Climbing Up The Charts
November 22nd, 2017
King of Bucs takeaways.
This may be a season from hell between Hurricane Irma, the losses, the injuries and the Jameis/Uber mess.
However, one area where the Bucs are rapidly climbing the charts is takeaways. The five takeaways (three picks and two fumbles recoveries) the Bucs had Sunday in Miami was the most since playing Detroit in December 2013, when the Bucs also had five takeaways.
There is a common theme here that goes totally against the popular belief among NFL types. If you listen to just about anyone in the game of football, they believe forcing turnovers equates to wins. It helps, sure, but one doesn’t automatically lead to another.
The Bucs are currently tied for third with the most takeaways this season at 19. The other two teams they are tied with sure look headed toward the playoffs, the Lions and Rams. But here comes the fly in the ointment.
Just like in 2013, guided by then-Bucs commander Greg Schiano, the Bucs finished tied for third in the NFL with 31 takeaways.
Just like in 2013, this season’s Bucs have a losing record.
While takeaways are nice, so too is forcing an opposing offense to friggin’ punt once in a while on the road.
November 22nd, 2017 at 9:16 am
While takeaways are nice, so too is forcing an opposing offense to friggin’ punt once in a while on the road.
or scoring TD’s when we get a TO would be nice too!!!!….GO BUCS!!!
November 22nd, 2017 at 9:23 am
BTW Joe you will like this. During my college football surfing I stopped on the Ohio State Illinois game. It was BRUTAL!!! Ohio State scored early and often and at will. The announcers were trying to figure out how the rest of the game would go and suggested perhaps OSU needed to bring in their third string…they weren’t kidding!!!
But as announcers are supposed to do they struggled to present at least one positive about the Illinois program.
Guess what…the “Fighting?” Illini are apparently near the top of the Big 10 in takeaways! Same ole Lovie,
November 22nd, 2017 at 9:24 am
It means your offense sucks and can’t capitalize on opportunities. And before the Miami game we were an even zero on +/-
November 22nd, 2017 at 9:25 am
I don’t really like excuses but early in the season we lost Kwon, David, and sporadically Grimes… Since their return the defense has been effective…
November 22nd, 2017 at 9:39 am
Colorado just hit Uber with $8.9million in fines for “Shady Drivers”
Maybe that helps Jameis?
November 22nd, 2017 at 9:39 am
“While takeaways are nice, so too is forcing an opposing offense to friggin’ punt once in a while on the road.”
……scoring TDs instead of FGs on offense doesn’t hurt either!!!
November 22nd, 2017 at 9:55 am
Just like sacks…. it’s about pressure perceived or real. You have to squeeze the pocket in passing downs. Sacks are nice but only matter on 3rd or 4th Downs.
November 22nd, 2017 at 9:55 am
Koetter gets near the Red Zone and starts running the ball….he’s trying to protect the 3 points instead of going for 7…..playing scared….all game.
What ever happened to the Bucs that put up 45 against Phil at Phil?
November 22nd, 2017 at 9:58 am
Doolnuts
Agree completely!! Injuries are real and not just excuses. So remove your very best defender for the start of the season…LVD sits a couple..and then take a thin Defensive Backfield and sit the star corner for a few games. It’s not good!
Oh and btw did I mention the player most counted on to bring an edge rush is lost for the entire season. This has been a good year healthwise for the Bucs’ D.
November 22nd, 2017 at 10:12 am
Everyday we come in here and try to figure out why we keep losing and everyday Tmax and others try to let us know why but we ignore him as stupid and crazy. Lmao happy thanksgiving ya
November 22nd, 2017 at 10:50 am
Defense is NOT effective. Ya’ll need to stop looking at stats and look at opponents instead.
November 22nd, 2017 at 12:08 pm
We for sure didn’t have many INTs before playing two of the other worst teams in the league. Lavonte had at least three forced fumbles before. He has been having a pro bowl year so far.
November 22nd, 2017 at 12:44 pm
i’ll take forcing more 3 and outs, over the turnovers, to be quite honest.
November 22nd, 2017 at 1:24 pm
You can’t plan for turnovers. They’re a force of random luck more than anything. And we only lead that because we’ve had ridiculously good play from our linebackers
November 22nd, 2017 at 2:34 pm
It’s all about turning those turnovers into touchdowns. If you win the turnover battle and the points scored from turnovers are touchdowns, then you are extremely likely to win the game.
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:02 pm
Ohio who?
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:27 pm
SOEbuc Said:
“Lavonte… has been having a pro bowl year so far.”
Shizzle. He’s had a few pro bowl seasons. He gets screwed by voters’ tunnel vision on 3-4 linebackers with sacks. David is a beast run-stuffer when the linemen manage to keep their gaps. He sheds blocks beautifully, and can cover.
November 22nd, 2017 at 5:34 pm
Or… you know, scoring once in a while…
November 22nd, 2017 at 6:24 pm
Tampabaybucfan- I was thinking the exact same thing. And it’s simple. Koetter was auditioning for a head coach job. Trying to score as much as possible. Now he’s coaching not to lose his job
November 22nd, 2017 at 6:47 pm
Joes said, “While takeaways are nice, so too is forcing an opposing offense to friggin’ punt once in a while on the road.”
AMEN
AMEN
AMEN