Concern For JPP
October 8th, 2020
Bad news
The play that finished off the Chargers on Sunday was an interception served up by QB Justin Herbert.
On his right was Shaq Barrett beating a double team and applying pressure.
On the other side was a double team on Jason Pierre-Paul, who put forth little effort/resistance. It was that kind of day for JPP.
The film doesn’t lie. JPP looks hurt — because Joe knowns JPP is too much of a warrior to be a loafer. But if you didn’t know JPP and watched every snap of JPP on Sunday like Joe did, you’d think the guy was a low-effort dude or a washed out veteran.
Chargers starting left tackle Sam Tevi, a 2017 sixth-round pick, had no problem with JPP, often in man-on-man work.
JPP appeared on the Bucs’ injury report last week with a knee injury. He had offseason knee surgery and has had many knee issues through his career. It’s what slowed his inaugural Bucs season in the final four games of his 12 1/2-sack campaign in 2018.
Joe will have a close eye on JPP’s movements tonight in Chicago — following a chat with the football gods about sparing JPP and the Bucs.
Joe also hopes the would consider strategically sitting JPP for a game to keep him healthy, or healthy has he can be as the December (January?) games approach.
And just to head off the hate mail, go watch the film or the TV replay of JPP on Sunday. He didn’t have it from the opening whistle.
October 8th, 2020 at 11:25 am
They should sit him tonight and basically give him two bye weeks this season.
October 8th, 2020 at 11:25 am
I have been saying since day one of this season- my biggest concern is Shaq and JPP. If they lose one of them their pass rush greatly suffers.
The Bucs defense should be able to handle Chicago, they should use him sparingly tonight, then they have a long time off before the next game….
If he is in fact laboring that much
October 8th, 2020 at 11:27 am
he played the run ok but gave nothing in the pass rush…..
time for nelson to step up and get more snaps…
GO BUCS!!!!!
October 8th, 2020 at 11:30 am
I would give Nelson a majority of the reps tonight.
He did a good job in the limited playing time he had.
October 8th, 2020 at 11:30 am
Haha Joe. I like to rewatch some games to focus on certain players but tell me who did good…..I dont wanna watch bad football……Ill take your word for it with JPP.
Eother way thanks for the tip. I will make a point to watch for JPP tonight. Foles is one of them QBs that can look really good if you dont apply pressure……And really bad if you can lay some big hits on him. JPP is obvisously critical in that department.
October 8th, 2020 at 11:39 am
My concern is who do we have to play outside other then jpp shaq and nelson.
October 8th, 2020 at 11:40 am
David what you say makes a ton of sense but I also think that fear is somewhat diminished this year because of how effective we have been at the blitz.
We look so much better this year on the blitz. A big part of that has been D.White…..no sack but a noticable impact & forcing hurries. Plus the addition of Winfield has been a huge factor…..And did he teach Whitehead a thing or two? Jordan was getting at it last game. Had the sack and barely missed the tackle on another good blitzthat I saw? Whose up this week?
Ive also wondered if we had to play through a injury JPP or Barrett if we see some flexibility…..Maybe we run some 4-3, or throw one of our MLBs on the edge……Hell, sounds crazy but you can throw Winfield on the edge for a few plays…..You could just drop him back in coverage. Maybe you dont gotta give all JPPs(or Barrett) snaps all to Nelson. Maybe you give some to Minter, some to Adams, some to Taco ect……Them guys arent bad players.
October 8th, 2020 at 11:43 am
Agreed, he wasn’t showing much on the pass rush, but played the run well.
October 8th, 2020 at 11:52 am
Licht’s big mig mistake this year was to ignore depth behind JPP and Shaq.
Nelson is improving but, so far, below average. And that’s it at OLB.
Clay Matthews was the obvious choice. Reliable and affordable.
Instead, Licht chose to gamble and this decision may cost the season. Let’s see what happens, but it was a very predictable disaster on the way.
I’m not feeling comfortable about today’s game. The Bucs have much more talent overall, but the Bears’ D is for real and the injuries will certainly hurt the Bucs a lot.
I predicted a 4-win streak, but things aren’t looking good at this point. Winnable, but still dangerous game.
October 8th, 2020 at 11:55 am
Nelson has game, just needs more reps. If JPP misses time Nelson will flourish.
October 8th, 2020 at 11:56 am
Was wondering how long it would be until we lost JPP? He’s been on the injury report since playing the Taints. Didn’t he have knee surgery before the season started? He is a warrior but doesn’t sound good!
October 8th, 2020 at 11:58 am
JPP attracts a lot of attention….if he can play, play him.
