Vulcan Mind Meld Time For Bucs’ New QB
September 7th, 2015
The Bucs’ new QB will be in a similar position next Monday
For those who missed it, Tampa Bay has a new quarterback. Yes, a third quarterback, a guy plucked off waivers who will be on the 53-man roster for at least a few weeks, per NFL rules.
His name is Ryan Griffin.
Griffin was cut by the Saints as he entered his third year with New Orleans, the same team the Bucs play in Week 2. That’s also the Saints’ home opener. (Scary note: Sean Payton’s teams have won six consecutive home openers by a combined 51 points.)
Joe imagines what will happen next Monday. After the Bucs-Titans game, Lovie Smith will bring Griffin into a room with defensive coaches and dissect Saints game film and discuss Drew Brees’ tendencies and preferences through training camp and preseason, among other things. Joe wouldn’t be surprised if hypnosis is involved.
It can’t hurt to get good intelligence on the Saints. Can it?
Bucs icon Ronde Barber has said he’s seen many Bucs head coaches sign guys to learn about their former teams in preparation for an upcoming game. But Barber’s take was that the shared intelligence often hinders defensive players from playing fast because they start thinking too much. Or, Barber said, the info is flat out misleading or inaccurate.
Joe thinks the intelligence is super valuable, assuming the coaching staff getting the data uses it properly and with restraint.
September 7th, 2015 at 9:44 am
I don’t get having 3 QB’s on the active 53. What intel could this dude have that film does not give you? I hope there is a deal in place for him or #8 or there is a roster spot rotting away.
September 7th, 2015 at 9:47 am
The intelligence is not in the data by itself but in the way you deal with it.
I have difficulties to use the word Intelligence with the coaching staff of the Bucs.
September 7th, 2015 at 9:50 am
I have difficulties to use the word Intelligence with the coaching staff of the Bucs.
If the Bucs coaching staff cared about JBF posters I’m sure the feeling would be mutual.
September 7th, 2015 at 9:51 am
I agree with Barber. Drew Brees has been in the league long enough. Plenty of film to disect. If your going to go off of a third year backup to learn how to beat the other team….a team you SHOULD be very familiar with by now than thats a big concern in my opinion. Hell the guy probably knows exactly why you brought him here and will tell you his strenghts are his weeknesses help the saints beat us than get re sighned by the saints.
Watch the tape and do your jobs!
September 7th, 2015 at 9:53 am
Intel on NO is purely a bonus….It seems to me that the Bucs want a 3rd QB to learn the system if and when they deal Glennon during the season.
This deal is all about MG8
There was absolutely no other need because we could simply place Lobato on the practice squad for backup purposes.
September 7th, 2015 at 10:05 am
The Bucs play NO two times a year. Are they really going to waste a roster spot on a guy to help them for a division opponent that they already know very well? I hope L&L have a better plan in mind.
September 7th, 2015 at 10:20 am
L&L pick him up to trade Glennon for a pass rusher once the new guy learns the offense…
September 7th, 2015 at 10:25 am
It is possible that the Bucs see something in this guy more than just a source of info.
If he was primarily signed in order to get an “edge” on NO – he can still be valuable for that purpose. Knowing the verbiage they use and what certain words mean and what pre-snap hand signals mean can be a big advantage for the defense.
September 7th, 2015 at 10:26 am
how long is griffens contract – that may tell us something
September 7th, 2015 at 10:37 am
Joehelldeloxley Says:
The intelligence is not in the data by itself but in the way you deal with it.
BINGO! A long look at the U.S. national security intelligence is a great proxy for the Bucs. Now you have it, hat do you do with it. And a 3rd QB. What’s your intelligence on him. Is he your intelligence blanket for the disposal of Glennon? #3 is pretty damn good huh. Plays like whiz and know the Saints better than your film guys? Sick stuff.
September 7th, 2015 at 10:41 am
Waste of a roster spot.
September 7th, 2015 at 10:42 am
Griffin might know secrets that the Bucs don’t know about the Saints. Little things that can impact the game. Under hypnosis he will spill his guts providing the winning edge in game 2. He also played at Tulane, a brain powerhouse of sorts.
