Monday, 3 a.m.
That's why you don't turn the franchise over the rookie.
As popular as free agent Jalon Daniels has become in Tampa Bay in recent weeks, it was a bit presumptive to assume that the Bucs should shelve quarterback Baker Mayfield and start Daniels instead. After all, Mayfield has won 27 games with the Bucs; Daniels has won one.
Perhaps, then, it shouldn't have been such a surprise that Daniels struggled so mightily in the fourth quarter of the eam's 26-19 overtime loss to Pittsburgh at Raymond James Stadium.
Daniels, who had played well in guiding the Bucs to a 16-3 lead, had a rough late going. In his fourth quarter and overetime, he hit only five of 15 passes, threw two interceptions for 50 yards. His throws were off.
"Obviously, they made plays," Bucs' coach Todd Bowles said. "It's a good defense over there. Those gus made some plays. He probably would like to have some of hose back, but we can't put him in those situations. We ahve to play is a team. It's not just him -- everyone is involved in that. He's going to make a few mistakes, but he played hard."
Look, this isn't to pin it all on Daniels. The defense gave up 23 points in the fourth and overtime. They allowed Aaron Rodgers and D.K. Metcalf to look young again. The running game disappeared. The line gave up five sacks. The Bucs deserved to fall to 1-5.
"We have no margin for error," Bowles said. "We playd hard. Very hard, very competitive. We ahve to learn how to finish ball games. We didn't finish at the end. Youplay that hard and grab a lead, you have to keep it. We practice two minute situations for a reason."
If there is a silver lining, the Bucs got impact from its young players. Rueben Bane had his first sack. Ted Hurst had three catches. Bauer Sharp had his first catch. Josiah Trotter had 12 tackls. Second-year pro David Walker had two sacks. Keionte Scott had a sack.
The older Bucs did less.
Especially in the fourth quarter.
The Bucs travel to Carolina Sunday at 1 p.m.