Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Ravens
December 16th, 2018
BY IRA KAUFMAN
There are no moral victories in the NFL, so let’s not knock ourselves out commending the Bucs for their effort on Sunday.
In the end, at least they covered the 8 1/2 point spread as underdogs in the cold and damp at Baltimore. They played hard, as you would expect from highly paid professionals, but a sixth consecutive road setback ensures yet another losing season.
Minnesota’s lopsided win also ensures Tampa Bay of an 11th consecutive year without postseason play. The only longer playoff drought in the league resides in Cleveland. And at this point, the Browns probably have better odds of ending that unholy streak in 2019 than the Bucs.
The Bucs remained competitive Sunday with some gritty defense until Baltimore’s offensive line wore down Tampa Bay’s overworked front-7. The Ravens converted 9-of-16 on third down and Buc fans now realize the kind of challenge Lamar Jackson represents.
Jackson may not be quite as nimble as Michael Vick, but he’s in the conversation. When the Bucs had success containing Vick, they used Derrick Brooks as an effective spy.
Do you see Derrick Brooks on this roster?
There will be more to say about this demoralizing Buc season in Monday’s column, including a suggestion about a course of action. For now, let’s focus on how the Ravens emerged victorious in a physical battle.
* Lavonte David may have been the best player on the field – for either side. “Lavonte was fantastic today,” Dirk Koetter said after the veteran weak-side LB posted 12 stops, 2 sacks and a tackle for loss. David roamed sideline to sideline in sloppy conditions and arrived to the football in an ill mood.
* What’s going on with Chris Godwin? He caught only 1-of-10 passes sent his way against the Saints last week and turned in an 0-for-3 performance in Baltimore, including a big early drop. Godwin’s stamina has been a bit of a concern and Sunday’s bagel adds another layer of intrigue about his conditioning level.
* Jameis Winston played a solid first half, but finished with only 157 passing yards and the Bucs generated season lows in first downs (12) and total yards (241). No. 3 certainly didn’t lose this game for Tampa Bay, but he didn’t do enough to win it, either, in falling to 3-4 on the season.
* The offensive line rebounded very well from a poor effort vs. New Orleans. Facing an aggressive pass rush that hounded Patrick Mahomes all over Arrowhead last week, Winston usually had ample time to go through his progressions. Winston was sacked only once and Terrell Suggs was no factor. There were some big holes for Peyton Barber, but the Bucs were limited to only 47 snaps, not nearly enough.
* You can’t say the Bucs didn’t have opportunities. Under John Harbaugh, Baltimore is known for fielding outstanding special teams, but that muffed punt return by Cyrus Jones was strictly out of Keystone Kops. The ball was coming to rest … and then along came Jones. The Bucs needed to cash in with a touchdown. They did not.
* Vita Vea is making a strong impression down the stretch. He was credited with 9 tackles and he hustles downfield particularly well for an interior lineman. If he’s not a starting DT for this franchise next fall, I’d be shocked.
* Don’t look now, but the Bucs are back in the NFC South basement.
* Mark Duffner continues to make inroads as defensive coordinator. Yes, the Ravens ran for 242 yards, but they tallied only 20 points. That’s half the average Buc opponents had been scoring in their home stadiums. That’s called progress.
* Factoring in the second half against the Saints, Tampa Bay has managed only one TD in the past six quarters. In addition, the Bucs have reached the 30-point mark only once in the past 7 weeks. That isn’t exactly complementary football for a team whose defense is making serious strides.
* A 7-9 finish is the best this forlorn franchise can hope for. A 6-10 record appears far more likely. Either way, this is no way for Buc fans to enter the holidays. In this season of giving, let’s hope this long-suffering fan base still gives a damn about its football team.
JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman is in his 40th year covering the NFL. “The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports” is also a TV star, seen weekly on the FOX-13 Tailgate Sunday show, and on Bay News 9. Also, Ira goes national every Wednesday at 5 p.m. on SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio with iconic host Chris Russo. The Ira Kaufman Podcast pops here every Tuesday and Thursday, and Ira fires away with Derrick Brooks on TAMPA TWO, a production of The Identity Tampa Bay and JoeBucsFan.com.
December 16th, 2018 at 6:37 pm
Vita had 9 tackles today? Wow. The only play I remember seeing him on is getting ran over by a RB on a key 3rd and 4.
December 16th, 2018 at 6:41 pm
WHY!!!!!!
WHY is everyone assuming the Bucs will beat the Falcons in week 16?
My god, have you paid any attention to this team over the last 16 f**king years.
5-11 is the record.
They’re done.
Koetter and Licht are done.
A complete overhaul of every member of this staff is needed, including the scouting department, trainers, towels boys, etc.
This is pathetic and massive fan apathy is a VERY REAL issue here.
December 16th, 2018 at 6:41 pm
Koetters offensive scheme sucks. Bye Dirk you won’t be missed
December 16th, 2018 at 6:43 pm
Typical Ira. No pats on the back in the NFL, but they did a good job covering the spread. Ummm no. Losers. Need new expectations.
December 16th, 2018 at 6:48 pm
Do you see Derrick Brooks on this roster?
there would have to be a sapp on the roster first so he could ride on the coattails of greatness again. 55 never won a damn thing without sapp
December 16th, 2018 at 6:49 pm
I question the entire team’s physical conditioning.
