Bucs Nation - Bills vs. Buccaneers Coverage: Can Greg Schiano save his job?A Tampa Bay Buccaneers Blog - Fire Those Cannons!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48049/bucs-fave.png2013-12-12T16:49:24-05:00http://www.bucsnation.com/rss/stream/49523452013-12-12T16:49:24-05:002013-12-12T16:49:24-05:00Mike Glennon vs Game Film: Throw the ball!
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Gpku2tmG2Zh7pkyI2Q_aGvJHNu8=/61x0:3938x2585/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25028679/20131208_sal_sv7_040.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>How did Mike Glennon fare against the Buffalo Bills? With Gur unavailable for a week, I'm taking care of the Glennon breakdown this week. </p> <p>Mike Glennon put up some terrible statistics last week: 9/25 for 90 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions and one sack. It surely wasn't a good performance, and he was saved on a couple of mediocre throws by supreme adjustments by Vincent Jackson. Still, after watching the tape it's clear that his outing wasn't as soul-destroyingly awful as it first appeared: a few drops and penalties negated some good throws, while the down and distance often hurt as well as the route combinations.</p>
<p>Still, that doesn't mean it was an excusable performance. Two issues have proven to be consistent for Mike Glennon this season: ball placement, particularly on outside throws, and decisiveness. Glennon has too often been late on throws or simply neglected to take the open throw, even when he was staring right at it. There are instances where I'm watching the All-22 and simply shouting "HE'S OPEN, THROW IT!" as I'm sure a lot of you do in the stadium, too. That's an issue that will have to be resolved if he's to remain the team's starter next year.</p>
<p>On to the tape!</p>
<table width="256" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<colgroup><col span="4" width="64"></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20">
<td width="64" height="20">Dropback</td>
<td width="64">Down&Distance</td>
<td width="64">Result</td>
<td width="64">Notes</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">1</td>
<td>1st&10</td>
<td>Incomplete to <span>Vincent Jackson</span>
</td>
<td>Tipped at the line.</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">2</td>
<td>1st&10</td>
<td>Incomplete to Vincent Jackson</td>
<td>Just a little too far inside , but Jackson could have caught this</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">3</td>
<td>3rd&10</td>
<td>Incomplete to <span>Tim Wright</span>
</td>
<td>Badly thrown and not on the same page as Wright (ball's outside, he cuts inside). Owusu is open for deep out on the other side, but Glennon never looks that way.</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">4</td>
<td>1st&10</td>
<td>Complete to Vincent Jackson for 10 yards</td>
<td>A little late on the throw, but well-placed</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">5</td>
<td>3rd&7</td>
<td>Complete to Vincent Jackson for 22 yards</td>
<td>On time, high and to the outside, terrific adjustment by VJax to make a tough catch.</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">6</td>
<td>1st&10</td>
<td>Complete to <span>Bobby Rainey</span> for 4 yards</td>
<td>Waits ages and doesn't see wide-open Underwood behind the deep coverage</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">7</td>
<td>3rd&4</td>
<td>Complete to <span>Skye Dawson</span> for 6 yards</td>
<td>Great ball placement prevents <span>Kiko Alonso</span> from picking it off. Placed anywhere else, this is an interception. Great play.</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">8</td>
<td>3rd&14</td>
<td>Complete to Vincent Jackson for 38 yards, touchdown</td>
<td>Coverage scramble, then just chucks it up to VJax, who makes a ridiculous adjustment to grab the touchdown.</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">9</td>
<td>1st&10</td>
<td>Incomplete to Tim Wright</td>
<td>Thrown away under pressure</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">10</td>
<td>3rd&11</td>
<td>Incomplete to <span>Tiquan Underwood</span>
</td>
<td>Miscommunication</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">11</td>
<td>1st&10</td>
<td>Incomplete to Tiquan Underwood</td>
<td>Really good deep throw, but defender just gets a hand on it. Good throw with someone at his feet, too.</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">12</td>
<td>3rd&9</td>
<td>Intercepted</td>
<td>Miscommunication -- Jackson goes to cut back out but Glennon throws it inside.</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">13</td>
<td>2nd&7</td>
<td>Incomplete to <span>Erik Lorig</span>
</td>
<td>Designed swing route, terrible ball placement by Glennon.</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">14</td>
<td>3rd&7</td>
<td>Complete to Skye Dawson for 3 yards</td>
<td>Free rusher forces quick throw. Tim Wright would have been open for first down had protection been called better.</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">15</td>
<td>3rd&6</td>
<td>Incomplete</td>
<td>Senses phantom pressure and starts scrambling into pressure, forcing him to throw it away.</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">16</td>
<td>2nd&9</td>
<td>Intercepted</td>
<td>Terrible ball placement causes this interception. More air or placed farther outside would have been a likely first down or touchdown.</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">17</td>
<td>1st&10</td>
<td>Incomplete to Skye Dawson</td>
<td>Nearly picked off on near-identical throw to last play. Again too far inside and not enough air.</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">18</td>
<td>2nd&15</td>
<td>Incomplete to Tiquan Underwood</td>
