Fear Factors

September 3rd, 2014

Former Bucs DE Steve White, a 2014 coaching intern under Lovie Smith, identified fears for Bucs fans and opponents. Rookie kicker Patrick Murray made the list.

So how do you defend Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson, Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Doug Martin all on the field at the same time?

This is what will — and should — scare the life out of Tampa Bay opponents this season.

Former Buccaneers defensive end Steve White (1996-2001) asserted yesterday on WHFS-FM that the aforementioned talent pool could be the best the Bucs have ever put on the field.

White is not worried about their performance.

“The questions will be, ‘Can we protect our quarterback and can our kicker make kicks?'” White said.

“At least one of those, I think our offensive line will be able to protect our quarterback, but we’re all going to have to find out about [kicker] Patrick Murray together, though,” White said.

Yes, White is down on Lovie Smith’s move to keep Murray and dump proven Connor Barth. On the upside, White is confident Logan Mankins will make Anthony Collins and Evan Dietrich-Smith better, in addition to freeing up Dietrich-Smith to help whoever plays right guard.

On defense, well, White says the Bucs defense will get to the point where they “choke people out,” like the glory days Bucs used to.

It sure sounds like, per White’s commentary, he believes the Bucs will go as far as Josh McCown can take them.

12 Responses to “Fear Factors”

  1. Evan Says:

    SO pumped.

    Got my ticket see you Sunday!

  2. Harry Says:

    I read an analysis of the matchup for this Sunday that had me very excited. It compared the Bucs to the Panthers based on last year’s standings. Being that CAR won the NFCS with a D that was ranked 2nd overall, but an offense that was 26th overall, I am really excited about what the Bucs might be able to do this year.

    I think the Bucs’ D can possibly be a top 5 unit and I feel we have a shot at doing better than 26th (maybe around 20th? or better?). That would be enough to at least put us in contention for winning the NFCS

  3. Bucfreak Says:

    Apparently we resigned Major Wright?

  4. GlenninGrad Says:

    Major Wright resigned to replace Sims. Pretty crazy. And it’s certainly gonna be great.

  5. Bucfreak Says:

    GlenninGrad, this means we don’t have a kick returner. We had predicted Patton to be recalled when Sims went to IR.

    Is Lovie praying for some last minute heroics from Bobby Rainey?

  6. BigMacAttack Says:

    I don’t think Lovie puts a lot of stock in the Kick Return game since most licks go through the endzone these days. Punts often end in a Fair Catch which further lowers the need for returns. I think it is a percentage thing and Lovie doesn’t want to devote a roster spot to a guy that only does returns. We will see though, but that is how it appears to me because Patton did a very good job in preseason.

  7. Jim Walker Says:

    How you stop the Bucs offence is by stopping the run and getting pressure on McCown on 3rd down.

  8. FLBoyInDallas Says:

    ^Um, that’s pretty much how you stop any NFL offense.

  9. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    BigMacAttack Says
    “I don’t think Lovie puts a lot of stock in the Kick Return game…”

    That would contradict everything he has said or done.

  10. Jason Says:

    Is it me or does Murray look a little like Johnny Football in that picture?

  11. The Fuzzy Red Coin Purse Says:

    Jason, I thought the same thing that Murray looks like Johnny Football. Just image was could have been if we did grab JF. Oh well, I like this next years class of QB’s coming out in next years draft. If Glennon can take the job then great, if not we need to draft one.

  12. angrybuddha Says:

    “So how do you defend Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson, Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Doug Martin all on the field at the same time?”

    You don’t have to. You sack the QB because the Oline is swiss cheese.