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Buccaneers: Week seven winners and losers versus the Bills

By Michael Horan

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 22: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks towards the sideline during the second quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 22: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks towards the sideline during the second quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 11: Mike Smith, defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, stands on the field during pregame warmups prior to facing the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on September 11, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 11: Mike Smith, defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, stands on the field during pregame warmups prior to facing the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on September 11, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Losers

Mike Smith

It’s become difficult to see the difference between Mike Smith’s defense and Lovie Smith’s defense. Sure they’re schematically different with different players in different roles, but what is the end result? Pain. Chaos. Lots of touchdowns. Everything feels the same about these two coaches, and that is awful news for Mike Smith. Entering this season I never could have possibly imagined that I’d type these words, but here we are: Mike Smith is on the hot seat.

Though outraged fans have called for Smith’s head immediately, I doubt there’s any scenario where Dirk Koetter fires his friend mid-season. After the season though? If things don’t improve, it can’t be ruled out. The Bucs defense is getting run through week after week by units that struggle every other week, and against the Bills surrendered huge days to Lesean McCoy and Tyrod Taylor. Mike Smith isn’t solely to blame, but the man in charge has to bear the blame when things get this bad.

Next: Buccaneers week seven game day spotlight

Noah Spence (and the rest of the pass rush)

Even more so than Mike Smith’s coaching, the Buccaneer pass rush is destroying this team. Plain and simple, Jason Licht has failed to supply his defensive coaching staff with a consistent pass rusher. Myself and every other person in the Buccaneer universe expected the answer to this problem to be Noah Spence, but thus far in 2017 that hasn’t been the case. Part of the reason has been an aggravation of his surgically repaired shoulder, but Spence continues to play more than enough sacks to make a difference.

It hurts to type, but if Spence isn’t able to find consistency then I see very little hope for the Bucs defense. Robert Ayers is a complimentary player with nothing to compliment, and one dimensional Will Gholston hasn’t offered pass rush help at any point in his career. Against the Bills Noah Spence was consistently pushed too far downfield allowing Tyrod Taylor to step up and find an open receiver or running lane. Next week Spence (and the rest of the pass rush) will get a solid bounce-back opportunity against the Panthers.

So Bucs fans, who were your winners and losers from this tough loss? Do you agree that Mike Smith needs to be on the hot seat, or do you think that he simply needs better pass rushers? Sound off in the comments and vent your many frustrations.

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