Keep Calm
September 30th, 2018
Yes, Joe gets this afternoon’s post-blowout outrage, and it’s reasonable to direct it at Mike Smith and join Joe in calling for him to be defrocked like Jim Bates was.
However, there’s no reason to throw in the towel on your 2-2 Bucs.
Joe was begging and pleading and praying a month ago for the Bucs to find their way to a 2-2 record at the bye week.
In Joe’s Labor Day mind, that 2-2 mark represented a solid accomplishment against a brutal schedule with a backup quarterback — for a team that hadn’t yet proven it was mentally tough.
And here we are at 2-2.
Yeah, it’s a weird 2-2 and the Bucs certainly have lost a load of momentum. But America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, has returned. The bye is here to fix things, and there’s no reason to expect the Bucs to roll over. There is enough talent in the house to win games.
If Dirk Koetter does the wise thing and fires Mike Smith, then Joe thinks that could represent a boost, along with Vita Vea shedding rust and maybe Ronald Jones adding a spark.
For the fans who yearn to be negative, Joe advises you to take a breath and wait a few weeks. See what the Bucs do at the Falcons and at home for the Browns. If they drop those two, well, then Joe will join them in wanting to burn down the house.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:17 pm
Totally agree Joe…looks like Fitz has turned back into a pumpkin as well.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:18 pm
Today gave us a bunch of reasons to throw in the towel.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:19 pm
I have no confidence in a Dirk Koetter coached team to to anything meaningful, we’ve seen this movie before, I don’t see how most readers here have confidence in him.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:19 pm
Just like Minnesota last year. No heart. We have been fooled before. People aren’t stupid. No running game and no defense whatsover. Even if they were average there would be hope. You are selling snake oil.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:20 pm
This one is a pile of crap. You better just write ‘please keep checking this site’. America’s qb my ass. Defense is pathetic but the offense was almost as bad, especially when it mattered. America’s qb included
September 30th, 2018 at 4:21 pm
I voted “no confidence” in each poll this year. First two games were a mirage, this is your 2018 Bucs.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:21 pm
The time for “calm” is over. No more excuses..lose games, lose fans.
The time for hand holding and singing kumbaya has passed.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:21 pm
Vea was slow off the snap and got manhandled all day. So much for his super human strength.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:22 pm
Mike Smith should be fired before leaving Chicago. It’s the perfect time to do it with the bye week looming. I don’t see it happening as Dirk is extremely loyal.
On a side note, Ali Marpet played his worst professional game and Caleb benenoch can’t block!
September 30th, 2018 at 4:22 pm
As I have been saying Coach Koetter did a terrible job handling the QB situation when Jamies got back and he has made a terrible decision to retain Mike Smith after having the fifth worst defense in NFL history last year.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:22 pm
The irony of Fox going to Mariota battling in OT to win.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:22 pm
Proud to be one of the few who had the eyes to vote no confidence in the coaching poll, all along
September 30th, 2018 at 4:23 pm
I agree Joe. No need to throw the towel in just yet. However, if Licht doesn’t fire Smith, especially with a bye week, then they have just conceded that the defence has peaked. We will be 4-12 without some serious changes.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:23 pm
You are right Joe. I think this team could find a way to get over these beatdowns and start playing at a professional level again……….And yes something does need to happen to make a change in that defense. Firing a coach mid-season is pretty tricky but either way they need a fundamental change.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:24 pm
I agree @Steve in Mad Beach
September 30th, 2018 at 4:24 pm
Hahahahahaha Bucs fans. Lord have mercy.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:24 pm
No words can describe the way I feel about this organization as a whole from top to bottom smh
September 30th, 2018 at 4:26 pm
@Buc15
not sure what game you were watching but I saw the exact exact opposite.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:26 pm
Fire Mike Smith now, give new coordinator more time with bye week to get oriented.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:26 pm
Falcons lost, LOL!
So they’re in the basement.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:27 pm
Why is Vita Vea is so out of shape? I thought the coaches said he lost weight. Wtf Mike Smith?!
