Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Texans
December 22nd, 2019
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
On the same day a national report stated definitively that Jameis Winston would return to One Buc Place, his performance suggested otherwise.
One player does not win or lose a football game, but Winston had every reason to apologize to his teammates after the Texans clinched the AFC South crown with a resourceful 23-20 triumph.
The NFL changed the day of the game, but Winston’s penchant for giveaways remained the same. He was horrid in the opening half with three interceptions, including his sixth pick-6 of the season.
The Bucs made it interesting, of course, because that’s what they do.
In the end, they wasted a superb defensive effort and deprived themselves of an opportunity to post a winning season.
The officiating didn’t help, but the zebras aren’t responsible for the five giveaways that decided this matchup. That’s on Winston and a fumble by Peyton Barber that helped Houston build a 17-3 advantage despite a sputtering offense.
Todd Bowles dialed up a beauty Saturday, making Deshaun Watson look rather ordinary. The Texans arrived with the NFL’s seventh-ranked attack and the No. 10 scoring offense. They left knowing Tampa Bay’s defense won everywhere except on the scoreboard.
DeAndre Hopkins, an elite receiver by any standard, was targeted 9 times and caught five balls for 23 yards. The ground game went nowhere as 1,000-yard runner Carlos Hyde had nowhere to hide.
The 4-game winning streak ended and the Bucs fell to 2-4 at Raymond James Stadium before a national TV audience and a disappointing crowd. Many of the fans walked out to the parking lots wondering how their quarterback of the future could play so poorly in the present moment.
Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were sidelined, but that’s no excuse for Winston’s poor judgment and late throws. He also misfired several times when his targets broke wide open. Yes, he’s probably staying right here in 2020. And yes, he has plenty of work to do if the Bucs plan on ending the NFC’s longest playoff drought.
Here’s how Vernon Hargreaves and friends departed Tampa thankful for all that Southern hospitality.
* When the game ended, Winston found himself with 28 interceptions on the year, 10 more than runner-up Philip Rivers. And while Saturday’s routes won’t remind anyone of the precision of Cris Carter, the picks deservedly fall to No. 3. Although Winston was sacked three times, pass protection was outstanding for much of the day and Breshad Perriman made some difficult catches. Bruce Arians won’t admit it publicly, but he thought Winston was beyond games like this.
* This game won’t go on Byron Leftwich’s highlight tape, either. It was apparent early on that Winston was off, but Leftwich ordered up 51 pass plays in 72 snaps. And don’t blame the scoreboard. After halftime, when the game was tied 17-17, the Bucs ran only 9 times in 34 snaps. You’ve got to show more faith than that in your offensive line and your backs.
* The best player on the field for either team was Jason Pierre-Paul, who was a relentless force off the left edge. While Shaq Barrett offered little push, JPP was sacking Watson three times and registering three tackles for loss. He is making it very difficult for Bowles and Arians to even consider moving on without him next fall.
* One of Winston’s better passes of the day clanged off Cameron Brate’s gloved hands on fourth down late in the game. A completion would have given Tampa Bay a first down, already in field goal range, and it was a rare drop from a veteran tight end known for his dependability. Winston made sure he quickly approached Brate to tell him to shake it off — a class move.
* Perriman deserves credit for stepping up his game markedly in the past five weeks. He looked like a free-agent bust and now he looks like a keeper, if the Bucs can keep him off the free-agent market. With Houston’s secondary keying on him, Perriman caught seven passes for 102 yards, including several sideline grabs that showcased his nimble feet. There’s more to this guy’s game than just pure speed … a lot more.
* Jamel Dean has emerged as Tampa Bay’s best defensive back and Saturday’s effort only added to that distinction. Dean’s late second-quarter interception and 31-yard return led to a Winston TD throw to Justin Watson that forged a halftime tie. Dean’s confidence is growing by the game, justifiably.
