Five Things
September 21st, 2020
(Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
Welcome to Victory Monday! Damn it’s been too long since Joe typed that. Let’s get rolling.
Leonard Fournette arrives.
As Joe wrote earlier, if Joe lived in an apartment or a condo, or if the houses in Joe’s neighborhood weren’t as spaced out as they are — there is a good 15-20 yards between houses to either side of Joe’s abode and with air conditioners running, it’s pretty safe acoustically — Joe is convinced the cops or a neighbor would have shown up asking if Joe was OK.
That’s how loud Joe was screaming “rrruuunnn!!!” when Bucs running back Leonard Fournette broke loose from the line of scrimmage and scored from 46 yards out to ice the Bucs’ first win of the season.
Even when Fournette was halfway to the goal line, Joe thought of past seasons when Doug Martin or Vincent Jackson were caught from behind on jailbreak runs and the Bucs failed to score a touchdown and lost by one score.
Not yesterday!
That run by Fournette was exactly why Joe has been hollering for a running back for years. Yeah, folks claim Ronald Jones was running better yesterday, but Fournette is a talented back and at any moment, can either bust off a 20-yard run or house one from midfield as he did yesterday.
Two games into his third season, Joe is still waiting for RoJo to do that.
For the first time since at least Doug Martin’s last good year in 2015, or perhaps not since LeGarrette Blount, have the Bucs had a running back that is capable of changing the game on one touch.
Can Fournette be that elusive 1,000-yard rusher this year for the Bucs? Only time will tell. But the man is a gamewrecker, as former Bucs coach Dirk Koetter would call him.
And yesterday Fournette wrecked the Stinking Panthers.
A big thanks to maybe one of the densest general managers in the NFL, Dave Caldwell of the Jags, for cutting Fournette loose just before the regular season began.
*Finally* for a change, it is the Bucs taking advantage of other general managers making dumbarse moves.
Whiteout!
Yes, Joe wanted desperately for the Bucs to draft an edge rusher last year. That in no way, shape or form means Joe doesn’t want inside linebacker Devin White to ball out. To suggest Joe wants a Bucs player to fail is outrageous. But some claim Joe doesn’t want White to succeed. That is total BS.
Though Lavonte David is the standard-bearer for linebackers in Joe’s eyes, it’s not like White is a slouch. White may be as good as David. They are certainly 1A and 1B.
If both of those guys continue to play like they have the first two weeks, Joe could see both linebackers in the Pro Bowl. It would help if the Bucs made the playoffs, too.
Joe has a new saying for when White levels an opposing offensive player: “Whiteout.”
He’s a baller.
Damn, yesterday Joe swears Antonio Winfield was all over the field. Guarding receivers, blasting running backs, and oh yeah, getting a sack.
Since the night the Bucs drafted Winfield and Joe studied his various highlight videos, Joe remembers texting back-and-forth with someone employed by the Bucs and writing to the guy, “This Winfield looks like a baller!”
And he certainly is a baller. Right now can you think of a defensive rookie having more of an impact?
OK, Joe will give you Chase Young. Javon Kinlaw is having a good start to his rookie season as well. The Redskins stink. The 49ers are beat to hell already and are playing in a ferocious division.
If the Bucs continue to win and Winfield continues this smart, impactful play, how could he not be considered in the running for Defensive Rookie of the Year?
Through two games the safety has 17 tackles, 11 solo and a sack.
Brady Is Not Done (Yet)
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring Bucs quarterback Tom Brady lit up a sorry, injury-pockmarked Stinking Panthers defense.
What was Brady supposed to do, lay down for them?
Brady had a nice little game, completing 23 of 35 passes for 217 yards. He was sharp in the first half and later in the game when the Bucs needed him.
Last week Joe couldn’t believe all the people who were jumping off the Brady bandwagon in the national press. The height of sensational racket was when Bucky Brooks, analyst for NFL Network, claimed on Colin Cowherd’s FS1 show that the Bucs were having “buyer’s remorse.” LOL
If the Bucs can block for Brady like they did yesterday, he will be fine. Joe is pretty sure the Bucs are not ruing the day they signed Brady.
“What the hell is going on out there?”
Yesterday when Bucs left tackle Donovan Smith left the game late in the first half with an injury (he wasn’t out long), who the hell was the brainiac who on the very first play Smith was out saw fit to call a draw play off left tackle?
Predictably, itblew up in the Bucs’ faces. That was really swift.
