One week after a disastrous trip to the west coast, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers held serve at home in the NFC South against the New Orleans Saints 26-20.
The game started with several key Buccaneer players unavailable, including RB LeGarrette Blount, DT Gerald McCoy (both starters), WR Sammie Stroughter, TE Luke Stocker, LB Zac Diles, and Tackles James Lee and Derek Hardman. Blount and McCoy both started last weekend, Stroughter was the opening day kick returner, and Stocker has been coming on recently in relief of Kellen Winslow. Lee and Hardman filled key roles on the offensive line during the injury-plagued 10-win run last season. It's a large, important group and the bye week can't get here soon enough.
Nevertheless, the Buccaneers proved once again they have capable depth on the roster. RB Earnest Graham and DT Brian Price stepped in for Blount and McCoy respectively, and TE Zack Pianalto stepped in to spell Winslow. Another new face to the starting lineup was the return of S Tanard Jackson to help with the season-ending loss of starting Safety Cody Grimm two weeks ago. Clearly, depth will come into play this season as well.
Early in the game it was apparent that there was one facet of the game the Buccaneers were going to close down, and that was the New Orleans special teams play. With a dangerous return man like Darren Sproles waiting, punter Micheal Koenen boomed towering punts to the sidelines, removing the Saints' return game from consideration. Koenen punted just four times, but posted a nearly-fifty yard average (49.8 yards; Sproles was only able to return one, and he lost 10 yards on the play, tackled by LB Dakota Watson).
The supposedly slow-starting Buccaneers scored first on a Conner Barth 48-yard field goal in the first quarter to take a 3-0 lead.
The Saints grabbed the following possession and scored on a 38-yard Drew Brees to Maques Colston pass down the left sideline, taking their first lead of the game at 7-3. The first quarter would finish with that score.
Less than two minutes into the second quarter, Tampa Bay grabbed the lead back on a 65-yard bomb from Josh Freeman to Arrelious Benn across the middle of the field to raise the score to 10-7. The defense then held the Saints to a 3-and-out, and the Buccaneer offense took the ball back to the New Orleans side of the field for a field goal and a 13-7 lead.
On the following Saints possession, S Tanard Jackson intercepted a Drew Brees pass, and the young Buccaneers turned it into points with another Josh Freeman pass. This time, Preston Parker sprinted right-to-left across the middle of the defense for 19 yards and a touchdown, extending the Tampa Bay lead to 20-7.
New Orleans, showing the resilience one has come to expect from the Saints, drove the field to close the half but were forced to settle for a field goal and Tampa Bay took a 20-10 lead into the locker room.
In the third quarter, both teams were only able to generate field goals, and the fourth quarter started 23-13.
New Orleans opened the fourth quarter with the ball and, assisted by a pass interference call, used rookie Mark Ingram from 12 yards out to narrow the Tampa Bay lead to 20-23. After an exchange of 3-and-out series, the Buccaneers drove to the New Orleans 20 yard line before stalling, and another Connor Barth field goal opened the lead to 26-20.
The New Orleans Saints then took the next possession at their own 24 yard line and tore through the Buccaneer defense to the Tampa Bay two yard line where, on 4th and 2, Drew Brees was intercepted by Quincy Black in the endzone to preserve the Buccaneer lead.
Two first downs later, the Buccaneers lined up in the victory formation and finished the game with a 26-20 victory and ascended to 1st place in the potent NFC South.
It was a significant change of fortunes as the visiting team had won Tampa Bay vs. New Orleans games for the past two years.
Super-Sub RB Earnest Graham gained 109 yards on 17 attempts, a blistering 6.4 yards per carry average. DT Brain Price recorded a tackle for loss, and S Tanard Jackson posted five solo tackles and an interception. Even first year, undrafted TE Zack Pianalto donned his super-sub helmet and recorded a catch for nine yards.
