Explosion!
July 20th, 2018
Bucs coach Dirk Koetter always talks about explosive plays. And he is right. For an offense to hum, it needs explosive plays.
But how about an explosive player? Well, Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report has decided to scan NFL rosters to see which players are due for an explosive season. On his list is Bucs left guard Ali Marpet.
Marpet transitioned well to snapping the football, but the Buccaneers had a chance to sign a top free-agent center. Ryan Jensen’s acquisition speaks volumes: Tampa Bay’s coaching staff has enough confidence in Marpet to move him without any concern about his performance.
It is curious to Joe why the Bucs are so hellbent on shifting Marpet to left guard. Why not right guard where he played his first two seasons? No learning curve there.
Joe guesses it is because of two things. The first would be the decision was made with the expectation that J.R. Sweezy would still be at right guard. Sweezy since has been released, largely due to his injuries.
The second reason is Joe assumes the Bucs want to be dominant on one side of the field in regards to blocking. With Donovan Smith, Ryan Jensen and Marpet making up one side and the middle of the offensive line, Marpet’s move to the left side accomplishes this.
July 20th, 2018 at 1:04 pm
I say it will be either Godwin or Howard.
July 20th, 2018 at 1:07 pm
Very good suggestions.
July 20th, 2018 at 1:10 pm
They’ve had years to get the O-line they want out there. No excuses. Cool to cross train guys but all the Marpet movement doesn’t seem to indicate we had much of a great plan all this time.
My only guess is they value LG over RG and value protecting the blind side over anything.
July 20th, 2018 at 1:30 pm
protect the blind side for sure
Hoping Cappa pans out and Caleb Benenoch.
Have heard some nice things about Cole Gardner too
if we just get good players out of those last 3 we will be fine on the OL
July 20th, 2018 at 1:45 pm
Sweezy was released partially because of his injuries but mostly because he sucked. Marpet should be at RG.
July 20th, 2018 at 1:48 pm
There are 2 freaks on offensive side of ball
Mike Evans and OJ Howard. They are physical big guys with serious quicks. They should line them up opposite side of field on every offensive snap. With improved run game (can’t be worse with drug Martin gone) , the defense can’t really double. What’s even more crazy is they have Brate, desean , Godwin and humphries as icing on the cake. Any qb would be salivating to have this kinda talent. Just need to go to open man and not try so hard to hit a home run every play. Put ball in stride and good things will happen
Getting stoked for season
July 20th, 2018 at 1:51 pm
Bird…2 freaks and geek….throwing the ball
July 20th, 2018 at 1:52 pm
“which players are due for an explosive season”
Rojo, Winston, Evans, Godwin, Howard
July 20th, 2018 at 1:53 pm
LC
I agree….
but why dominate 1 side of the ball instead of trying to be balanced….
oh well, wtfdik…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
July 20th, 2018 at 1:56 pm
It really NEEDS to be Ronald Jones and or Peyton Barber.
July 20th, 2018 at 2:00 pm
And Joe – Sweezy had nothing to do with Marpet’s move to the left side. Bucs knew they were cutting JR as soon as he was able to pass a physical – which is exactly what happened….
July 20th, 2018 at 2:03 pm
Pick
Winston’s season will be more of an implosion than an explosion
July 20th, 2018 at 2:19 pm
I would place groups in the ‘explosion’ equation:
RB Group
D-line Group
Based on this, I would expect the passing stats to dip a little. Evans still gets 1,000 yds but I don’t think team passing goes over 3,500.
Balance!
July 20th, 2018 at 2:26 pm
Joe, no one ever brings up Watson. Ins there a reason for this? They always bring up Bobo or (lol) Martino. But Watson was a 5th rd pick. What gives? Guy has size and speed. Did he bomb in the spring? He never made your write ups either…
July 20th, 2018 at 2:35 pm
Brian – That’s your mis-judgment based on your mis-perceptions that Ubergate meant anything other than a 3 game suspension for Winston so the NFL could save face.
Other than those 3 games he will be forced to miss – I imagine the only thing that has changed for Winston coming into this year post Ubergate is his level of determination to kick ass and WIN this year has risen. This, largely due to the # of judgmentalists just like yourself who have been publicly raking his character over the coals almost daily for the last month with few facts to go on and even less knowledge of who Jameis Winston actually IS as a person.