September 30th, 2018 at 4:27 pm
Worst organization in sports period.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:27 pm
I think Vea did ok for his very first NFL game…..I saw him moving the pocket quite a few times
September 30th, 2018 at 4:28 pm
I’m not looking at the bye, the Falcons, or Browns. Mike Smith has to be priority #1 – get on the phone and find a D-Cord or promote someone within. Not really sure who you promote cuz everyone on the defensive side sucks and who has Coordinator experience? Nobody.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:29 pm
And more importantly, and this drives me nust, you say 2-2 is good because it goes well with your preseason schedule eveluation which means NOTHING. That’s why, in the nfl, you must win the winnable games (last week’s) and never say “we marked it as a loss anyway so we’re good”. Your preseason assessment of the schedule is useless. Same thing was said last year after the loss to the Patriots. People said its ok because its the Patriots. Well no. A winnable game at home- you got to win it cause a team like Chicago, which most thought should be a w, is now an l. Thats the nfl. 2-2 is not ok. Its 2 losing streak which exposed, yet again, this team’s weak mentality and its way way beyond mike smith. Way beyond.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:30 pm
At least the falcons also lost
September 30th, 2018 at 4:30 pm
Mike Smith must go
September 30th, 2018 at 4:31 pm
Cowboys just improved to 2-2 and you would’ve thought they won the Super Bowl… they went crazy With the right moves during the break it can all get back on track… Fire Smitty. Do what it takes to get Bell. And I got the feeling JW AND #11 could be a cancer to this team going forward. Trade Jackson, maybe throw him with a deal with Pittsburgh to get Bell here
September 30th, 2018 at 4:31 pm
Vea for his first game was doing unreal
Especially considering he had no camp
Strong man
September 30th, 2018 at 4:31 pm
Vita V looked good
September 30th, 2018 at 4:32 pm
@BucFan90,
He’s not in football shape dope. Hasn’t played a game ever in the NFL. The NFL game is faster and there are more talented players at all positions. You can’t seriously expect him to make an immediate impact. Even with that said, he was straight controlling the middle of the line and pushing people back. I saw him get double teamed too. So, he’s definitely disrupting the OL and getting noticed. He’s going to help the LBs and DEs get sacks cuz the interior line is going to collapse on the QB. But, only if Mike Smith is fired and someone competent is brought in.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:32 pm
Fitzpatrick had a start for the ages while looking like Kurt Warner’s best self those first two games. Take his performance and tone it down to a mediocre Jameis stat line and you have 0-4 instead of 2-2. Licht knows how to build losing football teams and Bucs fans know how to blindly buy into the hype.
I’m sure they can win a few more games but there’s no reason to think a team that can’t defend the pass can make the playoffs. Good thing the astute GM wasn’t following.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:32 pm
@Anthem
Dude anyone who actually knows how to identify what player they’re actually looking at is saying Vea played well. And the dummies are sticking to their ignorant narrative of him being fat and out of shape.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:32 pm
Yea that makes so much sense joe. It’s not like we have three years of losing under this regime so yea wait for them to lose the next 2 games. Are you actually trying to say we would win a game based off the defenses play because if not you need to fall back with that foolishness. Oh yea let’s wait for another losing season to make changes. If that’s the case might as well blow up the defense and start all over. Lvd and Kwon were non factors on defense and I’m tired of watching dirk and smith be out coached every week. You wait but I had to endure all of the over the top nonsense about Fitz magic and now that everyone has come back down to earth I have to relax and calm down? Stupid just stupid
September 30th, 2018 at 4:33 pm
Keep Calm? I agree that 2-2 is light years better than I had expected but keep calm? Don’t forget those two wins came on the strength of the offense playing lights out. We knew that couldn’t be sustained forever. Conversely, the D has sucked since last year. Smith probably has a hard time covering up at night if the a/c gets too cold! This team goes nowhere until Smith goes elsewhere. Period. We would be b3tter served with some of the high school defensive coaches in the area. Get him outta here and give the young guys a chance to develop. Enough is enough. Let’s give the team a chance. NO chance with Smith here. The O will bounce back. The D doesn’t have anywhere to bounce back too.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:33 pm
6-10 and should have drafted derwin james
September 30th, 2018 at 4:35 pm
So a ship full of holes is not gonna sink?
