O.J.: No Red Zone Hex
November 14th, 2018
The Bucs offense sure looks cursed.
Coaches are quick to tell people confidence is a huge factor in winning. And Bucs coaches seem totally lost as to what is ailing this team. They cannot seem to find answers nine games in so what makes anyone think they can find answers in the next seven weeks to save jobs?
Perhaps all the toe stubs in the red zone each and every week by the offense have players expecting something to screw up when they are knocking on the door to score.
Joe posed this theory to tight end O.J. Howard after Sunday’s game. He sort of laughed and said his mentality hasn’t changed.
“Every time I am in the red zone I am looking to score,” Howard said. “And I think that is the mentality for a lot of guys on the team. The ball just isn’t [bouncing] our way in the red zone.”
As Bucs Bit-O-Honey-snacking, Ozark-watching coach Dirk Koetter has said, if the answer was easy it would have been addressed some time ago.
Koetter has hinted more than one player is guilty. That sure seems like to Joe there may be a bigger locker room issue than folks are letting on.
November 14th, 2018 at 9:07 am
I don;t know about that. The ball to Mike Evans look to almost bounce right to him!
I jest. We’re cursed.
November 14th, 2018 at 9:08 am
Results of inconsistent run game. SofT team. SofT coaches. SofT organization.
November 14th, 2018 at 9:11 am
Need a running game to solve the red zone issues.
November 14th, 2018 at 9:13 am
players dont believe in dirk and wont play for him…..his scheme is outdated and predictable….his offense is too finesse and lacks physicality…..
Kris Richard 4 HC!!!!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
November 14th, 2018 at 9:35 am
I’m not a believer in dropping back in the red zone. There is no reason not to have a quick hitter play drawn up instead of plays that the QB is holding on to the ball. The Fitzpatrick fumble was because he held the ball too long and Smith was quickly beat to the outside rush and QB didn’t see the pressure.
C’mon just put Howard, Brate, Godwin, Evans and Justin Watkins in all at the same time. Evans, Watkins and Howard are all over 6′ 5″ and Brate is close and Godwin can jump. Put the ball up high and let those guys use their muscle and leaping ability.
Have a draw play or a shovel pass option in case QB sees coverage doesn’t warrant jump balls. I was furious that the one interception was throw to the shortest guy on the field #38, 3rd string RB. Why is he getting a target in that situation. If that’s Evans or Howard that isn’t an interception because they are tall enough to get the ball or keep it away from DB.
Dirk’s play calling in the red zone was horrible.
November 14th, 2018 at 10:04 am
Reality is even if we had thrown jump balls into end zOne every time we got down to the red zone we would likely have fared better. ..
November 14th, 2018 at 10:25 am
Man, “bit-o-honey snacking and Ozark-watching” are just lame. Seriously Joe, it’s not even remotely clever or funny. You can do better.
November 14th, 2018 at 10:46 am
Creativity – shovel passes (have we seen any of those), naked boot legs (RPOs), what happened to the fade patterns or post up and jump balls. I’m not a coach, but I think we outsmart ourselves when we get down there
November 14th, 2018 at 11:37 am
“if the answer was easy it would have been addressed some time ago”
I guess even attempting to throw the ball to OJ Howard is just too gosh darn difficult…
November 14th, 2018 at 5:00 pm
Yeah please retire the bit-o-honey reference its old, stale, and not funny (note: I dont post too often)