You Don’t Beat The Bucs Without A Pass Rush
December 13th, 2020
Stunning totals for Donovan Smith and the offensive line
A few things have become crystal clear about the 2020 Buccaneers.
One is that you do not beat these Bucs without a legitimate pass rush.
As expected today, the Vikings brought an impotent pass rush to Tampa and lost decisively. Despite the drama FOX announcers tried to concoct, Tom Brady was hit just three times and did not eat a sack.
Another A-grade in the books for the Buccaneers’ offensive line, which also blocks for the NFL’s fourth-leading rusher.
(Yeah, Joe can still hear the offensive line haters howling their chorus of doom.)
The O-line has done a special job this season keeping Tom Brady upright through 13 games. It’s not been perfect, but it’s not supposed to be. Those 16 sacks they’ve allowed have Brady on pace to have just 20 this season. For those wondering, the last time Brady ate 20 or less sacks in a season was 2016, and before that was the 2009 campaign. Soak that in for a minute.
The fun thing is the Bucs offense still looks disjointed and disorganized. Just imagine what it can become if the Bucs use the final three weeks of the season wisely and find a rhythm and better personnel combinations.
It seems Step 1 on that front came today with LeSean “Shady” McCoy stepping in for Leonard Fournette. Shady’s pass blocking was an upgrade and he flashed a vintage Shady cut/bounce to the outside on a first-down run.
Regardless, Joe is raising an ice cold Big Storm beer to celebrate the pass blocking. It’s getting the job done in a big way — whether or not you accept it.
December 13th, 2020 at 6:00 pm
💪🏻🏉 Letting the GOAT get dialed in.
December 13th, 2020 at 6:13 pm
In the first half, there were two drives and two long throws on third and short. The first one failed spectacularly with an errant throw. The other was the long throw to Scotty Miller. I would have called quick slants or some other higher percentage plays, but then again, I’m not these guys. It’s the quintessential ‘no risk it, no biscuit’ offensive mindset. They’re letting it all hang out, but it can be really frustrating to watch. I hope that they can get a rhythm soon.
December 13th, 2020 at 6:19 pm
I have posted multiple times, no pass rush and Brady is fine. Dr Brady will do surgery on you do not pressure him. Mediocre game by the offense overall, and a defense that cannot get off the field and still they win by double digits. This team is frustating but far better than the lost decade. Been a long time since they were 8-5, but as we all see they are a major work in progress. GO BUCS!!!!
December 13th, 2020 at 6:35 pm
I would love to raise a glass of Big Storm with ya! Sadly its not available in Sacramento ca.
December 13th, 2020 at 6:36 pm
I did not hear his name or see him one time, Donovan Smith. That is a good game.
December 13th, 2020 at 6:54 pm
How ‘bout shady! Good job by him, happy for the guy too. Man, to be honest he was a breath of fresh air over Fournette who has been nothing short of terrible
December 13th, 2020 at 6:55 pm
A clean pocket almost all day, and the O-line guys held with their blocks to drive defenders past Brady, so he could step up.
Too many targets and not enough time to get them sorted, Hopefully a big step today, that pass to Miller shows who should run that route. Quit sending the other guys long, it messes Brady up, all those different speeds.
They still need a better short throw game. Slants and curls that develop faster and can work as dump offs.
December 13th, 2020 at 7:08 pm
Sorry Joe. Not impressed today. we couldn’t run the ball in the first half. The running backs can’t catch out of the backfield. Brady still can’t throw downfield despite 3 pro bowl receivers. If the Vikings hadn’t missed four kicks and the refs hadn’t given us the PI on the Hail Mary, we very well have lost. Scotty Miller’s catch was the exception this year, not the rule.
December 13th, 2020 at 8:23 pm
Like most here I wanted to see more running but NOT the way we called it.
I lost count of the number of runs into the line on first down leaving us with 2nd and 7 or 8. So then ROJO busts a couple and his YPC looks great but it’s deceptive.
Why can’t we complete that gimme 5-7 yard pass on first down and then 2nd and 3 or 4 give us plenty of options including perhaps some more room for ROJO. He doesn’t have to run every first down.
December 13th, 2020 at 8:33 pm
JOE………He may not be getting sacked but I heard the announcer say he was the Third most hit QB in the league!
Awful announcing or preferential writing by you?
December 13th, 2020 at 8:35 pm
Brett, it was pass interference on Gronkowski. What, do you think there are different rules for Hail Mary passes? If you didn’t see PI, you need some instructions.
December 13th, 2020 at 9:37 pm
The pocket was clean because the Vikings don’t have a good pass rush. If they can pass block against the Saints then I’ll be impressed.
December 13th, 2020 at 10:48 pm
ModHairKen Says:
“Brett, it was pass interference on Gronkowski. What, do you think there are different rules for Hail Mary passes?”
I agree, but it is true that many crews don’t call those on hail marys.
====================
Dapostman Says:
“The pocket was clean because the Vikings don’t have a good pass rush. If they can pass block against the Saints then I’ll be impressed.”
I’m hoping for a first-round upset of the saints! LOL
December 13th, 2020 at 11:04 pm
Glad we won today but we were quite lucky with how many timely penalties?
December 14th, 2020 at 1:01 am
I read so many comments talking about penalties, missed kicks and that nonsense. How many times has that happened to us without the other handing us the win? And who cares what Bret thinks, but the article is about the O-line and how few times Brady was hit and sacked zero times.
December 14th, 2020 at 1:17 am
Ryan Jensen’s Hair:
That’s actually a Rugby ball emoji. 🏈
December 14th, 2020 at 2:31 am
me luvin’ these O-line beasts !
December 14th, 2020 at 11:09 am
It appears Wirfs was the final link. Loved Dot but he was just far too old and broken down.
This line is now very good and even has decent depth.
December 14th, 2020 at 11:22 am
LOL, so they do a good job against impotent defenses, and look absolutely pathetic against the good ones?
How’d they do against New Orleans both times? How’d they do against LA? New York? How will they do when we have to play a real time in the playoffs?
I wouldn’t call that a good job, personally.
But I get it, mediocrity is all that Bucs fans want to see after decades of pure embarrassment.
December 14th, 2020 at 10:43 pm
I always thought the line was manageable and now is really hitting their stride… I see a lot of people ragging on the team and just remember the Vikings were playing good and this is Brady first year in this offense and in my opinion has run it great!!! People play the Bucs harder because they want to “get Brady” like a feather in their cap… Brady for sure isn’t getting his body to react to what he’s seeing as quickly anymore (and anyone over 40 and active knows what I mean) but he’s getting better acclimated to their ideas and meshing it with his… If they can get a little rhythm with Rojo the next few games and not go down by 20 right away like the falcons have been doing to people then I think they can really be ready come playoff time!! The defense looked good to me facing a Vikings team that has ran people over.. you don’t dominate the yards charts anymore as a defense that way is gone… You judge by score, turn overs and making a play when it matters… The bucs time after time this season have answered that call this season in my opinion.. they’re almost ready for the good teams!!