Quick stat: With NFL sack king Shaq Barrett still looking for his first sack of the season, it is fairly clear to Joe he’s not getting 19.5 sacks this year. To do so he would need 19 sacks in 14 games. That’s an absurd amount. That’s Deacon Jones kind of stuff.
Final word: Did anyone hear Tristan Wirfs’ name mentioned yesterday after a play? Joe sure didn’t. For an offensive lineman, that’s a good thing.
September 21st, 2020 at 7:08 am
Good stuff, Joe! I agree about White, and Winfield. I still want to see more from Brady and the offense, but there was some good porgression from last week. Just a note though it looks like you accidentally misspelled Lavonte David’s last name, and Antione Winfield’s first name in your article.
September 21st, 2020 at 7:18 am
The OLine was outstanding on Fournette’s td run- Marpet, Jensen and Cappa cleared out the DT’s and both LB’s – then Fournette burst through the hole and his speed finished it off.
If OLine continues to execute like that, Bucs running game will come alive like yesterday.
September 21st, 2020 at 7:22 am
Fournette saved embarrassing 2nd half / game for the Bucs
September 21st, 2020 at 7:23 am
Wirfs and Winfield best 2 draft picks since Vea and Godwin.
September 21st, 2020 at 7:29 am
Its a little premature but I would consider locking up Godwin and Fournette in January and let Shaq walk. Sign a low price free agent edge rusher and draft one.
September 21st, 2020 at 7:31 am
Shaq has mailed it in for the year since he’s franchised……….this much is obviously clear…..
Captain weenie armed Tom Brady better do some more bicep curls and bench presses and start rubbing deer antlers all over his skinny arms to add more strength if he’s gonna make it the whole season or else he’ll start looking more like Brad Johnson out there.
September 21st, 2020 at 7:32 am
Agreed….
Shaq won’t be a buc next year
The jury is still out on fournette though
BUT THE ROJO EXPERIMENT IS OVER!!!!!
September 21st, 2020 at 7:33 am
Speaking of dense, how quickly some forget. Who can’t remember the gross errors in judgment of those who stomped up and down to draft Manziel and who thought Winston was EVER the second coming? Before whatever it was that Martin allowed to ruin his career entered the picture, he had plenty of runs like Fournette had yesterday. Not enough over time, but nonetheless, he did. Vjax was a baller and of course declined as he got older. He saved Freeman’s and Winston’s bacon so many times, but it was not enough to keep them from destroying their own careers with stupid mistakes.
Now, for the moment, Fournette showed he deserves to be in top RB spot–but he too can go from gamewrecker to wrecking the team and being a distraction.
Like other high profile guys that come and go, some with great controversy, I’d not conclude just yet that he is not, or will not be a problem child he was in JAX. Revel in the moment, sure, but go cautiously.
September 21st, 2020 at 7:34 am
The offense obviously needs more time to gel, but even still Brady should have had two and possibly three more touchdowns of our receivers could catch the damn ball. Facts. He played just fine. And a story. Calling him weenie armed is the height of trollishness. And Anthem knows it.
September 21st, 2020 at 7:34 am
TheBucsAnthem Says:
September 21st, 2020 at 7:22 am
Fournette saved embarrassing 2nd half / game for the Bucs
I wish I could disagree because this person talks out of his/her rear end but I have to agree this time.
The Bucs second half offense looked scary for a long time. To say I was nervous they were gonna lose is an understatement. I was waiting for it to come. But 4net closed it out.
Bucs play calling and execution has to improve if they are gonna take the next step.
September 21st, 2020 at 7:35 am
*end of story
September 21st, 2020 at 7:41 am
Team look improved and trending in the right direction. We still shot ourselves in the foot with missed catches, one for a TD, the other for a long pass but we jumped out to a quick lead and now must learn to put our foot on their throat to finish them off.
September 21st, 2020 at 7:41 am
Greg Auman did an audit on Brady’s incompletions this week. He said three were bad throws, seven went off receivers hands, and one went off Graysons helmet. Bucs didn’t do him any favors. Here’s to hoping Chris Godwin heals up and is back on the field soon.
September 21st, 2020 at 7:43 am
It seems we finally have hit on some 2nd round picks…..Winfield,SMB & Davis are players….
Wirfs wasn’t mentioned because he did his job……the same goes for Succop…..not having our kicker mentioned is a rare thing.
We will need money from Gronk & Shaq to sign Fournette & Godwin….because if they don’t start producing, they won’t be paid.
