5 Thoughts
- Nolan Ryan walked a lot of batters. Babe Ruth struck out a lot. Cap Anson made a lot of errors. And Jameis Winston throws a lot of interceptions On the other hand, there are positives.
2. Shaq Barrett should be proud of tying Warren Sapp's single-season sack record with two games to go. But, um, it should be pointed out that he didn't do it at defensive tackle.
3. If the Bucs still finish with a losing record, can we blame hamstrings?
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4. I say the Bucs line Vita Vea up at wide receiver. Who's with me?
5. For your consideration: The Bucs have gained 1,279 yards rushing this season. They've been penaltized for 969 yards, almost as much.
5 Comments
(From Bruce Arians' Monday Press Conference)
(On the history books): "I think two things for sure: Anytime you start a sentence with, ‘In the history of the NFL,’ it’s big. And for Jameis [Winston] I’m really, really happy for us and for him to be able to put his name in the record books. And then the same thing in franchise history, Shaq [Barrett] tying Sapp’s [Warren] record in sacks. Injuries are something that everybody’s got them in December, so it’s never an excuse, it’ll be the next man up. We’re actively looking at who’s going to be healthy and who is going to be able to play receiver for us this week and have a game plan for what they can do.”
(On Winston hitting 450 yards in back-to-back games): “I think you have to give a lot of credit to the offensive line and tight ends and Ear [Watford] for really giving really good protection all day. Because we weren’t throwing a lot of short passes. Now we did in the second half, we started using the tight ends and back and stuff – whoever’s available. Again, for me I thought the coach did a good job of not asking somebody to do something they can’t do just because Mike or Chris did. Put them in a situation to be successful and I think we did that and scoring just enough points.”
(On not being able to run better): “It is frustrating. The number of runs are still there, which led to a lot of good play-action game. So it’s like don’t abandon it, just keep two, three. We had that one drive where I think Rojo [Ronald Jones II] had four, five, four, five. Peyton had a couple good runs coming off the goal line. It’s just a matter of them stacking the box, which added a lot to the play-action passing game.”
(On which Bucs should make the Pro Bowl): "I would start with Chris [Godwin] and Mike [Evans]. After that I think Shaq [Barrett] has to be involved in it. I think Vita [Vea] has had that type of year. Lavonte [David] for sure. I’m not a big fan [of the Pro Bowl].”
(On Sean Murphy-Bunting's interception): “It’s a film study thing, showing the blitz, making them run a hot route, and then jumping it. It’s a very veteran move and he’s a very smart player. That’s why I think he has such a great future. And he can catch.
“We’ve dropped seven interceptions in the last two weeks. Jamel Dean – I’m going to get him a tennis racket or something. You can’t get an easier pick-six. He’s just like Sean, he’s studying it, but we have to work on the JUGS machine.”
Five of the Best Takes
Jameis Winston started early with an interception but after that he settled down and took apart the Lions defense without giving up another chance for an interception. Winston threw for more than 400 yards (over 200 in the first quarter alone) as the Bucs were up 21-3 by halftime.
-- Pro Football Focus
Once the Bucs lost starting receiver Mike Evans, it was unknown how the other receivers would step up. As it turned out, Chris Godin, Breshad Perriman ad Scotty Miller all gave the Lions defense issues throughout Sunday's game. Both Perriman and Miller scored a TD (three for Perriman), with Godwin and Perriman both topping 100 yards as the receivers were able to create separation to give Winston easy throws.
-- Pro Football Focus
Lavonte David had a great game, especially in coverage. David was sound with his tackling, limiting the damage when Detroit checked down, and he made a nice play to intercept a pass on a play that was called back due to an offsides.
-- Pro Football Focus
Jemel Dean also had a nice game in coverage, breaking up a couple of passes on the afternoon and nearly coming down with what could have been a pick-six himself at the start of the second quarter, though he wasn't able to hang onto the interception.
-- Pro Football Focus
The numbers are dwindling now.
In the stands. On the sidelines. Everywhere but in the loss column, and, perhaps, the locker room, though it’s always difficult in the NFL to separate the true believers from the ones who are just trying to survive.
But what about the owners’ suite? That’s the audience everyone’s waiting to hear from now, and really the only one that matters in the short term, as the Lions’ regular season nears a merciful end and the attention shifts to where it usually rests with this franchise.
On the job security of a head coach and his boss, and whatever rationalizations that will follow a late-December decision about their fate.
Sunday's 38-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccanees probably didn’t tip any scales. But it didn’t quell any doubts, either, as the Lions rallied from an abysmal start — outgained 236-1 in total yards in the first quarter — yet still managed to lose by three touchdowns to a middling opponent, dropping their seventh game in a row and guaranteeing a second consecutive season with double-digit loss
-- John Niyo, Detroit News
Game Balls
Offense: Can there be any doubt? Winston gained most of the yardage, threw for four touchdowns and led his team to its fourth straight victory.
Defense: Sean Murphy-Bunting tied for the team lead in tackles with eight and provided the winning touchdown on his interception return.
Special teams: Matt Gay hit a long field goal and had eight points in the win.
Grades
Quarterback: Despite his interception, Winston has never had a better first quarter. He'll give you ulcers with his interceptions, but he's playing pretty well right now.
Running backs: Did the Bucs even use running backs? What an awful effort. Grade: D-.
Offensive line: The pass potection was much better than the run-blocking. Grade: C-.
Wide receivers: Two 100-yard receivers and one of them wasn't Mike Evans? A great effort. Grade: A.
Defensive line: They controlled the running game, but they missed sack opportunities.
Linebackers: David was sensational. Grade: B+.
Secondary: They got lost too often, but they made the big play. Grade: B.
Kicking: A routine effort: Grade: B-.
Unsung Heroes
- Jamel Dean had two passes defended.
2. William Gholston had three tackles.
3. Anthony Adams had a great interception return that was negated by a penalty.
4. Tanner Hudson had a 14-yard catch, his first in the NFL.
5. Ish Hyman had a three-yard catch for a first dow, his first in the NFL.
Bucs' Winning Streaks
Six -- 1999
Five -- 2016
2002
1997
1979
Four -- 2009
-- 2012
-- 2008
-- 2007
-- 2005
-- 2000
-- 1995
--1994
Winston Stats
Yardage 1 4,573
TDs 2 30
Ints. 1 24
1st Downs 1 220
Rating 37 87.9
Random Stats
Sacks Barrett 1 16.5
Rushing Jones 40 541
Rec. Yards Godwin 2 1,333
Evans 4 1,157
Tackles David 19 105
Pass defended Carlton Davis 4 19
Mediocre Rushers
In the 44 seasons of the Bucs, they have 14 seasons in which their leading rusher has gained 600 or fewer yards. Ronald Jones with 541 yards won't be one their great seasons, but it won't be one of the worst, either.
The bottom five to lead the Bucs in rushing
1980. Jerry Eckwood 504
2013 Doug Martin 494
1987 James Wilder 488
1990 Reggie Cobb 480
1988 Lars Tate 467
Mock Drafts
NJsports.com 17 Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Bleacher Report 17. Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
Walterfootball.com 17. A.J. Expense, DE, Iowa
NFLdrafttek.com 16. Tuo Tagovailioa.com
CBSsports.com 16. Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Power Rankings
Sportingnews.com 15
Bleacher Report 17
Heavy.com 16
NBCsports.com 16
Fansided 13