* We’ve seen Winston victimized repeatedly by short slants over the middle, but Sunday’s main culprit was the out pattern to the left sideline. The trouble started only 48 seconds in when Bradley Roby stepped in front of a pass floated in Watson’s direction and brought it back 27 yards to the end zone. The final gaffe ended Tampa Bay’s’ last legitimate chance as safety Jahleel Addae picked off Winston’s throw intended for Dare Ogunbowale. Considering the Texans began the game with only 8 picks on the year, Saturday’s bountiful harvest was especially satisfying. “He’s a gunslinger,” safety Justin Reid said of Winston. “He’ll throw a pick and on the very next play, he’ll throw a fade. It doesn’t bother him.” That may be true, but it sure hacks off Buc fans pining for progress.
* The rain held off — and so did the crowd. Let’s hope the right people noticed.
* The Bucs had a chance to prove they could beat an AFC power before a national audience, but it wasn’t to be. The Texans were far from their best, yet the Bucs let them off the hook by self-destructing. That minus-11 turnover differential haunts this coaching staff and this ownership group. “It’s just hard to get behind that much and try to come back and win,” said O.J. Howard.
* The Bucs will close out Year 1 of the Arians era Sunday at home against Atlanta. Don’t expect a miraculous return for Godwin. Expect a different Jameis Winston. The one we saw Saturday won’t do, not by a longshot.
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Ira Kaufman launched his professional NFL coverage in 1979, back when Earl Campbell was the toast of the league and Lee Roy Selmon was defensive player of the year. After a lifetime at The Tampa Tribune, “The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports” joined JoeBucsFan.com in July of 2016. His twice-weekly podcast and three columns per week appear here year-round and are presented by Bill Currie Ford. Tampa Bay’s only Hall of Fame voter is a regular on SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio and a part of the FOX-13 Tailgate Sunday show, in addition to his other appearances. You can hang out with Ira during every Bucs road games at Buffalo Wild Wings. His schedule is linked here.
December 22nd, 2019 at 12:16 am
Well said, great article.
December 22nd, 2019 at 12:22 am
Defense looking Good! Feels funny to say that since it has been so long butI really think we are on the way up. I would like it if our QB wouldn’t give us 4 extra possessions a game.
December 22nd, 2019 at 12:25 am
Glazers should just open the gates, when has a Buccaneer thrown for 5,000 yards? Much less anyone not names Drew Brees.
December 22nd, 2019 at 12:30 am
Well said Ira.
As long as Winston is the QB here, there WILL be less and less people in the seats at Ray Jay, like today..
I also hope the right people notice.
December 22nd, 2019 at 12:32 am
No way Leftwich gets blamed for this game.
The picks were bad enough, but Jameis also missed wide open td’s to Watson and Perriman and Brate’s drop was a killer. OJ Howard and Jameis have 0 chemistry. And Dotson , a very good pass blocker, can’t run block.
December 22nd, 2019 at 12:39 am
I never expected O.J. Howard to step up, ask said before, he’s soft n passive. Jameis sounds like a tape recorder…”I can’t turn the ball over”. He make the same bonehead int throws each week. Justin Watson caught a few passes n a td, but I’ve watched him over the past several weeks n he play scared n timid, especially on kickoff. Our defense has improved since the release of Hargreaves. SBM is a diamond in the rough n JDean is stepping up but still working off the butterflies. I wished the offense would come up with some creative/gadget plays to throw defenses off sometime. We’re becoming too predictable on critical 3rd n 4th downs.
December 22nd, 2019 at 1:23 am
Winston’s exciting games do not make up for his disastrous ones. Teddy Bridgewater for 2020 sounds better, he is careful with the ball yet can move an offense.
December 22nd, 2019 at 1:41 am
OJ sucks. He has no room to talk.
December 22nd, 2019 at 1:42 am
OJ is as stiff as they come. He’s not the dominant TE we thought he could be. If he was a good blocker, we’d run the ball better. And if he was a good receiver, he’d have better numbers.