It was important for Tampa Bay to put the prior week behind them, and they certainly did against the team many considered to be the best in the NFC South. Later this season they may face the West Coast hurdle again, but for now Buccaneer fans can enjoy the return to the top of the NFC South and look forward to this weekend's game against the Chicago Bears in London.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Buccaneers Poised for 11-win Season
One year ago, we started tracking the "Race for 10" (copyright Head Coach Raheem Morris) after week 4 and predicted the Buccaneers would finish 10-6 based on the NFL.com Power Poll of the 32 NFL teams. Turns out the predictive powers were good, although declaring 10 wins enough to make the playoffs was, sadly and surprisingly, inaccurate.
So, we take the same path for 2011 and peek ahead at the upcoming schedule of the 3-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, currently ranked 9th in the NFL.com Expert Consensus Power Poll:
Past:
LOSS 27-20 to Detroit
WIN 24-20 against Minnesota
WIN 16-13 against Atlanta
WIN 24-17 against Indianapolis
Up Next:
@San Francisco (3-1) Power Poll Rank: #15
Upcoming:
New Orleans (3-1) #2
Chicago (in London) (2-2) #18
@New Orleans (3-1) #2
Houston (3-1) #6
@Green Bay (4-0) #1
@Tennessee (3-1) #12
Carolina (1-3) #23
@Jacksonville (1-3) #26
Dallas (2-2) #19
@Carolina (1-3) #23
@Atlanta (2-2) #17
Remaining Schedule Cumulative Record: 28-20
Based on the Power Poll, Tampa Bay should finish the 2011 season with an 11-5 record. That should put the Buccaneers in the playoffs!
So, we take the same path for 2011 and peek ahead at the upcoming schedule of the 3-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, currently ranked 9th in the NFL.com Expert Consensus Power Poll:
Past:
LOSS 27-20 to Detroit
WIN 24-20 against Minnesota
WIN 16-13 against Atlanta
WIN 24-17 against Indianapolis
Up Next:
@San Francisco (3-1) Power Poll Rank: #15
Upcoming:
New Orleans (3-1) #2
Chicago (in London) (2-2) #18
@New Orleans (3-1) #2
Houston (3-1) #6
@Green Bay (4-0) #1
@Tennessee (3-1) #12
Carolina (1-3) #23
@Jacksonville (1-3) #26
Dallas (2-2) #19
@Carolina (1-3) #23
@Atlanta (2-2) #17
Remaining Schedule Cumulative Record: 28-20
Based on the Power Poll, Tampa Bay should finish the 2011 season with an 11-5 record. That should put the Buccaneers in the playoffs!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Playoff Fate Determined By Next Four Games
For the second season in a row, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are off and running to a fast, 3-1 start. The one loss? The unbeaten Detroit Lions. Not shabby at all. And putting Atlanta one game into the rear view mirror is always A Good Thing. The other two wins? Versus the winless Colts and winless Vikings.
It's a similar situation to 2010, when the Buccaneers beat Carolina, Cleveland, and Cincinnati but lost to Pittsburgh in the first four games. Then came the statement by Head Coach Raheem Morris that this was the best team in the NFC. Are the Buccaneers as confident this season? Probably so.
Nonetheless, the next four games may decide if the Buccaneers miss the playoffs again this season:
1. Oct 9th -- West Coast tip to meet up with the 3-1 San Francisco 49ers after a short Monday Night Football week
2. Oct 16th -- Home against the co-NFC South leaders, the 3-1 New Orleans Saints
3. Oct 23rd -- Off to London to face the 2-2 Chicago Bears in Wembley Stadium
It's a similar situation to 2010, when the Buccaneers beat Carolina, Cleveland, and Cincinnati but lost to Pittsburgh in the first four games. Then came the statement by Head Coach Raheem Morris that this was the best team in the NFC. Are the Buccaneers as confident this season? Probably so.
