Ryan Fitzpatrick will start again for the Bucs./STEVEN MUNCIE
Tuesday, 4 a.m.
5 Observations
1. Have the Bucs officially given up on quarterback Jameis Winston? That was the first thing that entered my mind when the Bucs said they were sticking with Ryan Fitzpatrick, who had three turnovers Sunday. There is a lot of season left, and Winston could still play. But the Bucs know what they have in Winston now; a turnover-prone quarterback whose results don't match his yardage totals. With the big money coming, could the team be ready to move on?
2. Goodnight, Chandler. It's time for Catanzaro to take his place beside Mirro Roder, Peter Rajecki, Mike Nugent, Kyle Brindza, Roberto Aguayo and Nick Folk. If those guys played Survivor, everyone would drown in the opening episode. Catanzaro lasted nine games and made $3.75 million.
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3. I'm not sure I would have admitted that I called the offense if I was Dirk Koetter. Gaining five football fields but scoring only three points isn't exactly brag-worthy, is it?
4. I had this discussion in the press box. How much of a coach's fingerprints are on a turnover? Some, I saw, because the teams of the great coaches don't have them nearly as often. It isn't just lightning from the sky.
5. By nature, I'm not a fan of midseason coaching changes. But just so you know, Ray Perkins is rested and ready.
Dirk Koetter trying to find more points./STEVEN MUNCIE
5 Comments
(From Dirk Koetter's Day-After Autopsy)
(On his starting quarterback): "We're going to go with Fitz (Ryan Fitzpatrick) this week. That's how it's going to stay."
(On why there were multiple mistakes in the red zone): “As you said, we had two turnovers, we had a sack in the red zone, we had a holding penalty in the red zone, we had a shotgun snap slip out of the center’s hand for a big loss in the red zone, we had two dropped passes in the red zone. I don’t see the common denominator there. There’s a couple plays I’d like to have called different if I could call them again.”
(On if he took any solace from players saying they respected him as a coach):
"Solace? No. I have a ton of respect for our players and what they do, but it’s crushing when you lose and it’s crushing when you think you put your best foot forward. Even though we had some guys on the team play well and I think our defense played pretty well. I can’t say I don’t appreciate that, but this is a results business and we all know that that’s just how it is. These are business decisions made.”
(On giving the ball away): "Turnovers are killing us right now. We're minus-19, we're last in the league, 13 in the last four games, 13 turnovers and no takeaways. That's by far the number-one thing that's hurting our team. [We] have talked about it many times — every turnover has its own story. If there was one thing to it, it would be easy to fix. As a team, we're turning it over too much and not getting any takeaways on the other side."
(On why he took over the play-calling): "I’ve been thinking about it a lot, and I think Todd Monken has done a terrific job calling the plays.That why he’s continued to do it. But in this game, I just felt like the type of game it was going to be based on Washington’s offense, I thought that we needed to try to control the clock a little bit more and try to give our defense a little bit of time — maybe less time on the field that maybe we need to try to run it a little more and use our RPOs a little bit more. That was the main reason behind it.”
The Bucs defense can't stop Josh Doctson./STEVEN MUNCIE
5 of the Best Takes
"Inside a half-filled Raymond James Stadium, with on-field temperatures climbing over 100 degrees, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dominated the Washington Redskins.
"They had 501 yards of offense. They had 29 first downs. They had the ball for more than half the game. But despite these gaudy numbers, the Bucs did everything they could to keep from scoring in a 16-3 Redskins victory. They lost two fumbles, had two passes intercepted and missed two field goals. And because of this extreme inefficiency from Tampa Bay, the Redskins are 6-3 and remain in first place in the NFC East.
"Not that Washington’s players seemed pleased about these developments."
-- Les Carpenter, Washington Post
"The Buccaneers now lead the NFL with 25 giveaways this season. They’re also minus-19 in turnover margin. Would you rather be 3-6 Tampa Bay, which has no problem moving the football but couldn’t score a touchdown in five red-zone opportunities on Sunday? Or does 6-3 Washington (plus-11) look more desirable now, despite its lack of a vertical passing game and its ability to induce narcolepsy?