<td>Dropped by Underwood on short crossing route. Quick throw because of pressure. Second time Alonso nearly got his hand on this after faking blitz and dropping out. I don't think Glennon saw him either time.</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">19</td>
<td>3rd&15</td>
<td>Incomplete to Tim Wright</td>
<td>Inaccurate throw, late but under pressure. Not a good read vs. this zone coverage look, either, as the safety can drive on the ball & receiver with time to spare.</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">20</td>
<td>3rd&6</td>
<td>Complete to Tim Wright for 16 yards</td>
<td>Good throw, a bet late but accurate and good placement.</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">21</td>
<td>2nd&10</td>
<td colspan="2">Good throw, good read.</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">22</td>
<td>3rd&5</td>
<td>Sacked for -9 yards</td>
<td>Coverage sack. No one really open.</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">23</td>
<td>2nd&13</td>
<td>Incomplete to Vincent Jackson</td>
<td>Bad placement on the deep ball</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">24</td>
<td>2nd&7</td>
<td>Complete to Bobby Rainey for -8 yards</td>
<td>Failed screen. Great read by Kiko Alonso</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">25</td>
<td>3rd&7</td>
<td>Incomplete to Skye Dawson</td>
<td>A little high and inside for diminutive Skye. Good anticipation, just a little off on the throw.</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">26</td>
<td>2nd&7</td>
<td>Incomplete to Tiquan Underwood</td>
<td>Indecisive, then makes the wrong decision on a crossing route to Underwood.</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">27</td>
<td>3rd&12</td>
<td>Incomplete to Vincent Jackson for 14 yards</td>
<td>The infamous 'did he tap his feet' non-touchdown. Decent throw, but into double coverage. Nowhere else to really go to, though.</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">28</td>
<td>2nd&1</td>
<td>Incomplete to Bobby Rainey</td>
<td>Indecisive again, ball should be out to a wide open Vincent Jackson. Instead scrambles and then throws an idiotic little flip to Rainey that should have been picked off.</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td align="right" height="20">29</td>
<td>3rd&6</td>
<td>Incomplete to Vincent Jackson</td>
<td>Good throw, incomplete because Jackson was held</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>Overall, this was a poor outing for <span>Mike Glennon</span>, although it wasn't as bad on a second watch as it appeared to be live. A few recurring issues are becoming clear for Mike Glennon, though: bad ball placement on sideline routes, and a tendency to hold on to the ball too long. That's part of the reason why Glennon has been sacked so often (7.9%, 27th in the NFL). He's also leaving yards on the field because of it, especially on third down.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Third and long? Bucs have one conversion in last 30 chances when facing third and 8 or longer. (Glennon-to-Jackson 38-yard TD vs. Buffalo)</p>
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) <a href="https://twitter.com/gregauman/statuses/411231488353398785">December 12, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>That's an ugly stat, and some of that was on display this weekend, too. Note these two throws, #6 and #28. Pictures speak louder than many, many words, after all.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3712219/Glennon1.png"><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3712219/Glennon1_medium.png" class="photo" alt="Glennon1_medium"></a></p>
<p>Tiquan Underwood is wide open for the touchdown, running away from his coverage and the lone deep safety. Glennon should have recognized that that would happen as soon as he saw that the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bills</a> only had one safety deep and he was playing just half of the field. In fact, that ball should have been out already at this point. Instead, Glennon's fixated on a very well-covered Vincent Jackson.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3712235/Glennon2.png"><img src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3712235/Glennon2_medium.png" class="photo" alt="Glennon2_medium"></a></p>
<p>That's about as succinctly as I can put it. I don't know what Glennon's coached to do on these plays, but I do know that no coach would ask their quarterback to just hold on to it forever. At some point that ball has to be out. In this latest picture it even looks like he's staring down Jackson, who is wide open because his defender fell down. Instead, he'll hold on to it, scramble to his left a little and then try to flip it to Bobby Rainey, which nearly sees the ball being picked off.</p>
<p>Those issues are not uncommon for rookie quarterbacks: the NFL moves at a different speed and it's not always easy to recognize who's open and who's not while managing a muddy pocket. But it is a skill that all good NFL quarterbacks must develop, and it's been a consistent concern for Mike Glennon this year, especially over the last two games.</p>
<p>
<link href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3604021/nextclicks.css" rel="stylesheet"></p>
https://www.bucsnation.com/2013/12/12/5205002/mike-glennon-vs-game-film-throw-the-ballSander Philipse2013-12-09T11:50:14-05:002013-12-09T11:50:14-05:00Snap counts: Tim Wright the every-down player
