Tuesday, 4 a.m.
5 Thoughts
There are a few requirements to help the Bucs win a game. Sacks. The average yards per rush by an opponent. The opposing quarterback’s grade. The play of the offensive line. The most important piece, however, remains the play of Baker Mayfield. If he’s good, the team has a very good chance to win. If he’s not, well, ouch.
2. I think Bucky Irvin has the best feet of a Bucs’ running back since Warrick Dunn.
3. Who knew Luke Goedeke would be so valuable?
4. If I ran a defensive game play, I’d double cover both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and play seven-on-nine football.
5. Maybe it’s just me, but I wouldn’t punt Jake Camarda yet.
5 Comments
(From Todd Bowles’ Day-after press conference )
(On what he hopes to get done between now and Thursday): “It’s got to be all mental for the most part. We have our scheme in. I’m sure they have their scheme in. We’ve got to get some mental work done and we’ve got to make sure we have that down without going through the physical work.”
(On facing the Falcons with a new coaching staff and new players): “They’re different offensively and defensively. They’re playing faster and they’re playing with a lot of confidence. They added quite a few guys – they’ve got a lot of talent over there. They can beat you a bunch of different ways. We’ve got to be on our P’s and Q’s.”
(On the biggest challenges in getting prepared for a short week): “Really just taking care of their bodies and staying healthy and making sure they’re ready to go. Getting treatment when you need to get treatment and getting rest when you need to get rest – be ready to play Thursday.”
On what kind of threat the Falcons offense poses with QB Kirk Cousins at the helm): “He’s a good football player. We played him last year in Minnesota. We’ve had our chances to play him a few times, but he’s in a different offense this time. He’s got a lot more weapons than he had, than just [Justin] Jefferson and a couple guys in Minnesota. He knows how to play the game. He runs the offense well, he knows where to go with the ball and how to get rid of the ball. He presents a great challenge.”
(On how well he knows Atlanta Falcons HC Raheem Morris): “He grew up the next town over from me in New Jersey, so I’ve known Raheem very well. He’s a heck of a coach – outstanding guy. He’s going to bring a lot of fire. Those guys are going to be ready to play. They’re going to be well-coached on the little things and it’s going to be a tough battle.”
(On if he considered pulling any players at the end of the game on Sunday to rest them, as college teams do): “We don’t have 90 guys to play and a 17-point lead in the NFL can go quickly, so you’re really not up that much. You’ve got to take care of the ball and you’ve got to finish the game.”
Game Balls
Offense: You could vote for Mike Evans, for Bucky Irving or for Tristan Wirfs. The bottom line, however, is the sizzle the team gets from Baker Mayfield.
Defense: LaVonte David doesn’t win the honors he should in most seasons, but around here, people know how good he is.
Special teams: Who thought that Trenton Gill would get game punts this year?
Grades
Quarterback: The Bucs are 7-1 when Mayfield’s rating is over 100.0 the last two seasons. Grade: A.
Running back: Irving and Rachaad White had 98 yards combined. Two backs isn’t a bad thing. grade: B+.
Offensive line: The Bucs gave Mayfield time early. Not bad. Grade: C+.
Wide receiver: Evans and Godwin were both very good. Grade: A-.
Defensive line: Except for a long run by Saquon Barkley, the Bucs were fairly solid. Grade. B-.
Linebackers: David was terrific. How many times can you say it? Grade: A.
Secondary: Jalen Hurts was controlled. Grade: B+.
Power Rankings
- Kansas City
2. Minnesota
3. Seattle
4. Buffalo
5. Pittsburgh
—
7. Tampa Bay
Bottom 5
32. Jacksonville
31. New England
30. Carolina
29. N.Y. Giants
28. Tennessee
5 Bad Ideas
- The Edsel
2. New Coke
3. The Ben Affleck-Jennifer Lopez remarriage
4. Mood Rings
5. Thursday night football.
5 Best Bucs’ head coaches
- Tony Dungy
2. Jon Gruden
3. Bruce Arians
4. John McKay
5. Todd Bowles
NFL Stats
Passing Yards Baker Mayfield 4 984
Rushing Yards Bucky Irving 24 203
Receiving Yards Chris Godwin. 3 332
Sacks LaVonte David 34. 2
FGs Chase McLaughlin. t-14 7