September 30th, 2018 at 4:36 pm
SchwiftyBuc Says:
September 30th, 2018 at 4:32 pm
@Anthem
Dude anyone who actually knows how to identify what player they’re actually looking at is saying Vea played well. And the dummies are sticking to their ignorant narrative of him being fat and out of shape.
———————————————————————————-
Vea did his job today:
He moved the pocket
He clogged the running lanes
………………you’re spot on with your comment
September 30th, 2018 at 4:38 pm
Wow, the Titans owner must be loaded, because these refs are clearly on the take in this game. Their offense is awful, yet they get a key call from the refs to keep them alive time and time and time again. Anywho Titans get it done, beat the Eagles.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:39 pm
The “other” Joe is right. Fire Smith now.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:39 pm
Titans win after the refs give them like 15 extra chances to keep the drive alive! Eagles lose!
September 30th, 2018 at 4:39 pm
Joe, the problem is the first two games disguised how bad the defense really is…it’s not going to suddenly improve. It’s the worst D in the NFL.
The team is headed for 5-11.
Season over on line 1.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:41 pm
I’ve witnessed this team quitting on their coaches several times during this regime. It’s time for a change. This game wasn’t a reason to panic. Nobody should panic, because honestly, nobody should care anymore.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:43 pm
Said it since Bell didn’t report, but the best defense is an offense that scores 40. Trade for Bell. Pittsburgh wants him gone, so offer up Brate and Ronald Jones, only offering Brate because of his salary, should help balance things out.
For those that say the Steelers won’t take that, most “experts” think they’d be lucky to get a 3rd rounder, and even that is unlikely. For those who say they’d get a comp pick – well that only happens if they don’t sign anyone.
So trade for Bell, promise him you won’t tag him at the end of the year so he suits up, and try to put up 40.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:43 pm
On the Vea topic…I’m a fan and did not know he played. So he was invisible. First game though. Unlike some ‘fans’, I give a little more time than a single game.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:44 pm
I don’t see how Mike Smith survives this week. We’ve seen far too much to think that he will be able to right the ship. If they do fire him, I don’t think it will be Buckner at all in an interim role, I believe they would promote Duffner. This was the game they were supposed to prove what type of defense they are and they did.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:44 pm
Like I said, Im not drinking the kool aid anymore.
Show me,dont just run your gums with the rah rah b.s.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:45 pm
That was the absolute, bar none, worst defense I’ve ever seen. That was a total embarrassment. No one on the defense did their job. Maybe a play or two they did, but no one played acceptable. And GMC is all mouth. He got owned today. Should have traded him. Fire Mike Smith now.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:45 pm
LOL, Rod Munch, you must be drunk! lol
The Bucs should trade one of their best players, Brate, for a guy who is said to be commanding a third round pick? Seriously, dude. Lay off the booze or the typing for the day, because nothing is making sense. And this is coming from someone who enjoys your posts, lol.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:46 pm
How many blowouts does it take for things to change defensively? How many games are done by halftime? How many garbage QBs get to put up records on us? Things have to change on defense even at 2-2. This is some bull and we all know it
September 30th, 2018 at 4:50 pm
Bonzai – I like Brate, but he’s hardly one of the best players, he’s a backup to OJ. You’d have to include him to make the salary work. Anywho, yes, you trade a backup TE for the best RB in football, and it’s really not close.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:51 pm
Oh god, how embarrassing, the Chargers field has soccer markings on it. UGH. WOW, the NFL needs to heavily fine the Chargers for that.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:52 pm
Guys we have talented wideouts and tight ends
Offensive line average to slightly below
Running back- way below arverage
D line – average
Backers okay
Secondary -young and on there are a few players there
But on the whole below average
Qb I would rank him 22nd
Gm below average
6-10 – 8-8 –
2-2 after 4 games …..I’ll take it
September 30th, 2018 at 4:53 pm
Bonzai – Also, not to pile on, but it’s really doubtful that Brate is back next year, not at $7m a year, not with all the guys we have to resign and with how good OJ has looked. Brate signed a “big” deal, but that deal is just a series of one year $7m deals, one which the Bucs can get out of at the end of every season.
