Smells Like Lovie In Dallas
December 15th, 2016
Opportunity?
Remember the horrific 70 percent completion rate opposing quarterbacks averaged against the Bucs last year?
Well, this year’s Cowboys allow QBs to complete 69.7 percent of their passes.
Remember how turnover-obsessed Lovie couldn’t find his coveted takeaways last season? The Cowboys only have five interceptions all year — worst in the NFC.
Their defensive coordinator, Rod Marinelli, the former Bucs glory days defensive line coach, is right in the Lovie defensive mold.
Stats certainly don’t tell the story of the Cowboys defense this season. They’ve been bolstered by a smothering run defense and an offense eating up time of possession — and far more discipline than the Bucs’ showed under Lovie.
But the data reveals where an opportunity lies for America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, and friends on Sunday night in Dallas.
The Cowboys don’t have a special pass rush, and Jameis will have receivers open underneath. If Jameis can stay patient, and Dirk Koetter is willing to throw on first down more often, Joe thinks the Bucs’ offense could break out of its malaise.
Joe’s also looking to the pass-catching and “YAC” elusiveness of Charles Sims in this game. In his return from injury against the Saints, Sims appeared to have all his lightning quickness.
It probably makes no difference, but it’s also interesting that Jameis saw this defense in practice so often. That can’t hurt a 22-year-old quarterback who is still learning.
December 15th, 2016 at 12:19 pm
This game is looking more and more winnable. The pressure really I on our front seven to stop the run. I know that’s easier said than done, but it’s really the key to stopping dallas. When Elliot gets going then they just max protect and throw it deep to dez. If we can get them in third and long I’m confident we can confuse Dak enough to force him into some mistakes.
Offensively we’re due for a big game and this is just the defense for JW and ME to light up.
December 15th, 2016 at 12:20 pm
Oh boy.
We’ll see.
I won’t speculate on mostly anything anymore.
Like I keep saying. I can’t predict the outcome or how they’ll come out.
If you can. Then good for you. We still have the same old peeps in here saying the same shyte they’ve said for weeks leading up to a game. Week in and week out. “Kansas City ain’t no joke” or “I don’t know about going out to San Diego.” “Seattle… shoot Seattle!!!”
Predict the Dallas game for me….
December 15th, 2016 at 12:20 pm
Hopefully Jameis will be able to exploit this weakness like so many teams did against the Bucs last year.
December 15th, 2016 at 12:26 pm
I want to see dirk throw more on first down as well….he did vs the saints, the very first play to shep was a nice 15 yard gain….
sims will be the “X” factor….keep the defense honest with doug and use sims on screens, draws, wheel routes out of the back field and on check downs….
defense keep dak inside the pocket, don’t rush up field too much and wrap up…doug free can be beat with speed off the edge….ron leary will have trouble with the speed of GMC on the inside….ayers knows how to attack the oline….
BUCS WIN 20-10…..GO BUCS!!!!!
December 15th, 2016 at 12:27 pm
Cut em up
December 15th, 2016 at 12:32 pm
also, heavy play action….dallas has no one that can cover mike and brate….GO BUCS!!!!
December 15th, 2016 at 1:01 pm
How is Rudy’s coconut doin?
December 15th, 2016 at 1:07 pm
From the inside every dark cloud lies a silver lining.
Hard to lose both Doug and Sims at the same time. The silver lining. Both appear to have very fresh legs for this late in the season, especially Sims.
But I’ve noticed Martin making more of his patented jump cuts at the line and his hammy seems to finally be healing.
Martin and Sims at full speed give this offense a dynamic it hasn’t really enjoyed since last year. Remember Sims catch and run against the Dixie Chicks on opening day.
You toss in Quizz and we now have three backs that complement each other very well and all three catch the ball well out of the backfield. Between that ability and putting Sims out wide it really lessens the impact of our WR shortage right now.
#3 will have targets Sunday night! ME of course…but Brate has become solid if not spectacular. Sims provides some explosiveness as does Doug out of the backfield and Quizz gives us some shiftiness at the line of scrimmage.
We might have just hit on the tried and true NFL magic formula…get healthy right as you begin the post season push! Same thing is happening for our DL.
December 15th, 2016 at 1:10 pm
I guarantee they try and run it down our throats on their opening drive. If successful I see the Cowboys with 45 rushing attempts between Elliot, Morris and McFadden.
December 15th, 2016 at 1:31 pm
“..if Dirk Koetter is willing to throw on first down more often”
THIS.
We’ve been screaming for this the last several weeks. We need to utilize some quick, short / intermediate passes and screens to open up a bit for the run game which will in turn open up the deep passes more.
We won’t win if Koetter goes into ultra conservative mode, but we can definitely beat Dallas if we take some shots.
December 15th, 2016 at 1:54 pm
I expect Evans and Winston to have a big day. The thing that hurt the Bucs last year were the 2 interceptions and we still won. Dak is still a rookie and I expect that he will play like one on Sunday.
December 15th, 2016 at 2:31 pm
Jameis needs to be sharp, really accurate and make good decisions. Meaning if it’s 3rd and 7 don’t attempt a 50 yard bomb when Brate is open down the seem. Gotta be smart and keep drives alive and score TD’s
December 15th, 2016 at 2:40 pm
on 1st down you will see a lot of packages with 91 70 93 and 98 flipping for each other and 92. Smitty will find a way to 🔴 the run CAUSE HE HAS NO CHOICE . Once they establish the control of that its game over . I have no doubt that we will control this game the entire way. Our run game will be on display . All we here is there o-line . there running game . Well guess what our d line aint to shabby and our running backs aren’t 🐢 in a 🐰 body. We will SHOW UP AND SHOW OUT .
30-17 bucs
December 15th, 2016 at 3:56 pm
December 15th, 2016 at 3:18 pm
Lord C, that’s what I’m sayin’…cut em up.
Oh, and we only blitzed Brees once last week. We did him in with late shifts right before the snap and disguises. Pretty impressive. Dak don’t know whats comin’….
December 15th, 2016 at 10:24 pm
Jameis has seen this defense all last year in practice so he should be very comfortable back there, which is bad news for Dallas.
December 16th, 2016 at 7:40 am
Roberto wins it again just like last week. I know (walk-on) Cowboy Bailey is at 73% when over 50 yards, while Koetter has been reluctant to turn RA loose beyond 45, but this time it’ll be different. Unleash the Beast!!!
December 17th, 2016 at 5:08 pm
Famous Jameis playing the Cowboys last yr in Tampa makes a difference as well. Not much is gonna change in how Rod calls his defense & I know Koetter gonna have special plays built in w/ certain looks. I see the Bucs winning Sunday night! GO BUCS!