Nonetheless, the next four games may decide if the Buccaneers miss the playoffs again this season:
1. Oct 9th -- West Coast tip to meet up with the 3-1 San Francisco 49ers after a short Monday Night Football week
2. Oct 16th -- Home against the co-NFC South leaders, the 3-1 New Orleans Saints
3. Oct 23rd -- Off to London to face the 2-2 Chicago Bears in Wembley Stadium
A Halloween bye week, then finally:
4. Nov 6th -- To the Superdome to match up for the second time in three games (and last time during the 2011 regular season) against the New Orleans Saints.
Every one of those four teams are in the NFC, and wins against NFC teams are crucial for late-season tie-breaker scenarios. In addition, all are contenders to win their divisions which makes them excellent tuneups for playoff football. Finally, Tampa Bay can bury the New Orleans Saints with two wins and place themselves all alone at the top of the NFC South.
In 2010, Tampa Bay lost two divisional games during the second quarter of the season, then played the rest of the season looking up from below at Atlanta and New Orleans. In the end, they missed the playoffs.
The next four games will go a long way determining if this season finishes any differently than the last.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
GM Mark Dominik Rising Fast
All Tampa Bay Buccaneer fans know there are a lot of young players out there the team will have to schmooze with big paychecks to keep them in Tampa.
What about the GM?
This past offseason, the Buccaneers did the right thing extending the current contract of the youngest General Manager in the NFL. Dominik is starting to get noticed nationwide, including a recent article naming him the seventh best GM in the NFL today. It is an elite company in the top quarter of the league, including guys who have won Championships with teams they have created.
Clearly other people believe Dominik is on his way to achieving the same goal. While he already has a ring from 2002 when he was in the pro personnel department, it's not the same as build-your-own.
Eight teams, or a quarter of the NFL, changed general managers in 2008, with Tampa Bay's promotion of Dominik from within being one of them. The other seven and their rankings in the article linked above:
What about the GM?
This past offseason, the Buccaneers did the right thing extending the current contract of the youngest General Manager in the NFL. Dominik is starting to get noticed nationwide, including a recent article naming him the seventh best GM in the NFL today. It is an elite company in the top quarter of the league, including guys who have won Championships with teams they have created.
Clearly other people believe Dominik is on his way to achieving the same goal. While he already has a ring from 2002 when he was in the pro personnel department, it's not the same as build-your-own.
Eight teams, or a quarter of the NFL, changed general managers in 2008, with Tampa Bay's promotion of Dominik from within being one of them. The other seven and their rankings in the article linked above:
- Cleveland, who fired their GM less than one year after hiring him
- Denver, #28 (Brian Xanders)
- Detroit, #8 (Martin Mayhew)
- Jacksonville, #29 (Gene Smith)
- Kansas City, #12 (Scott Pioli)
- New England, #11 (Bill Bellicheck)
- Saint Louis, #21 (Billy Devaney)
It's been less than three seasons, and granted some of these men inherited a disaster. Some started ahead like New England. But fortunately Tampa Bay had someone already familiar with the way things work inside One Buccaneer Place, and Dominik has worked it to his advantage ever since.
Don't overlook Detroit and the high regard for their GM. They clearly found the right man as well.
It's a solid Top Five in the GM rankings above, and appears to be a very hard group to crack. To get there, Dominik will have to win a championship.
Seems that more and more people are believing that he will.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Grimm Probably Done For 2011
Rumors abound, but it seems that Tampa Bay Buccaneer safety Cody Grimm suffered enough knee damage to require more than 8 weeks of healing and rehabilitation.
If this is the case, General Manager Mark Dominik has a big decision today -- hold Grimm on the roster for two months (until week 11, or later) or put Grimm on IR and let him prepare for next season.
This is Grimm's second major injury in two years after breaking a leg in 2010.
If Grimm is going to IR, I would expect One Buccaneer Place to make a move soon.
