CB Brent Grimes Is Phillip Rivers Kryponite

by Douglas O'Connor
follow on Twitter @Ren_Daxt

     San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers has been taking apart NFL defense's for 13 years. Known for his big arm, big temper and the mentality that he can fit a football through a keyhole from 40 yards away.

     Given Rivers supreme confidence in his right arm, you would think his interception numbers would be higher. He has the least amount of turnovers through the air than any of his high profile counterparts that entered the league with him (2004). Eli Manning leads the way (209) followed by Carson Palmer (274) Ben Roethlisberger (154) and then Rivers (147). Seeing these numbers makes corner back Brent Grimes play against the San Diego gunslinger even more impressive.

     Grimes has faced Rivers once the past three years while patrolling the secondary for the Miami Dolphins. During those match ups Brent has 4 interceptions, getting at least one drive stopping turnover in each game. While Grimes was with the Atlanta Falcons they faced Rivers and the Chargers twice. Once in 2008, Grimes 2nd year in the league, where he didn't appear in the box score.  Brent only played in 12 games that year so it is unclear if Grimes even saw the field that game. The Falcons once again faced the Chargers in 2012 in week three, but Grimes had suffered a season ending Achilles injury during the opener against the Chiefs and missed the game.

    Vernon Hargreaves, whom I've given the nickname The Jackal do to his mic'd up performance, should be Brent Grimes shadow during this weeks preparation. Grimes track record against Rivers could be the edge that The Jackal needs to record his first NFL interception.

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Thank You for reading and as always GO BUCS!!

Spence Continues to Get Better Every Week

Lately, the Bucs pass rush has been coming on strong as they have 10 sacks over the last three games with 6 coming in their last game against Seattle. With Robert Ayers and Clinton Mcdonald back, the Bucs finally have a complete unit across the defensive line which has been causing havoc lately. However, one player has raise their game dramatically and that is rookie DE Noah Spence. He has 5.5 sacks on the year, and ever since the Panthers game he has improved every week. His run defense has been significantly better as he is holding his contain and making plays in the backfield. This last game against the Seahawks was probably his best game as he had 5 tackles, 1.5 sacks and an forced fumble.

Spence is getting more confidence with each week, and now knows he can get to the Qb which has been showing on the field with his recent surge in play. Spence is showing that he was a top ten talent going into the draft as not many rushers have his speed and athletic ability off the edge. For the Bucs to get him in the second round might be Jason Licht's next greatest steal alongside Kwon Alexander. The scary part is Spence is playing through pain with a bad shoulder and is doing this while not being 100 percent. Fellow teammate Kwon Alexander said Spence is on a mission to get double digit sacks this season and with the way he is playing right now it is doable. With Spence doing this well as a rookie is great news for the future of the Bucs defense and should be one of the top sack guys in the league throughout his career if healthy. Watch these quick hands by Noah Spence below, speed kills!

Noah got some violent hands, he just drives right under the tackle here. If he dips a little more he probab... https://t.co/BoVBr49gvZ

— realbucstalk (@realbucstalk) November 30, 2016

More Aggressive Scheme Equals Better Defense

The Bucs defense has been mixed with good and bad play this season and there are multiple reasons for that. Earlier in the season, there were tons of moving parts with injuries and guys still learning where to be on the field. Plus the defense was being put in bad positions due the offense struggling to protect the football. So the result was 1-3 and the Bucs needed to make changes which was protect the football better and be more aggressive on defense. The Bucs won two in row to get back at 500 and then for some reason, the Bucs D was trying to do too many things against the Raiders and Falcons and the result was 1000 yards given up and 73 points allowed. So at 3-5, the Bucs defensive coaching staff got together and decided they were going to be more simple scheme wise and be aggressive on the ball and get after the Qb.

After the Falcons loss, the defense has been outstanding allowing only 10.7 points plus 9 takeaways and 10 sacks over the last three games. The Bucs are playing more press man coverage and our allowing their secondary to attack the ball which is needed in this pass happy league. DC Mike Smith has made the proper adjustments and is doing a better job of mixing his blitzes but also putting in his pass rush unit on the field more during 1st and 2nd down has really helped. Most good offenses are all about timing and to be a good defense in this league you have to disrupt that timing somehow. Easiest way is with pressure in the backfield whether it's a run or pass and with an healthy D-line finally, they have been able to do just that. The Bucs defense will need to continue to be aggressive by being suffocating in coverage and allowing the front four to generate pressure. Let's hope the defensive success continues as they are their best when they are aggressive and allowed to play fast.

