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The Bucs were 11-point favorites against San Francisco. Had they held the 49ers to minus-1, they would have at least earned a push.
The way they looked, Tampa Bay might not score 11 points in November. With near-obsessive attention spent monitoring the status of Cadillac Williams, many Bucs fans overlooked the real problem - the guy in front of him.
Through six weeks - during which they amassed a 1-5 record - the 49ers played with what many were saying was perhaps the worst NFL defense of this generation. Philadephia merely hung 52 on them. Arizona (Arizona!) embarrassed them on national television in Mexico.
Maybe it was the Montana-era uniforms they broke out Sunday, but San Francisco looked anything but historically bad against the Bucs.
The same shouldn’t be said for Chris Simms. For most of the game, Simms held onto the ball like it had laces of pure gold. When he bothered to let a pass fly he often short-hopped it to the point that the untrained eye would have sworn he was playing pepper with middle infielders.
Unfortunately for the Bucs, he wasn’t trying to hook up with Jorge Cantu or Julio Lugo. It was usually Joey Galloway or Michael Clayton, people compensated very well to help avoid the offensive morass Tampa Bay finds itself in.
Galloway, of course, gave Tampa a glimmer of hope with his long touchdown catch-and-run. But the fact that Simms threw the ball no more than 5 yards forward - leaving the rest up to Galloway - says everything about Jon Gruden’s confidence in Simms.
The game’s ending was the perfect embodiment of the entire day: Simms, peeling himself off the turf after yet another sack, his outplayed and dispirited linemen standing around him, wondering whether to even bother with another snap (they didn’t, by the way).
It’s not like the 49ers haven’t pulled this before. St. Louis came to town in Week 1 and received the same sort of humbling. Yet there’s something to be said for the psychological effect on a team when it realizes its limitations. That moment came for San Francisco in Mexico City.
This experience wasn’t as bad for the Bucs - they’re not horrendous, at least not at most positions. But the effect could be the same.
Posted by BigD, Tampa, Florida on 10/31 at 09:55 AM
I have been reading the comment on this page for the last six games and have never made a comment. But reading all of the comment from you know-it-alls trying to coach the BUCS from the sideline and say what player should play, what should be changed… is actully quite comical.
I Hope all of you that wanted to get rid of Griese enjoyed the performance by your golden boy Simms!
And I wander how many of you that are now bad mouthing Gruden wanted Dungy out and now look at him.
So, give it a rest and stick to what ever it is you do best and let these guys do what they do best.
ISN’T THE GAME OF FOOTBALL GREAT!!!!
Posted by Ron Undieme, St Petersburg on 10/31 at 09:37 AM
What can a guy say? Just awful is it. Awful QB, awful RB, awful D, awful coaching. Just an awful team. Do you think the Colts would trade coaches? Well, what would we give to have Tony Dungy back? Gruden and Simms should have been sent home not Rice. Never would have missed them. And the D. When did they forget how to tackle? Maybe they should learn not to read how good they are in the local papers. They stink. The whole team gets an F. Except for Galloway. He seemed to be the only one who wanted to play.
Posted by Bobby, Rolesville,NC on 10/31 at 09:17 AM
I’m still optimistic about the playoffs(no I’m not)But doesn’t it seem that the Bucs play to their competition, if we play a horrible team we play horrible, if we play a top tier team we bring it. Why can’t we stretch the field with a weak passing defense like the niners?, geez! Is there a team more frigging aggravating to be a fan of. Gruden, you had better get your head out of your can and come up with an aerial attack that will open up the alley for Cadillac. Simms, get it done this week or get used to holding the clipboard…
Posted by Bruce Miller, St. Louis, Missouri on 10/31 at 09:10 AM
Fellow Buccaneer Fans, this one stings!! I by no means claim to be a football expert, I state my opinions just like everyone else and try to back them up with facts. Like I said last week in the sound off page: this game had trap written all over it. We should never have lost this game. The mark of a good team is to beat opponents you’re supposed to beat. I think the game plan failed ( was there one?? ) the o-line did not play well, Simms did not play well, and Simeone Rice let the team down. Let’s put this debacle behind us now because division play starts and you’ve got a pretty good football team coming in to town in Carolina.
Posted by Bruce, Florida on 10/31 at 08:51 AM
While simm’s was not prepaired, the offensive line was terrible. Not many quaterbacks or running backs excell without blocking!
Posted by Maggie, Florida on 10/31 at 08:29 AM
I always thought Simms couldn’t cut the mustard, NOW, I know, for sure. Trade him off, If possible!! Gruden needs to watching his behind also, he can be replaced. The whole team needs a bunch of practice, at what they do. Way to many penalties,and errors. THIS team is in for a bad season, from here on out!
