Rookie mistakes take their toll on Freeman, Bucs.
by Niko Houllis on Nov 22, 2009 4:16 PM EST
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PrintFor awhile there, the Bucs defense was keeping the game close. But they dont call it a team sport for nothing. All three aspects of the game must be clicking, and after the 1st quarter, the Bucs offense behind rookie QB Josh Freeman started to commit too many turnovers. At one point the Bucs stopped the Saints 4 of their first 5 possessions and had a tie 7-7 game, but Freeman threw too many interceptions and the game got out of control.
The defense came out flying around and actually had pressure on Drew Brees. Defensive Linemen Kyle Moore got some action and the Defensive line with a lot of newcomers in the lineup like Dotson and Bennet, were getting close to Brees a few times and Bucs defenders like Ronde Barber were playing lights out. Josh Freeman threw a beautiful ball to the back corner of the endzone where Michael Clayton was waiting.
Before the half however, mistakes started to add up, and the defense allowed 10 quick points just like the Miami game last week that set the tone for the second half. It's apparent that Josh Freeman will have a great advantage next season going through the OTAs, minicamps and Training camp as the starter with valueable reps. Ball security failed Freeman at first, then after falling behind, the Saints rushing attack was able to gouge the defense for large chunks of yards.
The Bucs play at Atlanta next week, then play at Carolina before coming home against the Jets, in a match up of rookie signal callers Freeman and Sanchez.
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Can't say I'm surprised by the loss
but I am very disappointed with the lack of effort put forth in the second half. We looked pathetic out there. As we’ve been saying all along Freeman still has some growing pains to go through, and there was plenty of evidence for that theory today. The announcer said something about Freeman needing some work on his deep ball and I gotta say I agree with him.
The running game was working early until the defense took us out of the game. I think if we can take away anything positive from this game its that. Raheem made some bone headed challenge decisions, not that it would have mattered when all was said and done.
"Three or four plane crashes and we're in the playoffs" - John McKay
I just want to put it on record
that I think the Bucs should start wooing Charlie Weiss right now for the OC position.
"Three or four plane crashes and we're in the playoffs" - John McKay
I think that is the last thing we want to do is give Freeman a second OC in two years...
I dont see the Offense as a big problem on this team, its the defense. We can see the offense growing WITH Freeman.
However, if they do want to make a change, and keep Olsen as QB coach, then Weiss would be someone to look into possibly.
Viva la Bucco Bruce 1976-1996 (reincarnated 2009)
by Niko Houllis on Nov 22, 2009 4:54 PM EST up reply actions
Have to agree with Niko
Olson & Freeman seem to have a good rapport, and Olson is known for his work with various quality QB’s. There is plenty of evidence that having an OC carousel is never a good thing for a young QB. I’d give Olson at least another year before thinking of making an OC switch, and even then, I’d still try to keep Olson as the QB coach.
Thats funny
Can we afford him? He wont come cheap.
"Why does bottled water have an expiration date?"
Well,
he is making a bundle at N.D. I don’t think money would be an issue for him, but I think the bigger issue would be him being willing to take a back seat to a young buck like Raheem.
"Three or four plane crashes and we're in the playoffs" - John McKay
Im going to agree with you on the Raheem issue, to me that was a clear cut knock on him, and is something he MUST learn from.
I only disagree with you on the effort. I didnt see a lack of effort in the second half, the game just fell apart and snowballed, but the Saints are awesome and capable of doing that. The young guys on defense played all out in the first half and some of those g uys are going to grow into future starters/stars, and some are going to be quality depth in the years to come.
Viva la Bucco Bruce 1976-1996 (reincarnated 2009)
by Niko Houllis on Nov 22, 2009 4:52 PM EST up reply actions
That was an awful game to watch. We lost every phase of the game.
Signature space available for rent - Got to pay the bills somehow
D Ward
I would rather see Caddy and Graham taking the load of reps. D Ward has been disappointing.
Gary Williams for President!
Put Rose in the Hall of Fame
Still not sure why they brought him in here.
Can only guess they didn’t have any faith in Williams. Maybe they can get something for him after the season.
He was a safety net.
No one expected Caddy to be back this year, let alone better then ever.
Freeman needs to start pulling the trigger...
After two pretty successful starts for Freeman and the opening drive of today’s game, I was actually starting to change my opinion of Freeman. But, he showed today that he still needs a lot of work. First off, when the D gets pressure on him, he needs to stop running backwards. Second, he needs to put the ball down the field. We have some pretty quick receivers and he has a big arm. If you want to open up the middle and underneath stuff, you have to show the D that you aren’t afraid to take it deep! He consistently chips away underneath and the D is right there waiting. Third, stop smiling when you throw an interception! The loss itself was already disappointing, but to see that kid come off the field laughing and smiling after throw a pass to a DB like he was the intended receiver made me think that in his mind, this is a throw away season and he is just getting experience.
Come on, Freeman! This is your time, act like a pro!
Allen M, your correct, but you should expect games like these from a rookie.
He is probably going to have more of them, and probably more of the good ones too. All part of the growing process.
..and each QB is different. If he smiles, that is his way of showing he can shake it off and not let it bother him. Id much rather have a QB smile after throwing a pick than punching his fist.
