Bucs Bumbling, Not Fumbling
December 22nd, 2012
The arrival of the New Schiano Order brought a whip-cracking in key football areas: penalties and turnovers.
Greg Schiano explained that while he delegates plenty to his assistant coaches, he personally obsesses over all fumbles and penalties. And eliminating mistakes and turnovers is a constant priority of the regime.
Well, the Bucs have bumbled their way to become one of the most penalized teams in the NFL, in the bottom 25 percent of league.
However, the Bucs are on the verge of at least tying an NFL record when it comes to turnovers. Not once has a Buccaneer fumbled this season after catching a pass. And the one rushing fumble this season from Doug Martin should have been a touchdown in Carolina. (For those wondering, the fumbled away LeGarrette Blount-Josh Freeman exchange was not awarded to Blount by league statisticians.)
The ball security numbers are a real feather in Schiano’s cap. And Joe must give a big nod to departing wide receivers coach P.J. Fleck, the new head coach at Western Michigan. “Psychotic” is the only word Joe can think of to describe Fleck’s constant drilling of ball security from the day he arrived. “Chin! Chin! Chin!” and “Bite the football” was pounded into the offense, and Fleck routinely is seen physically chasing receivers or diving on top of them and trying to strip them — even long after a practice play is over.
Joe’s not sure how Schiano will fix the penalties, but Joe’s confident that will a huge priority this offseason.
December 22nd, 2012 at 12:55 pm
I think all penalties must be Josh Freemans fault…and any fumbles as well….and well anything bad that has happened this year….
December 22nd, 2012 at 1:04 pm
i’m gonna miss Coach Fleck constantly molesting his staff & players (hey…it worked)
December 22nd, 2012 at 1:14 pm
I haven’t seen any stats, but I’m going to go out on a limb and guess where the majority of the penalties are coming from.
A 2nd string O-Line will hold to keep their QB upright or will false start when they are being beaten like a drum.
A secondary that cannot cover will hold at the LOS or commit PI to prevent a TD when they have been soundly beaten downfield.
How am I doing so far?
December 22nd, 2012 at 1:42 pm
Macabee,
You forgot a lazy lineman or two that can’t get off the field in time so there’s no 12 men on the field penalty
December 22nd, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Demar Dotson has killed us with his penalties this year! Im sure hes the most penalized on the team.
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:55 pm
We know who turns the ball over more than anyone, Freeman, picks and fumbles.
I do have to give the coaching staff props for teaching the RB’s and receivers how not to fumble.
Now that LGB is fumble proof, his potential trade value is through the roof. Just give him an a cap friendly contract extension. Since they’re too obstinate to use him, get something (Mallett) for him.
Why not hire Jeff Carlson to straighten out the QB?