“We’re winning ugly,” Gruden said, “but I don’t know if there is such a thing as winning ugly.”
-- Jerry Brewer, Washington Post
Tampa Bay dominated the game by nearly every statistical measure, especially in the first half, when it entered the red zone on three of its first four possessions and controlled the ball for almost 20 minutes. The Buccaneers out-gained the Redskins 501-286 in the game, finished with five red zone trips and still finished with only three points. That’s really, really hard to do.
-- Scott Allen, Washington Post
"A wild Jekyll & Hyde performance by the Bucs’ offense was led by an erratic display from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. His good production was paired with wild inaccuracy and dubious decision making. The yardage figures were good, but Fitzpatrick and the rest of the Tampa Bay offense simply couldn’t finish a drive in this game without making a pivotal mistake."
-- Pro Football Focus
"The 3-6 Buccaneers have been a mess this year — piling up loads of yards on offense but giving up almost as many on defense. Their coach, Dirk Koetter, took over the play-calling before Sunday’s game for reasons he would not explain. And his offense thundered downfield for more than 50 yards on each of their first four drives, only to come away with just three points. A Josh Norman interception in the end zone ended one of them, a penalty for an illegal lateral forced a punt and a missed 30-yard field goal killed the third. They got a field goal on their fourth possession, not long before halftime, tying the game at 3, but those were all the points they would get."
-- Carpenter
Godwin broke the 100-yard barrier./CARMEN MANDATO
Game Balls
Offense: Chris Godwin can get lost in the crowded Bucs' receivers room, but the quarterbacks always seem to find him. If there is a reason DeSean Jackson doesn't catch more balls, it's probably because of Godwin's emergence. He got all seven passes that he was targeted for and gained 103 yards.
Defense: Safety Justin Evans made more of an impact early in the season, but he led the Bucs with nine tackles Sunday. Question: Do you want your safety to lead your team in tackles?
Special teams: Bryan Anger wins by default -- anyone but Catanzaro, right? He had just one punt, for 44 yards.
Peyton Barber averaged 4.7 yards per carry./STEVEN MUNCIE
Grades
Quarterback: Around here, we know better than to judge a quarterback off of his yardage totals. Ryan Fitzpatrick had his fourth 400-yard day of the season, but his three turnovers were killers. Grade: D.
Running backs: For a change, it worked. Peyton Barber averaged 4,7 yards per carry and Jacquizz Rodgers caught more than 100 yards worth of passes. Still, no breakout runs from scrimmage. Grade: B.
Receivers: The receivers caught a lot of balls for a lot of yards, but they have to take some responsibility for the red zone failures, too. Grade: D.
Offensive line: A mixed bag. The Bucs allowed two sacks, but they averaged more than four yards a carry. Grade: C.
Defensive line: The Bucs line played good enough to win, which was a big improvement. Grade: C+.
Linebackers: Adrian Peterson didn't go nuts, but he was solid. The Bucs need more impact plays. Grade: C.
Defensive backs: Alex Smith barely seemed interested in going downfield, but he threw just eight incompletions. The Bucs need to wear bulls-eyes on their jerseys. Grade: C.
Coaching: Again no one remembers how many yards a losing team gets. The job is to visit the end zone. Grade: D.
Chandler Catanzaro was released Monday./STEVEN MUNCIE
5 Best Plays
1. 4-13-15 - Yay. Catanzaro made one. This one he hit from 33 yards out to tie the game at three. It was the team's highlight of the day
2. 2-11-50 -- It's been a lost year for Vita Vea, but he managed a sack (for no yards) for the first of his career.
3. 3-11-50 -- Gerald McCoy got a sack (for no yards) on the very next play.
4.2-10-43-- It led to nothing, but Adam Humphries' 29-yard gain was the longest for Tampa Bay.
5. 3-8-24 -- Fitzpatrick picks up a first down with a 24-yard catch-and-run by Rodgers.
