21 First- Or Second-Year Players On The Field
December 6th, 2024
So the Raiders come to Tampa this weekend as a super-young team that doesn’t know how to win — along with an inexperienced head coach that may be fired in a matter of days.
Sounds on paper like a lay-up victory for a Bucs team sprinkled with Super Bowl winners, Hall of Famers, big-money Pro Bowlers and an upper-tier quarterback, something the Raiders don’t have.
In fact, Las Vegas has 21 first- or second-year players on the field last Friday against the Chiefs, a game Raiders’ coaches, as well as players, choked away in the final seconds.
Yes, the Raiders are scrappy, and ex-Raider and Hall of Fame defensive lineman Howie Long this week praised his old club’s character, pride and lack of quit for first-year head coach Antoino Pierce.
However, Joe wonders how the Monday SI.com report from NFL insider Albert Breer might impact Sunday’s game. Breer made it sound like Pierce is gone and the Raiders will draft a quarterback. All those young Raiders could be very impressionable.
That said, the Bucs also have plenty of first- and second-year players on the field in key roles. And Joe wants to see them rise up and show they’re up for playoff-mentality football.
Can Graham Barton shake off his rough Sunday? Can Bucky Irving play through injuries? Can Tykee Smith get back on the field? Will Baker Mayfield find a way to trust Trey Palmer and Jalen McMillan, receivers who have combined for just 23 catches this season?
Much will be proven for both young clubs on Sunday.
December 6th, 2024 at 11:10 am
This is not an automatic win…the rest of the games may look easy but thats how they get you! Better be playing 110 on our game and NO mistakes!
December 6th, 2024 at 11:18 am
Without looking I’m guessing since the Bucs are the second youngest team in the NFL we have just about as many. I’m counting on Mayfield to get back to using Otten with even better results. This will continue to open up running and passing lanes. If the Bucs D can get back to average, we’ll win the majority of our remaining games.
December 6th, 2024 at 11:21 am
Bucs only hope is that Pierce outblunders the Bucs “head coich.” Whether O’Connell, Ridder, or Jim Plunkett, 400 air yards are coming our way due to the “defensive coordinator’s” refusal to change anything. Watching the Lions game last night, high praise from Richard Sherman for Aaron Glenn decomplexifying his defense so the dudes who were on the street two weeks ago could play fast and not worry about optional assignments. Guess what? It was mostly man to man. Also, Pat O’Connor had a stand out game on the DL. Sure glad that our “Guy” decided we didn’t need him.
What a joke we has.
December 6th, 2024 at 11:35 am
TBBF still doesn’t trust our defense in a close game…..I would ask….who does?
December 6th, 2024 at 11:39 am
The Bucs desperately need to play a clean, mistake-free game to wash the stain of last weekend’s clown convention off. Right now the team looks badly coached, very inexperienced, and mentally weak. They can start out by not killing themselves with pre-snap penalties, jaw-dropping turnovers, and mind-numbing play calling/game management gaffes.
December 6th, 2024 at 12:08 pm
Treat every game as a playoff we’ll be all right
December 6th, 2024 at 12:14 pm
My son in law (a rabid, rabid Raiders fan!) is driving down from VA for the Bucs v. Raiders. Here’s hoping he comes back super pissed off at his team!
December 6th, 2024 at 2:52 pm
Receiving trust hierarchy: 1) Rashad white 2) Mike Evans 3) Bucky Irving 4) Cade Otton 5) sterling shepherd . Mcmillan and Trey not strong route runners. Show me a baker pick, and odds are one of these two were the intended target.
December 6th, 2024 at 4:28 pm
I’m hoping the Bucs will be true to their inconsistency this week and whack the Raiders they way they did the Giants two weeks ago.