“I’m Done Trying To Guess”
September 15th, 2017
Not going to worry about rust.
When the Bucs offense takes the field Sunday afternoon at the Den of Depression, it will be the first time in 22 days that the offense will have played in a game condition.
That’s not ideal. Of course, what has been ideal thus far for the Bucs since the NFL season began?
Last weekend, former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Phil Simms pointed a finger at Steelers coach Mike Tomlin on CBS Sports’ “NFL Today” for not playing his first team offense enough in preseason, which Simms was convinced led to the Steelers playing out-of-sync offense against the Browns.
Could the same thing happen to the Bucs Sunday?
Joe posed this question about rust to Bucs offensive coordinator Todd Monken yesterday. Monken sort of threw his hands up in the air and told Joe we all would know if rust is a factor or not when the game is played Sunday.
“Well, that’s always a concern,” Monken said. “Your timing is critical to being able to throw the ball efficiently. I’ve been through this before where you go weeks – whether it’s the NFL or college – where you don’t have an indoor facility, you end up walking through things, you don’t get as much time on task and all of the sudden you go out there and play your rear-ends off and you didn’t see it coming. I am done trying to guess how we are going to play or whether the rust is going to affect us. I only know about today and we’ve got to be better today than we were yesterday.”
Monken’s response to Joe’s question sort of brought to mind a story former Bucs commander Greg Schiano told when he was asked if good practices directly led to good games.
Schiano shared a Bear Bryant story. Sometimes Bryant’s teams would have razor sharp practices leading to a game and on gameday they’d drop a turd on the field as if they never practiced at all. Schiano said, in so many words, if Bear Bryant couldn’t figure it out, he wasn’t going to waste time and energy trying to predict.
Monken’s response was sort of the same thing: You never know.
September 15th, 2017 at 1:41 am
With all the wait since they last played a game of real football, it will be a big let down if they lose. Don’t see that happening!
BUC CAN EERS
GO BUCS!!!
September 15th, 2017 at 3:13 am
I feel rust affects players that aren’t very good to begin with and/or aren’t motivated enough. The overall makeup of this current team doesn’t equate to either of those factors in my opinion. Timing for the offense is a whole different issue, our bucs may be a victim to being a bit off in that area are the early part of that game. Which can be overcome by methodical movement down the field and letting that rhythm develop naturally instead of trying to force big plays. As for the Defense? Play fast and mean, kick A$$ and take names!!
September 15th, 2017 at 4:20 am
Only time will tell. I agree with Monken, I am tired of guessing too. Seems like its taking forever to get here! Something to think about, the starting offense cruised down the field at will during preseason only to misfire in the red zone almost everytime. Did that get better in 22 days? Was it a preseason fluke? Who knows? Cant wait to see for real!
September 15th, 2017 at 4:34 am
You guys will have a heart attack sweating this that crap….if they are rusty they will get on a roll during the game…cmon man…the weapons we have …theres no excuses
September 15th, 2017 at 5:03 am
@Q, no thanks already had one (with a 19 hour surgery) they aren’t as much fun as they sound. I definitely learned how to lessen stress since that ordeal.
September 15th, 2017 at 5:10 am
Any Bucs here in Denver lets set up a watch party or two at Hooters! I definitely have some stories you would love to hear about our team. Nothing confidential of course lol.
September 15th, 2017 at 7:17 am
Defense is always ahead of offense at the beginning of the season. That never changes.
September 15th, 2017 at 8:16 am
I am going the other way…think they may actually press a bit early as they are so jacked up to finally get to play – give them the first half to get in sync…there is so much talent on this team, no reason they don’t roll the lowly Bears by the second half…
September 15th, 2017 at 8:30 am
This all comes down to Jameis being sharp and not turning the ball over early. Our defense will be ready.
Simple as that…….(who always said that?)
September 15th, 2017 at 9:10 am
I think “rust” effecting timing is a larger threat to the offense than the defense and as Monken points out the passing game in particular.
The D should be well rested and keep us in the game until the offense can find it’s legs. Hopefully our OL has improved so much we can actually run the ball!
September 15th, 2017 at 10:00 am
screw phil simms….you play to win the game….not for style points….did the steelers win or not is what I would’ve asked phil….
im pretty sure their will be some rust but as long as we get the win I could care less…win sunday and come out razor sharp next week and no one will remember being rusty in our first game….GO BUCS!!!!
September 15th, 2017 at 10:04 am
where you don’t have an indoor facility
September 15th, 2017 at 11:29 am
If the O is off I predict BucNut and SuperSam having a field day in the gameday thread bashing Jameis.
If Jameis and the O are on. They won’t show up.
September 15th, 2017 at 11:41 am
Finally got power back!! Sup JBF peeps.
1st Q/ 1st half “rust” (if it occurs) should give way to offensive fireworks at some point for the Bucs this Sunday.
We are just flat out more talented than this Bears team. If they beat us – then it will be head hanging time and fingers aplenty will be pointed right out of the gate.
Just need the Defense to hang tough, concentrate on stuffing the run and make things hard for Glennon on passing downs to start the game. Do that and the offense will find its groove sooner or later.
Koetter will try to establish the run early. If successful in that effort, then the offense should kick into gear pretty quickly.
September 16th, 2017 at 9:36 am
Koetter deserves some credit for protecting the Bucs from being hampered by injuries at the start of the season. Chicago did not do that and they wasted a lot of money on loser Glennon. Trubisky should be the starter even as a rookie because he puts Glennon to shame. We are very fortunate to have Glennon still starting. GO BUCS!!!