The Morning After
October 1st, 2018
(Photo courtesy of Chicago Bears.)
Let’s hurry up and finish this column or Joe is certain Mitch Trubisky will throw another touchdown pass while we are not looking.
* Yes, Joe yesterday called for the defrocking of Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith. The loss at Soldier Field in Chicago was the final straw. Mitch Trubisky, who had a grand total of nine touchdown passes in his 19-game NFL career, threw for six touchdowns yesterday. That’s the most touchdowns a Bears quarterback has thrown in a game in 75 yearsm when Sid Luckman tossed seven in a 56-7 win over the Giants in November 1943. That was eight months before D-Day! Game after game after game opposing quarterbacks either find a magic elixir to get back into the swing of things against Mike Smith’s defense or they have a career game (Trubisky). There just are no more excuses for Smith. And if he isn’t given a new title or shoved aside, Joe fears he’s going to get a lot of good people run from this organization between now and January.
* So yesterday, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, made his season debut when he relieved Ryan Fitzpatrick in the second half. Jameis was, well, just OK. Maybe. He made some throws and missed some throws and really couldn’t jump-start the offense much. Of course, both quarterbacks were all but doomed because the Bears defense just manhandled the Bucs front line. Either the Bucs offensive line is way overrated or the Bears front seven is scary good.
* Joe thought that for a guy making his NFL debut after missing roughly two months of practice, Bucs rookie defensive tackle Vita Vea had a nice game. He was responsible for Jason Pierre-Paul’s sack because Vea basically shoved Mitch Trubisky into JPP’s arms with a bullrush. And Joe noticed that when Vea came into the game, the Bears stopped running up the middle. That’s mad respect for a rookie playing his first game. Of course, then the Bears exclusively ran outside and Mr. YouKnowWho had no answers.
* Brent Grimes missing the second half is odd. Perhaps the veteran Bucs corner has tried to come back from his injured groin too soon? Joe saw film of Grimes last week against the Steelers and he put himself into positions to make plays but for some reason, he didn’t come up with the ball. Yesterday, he and every Bucs defender had a “horrific” day, said Bucs coach Dirk Koetter. Grimes sat the second half and when he had a gaggle of reporters in front of his locker, Grimes was apologetic saying he had to get going due to a previous appointment and politely refused to field any questions. So why he was replaced in the second half is a bit of a mystery.
* Would people quit crying about Derwin James? The former Florida State safety and Los Angeles Chargers rookie must be Ronnie Lott incarnate the way some people bawl about Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht passing on him for Vita Vea. Yesterday and last night, people went bananas about this. One Seminoles Bucs fan twittered Joe saying he “misses” James. How the hell can you miss something that never existed? Joe never knew this James was ever on the roster. And think about it: Mike Smith has been an embarrassment as a defensive coordinator and his secondary coaches Brett Maxie and Jon Hoke aren’t a helluva lot better. So what makes people think with these coaches that James could be properly developed or used correctly? That’s a helluva leap in logic there.
October 1st, 2018 at 7:12 am
Grimes was replaced because he’s a washed up liability
October 1st, 2018 at 7:12 am
Vita was a breath of fresh air. Good to see. The idea was to have him eat up double teams( he did) and gmc beat his one on ones ( he did not)
October 1st, 2018 at 7:13 am
Never throw to mike evans to start the game
October 1st, 2018 at 7:23 am
That’s right Joe, Fat old grandpa would have ruined the kid!
October 1st, 2018 at 7:24 am
I agree Maze
October 1st, 2018 at 7:25 am
snoball
October 1st, 2018 at 7:28 am
Until Smiths gone I wouldnt waste any more picks on any defensive players. Thought addressing the Dline would help. Whew was I wrong. Take the garbage out Glazers
October 1st, 2018 at 7:28 am
Those good teams everyone talks about, the perennial playoff participants and Super Bowl contenders, have one thing in common…it all starts in the front office. No quality GM has ever hired an under qualified staff. I can hear it now, “Wrong! All those teams have great QB play and a sound defense!” Well, the last time I checked the players don’t draft themselves and no fan has ever been invited to sit in on draft strategy. There’s only one person who has the final say. This is Licht’s mess from top to bottom. Maybe blames extends to the Glazers, because since McKay has left as GM, it’s been a train wreck since…Allen/Gruden, Dominik and now the latest disaster, Licht. Blame the coaches, the players, even the strength coach. Every one of them were brought here by the limp powers that be. As for Mike Smith, for a guy whose been in the NFL this long he sure hasn’t learned the one thing all great coordinators (offense or defense) have in common. Until you get the players you need to fit your scheme, you scheme what your current players do best. Yeah, it’s a Bucs life…
October 1st, 2018 at 7:32 am
Vea looked good.