Game sealing interception by McDougald. Easily his best game as a pro. https://t.co/IrSGUAYRD3

— realbucstalk (@realbucstalk) November 29, 2016

Martin is The Key to The Offense

The Bucs have been much improved over the last three games and are currently on a three game winning streak. A big reason for this recent streak has been the return of Doug Martin to the lineup and how he opens up the offense. The Bucs offense is at it's best when it can establish the run and then use the play action passing game. That is what this offense is built for and it's what Jameis does best as he is already an master of the play action passing game. With Doug Martin back, the Bucs can finally play to their strengths on offense. Now Doug hasn't had a big game yet but his presence and the threat of the run have given this offense more flexibility and open the playbook up even more.

The good news is Martin is progressing with each passing game as his yards continue to rise as he has gone from 33, 63 and this past game up to 87 yards which means he is getting closer to his 2015 form. Down the stretch over these last 5 games, Martin needs to average 20 plus carries because when he does the Bucs can control the clock but can maintain balance on offense as well. I have been saying all off-season that Martin is the key to the offense and during this final month he is going to have to be at his best. Bucs will be facing some good offenses in this last month of the season, so it is critical that the Bucs continue their winning formula which is running the ball non-stop. Expect Martin's numbers to continue to rise over these last five games.

Bucs Punch Seahawks in the Mouth

I can't remember the last time the Bucs got a key win at Raymond James Stadium until yesterday as the team manhandled the Seattle Seahawks. Something has changed with this team as few weeks back, fans including myself were starting to talk about the draft. Now fans are talking playoffs yes playoffs, and for good reason as the Bucs have won three straight including wins over contenders in the Chiefs and Seahawks. This team is hitting their stride as they are playing complimentary football as each unit is helping each other and they have now put together three complete games together.

However let's get back to yesterday's win against a very good Seahawks team whom the Bucs literally punched in the mouth the whole game. The defense stoled the show as they were outstanding from start to finish and played with an fire in their eyes the whole game. I said the D-Line needed to take over the game for the Bucs to beat Seattle and not only did they took over they dominated as they looked like the Bucs defenses from the glory days. 

The Seahawks had no answers for our front four especially rookie DE Noah Spence who was in the backfield most of the night collecting 5 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. Spence has been picking up steam since the Panthers game and continues to get better with each game. Gerald McCoy was outstanding as well getting a big sack late in the 4th quarter and was setting up sacks for Ryan Russell who did a great job working with McCoy on the stunt pass rush game. The Bucs defense had 6 sacks, two interceptions, and one fumble recovery, they pretty much out physical the Seahawks offense and were suffocating throughout the game. The defense held the Seahawks to 1 of 11 on third down and held them to three points which had many fans saying what is happening right now. Defense has returned to Tampa and it felt awesome to witness it as the Bucs got a huge win at Ray Jay.

Let's not forget about the offense as they started the fire, scoring on the opening drive as Jameis was precise and the Bucs were up 7-0. Then the Bucs get the ball right back and score again with a beautiful deep ball to Mike Evans and all of sudden the Bucs are up 14-0. That was the game as the offense didn't score after that but they did enough for the win. Jameis was outstanding again going 21-28 for 220yds and 2 tds along with a qb rating over 100. Martin is getting closer to his 2015 form as he had 23 carries for 87 yards, and as always Mike Evans was stellar again with two tds.

With the Bucs at 6-5, they are one game back of Atlanta for the division crown and are currently in the 7th spot just outside of the last wildcard spot. Is this team a playoff team? Going off these last three games sure looks like one to me. This team has momentum right now and are playing for each other and just seem to be having fun out there. Let's keep it going against the Chargers this Sunday and get to 7-5!

First pass attempt of the game and watch McCoy and Spence's get offs. Both fly to the Qb and meet in the mi... https://t.co/eCBGb20wz9

— realbucstalk (@realbucstalk) November 28, 2016

Things To Watch For Today Bucs Vs Hawks

by Douglas O'Connor
follow on Twitter @Ren_Daxt 

 Turnovers, penalties, and the ability to run the ball are tried and true factors to winning any NFL game. Dig a little deeper and you will find it's the little things that are just as important to gaining a victory . Here are some things to watch in the Buccaneers game against the Seahawks that can translate into a big win for Tampa.