September 21st, 2020 at 7:54 am
BucsAnthem… bicep curls and bench press to help his arm strength? Do you realize how stupid you sound? Bicep and bench strength has absolutely nothing to do with the ability to throw a football. You and your constant weaned comments have made you the new Pablo. Congrats, payaso!
September 21st, 2020 at 7:55 am
Joe, let’s give Rojo a little credit. He made someone miss, and got into the endzone. Fournette is the better back clearly, but Rojo isn’t bad either. The guy I think should be gone is McCoy. He’s shown nothing. What good is a third down pass catching back who drops a dime in the endzone? Couldn’t believe Arain’s was giving him a big hug after that drop. What he should’ve done is tell him to clean out his locker. We’re wasting touches on a back who won’t be with the team next year, or sooner.
September 21st, 2020 at 7:57 am
Is no one talking about the 2 TD passes that were DROPPED! Hopefully Shady drop master McCoy is done. He dropped 2 yesterday and one was a TD pass.
Scotty Miller, you have to catch that TD man!!
Brady should’ve ended up with at least 1 more TD. I can understand dropping one TD pass, but 2!?!?!
September 21st, 2020 at 7:57 am
It is a definite trend in the NFL that when a team has a huge lead at half time, look out. More often than not, the team with the big lead relaxes, changes the game plan to eat up clock, kills their momentum, and it ends up being a crazy nail biter in the 4th. The upside to yesterday, is the Bucs lost momentum but still found a few plays to stop Carolina from tying the game and took the momentum back. This feels different. We would have lost this game in the last several years. Any way you slice it a win is a win and the Bucs can keep building on that!
September 21st, 2020 at 8:14 am
I am just wondering where the outrage is for the 2 TOs per game?
All I have heard for the last 5 years is that you can’t win with TOs and our current QB is currently averaging 2 TOs per game.
Wheres the outrage we are so used to?
September 21st, 2020 at 8:15 am
Winfield has a forced fumble too. Beautiful sack. The guy knows how to play for sure. Alot of td or big play saving tackles on McCaffrey too. Keep ballin AW!
September 21st, 2020 at 8:17 am
NDOG Jamies has five years to eliminate turnovers. Brady is in his first year of an offense for the first time in twenty years. He’s being afforded grace because of this and the fact the he is the winningest QB in the modern NFL history. Maybe second in all of history to Otto Graham.
September 21st, 2020 at 8:20 am
Avoid the question like always cause you don’t have an answer.
September 21st, 2020 at 8:22 am
Pup, Mitch didn’t avoid your question. And it’s the absolute correct response. The new guy has a resume and is in a new system for the first time since many of these posters were in diapers. He’s improving and I conjecture he will continue to improve. Unlike some.
September 21st, 2020 at 8:27 am
Great stuff JOE!!
Park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring Bucs quarterback Tom Brady
Your Classless approach towards Brady is just funny!! Keep up the great humor. lol
September 21st, 2020 at 8:32 am
Early in the game RoJo was not HITTING the hole! … he was dancing
The OL is still not consistent in the running game… RJ is too inconsistent in all aspects and is sliding down the depth chart
September 21st, 2020 at 8:35 am
You’re right, NPUPPY!
It’s ridiculous how many turnovers Brady has had so far. It’s unacceptable! I’ll be the second one to admit that with you being the first, of course. Brady and the Bucs need to clean that up!
But here is the difference.
Brady quote “I think consistency and dependability are things we need to work on”
Jw quote “check the sheet, I’m ballin.”
Yes, I cherry picked JW’S quote but the difference is one is said in the beginning of the season while the other was said after over 30 turnovers.
One has 6 sb rings while the other is third on a depth chart.
But again, Brady HAS to clean up the turnovers
September 21st, 2020 at 8:35 am
He’s played 2 games for the Bucs and is averaging 2 TOs per game. The past means nothing, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, and has nothing to do with what will happen this year.
BTW it was a new system for last year’s QB as well yet he got no such leeway.
Double standard much?
September 21st, 2020 at 8:37 am
@Ndog:
In the first game, the Bucs made three turnovers, and the Saints had none.
The Bucs lost to the Saints.
In yesterday’s game, the Bucs made two turnovers, but the Panthers had four.
The Bucs beat the Panthers.
Someone has posted this before, but the team that wins the turnover battle usually wins the game, even if you’re the GOAT, or a first round bust.
tickrdr
September 21st, 2020 at 8:39 am
Yes tickrdr when your defense actually plays well it helps your chances of winning.
I’ve heard someone talking about that for awhile on this site but I can’t remember who.