I would try and resign JPP, lock him up for 2-3 years and show the team he is our guy on “D”.
We need a wolf on D, not a teddy bear. The teddy bear can be a helluva complimentary piece, just not the leader and tone setter of the D.
October 1st, 2018 at 7:36 am
Pretty easy to get the fans frustration about Derwin James. We signed Beau Allen and could have found other DT’s later in the draft if you wanted depth on the DLIne. Hell, we’ve been playing without Vea for the first 4 games and i would argue our run defense is not the problem. And, for the record, i thought Vea looked good yesterday.
James was a can’t miss Safety. He’s a freak athlete that paired with Evans would have made a good looking tandem for years to come. People on this board, including myself, and none other than Jalen Ramsey said the guy would be an instant impact player and it was a clear position of need.
October 1st, 2018 at 7:36 am
If the Bucs are going to fire Mike Smith I hope they don’t promote someone in-house to take over DC. We need to bring in a DC from the outside. Someone that will be brutally honest with the current players on D. Someone that is not buddies with these players.
October 1st, 2018 at 7:39 am
Steelers are 1-2-1, and hosting the 1-3 Falcons this week. This is a playoff game for either club that plans on making the post season.
Thankfully, we have a week of rest and then play Atlanta and we come out with fresh legs ready to execute.
October 1st, 2018 at 7:47 am
Hey, Tackleblockwin, how about the commentator for the game…Chris Spielman? The guy called every breakdown on defense by both teams, questioned why the Bucs defenders have had such difficulty communicating, explained playing zone in the middle of the field in about two minutes and gave the rules of zone principles depending on the WR sets. I watched the Ravens/Steelers game last night, and the Ravens did everything Spielman said you need to do to play effective zone defense. Unless he simply doesn’t want to, the guy should be someone’s D-coordinator.
October 1st, 2018 at 7:48 am
Also, James would’ve been nice but I’m of the belief that a monster front seven helps the secondary play better as well. The Bucs have committed to that idea as well. That’s why the Bucs went with vea. If only we had that monster d line…
October 1st, 2018 at 7:52 am
Joe, by the way, using your logic why take any defensive player if Smith is just going to ruin them? I would argue they’ve done less to develop defensive lineman than secondary players. At lease Evans and Davis look like players and VH3 was improving. I can’t name a defensive lineman they’ve drafted and developed over the past 3-4 years.
Can you?
October 1st, 2018 at 7:54 am
To all the so called so-called fans of the Buccaneers, keep thinking Grimes is washed, please get a life. Also, if people want to know why Grimes was taken out, don’t assume just ask the Buccaneers coaches.
October 1st, 2018 at 7:55 am
@Darin
“Until Smiths gone I wouldnt waste any more picks on any defensive players.”
If Smith isn’t gone, there aren’t going to be any more picks for this coaching staff
October 1st, 2018 at 7:58 am
No real surprise so far except the first two games. Sorry a lot of good talent but same old Bucs. To be a playoff team you need a defense. All is not lost. We are 2 an 2. Hopefully we can correct some coverage issues and develope a consistent rush. 8 an 8 would be easy. 9 an 7 should make playoffs in this years version of the NFL. If not blow it up. The coaching staff needs to go.
October 1st, 2018 at 7:58 am
Deborah – well, he hasn’t looked good thus far. Just a guess but it looks like he came back from injury too soon. This entire secondary is depleted.
October 1st, 2018 at 8:00 am
Jaboo Gholston is playing pretty good under Buckner and the dline had been stopping the run before yesterday.
October 1st, 2018 at 8:05 am
I liked James a lot, and agree he would have been a nice piece to build a defense around. He’s doing all the things you want your safety to do – defend the back end, rush the passer on blitzes, create turnovers, etc.
The problem is that, if the Bucs has drafted him, he would be just another guy on the back end of this defense playing soft coverage, getting lost in “miscommunication,” and generally playing unaggressive “bend and then break” defense. James is a freak, and all that talent would be wasted in a scheme that is literally built of allowing the offense to do exactly what it is trying to do – complete short passes (I.e. the modern “run game”) at will so your athletes can run free with the ball in their hand. James would have had helluva tackle total for us, though. Twenty yards down field.
October 1st, 2018 at 8:13 am
I miss Derwin James.