I do agree that our OLB depth is lacking……
October 8th, 2020 at 12:00 pm
I actually did notice Nelson flashing a little bit on more then a couple of plays Sunday. Dont know the snap counts but seems like he was in the game more.
He had no problems moving across the line. Was doing really good work moving laterally. I wont be suprized if Bowles sees a little something to work with and puts Nelson in a position to succeed tonight.
October 8th, 2020 at 12:06 pm
I would think at this point, you would have to play him and hope he doesn’t injure himself more. He’ll have a mini bye week to help rest up.
I almost hate to say it but this is a big game and Bucs need a W.
October 8th, 2020 at 12:11 pm
i mean ideally it would be nice to sit out players for a stretch run in january but with it being 2020 and all the risks that carries, the fact we are the buccaneers and nothing is ever given, and we need every single win, it is hard to do that. this is a big game for us and i keep saying that each week but when you are chasing a superbowl, division title, and a stacked NFC, you need it. given how bad the nfc east is and they keep getting feasted on by the nfc west, the nfc could have a lot of teams with a lot of wins and so even 10 wins is not a foregone conclusion with 7 teams. 4-1 LFG
October 8th, 2020 at 12:13 pm
JPP is a loafer, washed up hurt bumm. You heard it here first folks.
Now pay close attention to him tonight and take notes.
October 8th, 2020 at 12:21 pm
It’s not a bad idea to play Nelson and limit JPP to just rushing downs.
October 8th, 2020 at 12:33 pm
JPP is anything but a loader, what a dumb comment.
How quickly fans forget that this defense was terrible last year UNTIL JPP came back into the lineup! (And we jettisoned the worthless VH3)
October 8th, 2020 at 12:46 pm
JPP will play hurt. I hope he does not further the knee injury. I hope he sits but knowing JPP he will play unless made not to…
October 8th, 2020 at 12:49 pm
If you watch the Mic’d up video of Vita Vea on the Bucs youtube channel, seems like Vita was gassed and loafing a bunch. I wonder how many snaps or % playing time he had, he was out there on special teams too. Jpp is a stud, he’ll be fine with or without a knee, hand, neck…ect.
October 8th, 2020 at 12:53 pm
He’ll be fine
Getting his legs under him stop being dramatic
October 8th, 2020 at 1:09 pm
Play him, but go easy on him. Switch him out a lot.
October 8th, 2020 at 1:11 pm
This is a game I would challenge my team to go out and win without all.of its key players for the sake of staying healthy and beating a team like GB and not getting hurt for the season
October 8th, 2020 at 1:34 pm
Bucs don’t have nearly the depth that some seem to think they do on defense especially, and if JPP goes down OR stays in but is ineffective, we’re hurting.
JPP was almost invisible in the Chargers game, despite playing in 91% of our defensive snaps (he got 48 out of the 53 total defensive snaps, a ridiculously low number). His total stats: 2 tackle assists. He did blitz once (ineffective), and was targeted once in the passing game (it was complete). Other than that, no sacks, no QB hits or pressures, no TFLs, nada. THAT’s obviously not the JPP we’re all used to seeing.
Shaq on the other hand played lights out in his 49 defensive snaps (92%): 7 tackles (5 solo), 1 sack, 1 QB Hit, 1 TFL, 7 pressures (6 of which were hurries). And for those wanting to see more of Anthony Nelson, he got in on a grand total of 8 defensive snaps Sunday, but did manage to get 1 solo tackle plus 1 tackle assist and 1 TFL (almost exactly what he did in the Broncos game). I was thinking that we’re missing Carl Nassib, but he really hasn’t done diddly out in Vegas (matter of fact, the whole Raiders team only has 4 sacks in 4 games, and DE Maxx Crosby has 3 of them).
October 8th, 2020 at 1:43 pm
@Defense Rules Says:
October 8th, 2020 at 1:34 pm
Your stuff is always so good. Thanks for the additional insight!
October 8th, 2020 at 1:45 pm
Carl Nassib signed a 3 year, $25,250,000 contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, including $16,750,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $8,416,667.
October 8th, 2020 at 3:06 pm
Was just saying to my wife this morning…JPP hasn’t impacted a game yet. Seems like he might be having problems with that knee we heard about a few weeks ago. Sounds like that might be the case.
October 8th, 2020 at 4:04 pm
geno711 … Interesting tidbit there about Carl’s contract with the Raiders. I’d say that he hit the jackpot in Vegas, especially with the $16.7 mil guaranteed. Heck, ut there that should last him 3 or 4 weeks.