Rushing Lanes The Bucs defensive ends, especially Noah Spence, use their superior speed to out race the offensive tackle to a preconceived spot in the backfield hoping to find the quarterback just finishing his drop back. This outside speed rush opens up huge lanes in between the rushing DE and the DT trying to collapse the pocket from the inside. Seattle QB Russell Wilson is exceptional at seeing these open lanes and using the space to extend plays and finding open receivers after the coverage breaks down. Look for the Bucs DE's to use more inside spin moves and to directly attack the OT inside shoulder to keep the lanes closed forcing Wilson to stay in the pocket and make quicker decisions.

Backside Coverage Head coach Dirk Koetter and Defensive coordinator Mike Smith both made a point to mention Russell Wilson's ability to throw to open men on the opposite side of the field while scrambling. Normally this is frowned upon by offensive coordinators because of the high interception rate, Wilson is making it a weapon. Look for the off corner, safety, and linebacker to stick to their man like glue until Wilson crosses the line of scrimmage.

Open Set The Bucs never run a 4 wide receiver set, but they will line up in a 3 WR set with the tight end split out from the line. Pro Bowl S Earl Thomas is inactive and with Richard Sherman shadowing Mike Evans look for the Bucs to spread out the field to get some 1 on 1 match ups with the 2nd string safety.

     The Bucs are looking for two straight victories against elite NFL opponents. With a win today the national media will sit up and take notice. These three factors could be the difference against the Seahawks.

     Thanks for reading and as always GO BUCS!

Time For The D-Line to Take Over

Tomorrow is an huge game for the Bucs as the team needs to keep winning if they want meaningful games in December. The Bucs are coming into this matchup with an two game winning streak and have played their best ball these last two weeks. The Seahawks are legit super bowl contenders and are probably one of the more complete teams we are going to face all year. Looking at the Seahawks offense, most would say their offensive line is their weakness as they don't have much of an running game and Wilson faces constant pressure. However, they don't give up a lot of sacks as Wilson has great escape ability with his legs and the ability to make something out of nothing.

This is why the Bucs need their front four to have their best game of the season by being in the face of Russell Wilson constantly. The DE's need to keep contain along with the interior lineman getting push up the middle to force Wilson to back up which will allow the ends to get the sacks from the outside. It's time for this unit to take over, the talent is there and now they got to put it all together tomorrow. Gerald McCoy, Robert Ayers, Noah Spence, William Gholston all need to be at their best and make Wilson to force some throws which will hopefully lead to interceptions. Usually when the Bucs D-line is getting consistent pressure the team usually does well so lets hope that happens tomorrow at 4pm.

Don't Allow the Big Play

Its easy to say for a defense to prevent the big play, its a whole other thing to make it happen. Looking at this Seahawks team they are well rounded but what gives them an edge is the ability to strike deep with Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett. Both are smaller in stature but have more than enough quickness and speed to burn you deep.

Lockett to me is the one player the bucs can't let loose. He takes Kicks and Punts which in his rookie year he took one each back to the house for 7. He hasn't done that yet this year but I'm hoping the bucs take notice of that. We all have heard about how the Seattle O-line has been pieced together but Wilson has been sacked less than Winston and he is even more deadly on the run. Bucs need to contain Wilson and keep everything in front of them which they have been doing well the past couple weeks. Lets all hope it continues.

Aguayo is Starting to Show His Ability

The Bucs got a big win against the Chiefs last Sunday and one player had a huge impact in the win. That would be rookie kicker Roberto Aguayo who went 4-4 on his field goal attempts and every one of them was needed as the Bucs won 19-17. Aguayo has been hot as of late making 9 out of his last 10 attempts and has been showing why he was a second round pick. Not only is he looking smooth on his field goals but on his kickoffs he has been getting great hang time which is helping the kick coverage pin the opposing team farther back. Aguayo was so good last week that he was awarded with the NFC special teams player of the week via Rick Stroud.

#Bucs PK Roberto Aguayo was named the NFL Special Teams Player of the Week after making all four FGs vs. KC Chiefs

— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) November 23, 2016

The rookie kicker is gaining confidence with every game, and looks like he has found his confidence again. He is striking the ball with power and accuracy and his kicking motion looks much smoother as there is no hesitation in his follow through. Hopefully he can continue this hot streak against the Seahawks because the Bucs are going to need every point on Sunday.