So keep up the irrational hate. Jameis will be using your nonsense and all just like it that exists – as fuel for his quest this year to show the world that not only is he a good man but that he is also a Quarterbacks capable of great things at the highest level.
Winston will come back week 4 vs Chicago playing with a vengeance – and by November, you and most every other doubter, disliker, hater and slanderizer here on JBF who has been talking serious crap will be cheering for ‘ol Jaboo….
July 20th, 2018 at 2:42 pm
Joe
Most of your favorite pundits rate Demar Dotson much higher as a right tackle than Donovan Smith as a left tackle.
Wouldn’t putting Marpet at right guard be a better idea unless the left guard pulls more than the right guard.
Joe, which guard pulls more?
July 20th, 2018 at 2:51 pm
Thanks Pickgrin. That’s really all that needs to be said. You’re exactly right.
July 20th, 2018 at 3:04 pm
@Pickgrin
Agreeing with @gilhealy,, very well said on Jameis man, and agreed 100%.
July 20th, 2018 at 3:14 pm
I agree with Brian 100percent
July 20th, 2018 at 3:38 pm
@Buccaneer scotty
why are you yelling?
(just kidding)
July 20th, 2018 at 3:44 pm
Pick
I’m a longtime Bucs fan, not just a Winston fanboy like you.
Winston is who he is, that will never change, and will cause shame, embarrassment and humiliation to whichever franchise he is with.
Just keep believing your own narrative there if that’s what makes you feel better.
Sure is a lot of attention and hiberballly over a QB who is only average at best
July 20th, 2018 at 3:49 pm
Pick
Sorry. That one was not meant for you. Misclick on my part
July 20th, 2018 at 3:59 pm
“hiberballly” lol
July 20th, 2018 at 4:08 pm
You’ll see OJ acting as a 6th lineman next to the RT plentyyy this year
July 20th, 2018 at 4:10 pm
Since when can a 24 year old man not grow up and become a more mature human being? I guess only people like BrianBucs are capable of doing that. They were all put together from day one and never experienced ever doing anything wrong. See this is what’s going to happen, Fameis will get it together and mature then become that qb he was drafted to be then because Tampon Bay fans are such hypocrites and holier than thou people who refuse to ever give him a chance from day one will go to a much better team and become great. Unfortunately for him this is America and he’s no Tom Brady, Rothlesberger or even Andy Dalton and no matter how he changes into a better human being will never be forgiven
July 20th, 2018 at 4:25 pm
“hiberballly”… LOL
one a them thar Jethro Bodine 6th grade edumacations in play I’m a reckinin
July 20th, 2018 at 4:37 pm
Hahahahahahaha…
Joe put the words dominant and Donovan Smith in the same sentence.
Good one!
July 20th, 2018 at 4:57 pm
Pick on point today as usual today.
Abd @BrianBucs……..To the best of my recollection Pick was never a “Winston Fanboy” before the draft. He had his doubts just like most of us. However once he became a Buc, he supported JW fully just like any real fan should do.
I understand your frustration with JW as all of us are. However I have noticed that your posts are full of hate and doom prognostication constantly.
July 20th, 2018 at 5:13 pm
Bird says: Put ball in stride.
Truer words never spoken. Roger That.
So many missed ops by Jameis being late. js
July 20th, 2018 at 5:14 pm
I like covering Dotson with a TE to protect the right side.
July 20th, 2018 at 5:18 pm
There are two plays will make me most happy this year. The first one is a 90 yard TD scramble by RoJo up the middle. The second is a 90 TD pass hitting DJax in stride. Please…explosion.
July 20th, 2018 at 5:20 pm
WOW Joe!………..Just WOW.
Censorship at its finest it appears
July 20th, 2018 at 5:37 pm
Quick Slant. Learn it, run it, master it. QB life saver 😂
July 20th, 2018 at 5:54 pm
“To the best of my recollection Pick was never a “Winston Fanboy” before the draft. He had his doubts just like most of us”
Incorrect gat(r) buc
I’ve been a Winston “fanboy” since Sept of 2013 – the 1st time I saw him play. And I had zero doubts about drafting Winston when the opportunity arose/was created – whatever…
Still have zero doubts that Jameis is one of the best if not THE best QB prospect to have come out of College in the last 10 years and believe strongly that he will one day lead the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl.
