Five Things
October 14th, 2024
Chris Godwin celebrates with Sean Tucker after the Bucs’ second-year running back scored one of his two touchdowns yesterday. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
Welcome to Victory Monday! Joe’s going to suck down a couple of mugs of Louisiana-brewed Community Coffee in honor of the Bucs stomping the slimy Saints yesterday in their own Lincoln’s Tomb. Let’s get rolling.
Go With The New Or Stay With Old?
Joe cannot remember the last time the Bucs had such a strong running game. Joe doesn’t know what to believe. Was it a fluke? Will Sean Tucker be planted back on the bench when ineffective runner Rachaad White is healthy? Will the Bucs go to a two-back set more often?
The Bucs have wanted to develop a strong running game for years. Yesterday displayed what that goal looks like. So will the Bucs revert to one of the more subpar running attacks to satisfy some dumb unwritten rule that starters, no matter how they struggle, aren’t supposed to lose their jobs to an injury?
Where is this NFL bylaw written? Most players want to win and if Sean Tucker or Bucky Irving give the Bucs a better chance of winning, teammates won’t cry if White loses his starting gig so long as his replacement produces.
Was the wicked-strong running game a fluke? Well, the only way to know is to keep putting Bucky Irving and Tucker on the field.
Bipolar First Half
If Bucs fans felt like Joe, then they wanted a nap at halftime. The first quarter was so awesome for the Bucs to jump out to a three-score lead. Hey, the Bucs were on their way!
Then, that 17-0 lead was blown in the second quarter as the Saints rallied to control the game.
Then the third quarter hit and the Bucs woke up and never allowed the slimy Saints to get back into the game. It was a 27-0 Bucs shutout in the second half.
The first quarter was just about the highest of highs. The second quarter was the lowest of the low.
Unlike in Atlanta 11 days ago, the Bucs put their boots on the throats of the slimy Saints after halftime. New Orleans never got off the mat.
Joe was worn out just watching it, man.
Pass Rush May Have Saved The Game
One reason for the slimy Saints second-quarter rally was the Bucs didn’t have an answer for rookie fifth-round pick quarterback Spencer Rattler.
In the first half, the Bucs basically allowed Rattler to eat a Parkway Bakery roast beef po’ boy (with plenty of debris) every time he dropped back. The Bucs, once again, had no pass rush to speak of and Rattler was picking their defense apart.
Rattler was an obscene 11-of-14 slicing and dicing the Bucs defense. Joe was fully enraged.
Then on the final possession of the first half, the Bucs decided maybe it was a good idea to get a pass rush in Rattler’s face. On three straight plays, Rattler threw the first two passes away due to a pass rush and then his third attempt was nearly picked.
The Bucs proved that a good pass rush is the best defense. Joe really isn’t sure why the Bucs always want to act like they don’t need an edge rush to be great. As Joe is breathing today, Joe is convinced if the Bucs hadn’t begun to get after Rattler, we all would be freaking out this morning.
Chris Godwin Will Hit The Lottery
Joe cannot remember seeing a widely respected good player, a guy possibly feared throughout the league, have such excellent production in a contract year as Godwin is having now through six games.
Godwin racked up 125 yards on 11 catches on 13 targets yesterday plus two touchdowns. And this doesn’t count Godwin’s physical blocking style at slot receiver. Joe doesn’t know how the Bucs would be doing this year if Godwin wasn’t on the roster.
Godwin is on pace for 121 receptions, 1,477 yards and 14 touchdown catches. He’ll to return to Pro Bowl this winter the way he is playing right now. And yesterday, against a team the Bucs nearly always struggle against, it was Godwin who made the slimy Saints struggle.
With Trey Palmer and Jalen McMillan not taking the next step as receivers despite looking fantastic in training camp, Godwin’s value to the Bucs is even greater.
Joe doesn’t know how you let a guy like Godwin walk out of your locker room.
Class Move By Slimy Saints
Yeah, Joe refers to the Saints as “slimy” because they are connected with all sorts of sleazy acts. From missing painkillers to bounties and a serial rapist in their midst like convicted sleazebag Darren Sharper. Throw in Alvin Kamara beating up dudes at the Pro Bowl and it always seems the Saints are up to something shady.
