“Energy. Hustle. Effort. Unity.”
December 21st, 2024
Is it possible to identify the Bucs’ post-bye reason for a four-game winning streak, an 8-6 record and a hold on the No. 3 seed in the NFC postseason?
Joe’s got a two-word wiseass answer: Anthony Nelson.
That aside, Tampa Bay’s rise is a mixture of quarterback play, outcoaching Jim Harbaugh, a soft schedule, special offensive line play, spectacular individual efforts and healthy cornerbacks and a roster wired to stay focused and press through tough times.
“Energy. Hustle. Effort. Unity. That’s what I’m sensing from [the Bucs],” Tony Dungy told Bucs head coach Todd Bowles in a pregame NBC feature for Sunday Night Football.
Bowles was in lockstep with Dungy.
“That’s all we talk about,” Bowles said. “We bring our own energy. We play for each other. We play with each other, and we let the chips fly. We’re never going to be perfect and football’s not meant to be played perfect. But they play hard, they play fast and they play smart. And that gives us a chance.”
If the Bucs play like Bowles says they do, they should have no problem beating Dallas and their backup quarterback on Sunday night.
December 21st, 2024 at 12:51 pm
Yep, if they do. GO BUCS!
December 21st, 2024 at 1:24 pm
I would say the biggest thing the Bucs need is “consistency.” The great first quarter starts are a “sustain” while the now dreaded 2nd quarter turnovers and bad play are a “needs improvement.” If we can play “consistently good” on both sides of the ball then we can go all the way. However, at the beginning of the season I agreed with Joe that edge rush was a missing piece and but I thought we would address that next year. If we had that we would be at least 2-3 games more in the win column and Super Bowl contenders without a doubt. I believe we can get into the playoffs but I don’t know how good a run we can have with no edge rush.
December 21st, 2024 at 2:03 pm
Yes ! The name Dallas Cowboys is to be respected. But the truth is the strengths of the Buccaneers should be more that enough to overcome the Dallas defense and offense and result in a Bucs record of 9-6.
The Bucs running game has been dominating good teams this year and should play a huge part in a victorious outcome. Why? Because the Cowboys are terrible against the run. So the Bucs dominant run game is a check.
Can the Cowboys stop the Bucs run game? Very doubtful.
But if they focus on stopping the run …… you know the story, need I say more ? Baker Mayfield to M E 13 , McMillan, Palmer, Shepherd, Otton, White, Irving, Tucker and others will take over with an explosive pass game !!
Add to that the way the defense has been playing exceptionally well. It seems the players are understanding and implementing the complex defensive strategies created by Coach Bowles.
Thanks to this cohesive team that Coach Bowles and Coen have put together, there are so many ways the Buccaneers can defeat the Cowboys!! I’ve never seen a Buccaneers team this talented in the history of the franchise !! And like many of you, I’ve been a fan since the beginning !!
Go Bucs !! Beat the Cowboys !!
December 21st, 2024 at 2:04 pm
We also need good refs.
December 21st, 2024 at 2:09 pm
Off topic, does anyone know @Defense Rules IRL?
Haven’t seen him post in awhile and I hope all is well with him. He’s a solid contributor to this site and one of my favorite posters.
December 21st, 2024 at 3:19 pm
Listening to some of the Chargers podcasts, the ones breaking down plays after their loss with former players, it’s interesting to hear what they think about the Bucs offense – and they were in awe of how it’s being ran and called, which I covered already. But another interesting thing was that they called out the Bucs TE’s, saying they were the best blocking TE’s they’ve seen this year. Not really something you ever hear anyone brought up, but from their limited film review and watching that game, that was their take. Other comments were, again, about the offense being crisp, violent, saying everything was done with a purpose (so setting up plays for later in the game).
December 21st, 2024 at 3:43 pm
Damn if only we got Karlaftis instead of trading down for Hall
December 21st, 2024 at 4:50 pm
Yea Scott if we all had time machines there would be no bad decisions. But we live in the now who cares about Karlaftis
December 21st, 2024 at 6:10 pm
Wooden man you are right! The team is doing great now. Somehow Bowles def has stepped it up.
December 21st, 2024 at 7:23 pm
Despite Kumbaya Joe’s thoughts about the Bucs, they still need to play a very good defensive game against America’s team. The Bucs gave up 17 in the first half against a crippled Herbert and woke up in the second half when Herbert could barely walk. Rush, Lamb, and Turpin could be dangerous if the Bucs choke in primetime. Which defense will show up Sunday Night? LFG!
December 21st, 2024 at 9:19 pm
Crickett Baker, you are preaching to the choir here. Bucs have got to be ready for the refs. This is Dallas in Dallas. Go Bucs!
December 22nd, 2024 at 6:14 am
Anthony Nelson? Who are you and what have you done with the real Joe! LOL 🙂
I am a big Nelly fan, and even I would not say that Joe. Can he be that? I like to think so. I am however loving to see that someone besides myself recognizes his contributions to our team.
But I am the guy who will always champion the high effort overachievers of the world.
Go Bucs!
December 22nd, 2024 at 8:45 am
If Nelson didn’t get that fumble turnover against the Panthers I mean who knows? We may still at very least be tied with the Dixie Chicks