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oAWVXYZEZ7dripIB53bduX15Y28=/0x218:4000x2885/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24805357/454302675.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Scott Cunningham</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The snap counts for Sunday's game are in. Some surprising numbers for Tim Wright, Davin Joseph and Gerald McCoy.</p> <p><span>Tim Wright</span> is now an every-down player. That's new, and undoubtedly related to the loss of Tom Crabtree, but it's also a testament to his improvement as a run-blocker. Wright's been an explosive receiver all season long, but run blocking has been (and probably always will remain) a weakness. Wright has shown steady improvement throughout his tenure, though, and has now turned into an every-down player.</p>
<p>The most intriguing thing is something Gur already talked about: <a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/12/9/5191364/davin-joseph-appeared-to-be-benched-during-yesterdays-game">Davin Joseph was benched</a>. That has been a long time coming, as Joseph has been the team's worst offensive lineman this year after returning from a knee injury. With Joseph scheduled to earn a hefty salary next season, his tenure as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer may be coming to an end, even though he's been widely praised for his leadership and locker room presence.</p>
<p>Another continued source of surprise (for me at least) is <span>Gerald McCoy's</span> new role as an every-down player. Every-down defensive tackles (or defensive linemen) are exceedingly rare, because they tend to tire in games. Most defensive linemen see one or two drives on the sideline every game. For months now, though, Gerald McCoy has played nearly every snap in every game. On the season he's played 89% of all snaps -- only <span>Mark Barron</span> and <span>Lavonte David</span> have played more snaps on defense.</p>
<table width="512" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<colgroup><col span="8" width="64"></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20">
<td width="64" height="20">Player</td>
<td width="64">Pos.</td>
<td width="64">Offense</td>
<td width="64">%</td>
<td width="64">Defense</td>
<td width="64">%</td>
<td width="128" colspan="2">Special Teams</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Totals</td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">66</td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">67</td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">32</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">D Penn</td>
<td>T</td>
<td align="right">66</td>
<td align="right">100%</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">16%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">J Meredith</td>
<td>T</td>
<td align="right">66</td>
<td align="right">100%</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">16%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">D Dotson</td>
<td>T</td>
<td align="right">66</td>
<td align="right">100%</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">16%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">M Glennon</td>
<td>QB</td>
<td align="right">66</td>
<td align="right">100%</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">T Wright</td>
<td>TE</td>
<td align="right">59</td>
<td align="right">89%</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">V Jackson</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td align="right">57</td>
<td align="right">86%</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">J Zuttah</td>
<td>C</td>
<td align="right">51</td>
<td align="right">77%</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">T Underwood</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td align="right">45</td>
<td align="right">68%</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">D Joseph</td>
<td>G</td>
<td align="right">43</td>
<td align="right">65%</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">16%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">E Lorig</td>
<td>FB</td>
<td align="right">42</td>
<td align="right">64%</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">16</td>
<td align="right">50%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">B Rainey</td>
<td>RB</td>
<td align="right">37</td>
<td align="right">56%</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">T Larsen</td>
<td>C</td>
<td align="right">26</td>
<td align="right">39%</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">16%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">B Leonard</td>
<td>RB</td>
<td align="right">25</td>
<td align="right">38%</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">8</td>
<td align="right">25%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">C Owusu</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td align="right">21</td>
<td align="right">32%</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">G Carimi</td>
<td>G</td>
<td align="right">16</td>
<td align="right">24%</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">16%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">R Shepard</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td align="right">14</td>
<td align="right">21%</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">24</td>
<td align="right">75%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">K Adams</td>
<td>TE</td>
<td align="right">11</td>
<td align="right">17%</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">8</td>
<td align="right">25%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">S Dawson</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">11%</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">M Hill</td>
<td>RB</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">8%</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">10</td>
<td align="right">31%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">S Larsen</td>
<td>FB</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">3%</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">24</td>