Not yesterday. Just before the game, the Saints held a moment of silence for victims lost due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Louisiana had no damage due to those storms. Florida sure did. So Joe believed that was a very thoughtful gesture. Then Joe heard about a large cash donation Saints owner Gayle Benson made to local groups helping out the Tampa Bay area and Florida residents affected by the storms.
Again, neither storm impacted Louisiana.
Later, the Saints honored various state agencies like the Louisiana National Guard and the Cajun Navy, among others sent to Florida to help recovery efforts.
So, even though Joe thinks the slimy Saints are lower than a snake’s belly, those gestures were beyond kind. Few states’ citizens know first-hand how devastating a hurricane can be Louisiana’s. Well done, Saints.
October 14th, 2024 at 7:08 am
As a life long Bucs fan I have PTSD when they play against rookie QB’s.
October 14th, 2024 at 7:18 am
Keeping Godwin, Evans and Mayfield together for multiple years will likely cost the Bucs $120 million or more in salary cap – how will this affect the rest of the roster?
Although it is a nice problem to have, some areas of roster will rely on draft picks exclusively. Licht and staff will need to continue their hot streak.
October 14th, 2024 at 7:19 am
I’m worried about The Streak
October 14th, 2024 at 7:22 am
Entienne has a hamstring, thinking of dumping him for Bucky
October 14th, 2024 at 7:43 am
Not since Nathan Wonsley
What a SOLID locker room this team has!
Sooo…. What is Mike Evans injury?
He has been waving himself off the field the last two games…
October 14th, 2024 at 7:53 am
Evans can’t play full throttle because of his hammy. He’s ineffective and can’t run through double teams.
I’m glad Baker didn’t stay out after watching what we did to Rattler wasn’t looking forward to Trask going in at that point. Was happy to see him stay aggressive even after the 1st half and that hit. He balled out
October 14th, 2024 at 7:56 am
Godwin is playing completely out of his mind. Winning. This team is starting to act like a family. No state tax in Tampa. He’s not going anywhere because we’ll pay him well. Top Tier. I think these guys want to stay together and are willing to make a few sacrifices to make that happen.
October 14th, 2024 at 7:57 am
I was at the Jags vs Bears game in London yesterday and Ronde Barber was at the side of the field asking for donations for victims of Hurricane Milton during the game.
October 14th, 2024 at 8:11 am
Great game yesterday short of all the penalties. Hate to say it, but once again the offense came alive when ME was limited. Just an observation. Same thing happened last year.
October 14th, 2024 at 8:15 am
Maybe I can stop having nightmares about Mariota now. Whew!😅
October 14th, 2024 at 8:17 am
We need to replace Dean he is a drop interceptions bum!
October 14th, 2024 at 8:21 am
Joe … ‘Joe doesn’t know how you let a guy like Godwin walk out of your locker room.’
Chris Godwin’s got a connection with Baker Mayfield that makes this offense purr. No way the Bucs will let him walk.
October 14th, 2024 at 8:24 am
Rachaad White has to be third. If Bowles goes back to White because of that ‘unwritten rule about not losing a job because of injury’, he’s a sentimental fool.
Life sucks that way, but the guy was completely ineffective most of the year. Irving and Tucker look the part. White doesn’t. Can’t put my finger on it – hesitant, no vision? The eyes don’t lie.
He’s a great receiver but as a RB he’s below average. Maybe used as a third down back?
October 14th, 2024 at 8:27 am
With White out the wide receiver screens to Godwin and Shepard had the Saints completely baffled. Combine that with a running game that mirrored the best days of Alstott and Dunn and one might be compelled to think the game’s MVP was Rashad White for not playing.
Only a blind person could not see how much better our ground game is with Irving and Tucker. It would be an easy decision for any normal coach to keep them as a one-two punch for the rest of the season.
And then you have Todd Bowles ….
October 14th, 2024 at 8:33 am
Joe I literally took a nap from the 2 minute warning until the start of the 2nd.
October 14th, 2024 at 8:36 am
“…some dumb unwritten rule that starters, no matter how they struggle, aren’t supposed to lose their jobs to an injury.”
