“Kind Of Changed This Week How We Practice”
September 16th, 2011
Slow starts have plagued the Bucs throughout the Raheem Morris era. It’s been a constant point of emphasis, and it seems the Bucs continue to get creative to find a way to stop the madness.
Speaking on The Mike Williams Show last night on WDAE-AM 620, the Bucs’ No. 1 receiver explained that a significant alteration was made after the loss to the Lions.
“We kind of changed this week how we practice, too. As soon has we come from stretch, we usually go to individuals (drills). But now we go to offense and see if we can get it started right away. We go to five quick plays, five hurry-up offense plays, and see if we can go 5-for-5 everyday,” Williams said. “And if we don’t, they say, ‘See, that’s our problem.’ But we actually did it this week. We actually went out there and excecuted. So we’re going to see if that works.”
Hmmm, if the Bucs practice a hurry-up offense all week to get jump-started, will they come out like that in Minnesota?
Williams went on to give his two cents on why the offense usually sputters out of the game. It’s a “mixture of nerves, everybody pumped up. [We] just got to calm down and relax and get started fast. That’s just how I look at it,” Williams said.
As for Williams stunning catch in the end zone, and the rest of his game, Williams said he’s completely in the zone and the game is very slow for him. “Just how you see it on NFL Films,” he said.
September 16th, 2011 at 11:57 am
Future ELITE receiver in the league. Not there quite yet, but he will be.
September 16th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
Both the pass and that catch were just Sick!!! Those two always give us a chance to win!!
I hope they “hurry up” and hand the ball to Blount! And the right side of the line decides to block somebody!!
September 16th, 2011 at 12:19 pm
Last year, the Bucs would get behind, and I would not have much anxiety…Felt they always were one play away from turning things around, and they often DID.
Sunday, watching the Lions game, I didn’t ever really get comfortable with how the Bucs were doing. I know that isn’t hard analysis, but my gut tells me something is just not quite ‘there’, yet.
We can flap our arms in the air all we want ( we ARE Buc fans, after all…We have decades of practice at it!), but at the end of the day, we just have to wait and see what works. I do think giving practice a sense of urgency is a good sign.
It was a shame to see them waste the early lead. Wish they had been able to shut the door right THERE.
September 16th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Upward on Onward ….GO BUCS !!!!!
September 16th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Gonna need Mr. William’s magic this week. I just can’t see us generating a grind it out running game against the vikes.
Not the way our o-line has been performing thus far.
Mike has been outstanding since day one. Excellent pick by the regime.
Hope Rah is generating one of his famous game plans.
September 16th, 2011 at 12:52 pm
Don’t feel like the slow starts are a Ra only problem. Coach Gruden had the same issues as well. However, for the first time we have an offense that is capable of putting up points in the high 20’s with constancy. As well as a young defense that could certainly use the advantage of playing with a lead.
September 16th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
I think you are a little confused. Do you think the Pats or the Lions do not practice fast?
In an earlier thread Thomas and Snook agreed that Morris does not recognize weaknesses. This is a perfect example that he does…and still the negative attitude?
People need to make up their minds what they want.
If anything, this should be encouraging. It shows that Morris is still willing to adjust his plans and his coaching as weaknesses are exposed.
September 16th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
Actually, the final year of Gruden the offense was ranked 14th in the league. (11th in passing)
Since Rah took over they dropped to 28th in 09, 19th in 2010, and currently 20th.
But hey, don’t let any facts interfere with some good natured Gruden bashing.
BTW, they have also severely dropped in every measurable defensive statistic.
September 16th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
My goal wasn’t to bash Gruden, nor to get you twisted. Thanks for the stat. Is that 14th in first possession touchdowns? Since, ya’ know…that was my point.
September 16th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
mj
I, too, felt it was a bash. Yes, you pointed out Gruden had slow starts also, but the way it was written seemed like you were bashing with the “however” comment on scoring points. I will admit we are “capable” of putting up points in the high 20’s a game, but we have not, so far. Last year we averaged 21.3 points a game. Even in Gruden’s final year, we averaged 22.5 points a game.
