Leaders Have to Step Up

These last three weeks have been tough for the Bucs as they are in a three game losing streak and have a 1-3 record. Many reasons have led to this stretch of bad play as turnovers, inconsistency, breakdowns on both sides, and much more. Ineffective running game and a lack of pass rush have been two of the main issues along with the turnovers which have put this team in the position they are in right now. Kwon Alexander spoke to the media after the game talking about how leaders of this team need to do more via buccaneers.com.

“I’m feeling hurt. We’ve got to do better, we’ve got to pick it up. I know you all get tired of hearing the same thing over and over, but we’ve got to do better. We’ve just got to go in – you’ve got to do extra, we’re not doing enough, we’ve got to do extra. The leaders have to step up.”

He was then asked how he and the leaders of this team can do more via buccaneers.com

“We’ve got find something, we’ve got find a spark. [Whether it’s] the preparation, staying after instead of going home, staying there with the teammates, bonding, or being with each other, something. We need to find that one little piece and when we find that, we can be where we want to be.” 

Alexander is right on in how it's up to the leaders of this team need to be showing the way and always be willing to do more than what is asked. Kwon hates to lose and I have a feeling they are going to find that extra spark because of him and his attitude. Gerald McCoy, Jameis Winston, Vincent Jackson, Joe Hawley, Lavonte David, and Kwon Alexander all need to find that extra inside of them and be the best players for this team or the losing will continue.

Bucs Depth is Being Tested

The Bucs have had some tough injuries to deal with during the first four weeks of the season. Losing Jacquies Smith for the season, Doug Martin, Luke Stocker, and Robert Ayers these past three games has been tough blows to overcome. Now Bucs DT Gerald McCoy, Rookie DE Noah Spence and TE Brandon Myers are now on the injured list. The Bucs depth has been tested and it has hurt the running game and pass rush the most.

Backups in Howard Jones, and Devonte Lambert have done ok so far but they are no Ayers or Smith. Then on offense the Bucs are missing Stocker's run blocking and their best player in Doug Martin who can break tackles and bring power in the ground game. Sims has done a decent job as his strengths are in space and tends to struggle running between the tackles, but for the most part has done great as a pass catcher. Bucs Cb Jude Adjeh-Barimah talked to the media yesterday, and said it's no excuse as injuries happen.

“It’s hard because those are your brothers and you don’t want to see them go down, but at the same time it’s an opportunity for guys to step up. As I think about it last year, part of the reason why I got on the active roster is because of an injury. It’s an opportunity for guys to step up and to really make a comfortable role for themselves on this team and help us win. It’s the NFL, injuries are going to happen. We’d love to have [defensive tackle] Gerald [McCoy] and all those guys out there every day, but we need to the next man to step up because the standard remains the same and we have to keep up the level of play as if he were in there.”

Players and coaches have to do a better job as injuries will continue to take place and it's up to the backups to raise their games and play like starters. Bucs depth needs to rise up to the challenge because it's being tested right now.

Jameis Needs to Stop Pressing

The Bucs offense can be really good if it is operated correctly and maintains balance throughout the game. Well so far the Bucs offense has struggled to find it's consistency the last three weeks as turnovers and lack of an running game has stop them from putting up points. No Doug Martin and Luke Stocker has hurt the run offense as Charles Sims and Jacquizz Rodgers are just not the kind of back that Martin is. However, the main issue has been the interceptions by Jameis Winston which has put his team into a hole to start games or during critical moments of the game. Winston needs to focus on doing his job and that is taking what the defense gives him and protect the football. Coach Koetter was asked if he needs to be reigning in Winston at times via buccaneers.com

“Absolutely. Not every play is going to be a big play. We went through this very similar thing first four games last season. Hopefully, we’ll learn the same lesson we learned last year and we’ll get on a little roll.’’

Koetter is right and hopefully Jameis realizes that he can't do it all by himself and needs to trust his teammates to do their job like they expect him to do his. He needs to stop pressing for the big play and just let the game come to him. It's not easy as this is what Jameis has done his whole career as he is a gunslinger and loves to go for the big strike. He was asked if he was pressing and Jameis didn't deny it via buccaneers.com.

 “At times, I do try to do too much and that’s a part of the problem. I’ve just got to do my job and let the players play.”

Hopefully Jameis has learn his lesson that he needs to protect the football for this team to win and can get the team on a winning streak. The Bucs were 1-3 at this time last year and need to get on a roll starting this week against a wounded Panthers team before they go into their bye week.

Bucs Give Another Game Away

The Bucs have begun another season behind the eight ball as they are now 1-3, losing the last three in which two of them they could have won. Inconsistent quarterback play by Jameis Winston has been the big issue the last few weeks as turnovers, inaccurate throws, and forced decisions have hurt the offense from producing. This has been putting the defense in bad positions which is putting the Bucs behind to start games and it's hard to win in this league playing that way.

