Adjustments On Display
September 10th, 2023
Joe loved, loved, loved how the Bucs defense recovered in the second half today after Justin Jefferson lit them up in the first half.
Jefferson was a complete non-factor in the third and fourth quarters — 2 catches for 12 yards. It probably was the difference in the game.
Joe has to go back to the film, but it appeared the Bucs got more away from the zone defense that was brutal in the first half — more Carlton Davis 1-on-1 with Jefferson.
The Bucs also made in-game tweaks to their run defense and they probably didn’t even need to. Minnesota was suffocated with their running backs gaining just 34 yards on 14 carries on the day.
Todd Bowles’ defense always is geared to stuff the run first, but today looked like the glory days of the Bucs run defense in 2019 and 2020. And it was a group effort. Lots of rotation and strong work off the edges. Joe thought Shaq Barrett was particularly stout today in the ground defense.
Back-to-back 3-and-outs for the Bucs defense to set up the offense’s take-a-knee drive.
On offense, Bowles said after the game that he likeed the adjustment Dave Canales made but also liked how the Bucs’ new playcaller stayed focused after a rough start. “The communication was great. Nobody flinched,” Bowles said.
Beautiful, beautiful stuff.
September 10th, 2023 at 4:23 pm
The adjustments in all 3 phases was remarkable. Who IS this head coach?
September 10th, 2023 at 4:24 pm
Bravo man freaking Bravo
September 10th, 2023 at 4:24 pm
1st half was a mess but we were good enough/lucky enough to keep them from scoring a bunch.
2nd half was a really good game.
September 10th, 2023 at 4:25 pm
Go Bucs, more fun to watch than last year any game except seattle
September 10th, 2023 at 4:26 pm
I think this might be where Bowles shows growth as a HC.
I hope this keeps up.
Also Canales did a masterful job of neutralizing Flores’ bear fronts in the 2nd half.
September 10th, 2023 at 4:27 pm
Defense came out hot blitzing a lot vikes countered and started shredding it but what good adjustments second half man I’m proud
September 10th, 2023 at 4:32 pm
A good coach is not afraid to make adjustments. The Buccaneers were clearly the better team in the second half. Baker kept making first down after first down after first down.
September 10th, 2023 at 4:32 pm
Really really big fan of the offensive sets and the play design, refreshing to see naked boots (didn’t work for the most part but they will) and scheming receivers open. There were plays to be had in the first half. Baker was off to be sure but the protection was also bad. The hurry up offense to close the first half was the best thing to happen as it allowed them to get in to a rhythm. Really nice, resilient win. As an aside, I LOVED baker talking shi to the Vikings corner after the stiff arm. Hate the term moxie all you want – but he has IT
September 10th, 2023 at 4:33 pm
Great team win! Let’s go Bucs!
September 10th, 2023 at 4:33 pm
Y E S !
September 10th, 2023 at 4:33 pm
I don’t know if I agree with you on that Joe.
Bowles defense now seems to be to mostly be to play a super soft / loose zone and just wait for Cousins to implode – and hey, it worked.
I still don’t know why we have those expensive corners and yet play these super soft zones, in particular in key situations. Yes, they did send a few blitzes, but they were soft zone blitzes.
I wish they would go back to those to glory days when they were an aggressive man defense instead of what we’re seeing now.
But hey, what they did worked today, hopefully it keeps working.
September 10th, 2023 at 4:35 pm
Reminded me of Buc Ball from years past…
September 10th, 2023 at 4:37 pm
We can start the season 2-0 because we play against another sorry as quarterback next week
September 10th, 2023 at 4:37 pm
Man besides JJ running wild and a few mistakes defense played great. Keep it up D
September 10th, 2023 at 4:38 pm
Bucs are undefeated…. already.
September 10th, 2023 at 4:39 pm
Buc Ball, indeed…..
We still cannot run the ball……period……and tried too much. we need to let Baker air it out more.
September 10th, 2023 at 4:39 pm
LFG!!!
Some crying babies need to shut up!!!!
I am not tacking off Peter King!
I am talking about some Bucs fans!
Moaning about Bowles, moaning about Mayfiled, even Mike Evans was called on this site a DIVA!
What are you going to about it???
September 10th, 2023 at 4:41 pm
I think they ran the ball an appropriate amount of times. They just need better blocking.
Could def see a few plays where guys were in the wrong positions too, but that should get cleaned up as they get more experience in the new scheme.
September 10th, 2023 at 4:44 pm
Let’s not kid ourselves… There was a lot of “LUCK” in this game. Bowles 3 and long play calling has always been horrible. Baker started horrible but, he showed up. It’s week 1 hopefully we see adjustments every game.