Other than ’87 – there probably wasn’t one other jbf poster who logged more time “correcting” and trying to educate the pre-draft Jameis Winston haters/dislikers/worriers that abounded on jbf comments. (you fell into the 3rd category SB if MY recollections are accurate)
Unlike most people whose primary problem with Winston (race aside but that’s a whole nother issue…) was they believed that he may well have forced himself on the cleatchaser – I actually researched ALL the aspects of that “situation” and based on the known facts as presented – was 100% convinced that the accusation of ra_pe was completely unfounded.
Nobody would have cared a whit about BB guns or Crab Legs or FHRITP if not for the cleatchaser’s false accusation.
And few would be making nearly as big a deal of this Ubergate situation if not for the previous false accusation as well.
I will say I was disappointed to see posters like yourself (SB) and spbf and some others who normally have pretty balanced perspectives – fall into ape-sh!t-crazy posting mode regarding Winston when the suspension was first announced – but at least you and many others have softened your stance on all this now and have stopped spewing crap like you absolutely were for a few days there.
Don’t worry gat(r) – we all over react sometimes and you and the others who have now chilled will not be frowned upon in the future for your – lets just call it “overzealous responses” to the news of the Ubergate suspension.
Jameis Winston is going to be the QB of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for at least another dozen years and is more likely than not to bring this area another Lombardi trophy at some point as well – especially if Jason Licht is the GM for most or all of that time.
It certainly doesn’t make much sense for a Buccaneer FAN to paint him or her self into the “hater” corner when this QB is very likely to give you PLENTY to cheer about in 13 games THIS YEAR as well as another 10, 12 maybe even 15 years beyond that….
Just sayin
July 20th, 2018 at 5:58 pm
I admittedly tend to prefer more ‘methodical’ games where the offense racks up a high time-of-possession by just grinding it out to move the ball down the field, BUT … Bucs have a tendency to screw that up (penalties, turnovers, etc) and come up short on points. So I agree with Dirk … more explosive plays would be really nice, even if they might result in a lower TOP.
Found an excellent chart showing NFL teams explosive plays on a Falcons site (https://thefalconswire.usatoday.com/2018/07/05/falcons-ranked-among-top-10-teams-for-explosive-plays-in-2017) that clearly shows that we need to improve. Bucs had 77 explosive plays last year, as opposed to 99 for the Panthers, 105 for the Falcons, and a whopping 126 for the Saints (they led the NFL needless to say). That’s very close to 8 explosive plays per game for the Saints, as opposed to less than 5 per game for us. Looking at the Saints’ POINTS SCORED, those explosive plays obviously made a huge difference.
July 20th, 2018 at 6:43 pm
Real nice to throw down the race card for no reason…as was done above as what looks like a backup for any hard logic–that was also not offered. Opinions are fine, but don’t go suggesting others are stupid or wore, are racist if they don’t agree.
At the very BEST, Winston has a maturity problem since at least his college years; Winston has shown he can’t follow the rules…respect the rules, on or off the field. And he demonstrated that again since being a Buc. At WORST…all those things the NFL found him to do, to be, all those things Kinsman accused him of, are true.
Regardless…best or worst, Winston very well may have thrown away $100M or more. It doesn’t matter how much potential he had or has. If he’s not available for the purpose he was brought here…to lead his team, to win games. to be the face of the franchise…because he is suspended or cannot otherwise be counted on, he’s garbage, and needs to be taken out. Just do it over time so we can get a player in here whom the team and fans CAN count on. Most all other teams have such a guy.
Let that burn in real good early on as Winston sits out, as he makes his team have to improvise for no reason, as we pay premium prices to watch his backup play. Not a leader, not a professional, not a guy that needs to be a Buc in the capacity he was.
July 20th, 2018 at 6:44 pm
Pick
Don’t bet the farm on it
July 20th, 2018 at 6:47 pm
Opening drive of the second half in the Bucs Super Bowl was a work of art.
And lest we forget, Kenyatta Walker was the starting right tackle.