December 22nd, 2019 at 2:05 am
I really hope this organization dumps Winston. Have they not seen enough. Go draft a rookie. Spend the money building the defense and the o-line. A rookie won’t be worse than Winston.
December 22nd, 2019 at 2:27 am
Bucfan81 Says:
December 22nd, 2019 at 2:05 am
I really hope this organization dumps Winston. Have they not seen enough. Go draft a rookie. Spend the money building the defense and the o-line. A rookie won’t be worse than Winston.
——————————————————————————-
at least with a rookie we realize he has to learn,with Winston he still cant be coached. This gets old getting hopes up, than dropped on your head.
But I am also scared he will be like Freddy Kruger ,he will return, I am afraid.
jmo
December 22nd, 2019 at 3:03 am
Agree with everything Ira, except…….
Winston being classy to Brate after the drop.
How can JayMiss say anything other than “don’t worry about it Cam” when he F-s up as much as the Soiled Messiah?
December 22nd, 2019 at 3:15 am
Yeah I can see them letting JW go. I honestly wonder what Brudgewater could do with these skill players and a better run game.
December 22nd, 2019 at 4:18 am
More flip flops in here than Clearwater Beach.
Jameis is going nowhere!
The point of watching football (to me) is to be entertained and at the end of the day have a chance to win each game.
In my eyes, with the defense finally playing like a NFL team lately, we have accomplished both this year. There will be a lot of excitement and optimism heading into next year for sure.
Even if we lose the next game we still have improved from last year and set franchise records on the first year of the offense. Think about that, a first year offense surpassed a 4th year system.
Jameis will be here for a long time and the best is still yet to come. Embrace this kid, he doesn’t need more enemies than the opponents.
December 22nd, 2019 at 4:37 am
I’m with Joe. The defense failed us. If it wasn’t for JWs heroics we would have had no chance.
December 22nd, 2019 at 4:43 am
Alaskan
Your entertainment argument is silly.
By chance do you like to drive slowly by car accident scenes several times to get your much needed dose of “entertainment”?
You have just taken the crown away from ndog.
You are officially the stupidest JayMiss apologist.
The King Nuthugger if you will!
December 22nd, 2019 at 6:05 am
I believe Winston returns. But I’m not a fan of his W L. One of the Joe’s, Winston’s staunchest defender, has been saying all yr that if Winston had a good defense he wouldn’t have to make dumb decisions. Now we are seeing what happens when the D is good and Winston is still Winston…America’s Turnover Machine.
December 22nd, 2019 at 6:13 am
While I’m encouraged of the growth this team has made, I still am weary of my optimism since that “streak” of wins against bad teams reminds me of the 2016 season. Personally I can’t wait to read the comments when Licht convinces the Glazers that a $27 million franchise tag will be a wise business decision.
December 22nd, 2019 at 6:28 am
He’s not going to change. Ever. He’s always going to be a guy who gives the ball to the other team in critical situations. He’s done it since college and he’s 5 years into his pro career. You want stability with a guy at the qb position. He offers the opposite, volatility. It’s a crap shoot every time he releases the ball. We need to look at all other options.
December 22nd, 2019 at 6:28 am
Cmon Ira. Not on Leftwich. Those passes were dialed up by Arians. No playoffs means finding out if Jameis is his guy next year. Can only do that by throwing it early and often. Expect a bunch of throws next week too
December 22nd, 2019 at 6:33 am
I’m disappointed in you Sage. Yesterday’s game was the Bucs’ Super Bowl against a respectable AFC team. Yes we lost, BUT … our Bucs’ TEAM showed us what they’re made of. Yes Jameis sh!t the bed (again & again & again & again), BUT our DEFENSE kept us in the game up until the bitter end & gave us a chance to win. Despite all of the offense & S/Ts turnovers, it only gave up 16 points to a Top-10 scoring offense. Our defense is now playing like a Top-10 defense IMO, and will only get better IF Bucs’ management doesn’t screw with it.
