A San Francisco Treat: A Shutout
November 21st, 2010
The way the Bucs defense had played all year, Joe was convinced the only way the Bucs would have a prayer of a playoff chance was to go Air Coryell, play pinball football, arena football, go crazy folks with the football.
But Joe never, ever dreamed the Bucs defense could shut out a college team much less than an NFL team. Rachel Watson waiting for Joe in his bedroom was a significant higher degree of a possibility.
But then the Bucs do just that: pitch a shutout. On the road no less! It was the Bucs first shutout on the road since blanking Philthydelphia in 2003.
Yes, it was Troy Smith. But the 49ers still had bruising back Frank Gore. Still had Michael Crabtree. As veteran NFL beat writer Ed Bouchette told Joe earlier this year, there are no flukes in the NFL.
Of all the things that the Bucs have pulled off this season, surprising season that it has been, this is easily the most spectacular, the most impressive, the most stunning.
It wasn’t just a shutout. The Bucs, inept in pressuring the quarterback with a league-low eight sacks entering the game, put Smith on the ground not once, not twice but six times. Six!
Old man Ronde Barber came through yet again, picking off a pass (Smith’s first in the NFL) and setting up Donald Penn’s touchdown reception.
No, that last sentence is not a typo of any sort.
It was such a mind-blowing performance, Joe wonders if 49ers coach Mike Singletary will still have a job come midnight?
Joe is sitting at his computer stunned, speechless. Joe cannot believe what he just saw.
Maybe Joe should clean himself up. Rachel Watson just might be knocking on his door shortly.
It has been that much of an unbelievable day.
November 21st, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Anyone read Pat Yakkysak’s comments yet?
“This victory wasn’t as dominant as the score might indicate, but who cares?”
Really?
Holding the NFL’s #5 leading rusher to 23 yards in his own building isn’t “dominant”?
Pat’s a real Bucs hater. He doesn’t even try to hide it anymore.
Payback is in TWO weeks, Falcons. Come play on grass…. outside… you pansy azz Arena league team.
November 21st, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Joe there is a typo in that last sentence. Barber can through?
November 21st, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Really, can you picture this Joe?
Last season was so horrible, we suffered with this team and now, here we are. Man, i love this football team.
November 21st, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Ok Joe. Come on now. That’s the best our kids have played and just how bright is the future? I freeking love this team.
November 21st, 2010 at 8:37 pm
Hey Snook, i think isn’t only Pat a bucs hater. Almost all media. But i hope at the end of this season this is gonna change
November 21st, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Joe wrote all off-season how the Bucs would have to depend on rookies to be successful… and he was right by saying the chances of that were slim.
But the kids are playing hard. Its unbelievable how many rooks are leading this team.
Let’s go beat BALTIMORE!!
November 21st, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Meneghini:
They can hate all they want. Its fine with me. When we smack Atlanta in the mouth in two weeks, they can all eat crow.
November 21st, 2010 at 8:41 pm
We, old Bucs fans, need to abandon our historical prejudices – can’t win in the cold, can’t win in CA. Did you see Barber and Morris cracking jokes on the sideline at the end of the game? This team is too young and too excited to even understand all the old, bad juju. We’re in store for something special. Behold, the power of the underdog.
November 21st, 2010 at 8:41 pm
Maybe now the NFL might start paying attention to this team and stop talkin about the cowboys still have a chance at the superbowl… Actually, probably not. This is the best team in the NFC. I’m sooo proud of the buccs. The entire team. Amazing run so far guys. Keep believing and keep fighting.
November 21st, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Wow 6 sacks without the sack machine Quincy black smh
November 21st, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Aside from being the fantastic FORTIETH interception, the timing and quality of Barber’s pick were so good…It IS like revisiting the great Bucs D of the last ten years. It was ALWAYS the right pick at the right time.
So proud of Ronde. If he doesn’t make the Hall of Fame, it will make me sad.
November 21st, 2010 at 9:05 pm
I hope the national media never pays attention to us. I hope Pat Yasinkas stays the asshole he is. I hope people continue to bring up our players’ past whenever someone gets a speeding ticket. I hope the Glazers stay cheap and we continue to mine rookies and undrafted FA’s who have their coach’s mentality and are out to prove the world they belong despite what haters say. The scary thing is that these guys haven’t really figured it out 100% yet, but they still get the job done. Amazing.
Am I crazy? Probably. But the scary thing is that these guys haven’t really figured it out 100% yet, and they still get the job done. Amazing. If this is what makes our team who we are, then I’m all for riding the wave babyyyyyy