October 1st, 2018 at 8:14 am
why can’t our defense be a bunch of twitched up psychotic dudes…
instead we have guys who huff & puff and apologize to the other team when they touch them
October 1st, 2018 at 8:15 am
James was 100% the pick but dunderbox licht has been mismanaging this franchise since the day he got here, ya so vea got push up front who cares when some bottom 1/4 guy is looking like dan marino……….jason licht is the guy on the titanic that is rearranging the deck chairs…..keep rearranging them jason gump, 4-12 is coming
October 1st, 2018 at 8:17 am
the glazers need to dismiss mike smith immediately and if koetter objects and has his back, send him packing too…bring back dungy to rebuild the defense with our already retooled offense…maybe father dungy will bite at an offer
October 1st, 2018 at 8:18 am
ATLBuc – Gholston was here before Smith and company and I would not say he’s been developed. He was awful last year at DE. I suppose he’s been okay filling in at DT thus far but he’s not what i would call a developed talent.
October 1st, 2018 at 8:19 am
It’s always “get this guy” or “we coulda got that guy”. Ten years, people! This team is cursed…
October 1st, 2018 at 8:19 am
fitzie has to teach koetter how to grow a lumbersexual beard…so there is still work to be done for ole fitzie
October 1st, 2018 at 8:26 am
the glazers should demand that koetter grows a fitzie type beard in the off season…and if he doesn’t come back to camp looking like an old lumbersexual in skinny jeans, can the old fart…all he does is frown on the media and play press conference mind games…he wishes he was bill bellicheat – but he’s not…he is simply mike smith’s son…smith is running the show but koetter is his lowly henchman front-man
October 1st, 2018 at 8:28 am
There was obvious miscommunication in the secondary. There were guys jumping routes underneath prematurely allowing receivers to run free. I saw pointing fingers and jawing… an indication that none of them had a clue what was happening. I do blame this on a coordinator for either not communicating his system well to his defense, or poor game planning. We were beaten just about each time we had “communication” breakdown, rightfully so, and good for the Bears QB. On the flipside, the Bucs secondary is not only thin in regards to depth, but thin in regards to talent. The secondary needs a serious overhaul, and quite possible the clock is running out on Grimes.
October 1st, 2018 at 8:32 am
Grimes is done for. He was a step slow all day against the steelers, and was even worse against the pop gun bears offense.
October 1st, 2018 at 8:33 am
At what point does the Glaziers say enough? They bring back the SAME staff on the defensive side ( other then Buckner) that was LAST in the NFL last year, and guess what, LAST again with the additions of JPP and draft picks. You have pro bowl players and they all look BAD. I am more PO’d at Koetter for keeping this band of misfit toys as a coaching staff when it was obvious to EVERYONE he needed to make a change.
October 1st, 2018 at 8:36 am
JW’s been back on the field less than 30 minutes and the team is in shambles.
it’s chemistry ladies. it was lost the moment he came back.
congrats joe, 87 and 55 you are all kings again. lol
October 1st, 2018 at 8:37 am
Koetter is disrespected JW3 putting him in during a blow out! I wouldn’t have even went in if I was him
October 1st, 2018 at 8:38 am
@Deborah… Grimes IS done! Stick a fork in him! He was faltering at the end of last year and he sucks this year. Dude is just collecting a paycheck.
October 1st, 2018 at 8:42 am
Jack del Rio.
October 1st, 2018 at 8:42 am
jpp is getting pissed off at all this lackadaisical defensive crap…he is not used to getting punked like this – think ny giants defense of yesteryear – he’s getting live on the sidelines
October 1st, 2018 at 8:45 am
Mike Smith Needs to Go.
Now the other thing to look at is the lockerroom many over those players quit yesterday I believe because Jamies didn’t start
Defense quit except JPP
Fitz didn’t throw to Godwin. Why because he knew he would drop it
Evan ran Crap routes and dropped the ball
Koetter all but said it at halftime putting Jamies I. Has nothing to say to team
Because he saw they quit
Obviously team showed it last game and this game
Unfortunately I think the lockerroom is split
this is why the Bucs will not be a playoff team until the poison is out of the lockerroom
October 1st, 2018 at 8:54 am
This team is on a sharp downward spiral licht should trade Djax to the eagles while his stock is still high and maybe get a #2 from it the eagles WRs are garbage so maybe licht plys a 1 from them, this is a team that needs a few years to be fixed this year is over, need OL, an entire defense, the bucs have 2 TEs so licht has built good there, and everyone knows champiosnships are won at the TE position
October 1st, 2018 at 8:56 am
maybe there is an uprising in the lockeroom that hasn’t hit the media yet…the jameis guys vs. the fitzie guys…
#SomethingToConsider
October 1st, 2018 at 8:57 am
a divided team spiraling
October 1st, 2018 at 8:57 am
I feel bad for JPP. He played for some good defenses with good players while with the Giants. He has heart and talent but the Bucs defense is such a mess and has been horrendous for many years. We are told we have talented players on defense but year in and year out we get the same putrid results, regardless of the coaching staff. Our perennial “pro bowler” Gerald McCoy is the biggest fraud this organization has ever seen and I hope his name never goes up in the ring of honor at the stadium. I am getting sick to my stomach thinking that will happen. It is really hard to remain a fan of this team.