The big question in my mind now is ‘How will the Bucs build on this defense going forward?’ Of our current 30 defenders under contract right now … 24 defenders on the active roster plus 5 on IR/NFI lists … we’ve got TEN free agents for 2020. Several on the roster have seen very little action this year & probably won’t be retained. But FIVE of our UFAs (JPP, Suh, Barrett, Nassib & Adams) are starters right now … as in very close to HALF our defense. Several others (Nunez-Roches, Minter, Ryan Smith) have been significant contributors to our TEAM during the year.
Those EIGHT defenders have proven what they can do and ALL EIGHT need to be re-signed. Sign a veteran starter-capable Safety, draft a high-round DT/DE/OLB (BPA) plus MAYBE 1 more defender in Rounds 4-6 and we should be ready to rock & roll defensively in 2020.
December 22nd, 2019 at 6:49 am
I don’t know how the Glazers put JW out there next year and expect fans to continue supporting this team . JW will never take you to the promise land ! He is to erratic ! He just does not have the maturity ( as a leader ) or self control to succeed in this league ! The Bucs keep waiting but it has not happened and the gamble that JW will get it is not worth it . Fan base is to jaded at this point ! I am sure JW has lost players in the locker room as well as fans . He is not a leader of men .
December 22nd, 2019 at 7:04 am
VA. Yes Winston’s turnovers were a huge part of the loss. But they weren’t the only culprit. We also saw a blocked field goal attempt, a heinously ugly drop from OJ that by all rights should have been a 50 yard TD. A fumble that and clear recovery that was stolen by the refs incompetence. An ugly fumble from Peyton Barber. And a huge gut punch of a drop by Cam Brate that sealed the game.
Despite the turnovers Jameis. Despite the fact that we were down 3 starting Wideouts. We still were in position to win this game and probably should have won this game against the playoff bound Texans.
The turnovers from #3 have to come down. No question. But there is so much upside as well. He is far too good and makes too many plays to even consider letting him go. I dont know why it’s so hard to see for some people.
Also I petition that Rich Eisen be prevented from calling any future games for us. Dude is clearly a jinx.
December 22nd, 2019 at 7:16 am
I don’t know how anyone in their right mind can call Brate and Howard great tight ends. Lets bring Jameis back see if he can go for Vinnys team record 35 ints.
December 22nd, 2019 at 7:25 am
The problem with Jameis is that there have been and likely will be no consequences for his mistakes…..he forgets them immediately and that is why he repeats them…..
What will you do…..bench him…..playing is the only thing of true value to him….Koetter tried that and even that didn’t work.
You simply have to accept his downside or move on……the one thing you cannot do is to overpay for his services.
I think a deal for Bridgewater could work…..and if Jameis and his agent believe that then maybe they will accept a reasonable offer.
December 22nd, 2019 at 7:25 am
The ball to Cameron Brate was a wobbling duck of a throw… not easy to catch.
December 22nd, 2019 at 7:31 am
The ball hit him square in the chest and he had it in his hands. That should be a catch 10/10’s out of ten.
He dropped it because he turned to run before he secured the ball.
December 22nd, 2019 at 7:32 am
Its early… ten times out of ten lol.
December 22nd, 2019 at 7:39 am
As a fan of football and the Buccaneers, it’s frustrating as hell to see the QB make so, so many poor decisions. It’s also equally frustrating to listen to fans excuses these mistakes, but then they are quick to crucify any other player for one mistake.
The issue I have is that these decisions (turnovers) will never change and we can’t win like that. Super Bowls are entertaining for me. I realize we only have one, but no playoffs in 12 years- no playoff win in 17 years. 5 years and still the same dumb ass turnovers. Count me as part of the fans who love Jameis, but realize we can’t win the big one with him- much less get an invitation to the dance (playoffs). It’s a vicious cycle of suck.
