Defense Key Today

December 14th, 2014
Corralling Stinking Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart should be priority No. 1 today for the Bucs.

Corralling Stinking Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart should be priority No. 1 today.

The last time the Stinking Panthers squared off against the Bucs, despite having the immortal Derek Anderson at quarterback, the Stinking Panthers rolled up 334 yards of offense to win.

If the Bucs are going to win today (and kiss goodbye the No. 1 overall pick in the draft), they must do something about that. Unfortunately, the Stinking Panthers are coming off a helluva offensive performance.

Last week in New Orleans, the Stinking Panthers curb-stomped the Saints, rolling up 497 yards of offense, the most they have produced in nearly two years (when they rolled up 530 yards of offense at New Orleans).

The big factor was running back Jonathan Stewart when he had 155 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. That was his second-highest rushing output in five years.

The Bucs have been playing much better defensively since the bye, but last week showed they can still be hurt by the run. Joe would suggest here that the key is to stop Stewart and force Anderson to beat you.

Joe would rather take a chance with a slug beating you than a savvy veteran coming off one of his best games.

18 Responses to “Defense Key Today”

  1. Louis Friend Says:

    I have to wonder how many fans actually want the Bucs to win these last 3 weeks. I don’t.

  2. Harry Says:

    In the NBA they tank games to get better draft position. Come on Bucs, show us some of that Magic

  3. NCMike Says:

    @ Harry…. No need to tank. Our team sucks at every angle!

  4. bucrightoff Says:

    I wanna win the last 3 games. For one we’d ruined 2 and possibly 3 seasons (depending on Green Bay) doing so. But this is such a loser franchise, with such a loser culture they have to start winning to turn it around. Going back to when we were 6-4 under Schiano (remember that?), we’re 7-28. I mean that’s just….wow horrible. These guys gotta start winning or the loser culture will only get worse (i.e. more acceptable). People can want the #1 pick but that means they believe getting it is instant salvation, a quite foolish thought.

  5. Brent Says:

    I’d take mariotta or Winston but these guys aren’t locks to be good like rivers manning luck rothlesberger were. Check out the stats on the bust rate of qbs taken in the first round. I’d be equally concerned with who we were going to draft in the offensive and defensive lines. I think we need at least 4 good picks there between the 2.

  6. BucFanForever Says:

    Defense of that #1 draft pick.

    Be wary: Carolina could be tanking too. This might be one of the most pathetic games of football ever viewed on TV. Punting on 1st and goal. Whiffed field goal attempts. Loafing that would make 2011 look like pro-bowlers.

    I am looking for to it.

  7. The_Buc_Realist Says:

    Respect is earned!

    The coaching staff and players have earned nothing!

  8. Destinjohnny Says:

    Please lose

  9. Fort Myers Dave Says:

    I’m with Bucrightoff, win the Carolina game and then have all the “winless for Winston” crowd start cheering for the Jags, Titans, raiders, Skins, etc…. How can you watch today and hope that the Panthers win, you guys so hapy with L&L’s FA decisions and first draft that you trust them with the 1st overall??? Nothing would seem better than to knock Carolina out of the playoff hunt….

  10. Soggy Says:

    On the pregame show some weeks ago Jimmy Johnson bragged about not caring about winning meaningless games for better draft picks, I think it was the year before he won the superbowl.. He just used the last games to evaluate his guys..So why not do the same for our future? I know there is no guarantee on the draft but if jimmy would not have tried he sure would not have at least one of his rings.. you can’t know unless you try, We need to try a new QB and upgrade the oline and OC..

  11. The_Buc_Realist Says:

    Forget hiring an OC this offseason. Demote Lovie to DC, cut his salary in half! Hire a real head coach! Problem solved.

  12. Lovie equals 2015 Blackouts Says:

    Did you know that Marcus Marriotta has a 101 TD to 12 INT career ratio?

    I mean he averages over 30 TDs and less than 5 ints a season.

    Pretty amazing if you ask me.

  13. ihateloviesmith Says:

    with the first pick, the tampa bay buccaneers choose, from the state of confusion, holder dufert buffoon , as quoted by mel kipper ” good kid never missed a hold ” analysts say he’s a good fit for lovies offensive offence, when asked about the pick and why they did not want to pull the trigger on Heisman award winner, marcus marriota head coach lovie smith said ” as we scouted mariota, we actually liked the kid, he had done some good things for his team in Oregon, we really liked his escape ability, accuracy, and his leadership skills” still being pressed on why he did not take the QB with their top pick lovie said quote ” what we were concerned with, was his completion percentage, it was only 68% ” and also ” remember he also had 2 interceptions, with that I just wouldn’t feel comfortable with such a sloppy job of ball handling back in the pocket” besides ‘ we are very happy with our QB’s going forward”

  14. Buccfan37 Says:

    I rest peacefully knowing the Bucs will try to win today. No tanking needed. Knock the stinking Carolina polecats out of playoff contention. That will be a sight for sore eyes. Just win baby! Go Bucs, show them you’re not just running out the string.

  15. Sethb22 Says:

    I’m watching Johnny football and the redzone channel today… Watching the bucs score on the stat tracker.

    Yeah, that’s how I feel about it joe. Johnny football and a 30 pack

  16. Scotty in Fat Antonio Says:

    College Mariota = College Josh Johnson.

  17. Louis Friend Says:

    Scotty – I was just thinking the same thing. Josh Johnson threw one pick in his senior season. Funny how the NFL doesn’t work the same as college, aint it?

  18. Louis Friend Says:

    By the way, the Bucs really are TRYING to win! That’s what makes it that much more important that they lose. They’re this bad and most of these guys are going to the wall to try to win a game. And they can’t do it.

    The Bucs have been money in the bank most of this season. I’m just asking for a few more weeks of consistency.