Posted by jose, riverview on 10/31 at 01:26 AM
the losing streak begins
a bunch of pretenders
Posted by Jack, Phoenix, AZ on 10/31 at 01:20 AM
Don’t blame Simms, the O-line, Gruden’s play-calling or Rice’s no-show. I realized this latest loss is all my fault. My wife and I attend West Coast Bucs games for week-end get-aways. So far, we’ve been to four pathetic Bucs loses in the past two years. Oakland, San Diego, Phoenix and now SF ... I see a trend - I promise to NOT attend any more west coast games.
The SF game was essentially a replay of the Phoenix loss last year. No offense, stupid mistakes and making a poor team (SF) look like a bunch of All-Pros.
Posted by Anthony Lipsey, Fort Worth, TX on 10/31 at 12:28 AM
Seems to be the same Bucs as the past two seasons. If we are supposed to have an offensive guru for a head coach we need to find him. Gruden has no idea what it means to prepare a team for a game they should win. For Ken Dorsey and a special teams player turned QB to beat us is unacceptable. Gruden needs to understand that his job is not secure.
The Bucs will be hard pressed to win another game all season if they contnue to play like that. 5-11 is a reality that is within our grasp. I do not see anyway we can beat Carolina next week or Washington the week after that. November is not going to be a pretty month!!!!
Posted by Bryan, Tampa on 10/31 at 12:26 AM
yes, yes....i agree, horrible performance guys! Can’t possibly expect to beat Carolina or even the Saints if you continue this way. Maybe the bye week had the opposite effect and they got a lil rusty. Whatever it is, i don’t think simms should be starting.
Let’s get Luke in there NOW please.
Posted by mistersrd, Montgomery, Al on 10/31 at 12:20 AM
The Bucs have lost two games they should not have. The 1st game was to a 46 year old quaterback that Monte Kiffin would not blitz, and he let Vinny sit there and do enough to beat them.
Today Sims was horrible. That was one of the worst performances I have ever seen. He was tentative, did not set his feet, ran into tackles, threw interceptions, held the ball too long etc.
Has anyone ever seen this offensive line before? I have for the last two years. There were no holes for the backs. They made the worst defense in the league look good.
The offensive line and the quarterback were not ready to play today, S. Rice got sent home comming off the bye week, wait until you see what Carolina does to them next week. Makes you wonder what the coaching staff did to get this team ready to play.
To all the Buc fans who were crying about wanting Sims to replace Griese now you have him, I will take Griese.
Prediction for the season, 8 W and 8 L and the Bucs miss the playoffs by 1 game.
Posted by bucfan76, Tampa on 10/31 at 12:10 AM
Face it, Simms sucks. He was useless at Texas and he is useless in Tampa.. He is a pathetic excuse for a qb..
Posted by bill, saratoga, ca on 10/30 at 11:09 PM
Overconfident Bucs ambushed at the stick.Huge confidence builder for Niners--Bucs should certainly make playoffs Chucky will figure out how.
Posted by EB, NORFOLK, VA on 10/30 at 11:05 PM
Pathetic, beyond embarrassing, and painful to watch. No life, no enthusiasm, just plain dull. After a bye week you would think the Bucs would be rested and hungry for the win. They missed a golden opportunity (perhaps their last) for a sure win, which reflects very poorly on coach’s ability to motivate and lead this team to success. Today’s game let everyone know that this team is no where near the caliber of what is expected from a 5 and 1 (now 5 and 2) record. Offensive line and coaching deserve an “F” because they were manhandled by SF and the offensive coaches (Gruden) were totally stymied by a 1 and 5 team. We are in for a long, disappointing season. Playoffs? No way. This team will be lucky if they win at least two of the remaining nine games. The questions that need to be answered are what changes will be made in the near term to be competitive, or at the very least, to build for next year’s success. This team is looking at a 7 and 9 record, best case.
Posted by Annoyed, on 10/30 at 10:54 PM
I have never posted my opinions about the Bucs before. This time, I can’t resist. It amazes me that Buc fans actually pay money to sit in the overpriced, crowded seating at R.J. Stadium year after year, only to be rewarded with dispicable performances like today and an arrogant head coach that really doesn’t like fans anyway. There is no excuse for today’s disaster. No winning attitude. No lust for the golden ring. Completely flat all the way around. I’m glad I have never paid for a Bucs game ticket since 1979 when they lost to the Rams 9-0 in the NFC Championship game.
Posted by Jesse, Zephyrhills on 10/30 at 10:42 PM
Unbelievable! For a 5-1 team we played like an 0-5 team would. No passion, no zeal, nothing. Where was the offensive firepower we seen against the Dolphins? It seems like the bucs lose to teams we should waste and beat teams that we’re not supposed to, but that won’t happen all season long. Jon Grudens play calling is starting to get to me, its pretty generic, maybe its because we have a QB that is so erratic, one week he shines, then the next he sucks. This is what Chris did last year, against the saints he looked good before he got injured, then against Arizona at the end of the season, he played bad. Oh wait, thats the Chris Simms of Texas, the one who couldn’t win the big games, and now we have him as our starter. This game was his shot, and against a sorry team, he failed, give it to McCown who seems to be more in command when he’s playing and throws the ball with authority. Notice to Monte, PRESSURE THE QB!!!!! in the words of our famous coach, Jiminy Christmas!