December 22nd, 2019 at 7:42 am
The Glazer’s, and Licht measure success as signing your own draft picks to second contracts, not by wins, and losses. That’s why Jameis will be back. If I were Licht, I’d tell him to test the market, but give us the chance to match whatever offer he gets. If not Licht will over pay, and we’ll be in cap hell with the all time turnover leader the last five years as our QB.
December 22nd, 2019 at 7:50 am
The Bucs will keep JW. Not sure I agree, but that’s what will happen. Sign him to a 2 year deal with only 1 year guaranteed. Then he’s tied to BA. If there’s a new coach, then he can pick his QB.
Trade OJ for a 2nd and 4th rd pick. You won’t get a 1st for him. Get a DL in 1st, RT and RB in the 2nd. Maybe use the 4th rd pick to move up from 3rd to 2nd for another lineman. S in the 4th a veteran CB in FA. Then if JW has another bad turnover season, you can mortgage the future in the 2021 draft for a QB.
December 22nd, 2019 at 7:53 am
I, for one, enjoy winning, mature, football. I am proud of this team in it’s current configuration. With the release of GM and Hargreaves and the addition of some of the rookies and JPP, the winning culture is starting to blossom. If this were last year this team would have rolled over and been stomped yesterday. That being said, JW is holding this team back, big time. He’s a man-child who will never grow up. I don’t hate him, but he is who he is. None of us are perfect, but he isn’t the guy who will ever lead this team to greatness. Time to move on. Also, I live in VA, but am from Tampa and have been away many years. I would love to attend a game. If I lived in Tampa I wouldn’t spend a dime to watch JW. It’s like a slap in the face from management and ownership to continually parade this guy out there, knowing the chances of winning are a crapshoot at best.
December 22nd, 2019 at 7:54 am
I like Hodad’s approach to the JW situation. JW is a $15M/yr QB, not a $30M guy.
December 22nd, 2019 at 8:11 am
If BA is as savvy as we think, he could put all these weekly discussions on another team’s fans & help the bucs too by trading Jameis! Because Jameis is so bad, then so good another coach may think he can fix Jameis & give BA/licht a ton in a trade. Maybe even a good QB in the deal. Who knows? If they could trade Jameis it would free up the money to keep the defense together that is going to be special in the near future, as well as to allow BA/Licht to help the offense too. And Glazer’s, trading Jameis may just put the fans back in those empty seats because we may have hope for the future again, unlike the bleak future we currently have with Jameis.
December 22nd, 2019 at 8:17 am
Unfortunately this organization doesn’t have the balls to boot Winston. They’ll convince themselves he just needs more time with Arians.
Next year we’ll all be having this same conversation lamenting that’s it now year 6 and this clown still throws the ball to the wrong team.
BTW, I’m really sick of hearing how he’s a gunslinger. He’s just careless.
December 22nd, 2019 at 8:23 am
And, there it is folks, the three-ring circus names Jameis Winston! Every reason to get rid of him and keep him rolled into one game.
Props go out to that defense. That was fun to watch! The way they played, we should be looking at a ‘W’.
December 22nd, 2019 at 8:41 am
Lol….
No way you can blame BL….LOL…
GO BUCS
December 22nd, 2019 at 8:45 am
Formaly Tampa 2 … The trading deadline is past and you can’t trade what you don’t own (Jameis is a UFA after the next game).
December 22nd, 2019 at 9:03 am
Another key point was the WORST kick-off returns in a game ever witnessed without turning the ball over. Of all the returns, did Dare make one to the 20 yard line? I know he returned every single one, no drive started at 25 after a kick-off.
Tampa has only had 2 kick-off returners worth their pay in the history of this franchise that I can recall, Peanut (Pro Bowl rookie season) and Spurlock (first to return one for TD).
This should be something that is targeted during the off-season.
