Turnover Numbers Put Bucs In Elite Company

November 13th, 2012

In his one sighting Sunday, LeGarrette Blount kept things high and tight near the goal line.

Maybe it’s raw fear of the head coach. Maybe it’s the constant drilling of fundamentals. But more likely both are why the Bucs aren’t coughing up the football very often.

Veteran scribe eye-RAH! Kaufman of The Tampa Tribune notes that the Bucs have a +11 turnover ratio this season, good for fourth best in the NFL behind the Patriots, Bears and Giants.

At this point, Joe is stunned when a Buccaneer not named Josh Freeman fumbles; that’s a good thing.

Newcomer cornerback LeQuan Lewis was the surprise Bucs kick returner Sunday, and he promptly fumbled his first return, then recovered it and finished with a lousy eight-yard return.

Lewis was called to the sidelines immediately by Greg Schiano and the two chatted for a long 45 seconds. Joe talked to Lewis about that chat, and Lewis assured Joe that Schiano was all about love and confidence, not U-Haul reservations and intimidation.

“Coach just wanted me to get rid of it. ‘Get rid of it,’ is what he kept saying and that I’d have a lot of other opportunities to do my job again so go out and do it,” Lewis said.

After the game, Dallas Clark said the Bucs’ turnover ratio has been extraordinary. “It makes all the difference,” Clark said.

14 Responses to “Turnover Numbers Put Bucs In Elite Company”

  1. Tuggz Says:

    On an unrelated note it was nice to see Clark get a touchdown last game. It appears that he rarely sees much action and I bet that irks him.

  2. the_buc_realist Says:

    last in the league in Pass Denfense, yet we are 3rd in the league in Interceptions.

  3. Sneedy16 Says:

    @Tuggz

    I don’t really think it does. He is getting paid and they are winning. What’s not to like about that. He is a team player and I seen Dallas blocking more now that he did with the Colt, but if they were losing then that would be a problem.

  4. Sneedy16 Says:

    On another note Leonard Johnson is on the ballot for Pepsi Rookie of the Week on NFL.com

  5. flmike Says:

    @the_buc_realist
    And for all the yardage we give up in the passing game, we have only allowed 16 passing tds to go along with those 16 ints, bend but don’t break, passing yardage doesn’t win games, scoring does.

  6. Bucnjim Says:

    It’s great to see Schiano and the new coaching staff have success in teaching these young guys how to play fundamental football. The difference between this year and last is night and day. These guys are tough and physical!

    On another note: Have all the nay sayers been evicted from this site or are they hiding just waiting for the first screw up before they come back. At least man up and admit things are looking better than they have in a long time. Anyway; it’s nice to come on in the morning and get a positive vibe from everyone.

  7. Keys Says:

    Ray Edwards was just cut by the Falcons. I’m not saying we need him though.

  8. mikeck Says:

    Yeah, dont confuse Clark with Winslow Jr.

  9. Have A Nice Day Says:

    I’m just very excited about the play of Te’o-Nesheim. He absolutely destroyed the Chargers back up LT.

    Gary Gibson also played very well. I’m glad to see the back ups are coming around.

  10. Paul Says:

    Tied for 3rd

  11. CanadianBucsFan Says:

    Schiano and his staff have been impressive so far. Last year we were one of the worst in the league for turnover ratios, vise versa this year.

  12. MR.T Says:

    Well it appears the bucs have zero confidence in Michael Smith since they are using everybody but him. It appears he’ll be gone after this season, maybe he’ll get a real shot somewhere else

  13. Miguel El Magnifico Says:

    BucnJim says, “On another note: Have all the nay sayers been evicted from this site or are they hiding just waiting for the first screw up before they come back.”

    When the Head Coach spent the game collecting fines in his little notebook, I complained and they changed.

    When Raheem or the Little General refused to make half time adjustments, I complained and the Little General changed.

    When GMC didn’t put up any stats, I complained and he put up some stats. I’ve since relented, if the Bucs are happy with his level of disruption, who am I to complain.

    When they kept the playbook closed and shackled Freeman, I complained, since the bye week, they opened it up and let Freeman breathe.

    When the gauntlets held this team back, I complained, they relented, gave Bowers a pass. Since then, it’s not been a pressing issue lately.
    A couple players were actually added to the roster this week and played. Although they had to spend several weeks recovering. How nice?

    I preferred Chip Kelly, the Buc’s 1st choice as coach because I wanted the Bucs to win and Kelly is the best coach in America, bar none. The Bucs are starting to win so what does it matter who the coach is.

    Someone had an intervention during the bye week and turned this team around. Maybe it was Butch Davis, maybe Bryan Cox, maybe Malcolm Glazer or maybe Mrs Schiano.

    I’ve been accused of being a troll, some one who was not a fan, just trying to disrupt the conversation. Not true, just a pure fan, hoping for the best. When the best happens, there is nothing to criticize, but I for one will never join the Amen Chorus.

    “At least man up and admit things are looking better than they have in a long time.”

    Since the bye week, things are looking better than they have in a long time. Hallelujah!

  14. Oahubuc Says:

    “good for fourth best in the NFL behind the Patriots, Bears and Giants.”

    One big thing all of these teams have in common? Big meany coaches who make the poor little millionaires do stuff, demand things be done a certain way, and who no one wants to play for.