September 16th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
Ask and ye shall receive.
In 2010 the percentage of points scored by the bucs in first quarter was 12.1 ranking 30th in the league.
Last year of Gruden the percentage was 26.2 %, ranked 5th in the league.
Obviously, I am having a slow work day!
Actually that stat may not be all that meaningful since the Steelers ranked near the bottom too, and they went to the SB.
But it does establish that our sense that the bucs have been getting off to rotton offensive starts is true, and it is of recent vintage. (post Gruden)
September 16th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
Okay, we need to stop with the Gruden/Rah comparisons:
Gruden had a team of veterans, has beens, never were’s and castoffs.
Rah has a 3rd year team at the skill positions and front 7, starting with our franchise QB (someone Gruden would have never even considered drafting or god forbid starting). Last year was a good year, we probably won 2 games we shouldn’t have, but we did. The reality to me at least is, this is year two of the rebuild, the first season (2009) was a throw away it was the teardown season, we all knew what we would be, last season the real first true rebuilding season we made some strides, this season (season 2 of the rebuild in my opinion) we will probably be as good as last season, win 7 or 8 games that we should win and maybe win 1-3 that we shouldn’t, but what I am more interested in is the progress the rookies and 2nd yr players make. Next season should be the season we make a move in FA and really compete for the division. We got spoiled by what we saw last year, what we saw was the potential that we all wished for, it’s there, what’s lacking is the maturity and real game experience. That will come this season, I look forward to watching this team mature into their own.
September 16th, 2011 at 3:44 pm
Thanks again for the first quarter stat. I remember Gruden’s last year being a good year up until the last 4 games–which I never thought was an offensive issue.
September 16th, 2011 at 3:44 pm
“We need to stop with the Gruden/Rah comparisons”.
Now, let me make one! (trashing Gruden of course)
Classic!
September 16th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
aaah, sarcasm, one of the joys of life, though I was making a point, the teams are/were built through differing philosophies one of course the Gruden only trust veterans and the Morris/Dom build from the draft and from within. Is one a better philosophy than the other, time will tell. But if my choices are winning one SB every 30 years vs sustained winning for a decade not necessarily winning the SB every year but at least being in contention. I’ll take sustained winning. Look at what the Braves did in the 90s even though they won only one WS, you knew where they would be come the beginning of October, usually hosting a playoff series, not winning all of them, but they were there while 24 other MLB teams were making tee-times.
September 16th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
flmike
I think you just described the Lions too!
September 16th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
@OAR
Absolutely, the reality is we played ourselves last week. Detroit is a mirror image of us. Defensive talent wise they are a year ahead b/c they will delve in FA where we won’t. Offensively except for Megatron (who no one will be able to cover this season) we really are on a level field, though I feel LGB is better then Best.
September 16th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
I am all for the sustained winning.
When does it start again?
September 16th, 2011 at 4:34 pm
@Eric
I am hoping it starts this season, but imho more likely looking at next as the starting point. I’m guessing between 7-10 wins depending. I will be a little disappointed in 7wins, but if we play better and are in every game I’m good.
September 16th, 2011 at 4:39 pm
flmike
I agree! Peterbilt Blount is better than Best.
September 16th, 2011 at 5:00 pm
Tell me…when a team is rebuilding, do they usually get ranked the same as before they started rebuilding?
No? Guess that makes my point then.
September 16th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
Eric…don’t tell me you are already jumping off the wagon. You’ve seemed fairly positive of late.
If the Bucs go out and in the next 4 games…will the first game matter as much? (emotionally I mean)
What if they go out and lose the next 3 games…but suddenly “get it” and start a winning streak of say…6 games? That would make them 6-3 by the 9th game. Would hope still be lost?
What if they win every other game, but win the last 5 straight?
My point is, there are still plenty of games left with a good many possibilities. But I would venture to say this:
Even if they were to only win, say…6 games this season…I’m still good with Rah staying. Because I believe if the Glazers stick with him, he WILL make this team good again within the next couple years or so, if not sooner…and it will be a good that will last.