🤔
September 21st, 2020 at 8:41 am
I think you are understating how good White is playing. Out of a bunch of extremely talented defenders White looks the best of them all.
September 21st, 2020 at 8:45 am
Bowles’ defense starting to gradually look like the great Bucs defenses of the past makes this season worth following. I hope LVD gets to perform in a playoff game before he retires. BTW, where are all the blowhards screaming for Licht’s head?
September 21st, 2020 at 8:46 am
Come on NPUPPY
You know jw had more 3+ int games than 0 int games last season.
Did we forget the 121 points off of jw turnovers? 7.5 points a game gifted to the other team. Do you care to comment on that or sweep it under the rug LIKE YOU HAVE ALWAYS DONE??
Again, this is why he is third on the depth chart in NOLA.
September 21st, 2020 at 8:49 am
Our QB is averaging 2 TOs per game and one of those games was against one of the worst teams in the league missing 2 starting dlineman. Plus we had a running game, made all of our kicks and got 4 TOs. Now ask yourself without all that help where would have been?
Upgrade??
September 21st, 2020 at 8:54 am
NDOG,
The defense plays harder for Brady! Talk about why.
September 21st, 2020 at 8:57 am
D1 Says:
September 21st, 2020 at 8:54 am
NDOG,
The defense plays harder for Brady! Talk about why.
I see you enjoy your brainwashing, so sad.
September 21st, 2020 at 9:02 am
NPUPPY,
Did you forget the 121 points off of jw turnovers? 7.5 points a game gifted to the other team. Do you care to comment on that or sweep it under the rug LIKE YOU HAVE ALWAYS DONE??
I’m still waiting. How do you explain this? Do you subtract the 7.5 points from the total points scored per game against the Bucs defense (last season) which makes them a top 10 defense?
Do you want to subtract 121 points from the Bucs offense (last season) from their total which drops them to 21 points per game which is below average.
Which way do you want to slice that pie?
I’ll be patiently waiting for your response on this matter.
September 21st, 2020 at 9:03 am
Pup, as long as the defense remains “brainwashed” by a quarterback with a resume and a demonstrated will to win, I’m okay with that. Your hero did not improve one iota during the season. Time will tell if that’s the same with our current quarterback. The smart money says it won’t be the same.
September 21st, 2020 at 9:03 am
813bucboi Says:
September 18th, 2020 at 10:17 am
i thought the throw was a little behind the WR….
so if we put up 30+ vs CAR and get the W, will folks give BL credit or will they say brady/BA called the plays?…lol…
ON TO CAR!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
***************************************************************
YOU CLOWNS ARE PREDICTABLE!!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!!
September 21st, 2020 at 9:04 am
Defense is definitely balling out! Love to see that! Can’t believe what a beast Suh is! That guy is a wrecking ball! And let’s give it up for the back end of the defense! Whitehead, Davis, Winfield all made huge plays for the Bucs in this win, and I love Murphy-Buntings swagger and trash talking to WR’s, that’s what we want to see! Speed, big plays, turnovers and swagger!
September 21st, 2020 at 9:05 am
NPUPPY,
It’s not brainwashing. Here is a quote from after the game yesterday.
CB Carlton Davis “the thing is we trust Brady 100 percent…as long as he’s on our side…it’s honestly made us work harder and be a better player.”
That is a direct quote.
Again, care to explain this?
NPUPPY, I would suggest shutting yourself down. You seriously DO NOT want any of this smoke I got. I’ve been nailing you for months now with zero response from you. Time to take a hike, my friend.
September 21st, 2020 at 9:05 am
SHOULD BE 6 things
BLs Offense was GREAT from start to finish!!!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!!
September 21st, 2020 at 9:09 am
NDOG because in the last five years Brady has three rings, and the teams he led have made it to the AFC championship game from 2011-2019. Brady is a winner. Winston was not. Can Winston win somewhere else? Maybe he can. The fact is he was outpacing Brett Farce for the most turnovers in history before this year and wasn’t winning games. No one will know unless he earns another shot with a different team.
September 21st, 2020 at 9:21 am
And just like that, the puppy disappears.
Puppy needs to change his name to houdini with his disappearing act
September 21st, 2020 at 9:31 am
Brady’s numbers and performance was retarded by some easy drops, 2 for TD’s.
It may take a couple of more games for the O to gel with BRady.
A overall positive season start.
I enjoy watching the D more than thre O. They could become something special. It’s been a while since we’ve seen such speed on D.
