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Forum: Talk Sports
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You wonder how a team can go from division champion to whatever that was getting run over top of Sunday at Ray-Jay in the space of an off-season, but maybe we already knew. In times like this, you look back on all the things that scared you about the Bucs heading into this year because every fear came true in front of our eyes in a 27-0 loss to the Ravens.
Fear No. 1: Offensive line. There were extenuating circumstances (two starters were hurt), but it was over-matched by the Ravens’ defense.
Fear No. 2: Chris Simms is still too inexperienced. Well, I think he’ll be just fine, but you’d have to give credence to at least a little of the paranoia after watching him struggle. A lot of people wondered if his limited work in the exhibition season didn’t catch up with him (he said that wasn’t a factor), but whatever the problem he simply must play better.
Fear No. 3: Cadillac wasn’t ready. Here’s another guy who didn’t work out the kinks much in training camp, but you can discount at least part of his 8-carry, 22-yard day as a product of the one-sided score. The Bucs weren’t going to catch up by running. Then again, there were no holes for him to run through anyway (see Fear. No. 1).
Fear No. 4: The defense is getting old. The defense sure looked creaky on the Ravens’ opening drive, which took about 9 minutes and chewed up most of the first quarter. And where were the takeaways when the Bucs needed to force a turnover to get back in the game?
Fear No. 5: A lack of depth at receiver. They sure didn’t show much, did they? Lots of dropped passes and very few open targets for Simms to hit.
Fear No. 6: Standing pat wasn’t the way to go. The Bucs didn’t do anything significant during free agency and their top draft pick, guard Davin Joseph, missed the game because of injury. It didn’t take long to learn that this year isn’t last year, did it?
It’s one thing to lose. It’s another to get humiliated. Yes, it’s only one game - common sense requires that we say that. But is anyone else out there getting a bad case of the uh-ohs right now?
Posted by loise bishop, naples on 09/11 at 11:29 AM
It seems to me the defense has always given up drives early in games, even during the Super Bowl year. It played pretty well Sunday, considering, but could use a big play hitter.
Simms is going to struggle when Gruden goes to the short pass/ball control offense. Power running and the deep pass are more to Simms’ strengths. Hopefully Gruden will remember last year’s winning formula and Buenning and Joseph will make a difference.
The Bucs should have made some tough cuts--Wade, Spires, Quarles--and offered Julian Peterson and LeCharles Bentley huge contracts.
Posted by bryan waddell, brandon on 09/11 at 06:42 AM
I just want to know how many chances Simms will get. i dont remember Shawn King playing as bad or geting the same chances, and Williams is a back whos best days are against tteams that are 3-13, and gets his yards when they dont matter, in tight and important games hes allways is a non-factor,and every game Gruden proves what a lousey coach he is.
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Posted by Joe Martin, Naples, Florida on 09/21 at 01:34 PM
Yes, Chucky Boy’s recruiting has
been as poor as can be. The team has
never improved to a point where
you can praise Gruden’s rebuilding
process. Unfortunately, the defense
still has a part of Dungy’s influence
and is still capable to keep us in the game but it’s key people are getting
old. I hate to think what Gruden will
do to replace the D , when his offensive expertise has continually
struggled since his comming.