Looking back at Bucs’ loss to the Saints

5 Thoughts

1. Going into a typical game, I'd rate the importance of each position playing well thusly. 1. Quarterback. 2. Secondary. 3. Offensive line. 4. Pass Rush. 5. Defensive line. Just a thought, but did any of them play a great game Sunday?

2. The way the secondary covered Michael Thomas Sunday, they might as well have had Vita Vea shadow him.

3. Sean Payton now has wins over Jon Gruden, Raheem Morris, Greg Schiano, Lovie Smith, Dirk Koetter and Bruce Arians. Here's what he's thinking this morning: "Next?"

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4. Remember when the Bucs were crowing after taking O.J. Howard over Dalvin Cook? Well, oops.

5. If I'm Sean McVay, I fine my defensive lineman today. They made this line look good?

5 Comments

(From Bruce Arians day-after press conference)

(On trying to stop the Saints): "Defensively, it really came down to two huge third-downs – third-and-10, coming off the goal line down there, we give up a deep corner route to Michael Thomas when we’re breaking on someone in front of us, when we should be sinking – two rookies, who both played really well other than that play. Then, we get a third-and-four, we’ve got them stopped and we get a penalty on grabbing a guy coming out of there, and they go down and score [and] make it a two-score game. Both of those were when it was a one-score game and were huge third-down plays. When you’re playing that type of game on the road, you’ve got to make those plays and we didn’t get it done.”

(On Vernon Hargreaves' play): "I’d like to have better. I think he’s capable of better. He’s got great hands, he’s got great anticipation, he’s a very smart player, so yeah, I would expect a little bit more."

(On whether referees and coaches have a clear understanding of what is pass interference and what isn't): "I think that’s very accurate. I do have a professional that I’m listening to who knows that rule book inside and out [and] who did it. I don’t challenge unless I agree with him and he agrees with me. Both [challenges], we thought we had hands-down winners, or we don’t challenge them. It went the other way, so I would just like to see a little more continuity in everything.”

(On the health of tackle Demar Dotson): "I doubt he plays this week – we’ll see. Josh Wells will go in there. I do have to commend Alex Cappa – he broke his arm in the second quarter [and] played the entire game. He’ll miss a few weeks. But it’s next-man-up – you can’t make excuses, so we’ll have a new right side of our line probably this week.”

(On the importance of Sunday's game): "I talked to our guys about it. If we truly have leadership, we don’t lose two in a row. That’s when your leaders show up, so this is a big game.”

5 of the Best Takes

Chris Godwin continued his fiery start to the 2019 season with another standout performance against New Orleans. He finished the game with seven receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns.

-- Pro Football Focus

Again, Jameis Winston had a roller-coaster performance on Sunday. He complemented a handful of well-placed throws with a number of inaccurate passes and poor decisions. His inconsistent play kept Tampa Bay’s offense off schedule far too often for the team to come out with a win.

-- Pro Football Focus

Shaquil Barrett came back down to earth this game. He was nonexistent as a pass-rusher, giving Bridgewater all the time in the world. And Barrett’s teammates along the defensive line didn’t have much success, either. New Orleans’ offensive line kept the Tampa Bay pass-rush in check all game long.

-- Pro Football Focus

Vernon Hargreaves III was the victim of Michael Thomas' incredible game. He allowed a catch seemingly every time he was targeted, resulting in a poor day in coverage. 

-- Pro Football Focus

Bucs rookie defensive backs Sean Murphy-Bunting and Mike Edwards both had underwhelming performances against New Orleans. The duo allowed multiple first downs in coverage and recorded one missed tackle each on the day.

-- Pro Football Focus.

Game Balls

Offense: When the Bucs throw the football, how many fans wish it was going to Chris Godwin above anyone else? He's becoming a star.

Defense: Kevin Minter had 10 tackles to lead the Bucs. Who did the Bucs draft No. 1 again?

Special teams: Bradley Pinion averaged 43.8 yards per punt.

Grades

Quarterback: Two penalties negated interceptions by Jameis Winston. His game wasn't as good as his rating would indicate. Grade: C.

Running backs: Both Sean Peyton and Ronald Jones had some decent runs, but the Bucs didn't run it enough. Grade: C.

Receivers: Godwin was impressive, but Evans was shut out and O.J. Howard had one catch. Grade: D.

Offensive line: Six sacks is ridiculous. Winston was on the run several other times. Grade: D.

Defensive line: No sacks, no impact. Grade: D.

Linebackers: Minter and Lavonte David combine for 15 tackles. Grade: B.

Secondary: It was an upset whenever Teddy Bridgewater threw an incompletion : Grade: F.

Kicking: Matt Gay had a decent day, nothing spectacular. Grade: C.

Unsung Heroes

1. Scottie Miller had an 18-yard run for his first positive of the season

2. Bobo Wilson had an 11-yard catch.

3. Jerome Whitehead had seven tackles and two passes defensed.

4. Sean Murphy-Bunting had five tackles and an interception.

5. Carlton Davis had five tackles before being ejected.

Ranking the Opposing Quarterback

1. Teddy Bridgewater, Saints 131.3

2. Daniel Jones, Giants 112.7

3. Jared Goff, Rams 80.3

4. Jimmy Garappolo, 49ers 80.2

5. Cam Newton Panthers 70.1

Mike Evans' Worst Games

2019 New Orleans 0-0

2015 New Orleans 0-0

2017 New Orleans 1-13

2018 Carolina 1-16

2014 Detroit 2-13

Most Bucs Receiving Yards Through 5 Games

1.              Keyshawn Johnson (2001)                                   548

2.              Chris Godwin (2019)                                          511

3.              DeSean Jackson (2018)                                      501

4.              Mike Evans (2018)                                              484

5.              Bruce Hill (1988)                                                 461

5 Winston Stats

Passing Yards 9 1,371

Rating 21 97.2

Touchdowns 2 11

Interceptions 6 5

Sacks 4 16

Random Stats

Sacks Shaq Barrett 1 9

Tackles Lavonte David 34 35

Receiving yards Chris Godwin 3 511

Rushing Yards RonLS Jones 16 302

Scoring Matt Gay. 5 45

Ex-Buc Report

1. Gerald McCoy had four tackles in Carolina's 34-27 win over Jacksonville.

2. Bryan Anger had one punt for 35 yards in the Texans' 53-32 win over Atlanta.

3. Cairo Santos missed four field goals in the Titans' 14-7 loss to Buffalo.

4. Adam Humphries caught four passes for 30 yards in the Titans loss to Buffalo.

5. Atlanta's ageless Matt Bryant kicked a 35-yard field goal in Atlanta's loss to Houston.

Receivers to Come

1. Julio Jones Atlanta (twice)

2. Michael Thomas New Orleans (again)

3. Larry Fitzgerald Arizona

4. D.J. Chark Jacksonville

5. Tyler Lockett Seattle

Power Rankings

Ranking Bucs

Massey Ratings 21

OddsShark 20

NFL Spin Zone 22

Fansided 22

Sporting News 21

Looking Ahead

5 Things England Gave Us

1. The Beatles

2. James Bond

3. William Shakespeare

4. Robin Hood

5. Harry Potter

5 Things the Bucs Will Offer in Return

1. Vernon Hargreaves

2. Carlton Davis III

3. Matt Gay

4. Bobo Wilson

5. DeMar Dotson

Best Panthers

1. Julius Peppers

2. Steve Smith

3. Luke Kuechly

4. Greg Olsen

5. Cam Newton

Favorite Panthers

1. Sam Mills

2. Kevin Greene

3. Jake Delhomme

4. Gerald McCoy

5. Christian McCaffrey