Positives are there, if you can find them.

by Niko Houllis on Oct 11, 2009 6:06 PM EDT Comment 30 comments

NFL leading pass dropper, currently with 8 drops in 5 games.

Most fans knew going in this was going to be a David vs Goliath. Looking back on the game, the Bucs did show up with some pretty impressive sling shot materials. Just enough to, at times, leave you thinking that they could make a game of it.

Until Sean Mahan played Matador (Ole) letting Eagle pass rushers through untouched, or Michael Clayton dropping 4 more passes, for a total of 8 on the year, leading the NFC. Doesn't Raheem Morris understand, Clayton needs 20 touches a game before he can be expected to catch every ball. If Michael Clayton thought he caught heat this week already, that is nothing compared to what this next week will be like. Several fans have already started a website 80sucks.com that is getting mentioned on sports radio shows including the Bucs own, and it is bound to get worse. He can no longer be relied upon to catch a football, and no matter how good he blocks, Tampa Bay pays other guys to do that. Some of those guys are called Tight Ends, who coincidentally did not get it done when it came to blocking assignents.

But just when we think we have the Bucs where we want them, players like Kellen Winslow Jr come up and show the youngsters how its done. Numbers are one thing, but K2's 9 catches for 102 yards was not as impressive as the fact two of them were Touchdowns, and that the catches were all seemingly at key moments of the game. Winslow's receptions were PLAYS the team needs to start making. Young guys like Josh Johnson at times looked like the players the Bucs need to turn this losing streak around. Then on other occasions they don't, like losing a simple snap on 4th down, or throwing up the ball when under pressure instead of throwing it away and living for another play. The positives were there to see for Josh Johnson, who had the team moving the ball in between the 20's. Four red zone turnovers killed several scoring drives.

Jimmy Wilkerson led the defense with 3 sacks, but the pass rush from the Bucs otherwise was virtually non-existant. Gaines Adams, who had the best quarter of his life last week, did not record a tackle.....again. We heard all preseason that this team was going to abandon the Tampa Two but jam up receivers at the line and hold them up until pass rushers get to the quarterback. Sounds good in theory. Problem is this team has no one that can get to the Quarterback, and corners that cannot cover consistantly if at all. The Bucs have given up 8 TD passes of 30 yards or more. There were back to back seasons the Bucs would not give up that many deep scoring plays.

All of this is sure to bring on even more pressure on first year Head Coach Raheem Morris, who is now having to start to explain the reasons for this, the poorest start in 14 seasons. College Freshmen were not yet in kindergarten the last time a Bucs team was 0-5. The offense was supposed to be a running team with deep throws off of the play action, but shouldn't a team run the ball first successfully before a play-action is effective? The Bucs are currently wasting one of the deepest backfields in team history, including a remarkable return from not one but two career threatening injuries to Cadillac Williams. Not tot mention the valuable experience Josh Johnson is getting that's probably being wasted as Josh Freeman will be getting the start soon when Center Jeff Faine returns, and the lessons for the young QB will have to be repeated. If the losses continue to add up, the calls for Josh Freeman will start to be heard if they aren't already.

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some random thoughts

Mahan ,there must be a center out there somewhere better than this guy, a retired vet with some life left in him? An undrafted rookie? Even after Faine returns do we want this guy as a backup? Now on to clayton can we flush this turd once and for all, wait I hear something “I dare you to pull that lever” who said that?Raheem can you let Freeman out of the honeymoon suite, it’s time for him to play!

by bucfanlostiniowa on Oct 11, 2009 6:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

BFLII! When Faine went down in game one, Jonathan Compas took over at Center and the Bucs seemed to do ok.

Obviously, There is more to playing Center than just blocking, unfortunately, Mahan must do all the other things fine except the main one..BLOCK. Then again, we have a WR who can block….. Clayton was absolutely ridiculous today. Raheem benched Leftwich, he cut Nugent, and I can fully see him benching Clayton after this ridiculous exhibit. The sad thing, JJ looked pretty sharp at times, and only when they threw the whole sink at him ( Hello Mr. Bates, did you hear that? Throw the kitchen sink at a QB and they throw up picks???) that he turned the ball over. Reality is we were in this game until is spiraled out of control. But JJ is not supposed to be the answer. NOT ONE PERSON ever looked at him in his draft class and called him a franchise QB. Freeman was.

