Game Reviews
Buccaneers - Falcons 24-45 - Bucs End Miserable Season On A Down Note
by Sander on Jan 1, 2012 10:00 PM EST
in Game Reviews
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ended the 2011 season in the way they had ended most of their preceding games: with a blowout loss. Turnovers, penalties, a lack of tackling, terrible coverage, bad angles: all the same old issues came up again. As usual in this ten-game losing streak, the Bucs looked terrible - and the game was never as close as the eventual scoreline would indicate.
The Bucs gave up a touchdown on each of the Atlanta Falcons' first five possessions. They wouldn't give up a touchdown the rest of the game, mostly because the Falcons pulled all of their starters at that point. It wasn't until after the Falcons went up 42-0 that the Bucs' offense finally woke up, as the Bucs scored three touchdown the rest of the game to make the score seem somewhat respectable. But scoring touchdowns against prevent defenses and one off an interception of a backup quarterback is not all that impressive.
33 commentsBuccaneers - Panthers Top 5 Defensive Plays
by Sander on Dec 28, 2011 12:00 PM EST
in Game Reviews
Top 5 defensive plays. No. Nooooo. No. You can't make me. You can't make me go through that game again. You can't force me to try to find some semblance of defensive play at any point in that game. I mean, the Bucs had two tackles for loss in the entire game. Two! That's ridiculous!
...
Okay, fine, I'll try to find some. There. I've found one: Michael Bennett sacks Cam Newton. I mean, that's kind of awesome. Michael Bennett at nose tackle because no one remotely capable of rushing the passer from that position is healthy, and he beats a double team with a spin move to sack the QB. Great play. Only good defensive play of the game.
No? Not enough. Come on! You're really going to put me through this? Well, fine then, have the four worst defensive plays of the game to round out this list. Hit the jump for the suck!
Buccaneers - Panthers 16-48: No Christmas Miracle For Tampa Bay
by Sander on Dec 24, 2011 8:09 PM EST
in Game Reviews
These Tampa Bay Buccaneers have looked terrible for weeks. But today was Christmas Eve, and maybe a miracle could be expected. After all, these Carolina Panthers are not a great team and have an especially vulnerable defense. But, as so often this year, there were no miracles for the Buccaneers - only harsh reality.
Reality says that the Bucs are not a good football team right now. Reality says that the Bucs have given up, and are playing well below their talent level. Reality says that the Bucs can't stop anyone from running on them. Reality says that the Bucs have a terrible defense and an offense that only shows up occasionally.
The Bucs didn't force the Panthers to punt until the third quarter. Carolina managed to score on each of their first five possessions, and each of those drives ended in the end zone or inside the 5-yard line. All in all, the Panthers scored on all but three drive in the game - and one of those drives ended the game. The Bucs countered that production by turning the ball over six times, including twice on downs. They scored on just three of their drives, one of them a meaningless drive against a prevent defense in garbage time.
In short: these Bucs sucked, once again. A few things were different this time: accountability and offense - for a while.
Cowboys - Buccaneers Top 5 Defensive Plays
by Sander on Dec 21, 2011 4:00 PM EST
in Game Reviews
Here are the top 5 defensive plays for this week. Yes, I somehow managed to find five good defensive plays. Vote for the best one.
Adrian Clayborn sacks Tony Romo, forces a fumble, Dekoda Watson recovers and returns for a touchdown
This was clearly the play of the game, and it really isn't close. For once, the defense did what it was supposed to do and held up in on the backend. And for once, the defense got to Tony Romo - and managed to get him down before he could scramble.
As the Bucs were down 28-0 at the time, this touchdown gaves the Bucs a little life, although that turned out to be nothing but false hope. It also showed Adrian Clayborn's skill as a pass rusher: he runs around Doug Free with relative easy, and Romo doesn't feel him coming as he's scrambling away. Clayborn does a great job of going for the ball with his hand, stripping Tony Romo while still bringing him down - and Dekoda Watson gets to run it into the endzone while being escorted by Ronde Barber. A great play all around.
Buccaneers - Jaguars - Top 5 Defensive Plays
by Sander on Dec 14, 2011 4:00 PM EST
in Game Reviews
The Jaguars managed to score 41 points on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But despite that, there were plenty of good plays on defense. Two interceptions, a sack, and some tackles for loss are up for the top defensive play of the week.
Adrian Clayborn sacks Blaine Gabbert
3-8-JAX 24 (7:00) (Shotgun) B.Gabbert pass incomplete short right to M.Lewis.
Adrian Clayborn has been a bright spot this year, and he produced one of the biggest defensive highlights on Sunday. This was a perfect example of his skills. He gets into Eugene Monroe's body, knocks down his hands, then runs the circle around the former top 10 draft pick. The result: a sack, and a forced fumble - sadly recovered by that same offensive tackle who gave up the sack in the first place.
Ronde Barber picks off Blaine Gabbert
3-7-TB 43 (2:24) (Shotgun) B.Gabbert pass short middle intended for M.Lewis INTERCEPTED by R.Barber at TB 36.
R.Barber to TB 48 for 12 yards (M.Lewis)
This was a play made by Ronde Barber, but set up by the defensive line. Dekoda Watson shows why he's on the field on third downs, beating the right tackle to the inside with a beautiful spin move. That forces Blaine Gabbert to scramble to the right, and he throws an ill-advised ball across his body into zone coverage. Ronde Barber gets an easy interception handed to him on a plate by Blaine Gabbert.
Panthers - Buccaneers: Top 5 Defensive Plays
by Sander on Dec 7, 2011 9:28 PM EST
in Game Reviews
This is an all-Da'Quan Bowers post, with a small contribution by Adrian Clayborn. Why? Because no one else on defense really made a play on Sunday. Meanwhile, Da'Quan Bowers was all over the field, blowing up tight ends and offensive linemen to make tackles for loss, get sacks and even defense a pass.
Da'Quan Bowers and Adrian Clayborn sack Cam Newton
2-12-CAR 18 (:44) (Shotgun) C.Newton sacked at CAR 15 for -3 yards (sack split by D.Bowers and A.Clayborn)
While this sack is split, it really is made by Da'Quan Bowers. The rookie defensive end blows back rookie right tackle Byron Bell, moves inside and gets a shot at Cam Newton. The offensive guard to his side tries to help Byron Bell, but he's too late to stop Bowers. Of course, getting to Cam Newton and getting him down are two different things. While Bowers gets his hands on him, he slides off as Newton spins around. That's where Clayborn comes in, who sheds Jordan Gross' block to finish off the sack with a hard-hitting sack.
Da'Quan Bowers sacks Cam Newton
3-15-CAR 15 (:05) (Shotgun) C.Newton sacked at CAR 9 for -6 yards (D.Bowers)
This happens the very next play. The Bucs need a stop here, and they send five rushers out of a three-defensive-linemen alignment. Da'Quan Bowers, Adrian Clayborn and Brian Price are the down linemen, while they also send Ronde Barber and Tanard Jackson on a blitz. The pressure allows Bowers to make a play here: Tanard Jackson comes unblocked at Newton, but can't make a play on him. He does force Newton to adjust in the pocket, though, and by that time Da'Quan Bowers has beaten Byron Bell and gets the big quarterback down.
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