51 points have been allowed due to the Bucs offensive turnovers which is the main reason we are 1-3 instead of 2-2 or 3-1. Yesterday was probably one of the better performances by the defense as they did get 4 sacks and were keeping the Broncos offense in check for most of the game. Yes the redzone defense could be better and hold the Broncos to three instead of six but it didn't happen. Point is this team needs to play better team ball and trust each unit to do their job. If this team wants to win it has to protect the football on offense and know that it is okay to punt the football. Once Jameis Winston starts playing better this team will go on a winning streak but right now it has just been too inconsistent. Bucs are on Monday night football next week against the Panthers who are also 1-3, if the Bucs can win that one and be 2-3 going into the bye maybe the season still has hope.

Great Moments Are Born From Great Opportunities

Today the Bucs have a chance to have a great moment against the undefeated Denver Broncos. The Bucs have an opportunity to make a statement to the NFL that this team is no pushover. Last two weeks have been tough as the Bucs have found ways to beat themselves and is why they are 1-2. The Bucs offense has been terrific at times but needs to find consistency today against a star filled defense in the Denver Broncos. No better opportunity for the Bucs defense than today and have their best game of the season. Keep it simple, don't overthink and just go out and play your best football.

Bottom line is the Bucs need this game as it can't afford another 1-3 start to the season. It's at home and the Bucs have to start winning at home or they will just continue to have losing seasons. I expect to see a fired up group today showing resiliency and desire to win today against a great opponent. Bucs have a great opportunity in front of them. but will we see a great moment born today because of it.

"Everybody's Gotta Do Their Job"

Kwon Alexander the teams Quarterback of the Defense spoke to the media regarding the defense and how to stop the explosive plays that have been happening.

Everybody's just gotta do their job, stand on the top of it, read their keys and study a little more and we're gonna be alright.

Kwon really does seem to be the Winston of the defense. He is strong on learning the game and doing extra study sessions so he knows where to be and when to be there. To me it seems like he is really speaking out to the safeties as its no secret the big plays have been happening as a result of their poor play. Later in the interview someone asked Kwon if he was "surprised" about the big plays, his response was straight and to the point.

We just gotta be at the right place at the right time. Everybody gotta be at the right spot and do their job and we will be alright.

He is definitely right and that goes for everyone. Safeties make sure we don't get beat deep as you are the last line of defense, Dline get some pressure on the QB so that we can get some turnovers and make it easier on the secondary, Linebackers wrap up and secure the tackle. Everyone has mistakes they have made and need to fix up. Glad Kwon is saying all the right things and hopefully that is spread to all his teammates to be accountable and fix these problems.

Doubts Already About Koetter

While looking around NFL.com I discovered a story by Gregg Rosenthal describing in his opinion the struggling pick ups of the NFL. He pointed out Coach Koetter and Mike Smith as being struggling already. To me thats way to early and his reasonings are off as well as you can read below.

Koetter, promoted from offensive coordinator in January, has made some curious game-management decisions as the man in charge. In Week 2, he left quarterback Jameis Winston vulnerable to big hits late in a blowout loss. In Week 3, his hatchet job of the team's timeout situation robbed Winston of at least two to three more plays in crunch time of a defeat to the Rams.

For one Winston isn't a seasoned veteran that needs rest, he's still a 2nd year player and the more reps the better. I don't care what the announcers were saying during the broadcast and obviously Winston didn't want to come out of the game. Secondly, yes Koetter didn't take a time out late in the Rams game which I and his game management coach both said he should have but he did draw up a perfect play that if Winston delivered, would have made Koetter look like a genius!

#Bucsfilm2016wk3 Perfect play call against Rams zone here. Outside CB bites on Brate, had ... https://t.co/pODldutBlg

— Steven Cheah (@CHEAH_SAY) September 29, 2016

I truly believe Koetter is the right man for the Bucs right now. He isn't afraid to put his foot down and make a statement and makes sure players are accountable. He is only 3 games in and already getting scrutinized for one blow out where everything went wrong and one close game that could have gone either way. Give it time, you can't judge a coach by his first 3 games.

Now on to Mike Smith and the Defense. Against the Cardinals and Rams the safeties have looked downright retarded. Everyone sees where our biggest weakness is on defense and it is in the back end. The Dline may not be getting too much pressure on the QB ever since Ayers went down but that because all they have out our run stopping lineman and guess what, we are pretty good against the run only allowing 22, 54, and 85 to the lead rushers of each team we have faced. Let's see if the safeties can turn it around and prevent the big play as they did in the Falcons game. The defense needs improvement no doubt but I'm not going to jump ship just yet.