Eagles by 17= The Bucs are what we think they are. Eagles by 10? Respectable. Eagle by<7? A moral victory. Bucs win? See you at the airport!

by Niko Houllis on Oct 11, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Greg Olson

is on the firing block, Jim bates is still not in my book. If you think about it other than the first drive- The defense barely could get any momentum going at all. They were always trailing and were fatigued by the end. Raheem also needs to trust in Andrus- for the most part. The playcalliing is horrible, WERE a RUN FIRST TEAM- WHERE IS IT? and im not talking run’s up the middle either.

J.J LOVE SPREADS while RAHEEM MORRIS'S PLAN FOR NFLDOMINECION IS COMING TO AN END.

by Some other guy who does not care on Oct 11, 2009 7:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Defense

I cant watch every game, but does it have anything to do with them getting behind so easy, they have to abandon the run? Do they start out the game that way?

by Hook85 on Oct 11, 2009 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

First Deep play

Mack got beat by Maclin’s jets, Second Deep play- Allen wasn’t paying attention to Maclin at all. Raheem and his idotic fourth down moves while YOU CAN SCORE POINTS is not working. Olson’s playcalling is horrible, Four plays in Olson’s book:

1) Run up the middle
2) Option Run
3) Shotgun underneath to K2
4) Clayton Hitch route

J.J LOVE SPREADS while RAHEEM MORRIS'S PLAN FOR NFLDOMINECION IS COMING TO AN END.

by Some other guy who does not care on Oct 11, 2009 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I cant give the defensive coordinator any more of a pass. They both get a big F today.

Olson, for bringing back the option into the National Football League, you deserve an F buddy.

And Bates, your defensive scheme gave up 3 scoring drives of 2 plays. THREE SCORING DRIVES were only two plays! (And were not talking because of turn overs deep in Bucs territory). That is unheard of. You have choosen a defensive system that the team cannot possibly impliement because it does not have the personnel, and this falls on the Head Coach Raheem Morris for seemingly making another mistake as far as hiring of a coordinator.

Eagles by 17= The Bucs are what we think they are. Eagles by 10? Respectable. Eagle by<7? A moral victory. Bucs win? See you at the airport!

by Niko Houllis on Oct 11, 2009 7:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Morris

is acting insane man- not going for a field goal on two fourth downs and an easy one from about 6 yards out is getting atrocious.

J.J LOVE SPREADS while RAHEEM MORRIS'S PLAN FOR NFLDOMINECION IS COMING TO AN END.

by Some other guy who does not care on Oct 11, 2009 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dont have a problem with either play...

Your 0-4 and in Phily, a place your favored to lose by two scores, and you lost by three. The offense was moving the ball. I like the boldness, and if he had gone the kicks and missed them, then we would be saying he is spineless and over his head…..

I dont know a coach anywhere that could coach these guys to win. These are a bunch of college kids growing up before our eyes.

Eagles by 17= The Bucs are what we think they are. Eagles by 10? Respectable. Eagle by<7? A moral victory. Bucs win? See you at the airport!

by Niko Houllis on Oct 12, 2009 4:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eh

If you keep the game close, the defense can’t tee off on JJ the way they did in the 2nd half. I understand your point about nothing to lose, but I’d argue that as long as you are in the game early to take the points. I am all for going for the win late, but in the 1st half points are points.

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by FreeZorilla on Oct 12, 2009 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This was an over reaction to last week

I thought about writing an article on it but decided not to. Last week with 4.5 minutes left, Morris elected to kick a field goal instead of going for the TD agaisnt Washington. End result? made FG, lost game.

He said after the game something to the effect of “We’re going to play fearless football” (which begs the question, why didn’t you go for it).

This week, it seemed to be an over reaction. Rather than play it safe and take the points (when the game was close), he elected to “be fearless” and go for it, resulting in points left on the field.