July 20th, 2018 at 6:47 pm
And oh yeah…at year 4…Winston will have a great year? gtfo. He can’t even start for the key opening games. Mariota, Geoff, Wentz…far ahead of this clown called Jameis Winston. How many years does he need? Another 3 to even have a winning record? Ha! Probably not here.
July 20th, 2018 at 6:51 pm
^^^^And don’t throw a bunch of stats…I’m talking about leadership and being a guy his team can count on.
July 20th, 2018 at 6:55 pm
I stand corrected Pick! I do not remember correctly obviously that you were entirely “Pro Winston” before the draft. I was in the “trade down” crowd initially. It wasn’t Winston’s race, Ints, Fumbles, Ints, or Off-field stuff that deterred me. It was a Combo of the last three.
Once he became a Buc he was my QB! And he will be until he is not in Tampa anymore. I don’t think that I have said anything that should be considered “overzealous responses” in regards to JW. I am Way more upset about the way he handled the situation than I am about an alleged touching a woman hoping he could get laid. As a lifelong Gator I have supported JW fully and obviously it is not homerism.
I am pulling for the young man to mature and become the best QB he can be for the Bucs.
July 20th, 2018 at 7:08 pm
Defense, I love long grind it out drives. That’s how you beat Brees and Brady by keeping them off the field. Let’s hope Rojo, Barber and the line can make this happen. Happiness is a 10 minute drive that ends in 7, not 3 or a fumble.
July 20th, 2018 at 7:57 pm
Pick
Hate to disappoint you, but I’m not a Gator. Unbelievable how you Winston enablers and apologists think that everybody that thinks the Bucs should dump Winston is either a Gator or a racist.
I actually went to and played at Marshall University in Huntington W.VA so I don’t have a horse in this Florida college race. I support all of the state schools equally. And yes, I’m very happy that a fellow Marshall Alum, Vinny Curry, is now with the Bucs. Keep an eye on that guy.
When Winston was drafted here, I didn’t want the Bucs to draft him or Mariotta as I didn’t think that either was a true, franchise, championship winning QB and I still don’t. But they took a huge gamble on Winston and now it’s haunting them. They handed the keys to the franchise to a 20 year old with a very bad past and history of bad acts and made him the face of the franchise before he ever put on a Bucs uniform. Now he males the news for all of the wrong reasons, embarrassing and humiliating the franchise, just like all of his detractors knew that he would. On the field he has been no better than average, and after this many seasons still makes rookie mistakes and bonehead plays. And considering that he just lied to his teammates for 2 years, he no longer has their trust no matter what the PR folks will tell you.
So hopefully the Glazers will do the right thing and release Winston, cut their losses and move on. Let Winston go somewhere else and be somebody else’s problem even though right now no other team would touch him
July 20th, 2018 at 7:58 pm
Winston should NOT be the face of the team . The bucs and fans deserve better.
July 20th, 2018 at 8:16 pm
Pickgrin
I’m on the record many times complimenting your posts and so you know I respect them.
I do not agree totally with your Jameis takes but again I understand them.
Perhaps it was you as well but I clearly remember 87 beating me over the head with Jameis defense. He won. By draft time I was on board because I didn’t think Jameis career should be TOTALLY determined by a he said she said. But the number of infractions did concern me but I accepted 87’s point that it was all just immaturity.
One year after signing with the Bucs and dodging a metaphorical bullet that could have sidetracked any career he’s out acting the fool again. Then lied about it. I just can’t get past that. When I say I can’t get past it I’m not saying silly stuff like I won’t watch the Bucs or root for them…I shall root for them no matter who plays QB.
Many here like you Pick wish to boil this down to the two sex charges. I do not. I’ve always maintained NONE of us were there so NONE of us really knows what happen.
But here is what we do know. One year after beating a rape allegation (worthy or not still PR grabbing) that almost deep sixed his career…cost him a nice payoff, and after the Bucs take a chance…he’s out acting a fool again..drunk with two questionable companions…well one questionable..one actually a convicted rapist…and as Gomer used to say…surprise…surprise…surprise…once again trouble. How could that be surprising when you are out at 3AM…blackout drunk..with two troublemakers.
Understand Jameis was entitled legally but he had already built a resume at FSU that took his second chances away…he’s already used them up.