Posted by Bucsgal, Florida on 10/30 at 10:38 PM
Why, on third down, would you call a play that yields a five yard pass when you need at least 27 yards to get a first down?
I don’t blame Chris Simms totally for the loss, although there is no excuse for him being unprepared after watching for three years, having a week off, and playing fairly well against the Dolphins under pressue. But, this was his week to shine- to make his mark. In the end, we still do not have a reliable leader, either in our head coach who seems too busy with personal issues with players to enforce discipline in the team, or at the quarterback position. (Our eternal curse!) Happy Halloween Tampa- if they didn’t scare the heck out of you today, just wait till next week!
Posted by Tom, Bradenton, Fl on 10/30 at 10:35 PM
Other than the obvious (Simms was god awful, the TB line play was PATHETIC), 3 points to consider.
1. Not only is the 49ers D bad, but was considered not only one of the worst D’s this year but the worst in the past DECADE. Also with recent injuries it was playing with many recent PRACTICE SQUAD PLAYERS, yet the Bucs made them look like they should be going to the pro bowl.
2. With all the talk about Simms, what about Michael Clayton?! He’s been horrible ALL YEAR including preseason. I havent seen him play a game since late last year where he hasnt dropped a pass, he didnt let me down today either. Clayton’s proving to not be an option in the passing game, and is reminding me of a better blocking version of the UF duds Reidel and Jaquez.
3. Can someone PLEASE FIRE Bisaccia?! PLEASE? Every game the Special Teams are horrible and penalty plagued.... what does he have to do to get fired?!
Posted by Milton Deson, Powhatan, VA on 10/30 at 10:29 PM
From what I can see Simms leaves the protection of the pocket unlike Griese. No wonder the offensive linemen are looking around to see were Simms went. If Griese can get protection from the line dropping back only three steps, why does Simms have to drop back so far that he leaves the protection?
I also think its hard to run on the blitz when they know the quarterback is freaking out. But all in all a sluggish game, bad performance and can someone on special teams not block in the back? What’s up? You guys can’t seem to figure out what a block in the back is. You’re killing us with your stupidity!!! Stop it!!!!
Posted by J Allan, on 10/30 at 10:26 PM
Something is askew here. We run Tony Dungy out of town because his offense was, shall we say dull, unproductive, boring.
I like Jon Gruden, but my infatuation with his “offensive genius” has worn off.
I’m deeply concerned that his phone book offense is too complicated and perhaps flawed, in the sense that two plus two doesn’t equal four. Or maybe it does equal four but everybody else has caught onto the secret of two plus two.
Simms is athletic, uses his running ability and arm strength. If he makes a mistake can it be any worse.
The Westcoast offense was highly successful for awhile. But the NFL isn’t stocked with thumb suckers and panty wipes. They study, they adjust they counter attack.
Get vertical with this offense, put some risk in it.
Posted by Simon, Tampa, Tampa Fla. on 10/30 at 10:10 PM
Terrible performance by the offense, and the defense was not much better. What special teams? The quarterback was uncertain, made very bad decisions, and
should not be chosen to start or play another game for this team
Posted by Jon, Sarasota, Sarasota on 10/30 at 10:10 PM
Simms is obviously not the guy. Unfortunately he’s the best we got right now, which is sad. I think boy wonder (Gruden) is showing his inexperience. I’m tired of his slow to take action mentality. Everyone but him can see that they’re are slackers, underperformers, and those overrated that anywhere else would’ve been fired. My top choice to go NOW! Bill Muir, next, Anthony Becht. GRUDEN you have to demand more. KICK SOME A** CHUCKY or it will be yours!!!!
Posted by Fred, Largo, Largo,FL on 10/30 at 10:10 PM
Put the blame for this embarrassing loss on the “Offensive Guru” Jon Gruden. He runs the same plays over and over and does not make any adjustments. He also does not have his team ready to play on both sides of the ball after a bye week? Get ready for an 8-8 season unless they pull together and Gruden learns to make the right adjustments. Ever hear of a screen pass?
Posted by Geoffrey, San Antonio, San Antonio, TX on 10/30 at 10:06 PM
I understand rules and regulations but to send Rice home when the division is this close is idiotic… fine him money rather than give him the day off.
Simms can’t pass when the line is letting everyone inside, I mean c’mon they got 52 rung up on them last week… jeez
Gruden needs to get this team together!
Posted by JohnMc, Chandler, Az on 10/31 at 09:58 AM
Defense wins championships!! Yea right, not without an offense. If defense won championships, Tampa would have won at least four Superbowls since 1998. Face real Buc’s fans. We got our championship! Cherish it. I waited for 24yrs from 1979 to 2003 to get one. I am looking for nothing more than to play up to our potential and be competitive. Our starting qb is gone this yr. Now we have no potential. It is fustrating, but long live 2002-2003. That keeps my happy!!!!