Assuming I got the salary right, that the $7m counts this year, you’d need that, and some more, to fit Bell into the salary cap.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:55 pm
I searched long and hard for a positive…..my game ball goes to Brian Anger…..punted 5 times without fumbling the snap…..no blocks……and he committed no penalties…..good job, Brian!!!
September 30th, 2018 at 4:55 pm
Vea is too fat and slow to be anything other than a run stopper. That’s it. His get off is brutally slow. Wasted pick
September 30th, 2018 at 4:56 pm
@Rod Munch,
Brate is not a backup with how injuries go. He’s a legit starter and Koetter was all about 2 TE sets. But, since we were clicking with the receivers and running game sucking, he didn’t need 2 TE sets. Although, I would have used 2 TE sets in the redzone.
Trade GMC if you want to be smart about off-loading some cash with Vita back and Will Gholston being a surprising cog in the middle.
September 30th, 2018 at 4:57 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai
Brate is one of our best players really? That’s why they Rarely used him this year before Winston got back I guess. Me personally I doubt bell would make a difference and why would you come here to shorten your career anyway? This o line is pure trash with benonoch being the ring leader. It’s time to get rid of warhop also because I’ve never seen a team regress for weeks at a time like we do. Players play well as rookies and come back worse the next year. They need a change and they should just purge overpayed veterans on the defense after this year because only they just aren’t getting it done. The cameras caught veterans falling apart and the new guy jpp trying to rally everyone
September 30th, 2018 at 4:58 pm
S.O.S. EVERY year with this team! Start the season Hopeful, play a great first game, then revert back to the Same Old $hit! EVERY SEASON! The ONLY ones making out here with people like Joe telling you not to worry…is people like Joe, who’s livelihood depends on how well the Bucs do….and the GLAZERS! This season is OVER, just like most with this team. WE’LL BE LOOKING AT NEXT SEASONS DRAFT BY THE END OF OCTOBER.
September 30th, 2018 at 5:01 pm
But trading for Bell is a pipe dream. We have so many problems on the defensive side and we have some key players that need to be locked up in the offseason.
I’d rather trade for a CB. I guess Keith Tandy will get a good laugh after the bye when he sees how pathetic our secondary still is.
September 30th, 2018 at 5:01 pm
Two things, if you walk away from this team because of this loss your were never really a fan, don’t let the door hit you on the way out. I’ve been a fan through season good and bad since 1977. Real fans aren’t going anywhere. Second, 80% of we’re crying that our schedule made a winning season impossible. You were wrong about that and you’re wrong now if you panic. This game was an embarrassment, no hiding that. We are luckier than the Dolphins who got just as embarrassed and have to play next week. We have a bye. I’m not sold that Koetter is the man to take us back to the promised land either but he’s got as good a shot as he could wish. There will be no excuses, but they better not quit. And neither should you.
September 30th, 2018 at 5:03 pm
lambchop – I actually don’t disagree with you about Brate, I like Brate, I really do and I’m not giving backhanded compliments, I think he’s a really good TE that could start for most of the league and I’d hate to lose him, but you’re talking about a trade involving Bell. If the Bucs can pull that off, you pull that off. Yes, I’d be very worried about injury since the Bucs have no TE depth beyond Brate, but again, we’re talking about Bell, the best RB in football.
Also, as stated above, it’s unlikely Brate sticks around due to his salary and the way the Bucs did his contract.
You make the move if the Steelers go for it.
September 30th, 2018 at 5:05 pm
BTW what in the world were the Colts doing, going for it, with like 24 seconds left in OT from their own 40. My gawd, Dirk would have punted on 2nd down in that situation just to be safe, but Indy went for it, made zero sense. I like aggressive, but that’s just dumb.