If this is the case, General Manager Mark Dominik has a big decision today -- hold Grimm on the roster for two months (until week 11, or later) or put Grimm on IR and let him prepare for next season.
This is Grimm's second major injury in two years after breaking a leg in 2010.
If Grimm is going to IR, I would expect One Buccaneer Place to make a move soon.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Defense Showing Growing Pains
In the Week 1 loss to the Detroit Lions (27-20) the Tampa Bay defense showed it has some growing to do this season. Not (in any way) to heap blame for the loss on the defensive squad. Across the team small changes will mean big improvements. It's just easier to see after-the-fact on the defensive side.
The now famous Tampa-2 defensive scheme, even with the changes added by Head Coach Raheem Morris, is still based around driving play to the middle of the field. As a consequence, the Middle Linebacker position (also called the "Mike" linebacker) makes a lion's share of the tackles each season. Going back just five years, the leading tacklers were all Middle Linebackers:
2010 118 tackles, 33 assists (Ruud)
2009 142 tackles, 35 assists (Ruud)
2008 137 tackles, 35 assists (Ruud)
2007 109 tackles, 25 assists (Brooks) (& 114 tackles, 31 assists (Ruud, 2nd leading tackler))
2006 121 tackles, 25 assists (Brooks)
Mason Foster, drafted in the 3rd round this past April, is now the starting MLB for Tampa Bay. Against Detroit, he recorded 5 tackles and an assist. Not at all bad for a rookie in his first game and first start. However, five Buccaneer defensive players finished with more tackles than Foster. In fact, in the first three games of the 2010 season, the Middle Linebacker lead the team in tackles each game. Clearly, one indicator of a well-oiled Tampa-2 defense will be when Mason Foster is leading the team in tackles.
Why didn't Foster lead the team in tackles in Week 1? Coach Morris has already stated Foster is currently not always going to be on the field in nickel situations, so one reason is the summer lockout and lack of OTAs. Another reason is, no doubt, Foster is still learning the position.
The third reason may be the most important, and it's staggering on the stat sheet. 2011 first round draft choice Defensive End Adrian Clayborn did not record a single tackle (nor an assist) against the Detroit Lions. 2011 second round draft choice Defensive End Da'Quan Bowers recorded 1 tackle, no assists. The more experienced Defensive Ends on the squad, Tim Crowder and Michael Bennett, each recorded four tackles.
I'm not saying defensive ends should lead the team in tackles -- that is not the Tampa-2 way. Defensive Ends should contain and force the play inside or stretch the play to the outside and make the tackle. That is basic defensive end assignment football from pee-wee leagues to the pros. When defensive ends do this, the play flows to the middle linebacker.
A low number of tackles by the defensive ends could mean they are holding the offensive backfield from running to the edges of the field. To me, and I think those who were able to watch the game would agree, this was not the case against the Lions. There was actually a lack of containment by the defensive ends. Again, lots of youth learning to play on the edges now and I think it shows.
All this is correctable. When all the defensive ends have similar stats and the middle linebacker leads the team in tackles, the Buccaneers will win. The questions is will that happen this weekend against the Vikings?
To make the playoffs, the Buccaneer defensive rookies must grow into their new positions sooner rather than later.
The now famous Tampa-2 defensive scheme, even with the changes added by Head Coach Raheem Morris, is still based around driving play to the middle of the field. As a consequence, the Middle Linebacker position (also called the "Mike" linebacker) makes a lion's share of the tackles each season. Going back just five years, the leading tacklers were all Middle Linebackers:
2010 118 tackles, 33 assists (Ruud)
2009 142 tackles, 35 assists (Ruud)
2008 137 tackles, 35 assists (Ruud)
2007 109 tackles, 25 assists (Brooks) (& 114 tackles, 31 assists (Ruud, 2nd leading tackler))
2006 121 tackles, 25 assists (Brooks)
Mason Foster, drafted in the 3rd round this past April, is now the starting MLB for Tampa Bay. Against Detroit, he recorded 5 tackles and an assist. Not at all bad for a rookie in his first game and first start. However, five Buccaneer defensive players finished with more tackles than Foster. In fact, in the first three games of the 2010 season, the Middle Linebacker lead the team in tackles each game. Clearly, one indicator of a well-oiled Tampa-2 defense will be when Mason Foster is leading the team in tackles.