<td align="right">75%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">E Page</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">2%</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">11</td>
<td align="right">34%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">D Goldson</td>
<td>FS</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">66</td>
<td align="right">99%</td>
<td align="right">11</td>
<td align="right">34%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">J Banks</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">66</td>
<td align="right">99%</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">12%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">M Barron</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">66</td>
<td align="right">99%</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">G McCoy</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">66</td>
<td align="right">99%</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">D Revis</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">66</td>
<td align="right">99%</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">L David</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">59</td>
<td align="right">88%</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">22%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">L Johnson</td>
<td>CB</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">58</td>
<td align="right">87%</td>
<td align="right">13</td>
<td align="right">41%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">A Clayborn</td>
<td>DE</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">56</td>
<td align="right">84%</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">M Foster</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">53</td>
<td align="right">79%</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">A Spence</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">43</td>
<td align="right">64%</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">D Te'o-Nesheim</td>
<td>DE</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">39</td>
<td align="right">58%</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">W Gholston</td>
<td>DE</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">23</td>
<td align="right">34%</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">3%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">K Tandy</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">15</td>
<td align="right">22%</td>
<td align="right">20</td>
<td align="right">62%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">D Bowers</td>
<td>DE</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">14</td>
<td align="right">21%</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">3%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">A Hayward</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">12</td>
<td align="right">18%</td>
<td align="right">24</td>
<td align="right">75%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">S Means</td>
<td>DE</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">11</td>
<td align="right">16%</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">19%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">D Landri</td>
<td>DT</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">11</td>
<td align="right">16%</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">D Watson</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">10</td>
<td align="right">15%</td>
<td align="right">26</td>
<td align="right">81%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">D Gorrer</td>
<td>DB</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1%</td>
<td align="right">22</td>
<td align="right">69%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">K McCray</td>
<td>FS</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1%</td>
<td align="right">16</td>
<td align="right">50%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">K Glaud</td>
<td>LB</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1%</td>
<td align="right">16</td>
<td align="right">50%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">M Koenen</td>
<td>P</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">19</td>
<td align="right">59%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">A Economos</td>
<td>LS</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">13</td>
<td align="right">41%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">R Lindell</td>
<td>K</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">16%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.bucsnation.com/2013/12/9/5192160/bills-vs-buccaneers-snap-counts-tim-wright-the-every-down-playerSander Philipse2013-12-08T20:02:29-05:002013-12-08T20:02:29-05:00Mike Glennon's play should raise serious questions
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<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Mike Glennon did himself no favours against the Bills in making a case to be the uncontested starter for 2014, and it might be time for the braintrust at One Buc Place to start asking some serious questions.</p> <p>Rookies will have bad games. If they occur in isolation, then they can be overlooked. When they form part of a larger picture, then they become significant.</p>
<p>There was a popular narrative among many in the media, and among parts of the fan base, that Glennon had "gotten better with every game", at least until the loss last week to the <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Panthers</a>. Unfortunately, the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bucsnation.com/gurs-linemen">game film</a> hasn't borne that narrative out; the truth is, Glennon has been up and down all year. After incremental improvement over his first few games, he took a huge step back in the first game against the Panthers. A better game against the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seahawks</a> was then followed by what was, before today, his worst game as a pro.</p>
