Hustle Vs. Loafing
October 22nd, 2023
Trailing by three points with 6 1/2 minutes to play in the fourth quarter of a critical division game is when one might think defensive players would play with all-out effort.
You know, swarm to the ball. Great things can happen. You owe it to your teammates.
On 1st-and-goal from the Bucs’ 12 yard line, Falcons QB Desmond Ridder kept the snap and took off for the left corner of the end zone. Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett didn’t bother to chase him. Shaq quit on the play before Ridder even got back to the line of scrimmage.
Joe loves Shaq, but that was a horrible look. If you’re gassed or mentally checked out, then get the hell off the field.
Cornerback Jamel Dean recognized the Ridder scramble when Ridder got to the 10 yard line. Dean was at the goal line and gave, in Joe’s opinion, a somewhat half-assed effort to get to Ridder. It certainly wasn’t Dean’s very best effort. (Meanwhile, Devin White was again struggling to shed a block.)
What makes those efforts stand out so much was the contrasting effort on the same play by Antoine Winfield Jr.
Winfield saw the play develop, took a smart and hustling angle to the 2 yard line and met Ridder full stride with a timed and ferocious punch to the ball. Ridder fumbled out of the endzone. Buccaneers ball at the 20 yard line. No touchdown for the Falcons.
The play will be forgotten, but it was one hell of a telling moment — for a lot of reasons.
October 22nd, 2023 at 10:23 pm
More waste of Glazer Cash. Please do not renew White’s contract. He is not even close to David’s league of play.
October 22nd, 2023 at 10:24 pm
Defensive players quit when they experience constant futility on the offensive side of the ball, like they did last year after a few games. Time for a QB change
October 22nd, 2023 at 10:24 pm
Meat loaf, loaves of bread, penny loafers take yer pick soft. Winfield and LVD are beasts
October 22nd, 2023 at 10:25 pm
When are they giving Winfield that new deal? He is THE best safety in football. Every week he gets more expensive.
Also what stood out on that play was clueless Ryan Neal with a 0-rating in the Madden awareness column as you can literally see people yelling at him that it’s a run and he doesn’t both turning his head and Ridder is about to run up his backside.
Plus, Neal gave up the huge play on that last drive, when if it wasn’t blown coverage (not sure form the TV view) he took a terrible angle and let the guy get an extra 20-yards, which cost the Bucs the game. Neal is awful, he should be cut. How many games is this loser going to cost the Bucs before they put him on the bench? Last week it wasn’t just the 2nd TD vs the Lions – on the 1st TD as well when he takes a terrible angle and lets him get outside. The guy is putrid. It should be a huge red flag when a team lets a young guy, who has started for them, and is on a cheap deal, walk for free. And we’re seeing why Seattle was glad to get rid of him.
October 22nd, 2023 at 10:25 pm
I noticed this with Anthony Nelson . He just stood there as the running back went right passed him.
October 22nd, 2023 at 10:29 pm
Seems like every year ( and every game ) there are loafers on defense. Pathetic!!!!
October 22nd, 2023 at 10:30 pm
This team is SOFT. 10-ply Charmin with a heap of marshmallow. We’re also painfully slow still. 78, 14, 31, 54 and now 94 play with motor. That’s it.
October 22nd, 2023 at 10:31 pm
Detroit wanted it more, Atlanta wanted it more and I suspect..Buffalo will want it more in Buffalo. 2 big home losses. More to come. Grab some wood fellow Buc fans. You are gonna need it before this pitiful season ends.
October 22nd, 2023 at 10:32 pm
Was waiting for this article. He totally gave up on that play and it was very easy to see. Shaq is over paid and fat
October 22nd, 2023 at 10:34 pm
Those are the plays that you get you big contracts. White talks the big game of being a leader but Winfield proves it week in and week out. The only worry I have on Winfield is injury. The way he plays, the concussions in the past, he does take a beating. Right now I’d give David Whites contract and I’ve been a huge fan of White this whole time. He peaked in the Super Bowl run and hasn’t returned. Week in and week out David shows how it’s done. All time Buc great is David!
October 22nd, 2023 at 10:34 pm
No that play will not be forgotten. Didn’t really see Winfield be himself against the lions but today he showed up. That was a huge play.