Fortunately there are exceptions made on occasion. Jameis knows something about it. And Bledsoe.
October 14th, 2024 at 8:39 am
Our pass defense is fast and awful Bowles
October 14th, 2024 at 8:43 am
The answer seems obvious to me. White is the Sterling Shepard role when he’s healthy. That gets him on the field with Evans, Godwin and either Bucky or Tucker… that’s a matchup nightmare.
October 14th, 2024 at 8:58 am
Victory Mondays! Go Bucs!
October 14th, 2024 at 9:05 am
Trade white before the deadline amd cut Dean next year to find the money for Chris Godwin.
October 14th, 2024 at 9:07 am
Like Evans, Godwin will take less money, and stay in Tampa. I always said McMillan wasn’t drafted to replace Godwin, he was drafted to add talent, and a 3rd receiving threat. Add to the fact Godwin is a pro’s pro, great locker room guy, and Licht takes care of his own Godwin will not be leaving Tampa.
October 14th, 2024 at 9:18 am
I really liked the Bucs approach of getting an early lead then letting the Saints back in the game only to cut their jugular and watch them bleed out in front of their home crowd!
October 14th, 2024 at 9:18 am
Aint no way CG14 is leaving here. Licht will $$see$$ to it. What’s the scoop on the Salary Cap? Bucs finally out from under the Brady deal? Chris Godwin is playing just like he did before Sean Payton sic’ed his DB on him to crush his knee. Geez, White Irving and Tucker, an honest-to-god 3 headed RB attack?? Are you kidding me?? Crap, let ME13 rest, Bowles. He’s hurt. And kick Coen into scheming up a great gameplan for Monday night. Also Sixth Thing: Bucs, beware of the Refs!
October 14th, 2024 at 9:22 am
I don’t remember anyone complaining when Drew Bledsoe didn’t take his starting job back from Tom Brady or Trent Green losing his starting job to Kurt Warner. Go with what works.
October 14th, 2024 at 9:26 am
McMillan has been oversold to fans. Much prefer a healthy Trey Palmer. Also, curious about Ryan Miller. Nice size as a fill in for ME. Telling all that if ME has a hamstring injury, its going to require time to get right.
October 14th, 2024 at 9:45 am
Infomeplease you reckon maybe you enjoyed “liked the Bucs approach…” maybe just a little too much?
October 14th, 2024 at 9:58 am
Five things should have included dominance of the LOS in the 2nd half.
In that 2nd half, the Bucs OL and DL dominated the Saints like the Georgia Bulldogs lines dominate the Gators trenches.
We have not typically won the trenches except right after Bowles and Arians got here in the 2nd half of 2019 and through the next year Super Bowl run.
Maybe we will get there again and start physically dominating at the LOS again.
Also, Winfield really stops big plays from happening way more that any of the other 3 or 4 safeties on our team. Our defense is 20 to 30 percent more effective with him on the field. I really think he is easily a defensive MVP for us every year.
October 14th, 2024 at 10:10 am
McMillan has missed the last couple games. Give the kid a little bit of a break before we start calling him a bust. There’s a been a lot at play contextually where as the only real productive receiver we’ve had his Chris Godwin. Evans has the TDs, but not much in the way of yards. Our pass protection hasn’t been great since we lost Goedeke. I felt with him in the lineup yesterday the line was improved, and the pressure Baker got was diverted differently where he was able to step up in the pocket.
I too was hoping McMillan would be further along, but they need to set up some easier packages for him. That bullet Mayfeild shot at him, yeah he’s in the NFL, I get it, he should have had it, but it’s a tough play. We’re so used to Godwin making those catches routine, but it’s a tough catch in traffic. McMillan will be fine.
October 14th, 2024 at 10:11 am
Todd is great! What a defense. What game management! Going for 2! Use of timeouts!
Bravo.
October 14th, 2024 at 10:14 am
One thing I would have added to Joe’s list was the play of Zyon McCollum. The dude has become our No. 1 CB. That interception was spectacular. And he tackles really well. On the other side of the field, I’m not too concerned about Dean. The dude is brittle as a pine in a storm. Funderburk filled in adequately after Dean left the game. I’m sure the Ravens will test that side next week. But at least we’ve got a shutdown corner on the other side, and Winfield and Whitehead can give support to the other side.