And so my snark free question for you Pick or any other Jameis supporter is what would your reaction be if Jameis gets into another off field situation…or an on field situation like belting a ref. Would you still be for him? Want him to remain a Buc.
I think he has the talent…an engaging personality…he’s simply not trustworthy.
July 20th, 2018 at 8:23 pm
Roy,
You and I are not that far apart on Jameis…although I believe you are more personally offended. I’m not so offended it’s just that he has trashed any credibility or trust with me. I don’t want this hanging over the franchise for a long period going forward.
But Pickgrin is right in this case. Remember Pickgrin was talking about the start of all of this…the period and debate leading up to the draft. There was a lot of racism expressed…the word “thug” used with that certain “connotation”. I think the racism subsided a bit after the draft but pre-draft it was clear.
This is not to say those of us upset for any reason..on field…off….whatever are racist…just that there was a significant number at that time.
This time around IMO the debate has been largely devoid of any racism. Both sides have made their points in good faith. But before the draft…no doubt.
July 20th, 2018 at 8:26 pm
@BrianBucs…I agree with you most points….but I don’t think they should or will cut him this year, though I wish they’d bring in another QB to spell/compete with Fitz. Can he be the QB for a couple of years and NOT be the face of the franchise? Possible, not optimal. But I think any chance of ever unifying the fan base is done with. Many will not get over his latest embarassment and disgrace and want him cut now. Some will get over them but want to move on from Winston anyway. That’s where I fall. Some will support him until he does something else or worse. Some will support him no matter what. Imagine if we had a QB as the 1st round pick like most teams where fans only spar over his play.
@ben…always agree with your short and lucid posts. Are you living locally?
July 20th, 2018 at 8:32 pm
@Brianbucs…I don’t agree Winston does not have the trust of his teammates. They are all different guys. I don’t think that is possible to know in most all cases. I just hope they support him on gameday on the field. I would not always take what players say when they have a microphone put in their faces as the full truth either. No one will say anything negative more than likely…especially guys like DJax and Brate who need him to further their careers.
July 20th, 2018 at 8:48 pm
@Joe … “Opening drive of the second half in the Bucs Super Bowl was a work of art.” Oh ya, I’d forgotten about that one (a true work of art). Had to go back & look it up: a total of 14 plays & 5:52 mins consumed … 89 yds & led to a TD. BTW, the only penalty on that drive was on (tada) Kenyatta Walker (illegal use of hands … yet again).
That win though Joe was a true classic in terms of how the Bucs won in those days. Bucs had the ball for 37 Plus minutes in that game. Rushed for 150 yds (a whopping 42 rushes) and passed for only 215 yds (18-for-34 … 53%), mostly short-intermediate passes. Bucs defense held Oakland to only 19 yds rushing, and picked off Gannon FIVE times (Brad had only 1 INT). So we won handily by (1) winning the turnover battle; (2) winning the TOP battle; and (3) winning the rushing battle … all combined with playing awesome DEFENSE. The game was never in doubt.
July 20th, 2018 at 8:49 pm
Oops, that was a total of 7:52 mins on that drive, not 5:52. My bad.
July 20th, 2018 at 9:04 pm
Roy
One of my nephew’s high school buddies is an asst. on the Bucs training staff. He is on the field and in the training rooms with the players. He says that MOST of the players don’t care for Winston at all. You can take that with a grain of salt if you choose, but he would know
July 20th, 2018 at 9:07 pm
BrianBucs
Of course they don’t care about Winston. He wants to win.
July 20th, 2018 at 9:08 pm
Winston is still the man in the locker room, his teammates will not hold a grudge. Chemistry and hitting targets in stride is the only thing that counts when he comes back.
July 20th, 2018 at 9:10 pm
@Dewey…in some ways you are right I think….but there’s more to it as the #1 overall and face of the franchise. That’s probably not going to be enough. Now, I hope he does well on the field myself…being a Bucs fan. But that’s it.
July 20th, 2018 at 9:21 pm
Lamarcus
Nope, sorry, most of them think he’s a clown.
July 20th, 2018 at 9:24 pm
No disrespect to O Linemen but when I hear explosive players, I’m thinking skill position players. I don’t care if Joe Thomas in his prime was on the team. Due to that fact, like Sb said, I’m going with Godwin. OJ could easily be the guy also; especially with Fitz under center because I think we will see a lot of 2 TE sets.