December 22nd, 2019 at 9:15 am
813bucboi … Respectfully disagree; Yes you CAN blame Leftwich. ‘Bombs Away’ is a fun passing game to watch … until it isn’t. And that would be when it starts costing you WINS (and you go from Wins-Tons to Wins-Less). At 7-8 on the season, and after 28 INTs in 15 games, I’d say that’s where we’re at right now.
Yes Jameis will probably throw for over 5,000 yards this year. That’s meaningless IMO if it doesn’t translate to WINS. (Plus a LOT of that is due to some excellent YAC by our receivers). But I see other things that he’s doing that do translate to LOSSES … 28 INTs for one thing (4.7% of his throws … by far the highest in the league). His completion percentage (61.0%) is too low IMO for a 5th year QB, and tells me that he’s either too inaccurate OR he’s making a lot of high risk/lower completion probability throws (and very possibly a combination of the two).
In my flying career I found that I was very good with a Gatling gun, but horrific with a pistol or rifle. I had a much higher probability of hitting my target in one scenario than in the other. THAT’S Jameis IMO. He’s by-passing higher probability throws in favor of throwing into ‘tight windows’ much too often. Put another way, Jameis has completed 367 passes to Bucs’ receivers PLUS 28 passes to opponents’ defenders for a total of 395 completions. He’s attempted 602 passes, so his real completion percentage is a very respectable 65.6% (versus his current 61.0%). Perhaps what he needs is to stop using the Gatling gun approach.
December 22nd, 2019 at 9:21 am
25 year old Qb. 1st year in Arians scheme.
His first year in Koetters scheme he had a 59.8% completion percentage.
His percentage will go up next year as well. And I truly believe another year of maturity and things will click for Jameis to the point where we dont see these awful, multiple interception games any more. At least not 2-3 of them per year.
If I’m the gm, theres just far too much good I’ve seen from Jameis. I’m giving him a 5 year 140 million dollar deal. The sooner you sign the cheaper the deal becomes.
December 22nd, 2019 at 9:21 am
As usual, Ira stated it well.
I only hope he can convince “the other Joe” that Winston is far from the franchise QB he espouses him to be weekly.
Peace, out
December 22nd, 2019 at 9:32 am
I was starting to come around to Jameis after the wins vs Lions, Cards, Colts and Jags but I wanted one more game to see how he would play vs a team with the urgency to make the playoffs, that being the Texans, the only team on the Bucs schedule that was playing a meaningful game.
What I saw yesterday was a very good defense and an offense that gave its quarterback ample time to find the right target. Alas, a situation to really evaluate if there was a quarterback on the Bucs to put faith in.
What we saw was the same type of interceptions that have marked his career with the Bucs and have contributed to the 12 year playoff drought.
Certainly the 2 interceptions on those out patterns should never have been thrown, the ball didn’t come out on time and Winston was eye-balling that left sideline the entire time. The DB’s had a clean path to the ball. How many times did we see Vinny do the same throws. The other interception that hurt was another ball thrown into tight coverage.
Winston cannot read defenses period. He was sloppy with the ball in college and now there is proof that in big games he plays his worse and in games vs opponents that are not in playoff contention, he plays his best.
I’m in agreement that the fan base is impatient and needs a quick fix to this problem, sign a middle level veteran qb that takes care of the ball, draft another quarterback and use the $25,000,000 to add an offensive tackle, a mid level running back and another edge rusher. Draft lots of lineman.
Move Brate and Howard’s salaries, resign Periman, extend Godwin.
The next question is Mike Evans, the best player on the Bucs is at the peak of his career. He’s a great player, but like David and McCoy, his ProBowl numbers and recognition havn’t helped the Bucs to push into playoffs.
He is at his highest premium value to a team that needs a stud to get deeper into the playoffs. If the Bucs had a smart long term plan and could make a Herschel Walker/Ricky Williams trade to get multiple #1 and #2 picks for Mike, do it, thats how you build championships, you have depth and you have great offensive lines/defensive lines. Did the Vikings ever win a Super Bowl with Randy Moss and Chris Carter? Did Dolphins do it with Duper and Clayton?