October 22nd, 2023 at 10:35 pm
Yeah Joe, lots of loafing and ineptitude to go around. Ryan Neal unable to tackle the Falcon TE to set up the losing FG stood out as well. Additionally: it would be interesting if someone asked the esteemed OC why Vaughn is second on the depth chart, the guy is waste of a roster space. Today like 4 carries for 7 yards and a key drop. Why not let Sean Tucker get a chance, heck he cannot do any worse! Same could actually be said for White: dude can make some plays on the pass but the run, horrific! Someone should also ask the OC why he keeps going back to the same insane idea of trying to use these 2 deadweights to establish a running game. The fact that they looked good in practice just leads me to believe that the 3rd strings and practice squad guys they scrimmage against must royally suck if Vaughn can look good against them. Is it time for the Glazers to talk Coach Harbaugh’s agent? Finebaum is reporting he will be out of Ann Arbor at the end of the year1 Bowles is dead man walking.
October 22nd, 2023 at 10:35 pm
Bucs is done. Season is over. Time to start looking at draft picks. And FIRE BOWLES and CANALES !!
October 22nd, 2023 at 10:37 pm
Our defense is going to have to score more points than our offense to win games!
October 22nd, 2023 at 10:41 pm
Joe! Is it just me or are like 99 percent of our running plays into the line of scrimmage. I can not remember the last time we ran the running backs to the outside. Or, when was the last time we ran a screen play to a rb?
October 22nd, 2023 at 10:43 pm
Our Defense can’t get itself off the field on 3rd down . It is constantly going the wrong way. How are they going to score? Right now it will be like the Offense. By Accident!
October 22nd, 2023 at 10:51 pm
As many stars that we have on defense, they are only as good as the weakest link, Ryan Neal. He’s given up 3 long td’s in the last two weeks. OC’s cee this and are targeting him.
October 22nd, 2023 at 10:54 pm
This team is an extension of their HC…. meek and weak…
Love seeing all the FIRE Bowles suggestions… Couldn’t happen to a more deserving guy!
October 22nd, 2023 at 10:57 pm
Bowles’ biggest changes to the coaching this offseason: OC, OLB coach and RB coach. Less PPG, sacks, YPC than last year. Glad he was finally able to hand-pick his own staff.
October 22nd, 2023 at 10:58 pm
Joe, never forget that this team is way better without Brady!!! They proved it again today.
October 22nd, 2023 at 10:59 pm
Already paid vs about to get paid. Hopefully winfield will be more like david. His pops was a football player so at least its in his blood
October 22nd, 2023 at 11:16 pm
I will admit when Ridder was almost to the goal line I turned the channel in disgust. Came back in a few minutes and the score hadn’t changed. Watch the whole game or not!!
October 22nd, 2023 at 11:20 pm
ATLBuc: might as well bench Neal and put in Delaney, I know he is listed as a CB and he may suck too but at least he has gotten a couple of picks if memory serves me right against Philly and New Orleans. He can not be worse than Neal as Neal is the weak link of the D, that is for sure.
October 22nd, 2023 at 11:22 pm
I openly questioned if Shaq and others loafed on that play. I guess I wasn’t the only one.
October 22nd, 2023 at 11:28 pm
Kind of reminds me of the old days. The Bucs start out like gangbusters and post a couple wins, just enough to get you excited. Then, about the 5’th or 6’th game reality sets in and you realize they don’t have a chance to make the playoffs and it’s only October.
October 22nd, 2023 at 11:29 pm
I was never in favor of bringing in Ryan Neal. He had a few lucky plays in Seattle. He’s nothing remotely close to Jordan Whitehead or Mike Edwards. JTS had a chance to stop the Ritter td but was slow to react. It was the same play Dak Prescott ran on us on the goal line for a td in playoff last year. It would be nice if others played with the same killer instinct as LDavid, AWinfield, Kancey, WGholsten,Wirf,DThompkins,CGodwin, n LGoedeke, who has really surprised me. Why throw to KVaughn, he’s proved he can’t catch n will have attitude when he drop a pass, then he goes into a shell, very demoralizing for the team. I’d put Sean Tucker at rb until Chase Edmond returns n RWhite at wr, he has reliable hands. When ur offense can only score I td in two game then it’s time to get creative n put up points/tds on the board by any means neccessary.I know he’s a linebacker but try Sirvocea Dennis at safety. He seems to be a ball hawk. Maybe he can stop the int drought.
