Big Guns Still Out For Bucs
September 29th, 2016
The second day of Tampa Bay practice leading up the Bucs-Broncos clash on Sunday brought more bad news.
Luke Stocker, Robert Ayers and Doug Martin haven’t practiced since prior to the Week 2 clash in Arizona. Add backup wide receiver Cecil Shorts to that mix.
No huge surprise on Martin, but it was unclear whether Stocker and/or Ayers might test their ankles or be nearly ready.
The pass rush has been impotent since Ayers was lost midway through the Arizona game. And Stocker has been a significant loss in the run game. The Bucs’ leading rusher, is popping just 3.4 yards per carry.
It’s very rare for a significantly injured player to miss practice on Wednesday and Thursday, and then play on Sunday.
September 29th, 2016 at 4:18 pm
How many times has Luke Stocker actually played a full season without missing games?
(I’ll give you a hint…. It’s less than 1)
September 29th, 2016 at 4:26 pm
unbelievable
I am pretty sure it’s the same number of seasons GMC has played all 16 and that’s 2
September 29th, 2016 at 4:40 pm
it is what it is….GO BUCS!!!
September 29th, 2016 at 4:44 pm
I’m hoping ayers can be back by mnf, but i dont know the seriousness of the injury. According to joe his ankle wasn’t even wrapped yesterday
September 29th, 2016 at 4:51 pm
They are just laying low to lull the Broncos into thinking they aren’t playing. I live in Denver, and if we could please just win ONE game, let it be this one. Man I am tired of these guys after winning the SB. All last season they acted like their team was falling apart and there was no way to win if they didn’t bench Peyton Manning. Sad and pathetic. Dear Bucs, please win this one!
September 29th, 2016 at 5:13 pm
I would sure like to see Rogers start at running back, instead of Sims. Carolina demonstrated you need a power back against Denver.
I like Sims, and what he brings to the table, but running inside the tackles is not his strong suit. He goes down far too easily and quickly, not the type of runner to punish and wear down a defense.
September 29th, 2016 at 5:54 pm
Sad to say…but Denver is my survivor pick this week. (Though I would gladly exit the pool with an upset win.)
September 29th, 2016 at 6:08 pm
Chris@Apple – Rogers is definitely not a power back. Sims isn’t either, he’s too freaking upright and is an easy takedown. Might as well try Peyton Barber if you want a power back. He’s built more like a bowling ball and isn’t afraid to make contact.
September 29th, 2016 at 6:11 pm
No dependable running game until Stocker is back!
September 29th, 2016 at 6:16 pm
Bucs Defense will not allow them to beat Denver. Sorry guys. If it were not for that, I’d say we have a chance. Jameis will have to be spot on with no interceptions. I see a ferocious broncos pass rush coming our way. The like of which we have not seen this far. There will be no Magnificent 7 or Spartan theme on Sunday for our Bucs. We..just have to get out of the game..alive.
September 29th, 2016 at 6:20 pm
@MIke Johnson
Hard to disagree with you. Anything is possible, but based on how easily the defense is outclassed in the first 3 games I don’t see any sudden transformation. And if Jameis has to throw it 50 times he’ll get hit on at least 10 of them. The Broncos just have too much team speed on defense to overcome.
September 29th, 2016 at 6:25 pm
If I’m the Bucs I’d revert to max protect packages with Pamphile playing as a 6th lineman. For as long as the game is competitive. It’ll give them a better chance overall and maybe allow them to establish a running game. One less target sacrificed to avoid disrupting the pocket would be worth it for Winston.
September 29th, 2016 at 6:27 pm
Yeah, I want the Bucs to win. But a lot of these Buc fans refuse to deal with reality. They..wish, hope and pray something magical will happen and presto..WE WIN!!! That’s not how the NFl works. Jameis had better hope our running game is somehow on. If not, He’s gonna spend a great part of his tenure on the field, on his back. Bucs have not seen a great pass rush yet this season. They will on Sunday.
September 29th, 2016 at 7:02 pm
Ayers needs to get back in there…He adds some NASTY to the DLine
September 29th, 2016 at 7:18 pm
Lol, the bucs just faced one if the best 4 man fronts in the league. Aron Donald and Robert Quinn would be an up grade on almost any team. I agree that the Broncos pass rush is better , but don’t act like the Rams are chopped liver
September 29th, 2016 at 7:53 pm
Hickerbilly..no need to say more. Nobody said the Rams were chopped liver.
Our Bucs have not seen a better pass rush..yet. Even you say, The Broncos are better. I rest my case there sir!
September 29th, 2016 at 8:57 pm
31 year old DE is injured and slow to recover good thing we didn’t pay $7+million for him, at least we have a young buck DE drafted in the 2nd ready to ball out!!! What he only plays 12 snaps a game, why? He can’t play on running downs, that doesn’t make a lot of sense considering we give up 33 points a game but are a top run defense, how are we giving up so many points but only stop teams from running, huh maybe try rushing the passer with a young DE that we drafted to I don’t know RUSH THE FREAKING PASSER
September 29th, 2016 at 10:53 pm
Wally Pipp!!
September 30th, 2016 at 9:30 am
I don’t know why it took the loss of Luke Stocker for them to remember how successful they were last year deploying a 6th OL, but i’m glad they finally started doing it again last week. Given Stocker’s role, you might as well just have Cherilus and Demar Dotson (former basketball player, maybe some ball skills) line up next to one another on the right and get back to pounding the rock the way Dirk says he wants to
September 30th, 2016 at 10:15 am
tmaxcon Says
“I am pretty sure it’s the same number of seasons GMC has played all 16 and that’s 2.”
Surprisingly no. Stocker’s last fully season was his only full season…and it was in 2012. Personally, I consider him a waste of a roster spot.
Gerald McCoy technically had two, however, year before last was the year Lovie kept his starters out to get the first pick in the last game…so McCoy didn’t miss that game due to injury. So you may as well say 3 full years.
September 30th, 2016 at 10:17 am
Noah Spence is being eased into his role. I’m fine with that. Come the bye week, he’ll be given more responsibility.
Remember, there current starters have to play themselves out of the starting roles, and Spence has to earn the starting role. Making him earn it is a good move. Makes him work for it…and how many times have we seen players be given starting rols and NOT work for it?