December 16th, 2018 at 6:55 pm
Enough about the emerging defense. Today they failed. I know Dufner is a big hit in Tampa, but today he got outcoached.
Lamar Jackson is not a great thrower of the football and can’t beat you with his arm. So as a DC you do everything you can to stop the run and make him have to pass. Dufner had a week to game plan and scheme to do just that and failed miserably as the Ravens rushed for 242 yards and controlled the ball and the game.
With an offense and a QB that is now floundering the defense had to step up and they did not
December 16th, 2018 at 6:56 pm
“Well, it’s like last year when the safety break failed on Enid’s wheelchair and she started rolling towards our pool. I told myself, “Bob, it’s already too late to stop it, so you might as well sit back and enjoy it”.”— Dr. Bob Kelso
December 16th, 2018 at 6:59 pm
Spot on
Yeah posters were dogging Vita Vea for being fat ?but he was all over the field. 9 tackles is a lot for defensive tackle. He didn’t finish all his plays per se but he will hopefully make that jump next year. He did miss all preseason which is tough for rookie. ( I’m not sure McCoy will see his last year- guys running by him today – tough day for him. ). He’s made so much money in Tampa that he should rework team friendly deal to stay.
Jpp and Nassib only keepers for defensive end next year
Lavonte was a beast. Probably my favorite player. 12 tackles and 2 sacks and fumble recovery is filthy.
Offense disappeared in second half. That was the difference in game
Kinda want them to lose out and get higher pick. Them winning meaningless game like last year against saints cost them stud guard to colts that we needed so badly . Instead Benenoch
December 16th, 2018 at 7:02 pm
I’m not for keeping Duffner, but this is a depleted defense, down to the point of having to start Joe Dirt. Fair is fair, it’s not like they haven’t done this to everyone else as well.
Some weeks the better team just simply wins.
December 16th, 2018 at 7:06 pm
Our secondary sucks–honestly–the Ravens secondary was outstanding today.
December 16th, 2018 at 7:06 pm
When all is said this is still a losing team. What do we need to get this team over the hump 4 or 5 different coaches over the pass 8 years. I ton of new players and play callers and the same results I think it’s time to put pressure on the Glazers to bring someone to light a match under the a.. of this team weather it’s HC ,OC ,GM or whoever
December 16th, 2018 at 7:12 pm
Yep… its last place in bucs division again !! Sure bucs are improving
December 16th, 2018 at 7:20 pm
Having Grimes out there is a waste of time, really. I watched him work very hard at looking like he wanted to play the run, but making sure he did not come into contact with anyone. Our secondary needs a complete and total overhaul.
But I agree Elio T, no way we beat the Falcons, we are most likely headed for another 5-11 season folks and without canning Licht with Dirk, we will see no changes in this franchise overall.
December 16th, 2018 at 7:26 pm
This team will improve on black Monday. Addition by subtracting this entire coaching staff. Hope we get a proven defensive coach who’s maybe on board with running Todd Monken offense. Dirk can kick rocks
December 16th, 2018 at 7:27 pm
Grimes is the guy in the office always with a grim look on his face looking busy, but never gets any work done.
December 16th, 2018 at 7:34 pm
Kyle Shanahan and dork are great examples of what happens when you turn good OCs who should only ever be OCs into Head coaches. We will not miss you dork have fun counting your money next year.
December 16th, 2018 at 7:37 pm
We allowed a 8 minute TD drive in this game. Called 20 points progressis as lame of a compliment you could give.
December 16th, 2018 at 8:00 pm
The Ravens did whatever they wanted offensively. I’m not sure what Ira was watching, but it wasn’t an improved defense. They couldn’t stop the run or a poor passing qb. The offense was our typical recipe for losing. My wife was calling out the plays to me just by our formations. It’s not good on either side of the ball.
December 16th, 2018 at 8:19 pm
Has Dirk been fired yet?
December 16th, 2018 at 8:33 pm
High school offense did whatever they wanted against the soft Bucs d
December 16th, 2018 at 9:57 pm
Out coached. Out muscled. Out willed. Again.
December 16th, 2018 at 10:00 pm
We would be better off letting LVD call the D and Fitz call the O plays and fire every stinking coach tonight
This team is horrible and looked like a JV Team playing the varsity after the 1st qtr
They toyed with us early and could have scored far more if they wanted too – they played ultra conservative and still whipped us
It’s so embarrassing being a Bucs fan
December 16th, 2018 at 10:29 pm
This team sucks. It’s horrible watching. Thank God for the Lightning.
December 16th, 2018 at 11:21 pm
Eliot, Bucs probably will be out tanked by the ATL at RJS and the dirty birds will push ahead of the Bucs in the draft order. Knowing the Bucs luck the ATL will draft someone that the Bucs have high on their board and he proceeds to haunt the Bucs twice a year for a decade. That is the type of luck these Bucs have. Last year the Bucs could have got Quenton Nelson or Bradley Chubb if Winston stuck to Koetters’ script and the Bucs lost to the Saints….. I expect 6-10 and drafting somewhere around 9 or 10 overall for the new GM…..
December 17th, 2018 at 7:10 am
The Bucs sure can’t tackle.
December 17th, 2018 at 8:22 am
Grimes likes to watch other people tackle. So done with that guy.
Winston sure doesn’t look like the man for the job.
Nassib was an amazing find.
December 17th, 2018 at 8:49 am
Lightning got their A$$ beat last night too and deserved it. But they are 100% better than the Bucs.