Why didn't Foster lead the team in tackles in Week 1? Coach Morris has already stated Foster is currently not always going to be on the field in nickel situations, so one reason is the summer lockout and lack of OTAs. Another reason is, no doubt, Foster is still learning the position.
The third reason may be the most important, and it's staggering on the stat sheet. 2011 first round draft choice Defensive End Adrian Clayborn did not record a single tackle (nor an assist) against the Detroit Lions. 2011 second round draft choice Defensive End Da'Quan Bowers recorded 1 tackle, no assists. The more experienced Defensive Ends on the squad, Tim Crowder and Michael Bennett, each recorded four tackles.
I'm not saying defensive ends should lead the team in tackles -- that is not the Tampa-2 way. Defensive Ends should contain and force the play inside or stretch the play to the outside and make the tackle. That is basic defensive end assignment football from pee-wee leagues to the pros. When defensive ends do this, the play flows to the middle linebacker.
A low number of tackles by the defensive ends could mean they are holding the offensive backfield from running to the edges of the field. To me, and I think those who were able to watch the game would agree, this was not the case against the Lions. There was actually a lack of containment by the defensive ends. Again, lots of youth learning to play on the edges now and I think it shows.
All this is correctable. When all the defensive ends have similar stats and the middle linebacker leads the team in tackles, the Buccaneers will win. The questions is will that happen this weekend against the Vikings?
To make the playoffs, the Buccaneer defensive rookies must grow into their new positions sooner rather than later.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Situational Defensive Fronts
During his press conference on September 2nd, Head Coach Raheem Morris laid out the rotation for the front seven on defense.
"Base"
RE: Adrian Clayborn
DT: Roy Miller
DT: Gerald McCoy
LE: Michael Bennett
WLB: Geno Hayes
MLB: Mason Foster
SLB: Quincy Black
"Nickel"
RE: Adrian Clayborn/Tim Crowder
DT: Roy Miller/Brian Price/Frank Okam
DT: Gerald McCoy/Frank Okam
LE: Michael Bennett/Da'Quan Bowers
WLB: Geno Hayes
MLB: Quincy Black/Mason Foster
SLB: Dakota Watson
Regarding Frank Okam, who will play either inside tackle positions, Coach said he is a "large, smart human". Also according to Coach Morris, Adam Heyward will be available at all linebacker positions. Mason Foster is still learning nickel coverages (this is where the lockout hurts).
For the Buccaneers to reach the playoffs in 2011 the defensive front seven needs to be more disruptive. With the additional speed of Mason Foster and the power of Adrian Clayborn, it could be the group to get Tampa Bay over the top.
"Base"
RE: Adrian Clayborn
DT: Roy Miller
DT: Gerald McCoy
LE: Michael Bennett
WLB: Geno Hayes
MLB: Mason Foster
SLB: Quincy Black
"Nickel"
RE: Adrian Clayborn/Tim Crowder
DT: Roy Miller/Brian Price/Frank Okam
DT: Gerald McCoy/Frank Okam
LE: Michael Bennett/Da'Quan Bowers
WLB: Geno Hayes
MLB: Quincy Black/Mason Foster
SLB: Dakota Watson
Regarding Frank Okam, who will play either inside tackle positions, Coach said he is a "large, smart human". Also according to Coach Morris, Adam Heyward will be available at all linebacker positions. Mason Foster is still learning nickel coverages (this is where the lockout hurts).
