7 Consecutive Years – 7 September Beatings
October 2nd, 2018
Lavonte David has played in all of them
Joe finds that people who aren’t longtime, hardcore Bucs fans, including important people at One Buc Palace, don’t realize how abused our beloved Tampa Bay fan base has been.
It’s a unique situation.
How many teams can say their club has endured crushing and/or historic beatings in each of the last seven Septembers? We can say that around here.
Let’s go back to 2012, it was just a seven-point loss, 41-34, but the Giants racked up 25 fourth-quarter points behind Eli Manning throwing for 510 yards. Amazingly, the Bucs actually had starting cornerbacks Eric Wright and Aqib Talib on the field.
In 2013, the Patriots ended the Josh Freeman era with a 23-3 win in Week 3, two weeks after arguably the toughest opening-day loss in Bucs history, the last-second-Lavonte-David-penalty game against the Jets.
The following year, who could forget Week 3 on national television. Josh McCown and the Bucs trailed Atlanta 56-0 after three quarters. THREE!
In 2015, Tampa Bay opened the season with the famous Tennessee Ready beating at home — against a Titans team that secured the No. 2 overall pick four months later. Somehow, Lovie Smith wasn’t prepared for the Titans to mimic Marcus Mariota’s college offense to help the rookie out.
In 2016, the inaugural Dirk Koetter regime marched to Arizona with a 1-0 record and lost 40-7 to a Cardinals team that finished under .500. The humiliation extended deep into the fourth quarter when Jameis Winston was allowed to take punishing hit after punishing hit.
Last year, Week 2 in Minnesota saw the Bucs get blown out and physically abused in allowing 494 yards to the Vikings, their biggest offensive output of the season.
And then there was Sunday in Chicago.
Yes, Bucs fans are sick of the groin stomps. Joe can’t point fingers of blame. It’s just a Bucs-fan reality, perhaps something in the overall culture.
The wacky thing is Lavonte David has played every one of these games (injuries kept Gerald McCoy and Demar Dotson from participating in all).
Joe can only imagine what’s running through David’s mind — probably something similar to the haunting many Bucs are enduring.
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:04 am
Can’t believe ppl just now catching on
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:06 am
Lets not forget the Ravens beat down October, 2014! Good times.
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:08 am
It’s mental breakdowns….marshmallow MCCOY!
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:11 am
why is this a surprise… LVD has stated on several occasions he and his defensive teammates can NOT OVERCOME BIG PLAYS OR BAD CALLS…. HE TOLD YOU FOOLS HE WAS NOT A LEADER MANY TIMES YET YOU FOOLS KEEP GIVING FREE PASSES TO LVD AND THE LEADER OF THE LOSING CULTURE CANCER93. Dotson is a pure joke when he is not getting blown out he is hurt or committing a drive killing penalty….
NOTE: popularity is not greatness low standard bucfan
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:14 am
@JoeBlahak…. according to Gerald it’s not if you win or lose it’s how many friends did you make that day or did you have fun!!! 😊
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:16 am
Nope ….let’s not make any changes on defense and have Dirk talk about how he wants more fans to fill the lower over priced bowl. hahahah SMDH.
I can almost Guarantee if we Fire Mike Smith tickets sales will go up.
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:20 am
Question ? Where the hell is Noah Spence, he can’t be any worse than what we have on the field now !!!!
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:21 am
It’s all in the chemistry. The were running on all cylinders, then something changed.
gotta get to the heart of the matter.
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:23 am
Atlanta is gonna lay 50 on us. I can’t wait to hear the excuses for why we sucked after having two weeks to prepare.
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:24 am
JPP is on pace for 16 sacks. He’s not the problem.
Vinny Curry has 1.5 sacks through four games. That’s not bad.
You should be able to do the math from there.
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:24 am
I don’t believe Licht has done enough and deserves to be gone . Bucs always have BIG holes on the team that never seem to get fixed. Some of the losing record has to go back on him.
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:26 am
I bet all the teams over the last 7 years have been distracted right Robert?
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:27 am
our big money players rarely make big time plays!
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:28 am
“You should be able to do the math from there.”
((4 + 1.5) * 4) – Mike Smith = Last Place
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:32 am
Anybody that thinks the defense was “running on all cylinders” while allowing 40 points, 21 points and 30 points in each for their first 3 games (2 at home) needs to get a reality check as to what “running on all cylinders” actually means.
