Ask Bucs Nation

There are a lot of standard excuses. The team is so young. The lockout hit us harder than other teams because of that. We’ve had a tough schedule. Etc., etc. But to most Bucs fans those excuses have been ringing hollow for a while now. Everyone expected 2009 to be the debacle it was. 2010 now looks to have been a very overinflated season in terms of results- and unfortunately, I think too many folks got an overinflated sense of their play as a result- our coaching staff included.

There was a great quote about trying to tackle Blount after the game from Titans DE Dave Ball: “It’s like trying to tackle a greased up, naked guy in the shower.”

I think the Bucs will manage the win- frankly, I think we’re hungrier for it at this point. I give you guys the advantage when we’re back in Charlotte in week 16 though.

This is Free’s third season, but as he didn’t play until over halfway through the 2009 season, lots of folks are characterizing what he’s going through as a sophomore (and a half) slump. The biggest story is the interceptions. After last year’s freakish 25-6 TD-INT ratio, expectations were very high. They haven’t been met, to say the least: 12-16 is his ratio so far this year. That said, his completion percentage has improved slightly (61.8 vs. 61.4 in 2010).

Only meant to italicize the word “good”. My b.

Lack of an offseason to train together shows most clearly in Freeman’s rhythm with the receivers. Mike Williams has actually shown a lot of improvement in the past couple of games. I think he’s learning how to manage double coverages better. I also hope he’s had a little humility ground into him after reading too many glowing press clippings from 2010.

We’re at our best when we stick to a run-first offense where Blount pound the defense until Freeman has the opportunity to make a couple of good passes off play action. We break down when we get forced to throw constantly. A good metric to assess how a Bucs game is going that’s used frequently at Bucs Nation is the pass/run ratio. If it’s fairly close to even, we’re having a good game. If it skyrockets to 2:1 or higher, a Greg Olson induced meltdown looks to be in progress.

Also, keep an eye on our slot receiver Preston Parker- he’s really emerged as a weapon this season- our most pleasant surprise on offense.

say keep an on eye on Rejus Benn. With you guys lacking a solid #2 CB and with us getting back to the run in the last few weeks…..Benn has seen the field more and holds a solid 15+ yards per catch. Of course, if Benn is contained and they shade a safety over/or the #2 CB holds him in check…..Parker and Winslow should see plenty of targets in the middle.

HOLY SHIT THEY ONLY HAD TO PLAY FOR ONE WEEK?

Although the whole “strength of schedule” argument is a little trickier when you’re comparing with a division rival- after all, we have 12 games with common opponents in any given year. I still think that the Panthers will take enough from this game to make adjustments and take away a win in week 16.

Until last week, I held out hope that our #30 ranked run defense was overdeflated by having played so many of the top RBs in the league during the first half of the season (BArian FosTate, Frank Gore, AP, Forte, etc.). Last week smashed that illusion. Against the rest of the league, CJ looked washed up. Against the Bucs, he ran for 190 yards. FML.

As for our secondary, the Packers destroyed us by playing spread offense and forcing us to use four and five corner sets. Talib is very good until he loses his temper and costs us 15 yards. Barber is very skilled but slower (the man’s 36 after all). Elbert Mack is good, but underutilized (probably because everyone’s so astounded he’s good this year). Biggers….tries- but he’s usually matched with the #2 receiver, and he’s really a nickelback. The less said about Myron Lewis, the better.

Glad to be here, thanks for being so cordial!

It’s good analysis, and I wish I could state that “that will never happen!” But like I said in my reply to it, I think this will be a very closely fought game- we’re very similar teams in many respects.

According to the Glaziers, who knows? They can’t be bothered to pay attention to that other sports franchise on the other side of the pond. Morris is under contract until 2012- they might give him one more season.

Greg Olsens seat is burning slightly hotter than Morris is. Next year if the Bucs show no progress then I would say Morris will be feeling the heat.

those missed tackle stats are a week old

I’m beginning to see red when I hear Quincy Black’s name. I think we do have an edge at D-line, banged up as we are at that position. I agree, it’s going to be a ground and pound game. It will be interesting to see how often Free scrambles in this one- he’s beginning to utilize that part of his game again, after shying away from it in the beginning of the season.

