“Young Guys” Have To Grow Up Quickly
October 22nd, 2024
“It’s going to be tough.”
So what are the Bucs going to do for an offense now?
In one of the most brutal games Joe can think of, the Bucs lost the vast majority of its offense to injuries.
In the first half, Mike Evans went down with a nasty hamstring injury.
Late in the fourth quarter, Chris Godwin went down with what Bucs coach Todd Bowles said initially looked to be a fractured ankle.
Bye-bye offense. If the Bucs will have any sort of passing attack, rookie Jalen McMillan and second-year receiver Trey Palmer are going to have to man up with veteran Sterling Shepard. Bowles knows the task will be steep.
“It’s going to be tough,” he said after the game. “Our young guys are going to have to get experience real fast. It’s going to be tough.”
Joe isn’t sure the Bucs have the receivers to make it happen. Here is why:
Just last week, Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen said he is still searching for a reliable, full-time No. 3 receiver. Part of that search is finding trust in them.
So now guys Coen didn’t yet trust to be a No. 3 receiver will now be asked to be a No. 1 receiver and a No. 2. Joe’s stomach is turning sour thinking about it.
It looks like the Bucs are going to transform into a ground-and-pound team out of necessity.
October 22nd, 2024 at 2:32 am
I’ll try to silver line this a little. Ravens are probably #1 rated team in the NFL right now. Bucs Oline looked very solid again. New emergence of Tucker+Irving is looking legitimate. And Baker despite a bad game, is still having a great season. Baker behind this Oline with good RBs – then a receiving corp of McMillan, Palmer, Sheppard, and Otton may be fine enough to keep having success through the air. All 3 of our running backs excel at catching the ball as well. That being said, we should probably calling some teams for a trade since winning the division is still an attainable goal. We’re one week late for Amari Cooper, but Jacobi Meyers might be a solid target.
October 22nd, 2024 at 2:32 am
I’m better Shep will be our 1, McMillan and Palmer 2/3, whatever. Move Rachaad into the slot at this point. Idk. I’m so disappointed at the point. The loss sucks, but losing Godwin hurts more. Evans shouldn’t even have played. After that first touchdown, he should have been pulled. Just irresponsible coaching. I’m tired of it. It’s always the same with Bowles.
October 22nd, 2024 at 2:35 am
They will be alright.
October 22nd, 2024 at 3:00 am
Trying to look at the positives – we finally have a run game and our offensive line is starting to gel.
Totally gutted for Godwin – was playing lights out this year
October 22nd, 2024 at 3:26 am
Respectfully, as a decent DC i like Todd, but he is not head coach material….too many signs have been there this long and we still keep allowing it. And now its costing season ending injuries to star players, why? horrible decision making, indecisions, … i mean yes, we look awesome against horrible teams, but now we’re one of them after losing Evans and Godwin….call me stupid but who runs the ship other than Jason and the owners….Todd!
Time to move on, sorry.
October 22nd, 2024 at 3:49 am
lets see what bowles has up his sleeve for the next game, lol. at least its against raheem who almost lost last game on a childish delay of game penalty
October 22nd, 2024 at 3:58 am
Move White to receiver!!
October 22nd, 2024 at 5:08 am
Maybe the genius who can’t seem to simplify his scheme enough for his guys to execute needs to find a guy named Saleh to come in and help him before it’s too late.
And it’s getting late early.
October 22nd, 2024 at 6:26 am
Doesn’t matter who steps up on offense when your defense can’t stop anybody. No team has success when their defense is ranked in the bottom of the league. This is a defense thta has played three rookie QBs, and only really stopped one of them. Tell me we’d beat Danials if we played them again? Heck they lost him last game, and Mariota lead them to victory. We lose Evans, and our whole team falls apart. Let’s face it, we suck.
October 22nd, 2024 at 6:28 am
Great post as always, Joe.
However, I’d submit it’s not about Liam Coen having “trust” in his nos. 3, 4, and 5 being able to step up.
The team (and Liam) has no choice at this point
it’s about Baker and Shep, Palmer, and McMillan putting in some extra practice and getting their timing down… getting more comfortable with each other.
The more reps they take with each other, the better they’ll get. It won’t happen overnight, and yes, they’re nos. 3, 4, and 5 for a reason.
But, that’s what we’ve got to work with right now. So, we move forward with it.
October 22nd, 2024 at 8:53 am
This is why I didn’t like the Barton pick because I we could have gotten him in the second round. I hope they don’t draft another offensive lineman in the first round this coming up draft.
October 22nd, 2024 at 10:20 am
It’s time for McMillan to show the hype that everyone was buzzing about all offseason. Hes a slot receiver he should be able to step in and give us a sliver of hope
October 22nd, 2024 at 10:47 am
The Buc’s fortune was not there last night. It’s time to get the young receivers learn by ‘trial of fire.’
We may not salvage this season, but we can have our promising rookies gain and build for 2025