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:33 am
calm down ndog. the defense will improve once the offense starts clicking again and gives them some time to breath
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:33 am
Theodore that ravens beatdown as bad as the falcons and bear one, this team is poorly constructed from jason gump, proof is in the record setting perfomance of this team…..licht drafted a kicker in round 2, a kicker…then on and on, and his so called “good players” just are not that….i will give him JPP that guy is on fire, he is a bucs friendly fire from getting hurt just dumb buc luck
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:37 am
perhaps something in the overall culture.
————-
Imma vote for this! I mean you have ‘professionals’ claiming McCoy is a future hof’er. Now that’s hilarious. Meanwhile, Geno Atkins leading in qb hits and sacks per Bucs dot com while McCoy is no where to be found on that list.
Most importantly imo TAMPA as a whole is so concerned with filling the team with high character guys that they can’t field a winning team. I know it sounds weird but we’re talking about football games not churches or corporate boardrooms.
Case in point Boston seems completely unphased with their star players getting suspended each season for various reasons including drug use. They constantly sign troubled players. Yet they’ve won their division for 8 consecutive seasons.
It was the FANS who ousted Schiano, Talib, Blount, and countless others.
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:38 am
ndog….and don’t forget the defense HAS been running on all cylinders since week 1…..
Dude it’s a special kind of dumb….
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:39 am
This is simple.. Tired of hearing about this. This starts at the coach. Koetter believes in big plays. That is the “key” to the game. We have defenders flying around trying to make the big play. We have running backs trying to make explosive plays. We have an interior defensive lineman that all he ever does is make a big play (rarely) or allows one based on his scheme. Linebackers that yes cause fumbles occasionally, but miss more tackles because they are trying to create the fumble. The DB’s play off to negate a big play but are eager to bite trying to make that big play.
Big plays should happen as the result of solid play. This was, was, the Buckner philosophy coming into the season. Everyone does their job and sacks come. This IS NOT the Koetter way.
The deep balls on offense work, sometimes, and when you get on a streak everyone dances in the streets and buy beards. When a defense says, fine, we will drop two and bring pressure the long ball threat goes away (not sure why Schwarz didn’t do this). This is a top of the line coaching mentality. Oh and by the way, while you are heaving the ball down field, never throw an INT either.
This team does not try to grind. They do not know how to on either side of the ball. Its not sexy, but so much of football is the grind. This is not the Koetter/Smith way. This is what the Bucs are and what they will have this season. Hopefully, there will be more 40 point showings by the offense and key turnovers from the defense. This is the only way that the Bucs win. Solid game plan, running game, executable defense. Not gonna happen.
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:44 am
Near the bottom of the NFL or THE bottom in defense for 3 straight years…..pretty soon they’ll be running on all cylinders….
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:54 am
That is why I spend more time on your website than watching Bucs games. I would be done with them if it wasn’t for joe. Thanks?
October 2nd, 2018 at 10:56 am
Robert right on my man, I will give licht around 4-5 years to draft a nfl caliber RB or perhaps sign one in FA, hope that they are not the London Swashbucklers by then
October 2nd, 2018 at 11:00 am
Lets just go ahead and say what was implied… as soon as Licht cuts Winston, the defense will start playing better. Winston clearly is the problem with the chemistry on the defensive side in the locker room (this is sarcasm)
October 2nd, 2018 at 11:28 am
’87- He just needs 3 more years!!! He’ll get us there, right?!!
October 2nd, 2018 at 11:28 am
NFL POWER RANKINGS
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2)
Previous Rank: 11
Forget the quarterback controversy for a moment; the Buccaneers’ defense is a disgrace to professional football. – McClymont
From the score. Pretty much every pundit is saying the same thing.
Why is it every can see this except Smitty?
October 2nd, 2018 at 11:37 am
Oh look Robert the troll is somehow implying that playing jameis made the defense fall apart. Clueless trolls continue to regurgitate the same hate.
October 2nd, 2018 at 11:42 am
yopu ladies and your wadded panties. I never blamed JW for any of this. I blame the locker room distractions. search, you’ll see last week I said start jameis. I think he’ll implode, but anyone with some foreskin could see this coming.
October 2nd, 2018 at 11:56 am
LVD is softer than GMC.
