Five Things
October 7th, 2019
Joe’s weekly “Five Things” which takes a look at the previous day’s game, win or lose.
Bucco Bruce getting fed up?
You know things are bad when a coach in a very public forum calls some of his players “soft.”
But what else is a coach supposed to say when the Bucs secondary is back to its old ways of embarrassing teammates, coaches and the game of football itself with atrocious play?
This Bucs team isn’t awful, except for the secondary. It has already cost the Bucs two losses and really tried to trash a third game.
It almost sounded as if Arians threw the gauntlet down: Quit being soft or you are out. The trade deadline is Oct. 29. Can the Bucs find a corner between now and then that can stop the bleeding? The current secondary would cost the Bucs a shot at a playoff run.
Coaches are not blameless.
Everyone and their brother wants to bag on Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht for the rotten secondary. All the corners, after all, came to Tampa Bay under his watch. And it is accurate to say Licht has spent a lot of draft capital on cornerbacks the past few years and has little return on his investment.
But let’s back off throwing rocks at Licht for just a moment. It wasn’t Licht who declared the secondary “totally fixed.”
Joe will take an educated stab here and say that if Bucs coaches had gone to Licht in mid-August and told him that the corners aren’t working out, then Licht might have acquired one or two. Especially when teams were whittling down rosters to the final-53.
So it is fair to suggest Bucs coaches misjudged the abilities of their troops in the secondary. Smells that way to Joe.
There is plenty of blame to spread for this horrible pass defense. But blaming isn’t going to resolve anything. Actions will.
Why not Vernon Hargreaves?
As Joe has pointed out, it’s interesting that twice yesterday Arians referred to Carlton Davis as the team’s best corner.
But this begs the question: If Davis is the team’s best corner, then why wasn’t Davis matched up with Michael Thomas, the Saints stud receiver, more often? Why hang Hargreaves out to dry like that?
Deferring kickoff.
Joe noticed Bucs fans gave former Bucs coach Dirk Koetter hell for rarely accepting the ball to start games. Joe loved this, however.
The first coach Joe ever noticed who preferred to kick off was old man Bobby Bowden. Joe once heard him explain why.
Bowden, you see, loved the ball to start the second half because that gave him the first crack of rallying if he was behind at halftime. And if he had a lead at halftime, scoring on the opening possession to start the second half could put a team away.
That’s exactly what happened with the Saints yesterday. They scored late in the first half and then scored on the opening possession of the second half. That’s 14 points in just a few minutes. Ballgame!
After the game, Arians suggested that since his pass defense has turned into warm blackberry jelly, he may start deferring the opening possession. Say what you will about the Foghorn Leghorn of Tallahassee, but he didn’t win damn near 400 games by being completely dumb.
Bucs can find corners not named “Ramsey.”
People are beating pots and pans in back alleys for the Bucs to pay a fortune for disgruntled Jalen Ramsey. Joe would prefer to stay away.
First, Jags owner Shad Khan has stated Ramsey is not on the trade block. So why do people think he’s available?
Also, there is something fishy about Ramsey. If all he wanted was more money, OK. But he seems to be taking the Antonio Brown way of trying to become such a pain in the arse a team has to get rid of him. The Bucs don’t need a mercenary like that.
About 10 teams now have no shot at a playoff berth. You can’t tell Joe there aren’t two or three corners on those teams that could start for the Bucs and not have to worry about getting their eyebrows singed from receivers blowing past them time and again.
The NFL trade deadline is Oct. 29. There is ample time to go out and find a respectable corner without having to give up a Brink’s truck full of draft picks and Team Glazer loot like you would with Ramsey.
The Bucs have enough one-year rentals on the roster, so it is not like the Bucs are averse to these kind of contracts. Finding a corner in the final year of his deal won’t cost much in return, and it just may help the Bucs get a wild card berth.
Thank you
The following is a gracious thank you to a few strangers Joe may never see again, people who pitched in to help Joe in a time of need Saturday in New Orleans.
Joe has zero idea if these people will ever see this. Hopefully, somehow through this forum the parties involved are tipped off.
Joe was a passenger in a rideshare service involved in a mishap in which Joe badly injured his back. In fact, Joe found himself prone on Chartres Street in the French Quarter in front of Pierre Maspero’s establishment unable to get up.
Two older gentlemen, at least in their 50s, came to Joe’s immediate aid and, once Joe was somewhat ready, they lifted Joe first to his knees and then to his feet so he could walk out of the street — barely. A bachelorette party just happened to be bar-hopping at the same spot at the same time and two girls from that party also helped. One called 911 without Joe’s knowledge and asked for an ambulance — and Joe needed one.