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by Buc Wild on Oct 12, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

JJ is gonna develop some bad habits fast at this rate.

He threw all day backing up. That’s not good for a young QB.

www.bucem.com - SBNation's source for all things Buccaneer

by Buc Wild on Oct 11, 2009 7:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Great Post Niko!

Has anyone researched on here the notion that the Glazers may be preparing for the uncapped season, possibly several uncapped seasons?
They locked up players like Clayton, wich was mind bogling to some. Were they trying to sign some players to a long deal while they can, instead of possibly paying twice as much next season. Look at the Yankees, they will sign mediocre players to semi-large contracts when no one else would, are they worried that is going to happen. So are they trying to spend the least amount of money this season on coaches, players, personel…to prepare for the future?

by Hook85 on Oct 11, 2009 9:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Glazers do not run the football team. Marc Dominik does.

The Glazers have always been the kind of owners who hire football people to make football moves. As far as this theory, Ive heard it before, but as someone who has lived through two football strikes, I dont like to even talk about it. It is NOT FUN not having football to watch in September and October!

Eagles by 17= The Bucs are what we think they are. Eagles by 10? Respectable. Eagle by<7? A moral victory. Bucs win? See you at the airport!

by Niko Houllis on Oct 12, 2009 4:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see

I am not saying this is true, I was just wondering. The Glazers dont run the team, but it is thier money, I think they have a say in how they want thier money spent, especially if they suggest certain goals they want achieved. I dont mean are they preparing for a strike, I mean are they preparing for some hefty spending?

just a thought…I got the idea from this article of GM Allen and he seemed to have the uncapped season weighing heavy in the back of his mind, since he seems to mention it alot.

by Hook85 on Oct 12, 2009 5:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jan/09/allen-says-bucs-will-work-get-better-09/sports-bucs/

by Hook85 on Oct 12, 2009 5:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh I dont doubt it one bit, I have heard that before myself...and Im sure the Barrett Ruud situation is one example of how some GMs...

are preparing for next season.

Im just saying that the Glazers MOD has been to let their people run the show, and I have actually heard this from the mouth of Joel Glazer pregame Seattle last year. Through Paul Stewart of Bucpower.com, I got to meet Joel who upgraded our seats to $575.00 club 50 yard line seats…and when Paul asked him about a player he said something to the tune of “Thats Bruce’s call” . No that should not be all the evidence to prove my point, but you will find a lot of people who agree even with their soccer team, they put the right minds in charge and let them do their jobs.

As things sit, a strike is very possible for the 2011 season. Here is a very good article, even though a year old, nothing has changed to my knowledge…
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/peter_king/04/06/labor/index.html

Eagles by 17= The Bucs are what we think they are. Eagles by 10? Respectable. Eagle by<7? A moral victory. Bucs win? See you at the airport!

by Niko Houllis on Oct 12, 2009 7:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Apologies for my absense

this weekend. My brother in-law got married and my wife and I officiated it. Anyhow, my wife was gracious enough to let me listen to the game on Sirius on the way home. I have a lot of thoughts and will unload them on you guys tomorrow AM hopefully.

"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"

by UNFNOLE on Oct 11, 2009 9:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A few neagtive thoughts (all I have these days)

Even in an uncapped season I think the Glazers might actually find a way to spend less next season.

At this point I still just hope the Bucs go 1-15 or 0-16. That might be the only thing that would persuade Glazer to fire Morris, and hopefully Dominik. Morris is just over his head.. and Bates just sucks. I hope the whole coaching staff and front office are gone next year, or Morris and Akili Freeman will make ours lives miserable for years.

by cambi1 on Oct 11, 2009 10:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Be careful what you hope for.

You have no idea what you could be getting, or what you’ve got. Remember, Jimmy Johnson, John McKay, Tom Landry, Chuck Noll, all started out with 0 or 1 win in their first season coaching.

This is really a case of trying to make chicken salad with chicken parts.