He is constantly 3 steps behind the opponent, and looks like he’s ready to cry after every big play they give up (which is a lot).
Sorry fans, but the truth is outside of a few splash plays here and there, LVD has been nothing since Schiano left.
October 2nd, 2018 at 11:56 am
Been posting this since the Sunday Massacre. This goes way back all the way back to the last 4 games under Gruden. You really should have posted the Raheem 2011 record after game 5 every game was a complete blow out! Surprised how fans are acting like this is something that hasn’t be going on for the last decade. Fourth coach since Gruden with the exact same results? Funny McCoy getting that pass but he was here for the some of the worst A$$ whooping’s I’ve seen.
October 2nd, 2018 at 12:16 pm
Unbelievable
Throw Kwon in there as well..all talk no production
October 2nd, 2018 at 12:19 pm
Joe you could point fingers of blame on all of those on ownership that did not demand a good defense but instead lets point fingers at the last 3 years which Mike Smith has had control. Glazers please please please stop the bleeding and get rid of overpaid Mike Smith who you made a mistake with by paying him the most of any D coordinator. Any amount is obviously too much as we cannot defend anyone.
October 2nd, 2018 at 12:23 pm
I just want to say our linebackers are completely overrated. For being some of the fastest they have to be the most out of position linebackers I have ever seen. Too many times do I hear that a linebacker bit on a short route only to be thrown over and have a huge gain against them. So Kwan and Lavonte you guys stink too, get with the program or move on please.
October 2nd, 2018 at 12:43 pm
LVD is such a great player dude has bin here giving it his all. He could of taken his talents somewhere else an bin a household name but instead he stuck it out with the Bucs thanks David wish we could get you to the promise land
October 2nd, 2018 at 12:48 pm
It’s the ugly uni’s!
October 2nd, 2018 at 1:02 pm
Everyone knew the defense sucked
The surprise was how the Bears shut down the high flying offense
October 2nd, 2018 at 1:06 pm
Alphabucfan Says:
October 2nd, 2018 at 12:43 pm
LVD is such a great player dude has bin here giving it his all. He could of taken his talents somewhere else an bin a household name but instead he stuck it out with the Bucs thanks David wish we could get you to the promise land
if gmc, lvd and all the rest of these garbage players that you proclaim to be so great, why have the bucs been permanent residents in the nfc basement and have embarassed the sport of football beyond recognition with communication excuses and soft play….
October 2nd, 2018 at 1:14 pm
If the Glazers don’t do something, Licht has to. His job is on the line if things go south. Joe has been very prescient about Smith’s inability to teach young defensive backs. Veterans who’ve already been trained are the only guys that seem to be competent in his system. Under the right coaching, Vernon, M.J., Carlton, Ryan or some combination of them might become great players, guys that will make Licht look like a savant at the draft. With Smith coaching, though, everybody will scream. “We don’t have any talent.” Fire Licht.
The Glazers have to be careful. Let’s say Jameis, Kwon, Ali and Donovan have great years, but the team goes somewhere between 6-10 and 8-8 because of a 30-32 level defense. Are they going to come back long term? If I was advising Jameis, I’d say don’t sign with the Glazers. Look at what’s happened with quarterbacks like Phillip Rivers and Andy Dalton who’ve spent their entire careers toiling for miserly, losing owners.
October 2nd, 2018 at 1:48 pm
This defense needs a total re do of players not named JPP and the rookies. Let’s face it, the Bucs haven’t gotten one coaching hire right since Chucky, and he was handed a championship defense. This article is indicative of the horrendous front office, coaching and weak players that have called themselves Bucs since Gruden was fired. All the coaches now are dead men walking and I’ll keep saying it, this team needs a Tom Coughlin type president to get the right players and coaches. I don’t see anything that’s gonna stop this ship from sinking this season.
October 2nd, 2018 at 1:50 pm
Forget September, we get blown out every other week
October 2nd, 2018 at 1:58 pm
Hey look Tmax is back.
Funny how you were gone during the 2 weeks we were winning.
October 2nd, 2018 at 2:03 pm
Well its not like the Fairweather fans in Tampa doesn’t deserve any better. How about support your team, show up to the games, and quit crying to fire people everytime the going gets tough. There’s reasons why good players aren’t trying to come play for us, and good reason why coaches don’t want to coach. TRUTH!