September 30th, 2018 at 5:10 pm
@Rod Munch,
We don’t have the Steelers OL. He’d get frustrated here and be a diva. No thanks. I’d rather trade GMC for some defensive help. We can survive with Vita, Gholston, Mitch, etc. JPP is ballin.
As below average as our RBs are, we can win with a consistent effort on the defensive side – yes, with Winston as the QB. MY whole problem with JW3 is his propensity to always try to make something happen on every stinkin play. He’s a “Get rich or die tryin” kinda guy. I’m actually interested in seeing how we plays with the new weapons. But, in no way do I think Fitz lost this game. Our defense got torched. Our OL is playing inconsistent as well. There are problems that coaching can fix, but I don’t know that we have the right HC, GM, and definitely DC on the job right now.
September 30th, 2018 at 5:11 pm
Sloppy and heartless play, no D, no run game and far too many penalties.
September 30th, 2018 at 5:13 pm
Well, not new weapons but new OC.
September 30th, 2018 at 5:23 pm
The Bears were not losing this game no matter the opponent. They made the Bucs look bush league with an amazing beatdown. Have to give them credit for the thrashing.
September 30th, 2018 at 5:37 pm
I would be willing to bet that we wouldn’t be 2-2 with ATM in the game at the beginning of the season….. Fire Smitty and tell ATM no on a contract. Obviously he hasn’t changed a bit . 2 turnovers in a half? Same old Americas Turnover Machine.
September 30th, 2018 at 5:47 pm
Vita Vea is looking like a bust. Should’ve never been drafted by Tampa. He’s too slow and had nothing today. Another one of Jason Licht’s great ideas. When is Joe going to call for his firing? Get this man out of one buc place before he does anymore damage to this team.
September 30th, 2018 at 5:56 pm
LMAO!!!
Keep Calm?
Ain’t this what they tell us every Gotyam year? Its early right? Only 4 games in right? We say and do the SOS every GD year before we sink even further into the depths of..Loserville.
What a franchise Aye? Excuse me..Honey. I’ll have another..DOUBLE!!!!
September 30th, 2018 at 6:04 pm
Vie is a 21 year man child playing in his first NFL Game. The couple of series that I saw he did a respectable job in the middle. Freeing JPP and GMC get pressure. He and the D-Line seem to be the least of our problems. That soft cover 2 has been bad for like 2 years with no improvement.
September 30th, 2018 at 6:17 pm
And here comes back the band wagonders at 2-2 going into the bye. The Fitzmagic was over after Pittsburgh. Defenses know how to play him now. Winston has played one half. Likely to be better in week 6. Worst passing defense was starting third safety that seemed to be no where close to receivers. GOD AWFUL GAME BUT TRUE FANS KEEP THE FAITH AT .500 WEEK 4.
September 30th, 2018 at 7:34 pm
Meanwhile in California, Derwin James Jr just provided a sack causing a game ending interception. Jason Licht should be fired immediately. Fire Licht. Cut Koetter. Get arid of Mike Smith already.
September 30th, 2018 at 7:46 pm
JOE
There’s no reason to throw in the towel on the Bucs, but there’s every reason to throw in the towel on this defense. Worst defense in the NFL each week so far, and they are only getting worse.
September 30th, 2018 at 8:15 pm
FIRE SMITH NOW AND RESIGN RAHEEM FOR DC 2019!!! Watch this young secondary bloom.
October 1st, 2018 at 9:10 am
Can we stop calling him “America’s Quarterback”? He is barely Tampa’s quarterback at this point.
October 1st, 2018 at 9:01 pm
Destinjohnny:
8-8 or 6-10 may be okay with you.Ive been a buc fan through thick and thin.Mostly thin! Enough!! Can you imagine the fans in Pittsburgh or Philly going through by my count 32 or 33 years of losing football? All the while the tax payers were put on the hook .
The trade off is winning! Right??