And as far as Gruden…
I wasn’t in favor of firing him. I actually thought he was finally “starting” to do things right. But just because I liked him doesn’t mean I should lose touch with reality or deny his faults.
Gruden was not a players coach. Now you might argue that he still got results, and that Morris IS a players coach and he has a losing record. It’s a valid point.
But how long that losing record last? What if he wins 9-10 games this year? His first season put him in a pretty big hole…so it will take time to climb out of it.
Gruden had his good points…but he also had his bad points, just like Morris does. But Morris has his players wanting to do well for him. Gruden only had that the first couple years he was here.
“Gruden doesn’t like to marry quarterbacks, he just likes to date them.”
Remember that phrase? It was a perfect example of how players felt about him.
So yeah…Gruden had a winning record. So yeah, the offense was ranked higher…and the defense was ranked higher.
But Morris is in the middle of a rebuild. Not at the end of it…in the middle of it. His first year WAS a nightmare…but then it did land us our quarterback.
And of course the offense and defense is ranked lower…they have far less experience. Thy are still developing.
There is a LOT to be excited about in Tampa where the Bucs are concerned.
September 16th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
I would also venture to say…not that we would have Freeman if Gruden were coach…but he would have been benched by Gruden if had a 3-4 interception game.
September 16th, 2011 at 9:42 pm
Rah is 13-20. How long does he get to rebuild? A decade.
This is hilarious. Rah, the genius, switches up the order of the main components of nearly every football practice: stretch, group (position drills) team (offense/defense) 7 on 7 and 5 on 5 and 1st offense v. 2nd defense and vice versa, conditioning. You guys think that is meaningful.
I had a coach once who was pissed at our under-performance and thought that he would toughen us up by going full pads, full contact, every practice even the day before games. We were fairly tough but exhausted and had our worst year ever.
Switching up the practice order is stupid, it shows that rah is an amateur. Prepare and play your best 22, exploit your opponents weakness, scheme away from your own weakness, realize that you must play field position and clock on the road and keep the game close bc you have an advantage at qb which should win you the game in the 4th.
Admit it. You all kNow I am right and rah hasn’t figured this out yet. What an idiot.
September 16th, 2011 at 9:53 pm
Pete:
You obviously have no basic understanding about the fundamentals of football.
Even Hawaiian, who is usually lost, grasps the basic concepts so that he can formulate a cohesive, albeit weak, excuse for the the Gla-heems.
The Bucs have huge advantages against a bad Vikings team. The only disadvantage is their run offense v. our run defense. Yes, at face value that is a huge disadvantage. But the Vikes are not a passing threat, so you commit to stopping the run early and force them to throw which they won’t sustain successfully.
All your offense needs to do is not turn it over and not miss field goals and you should win in the 4th. Rah is so dumb that he will treat this week like last, get hyper and emotional, and try to force Olson to abandon the run and chuck it.
September 16th, 2011 at 10:03 pm
Mike Williams early and often FTW. Just like Steve White said no more fade routes get that guy one on one and let him work his magic. Success is finding something that works and doing it over and over again. 5 yard inside slants and I pick Mike to break 1 or 2 against that Minny secondary.
September 17th, 2011 at 5:42 am
ThomAss, don’t ever tell someone they don’t understand the fundamentals of football….son you don’t know a Kick Slide from a Kick off and you spend half your time talking crap about things you couldn’t grasp with both hands and vice grips…I have asked you on numberous occasions to point out ANY thing about the technique of the players you constantly bash to show me you know anything about the game, and you have yet to do so…so keep your mouth shut.
September 17th, 2011 at 10:34 am
Freeman4pres:
Which player? There are 53 on the roster do you want me to publish a book with technical analysis of all 53?
With many of the players, technique has nothing to do with why they fail. Coordination, or lack thereof, is an organizational flaw. Forcing high draft picks on the field when better but lower paid and picked players are better
performers. Generally, we have a head coach who lacks the skills and experience necessary to manage the team.
I think that rah is very good with d backs, but rod marinelli was a genius with d line but rod was a disaster as a head coach. The same applies here.