually.
August 11th, 2016 at 11:10 pm
James didn’t fumble, the ball was stripped. He has to protect the ball but the tackle has to take some blame as well. Fixable.
August 11th, 2016 at 11:15 pm
Happy to see my incessant b*$@#ing has inspired a paragraph from Joe. It’s truly am honor. Bell Brigade is officially on the ready if you need us, Joe.
August 11th, 2016 at 11:21 pm
That’s a good one about MJ 87!
August 11th, 2016 at 11:46 pm
Yeah, would have been nice to see the defense force a FG on at least one of those redzone possessions. We were terrible on defense in the redzone last season, would have been nice to see that immediate improvement there. But it’s only preseason, and we saw plenty of good things from the defense that they will get a pass for this one. Tighten the screws on that redzone defense, Mike Smith, not acceptable from here on out!
August 11th, 2016 at 11:59 pm
I not to worried about the redzone D. one of our best runstoppers gholston was not playing.
August 12th, 2016 at 12:19 am
Yeper..its only preseason. Hey..I like that..rationalzation. Then during the regular season you’ll be sayin, its only..one loss. Lets move on!
All of this he/she/it/they played great is just jim dandy. Its still a loss. Winning is all that matters. But hey..its only preseason right? Welcome to head coaching Dr. Koetter. Grab some wood..You got a lot more comin!
August 12th, 2016 at 2:04 am
Dude mj please remove your tampon. Jeez.
August 12th, 2016 at 7:51 am
I swear, we’ve seen this headline annually since 2011.
I swear the rest of the regular season worked out the same as preseason since 2011
August 12th, 2016 at 8:51 am
“It’s against the Bucs defense with players likely to make the final 53-man roster Joe is worried about.”
Meanwhile there were a few fans out there thinking those early scores weren’t against the starters.
August 12th, 2016 at 8:59 am
There’s a lot to be optimistic about. Granted, on both teams weren’t doing anything complex but what I was impressed with was the defensive line. When both teams aren’t game planning what I am looking for is who is winning their battles. Our defensive line players were winning their battles. Akeem Spence and Noah Spence were pleasant surprises. Clinton McDonald, GMC, and Robert Ayers were very good.
Speaking of which, no Bucs fan should disregard what a tremendous loss it was losing Clinton McDonald last year to injury. It cannot be overstated enough that losing Kwon Alexander for four games and losing Clinton McDonald for the season was significant. I suspect GMC is going to have a great year now that he has McDonald back and upgrades at the DE position.
August 12th, 2016 at 9:23 am
On the positive end of things…
Is it just me or do you all think Noah Spence may have had 3-4 sacks had the Philly LT not been holding on for dear life?
Agree or disagree that Russell Shepard MAY be a viable option as a #3 WR?
August 12th, 2016 at 9:53 am
I know it’s preseason but the refs had to be from Pennsylvania. We Wuz Robbed quite a few times last night. Here’s to hoping that isn’t a trend this season.
August 12th, 2016 at 11:17 am
I agree with Mike Smith. I am happy from what I saw of the defense. But the 2 red zone confrontations it was way too easy for the eagles to score both times. Something to work on