September 10th, 2023 at 4:45 pm
CD 24 y’all
September 10th, 2023 at 4:45 pm
Special Teams balled out too!
September 10th, 2023 at 4:46 pm
Bucs need to win against the Bears next week and they have a shot of having a good season.
September 10th, 2023 at 4:47 pm
There wasn’t a lot of luck in this game. The refs tried to gift the game to the Vikes.
September 10th, 2023 at 4:55 pm
They aint believe in us GOD DID
September 10th, 2023 at 4:57 pm
Zzzz 💤 Bucs:
You seem angry. It was a nice win. Watch out for overreacting after Week 1
What am I gonna do about it? Enjoy the win and Joes in-depth postgame stories.
Keep your chin up.
September 10th, 2023 at 4:57 pm
Gentlemen Start your engines! I think a lot of people who handicap teams for a living will be rewatching this game and adjusting accordingly. Not a lot that was super pretty but the final score says it all. Except for the foolish soft zone, that we have never played well, the team played hungry! They didn’t get demoralized, like last year, and fought for 4 quarters. Light years ahead of where we were last year, IF we keep that attitude. Lot of gang tackling on run plays that was lacking last year. Guys played to the whistle every down. Rookies flashed, Hall showed up as did JTS, Palmer, etc. As these guys gain confidence and get acclimated into the schemes under real time conditions, we can only get better. Yeah. It’s only one game but when every “expert” bet against us we didn’t collapse. Should be a very interesting year for Bucs fans. I’m psyched! GO BUCS!
September 10th, 2023 at 5:03 pm
Well said @ Joe
September 10th, 2023 at 5:10 pm
Bradentuckey that was an excellent point and we shouldn’t take it for granted!
ST’s played far better than I’ve seen in quite awhile. The Buc’s have a FG kicker who can win it from 57 yards and if you watched that kick it could have cleared 65!
Watching a QB who can actually MOVE in the pocket and make plays with his legs and heart was also fun to watch.
Given all the questions about this team…given the FREAKING IMPROVEMENT after these adjustments, I do not comprehend how the Bucs can be given anything but an A+. They ended up doing everything they set out to accomplish despite Munch’s continue predictions of doom and gloom and Bonzai’s giving up before the season started.
I do NOT comprehend how anybody could have watched this game given all the questions the Bucs answered and not be ecstatic!!!
Coaching…Bowles accomplished what he set out to do and actually made some bold decisions. Honestly I wasn’t jacked when we sent a kicker out for a 57 yarder but give Bowles credit. Canalas needed a half to warm up but he did a great job overall.
QB…horrid first half…thanks in large part to OL and getting adjusted…and perhaps first half nerves. But Mayfield showed how he got the Browns to the Playoffs and 11 wins and what he can do for the Bucs if the rest of the cast plays like they did today.
The OL!!!! First half scared everybody that the preseason predictions were true and the OL would be horrible for the second year in a row. This OL rammed those predictions down all out throats in the 2nd half. They actually started giving Mayfield some time and some RB a crack of daylight if not an actual big hole.
Bottom line this team answered EVERY preseason question today!
Are they SB bound? Are they as good as SF? Probably not but they played with heart today and another thing that is clear is that this years draft was huge even without Kancey except a few plays. I think the injection of young talent has also radically improved the ST.
IT’S ALL GOOD but lots of work to complete to finish the job.
September 10th, 2023 at 5:12 pm
Perhaps I should apologize for not giving the D the major props they deserves as well but those of us who follow the Bucs knew there was a ton of talent there and they too completed the job.
September 10th, 2023 at 5:12 pm
2 things.
I’m sure Bowles was involved in the decision to throw and risk an incompletion and a stopped clock vs. a more conservative run to keep the clock running. Loved the decision to play to win. Kudos Coach!
Baker showed a lot of grit especially on that play to pick up the first down. And great adjustments from late 2nd qtr on. Well done Baker.
Go Bucs!!
September 10th, 2023 at 6:13 pm
What did I say? Improved on all phases ,defense, special teams, offense. On our way to 10+ wins. The haters are welcome to hide under their rocks. You clearly know nothing about football
September 10th, 2023 at 6:26 pm
There is one play where shaq sealed the edge and actually made the play. Love that dude!
September 10th, 2023 at 6:26 pm
Shhhhhhh!
September 12th, 2023 at 3:21 am
Lots of gang tackling, intensity, and physicality! Only thing missing was Jensen in a fight!
Go Bucs!