After a few moments, the gentlemen went on their way and the girls stuck around until the ambulance arrived. Joe never got a chance to get their names. So Joe spent much of Saturday night at Tulane University Hospital undergoing X-rays and tests.
Yes, Joe still made it to the Bucs game Sunday. Thank goodness for muscle relaxers.
Anyway, the kindness the two gentlemen and the two young women showed restored Joe’s faith in humanity, All four were complete and total strangers yet they didn’t hesitate to render aid.
Those folks may never see or hear from Joe again. They may not be Bucs fans. They may not ever read this site. But Joe wanted to get the word out that there are still class acts among us. To the four unknowns, thank you very much!
October 7th, 2019 at 8:12 am
People need to stop this talk about trading for Ramsey. The jags turned down 2 1st rounders already, not to mention the 15 plus million per Ramsey wants. The Bucs have to stock talent in both trenches. Crazy to even consider such a deal, only possible scenario is if you are that one player away from a superbowl (not just playoffs) and said player is a total game wrecker ala Mack.
October 7th, 2019 at 8:17 am
Get well joe you are the logical replacement for vh3bust…
October 7th, 2019 at 8:18 am
I think they have to move vh3 to slot and give smb shot on outside. SMB played okay after carlton got ejected, he’s going to take his lumps, but it’s better to get that experience now. We can all see vh3 isn’t the answer. Mj is way too slow, not that vh3 is much faster but he’s still better at slot. Bowles has to do something cause this isn’t going to work.
October 7th, 2019 at 8:22 am
Glad you’re OK Joe. And yes there are LOTS of Good Samaritans who’ll step forward in times of need. Despite what some may say, that’s still a wonderful trait of most Americans.
Agree with you about Ramsey … no thank you. Until our Secondary gains experience (and IMO, snaps for VHIII & MF Stewart are wasted because neither will be here next year), we NEED an effective pass rush from our DLine, better play from our LBs, plus LOTS of scoring from our offense. Our Secondary is all youngsters with no effective FIELD LEADERSHIP back there. It’ll come eventually, but that unfortunately takes time.
October 7th, 2019 at 8:23 am
Brucie got out coached
The whole coaching staff got out coached…..again
October 7th, 2019 at 8:29 am
BA’s BS doesn’t translate well to game day coaching decsions. He looks as lost as the wasted first round pick who bucs are hiding with injuries…. vh3bust couldn’t cover my fat ass with a bong in one hand and stripper on my back. 7 eleven is calling young man. Accept your fate little fella and it isn’t football
October 7th, 2019 at 8:29 am
“Be kind to strangers, for some have attended angels at unawares.” Read that somewhere. Oh yeah, in the Good Book. Thanks to the four who helped and thanks to Joe for sharing. Godspeed on a full recovery.
October 7th, 2019 at 8:34 am
ramsey will be djax2.0….no thank you….
when the pass rush doesnt show up, the secondary suffers and the entire defense is exposed…..
GO BUCS!!!!!!
October 7th, 2019 at 8:35 am
“Playoff caliber teams in 2 weeks will be offering
2nd rd for Godwin
3rd rd for OJ
1st ed for Marpet
2024 is when we replace Jason Gump
Be Patient”
Son of Kobe Faker
October 7th, 2019 at 8:38 am
813bucboi Says:
October 7th, 2019 at 8:34 am
ramsey will be djax2.0….no thank you….
when the pass rush doesnt show up, the secondary suffers and the entire defense is exposed…..
the only thing exposed is that little fella who you can’t seem to get off his nuts can’t play football. he has been embarrassed once again. best thing for bucs is a vh3bust career change…. give up on the failed local feel good story he can’t play football….
October 7th, 2019 at 8:43 am
Son of Kobe Faker
no one is offering anything for any of those bums accept godwin. a first for marpet who gets ragged dolled more than half the plays thankfully for marpet he plays with complete garbage so he receives free pass after free pass because dotson and d smith can’t get out of their own way…. kobe faker could draw a first round pick playing next to dotson and d smith
October 7th, 2019 at 8:47 am
tmax
pass rush and secondary go hand in hand….
when the QB has all day to throw he’ll pick you apart….
but yeah, all 31points were scored on VHG…..CD, whitehead & SMB locked down their man and didnt give up a single catch in the game…..
GO BUCS!!!!!!
October 7th, 2019 at 8:48 am
Ramsey does look like an Antonio Brown type….probably not a realistic option. Peterson connects a lot of dots but he’s probably a better fit for a team right on the cusp vs where we are.