October 2nd, 2018 at 2:50 pm
I know Jason Licht goes to The Press Box on S. Dale Mabry for wings and a beer sometimes. Use to see lightning coach Jon Cooper at a bar in Hyde Park all the time. Thoght he was a total hard ass never saying anything and chewing his gum constantly but he’s actually a nice, funny guy the one time i talked to him. That’s beside the point.
If I saw Licht out at the bar I would run up to him, tell him all our problems in two seconds and we would win a Super Bowl.
“O-line is #1 fix! Draft DT first round! Good coaching staff is a must find!
Then when his secret service agents are dragging me away on my ass with my legs and nose broken, finally…AND FOR GOD’S SAKE NEW JERSEYS!!!!
October 2nd, 2018 at 2:54 pm
Longest tenured bucs need to go along with the coaching staff and gm
October 2nd, 2018 at 3:09 pm
Schwifty- Some just feed on the negativity. He’s not the only one popping up now that we’ve lost a couple of games!
October 2nd, 2018 at 3:09 pm
BALL-Less Glazers!
I’m hopin by seasons end. The Glazers CLEAN HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! With Licht
leading the top of the List.
October 2nd, 2018 at 4:20 pm
David used to be a tackling machine if he got near you you weren’t getting away what happened?
McCoy has usually gotten injured and has never been the kind of run stopper that a defensive tackle is supposed to be. His speed is mostly negated by A lack of strength and stamina.
Neither will be back who in 2019 since their production doesn’t come close to their salaries. Unloke Michael Bennett and Donald Penn who still wanted to play here I do hope the door hits them on the way out because both players have become content to lose and be well paid to have no contribution to changing the outcomes of games defensively
October 2nd, 2018 at 5:36 pm
Ed
LVD got 5 FF last year and was the MVP of that awful defense. He is still getting tackles and could still be a tackling machine. Kwon could be so much better than he is right now. This LB crew is doing bad right now because they are not being used properly just like the rest of the defense. LBs have to have help closer up on the outside to get to backs and receivers and this scheme has more space than the deepest of the darkest universe.
October 2nd, 2018 at 5:39 pm
When was the last time you saw a defense this bad make the playoffs? Never. We go nowhere this way folks. Embarrassing is what it is for those guys. Sad is what it is for us.
October 2nd, 2018 at 5:57 pm
Care 95% Manchester %5 Bucs. Sale the team to someone that will keep us in Tampa, that wants a winning team, and will give us awesome jerseys. They could get serious dough from the stadium and facilities up grades. Let’s hope that’s what they’re doing. Maybe the new owners will care about fans and do something smart like put shades over the stadium to sell tickets. The HOAX known as global warming continues to break record heat temps every freaking day of the year.
October 2nd, 2018 at 6:59 pm
SOEbuc Says what I have been harping on since I stopped going to games in Sept and Oct, I cannot handle sitting in the sun for 4 hours, more locals would go to the games if they had a shading system and a way to pump some air around the stadium. Its just insane to expect people to be that uncomfortable and at the same time watch players that are not trying as hard as their opponents. The Bucs used to play tough, violent football, these days they don’t hit as hard and can’t get their defense off the field.
October 2nd, 2018 at 7:38 pm
Facts:
It really is hard to be a Buccaneer supporter:
-Winning PCT. Bucs History 38.9% The worst in the 4 major US sports
-Non-losing seasons: 14 out of 43……….out of 43 seasons we have ended the season with a non-losing record 14 times..
-Only 2 coaches in Bucs History ended their career with a winning PCT
They are what they are and with the exception of 5 years between 1997-2002………..this franchise has been a joke. Different Players, Different Coaches, Different GM, Different Owners………….Same Product.
October 2nd, 2018 at 8:10 pm
lavonte got paid and then disappeared, he looks slow. when was the last time he had a splash play. All I can see now is him chasing a running back from behind 20 yards downfield.
October 3rd, 2018 at 12:10 pm
Let’s just say that it is time to stop giving McCoy, David, and Alexander their unjust due. McCoy isn’t really a difference maker… he’s good. He really is… but he is far from great. On a great team, he might be confused with great, the great players and talent around him would make him better. David and Alexander have been falsely called “excellent” for years and they are anything but. Flashy, energetic, but wildly inconsistent and both terrible against the pass. They are the anti-Barrett Ruud.