The Buccaneers are 2-5, the most important stat at this point of the season. Up until this point, the team has not given the fans much to believe in. Week eight was disappointing to say the least.
The season is on life support right now as the Bucs get ready to face a scorching hot Saints team. On Sunday the Bucs defense played admirably, but the story of the season has been consistency. One game the offense plays excellent and the defense plays terrible, the next visa versa. The consistency has been a factor for awhile now. Last year the Bucs put together a string of wins late in the season after struggling early, but this year, could yield very different results. Every week we wonder what Bucs team we are going to get, though lately, it has been more bad than good.
The Offense:
The offense put three points on the board and the red zone might as well have not existed. The defense finally played better than they have been and this time, it was the offense letting the Bucs down. Dirk received the promotion to head coach after managing the offense so well under Lovie. Keeping continuity was key for a growing quarterback, but the playcalling has yet to improve. There is no reason to leave the run, but for some mysterious reason, Dirk leaves it time and time again. Desean is getting the ball forced to him and the offense looks tight. No fluidity, they look rigid and stiff. The play calling needs to be passed on badly.
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The bad: Umm, everything?
No single stat captures how abysmal this team was on Sunday. 2/12 on third down, sacked three times for a total loss of sixteen and 3 turnovers from the offense. They couldn’t move the ball, they couldn’t hold on to the ball and obviously the scoreboard says they couldn’t score. I really don’t want to beat a dead horse, you guys saw the performance on Sunday with your eyes as well. They were bad. Outcoached, outplayed and manhandled in almost every facet of the game. that comes down to coaching. I am not calling for Dirk’s job quite yet, but if the team continues to struggle, he might be out.
The Defense
The defense did play better. I don’t think that Carolina is all they are hyped up to be, but regardless, they are an NFL team and only managed 17 points even though the offense turned the ball over three times. There were a few individuals who performed well. The pass rush still was not there (What’s new?) but overall they played better.
The Good: 39.6
Vernon is playing much, much better. the past two weeks he has allowed a 39.6 passer rating when being targeted. There was a ton of groaning as VH3 struggled thru the first few weeks and after being moved to the slot, this week he was back outside. In seven targets he allowed just thirteen yards and had a pass defensed. Is he the cornerback we all expected out of the draft? Not quite yet, but there is still plenty of time and i personally believe in him. Been waving the VH3 pompoms for awhile, I won’t keep waving them for now, but suffice it to say he’s playing much better.
The Bad: 0
Despite numerous attempts to Blitz Cam Newton and get a sack or at least disrupt the pass, the Bucs defense was once again without a sack. The defense has been abysmal in trying to get to the quarterback. It doesn’t seem to have a rhyme or reason really. The D-line is just losing their battles one on one. Jay Hayes has historically had a fantastic track record with defensive lines, but even he can’t seem to make it work in Tampa. Spence being out for the season is another huge loss. At this point in the season I think its clear what position the Bucs search for in the draft.