Ryan Fitzpatrick had three turnovers./STEVEN MUNCIE
5 Worst Plays
1.2-2-2 -- A comeback wasn't likely, but the last chance was snuffed out when Ryan Fitzpatrick was sacked by Preston Smith and fumbled the ball away with 3:30 to play.
2. 1-10-28 -- Fitzpatrick was good at finding Jacquizz Rodgers underneath, and on this play he hit Rodgers, who went nine yards inside the 20. However, Rodgers had the ball punched out forward for a fumble.
3. 2-7-18 -- On their first drive, the Bucs threatened to score, but Fitzpatrick was off-target throwing to Shaun Wilson (really?) for his first interception.
4. 4-4-12 -- How does this guy keep his job? Chandler Catanzaro badly missed a 30-yard chip shot that would have tied the game.
5. 3-7-16 -- Catanzaro wasn't through yet. He missed a 48-yarder, but this time, the botch was set up when Ryan Jensen's snap to Fitzpatrick was off-target and led to a 14-yard loss. Catanzaro might have missed anyway, but he would have been much closer.
Jacquizz Rodgers was open most of Sunday./STEVEN MUNCIE
5 Unsung Heroes
1. Not many people know that Andrew Adams is a member of the Bucs, but he had four tackles and a pass defensed Sunday.
2. Jacquizz Rodgers: True, he had a costly fumble. But he caught eight passes for 102 yards.
3. Carl Nassib: He had one of three sacks Sunday, and was the only sacker to make the Redskins lose yardage on the play (a no-gain counts as a sack).
4. Noah Spence: He's been maligned, but he had one tackle Sunday. Whee.
5. Carlton Davis: His tackling was better Sunday. He had five.
Winston, like Testaverde, was an overall No. 1 pick./STEVEN MUNCIE
Random Comparison
1992 2018
2-0 Start 2-0
3-6 After Nine Games 3-6
5-11 Final Record ???
Sam Wyche Head Coach Dirk Koetter
Vinny Testaverde QB Entering Season. Jameis Winston
3.9 Interception Pct. 5.1
Smith was third on the worst winning percentage list./ANDREW J. KRAMER
Worst Winning Percentage (Bucs' Coaches)
1. Leeman Bennett .125
2. Richard Williamson .211
3. Lovie Smith .250
4. Ray Perkins .322
5. John McKay .333
-- Dirk Koetter is at .415, ninth on the list
Brees had a high quarterback rating vs. Bucs./JEFFREY S. KING
Best Opponent's Quarterback Rating
1. Mitch Trubisky, Chicago 154.6
2. Cam Newton, Carolina 133.2
3. Drew Brees, New Orleans 129.5
4. Matt Ryan, Atlanta 125.5
5. Ben Roethlisberger, Pitt. 120.7
Newton threw just six incompletions./CARMEN MANDATO
Fewest Opposing QB Incompletions
1. Cam Newton, Carolina 6
2. Mitch Trubisky, Chicago 7
3. Drew Brees, New Orleans 8
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh 8
Alex Smith, Washington 8
Jones has had a lost season./JEFFREY S. KING
Running Back Draft
2. Saquon Barkley, Giants 111 519 4.7
27. Rashaad Penny, Seahawks 54 254 5.7
31. Sony Michel, Patriots 106 453 4.3
35. Nick Chubb, Browns 94 579 6.2
38. Ronald Jones, Bucs 19 42 2.2
43. Kerryon Johnson, Lions. 203 554 5.4
Vea finally had a sack Sunday./CARMEN MANDATO
Defensive Tackle Draft
Player Tackles Sacks
12. Vita Vea, Tampa Bay 3 1
13. Daron Payne, Washington 28. 3
29. Taven Bryant, Jacksonville. 9 0
57. P.J. Hall, Oakland 10 0
69. B.J. Hill, Giants 24. 2
Davis still needs to make more plays./JEFFREY S. KING
Reincarnation?
Current Buc Another Version Of....