Probably have to look at the teams in the 1-3/0-4 standings to see what they might shop. Maybe when teams sit 1-5/1-6 and its clear their season is over, then maybe some other names come up. The issue in our secondary is we have an entire unit of players that never beat out anyone for their position. Spots became available when free agents were allowed to walk. Hargreaves was plugged in from day one…..That dude hasn’t earned anything. Davis probably has the most upside but he’s still learning. The others are just a basket of projects.
October 7th, 2019 at 8:48 am
We may as well trade one of out TEs……because we sure aren’t using them…..trade Auclair also because, obviously, he is invisible.
October 7th, 2019 at 9:03 am
Get well Joe!! I have to second Tmax’s comment and add to it, with your bad back, you are the logical replacement for VHIII and Dot! Hope you can play both ways with your bad back 😉
October 7th, 2019 at 9:07 am
“Coaches are not blameless”
You are spot on. If anyone is stupid enough to blame Licht for this past years drafting, then you are a complete idiot. The Bucs are in a Lovie year in that the GM defers to the HC for who is picked in the draft. How can we possibly use so much draft capital in 2 years (Licht last year and AB this year) on DBs and get it sooooo wrong?!?!?!
NOT a good sign for the Bucs future when these are the people who will be selecting the talent in the future
October 7th, 2019 at 9:08 am
I particularly liked the Bucs pass-rushing technique yesterday, of having everyone – including all blitzers – simply slam directly into a blocker’s chest. I’m assuming that is in the mandatory course taught by the Gruden Karma Organization that all Bucs coaches must take upon hiring.
October 7th, 2019 at 9:11 am
Glad you’re OK Joe and kudos to the helpful strangers, and kudos to YOU for taking the time to thank them!!
October 7th, 2019 at 9:15 am
I also think deFerring is generally the right answer. It’s basically liken you said.. after first half you have your work cut out for you and you have your destiny in your own hands. Either you run up the score more or you get first shot at decreasing thr deficit.
Here is to a speedy recovery Joe. Sorry to hear that happened
October 7th, 2019 at 9:19 am
Get well Joe, glad you’re relatively okay. some things are more important than football. Many things actually. That said go Bucs!
October 7th, 2019 at 9:20 am
Hope it’s nothing too serious! Get well Joe
October 7th, 2019 at 9:22 am
Xavier Howard from Miami…. pick up the phone
October 7th, 2019 at 9:23 am
Xavien… darn spellcheck
October 7th, 2019 at 9:25 am
Trade ME13 to Cards for Peterson and a pick or 2?
October 7th, 2019 at 9:28 am
Why do I never hear about Peterson! The Cardinals are done with him, he won’t cost 2 1s, and Arians knows him!
October 7th, 2019 at 9:38 am
Joe, here’s hoping the Rx helped with the agony of watching this putrid secondary and bizarre O and D game plans…though I doubt it.
-Mike Smith
October 7th, 2019 at 9:41 am
813 Hawaiian Propagandist 2.0
so now we have the second coming of Hawaiian but you are defending the indefensible midget vh3bust who has embarrassed the sport of football two weeks in a row….
October 7th, 2019 at 9:43 am
Joe pulling a Willis Reed…trotting out despite injury 🙂
BA only said secondary was “totally fixed” to change that subject with the media and protect Lil’ Brother Licht. Licht should be so thankful BA extended his would-be moribund career…perhaps Licht would have paired with former Buc GM great in a Dom & Dom’er show on ESPN. Or Comedy Central.
October 7th, 2019 at 9:43 am
Here’s one thing I cant get over. I said it when they hired Arians that he doesnt use TE’s in his offense, we were all assured that that was just because Arians had never had players like Brate and Howard at his disposal. Sooooo….what gives?
How is it that Arians and Sluggo Leftwich cant find a way to get either TE involved? That Byron Leftwich is the Offensive Coordinator for this team still feels like some kind of sick practical joke to me.
How in the hell do they not find a way to get Evan’s involved yesterday?
Everybody can blame everything on the defense all they want. Our defensive backs are mostly 1st and 2nd year player’s, they’re going to have rough days.
Our offense is a veteran group that has been together for quite a while. They were one of the top offenses in the league last year. What is their excuse? Why in the hell can this team never figure out how to convert 3rd downs when it matters?
Arians daycare for young coaches will have way more growing pains than I care to wait for.
October 7th, 2019 at 9:50 am
If Todd Bowles can’t coach you hargraves and B.A. doesn’t know how to use two tight ends, why not send VHIII and one of the TEs to Jax for Ramsey and a first round pick to AZ for Peterson.