<p>And here comes the problem: his worst game as a pro was also his first win. That 'W' overshadowed a lot of issues, but there should be no doubt - the issues were <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/11/13/5101370/mike-glennon-vs-game-film-week-10-the-worst-game-yet">absolutely still there</a>. So when he went on to take a notable step forward against the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Falcons</a>, going from his then-worst to his then-best game, a lot of people assumed that it was the continuation of a steady trend of an improvement, rather than a one-game turn around. He followed that up with what was an even better game against the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lions</a>.</p>
<p>That put the streak of consecutive games showing marked improvement at a grand total of two, before <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/12/4/5170946/mike-glennon-vs-game-film-week-13-chickens-come-home-to-roost">the wheels fell off</a> in the second showdown against Carolina last week.</p>
<p>Suffice it to say, anyone who watched today's game knows that it replaced the Miami game as unquestionably his worst offering so far. Not only that, but the nature of the poor play is absolutely cause for real concern.</p>
<p>The statline is a very incomplete story, but it does offer some insight. We know the basic statistics: 90 yards on 9 completions from 25 attempts, leading to a completion rating of just 36% and a yards-per-attempt of just <i>3.6</i>. His ten-yards-per-completion might sound like a more respectable stat - until you realise that, coming into Week 14, the league's <i>worst</i> yards-per-completion (according to ProFootballReference) is Alex Smith. With 10.5 yards per completion. Two touchdowns and two interceptions meant that his passer rating, for those who care about that sort of thing, was 40.4.</p>
<p>Look beyond the stats, though, and we see a worse picture. Those two touchdowns, Glennon should be given credit for. In fact, I'll say that Glennon's first touchdown drive, which saw him go 4-or-4, was a truly, truly impressive one.</p>
<p>But simple maths should already point out the problem: of his nine completions, four came on one drive. In fact, he managed three completions on his second touchdown drives.</p>
<p>To put it differently: in the other 13 possessions the Bucs had, Mike Glennon had two completions.</p>
<p>It's such an eye-opening stat that I'm going to repeat it: in the thirteen Buccaneer possessions that didn't end with passing touchdowns, Mike Glennon had <i>two completions</i>.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Buccaneers</a> picked up five first downs through the air all game. That's the second week in a row when the Bucs have had only five passing first downs.</p>
<p>League average? 12.5 passing first downs a game.</p>
<p>Oh, and here's <span>Mike Glennon's</span> stat line for the second half:</p>
<p>Five attempts. One completion. <i>LOSS</i> of 8 yards.</p>
<p>The Bucs won today, because the defense played lights out. The offense was atrocious, and Mike Glennon deserves the lion's share of the blame.</p>
<p>"But wait," I hear you cry, "this offensive line has been playing terribly! The <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bills</a> have the most sacks in the league! That has to be taken into account."</p>
<p>It's a fair point. The Bucs do face some very fearsome pass rushes this season. In fact, four of the team's final five opponents - last week's Panthers, today's Bills, Week 16's <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">Rams</a> and Week 17's <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Saints</a>, came into this week as the four defenses with the highest sack % in the league. That should be a tough ask for <i>any</i> quarterback, let alone a rookie.</p>
<p>Two weeks ago, Detroit got to Mike Glennon a whopping 11 times, in the form of 4 sacks and 7 hits. Last week, the Panthers got the young signal caller 10 times, notching up five of each.</p>
<p>Today, the Bucs' offensive line allowed one sack, and one QB hit. Those two 'QB touches', as I like to call them, represent the least Glennon has been touched all season long.</p>
<p>And with the best pass protection he's had all year, Glennon managed to complete 9 passes, or two completions in 13 of his 15 possessions, or a second half of one-of-five-for-minus-eight.</p>
<p>This isn't a bad game. This is a regression streak that has now matched the longest improvement streak of his short career - two games.</p>
<p>He displayed all the poise of a franchise QB during one drive.</p>
<p>He showed an impressive ability to bounce back with a touchdown drive after throwing two interceptions.</p>
<p>He had a would-be touchdown overturned on what was, by the words in the rulebook, a correct call after review.</p>
<p>And in every other possession he had, he gave no sign whatsoever that he is ready to be automatically named the starter for 2014.</p>
https://www.bucsnation.com/2013/12/8/5189604/gurs-gut-reaction-to-glennon-considerable-cause-for-concernGurSamuel2013-12-08T16:20:45-05:002013-12-08T16:20:45-05:00Bucs blow out Bills, 27-6
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<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have their fourth win of the season after beating the Buffalo Bills handily in a turnover-filled game in Tampa. </p> <p>CBS may have lost the feed, but the Buccaneers had no trouble finding their groove against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a>. Despite being given very limited distribution by CBS, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> dominated the Buffalo Bills in Tampa as EJ Manuel was stifled by an active Tampa Bay defense. In an ugly game with many, many turnovers on both sides, <span>Vincent Jackson</span> and <span>Bobby Rainey</span> were the difference for Tampa Bay's offense.</p>