September 21st, 2020 at 9:33 am
@Ndog: one stat in your favor is Brady has more turnovers than Jameis Christ does.
😀 😀 😀
September 21st, 2020 at 9:36 am
Why?! Why do you guys continue to entertain that guy?!
Only a completely biased knucklehead would continue to compare stats between two polar opposite QBs from different seasons.
The run-game is clearly what the missing link was in this offense
Tell me this defense isn’t fun to watch! What a team effort!
Most of all, we cleaned up some of the boneheaded penalties. There’s still work to do though, especially at DT.
And yes, the TOs have to be cleaned up.
September 21st, 2020 at 9:37 am
Yeah I’m sure the defense playing better has nothing to do with not starting three rookies and not having JPP on the field I’m sure that has nothing to do with it. Not to mention being in the same defense for the second year, I’m sure it’s all about motivation nothing to do with actual talent and knowledge of what they’re doing.
You people are so easily manipulated
Like I said we shall and so far we have and it ain’t pretty
September 21st, 2020 at 9:39 am
951
I guess ndog is furiously looking for proof of Carlton’s quote…….and rubbing a quick one out to his JayMiss mannequin!
September 21st, 2020 at 9:40 am
Look at 951 talking about disappearing, the dude was MIA last week and after we beat one of the worst teams in the league he shows up acting like he knows something.
Go route for the Charges or Rams Mr. 951, we actually know football in Florida
September 21st, 2020 at 9:46 am
Ndog-
You are right- the turnovers need to stop.
Fortunately for Bucs, Panthers turned it over 4 times so Bucs were +2 on turnover differential and that’s most important stat.
September 21st, 2020 at 9:49 am
Again, no response to my questions/comments from the puppy.
Let’s use his quote from an hour ago against him, shall we?
Ndog Says:
September 21st, 2020 at 8:20 am
Avoid the question like always cause you don’t have an answer.
PUPPY, you sir are too easy to manipulate, just like the weak minded JW.
I THANK GOD THE CANCER IS GONE AND WE CAN FINALLY BREATHE AGAIN!!!
September 21st, 2020 at 9:52 am
I didn’t disappear last week. I had comments after the saints game. They were not pretty. I again blamed the offense and even put some blame on the defense.
As for the California teams, meh! I’ve been a Bucs fan since the late 90’s when I was in high school. My company actually had season tickets to the chargers for a few years. I would boo rivers just like I would boo Winston when they would toss 3+ ints in a game.
September 21st, 2020 at 9:56 am
I seriously don’t understand why y’all even entertaining ndog and some others. Just don’t respond to their comments me personally I’m done talking about the past.
September 21st, 2020 at 9:57 am
Joe, spot on questioning the call to run behind Wells after Smith came out. Another BL braincramp. Really Leftwich? With Wirf further cementing the right tackle position you think running behind a 2nd stringer taking his first snap of the season is a good idea? Headscratcher for sure. Any other major dude calling plays would have attacked the Stinking Panthers from the right. Can I get an Amen here? Props to D.Smith for gutting it out, CMC22 didn’t, but still, the difference between rook Wirf and vet Smith grows more more obvious each week. It is fair to say Smith killed the third quarter drive that would have put the Bucs in cruise control. Still, I like our chances and look forward to our rematch with the Slimy Saints.
Go Bucs!
September 21st, 2020 at 10:03 am
Ndoggy, asks where’s the outrage? See: Max Kellerman and Bucky Brooks. They both have expressed outrage. So there’s your answer.
Stats and wins aside, it’s very obvious Jameis possess
Possesses merely a fraction of the competitive drive in Tom Brady. Even at 43 the guy is so fiercly competitive. Look at how each react to bad plays.
Your naive if you think these young players don’t play harder for Brady. If only for the simple reason they don’t want to unleash his wrath.
September 21st, 2020 at 10:07 am
Who’s talking about the past I’m talking about the present and our QB averaging 2 TOs per game THIS YEAR!!!
September 21st, 2020 at 10:33 am
Fournette is the man going forward
The D balled out yesterday except for a few drives when the D call were soft
Shaq looks out of shape to me
The rooks are playing VERY well
Catch the damn ball!
Special teams had no screw ups
September 21st, 2020 at 11:34 am
[Stop. You are wrong on several levels. There is nothing glamorous about where Joe lives. — Joe]
September 21st, 2020 at 9:10 pm
Yeah Fornette got one good run…. THAT WASN’T CALLED BACK BY A PENALTY!!! That should be the real focus there!! Rojo had had a handful of plays just like that got brought back for a penalty