Sacks, Sacks And More Sacks
August 27th, 2016
No matter when it is or how it comes, an eight-sack game is extraordinarily impressive.
And go figure, the Bucs’ most productive edge rusher over the past two seasons led the way Friday night against the bumbling Browns.
Jacquies Smith had two sacks of the eight, plus a great hustle play on an Robert Griffin, III, fumble that won’t show up in the stat sheet.
Smith has 13 1/2 sacks in 18 regular-season starts since general manager Jason Licht plucked him off the street in September 2014. That’s consistency not seen off the edge in these parts since Michael Bennett was allowed to walk out the door for no good reason.
Tonight’s two sacks from Smith weren’t special, but they were pure hustle, forcing scrambling RGIII to give up before he crossed the line of scrimmage. Smith, 26, is finally healthy after various ailments last year and offseason shoulder surgery.
Joe believes Smith is a huge key to this season for the Bucs, because he has a knack for breathing on quarterbacks. That’s not an accident.
Also in the sack party tonight were the following men in pewter:
Kwon Alexander
Noah Spence
Howard Jones
Gerald McCoy
Robert Ayers
Kourtnei Brown
Will Gholston
McCoy officially shared a sack with Ayers, but in reality it was all McCoy. Joe recommends checking out the replay a few times. McCoy train-wrecks through two offensive linemen and torpedoes RGIII squarely. The QB went down like an empty beer can.
Yes, the Browns have a garbage offensive line in total, but many teams do. It’s a weakness across the NFL. If the Bucs can keep this up, then it will be a hell of a ride this year.
And no, it’s no coincidence McCoy returned to the lineup tonight and the pass rush revived.
August 27th, 2016 at 12:59 am
Loved it. Starters with 4 sacks in the first half. I dont know how many D-linman they keep but I’d like to see Kortnei Brown be on the 53
August 27th, 2016 at 1:15 am
I’m all for Kourtnei Brown staying with us!! When he needs to pull a big play, he does. TEAM KB!!!!
August 27th, 2016 at 1:17 am
I’m sure the typical GMC bashers will find something to complain about Joe.
August 27th, 2016 at 1:23 am
I posted it in the last thread but just to reiterate:
I don’t think the importance of McCoy can be stated enough. Week 1 our pass rush looked dominant. Last week, with McCoy out, it looked invisible. And now, with him back, suddenly it looks dominant again.
I don’t think that’s a coincidence.
August 27th, 2016 at 1:29 am
I think you hit the nail on the head Joe. When McCoy plays our D line can be dominant. I don’t know why so many bucs fan bash the guy, while if you ask any player around the league or national reporter, they all know he is a great player. Sure he is not Warren Sapp, but who is? You could even start to argue that he is playing better than Suh at this point of his career.
August 27th, 2016 at 1:43 am
Always knew McCoy was good. But the past few games, when we actually have talent on the edge, just shows how good and how much of an impact he can have.
Bucs. Bucs Fans. Joes… Tonight I had plenty of beers. And for once it wasn’t to wash away the sorry or to blackout the terrible play. But as a toast to all of us. The sufferers and the patient. This year, next year and the years after. This our time.
August 27th, 2016 at 4:00 am
Maybe Ol’ Softie 93 is tired of all of us naysayers.
Maybe we deserve the credit for lighting the fire.
Keep it up GMC……….until your next injury.
August 27th, 2016 at 4:48 am
There was NOTHING more gratifying then that hit on RG111 lol
August 27th, 2016 at 6:09 am
I LOVED IT! Drink uP Brothas! D Line pass rush is back! Keep playing hard! And Smith, your payday is coming! LOVE his story!
August 27th, 2016 at 6:19 am
Impressive … 8 sacks spread among 8 players, and all of them DLinemen except for Kwon. Starting defense looked dominant in the 1st half especially, with the DLine putting great pressure on the QB almost every play. Seemed like several of the sacks were coverage sacks, and that really bodes well for our improving secondary.
August 27th, 2016 at 7:57 am
I don’t post here much. I’m a daily reader though. When I do post I usually say the same thing…you won’t see how good GMC can/will be until there’s a good DE on the field beside him. If Ayers/Spence/Smith can continue to play like this. GMC will dominate this year. Go Bucs!!
August 27th, 2016 at 9:10 am
Yeah, GMC can thank all the “intelligent” commenters on JBF for his strong play thus far.
August 27th, 2016 at 9:17 am
ForgotAboutDre Says:
August 27th, 2016 at 12:39 am
I don’t think the importance of McCoy can be stated enough. Week 1 our pass rush looked dominant. Last week, with McCoy out, it looked invisible. And now, with him back, suddenly it looks dominant again.
I don’t think that’s a coincidence.
………………..
GMC has had 26.5 sacks in the last three years. That is the most of ANY DT in the league since 2013. And he has done this WithOUT a good edge rush. Imagine if we actually have one now.
August 27th, 2016 at 9:32 am
Just listened to Koetters press conference talking about GMC and how he was the center of their game planning when he was at ATL. Koetter breaks into a restrained happy laugh and goes on to say GMC is underrated and a excellent football player. Add in what 3 or 4 probowls and some great stats for his position and it seems those who bash on GMC all the time are really looking kind of silly.
August 27th, 2016 at 9:57 am
Not only did he have a good game but he didn’t even pick up a single Browns player off the ground yesterday. Holly mother of pearls. Robert Ayers must be rubbing off on him.
I thought maybe he picked up McCown after mcclown ran the qb sneak on 4&1 right over gmc for the first down but I was wrong he did not pick him up only gave up the first down.
Now if we could only work on keeping an eye on the ball (since it’s right in front of you) as to not jump offsides, that would be great.
Hahaha all jokes aside that was a dominate half of football played by the Dline.
#JayHayesUtheRealMVP
August 27th, 2016 at 10:13 am
Buc1987 was very pleased with the pass rush and some of the secondary. Still say Grimes is too small but oh well he did it this long so he must be doing something right.
August 27th, 2016 at 10:38 am
A losing team has to have someone for fans to release their brunt of discontent onto.
August 27th, 2016 at 10:40 am
I’m concerned with this defense’s ability to stop the run. They are good at rushing the passer, average to above average in the secondary, but have a lot of work to do stoping the run. Hopefully they get this part of the defense clicking by opening day.
August 27th, 2016 at 11:39 am
^^ yes that was my concern too. Run defense seems a bit shaky. Of course we don’t know how much game planning was done either.
Dooshlarue, you get credit for nothing…. Except, well… Being a douche
August 27th, 2016 at 1:04 pm
I thought the special teams were not rushing the soft punter hard enough. Maybe they were just playing prevent punt returns. The Adam return was obviously refreshing though.
August 27th, 2016 at 9:46 pm
Have to say that the Bucs look so much better than they did a year ago under Lovie. Lovie got 6 wins (should have been 8 or so if he half a brain) so I am confident this team can compete for a wild card spot though wining the division might be a reach… just beat the ATL to open the season and that ought to get a lot more fans on the bandwagon!
August 28th, 2016 at 12:32 am
So for all you clowns who keep downing McCoy even though he’s respected across the league give it arest. He has proven how important he is to this line.
Hey Joe….”Michael Bennett was allowed to walk out the door for no good reason.” That’s a serious grudge you be holding my friend. Like last years fruit cake! 😂
August 28th, 2016 at 8:45 am
@vegabuc
I’m not to worried about our run defense, they will be fine. I like my chances with Gholston, A.Spence. G Mac and Ayers out there. 3 of the 4 have been very reliable against the run so I don’t think it’s gonna change all of a sudden.