September 7th, 2015 at 11:09 am
You guys seem to be glossing over the fact that Brees is not the only player on the team. As a QB, Griffin should have a pretty good understanding of what their WRs, TEs and RBs are struggling with or where some exploitable weaknesses are. What the OL is doing and how our DL can take advantage of their soft spots. What the OC’s tendancies are in terms of play calling. Although, it’s probably all coming from Payton anyway, but it could be helpful to know how he plans to use the current roster now that Graham is gone. There is plenty to be gained from signing the kid. Plus, having the ability to trade Glennon once Griffin is comfortable with the system is not a bad thing at all.
September 7th, 2015 at 11:13 am
Secrets? Bucfan37 cannot be serious…….!!!!!!!
It’s all about getting it done on the field…..and that’s where this team needs to focus…..
Not sure this team is ready to play good football.
September 7th, 2015 at 11:15 am
My suspicion is that he will be used for the 3 manditory games….part of the 53 but not 46…..then sent to the practice squad and prepare to be backup if Glennon is traded or Winston is seriously injured. That isn’t a bad plan.
It really isn’t much of a waste of a roster spot in that case if he is merely one of the 7 that sits for 3 games.
Anytime we want….we can sit the punter and use Brindza as the only kicker if we need an extra player for a given week.
September 7th, 2015 at 11:16 am
@TBBF – Great points
September 7th, 2015 at 11:17 am
This is clearly a no B.S assement of the offensive line, and that’s concerning.
September 7th, 2015 at 11:38 am
Two problems: the Buc’s cut their best return man this Preseason–Hall who has great hands and was a genuine deep threat. Second: Licht failed to pick the best qualified QB off the waiver wire with a Heisman, Two National Champ rings, took over an NFL Team 0-4 and won the next 7 games and took them to the playoffs, beat the Super Bowl Champs in his playoff game, setting a playoff NFL Record for most completed long passes in a game, and also in the last preseason game this year had far surperior stats to Glennon. He also is durable and can run out of trouble if an inexperienced OL breaks down. Instead we have a QB who never saw the field for the Saints in a regular game. Bad error by Licht who should Know better and is well paid to make the best choice!!!
September 7th, 2015 at 11:43 am
OwlyKat is clearly a woman a is in love with Tebow lol
September 7th, 2015 at 11:45 am
@Owlykat
If these are mistakes by Light…..the 31 GMs from the other teams made the same mistake.
To my knowledge, no team has claimed either player….and, although I’m surprised, Hall wasn’t selected for the Bucs practice squad ahead of Dye or Clay….
It’s still early yet and lots can happen.
September 7th, 2015 at 11:52 am
As obvious as it is that pass rush help and OL protection for the Bucs new, franchise QB has been paramount all pre-season, it is really troubling that at least 10 DEs and 26 OL players were signed Sunday by 27 NFL teams after Day of the Reaper, yet the Bucs only pick up a 3rd string QB, 2-LBs, and added depth with 1-DE and 1-C? Really, after having first dibs at EVERY available player?
If that’s 2015’s highly touted draft, then 2016’s draft position may very well have been secured yesterday as well.
September 7th, 2015 at 11:53 am
…….highly touted SECOND draft that is….
September 7th, 2015 at 2:09 pm
Player evaluation is throwing darts! They get rid of Penn and Zuttah, sign Cousins. Like Ali beçause of drills at combine, waste roster spot on scrub QB.
September 7th, 2015 at 2:32 pm
Why does everyone assume that Griffin was brought in for his offensive ‘intelligence’? Why isn’t it just as likely (or more so) that he was brought in to tell about the defense he practiced against? Regardless of whether it was first, second, or third stingers, the defensive philosophy was the same. With O-line being the glaring weak spot, with the Buccaneers, any knowledge of tendencies of the opposing defense, would be helpful.
Mind you, I am not buying that he was brought in for ‘intelligence’ purposes in the first place. Just sayin’.
September 7th, 2015 at 3:04 pm
Ryan Griffin had his 15 minutes of fame this year, when someone bust his head open with a champagne bottle at a club in New Orleans. But he was the 1st player that the Bucs signed off waivers, and the Browns were the only other team to bid on him. The only thing that makes sense to me is,the Bucs likes his potential as a solid backup. Mike Glennon won’t be a Buc for long, Jason Licht will move Glennon sometime this season. With this cream puff schedule, we should win 10 games with a one leg QB.