Killer Penalty
December 3rd, 2017
Can’t do that!
It wasn’t just Jameis’ sloppy attempt to take care of the ball that cost the Bucs big time today.
So too was a terrible penalty by Evan Smith. One could argue he was playing out of position. Smith, per America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, hadn’t practiced at center with Jameis and the first team in a year.
This morning, the Bucs learned Joe Hawley, who was penciled in to start in place of injured Ali Marpet, was too ill to play. So Smith, who has played guard this season, was moved to center.
After the Packers tied the game at 20-20 just before the two-minute warning, the Bucs took over at their own 20. On first down from shotgun, Jameis connected with Charles Sims on a screen pass for a 20-yard gain to the Bucs-40. With roughly 1:46 left and the running game humming (!) the Bucs only needed roughly 25 yards to get within Patrick Murray’s field goal range for a game-winning kick.
But no! Oh, no!
Smith was called for an illegal block to the back, fairly blatant on replays, too. Since Smith wasn’t supposed to be at center today, perhaps he wouldn’t have been in position to make that penalty? Then again, he’s a veteran. He knows better than to do that no matter what position he is playing, and no matter where he is on the field.
So instead of having the ball at midfield with a first down, the Bucs were backed up. The Bucs were forced to pass, and with the jailbreak of the Bucs’ offensive line pass blocking, the drive was doomed.
“Yeah, that one ended up being about a 50-yard penalty,” Bucs coach Dirk Koetter said. “We had a heck of a drive started there and then all of a sudden you are first-and-20, backed up, crowd is at its loudest right there. Yeah, that was a tough call.”
It was a dumb penalty. As Bill Parcells famously said, you are what your record is. The Bucs simply are not a good enough team to overcome braindead plays.
December 3rd, 2017 at 6:41 pm
I don’t see any consistency…and that starts with the HC. The guys didn’t mail it in today…they played with urgency, and I commend them for that. But changes need to be made. And it starts at the top.
December 3rd, 2017 at 6:43 pm
We had a chance to go down and score a field goal to win the game. We didn’t do that, game, set, match…. this team is inept
December 3rd, 2017 at 6:45 pm
No, Joe, it was Jameis’ ill-advised attempt to make a play which resulted in a Green Bay touchdown that cost us the game. The Bucs were out-playing the Packers in virtually every aspect of the game and had only to keep the running game going to win. Instead, Jameis gave up an unnecessary TD to the Packers.
This is his 3rd year as our QB. He should not be making these mistakes. I recall very vividly during the Hard Knocks telecasts where Koetter told him to stop trying to win games on his own. He hasn’t listened.
When Jameis began showing injury to his ankle, Koetter should have pulled him and let Fitz finish the game.
December 3rd, 2017 at 6:46 pm
Didn’t surprise me when it happened. This Oline was terrible all game long have been bad all season long.
They spent four years building this offense which makes it even worse. This team is being led straight into the toilet under this regime.
December 3rd, 2017 at 6:47 pm
This team has plenty of weak spots. But with a decent pass rush and decent QB we would be in the playoffs.
December 3rd, 2017 at 6:47 pm
This team from top of the organization to the lowest towel boy simply do not know how to win. It is the culture of the franchise. Go Bucs!
December 3rd, 2017 at 6:51 pm
Seminole Bill that sounds like a narrow way to sum up the game……Please tell me who did did enough to win today’s game?
I can feel your grief for that play but what about the rest of the team. We are not a competitive team bro. The goal isn’t to beat a bad GB team it should be much greater and it doesn’t matter who plays QB with the team around that position right now.
December 3rd, 2017 at 6:54 pm
The happy takeaway from today’s game is the Bucs go to feel the energy of a sold out stadium full of supporters.
December 3rd, 2017 at 7:05 pm
Killer contract….buzz killer.
December 3rd, 2017 at 7:07 pm
Say what you want it is what it is, #3 overcame the pick 6. You wanna really sum the game up? Ok, in ot the defense got the ball ran down their throats, game over 6-0
December 3rd, 2017 at 7:14 pm
49 turnovers in 40 games is absolutely horrible.
Defend that stat you blind eyeless huggers
December 3rd, 2017 at 7:15 pm
Why is it when we watch our Bucs..we get that sinking feeling..no matter what..we are gonna lose? greenBay had nothing. But we..had even less! I feel for my fellow Buc fans. Its like we are attending a funeral every GD Sunday!! The HORROR..of being a Bucs fan. ..Excuse me guys….Yes honey, I’ll have another JD on the rocks!!
December 3rd, 2017 at 7:19 pm
He’s to small… Has to hold to make up the difference. That’s the reason why the team needed to use Ali Marpet at Center.
December 3rd, 2017 at 7:29 pm
That’s it…I’m bringing the Detriech back!
December 3rd, 2017 at 10:26 pm
@seminole bill, Winston was one of the bright spots today. 2 TD’s, 270 yards, no int’s and a QB rating over 100 and he was constantly under pressure, sacked 7 times. He was getting hit when he coughed the ball up. I am of the opinion that Winston played well enough for us to win today and played tough as nails.
December 3rd, 2017 at 11:14 pm
Apparently Skipper just looked at the start sheet and didn’t watch the game, Jameis the at least 3 near picks and had numerous mental mistakes.
That said this team stinks on both lines, we get bullied by every team we play. I don’t want to see us draft any players less than 270lbs this year. No more wasted weapons for Winston. We need big angry men
December 4th, 2017 at 10:41 am
He Cut Me
December 4th, 2017 at 1:16 pm
Actually Dirk wasn’t forced to pass – he ran on it 2 of the next 3 plays and just played for OT – which you knew they’d do since Dirk is a cowardly head coach who is also ultra predictable. Instead of saying Jameis, Show is what you can do, he said here, run the ball up the middle and punt it away. That’s Dirk for you, a scared coach who has zero guts.