October 14th, 2024 at 10:18 am
If you have to pick who you pay you Go with Baker. He has np favorites and just hits the open guy.
October 14th, 2024 at 10:39 am
I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS TEAM!
“The first quarter was just about the highest of highs. The second quarter was the lowest of the low.”…Joe
This describes me exactly. When the Saints went ahead I thought my head was going to explode. Then I could not believe the second half. WTF!
It was obvious that the the run offense was very effective running to the left. Was that because of Wirf or lack of talent by N.O. on that side.
October 14th, 2024 at 11:01 am
It’s # Four Four For Me!!!!!! Let’ssssssss Goooooooo!!
October 14th, 2024 at 11:38 am
Gee Joe, it’s tough to improve as a receiver when your sitting on the bench with your head spinning like a top from a concussion you received after making a TD catch in the end zone. Cut him just a little slack.
October 14th, 2024 at 12:01 pm
One thing…division is now between Atlanta and the Bucs. Advantage Atlanta cause they beat us…exciting games coming.
October 14th, 2024 at 12:05 pm
Rattler having success had nothing to do with the pass rush being weak. In fact they rushed too hard.
You have to have discipline and not go after the fake on rollouts by the QB and literally 8 times the n the first half they whiffed. Then Bowles started blitzing back side just in case and the OLBs did better to take that away.
They will need to be more disciplined against Lamar Jackson or he will torch them after seeing the success Rattler had.
It takes Bowles WAY too long to make adjustments and he won’t be afforded the chance at a comeback like that in the next 4 weeks.
These 4 games will decide our season. We have to at least go 2-2.
October 14th, 2024 at 12:35 pm
BillyBucco – 100% agree. The extra challenge is, the gauntlet of upcoming opponents all sport excellent, proven head coaches. 2-2 would be outstanding.
October 14th, 2024 at 1:25 pm
It was one good ground game. It’s an outlier…it’s ridiculous to think the ground game is some how fixed.
October 14th, 2024 at 2:35 pm
I don’t think we’re happy going 2 – 2 these next four games. We are getting better. When we roll the table these next 4 games there’ll be comments that say “I “ can realistically see a path to 10 wins. I can see a path to 13 or 14 wins. How about we just ride this horse and enjoy the ride?
October 14th, 2024 at 3:25 pm
yeah receivers 3 and 4 and kinda flopping out…
high energy guy shepard, even though getting a little crazy out there at times yesterday, is doing an excellent job sliding into the number 3 slot – at least for the moment…
it’s really good we’ve got him…
also he brings some of that wild energy, just like baker…
no wonder those 2 are thick as thieves
October 14th, 2024 at 3:25 pm
sheperd really is a rah rah guy just like baker
October 14th, 2024 at 4:33 pm
Bucs need an all-out blitz to get Godwin. The Bucs would not be in contention without him. Evans will be gone in a few years so retaining Godwin will keep the Bucs relevant.
October 14th, 2024 at 7:39 pm
I’ve been thinking a lot about the negativity surrounding our defense… they played lights out!The team allowed 27 points in the second quarter, but in reviewing each of the points, it’s tough to put blame on the defense at all!
13:47 2nd Quarter [FG] – NO started drive from NO 30 and ended with FG (Defense Fault)
13:18 2nd Quarter [TD] – punt return for TD (NOT Defense)
9:03 2nd Quarter [FG] – NO started drive from TB 28 after interception and ended with FG (Amazing Defensive stop / NOT Defense)
8:41 2nd Quarter [TD] – NO started drive from TB 10 after interception and ended with TD (NOT Defense)
2:50 2nd Quarter [TD] – NO started drive from NO 30… and Defense did not play well, but keep in mind T Smith did force a fumble on the second play of the drive which should have remained a fumble, but it was overturned (Defense Fault)
So, realistically the Defense is at fault for 10 points, but had a Pick 6 in the first… so net of that, is on the hook for 3 points!