Bucs Getting Healthy at the Right Time

Usually at this time of the year most teams are beat up and are missing key pieces throughout their roster due to injuries. However for the Bucs, it seems they are getting healthy at the right time as they are starting to get close to being at full strength. They finally have their key guys back along the defensive line with Ayers, McCoy, and Mcdonald plus Noah Spence has been getting better each week. The offensive line and the running back position is going to be close to full strength for these final 6 game stretch as we are going to find out what this team is made of. With the Seahawks coming into town, the Bucs might be getting Kevin Pamphile and possibly Jacquizz Rodgers back this week which would be huge for the offense.

Bucs coach Dirk Koetter definitely left door open for RB Jacquizz Rodgers to return to practice Wednesday from foot injury ...

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) November 21, 2016

Not only would Rodgers returning be huge but getting back Pamphile too to help the O-line which probably had their best game against the Chiefs would be a big boost. With Martin and Rodgers along with Barber that would give the Bucs great depth at the RB position plus allow the Bucs to be more creative with their run and screen game. This team is starting to get back to full strength and Jason Licht and his staff have done a great job of adding depth throughout the season. If this team can continue to get better they have a chance to make these final 6 games very interesting. Hopefully they can continue to stay healthy down the final stretch.

Signature Win?

The Bucs have won two in row by playing complete football games back to back against the Bears and Chiefs respectively. This team is starting to believe and is getting better each week as they are back at 500 now sitting at 5-5. For them to go on the road and pretty much man handle a good 7-2 team and close them out for the win was pretty impressive for such a young team. Could this be the signature win that this team has been searching for the last decade? Former coach Tony Dungy believes it was as he feels this could be the start of a push towards winning ways.

Huge win for Tampa Bay on the road at KC. This might be the signature win they've been looking for to jump start them toward the playoffs.

— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) November 20, 2016

I will say it was an huge win because it shows that this team is more than capable of beating anybody when guys do their jobs and they play as one. Jameis Winston has been outstanding the last two weeks and has raised the play of others around him which is great to see. The defense is flying to the ball and getting off the field on third down which is what good defenses do. Again they are not an perfect unit but they are making progress and coming up with clutch plays at big moments. Chris Conte has gotten a lot of crap for his play but these last two weeks he has made game winning plays with his two interceptions.

Not going to say this Chiefs win is going to spark them towards the playoffs but it should give them confidence going into this Sunday's game against Seattle who is also 7-2. If Jameis keeps playing like he has, this team is going to have a chance against any team including the Seahawks this week at Ray-Jay. Hopefully the Bucs can keep this momentum going and get that big victory at home they have needed for a while.

Take Advantage of The Checkdown

The Chiefs defense is the ultimate bend but don't break unit as they find a way to either force a turnover or hold their opponents to three points. Their defense will give up the checkdowns as the 5 to 6 yard pass play is going to be there for opposing offenses. Jameis and the Bucs offense needs to take advantage of this in today's game. Jameis needs to look for Cam Brate, Doug Martin, and Cecil Shorts in the flats and in the middle of field as there will be opportunities there. Now again the Bucs are going to come out run heavy as they should as the Chiefs run d is less than stellar, but the short passing game is an extension of the run game.

Jameis did a great job of this against the Falcons in week one as he hit the checkdowns early and often in the first half. By doing this it opened up the deep passing game in which helped the Bucs win in week 1. The offense should be able to do the same today as it will be there and then later in the game the deep passing game should open up. The Bucs need Jameis to bring his A game against the Chiefs as they have plenty of playmakers on defense and it's important that Jameis is accurate and smart today. Look for the checkdowns today which should help the Bucs to keep the chains moving.

Expect Max Protection

One thing that the Bucs offense doesn't do much is max protection with their passing game. Tomorrow it should be utilized against the pass rush that they will be facing at 1pm. The Chiefs have some talented pass rushers like Dee Ford, Tamba Hali and perhaps making his return in Justin Houston. Ford has 10 sacks on the season and is becoming one of the more feared pass rushers in the game today. With Houston in the mix they become that more dangerous as Houston is one of the elite rushers in the game already. This is why it's important that the Bucs coaching staff give their o-line some help tomorrow by going with max protection and allowing Jameis enough time to operate.

Now running the ball the effectively will help keep the pass rush at bay, but I would expect the Bucs to throw out of typical run formations to keep the Chiefs defense off balance. Given that our tackles both had crap games last week and playing with a rookie left guard, have to expect that head coach Dirk Koetter is going to do what he can to help them out. Look for the Bucs to run a lot of two tight end sets along with keeping a running back in to help chip on the edges. Now again a great ground game will help a lot but Jameis is going to have to be able to make plays in the passing game in which pass protection has to be there. I would be very surprised if we don't see some sort of max protection against the Chiefs defense tomorrow.