Dirk Koetter Sam Wyche
Jameis Winston Vinny Testaverde
Peyton Barber Reggie Cobb
Carlton Davis Toast Jones
Ryan Fitzpatrick Steve DeBerg
Jackson didn't tap his speed Sunday./CARMEN MADATO
Reincarnation 2
DeSean Jackson Joey Galloway
Jason Licht Mark Dominik
Chandler Catanzaro Roberto Aguayo
Donovan Smith Charles McRae
Ronald Jones Don Smith
The Bucs are falling fast./STEVEN MUNCIE
Bucs in NFL Power Ratings
Sporting News 25
Yahoo 26
Fansided 26
Bleacher Report 26
Oddshark 22
Rodgers became another weapon for Bucs./JEFFREY S. KING
Running back single-game receiving yards
1. Warrick Dunn Chicago, 2001 138
2. Michael Pittman Carolina, 2004 134
3. Warrick Dunn Detroit, 1999 115
4. Jacquizz Rodgers Washington, 2018 102
5. Earnest Graham Detroit, 2005 99
Mike Evans is sixth in the NFL./STEVEN MUNCIE
Random Stats
Passing Yards Per Game 4. Fitzpatrick 314.1
Rushing Yards Per Game 28. Barber 48.6
Receiving Yards Per Game 5. Evans 93.0
Field Goal Percent 28. Catanzaro 73
Punting 31. Bryan Anger 44.5
Howard had just one catch Sunday./STEVEN MUNCIE
More Random Stats
Sacks 8. Jason Pierre-Paul 8
Tackles 15. Lavonte David 71
Interceptions 47. Justin Evans 1
Penalties 19. Ryan Jensen 6-60
TE Receiving 11. Howard 29
Team Stats
Total Offense 1
Passing Offense 1
Rushing Offense 29
Points Per Game 12
Red Zone percentage. 21
More Team Stats
Total Defense 28
Passing Defense 29
Rushing defense 18
Turnover Margin. 32
3rd Down Pct. 4
5 Closing Thoughts
1. If I'm Cairo Santos, the new Bucs' kicker, I'm pouring holy water on the goal posts. I'm hanging rosary beads from the uprights. I'm burying St. Jude statuettes in the end zone. I'm also buying kicking shoes and paying to have the toes straightened.
2. Two things I think: 1) Jamies Winston could have topped Ryan Fitzpatrick's three turnovers by halftime. 2) Winston would have gotten more than three points, however.
3. Speaking of Winston, it's probably good for him to stay on the bench Sunday. These days, the temptation is to like whichever guy isn't playing.
4. How's this for a stat line: 318 attempts, 234 passes, 3600 yards, a 73.6 completion percentage, a 0.3 interception rate and a 94.3 rating. That's opposing quarterbacks against the Bucs. Considering the way the enemy has played this year, you'd think the Bucs have played Tom Brady, Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, Dan Marino, Bart Starr, Aaron Rodgers, Roger Staubach, Kurt Warner and John Elway.
5. You can drive yourself crazy thinking about how much money the team is paying out. It should be particularly hard on the Glazers. For instance, the defensive line is 21st in the league in sacks ... at more than $48 million.
Looking Ahead
5 Best Giants
1. Lawrence Taylor
2. Michael Strahan
3. Odell Beckham
4. Mark Bavaro
5. Harry Carson
5 Favorite Giants
1. Ottis Anderson
2. Jim Burt
3. Phil Simms
4. Fran Tarkenton
5. Leonard Marshall
5 Famous Fans
1.Spike Lee
2. Lady Gaga
3. George R.R. Martin
4. Jon Bon Jovi
5. Hugh Jackman
Eli Manning led the Giants over the Bucs./STEVEN MUNCIE
Best Game
The Tampa Bay Bucs haven't been to the post-season very often. The last time they were there, it ended in disappointment at the hands of the Giants.
It was January of 2008, and the Bucs were a slight favorite in a home game against the Giants. To prepare, head coach Jon Gruden had rested his regulars for two weeks. Quarterback Jeff Garcia didn't play much in the last two weeks, and looked rusty in a two-interception game.
But the Giants scored 24 unanswered points in the game, then went on to upset the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Beleaguered quarterback Eli Manning passed for just 150 yards in the game.
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