Buccaneers Right Where Most Fans Thought They Would Be

 
by Douglas O'Connor
follow @Ren_Daxt

  When the Buccaneers NFL season schedule was released to the public some fans initial reactions was one of dread. The divisional rotation had the Bucs playing NFC West this year. No small hill to climb with the Seahawks and Cardinals being recent annual playoff contenders and the newly moved LA Rams owning a 4 year 4 game winning streak against us. Toss in back to back games against the 2 teams that played in the most recent Super Bowl and Buc fans were left scratching their heads wondering where the 9th easiest schedule was.

    When you breakdown an NFL schedule most of us look at in quarters, 4 mini seasons. Since the Bucs bye week is scheduled for week 6 it was natural to include the 5th game when predicting how the home team would come out of the gate. Below is a look at what the majority of  fans thought would happen and what actually did happen.

Atlanta Falcons Neither fan base could feel confident that their team would get a W in this week one match up. The Buccaneers finished last season losing their last 4 games. Totally overhauled their coaching staff and brought in 4 free agents and drafted 3 rookies that were inserted as starters. Atlanta also finished last year in a tailspin, after starting 6-1, the Falcons ended with a 8-8 record, including 2 losses to the Bucs.
Fan Expectations: Fingers crossed
Fans Reaction: We've turned the corner. Playoffs here we come.
Record: 1-0

Arizona Cardinals The Cardinals are a popular pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, but had a bad week 1 loss. The Buccaneers are riding high off of their big road win.
Fan Expectations: We'll probably lose but we could sneak out with a victory.
Fans Reaction: That was ugly! No offense! No Defense! Koetter's an Idiot!
Record: 1-1

LA Rams Home opener for the Bucs. Rams haven't scored a touchdown yet but somehow they have a win.
Fan Expectations: This one's in the bag. We need this one with Denver then Carolina on the horizon.
Fans Reaction: Same ole Bucs. Lovie's defense wasn't this bad! Call an ef'en TIMEOUT!!!!
Record: 1-2

Denver Broncos Time to circle the wagons for the Bucs. Leagues best defense coming to town. Denver hasn't missed a beat undefeated and flying high.
Fan Expectations: This could get ugly. We need to run and protect the ball. C'mon D get some pressure.
Fans Reaction: Once again we made a inexperienced QB look like a Hall of Famer. Jameis is regressing! Why don't you go eat some crab legs!
Record: 1-3

Carolina Panthers Head Coach Dirk Koetter tells the media that he is very worried about Jameis turnover problems. Injuries have decimated the Bucs defensive line and running back positions. Carolina is shelled shocked about how the season has went. Just gave up 300 receiving yards to Julio Jones, also league MVP Cam Newton is on the bench in with a concussion.
Fan Expectations: I'd love to beat the Panthers at home on Monday night, but we always let no name quarterbacks beat us. Defense is in shambles. Season my already be over.
Fans Reaction: He made the kick! He made the KICK! He make the FRICKING KICK!
Record: 2-3

     So we swap out the Rams loss with the Panthers win and here the Bucs are at 2-3 just as you thought it would be and that's okay with me.

     The Buccaneers have a very winnable 4 game stretch coming up after this weeks bye. What do you think the Bucs record will be? Biggest surprise in the next 4 weeks? Please feel free to put your thoughts and comments in the space provided below. Also if  you like what you read give the blog a follow, makes it easier to find when we put up new content.

     As always thank you for reading and Go Bucs!



   

Bucs Mistakes Cost Them Again

Another loss for the Bucs as they lose at home vs the mighty Rams 37-32 in which the Bucs had an ten point lead at one time. Again it was penalties, turnovers, missed kicks, and defensive breakdowns that gave this game to the Rams. The Bucs needed to have this game as the road ahead will be very tough. Watching the offense I was impressed as they showed a lot of great things and from a gameplan perspective it was near perfection. The offense did have two costly turnovers as both led to touchdowns which is something that must be fixed going forward if the Bucs want to win more than they lose.

Charles Sims, Adam Humphries, and Cameron Brate really stood out in this game as they made explosive plays and had three touchdowns between Sims and Brate. The Bucs spread out the Rams defense and took advantage as they mixed up their route tree very well with comeback, out, and slants. The offensive line was pretty solid and to only allow two sacks against that front four is quite accomplishment. Along with the turnovers, the other thing that was a negative was our two point conversion plays which I thought could have been better like throwing a fade jump ball to Evans.