Cam Brate Continues to Grow as a Player

Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate has come a long way since last year after he was initally let go by the team and was brought back the week after. Since returning he has quietly become one of the better players on this team and a reliable target for Jameis Winston. Brate at 6'5 236lbs, he has the size and speed to be a mismatch at all times against opposing defenses and usually has a knack for getting key first downs. Brate was undrafted out of Harvard, and really has grown his overall game as he is a much better all around player than he was at this time last season. Brate has 35 receptions for 375 yards and a league leading 5 touchdowns and is coming off a great game against the Bears. Qb Jameis Winston talked today about Brate and how he is working hard to be one of the best tight ends in the game via buccaneers.com.

“That core thing, hard work pays off – I keep going back to that because Cam Brate is the epitome of that. He comes in every single day working hard. After practice, he’s always staying out there to get some balls. When you work that hard, only something good can happen.”

Brate is well respected in the locker room and is quickly becoming one of the leaders of this football team. Hopefully the Bucs can find him more on offense as he is a matchup nightmare and will only continue to get better. Against the Chiefs this week, Brate is going to have to be at his best as he should be able to get some favorable matchups which should make Winston look his way more this Sunday. Hopefully we see Brate in the endzone again this weekend as he continues to get better with every game.

Winston won time again and delivers again. Cam Brate really is a huge target and needs to see more attention https://t.co/XKeFPoc4b2

— realbucstalk (@realbucstalk) November 15, 2016

Defense Played to Their Strengths

After losing two in a row in which his defense struggled to make stops consistently and were giving up a bunch of yards via the passing game, Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith said enough is enough. Smith finally got back to a more aggressive style of defense in which they had success against the Panthers and 49ers respectively. He ask his corners to play more press man coverage allowing the safeties to play more in the middle of the field and closer to the line of scrimmage which suits their strengths more effectively. Then bringing pressure from your front seven with linebacker blitzes along with corner blitzes were very effective as it allowed this defense to play downhill which is how they should be utilized every week.

Mike Smith was trying to compensate for the lack of pass rush by trying to mix up his coverages and pre-snap looks which ended up just causing miscommunication on the field. After the Atlanta game, the coaching staff got together and realize that this defense needs to be more aggressive and allow the players to play fast and downhill. Coach Koetter wanted them to be suffocating and after the Bears game he thought they were just that via Buccaneers.com.

That was great to see because so many of the things that the coaching staff identified and [Defensive Coordinator] Mike Smith and his staff worked into the game plan, to see the players carry it out like that, to see them playing fast, playing downhill and getting after the ball, really tightening up the coverage, the pass rush, hitting the quarterback, disrupting the quarterback. Fun to see, fun to see those guys have that kind of success.”

 “Across the board, the entire defense that we felt like we needed to – yeah, we needed to tighten up. The word we used was suffocating, we needed to be more suffocating with our coverage and I’ve got some really good film clips to show them on Wednesday of them doing that.”

With Kansas City being the next opponent, the Bucs defense needs to bring the same approach they did last week and bring the pressure on the Qb. Chiefs offense is an west coast style as they run a lot of route combinations and quick passes. The Bucs defense needs to continue to play press man coverage and allow their linebackers to play downhill and attack. Make Alex Smith throw it deep and play the short routes and likely their will be chances for interceptions.

Jameis Took Over in The 2nd Half.

At the beginning of the third quarter, the Bucs got the ball to start the second half leading 17-10 and were looking to get things going on offense to take control of the game. The Bucs didn't start great as they were facing 3rd and long and on the brink of going 3 and out which would have given more momentum to the Bears. Instead, Bucs Qb Jameis Winston decided to take over and make probably the play of the year via NFL.com.

Jameis Winston is out here playing backyard football against the Bearspic.twitter.com/ApFNgYAJcR

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) November 13, 2016

After that play, Winston was outstanding as he delivered a strike to Freddie Martino for his second touchdown putting the Bucs up 24-10. Winston put all his skills on display in this game as he was throwing guys open with anticipation and accuracy. Coach Koetter felt it was Winston's best game of the season via buccaneers.com.

Dirk Koetter on Jameis Winston having a great game Sunday: He showed toughness, mobility, arm strength, ability to see the whole field.

— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) November 14, 2016

Winston continues to get better with time, and he is starting show signs of being that complete Qb that the Bucs need him to be. If Winston can keep playing like this, the Bucs should be in every game going forward this season.

Bucs Finally Win at Ray-Jay!

This must be a joke or something but did the Bucs actually win an home game yesterday against the Chicago Bears? The answer is yes, the Bucs got an much needed victory at Ray-Jay defeating the Bears by the score of 36-10. The defense came to play as they played an more aggressive style which caused trouble for the Bears offense throughout the game. The Bucs defense forced 4 turnovers including a pick 6 by S Chris Conte which got the Bucs ahead early and they didn't look back from there.

The front seven was doing a good job with their pressures causing Bears Qb Jay Cutler to hurried his throws which lead to 2 interceptions and an redzone fumble. Bucs rookie DE Noah Spence was probably the best player on the defense yesterday as he was consistently getting into the backfield and had an huge strip sack to start the second quarter. It was great pursuit by Spence as he came all the way around from the other side of the field and got Cutler from behind. Here is the play below via @DLineVids.

#Buckeyes/#Colonels alum Noah Spence of the #Bucs @nspence94 doesn't quit pursuing QB. Ends up with a sack/fumble💰 pic.twitter.com/WWWHdgVYXr

— DLineVids (@DLineVids) November 13, 2016

The Defense wasn't perfect as they did allow some yards in the run game and the only Bears touchdown was on a hail mary at the end of the first half which just can't happen. Overall it was good day for the defense as they had 4 takeaways, 4 sacks and only allowed 10 points. However, here is the best stat via Scott Smith of Fox.

#Bucs held the #Bears to 68 yards in the 2nd half... and 56 of that came on Chicago's final garbage time possession... so... really... 12yds

— Scott Smith (@ScottSmithTV) November 13, 2016

That is good to see and hopefully the defense can stay healthy the rest of the season and build on this performance and continue to improve. Now to the offense which had a very slow start to this game as they couldn't get anything going in the first quarter. The offensive line was struggling as there were two rookies playing due to injuries and both tackles were struggling to block their man. The Bears defense did a good job of taking the run game away and keeping Mike Evans in check.

The good news for the Bucs offense was that Jameis Winston played outstanding as he spread the ball around to 9 different players going 23-33 for 312 yards and 2 tds. With Evans being heavily guarded, Winston targeted TE Cameron Brate who had a big day with 7 receptions for 84 yards and 1 td. The offense controlled the clock and found ways to move the chains and pulled away in the second half. Running Back Doug Martin made his return and found the endzone which was good to see. Martin's presence is huge for this offense and hopefully he can get on a roll here to finish the season strong. It was a much needed win for this team and now are 4-5 as they now go back on the road to take on the 7-2 Kansas City Chiefs.

Mike Evans is Savage

The bucs 6'5 monster WR Mike Evans is stone cold. He not only is leading the league in Touch downs but is supremely confident in himself and his abilities. When asked today if he felt like he didn't have concussion and why he was on concussion protocol he gave a straight forward answer.

No, I didn't have a concussion, but its up to them (the bucs) but I know I didn't have a concussion.

Later he was asked if he appreciated the fact that the bucs put him in the protocol.

Yeah I appreciate it but I just know my body and I didn't have a concussion. 

The Man has a goal to be the best and he knows what he has to do to be it. Evans is a true number 1 receiver and truly is breaking out this year more than his prior first 2. Half way through the season and he already has 55 catches 745 yards and 8 TDs. He knows he can always get better and even mentioned a couple areas where he feels he can improve on.

Route running, blocking, everything. Fatigue, I get tired too fast, I just got to get better.

Evans has his eyes set on the same goal as Winston and thats winning games. He even mentioned to reporters how he's ready for a playoff push. He no doubt is a winner and is one of the guys on this team that will push others to a higher level so that we do win games. If his second half of the season looks anything like his first the bucs are looking at the best season from a Buccaneer wide receiver ever.

Bucs Need to Finish Strong

The Bucs have lost the last two games dropping their record to 3-5 and are now a long shot to make the playoffs. Despite the last two games, the Bucs need to focus on finishing strong over these last eight games. This team has struggled over the last several seasons to finish out seasons on a high note and that must change this season. The Bucs are facing a tough stretch to finish the season but 4 to 5 more wins is still possible with this current roster.