October 22nd, 2023 at 11:35 pm
The wheels came off today. This was a big game. A big test. They failed. Horribly.
Nothing to do but play out the season. I have said 11-6 but it was based on 4 more division wins. This team will be lucky to win 8 games.
Mayfield’s ceiling is now clear. I was wrong.
Bowles will be gone. Mayfield will be gone. Hainsey will be gone. Mauch will be a bench warmer. Shaq will be done. JTS, gone. White and White will take flight. Dean and Davis will be cut loose. Ryan will commit fraud somewhere else.
Bowles will be at home with SpongeBob.
October 22nd, 2023 at 11:40 pm
I think the coaching staff is loafing especially on offense.
October 23rd, 2023 at 12:25 am
That’s why the White(s) and Shaq should be playing somewhere else next season. As much as I hate some of the players in the National Felons League, we need some dogs on D. Deion Sanders had a quote about what you look for in offensive vs defensive players and it was spot on. Shaq always smiling and s#it, just like Geraldini McCoy. I want some D linemen that haven’t smiled since thy were 5. I don’t see Philly’s front 4 always smiling like it’s picture day. DOGS, let’s get some. I’m so sick of Davis & Dean. Always hurt, never play thru it, no turnovers, not even any passes defended! These guys are bums. So glad we kept the 2 that aren’t doing anything while Whitehead, Edwards, and SMB have all had highlight plays this season.
October 23rd, 2023 at 1:06 am
Don’t know what it is with some Bucs and reupping players for big money. It’s some kind of Doug Martin. Dean was a baller before his contract now you barely hear his name same for C Davis. We resigned Anthony Nelson knowing he didn’t have a high ceiling but has disappeared too.
At this point I wouldn’t care if I saw Kyle Trask. At least we’d get to see if he’s worth resigning so he can play out of his mind to be resigned then have a Desmond Ridder type career
October 23rd, 2023 at 3:49 am
modhairken:
the wheels have come off basically 3 times in a row…
philly, detroit, atlanta
October 23rd, 2023 at 3:54 am
we got a ton of breaks today, and it seemed like the nfl wanted us to win…
i sensed the brady rules in full effect today…we got mad calls…
i was thinking “dam the nfl wants us to win, and have it come down to us battling the saints for the division”
yet even with all that we gave the game away
October 23rd, 2023 at 4:22 am
Who’s this Devin White everyone keeps mentioning? I didn’t see him yesterday thought maybe he went horseback riding.
October 23rd, 2023 at 5:50 am
Hodad … Agree about Devin White. I kept focusing on him to see how well he was solidifying the middle (especially on runs), and unfortunately on way too many plays, he wasn’t. He was getting blocked out of play-after-play and that left the middle vulnerable. Once RBs got past the 1st level, he wasn’t there to plug the hole & make the tackle.
I think that’s reflected in his 3 solo & 2 assist tackles on a day when the Falcons ran it 38 times, almost all of those between the tackles. Maybe not though. Seemed like Falcons did something similar to what Eagles & Lions did to us, running us all over the field in the 1st half with their short passing game especially, then pounding us harder with their running game in the 2nd half. one of the analysts mentioned that the Falcons really believe that they’re better conditioned than their opponents, and thus can pound the rock better later in games. Maybe that’s what they were trying to take advantage of. It worked if that was it.
October 23rd, 2023 at 5:57 am
Ryan Neal for defenseless player of the week
October 23rd, 2023 at 6:26 am
Yes sir!!! I saw lots of half assed attempts by the defense. Frustrating to watch is an understatement.
October 23rd, 2023 at 6:39 am
I think Bowles gets another season, so does Canales. Expecting a first-year play caller, with even our WR talent to be super successful is just unrealistic. Our 3rd and 4th WRs rookies, and not high draft pick rookies. Otton is in his 2nd Year at TE, and Payne is a Rookie. I’m actually a little surprised we haven’t elevated David Moore, this is guy a savvy veteran that has shown he can find the opening to move the sticks. Combine that with a horrible running game, it’s just tough sledding to implement ANYTHING imo.