One just makes us feel better, but its not about us, its about them.
Viva la Bucco Bruce 1976-1996 (reincarnated 2009)
by Niko Houllis on Nov 23, 2009 3:53 AM EST up reply actions
As long as he doesn't start looking like Eli Manning
after each pick (like he just found out he has rectal issues), I’m OK with the smiling. Unfortunately, at this point, this is kind of a throw-away season and he is just getting experience.
DUDE!
Don’t hate the player. Hate the GAME. And since the Bucs had no game don’t waste your time hating.
Being at the game,
I focused on Bryant, Stroughter, and Winslow running their routes and how Freeman reacted. Today, I watched him lock in on one receiver, where another was visibly open. He just flat out missed open receivers several times on 3rd down, ending drives and giving the ball back to the Saint offense. His sack and fumble at the Buc 10 was just inconceivable.
When you don’t blitz Drew Brees regularly and rely on your front to get pressure, Brees is going to whip your butt. No attempts to disguise their blitzes. Not enough pressure generated. Jim Bates, your plan sucked today.
The Saints also got too much of a regular push in the running game. It’s becoming quite clear that front 7 is going to have to be the area of choice for the first several picks of the draft…which could be one of the most important drafts in this team’s history.
A yakity sax-worthy performance all around.
Cannons... fire them.
www.BucEm.com - SBNation's home for discussion of all things regarding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
On TV they showed how Freeman was locking in on one receiver too, so your very observant..
one thing on TV they mentioned, very few teams if any blitz Peyton Manning, Tom Brady or Drew Brees, because the numbers show when you blitz them, they make you pay for it. They are all WAY too smart to be blitzed. You just HAVE to get your pressure there from the front four, and we just cant do that; although in the first half, these young guys that were new were getting in his face a little.
For the record, Im 50/50 on Bates. I can totally see the side that says he sucks, but I also see the side that says he doesnt have squat to work with up front, and that a guy who has been doing it for 17 years doesnt forget how to do his job.
Viva la Bucco Bruce 1976-1996 (reincarnated 2009)
by Niko Houllis on Nov 23, 2009 3:56 AM EST up reply actions
Yea I agree
Blitzing Drew Brees will just open up recievers down field that HE would find him open.
"Why does bottled water have an expiration date?"
Respectfully disagree... in part.
The statistics may indeed point to that, but when you’re generating ZERO pressure with your front four and he’s picking you apart, you have to adjust. You have to take some chances. In fact, in the first half, the one or two times I recall them getting to him was when they brought extra pressure. One hit forced a lobbed throw that Colston caught way out of bounds on 3rd down, forcing a punt.
I agree he may not have the talent to run his “system”, but that doesn’t mean being myopic and stubbornly refusing to make some changes when needed in order to stay in a game.
Cannons... fire them.
www.BucEm.com - SBNation's home for discussion of all things regarding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
I think we all know that at this point, adjustments aren't a big part of Bates' game.
Part of being a good coach at any position and any level is making adjustments as the game goes on and to the personnel you have. We haven’t made any adjustments.
Signature space available for rent - Got to pay the bills somehow
I don't think I've seen so many slant patterns in my life.
Brees threw maybe 1 deep ball the entire game, everything was short and fast and they tore us up on the nickle and dime plays.
I think
That even though we are losing these games…we lost the Fin game at the last second, we were in this game until the 2ed quarter….we def. have something to build on. With Bryant, Stroughter and Winslow being big targets for Freeman, and hopefully we turn into a run first team with Williams, Ward and Graham. We will obviously draft D and O Lineman in the draft.
I was totally against starting Freeman, but what he has shown us, makes me feel good about our future….Also Seymore and Peppers Contracts are up, and we are really under the cap. Maybe we can get one of these guys…
I guess Im just going to comment on everyone today LOL...
ShadowChicken, great post, like the optimism, after all, for awhile there, we were not only hanging with the Saints, we were beating them. It wasnt until rookie mistakes gave them the momentum, which you cannot do.
I think One or Two veteran D Lineman are in the cards for us, but I really think we are going to build that thing with the draft. I dont see how we dont draft Suh unless were simply out of position to do so.
Viva la Bucco Bruce 1976-1996 (reincarnated 2009)
by Niko Houllis on Nov 23, 2009 3:58 AM EST up reply actions
A combination of the draft and FA's would be ideal.
If we were able to land Suh or McCoy in R1 and an impact MLB and CB/S in R2, that would give the defense an instant infusion. Then sign Kampman and either Seymour/Pickett/Jolly, in FA. And while you’re at it, I’d also like the G.I. Joe with the kung-fu grip.
D line I agree with you, but not the O.
This is the best O line we’ve ever had, and they do a decent job. Freeman does sometimes hold the ball too long and they abandon the run early in every game as well. I am not a big fan of the formations and play calling, but that’s not the players fault. I’m not saying we can’t improve the O line, but the entire defense is in more need of help than the O line. Freeman with experience and a coaching staff that has a clue and our offense is fine. Defense is very bad, and I pray that half of the players on the defense aren’t here at the end of the season.
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