It looks like running back Doug Martin is finally going to return to action possibly this Sunday vs the Bears which would be huge for this team. With Martin back, the Bucs could get back to being balance on offense, winning time of possession, and allowing the defense to be rested throughout the game. This current team needs to get back to those things which is and should be the identity of this team. Enforcing that identity over these last eight games is going to be critical not only to finish strong this year but going forward as well.

It's important for this team to learn how to win in November and December because that is what winning teams do. Winston, Martin, and Evans makes the offense more dangerous and now just need the defense to find what works for them and stick with it. If this team can get seven to eight wins I would say that is pretty good for what has happen during this season. The time is now to start building confidence throughout this roster and for them to learn how to win in the final two months of the season. Only one way to do that and that is finishing strong to close it out.

How many more wins for the Bucs this season? Feel free to comment below!

Bucs remaining schedule:

Nov 13th      Bears          1pm
Nov 20th @ Cheifs          1pm
Nov 27th      Seahawks   4pm
Dec  4th   @ Chargers     4pm
Dec  11th      Saints         1pm
Dec  18th @ Cowboys     1pm
Dec  24th @ Saints          1pm
Jan    1th       Panthers    1pm

Bucs Are Not Ready For Primetime

These last two weeks have shown that the Bucs are just not ready for prime time and as of right now they are just not there yet as a football team. Going into the season, we believe the team was talented enough to make a run at winning 9 maybe 10 games this year but we didn't foresee this many injuries to key players. In addition to the injuries, with an new coaching staff in place especially on the defensive side of the ball there has been growing pains along with communication errors and at times questionable playcalling. Plus with a first year head coach there are mistakes that are going to be made which has happen in multiple games this season.

This team still needs time to grow together and still needs to add multiple pieces on both sides of the ball through free agency and mainly the draft. Consistency with the coaching staff would help as the constant change with the coaching staff has created high roster turnover rate which hurts an team from attaining any kind of consistency on the field. This team is still heading in the right direction as they have key pieces in place especially at Qb with Jameis Winston who is still learning how to be consistent in this league. Gm Jason Licht needs to find more playmakers for the offense to help young Jameis out along with keeping most of the current group in place. Same can be said with the defense which could use some more pieces up front on the defensive line along with more playmakers in the secondary.

The Bucs are getting closer but are still not ready to contend for a playoff spot as they need more time to grow and mature as a football team. The team also needs to look into getting a better training staff as the amount of injuries this season has been ridiculous. The loss of Doug Martin has really hurt this team as he is critical piece to the Bucs success. Hopefully he can return this week against the Bears as it's important for this team to finish the season strong with at least 4 to 5 more wins which would be an successful season for this current group.

Continuity Is A Must!

So many fans have their own opinions and some are so erratic that it makes you wonder what they are thinking. The most recent talk amongst bucs fans seems that since the bucs have lost another game at home then some drastic change needs to be made with one of the long time buccaneers because they aren't getting it done. The two buccaneer names that are being thrown around are Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David. Fans want to trade away possibly our two best players for a group of lesser players, thinking that it will make our team better.

Lets think about this... Why the hell would we do that? Both McCoy and David have signed long term deals to stay here not only because of the money but because they want to be a part of the turnaround of the buccaneers. You don't get rid of the guys who have been here the longest and have seen the bad and are set on being great again. Both players are still playing at high levels and I would even say at pro bowl levels.

This makes me think about the rays and how if only they would have kept there championship run team together what they could have been? Now the bucs are keeping their players here and not letting them get away and fans find a way to say its bad again. Fans need to calm down and see those two as answers to the problem not the problem itself. The defense is learning a total new defense and there is going to be communication breakdowns. Yes, I agree that we still need an influx of defensive talent but there are plenty of pieces already in place and the future looks bright if we keep everyone together. Let the team learn this defense and become a unit.

This team is still very young and its leaders on both sides of the ball are only 22 (Winston, Alexander). The more they can play together and build chemistry the better they will get.

Bucs Are Still on Track

The Bucs are coming off a tough loss against Oakland putting their record at 3-4 and in 2nd place in the NFC South. Even at 3-4, the Bucs are still on track to reach their goals which are still very attainable. This team has been hit hard by injuries plus growing pains on both sides of the ball put the team in a hole to start the season. However, despite all of that the Bucs have a big opportunity in front of them as a win on Thursday would get them back on track. Bucs would be 4-4 and 3-0 in the NFC south which would be huge and only one game back of Atlanta.