For the Buccaneers to reach the playoffs in 2011 the defensive front seven needs to be more disruptive. With the additional speed of Mason Foster and the power of Adrian Clayborn, it could be the group to get Tampa Bay over the top.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Defensive Line Showing Teeth
After spending both their first and second round picks on defensive linemen in 2010 and 2011, the youth movement up front is starting to show improvement. Granted, it's preseason and it can be deceiving.
Nonetheless, during the 2010 preseason, Tampa Bay recorded a total of four quarterback sacks.
So far in the 2011 preseason, with one game to go, Tampa Bay has recorded thirteen quarterback sacks. League wide, the Buccaneers stand alone in fourth place, with only the Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, and Philadelphia Eagles ahead of them (tied for first with 14 sacks).
And it's not a matter of a weaker preseason slate: Last year's preseason opponents (Miami, Kansas City, Jacksonville, and Houston) won a combined six preseason games. This year's opponents (Kansas City, New England, Miami, and Washington) have already won six preseason games with one game each remaining.
Tampa Bay defensive end George Johnson (another member of the 2010 practice squad) is currently tied for the league lead in sacks with 3.0; he is tied with three other players. Right behind the lead group is Buccaneer linebacker Dakota Watson with 2.5 sacks. Other Buccanneer players with 2 or more sacks are DE Tim Crowder and DE Kyle Moore.
The draft focus of the past two years appears to be taking shape. Based on the third preseason game against Miami, the likely starting four on the defensive line will be:
RE: Adrian Clayborn, 2011 First Round Draft Pick
DT: Frank Okam, 2010 Waiver Wire pickup
DT. Gerald McCoy, 2010 First Round Draft Pick
LE: Micheal Bennett, 2009 Waiver Wire pickup
And the depth:
RE: Tim Crowder, 2009 Waiver Wire pickup
DT: Roy Miller, 2009 Third Round Pick
DT: Brian Price, 2010 Second Round Pick
LE: Da'Quan Bowers, 2011 Second Round Pick
Miller, Price, and Bowers are currently working their way back from injury and appear to be ready for the regular season.
This is a group which will probably not reach their collective prime for another season or so. Based on results so far, this could be the squad to watch in 2011.
Nonetheless, during the 2010 preseason, Tampa Bay recorded a total of four quarterback sacks.
So far in the 2011 preseason, with one game to go, Tampa Bay has recorded thirteen quarterback sacks. League wide, the Buccaneers stand alone in fourth place, with only the Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, and Philadelphia Eagles ahead of them (tied for first with 14 sacks).
And it's not a matter of a weaker preseason slate: Last year's preseason opponents (Miami, Kansas City, Jacksonville, and Houston) won a combined six preseason games. This year's opponents (Kansas City, New England, Miami, and Washington) have already won six preseason games with one game each remaining.
Tampa Bay defensive end George Johnson (another member of the 2010 practice squad) is currently tied for the league lead in sacks with 3.0; he is tied with three other players. Right behind the lead group is Buccaneer linebacker Dakota Watson with 2.5 sacks. Other Buccanneer players with 2 or more sacks are DE Tim Crowder and DE Kyle Moore.
The draft focus of the past two years appears to be taking shape. Based on the third preseason game against Miami, the likely starting four on the defensive line will be:
RE: Adrian Clayborn, 2011 First Round Draft Pick
DT: Frank Okam, 2010 Waiver Wire pickup
DT. Gerald McCoy, 2010 First Round Draft Pick
LE: Micheal Bennett, 2009 Waiver Wire pickup
And the depth:
RE: Tim Crowder, 2009 Waiver Wire pickup
DT: Roy Miller, 2009 Third Round Pick
DT: Brian Price, 2010 Second Round Pick
LE: Da'Quan Bowers, 2011 Second Round Pick
Miller, Price, and Bowers are currently working their way back from injury and appear to be ready for the regular season.
This is a group which will probably not reach their collective prime for another season or so. Based on results so far, this could be the squad to watch in 2011.
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