July 20th, 2018 at 9:28 pm
You know, never, ever heard Browns fans b!tch about Joe Thomas being a loser like certain Bucs fans do about GMC. Not sure GMC is a Hall of Famer but willing to lay cash Thomas is. Dude never took the field in a playoff game.
July 20th, 2018 at 9:43 pm
Joe
Kind of like Paul Gruber
July 20th, 2018 at 10:25 pm
‘You know, never, ever heard Browns fans b!tch about Joe Thomas being a loser like certain Bucs fans do about GMC.”
Absolute Money right there!!
Just think of the standards there.
July 20th, 2018 at 10:39 pm
Question for guys still up and sober on a Friday…nah you don’t have to be sober!
Is THE number one concern for you as a fan winning?
I realize that’s my number one desire. I thought I needed to be entertained by wide open offense and that would still be my preference but I want to win more than anything and I see what Licht has put together on defense and believe he’s off to a good start.
Make the playoffs this year…another great draft and do some damage next if we build another suffocating defense. I’m no longer a fan of putting so much on a single player like a QB. QB will always be important but if we have a great defense we just need a QB who won’t lose the game…not necessarily some guy who saves the bacon with a bunch of 4th Q comebacks.
Let’s just get a lead and have a smothering defense hold it.
July 20th, 2018 at 11:40 pm
Well SPBF, as a 50 yr old man married with child I am absolutely home on a Friday night most of the time. I get to stretch my legs once in a while but mostly I hang home. Sober……..Er…..does “quasi” count?
I totally think that winning is paramount. However I sat through Every home game through the 0 and 26 as a 10 and 11 yr old and I think that formed a possibly irrational bond with this team.
I love the Bucs! No matter where I have lived in the country I have never abandoned my Bucs!
July 21st, 2018 at 12:29 am
stpete
First, I want to apologize for my outburst the other day, I was out of line
I was just frustrated at the mass of character assaults from those who could not possibly know his true character, I freely admit that I don’t know
That being said
I respect your opinions even though I don’t always agree
I would rather talk football
To your Question…
I would like to see the defense be at least stout but what I’d really like to see is a bruising offense much like the 72(?) Dolphins and especially Larry Czonka
I imagine a running back following a fullback in the 350 lb range (hint)
a combo that would turn opposing defenses into mush by the 3rd quarter, opening up the offense to have their way for the rest of the game
Will you do me the honor of responding to a true football post?
July 21st, 2018 at 3:50 am
@StPete … “Let’s just get a lead and have a smothering defense hold it.” Music to my ears StPete. That’s my kind of football. Joe’s reminder (in an earlier response on this thread) of the Bucs first drive in the 3rd qtr of the 2002 SuperBowl (almost 8 mins TOP to plod down the field & score a TD) reminded me of our ‘glory days’. From Day One, Bucs have always known for our defense (a ‘smothering defense’ as you so beautifully described it).
But the NFL has changed quite a bit since our SB win, and IMO it’s more important than ever to have a BALANCED T-E-A-M. Atlanta learned that first in our division & it took them to the SB. New Orleans learned it last year & came out with an improved 11-5 record. Carolina isn’t as balanced as the other two IMO, but they’re getting closer. As are we … hopefully. I’m really getting more & more optimistic about this season (not ‘hair on fire’ optimistic but maybe ‘cautiously’ optimistic still).
July 21st, 2018 at 6:02 am
@BrianBuc Well I’ve got a great grandson who is on this team. 2nd year player in fact. I keep my mouth close outta respect about it and any comments on any social media are no where to be found. but my man you are misinformed. That’s all I can add
July 21st, 2018 at 8:46 am
Knoxville
I stand 100% by what I posted and what he told us. Knowing him and his character I’m sure he told us accurately what he sees, hears
and is told.
I wish your great grandson well. I hope he has a successful NFL career
July 21st, 2018 at 9:31 am
gp
You are my hero! I’ve been coming here for awhile now and that may be the classiest response I’ve seen.
Restores my faith in a day when people just wish to berate each other.
Kudos to you!
July 21st, 2018 at 11:25 am
St.Pete, try not berating Jameis in just one of your posts then. That would be a good start.