October 7th, 2019 at 9:55 am
get well joeski…
you’re just a bourbon street biscuit that should rest his libido
October 7th, 2019 at 10:11 am
Thanks for the kind words guys. Joe is at least ambulatory. Slowed, yes. But walking.
October 7th, 2019 at 10:38 am
Joe Says:
October 7th, 2019 at 10:11 am
Thanks for the kind words guys. Joe is at least ambulatory. Slowed, yes. But walking.
2 percocet washed back with 2 bud lights followed by a lap dance then ending with a visit to one of Robert Kraft’s Gold Star Massage Parlors and you will be good as new young man.
October 7th, 2019 at 10:48 am
tjmax ^^^
these are the first meaningful words i have seen you post ^^^
October 7th, 2019 at 10:59 am
Joe,
It wouldn’t have mattered if the coaches screamed from the stadium loud speakers at Licht about his secondary.He would have to admit failure in his ability to draft good players and that aint happening ….Ever !!!!
October 7th, 2019 at 11:16 am
Carlton should’ve been matched up with Thomas. Totally agree, Anyone can see VH3 on MT is a total mismatch.
October 7th, 2019 at 11:18 am
hope you are ok joe
October 7th, 2019 at 11:38 am
How about swinging a trade for Peterson? He’s older but he’s knows this defense and is still one of the best in the business
October 7th, 2019 at 12:02 pm
So Carlton Davis is our best corner?
Man we suck.
From what I’ve seen the difference between him and VHIII is Vernon is five yards behind the receiver, chasing. Davis is five yards beyond the receiver watching the receiver make the catch.
October 7th, 2019 at 12:04 pm
Hope you have a speedy recovery, Joe. My oldest daughter is a tiny bit of a soccer stud and suffered her first “major” injury on Saturday as well. Missed her first game due to injury (not concussion related) in her life. Hopefully for her it’s just a grade 2 sprain and she’ll be able to start training again soon. Doesn’t look like the weekend went right for anybody.
October 7th, 2019 at 12:12 pm
Damn Joe! My wife and I are here in Nola until Friday. Sorry you had a bad time Brother. Hope you get well.
October 7th, 2019 at 12:15 pm
RayJay:
Had a fine trip. Just one bad experience.
Thanks for your thoughts.
October 7th, 2019 at 12:21 pm
Any veteran CB’s are better than this. Hargraves is always out of position, every single 25 yard plus sideline pattern he is never step for step, all you see is the back of his number. I see that on TV! Can you imagine what offensive coordinators see when they watch film, its so obvious that QB’s look to see who he is covering and go after him. I’m not a football analyst but I see it on every single replay they show, that big #28 is chasing someone. Michael Thomas is no speed demon, getting beat by him deep is inexcusable.
They have to pick up some CB off the streets and via some low draft pick trades.
Others are pointing out the lack of using TE’s in this scheme. If there are any teams out there that need one, we got 2 of them that in this offense are worthless, get some secondary players for one of them. OJ Howard is either not playing with any heart or he just isn’t the player we thought he was.
October 7th, 2019 at 12:21 pm
Joe: Maybe through a New Orleans TV or radio station could give a shout out to the strangers who helped you through your crisis in your behalf.
October 7th, 2019 at 12:40 pm
Hope ur feeling better Joe. Most people willl help out in that scenario. Antonio Brown and Jalen Ramsey will not. Go Bucs
October 7th, 2019 at 12:41 pm
Just think about this:
Vernon Hargreaves is as bad as EJ Biggers
Oh, and our d-line had absolutely NO PRESSURE yesterday.
#ItsABucsLife #SameOleBucs #GlazersDontCare #NFLGamesAreRigged
October 7th, 2019 at 12:43 pm
tmax has a heart! He just has an odd way of showing it. He’s not wrong!
October 7th, 2019 at 1:44 pm
Unbelievable:
E.J. Hargreaves!
Tom:
Good idea!
October 7th, 2019 at 8:21 pm
I still can’t believe that we have a bunch of people working 100 hrs a week, Watching film…analyzing our team, and they felt comfortable going into a season with these corners.
Let’s see, try and establish the run against Sue / Via or throw 50+ times a game against these corners? It’s true, our blitzes don’t get home every time…that’s impossible to expect anyway, but you should be in the same zip code. When we keep a safety back and funnel WRs to them on slants – that hasn’t been successful either.
The Bucs had no money to upgrade their defense enough to compete this year. This year is 100% a JW prove it year with BA the judge of that assessment.
Go Bucs – play hard get better!
October 8th, 2019 at 10:31 pm
There is still good in the world. I hope you get well soon. Great article and I agree about Ramsey, unless we can get him on the cheap.