Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Grading out the offense - week 3
I suppose the most appropriate thing I could do is just leave this column blank and type a big F at the bottom. Would save me the time of writing it and save you the time of having to think about our terrible performance. But where's the fun in that? Seems negativity and pessimism generates more conversation that rainbows, sunshine and puppy dogs, so let's get into a look at the Bucs offense and how they fared against the Giants in Week 3
Quarterback
For the first time this year, we have two player to look at. Don't worry, I'm up for the challenge.
Byron Leftwich - What can be said about his performance that hasn't been said. He made an awful decision on the interception he threw. No excuse for that. He was hit just about every time he touched the ball. The line did him no favors. He threw mostly checkdown, but that was the read the majority of the time. He threw a few balls behind receivers and didn't look crisp. Not a good day to be a statue in the pocket. Looked indecisive at times. This was just not his day. Grade: D-
Josh Johnson - Everyone's love affair of the week. Moved the ball better in a shorter sample. Passes were delivered behind receivers. Lacked touch in the red zone. Should've pulled the ball down 1-2 more times, but that's nit picky. Showed good mobility and was able to escape the rush when needed. Would like to see how he does in a full game when the defense is A) playing their starters and B) game planning for him. Grade: Inc
Running Back
Derrick Ward - Not sure all that trash talking did much. Had no room to show burst and certainly didn't break any long runs. Took what was given to him, but no more. Looked average in pass protection. Opportunities were few and far between. Grade: INC
Cadillac Williams - Another game, no injuries. Success. The limited touches he had showed what we know he has. Ability to turn nothing into something. Receiving well out of backfield. Has to make first guy miss. Should be given the game ball, he did get our first first down. Grade: Inc
Wide Receiver
This is tough. They saw very few looks but that tells me a few things. They were not creating separation. Clayton dropped a few passes, though two of them were tough catches. Should have caught the TD pass. More worried about his feet being in bounds than the ball. (Grade: C-). Antonio Bryant has to still be hurting. Dropped passes, couldn't shake open and was a non-factor (Grade: C-). Stevens dropped an easy pass (Grade: C-) and Winslow dropped passes. (Grade: C-). See a common theme here? The opportunities were rare, but the receivers did nothing with them.
Offensive Line
Wow. I documented it in a column earlier this year, how the fan's perceived notion of the OL was incorrect. This game didn't help that. For being the strength of our team, they were manhandled. Pass rushers ran free, assignments were missed, the pocket was non-existent. This was a bad performance. They gave the QB no time. They didn't block well in the run game. Mahan just gets abused. He doesn't seem quick enough or strong enough. I can handle one or the other, but he just seems out of place. Trueblood got his customary penalty and was just outright beaten a few times. He looks flat footed most of the game. As a whole, this might be one of their worst performances. Grade: D
Overall
There isn't much to say. First half saw no first downs. The scoreboard looks the same as it did pre-game, zero points. We couldn't run the ball, we couldn't pass, we couldn't catch, we couldn't block. I feel like I'm being overly negative, and then I remember that this is the exact game they played. With no blocking comes no running game. With no running game comes no play action pass. With no play action pass the linebackers and safeties cheat up. With no deep threat, the blocking gets blown up. This was a recipe for slaughter, and we served it up on every single play. Grade: F
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Group result far too worse than the individuals
Be tougher on players
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
by FreeZorilla on Sep 29, 2009 12:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Antonio Bryant
is averaging $613,000 a catch right now through three games. Yay! It’s obvious he doesn’t have the fire he did last year.
I thought the whole offense looked pathetic. The Giants D is good, but not that good. We looked like a college team out there trying to play with the big boys. The defense actually sort of held their own, but I don’t know how much of that can be attributed to NYG taking their foot off the gas pedal.
by LeeCaz on Sep 29, 2009 2:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What ticked me off the worst about Winslow
was that First down Opp. in the first half when he allowed himself to get pushed out of bounds. He was two yards away, if he turns it back inside he is fighting for the first.
"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"
by UNFNOLE on Sep 29, 2009 6:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He makes too much money to risk getting hurt
Duh, don’t you know that? Winslow never met a sideline he didn’t like.
Patrick Crayton apparently suffers the same disease after watching him return kicks last night.
by LeeCaz on Sep 29, 2009 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like the incomplete grades BucWild....good useage!
At least the game deserves watching this week to see what JJ does. Imagine if he has a good game and wins?? This town will go nuts talking playoffs LOL!
by Niko Houllis on Sep 29, 2009 7:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If I hear anyone talking playoffs, I will hunt them down and beat some sense into them
All kidding aside, I’m looking forward to JJ playing and seeing what he can do.
www.bucem.com - SBNation's source for all things Buccaneer
by Buc Wild on Sep 29, 2009 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If collectively they get an F
Then probably some of the units deserve some too. I know you dont want to keep harping on the poor play but lets call a spade a spade. The OL was awful. Sean Mahan probably should not be in the NFL at this point. I understand that they perhaps did ok on some plays but they completely failed as a unit. The WR/TE’s were no better. I can understand giving a pass to an extent to the RBs and QB’s, but the OL looked like a 1-AA college O-Line playing UF. Terrible
by cambi1 on Sep 29, 2009 8:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The offense has suffered due to defensive play
In week one the offense looked good because of the quick scoring by the opposing team. With the Giants, they took long drives and ate up the clock. They keep the offense off the field. Which is better? neither
The offense needs to stick to the game plan and not panic. RUN RUN RUN 15 carries a game isn’t going to work. 30-35 carries a game with 20-25 pass attempts a game.
This coming week against the Redskins will give us an opprotunity to get the offense back on the right path. Now that the QB position has gained speed and value, the OL doesn’t have to block for 20 seconds so the QB can make a decision.
Rushing for next week will be back on track:
D Ward 90yds………C Williams 75 yds…….J Johnson 35 yds……..2 TDs
Passing won’t be needed:
J Johnson 200 yds 2 TD 1 INT
Bucs 31-10….Redskins will give our team a great confidence boost….they are that bad.
by buccanator on Sep 30, 2009 6:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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