<p>The Bucs got off to a fast start, as they have done consistently over the past five weeks. A sweet cut and a little baby stiff-arm on <span>Kiko Alonso</span> got Bobby Rainey free for the first NFL touchdown of the day on the team's second play from scrimmage, walking into the endzone after 80 yards of untouched rushing. It didn't take long for Vincent Jackson to add the Bucs' second touchdown on a deep ball from a scrambling <span>Mike Glennon</span>, giving Tampa Bay a 14-3 lead by the end of the first quarter.</p>
<p>If the first quarter was one filled with touchdowns, the second quarter was dominated by turnovers. EJ Manuel managed to throw two interceptions, one to dominant-as-ever <span>Lavonte David</span> and the other to Johnthan Banks. Mike Glennon got in on the party too, throwing one straight to <span>Jairus Byrd</span> on a miscommunication and another one right to Stephon Gilmore. Glennon was off early in the game despite a few good deep passes, as he placed the ball behind receivers and held on to the ball too long, while being late on other throws.</p>
<p>The Bills weren't done with the gift-wrapping, though. Holiday season and all, <span>Leodis McKelvin</span> muffed a punt and then the Bills decided that a short punt was nice, too. The Bucs managed six consecutive drives in the first half with starting field position past the Tampa Bay 40-yard line, and they managed to get just ten points off of that remarkable streak.</p>
<p>Still, the end result was never really in question, so much so that the second half was little more than a formality. The Bucs had a three-score lead at half time, and the Bills offense never even threatened to close that gap. They just kept handing the ball to the Bucs, while the team's seven (!) sacks on the day stopped the Bills in the red zone a couple of times.</p>
<p>Lavonte David had the game of his life, with a sack, two interceptions and his usual obscene collection of tackles. If it wasn't for the Bucs' awful season, David's incredibly impressive second season would be gathering some Defensive Player of the Year talk. Instead he may not even make the Pro Bowl. A travesty.</p>
<p>In the end, this was a comfortable win for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which was a massive relief after the embarrassing performance two weeks ago. Mike Glennon's struggles are now an issue, though, and the offense put together 44 net yards in the second half. But at least the team is winning. With three games left, Greg Schiano could conceivably save his job with some quality play and just one more win.</p>
<p><b>Key stats</b></p>
<p>Mike Glennon went 9/25 for 90 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions and one sack.</p>
<p>Bobby Rainey managed 127 rushing yards and one touchdown on 22 carries.</p>
<p>Vincent Jackson had three catches for 70 yards and a touchdown.</p>
<p>Lavonte David had nine combined tackles, one sack and two interceptions.</p>
<p>Gerald McCoy managed six combined tackles, a sack and a pass defensed.</p>
<p><b>Injuries</b></p>
<p>Center Jeremy Zuttah left the game with a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter and did not return.</p>
<p>Buffalo linebacker <span>Ron Brooks</span> had to leave the field with a neck injury in the first quarter, but was at least able to walk off the field under his own power.</p>
<p><b>What's next?</b></p>
<p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers receive the San Francisco 49ers at home next Sunday at 1:00 PM, while they'll close out the season with consecutive road games against the St. Louis Rams and New Orleans Saints. Greg Schiano's future wand Mike Glennon's status for next year will be decided over those last three games.</p>
https://www.bucsnation.com/2013/12/8/5188640/bills-vs-buccaneers-final-score-tampa-bay-blows-away-buffalo-27-6Sander Philipse2013-12-08T15:41:57-05:002013-12-08T15:41:57-05:00Fourth quarter open thread
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rS7Vf4B2cajJ88flmwxUAjPcQ6o=/0x266:4000x2933/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24751395/454297937.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Al Messerschmidt</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Go Bucs!</p>
https://www.bucsnation.com/2013/12/8/5189088/bills-vs-buccaneers-fourth-quarter-open-threadSander Philipse2013-12-08T14:40:25-05:002013-12-08T14:40:25-05:00Third quarter open thread
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yFUjXOm1jTvSXd4ozZqMNloS_oQ=/0x207:4000x2874/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24747129/20131208_lbm_af6_109.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Go Bucs!</p>
https://www.bucsnation.com/2013/12/8/5188924/bills-vs-buccaneers-third-quarter-open-threadSander Philipse2013-12-08T13:49:53-05:002013-12-08T13:49:53-05:00Second quarter open thread
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kLbwatCgFZMiBJ8TdaqvP6GJchc=/0x208:4000x2875/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24744801/20131208_lbm_sv7_067.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Go Bucs!</p>
https://www.bucsnation.com/2013/12/8/5188792/bills-vs-buccaneers-second-quarter-open-threadSander Philipse2013-12-08T11:42:43-05:002013-12-08T11:42:43-05:00First quarter open thread
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PHJfzS0AeOLwR1AieXBM4_DbezY=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24734627/20131204_kkt_sv7_317.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Go Bucs!</p>
https://www.bucsnation.com/2013/12/8/5188296/bills-vs-buccaneers-first-quarter-open-threadSander Philipse