Eagles by 17= The Bucs are what we think they are. Eagles by 10? Respectable. Eagle by<7? A moral victory. Bucs win? See you at the airport!

by Niko Houllis on Oct 12, 2009 4:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Positives - Because when the team is where it is, you gotta build on something

1. Kellen Winslow. The guy seemed like he was intent on catch anything and everything at the game. Honestly, I thought he caught more then 9 but that’s the official count. Not bad at all when 2 of those are TD from a inexperienced QB. We just need to get him to chip a defender before he takes off.

2. Jimmy Wilkerson. Hey recorded 3 sacks on a guy that, even at his age, refuses to be caught by defenders and had to escape the pocket multiple times in order to make a play.

3. The fact that Desean left the game with 1 catch for 1 yd. Sure, Maclin had a really big day against us and Celek got some big plays, but Jackson was on fire coming into this game and could easily had a receiving party in the endzone with Maclin. Talib is a worthy #1 pick, we just need to get some guys to partner up with him and help him out (Berry, maybe?). Not to mention we ruined a lot of fantasy teams.

4. J.J. showed improvement. He wasn’t nearly as gun shy or quick to run and made his throws, whether or not they were caught depends on who he was throwing to. Show great leadership in pumping up the offense and leading a scoring drive after fumbling a snap. We just need to get Mahan off the line, that way we wont have guys flying up the middle every play which leads to 3 INTs and more sacks.

5. Surprise onside. Not everyday to actually see it work. Lets just hope its only the tip of what Andrus can do.

by NewLogic on Oct 12, 2009 12:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice comment and I agree!

by buccanator on Oct 12, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I talked to a few guys from over at Blue Stampede, the Colts site..

They said he is an AWESOME kicker, a future star!
They really raved about him.
Of course they are not going to get rid of Vinatieri.

Eagles by 17= The Bucs are what we think they are. Eagles by 10? Respectable. Eagle by<7? A moral victory. Bucs win? See you at the airport!

by Niko Houllis on Oct 12, 2009 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

just a thought to the whole Allen wanting more "Juice"

Alittle bit of a long shot….but why not try trading Clayton and a 1st round for Boldin? He still hasn’t signed a new contract and if the Glazers are finally willing to spend the money then he could get himself a nice contract out of it. Plus the deal would be enticing for Az since they can just slide up Breaston to 2 and Urban to 3 and Doucett to 4 no problem. Just a thought….good team player and obviously tough. Which is what Raheem wants?

by Luckydabney7 on Oct 12, 2009 1:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

hell..

throw in Phillips or Graham if you have to. We already have Ward, Caddy and Peanut. Plus three other safties.

by Luckydabney7 on Oct 12, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

For Boldin, hell give them the waterboy too.

That would be great, line up all of the unused bodies and start dispersing. I’m all for that.

by buccanator on Oct 12, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It would

deffinately be better than wasting another 1st round on a bust. and atleast we’d know what type of player we’d get. No “?” marks there. lol. I see no reason in having Phillips since we replaced him at Safety AND LB. And i see no need for Graham [even though i like him] since we already have three ACTIVE rbs. sh*t I’d see no problem in trading them all just for Boldin. lol

by Luckydabney7 on Oct 12, 2009 2:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Can't trade Phillips since he is on IR

but after the season is over he would be available. I agree, I would trade a #1 pick for Boldin.

by buccanator on Oct 12, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd rather keep ourdraft picks, trade down from #2 to #9ish and get more picks. One player doesn't put us over the top

We need help everywhere, especially defense. Trading a first round pick for a WR is not going to get us over this hump.

www.bucem.com - SBNation's source for all things Buccaneer

by Buc Wild on Oct 12, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

J.J LOVE SPREADS while RAHEEM MORRIS'S PLAN FOR NFLDOMINECION IS COMING TO AN END.

by Some other guy who does not care on Oct 12, 2009 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I feel like it's become harder and harder to trade down

and I think it will continue to be so until they fix the money at the top of the draft. No one wants to invest that kind of bread on someone who could very well be a complete bust (right now I’m looking at JaMarcus Russel)

Looking for work editing video or in live production. Please help.

by staplemaniac on Oct 13, 2009 1:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs