Finding A Way To Win
December 11th, 2016
Clutch.
It wasn’t pretty and in fact it was ugly.
If a wiseguy in Nevada told you America’s Quarterback would have his first NFL game without a touchdown pass or run, you would have thought it was a lock that he and the Bucs would lose.
Nope. It’s not because the offense found a way to win, the Bucs had but one field goal in the second half. But it was the special teams and the defense that picked up the slack.
And nobody was happier than Bucs coach Dirk Koetter and Jameis after the game.
“Very proud of our guys for finding a way,” Koetter said. “Who says they don’t play defense in Tampa Bay? They do! “
Exactly. This is a new Bucs team but Koetter stopped just short of saying the culture has changed. More on that later. But this is a different Bucs club.
For years, we have watched the Bucs find ways to lose and they sure as hell never disappointed. Week after friggin’ week the Bucs would do something stupid like commit dumb penalties at the worst times, turn the ball over, drop passes, you name it, the Bucs would figure out a way to lose.
Now, the Bucs are finding ways to win. How about the punt coverage team helping pin the Saints twice in the fourth quarter deep in their real estate?
It’s what Bucs players call complementary football. If one unit is struggling, it’s time for the others to step up and get the job done. That’s what happened tonight.
“I know I didn’t get a touchdown but I love wins, I will tell you that right now!” Jameis said. “As long as we have a win. [Personal] touchdowns don’t mean much unless it is a touchdown to win a game. Thank God for our defense, I keep saying that all the time.”
December 11th, 2016 at 8:58 pm
Hard to argue with the results – but please for the love of God, please stop running the ball up the middle on every first down. Please. At some point Dirk is going to have to let Jameis play and do more than set on a 3 point lead like it’s 2002. But hey, right now the defense is playing incredible, it’s truly stunning how well they’re playing considering the complete lack of talent at corner (mins VH3) and safety. But huge huge win – so basically it will all come down to next week versus Dallas – everyone else won so the Bucs have to keep winning as well or they’re out.
December 11th, 2016 at 9:03 pm
Thats exactly it. The offense is hurting. Our WR corps is depleted. We can’t risk having winston throw unnessessarily to players he is not comfortable with. Dirk called an excellent game. Sure it wasnt perfect. But he got his team another win. Great job coach!
December 11th, 2016 at 9:05 pm
Need this offense to improve drastically over the few weeks
December 11th, 2016 at 9:05 pm
Grimes lacks talent? Lol, that’s a good joke.
December 11th, 2016 at 9:10 pm
Some guys just like to complain. Rod why don’t you look at our depth chart for today’s recievers. Dude they have a bunch of practice squad guys and Evans. He can’t just completely air it out right now.
December 11th, 2016 at 9:57 pm
You know what I’m sick of hearing? Keith Tandy isn’t a starting quality safety. Maybe he wasn’t, but the kid plays smart, technically sound, and he trusts his reads. The last two weeks he had sealed games, maybe it’s time to think about him as our best safety.
December 11th, 2016 at 10:14 pm
Bucnut2, Mariota: 6-20, 88 yards! lol
December 11th, 2016 at 10:36 pm
How wonderful this season has been!
How wonderful to share the joy and optimism!
Bucs fans – BE THE STICK!
December 11th, 2016 at 10:39 pm
Pete…I’ll be at the Panthers game carrying a big damn mouth.
December 12th, 2016 at 8:29 am
@Rod, how about the first play of the game. I dont remember such an aggressive man playcall for the first play of the game in a long time