Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Giants
November 18th, 2018
BY IRA KAUFMAN
Dirk Koetter said last week’s decision was close. This one shouldn’t be.
If Koetter has the audacity to announce Ryan Fitzpatrick as his starter Sunday against the 49ers, it can mean only one thing – the man wants to get fired.
This one’s a no-brainer, but then again, I thought Winston was the obvious choice under center at the Meadowlands. Instead, Koetter went with a fading Fitzpatrick, who has clearly run his course this season.
Give Fitzpatrick his due. He was spectacular at New Orleans and very good against the Eagles, providing this franchise with a heck of a getaway.
But the regression has been pronounced and he has lost his last five starts. As for Sunday’s setback, nothing to see here, folks. Another sluggish start, another no-show by the defense on the road and another heinous act of self-destruction.
Here’s how the Giants gave up more than 500 yards and emerged victorious, a familiar script for Tampa Bay opponents.
* Buc fans from Pinellas Park to Plant City realized Fitzpatrick was in a major funk, yet Koetter benched Winston yet again. If this franchise has turned the page on Winston, he wouldn’t have been active Sunday, so there was no point in sticking with a guy who rightfully figured his days as a starting QB in this league were behind him. Fitz is what he is — a very good backup and emergency starter.
* Peyton Barber just turned in the best game by a Buc running back in many a year. He squeezed out every available yard … and then some. The run blocking was better and Donovan Smith had himself a good afternoon. It was a treat to see Barber register a rare rushing TD, begging the question: why didn’t he get the ball on that failed 4th-and-1 snap early in the game?
* If you didn’t notice Vita Vea, you’re not alone. The game summary says he played, but the stat sheet says he could have stayed in Tampa. The sad truth is the Bucs are getting very little production from the 12th overall pick in the draft.
* For the first time since 2014, Lovie Smith’s initial season as head coach, the Bucs have dropped seven games within an 8-game span. That was the year Tampa Bay earned the right to draft Winston. This year, they may earn the right to select Winston’s replacement.
* There are some Giants fans still upset that New York chose Saquon Barkley instead of a QB in the 2018 draft. Shame on them. As Buc fans can attest, Barkley is a special talent. Containing him was Job 1 for the Buc defense, but he scored three times and ran for 142 yards. Wonder what would have happened if Mark Duffner’s group hadn’t keyed on him?
* With 75 percent of their road games in the books, this Tampa Bay defense can’t wait to get back home. Opponents are averaging 40 points in their home stadiums and if that number doesn’t leave you shaken, rattled and rolled, you are taking too many sedatives.
* Minus-23. It has a certain ring to it, wouldn’t you say? The Bucs are well on their way to the worst turnover ratio in NFL history, and they’ve been playing this game for almost a century. But before lamenting all those giveaways, let’s not forget the Bucs have posted only one takeaway in the past seven games. Oh the humanity.
* I hear some good seats are still available for Sunday’s home matchup against the 49ers. Just a few. Kidding aside, this one is for the die-hards, many of whom will be rooting for the home team to lose so the Bucs get a better draft pick. Can’t say I blame ’em.
* Five cheers for Cairo Santos, who made all of his extra-point tries in his Tampa Bay debut. Santos kicked with conviction and confidence, in sharp contrast with his predecessor. For one week, at least, we’re not talking about squandered points.
* I’ve said for awhile that DeSean Jackson won’t be back in 2019, but he doesn’t deserve the wrath of Buc fans questioning his effort. He’s on pace for nearly 1,200 yards, so it’s not like the guy is having a bad season.
Taping TUESDAY! Enter your Bucs question IN THE FORM below for Derrick Brooks and Ira Kaufman, hosts of the new TAMPA TWO show right here twice a week and at The Identity Tampa Bay. (Yes, that Derrick Brooks!) Or send your Bucs question to The Identity on Twitter, @TheIdentityTB.
November 18th, 2018 at 10:57 pm
DJax is a no effort, no contesting, cry baby, one trick pony WR……… – – – -good riddens if he leaves
Jameis will always be a turnover machine with almost three more today
-good riddens
Coaches and GM….. Take all your useless 2018 draft picks with you
-good riddens
GLAZERS NEED TO CLEAN HOUSE…. PERIOD!!!!!
November 18th, 2018 at 11:13 pm
Anthem
Totally agree. Need a housecleaning from GM Jason Licht down.
Winston fumbled on the goal line and had 2 picks dropped. He was very fortunate today. But he is what he is, a turnover machine
Let the new Bucs brass and regime draft or trade for their own QB
November 18th, 2018 at 11:17 pm
Appears Vita Vea is being coached Geraldine style. This coaching staff is literally ruining players, it’s like they are randomly drafting players. Another bad pick from licht and not because he sucks but their needs were so clear but unfortunately it was only clear to people not working for the bucs. Time to do what should have happened last year and we had the nerve to think it was going to be addition by subtraction without swaggy so many people need to be cut and fired along with the elderly retirees logging so much playing time
November 18th, 2018 at 11:29 pm
Has Swirvin’ Irvin been given a Caddy to roll in by JBF Inc. ? He deserves one having to follow this team while his Chiefs remain his squad. It’s one thing for us dopes who can’t quit the Bucs to follow them…but Ira deserves hazard pay. 🙂
November 18th, 2018 at 11:35 pm
Finding someone dumb enough to coach the Bucs
Is like finding a needle in a haystack
The only way they can find a decent Head Coach
Hire a respected football guy for GM
And let him hire a HC
November 18th, 2018 at 11:55 pm
Could Vita Vea be coached into a Good Offensive Guard?? Asking for a friend.
November 19th, 2018 at 12:03 am
Glad you bought up all the eejits against DJax..that man has been a cheerleader on a team that checked out a long time ago..
And okay, Winston will start again..but he is still Winston..lol..ATM here we go!!
Dang..we also need a QB…bring on Carr! Him and Gruden were shouting at each other..he’s gone after this year and he is a lot more talented than Jameis could ever be..
November 19th, 2018 at 12:42 am
I really enjoy your takes and you made me go back and examine my view regarding Djax. That last pass today, you are correct, he didn’t loaf. He quit on it.
November 19th, 2018 at 12:44 am
Psh sorry fans ragging on Djax for him telling it like it is – it was a mistake for him to come to Tampa. Better believe he wont have second thoughts leaving this team with his inevitable cut coming up.
Other than getting beat deep once by OBJ, Carlton Davis looked damn good containing him. He will be covering the ones next year unless we do something drastic in FA.
I believe the lack of offseason really has hindered Vea’s 2018 campaign. Give him a full offseason and clean slate next year
Nassib is a beast. Sign him longterm
We suck, but with all the top shelf D line talent coming out in this draft, I do not mind us lining up the opportunity to draft a Ed Oliver, Quinnen William’s, or Rashan Gary
November 19th, 2018 at 12:44 am
DJax is a phony man. Remember when he said he was dying to return punts and Klueless came out and said nobody is stopping him lol. The guy is fake as they come. No heart, and the furthest thing from a team player. Difference between a selfish player and a team player: https://www.instagram.com/p/BqVVDKIBiaQ/?hl=en
November 19th, 2018 at 12:45 am
Jameis Winston is my QB.
For my team.
THEE Tampa Bay Buccaneers…
It’s why he was drafted BY your Tampa Bay Buccaneers…MY team.
BUH the hell BYE Koetter. Goodness gracious already….
WE have weapons all over on O…get them open…for Fitz-erratic, Jameis WINSTON or Mickey Mouse….
Please keep Jameis in the rest of the way though…
For f**k’s sake keep Jameis in…..he can turn the ball over as much as the Bearded Wonder….and he has 10,0000 times more fight than Fitz-erratic. WTF is going on with MY team now? Good God you Glazer boys!
Keep starting Jameis Winston until the end of the SIGHHHHH season.
November 19th, 2018 at 12:59 am
Jameis run.
I forgot to say run….
I’m a HUGE Bucs fan….
I’m also a pretty dayum big Winston fan as chronicled on these here pages for the past 3 years plus….
Jameis….I love this team….but run baby, run. They are TOO dumb!
Hell son…I’m blocked from commenting on prolly the #1 Bucs related site in the entire world……SCREEENED…..damn Joes…….oooooookayyyy!
LOW-MARKET trash team Jameis. Leave it!
We CAN suck without you!
November 19th, 2018 at 1:19 am
My Poor Bucs Ira. Always..Playing from behind..trying to..catch up. I don’t even get my hopes up anymore. because I’m already Knowin….We might not even be one of the worst teams in the league..Them 49ers. IF..The Glazers are smart, they will already have a new HC and GM ready to go..right after our last game. Thats IF..they were smart.
November 19th, 2018 at 1:25 am
Almost three turnovers? How much “almost turnovers” did Fitzmagic have in the season? Grasping at straws sir grasping at make-believe straws.
November 19th, 2018 at 1:48 am
Wasn’t Fitz brought to Tampa Bay to mentor Jameis and Jameis to study behind. Sooo he is imitating his mentor. Well done Jameis!
Run Jameis Run…
These coaches are totally destroying you! Fitz and Djax are team wreckers!
November 19th, 2018 at 2:49 am
But 1987 is right
Jamies you come in and lead the team to 4 straight TD drives, but a lot of fans don’t want you on the roster.
The Bucs are the worst franchise with the worst fans and the worst coaches.
I’m a diehard Bucs fan, but this franchise can’t win.
Jamies should ask the Bucs to release him.
Jamies will win his Super Bowls with a team like the Broncos or Redskins.
November 19th, 2018 at 5:06 am
I have noticed how the Winston “haters” seem to be keying in on Winston’s almost 3 turnovers. But last week when Fitz ran himself out of a first down IN THE RED ZONE trying to be cutesy with the ball. They said nothing. Yet Winston fumbled the ball and we still got points. Hes trash.
One of the almost pics hit the receiver right in the hands and yes slightly behind him. But right in the hands. Yet they blame Winston for it and not Humphreys for dropping the ball.
1 bad pass. 1 int was on him.
But fitz threw 3 yet NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT HIM SAYING HE NEEDS RUN OUT OF TOWN.
Why is that? Why does fitz get the pass yet Winston gets ran out of town?
November 19th, 2018 at 6:06 am
Good link Bucs Fan 90. Thats how you do it! Bust dat ass so they cant get it. Djax is a p who shies from contact and gives up on routes!!!
November 19th, 2018 at 6:08 am
Guess my comment is in post purgatory…
November 19th, 2018 at 6:18 am
Jameis will probably get his chance to play out of the string. It’s his job to lose now. I wasn’t against either the benching or length of it. Jameis needed time to do some soul searching . This defense can not afford turnovers, and both QB’s
have had their issues with them. There are players on the defense that are giving good effort on defense, but plenty more that that either weren’t given time to develop or not good enough to start. Poor drafting and free agent signings to fix
the defense is solely on Jason Licht and scouting staff. In order to cover for this deficiency on defense ,offense needs to limit turnovers. In 2016 7 of our 9 wins
were when Jameis had no more than one turnover.
November 19th, 2018 at 6:35 am
Of course I’m rooting for them to lose!!!! ANYONE doing anything else is a fool. I want them to play well but ultimately fail in the end. Even winning out keeps us out of the playoffs. What possible advantage is there to winning? Keeping Koetter? Keeping Licht? Keeping McCoy? Keeper David?
Get out of here with that.
November 19th, 2018 at 7:18 am
I have no problem if we let DJax walk at this point since we are not going anywhere, but prior to season, I was not in that camp. But there is a caviot to this, get a speed receiver in the draft, like a Jeff Thomas from Miami. We have a nice receiving core, but if we lose DJax, who is the speed threat. Also, a speed receiver like Thomas can also return kicks.
Can we bring back the kicker we just cut for kickoffs – since we are paying him anyway. The new kicker was a relief, no drama on extra points, but couldn’t get the ball in the end zone.
November 19th, 2018 at 7:38 am
Does this mean that the Joes will finally understand why fans have been screaming “they should have drafted DERWIN JAMES!”
One has done absolutely nothing and one is headed towards defensive rookie of the year.
November 19th, 2018 at 8:25 am
Hey Anthem, and other “Winston is a turnover machine” supporters, what do you think happens when your always struggling to stay ahead of this defense? This team is asking too much of its QB, passing 70% of the time now, so what do you expect. If you pass the ball 55-60% of the time, you can control the clock better.
Its nice having the NO.1 offense, but it rather have less passing yards, so the QB doesn’t feel like he has to win the game himself, but its obvious the QB has too.
And I can think of two turnover MACHINES, Brett Favre, and Vinny Testaverde…that had the interception bug cured by good coaching.
Key word they all, GOOD coaching.
Talent is Talent, you don’t find it every day. When you have it, you better develop it right. You can’t ask much more of Winston than cure the turnovers, so at 24, stop giving up on QBs and for Gods sake sign your first QB EVER to a second contract. That speaks volumes on why the Bucs can’t make the playoffs for 12 years soon.
November 19th, 2018 at 9:09 am
Fitzpatrick lost nothing.
This putrid, pathetic, worst in history defense is responsible for every loss except tow this season.
Playing desperation football because you are always behind several scores and have *zero* faith in your defesne creates desperation tiurnovers, both Winston and Fiotzpatrick.
Why you guys continue to focus on the QB and barely condemn this defense speaks volumes.
I don’t think Koetter has lost the team. I think the defense has lost the offense…for good reason.
Like the old cliche goes: The QB gets too much credit and too much blame.
The Bucs problem is NOT the QB position.
November 19th, 2018 at 11:57 am
Cobraboy……the defense is not the problem according to them….it’s that evil trying too hard to win QB that has ruined this team. smh
Blaming the D is just another “Winston excuse” is what they call them. smh
I’m a BIG Winston fan so I DO hope he leaves Tampa…and it’s cluelessness.
I want him to go win BIG elsewhere just so the fans that repeat their stupidity daily about the kid can have their noses rubbed in it.
Makes no dif to me. I’m a Bucs fan. Getting rid of Jameis isn’t going to fix the suck imo.
In fact it only digs the hole deeper….
November 19th, 2018 at 12:13 pm
Buc1987
you are asking a lot of these JW haters…even after there noses get rubbed in it they would be in total denial and just find the next player to aim their venom after.
What amuses me is Wasn’t Fitz brought to Tampa Bay to mentor Jameis and Jameis to study behind. Sooo he is imitating his mentor. Well done Jameis!
Run Jameis Run… get out of Tampa!
These coaches are totally destroying you! Fitz and Djax are team wreckers!