You only need one great receiver, having money tied up in 3 is crazy, Godwin is only getting better, Periman is getting better. Get some speedy guys. Drew Brees has one stud receiver, San Francisco has one (tight end), but both teams have the best defensive lines in football and one will be in the SuperBowl.
December 22nd, 2019 at 9:36 am
Here are my thoughts:
• This team, as a whole outside of QB, played well enough to dominate
• Not for the first time this year, the only reason we lost was Winston. That’s the hard truth.
• The excuses of no defense and no kicking game no longer apply.
• I want to believe in Jameis, and I do believe he will eventually become very good, but I now question if even I have that much patience.
• I think about the veterans we’ve had in the past: Greise, Garcia, etc, and I cannot help but think that if we had someone like that, we’d be playoff contenders. Unfortunately, there is currently no one like that in the NFL who will be available.
• The suggestion that ‘at least Teddy Bridgewater doesn’t turn the ball over’ is one born of ignorance. He’s had one good year as a backup. Look at his past! Buying into the one-year-wonder trap is why we have not grown as a team.
• Eli Manning, Mathew Stafford, and Andrew Luck might be available this off season, of those, two are short term fixes, and the other is likely to be on injured reserve a few games into a season.
Short term fixes would be acceptable if we are developing a long term solution as well.
• I’m invested in this team. It is in my blood. But being a fan is getting more and more painful. I can survive the pain, but man, I need some healing.
December 22nd, 2019 at 9:37 am
Shut up Brian. People aren’t showing up because the team is eliminated from the playoffs. If they win next year the stadium will be full. One thing about this team with Winston is that they are exciting as hell. Fans aren’t staying away because of him and as soon as they start winning you will see that. Maybe you and BucBandit won’t be back, but plenty of fans that have been staying away will take your places.
December 22nd, 2019 at 10:18 am
franchise him, then try to get a good backup (draft ,or possible trade replacement, or both) that you can put in if he fails to improve. I know Ariens said he didnt want him looking over his shoulder, but he had this year for that, now we know he was not playing badly because he was looking at the bench.I would think that him being worried about being replaced shouldnt be an issue if you have confidence in your abilitiy.
reminds me of when coach McKay was asked about his kicker getting nervous when he was around, he said tell the kicker, Im going to be here every game….
December 22nd, 2019 at 10:26 am
Speaking of poor special teams, why in the world was that final punt by the Texans caught at the 5 yard line? You put your feet at the 10 and if the ball goes over your head you let it go. What is the worst thing that could have happened? The ball bounces and stops at the 1? Chances are the ball goes into the end zone, or bounces back to the 10. Is it just me or was that not just a dumb a$$ play?
December 22nd, 2019 at 11:21 am
The team and Jameis have to reduce the INTs by 50% next year, no question. There’s responsibility all around. Jameis has plenty of it.
The said, the fact that Jameis showed up to his post game press conference with that thumb already re-casted tells me the young man is dealing with a whole heck of a lot more than a “crack”. He balling with a broken thumb on his throwing hand.
December 22nd, 2019 at 11:28 am
TouchDownTampaBay
Wrong as usual.
The last time that there was excitement in the fan base and folks in the seats was the beginning of last season when Fitz was starting. The folks thought the Bucs were done with Winston and were thrilled. Fans were showing up in large numbers wearing fake beards and holding Fear The Beard signs.
The fans here want something to be excited about very badly and it isn’t Winston.
December 22nd, 2019 at 1:00 pm
Yes and as soon as FitzTragic came back the buzz was over and the fans were checking out. My 14 yo so became a fan after the Colts game. He wanted to go yesterday when I asked him to. He said I think this team will be really good next year and they are fun to watch. He wants to watch a competitive team that is entertaining. My son is not the only one and if this team turns the corner next year he will not be the only one at the games. It’s sports. Winning cures everything.