Now on to what cost the Bucs this game, as defense and special teams were just not good enough and the Rams benefited. On the positive note, the defense did force two turnovers and scored on a pick 6. However, there were too many negatives as the defense was just too inconsistent throughout the game. Defensive breakdowns has killed this team so far as they have been allowing too many explosive plays. Two passing touchdowns of 30 yards plus by Case Keenum to Brian Quick and Tavon Austin just shouldn't happen. The defensive coaching staff and players need to do a better job of finding what works and sticking with it. If this defense is going to improve, the pass rush has to show up and right now it is just not there.

Lastly, Roberto Aguayo has to make kicks, it's his only job and for some reason he didn't have the confidence that he usually displays. Winning in the NFL is tough and is even tougher when your kicker misses an extra point and a chip shot field goal. Overall, this team is showing positives but still has a long way to go to become a playoff contender any time soon.

Bucs Must Get Back to Basics

Sometimes players and coaches over think things and forget how simple the game of football is. It's a game of doing the little things well and the team that does it better usually wins. The Bucs need to get back to that this week against the Rams. That means blocking, tackling, and taking care of the football, and also means a simple gameplan on offense and defense as well. Through two weeks the Bucs have done this at times but not enough and need to emphasize it more this Sunday vs the Rams.

The Bucs need to get back to the basics and just play smart football on both sides of the ball. On offense, coach koetter needs to stay balance and do a good job of mixing it up with the run and the pass. Focus on getting Jameis in a rhythm early with short route concepts like curls, comebacks, and slants and perhaps a screen or two to start the game. However, the Bucs have to get back to their identity which is being balanced on offense and they need to run it this week 25 times or more. Jameis shouldn't being throwing it more than 35 times every week as the Bucs need to run the ball at least 20 attempts every week as it just means the Bucs are staying balance and it keeps the defense on their toes. I expect we see a simple approach this week on offense while still being aggressive at the same time, but being smart when to take their shots.

On defense, it's simple the Bucs have to be better with their tackling and can't allowed big plays due to mistackles. The Bucs also need to attack the Qb more, bring more blitzes and defend the short pass which should cause turnovers if executed properly. Expect that to be the gameplan this week as they are going to load the box and get after Rams Qb Case Keenum. The pass rush needs to come alive and be more simple in their approach by just focusing on beating the guy in front of them.

Don't over think it, just keep it simple and play to the strengths of the team. Attack their weaknesses and keep doing it until they stop it. Football is a simple game, the Bucs need to focus on the basics and keep it simple every week. Find the mismatch that will be presented every week and take advantage of it.

Brate and ASJ Should Be Main Targets vs Rams

One part of the Bucs offense that has been disappointing is the lack of targets and use of the tight ends. The Bucs have a more than capable tight end group with guys that can create mismatches and win with their size and ability. This week against the Rams the Bucs need to get back to involving their tight ends more in the passing game and use it to their advantage. With Cameron Brate and Austin Seferian Jenkins, the Bucs should use them down the seam and over the middle against the Rams Lb's and smaller Db's as their should be openings. Just look at this look that the Seahawks had against the Rams D, Luke Wilson was wide open but Russell Wilson missed him via Chris F. of Bucsbrief.com.

Then you're left with an uncovered Luke Wilson, probably wishing his name was Owen. pic.twitter.com/x0c5yK9vBs

— Chris F. (@BBPChris) September 21, 2016

Have to expect the Bucs to attack this if they get these kind of coverages as the Bucs have the speed and size with their tight ends to make the Rams pay if executed properly. Get the ball to ASJ and Brate early and often and get Jameis off to a fast start. Be smart and attack the Rams weakness and just keep attacking it. Run two tight end sets with Brate and ASJ and just have them run crossing routes and seam routes until the Rams can stop it because it should be open.

O-Line Has Tough Challenge This Week

One of the bright spots in last week's debacle was the Bucs offensive line who I thought did a pretty good job overall. The Bucs offensive line will need to continue to raise it's play if this team wants to win games this season. This Sunday they will have their hands full with the Rams defense which features an powerful front seven in Aaron Donald, Robert Quinn, William Hayes, Mark Barron, and Alec Ogletree. The Bucs are going to have to be creative in their running game and use some max protection with their passing game.

The Bucs front 5 will need to be physical and move their front off the ball so the Bucs can get their play action game going to create big plays. Ali Marpet and Kevin Pamphile will have to be outstanding going against Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers who both can be forces of nature at times. So it's important for our guards and center to be aware of where they are and double them when you can. Our O-line is more than capable and need to be the tone setters this week as the Bucs have to get back to winning ways on Sunday. O-line better bring their A game or this will happen often.