So whatever it was, it had no role in his shakiness in the first half of the season. He’s had more good games since he’s had it, so who knows- maybe it reminded him of his thumb injury in 2010 and subconsciously got him back in that form.

Panthers D is worse in the stat that matters the most, points allowed per game, although Tampa is only 1.2 behind. They really are almost equally terrible in most areas, could make for an interesting game

But then again we’ve managed two very solid 4th quarter chokes in the past two weeks. And normally, that’s when we finally wake up and remember we’re supposed to be playing a football game after dozing through the first three.

Reggie Wayne made a couple guys miss, and then Sherrod Martin just laid down as he ran past him. That wasn’t Painter, that was Wayne. That was also the only pass play of real consequence.

Business as usual. We let Donald Brown rush for 80 and a TD.

How much will Haynesworth contribute? How much HAS he contributed?

It’s an ankle sprain, so it could nothing to worry about- or it could be a high ankle sprain and he’ll be out for weeks. We’ll know on Wednesday.

K2 is a prima donna- he’s a key receiver, but he’s lost a step. Most of Free’s interceptions have come on throws to K2 because Free uses him as a security blanket. Unfortunately, Luke Stocker has been invisible so far this year- so K2 is still our best option.

Da’Quan hasn’t seen enough snaps by far to be judged a bust yet- Michael Bennett’s been starting all year, and Bowers has only gotten the start since then- so far he looks superb in pass rushing and pressuring, but more questionable against the run.

Olson will shut the run down

and I doubt that the Bucs will let Blount go regardless. BTW, he’s actually flashed some receiving skills this year. It’s our…brilliant OC who keeps him out on third downs. And it’s Rook, not Rock.

But god knows we’ve given you an opportunity by losing five straight.

They got rebranded in 1999, along with the rest of the organization- that was when we made the transition from creamsicle to pewter and red and Buccaneer Bruce sashayed away to the great retirement pirate ship.

check out this video of them, this is my favorite all time cheerleader video clip.
Goal line stance.

It’s like asking you guys how much you miss Michael Bates. He played a role position that’s not that glamorous, but he did so much with that role that anyone who follows him in it is probably going to be in his shadow for their whole career.

Ronde has a lot of tricks left in him. He doesn’t have elite speed anymore, but his method is sickly effective. Don’t let one stiff arm fool you into discounting him- that’s just what he wants.

he was supposed to be your Suh but he cant stay on the field. are you guys concerned about his health and how is he when healthy. In the past 2 years you have spent 2 1st and 2 2nd rounders on the D-Line, how do you like that strategy?

By the time he is on our team

Bear in mind, he’s a backup. But he’s done well so far, except for being slow to get up after he’s down. I think he realizes that Tampa is likely his last chance, and if he doesn’t play nicely with others here his career will be over.

Not ONE DT on our team knows the meaning of “Gap Control” which is essential in a Tampa 2 based D. Granted we don’t run much of the Traditional Tampa 2 the DLs still need to maintain their gaps. Quincy Black like to hang 5 yards downfield waiting for an OL to pick him up so he can make it look he was blocked when in reality he was sitting back counting his money from the new contract he recieved in the offseason. Talib will run NEXT to the player with the ball randomly be taken out of the play by one of our other players? Tanard Jackson somewhat gets a pass since being brought in mid-season without playing in 56 games. Although if we are being honest…..his tackling and angles of pursuit are just plain awful. Even when he had a chance at a clean sack he flopped off of the QB as if he was made of butter. (I think it was Brees). Our best “sure” tackler has been Ronde Barber….and if you scroll up….I think that about sums up the play of our Defense. With the exception of the occasional “splash plays” like Talibs INT for a TD (2wice), T-Jack with a few INTs and Clayborn with 5 sacks…we haven’t had many positive plays if any from the Defense. Definately not the TB Defense of old.

his throwing shoulder on the last play of the game last week. We are preparing JJ as if he is the starter this week….and watching JJs interview today after practice….It sounded like he might actually start. As for a long-term concern…the injury isn’t so much a worry as his play on the field has been this year.