Here at RealBucsTalk, we truly believe the defense is coming around and that the offense needs to do more to help them out. If the Bucs really want to get on winning streak, then Jameis Winston is going to have to be the best player on this team. He needs to be consistent with his decision making and be accurate with his throws especially down the field. Yes more balance play calling can help him but the Bucs were balance and there were plays to be made that Jameis is more than capable of making. This team has to play complimentary football in which both offense and defense help each other as well as special teams. Before the Raiders lost, the Bucs were doing that and they need to get back to it by doing it week in and week out. We said the Bucs need to win 2 out 3 during this home stand and that is still possible. Bucs captain Gerald McCoy says its time to win at home and it starts with Atlanta tonight per Buccaneers.com.

"Okay, let's say that they did all that and we won. Would we care? I think we care more about the fact that we lost. The yards, it is what it is. I've seen teams throw for a whole bunch of yards and lose the game. We lost the game, that's what matters. We'll fix that. We've got to win. We need to get a win."

Time to get a big win and if the Bucs do they are still on track to get where they want to go.

What's with the Gerald McCoy Hate?

Tired of the McCoy haters out there and I'm here to step up for him. McCoy has done nothing but be a silent producer and leader for this Bucs football team ever since he was drafted here in 2010. This year he already has 3 sacks in 6 games and plenty more pressures but he still get called out for not doing enough. His 3 sacks is tied for the team lead with rookie Noah Spence and he missed one game. On every play McCoy will usually get double and even sometimes triple teamed but for bucs fans that's not enough. It also doesn't matter that he has been on the NFL top 100 that is voted by players to say who is the best. He was number 63 last year and the year before that he was 28. He still is one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the league and he needs to be recognized as that. Here are a flew clips of his pressures against the Raiders from Sunday.

McCoy gets in and even hits Carr on this throw. Then Crabtree shoves Grimes in the back but somehow the ref... https://t.co/gKXf6Mglmh

— realbucstalk (@realbucstalk) November 1, 2016

Love this play. McCoy flys in and Spence reads the play and gets to the spot and stalls the play enough to ... https://t.co/qCfhDxElfv

— realbucstalk (@realbucstalk) November 1, 2016

Watch 93 McCoy beat his man then get tackled from behind but no flag? McDougald still makes a great play on... https://t.co/K8UegyY2cZ

— realbucstalk (@realbucstalk) November 1, 2016

McCoy makes a difference in every play he is in, he may not be the guy getting the sack or making the tackle but you better believe that other team was shadowing him more than the guy who did make the play. He is one of the rare players on our defense that coaches have to take notice and game plan for. Rookie Noah Spence is benefiting from him not the other way around. Looking at the rest of the NFL the leading DT in sacks is Leonard Williams with 6 and he plays more of a 3-4 hybrid. The next man after him has 4 and that the Eagles Fletcher Cox who just got a huge contract of his own. So if you look at McCoys 3 sacks and he actually missed one game, then hes right there in the mix. Bucs fans need to start respecting what they have instead of crying about what they don't.

Bucs Still Need to Learn How to Finish

So close to being 4-3 and having a first place showdown this Thursday against the Falcons but instead the Bucs are 3-4 and are facing a must win on Thursday. The Bucs had many opportunities to win last Sunday but just couldn't figure out a way to finish to get the win. One 4th down stop away from winning the game in regulation or multiple chances to win the game with one score in overtime, this team needs to find a way to win the game instead of finding ways to lose. This is still a very young team starting with the Qb who is only in his 2nd year and is still inconsistent and is still needs time. Playcalls, decision making, making timely plays, and knowing situations all play a part in finishing games. With a rookie head coach and a 2nd year Qb, mistakes are going to be made and the critics need to understand that.

This team needs time to grow together and more importantly stability as an organization. This team has the right coaching staff in place and has a good core group of players coming along. Unfortunately games like the Rams and the Raiders happened and this team must move on to Thursday. This team is has the talent but just has to find consistency throughout the roster and continue to find ways to get better. Again the key to success for the Bucs starts with Jameis Winston and once he becomes more consistent as Qb then the wins will began to pile up. A big opportunity for the Bucs on Thursday and Jameis can't wait via buccaneers.com.

“It’s exciting. That’s why I say we’re looking at the opportunity that we have instead of all the negative excuses that we can’t think about. We’re thinking about, ‘Man, this is Atlanta,’ who’s a great team. Oakland last week was a great team, we played them well, we fell up short. This is our chance again to play against another great team and kind of make a statement. Just not really a statement, just to prove to ourselves that we are a good football team.”