It Is About Winning
September 13th, 2016
Robert Ayers not big on style points.
Joe commented previously that the Bucs’ three-score lead on the Dixie Chicks with a few minutes left in the third quarter was like watching a made-for-TV movie on the Syfy Channel.
Well, that lead didn’t hold up well, as Atlanta had the ball late with a chance to tie or win the game.
The bend-but-don’t-break defense nearly broke. But Robert Ayers wouldn’t hear of it. After the game, he bluntly told Joe it’s all about winning, which the Bucs did.
“I wouldn’t say it was bend-don’t-break,” Ayers said. “I will say we came up big when we needed to. That is what this league is about. You have to beat close teams out. We didn’t expect for them to just lay over and quit. They were going to fight.”
Ayers has a solid point. Like Brent Grimes said after the game, Matty Ice is going to make plays. He’s not some slug like Josh McCown.
And at the end of the day, it’s all about winning the game. Last year the Bucs had a huge lead on the road and the defense puked all over their shoes. Remember the Capitol Collapse, where the Redskins had their biggest comeback in franchise history?
That didn’t happen Sunday. That’s progress.
September 13th, 2016 at 6:19 am
That was then and this is now, and today is Tuesday, we beat a team that is not going to be very good this year! One down 15 more to go! I’m more worried about who we signed to take Jac Smith place on the roster!
September 13th, 2016 at 6:36 am
Bucs defense certainly did come up really big when they needed to, although they played great all game. There was still plenty of time remaining for the Falcons to score even though they had no time-outs left. The game was in the hands of our defense at that point, and like Ayers said they ‘came up big when they needed to.’ That’s HUUUGE … to lose this first game like we lost to the Redskins last year could’ve set the bad tone for the whole season. Instead, Sunday’s win turned out to be a great confidence-booster for our whole team. Awesome job Bucs!
September 13th, 2016 at 7:03 am
This was their first game in Mike Smith’s defense. They are only going to get better as the season wears on.
September 13th, 2016 at 7:14 am
Welcome back Bighoghaynes!!!! There were reports of an abandoned 87 ford LTD on the Skyway bridge and we all feared the worst!!!! Now BigHog, you are a stand up man! Tell the truth, did you not smile, or said “Yea” or even yelled “get those Jive Turkeys” this past Sunday!!!!
September 13th, 2016 at 7:14 am
@ bighog, i would say nice to have you back but we all know thats not the case. Go follow your boy @ Illinois and be ok with his losing, penalties, no heart, no passion, and his nepotism. We have a real coach and coaching staff now and I know its not the case but I hope lovie was betrayed or “stabbed in the back” if it means we get to watch a competent head coach on the sideline.
You’re going to be one of those guys who discredits every win and says “told you so” for every loss. Do us all a favor and give it a break.
September 13th, 2016 at 7:31 am
My sentiment exactly,some want Famous to look all pretty and s@$! in the pocket. He’s not about pretty, just about winning. The delivery will never look like Brady’s the scrambles will never resemble Mike Vick. The wins will undoubtedly feel all the same. Guuuuudd.
September 13th, 2016 at 8:19 am
I’m guessing they bring back Courtne Brown in Smith’s place. What do u think Joe?
September 13th, 2016 at 8:41 am
It’s a win and it’s definitely nit-picking but I’d like to see more from our offense than 3 and outs in that situation. A couple of solid, time-consuming drives would’ve taken the pressure off the defense. I bit off 7 of 10 fingernails in the 4th quarter!
September 13th, 2016 at 9:24 am
Where’s Pablo? I miss his wisdom and wit. Was he deported for taking to many siestas? This is a call out to Pablo. Pablooooo!!! Where are youuuuu???
September 13th, 2016 at 9:35 am
Cmon guys..of course it’s great to have BigHog back. It’s a sports blog and what are sports about but debating. If we all agree that pretty much shuts down any debate.
And think about this…the Bucs are improving at such a rapid rate with such likeable stars, coaches and exciting offense that we all pretty much agree! Hard to really debate any of it. We need some BigHogs and others to keep this blog lively.
So I say…Welcome back BigHog.
September 13th, 2016 at 11:03 am
@SPBF: No way. BHH’s nonsense doesn’t promote debate; he simply has an axe to grind.
When someone says something stupid, I now say: “Get your head out of your BigHogHaynes!”
September 13th, 2016 at 11:12 am
Why the BigHog hate?! There’s some truth to what he said above. We were “supposed to” beat the Falcons and if a team coming off of a 6-10 season is “supposed to” beat the Falcons, then that doesn’t say much about the Falcons now does it?
It’s a win and we’ll take it! There are some kinks that need to be worked out, but it’s looking better so far.