This Falcons team was not a bad football team, do your homework on their previous game’s stat line.
I have no idea if there will be a pseudo fire sale on some of better talent we have, but the reality is that we can’t keep everyone next season at least I don’t think.
I don’t think Bake is playing bad, this team’s margin for error is so razor thin that we hang on every F-ing pass. It’s remarkable how perfect of a game Baker has to play, especially to please this fanbase. NO ONE on these boards were saying Super Bowl either, stop it. Some real d!ck head posters on here that think burning the whole thing down is the way to get back to the Super Bowl, just dumb.
October 23rd, 2023 at 6:54 am
Devin White is still hurt. His groin is gone!
I watched him closely. He’s playing at 50%.
Sirvaceo Dennis is also hurt and slow as molasses. I watched him a lot.
We need to take White off the field on passing downs and play an extra DB!
Please! I’ve been saying it for 2 years!
Lavonte David is a God!
Best LB of all time. Overall.
He makes tackling look like an art! He’s magical!
Winfield is the Ronde Barber mixed with Lynch!
He deserves a 7 year extension.
We need to look at the practice squad of the Ravens and the 49ers.
We need to steal 2 of their practice squad guys and cut two of our guys.
We need some Raven blood on our team!
We’re soft!
October 23rd, 2023 at 7:25 am
Goedeke was a rookie last year playing out of position – the joe fans were pretty vicious with comments. This year he is back at right tackle, up to NFL speed and joe fans are hearts and kisses. The fans might want to give rookie Mauch a break.
October 23rd, 2023 at 7:27 am
teacherman777 … ‘Devin White is still hurt. His groin is gone! I watched him closely. He’s playing at 50%. Sirvaceo Dennis is also hurt and slow as molasses. I watched him a lot.’
Assuming that’s what the basic problem is teacherman, those 2 have no business being on the field. Can’t win many games with guys playing at 50%. Need to let them both heal up & maybe we can salvage a 9-8 season by winning out in the last third of the season. Where’s our DEPTH?
October 23rd, 2023 at 7:33 am
Zoocomics … ‘I don’t think Bake is playing bad, this team’s margin for error is so razor thin that we hang on every F-ing pass.’
I don’t think he’s playing bad either (hitting on almost 2/3 of his throws) but he’s not moving the team. Seems like it’s either him OR how he’s being asked to play. Bucs are built (with guys like Evans, Godwin & Palmer) to take advantage of the intermediate & deep passing game (our OLine is fairly decent this year at pass protection). We’re not doing nearly enough of that IMO (defenses aren’t being spread out enough?). Our short passing game seems to be TOO SHORT, and our running game must have a tell or something because defenses seem to be loading the box on most of them.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:53 am
Nobody wants to play for clueless low energy Todd.
October 23rd, 2023 at 11:00 am
Our average is 14 points over the last 4 games. 14 points per game!!! You will not win too many games scoring just 14 points. The 1985 Chicago Bears would have a tough time winning if they had to bail out this offense every week. Baker is not good. He refuses to check down to open recievers out in the flat. He just stands there, always trying to hit the home run, and throws momentum changing (key) interceptions. We have a couple of liabilities on defense, but they are really not the problem. We need a quality running back for sure, but the real problem is Baker. Why do you think he’s been with 4 or 5 different teams? He’s not a starter, and neither is Trask. We have another loss coming on Thursday, and my guess is that we’ll win 2 or 3 more games. Maybe that’s not such a bad thing in the long run. We need to draft a quarterback.
October 23rd, 2023 at 11:18 am
embrace the suck, just going to get worse under this coaching regime, hell toilet bowels could only win 8 games with the goat, jason licht fix this while you still got a job
October 23rd, 2023 at 4:13 pm
I said it all day yesterday. The defense looked asleep.
Other than David and Winfield, no energy, little effort.
Ive seen defenses play like this before.
Its when they want a new coach.
This defense isnt playing for Bowles.