October 1st, 2018 at 8:58 am
and smitty is like the jim jones of the nfl…he gives you the tasty juice to drink, but in the end it kills you…
#SmittyWorksThePodiumLikeAyeChamp
October 1st, 2018 at 9:03 am
Gmc led defenses have been getting blown out for a decade. When your highest paid defenders and team captains (cancer93 and lvd) are the softest mentally weakest players on the field each week blowouts happen. No one has led more blowouts than cancer93 in bucs history but he goes to church and smiles so FREE PASS from low standard bucfan
October 1st, 2018 at 9:06 am
Ah who are we kidding, this is all Jameis’s fault for not bringing enough energy to the building right Joe? I bet the same Joe that typed that up is the same one asking by Grimes was pulled. Hello did you watch the last two games where Mr. I’m allergic to contact was playing corner for us?
October 1st, 2018 at 9:11 am
3 weeks of film on improved Buc offense and every opponent going forward has game plan. Same for defense except they still have to deal with JPP. Saturday I was looking forward to BYE, now I wish we could get back out on the field Sunday and erase or at least sweeten this rancid taste in my mouth. Don’t recall a team in recent memory to make such a drastic 180 degree reversal in 6 days.Think I’ll take a couple weeks off and forget about Buc’s or football for that matter. MLB playoffs maybe.
October 1st, 2018 at 9:20 am
ndog…it is Jameis poor decision making ,timing,accuracy….he is going to ruin the career of an unlucky Buc receiver contorting and coming down awkwardly trying to catch one of Jameis’s passes….like Dilfer did to Horace Copeland
October 1st, 2018 at 9:28 am
Smitty should’ve been fired LAST year. Now, the defense is even worse?! How can that be?!
That game was inexcusable. There were very few bright lights. One thing occurred to me while watching Isaiah Johnson and Whitehead play safety; They’re not ready!
One of the worst games I’ve watched recently.
October 1st, 2018 at 9:32 am
Bucsfanman – Whitehead did not play. Again, revolving door in the secondary. They can’t keep these guys healthy.
October 1st, 2018 at 9:35 am
Hey Bucsfanman My Man!!!! You wouldn’t by chance be coming to Atlanta next Sunday for game would you? I would like to meet you there if so. Your Bucs wish they would have kept # 37 Huh? Did you catch his block yesterday. He will work himself in as a Safety there with all their injury’s. Let me know Brother. I do miss you but the rest of these clowns on here don’t have a clue. Me and you told them 2 years ago Koetter and Smith both needed to go.
October 1st, 2018 at 9:42 am
Hey Bucsfanman My Man!!! You wouldn’t happen to be coming to Atlanta for the game with Falcons next weekend would you? If so I would love to meet you. Me and you told these guys 2 years ago they needed to get rid of Koetter and Smitty. Should have listened to us. Bet they wish they had #37 back huh? Did you see his blocked punt yesterday? He will crack the lineup there at Safety with all their injuries. He’s been there long enough now to have gotten their attention. Anyway I will watch this thread to see if your coming to Atlanta. Take care I did enjoy your words of wisdom!!!!
October 1st, 2018 at 9:42 am
I said to move on from Brent grimes I knew he would be trash based on his play last year. Everyone piled on Ryan Smith but he was facing all the number one receivers while grimes chilled on the other side. Signing a 35 yr old corner to 10 mil that’s embarrassing but your ok with Chris cote and a rookie behind him on the back end? Absolutely idiotic. I’ll get interested in the bucs when they get rid of the guys sucking the life out of this franchise.
October 1st, 2018 at 9:43 am
Vea drew doubles every play. That’s bis job.
October 1st, 2018 at 9:46 am
AlteredEgo Says:
October 1st, 2018 at 9:20 am
ndog…it is Jameis poor decision making ,timing,accuracy….he is going to ruin the career of an unlucky Buc receiver contorting and coming down awkwardly trying to catch one of Jameis’s passes….like Dilfer did to Horace Copeland
You mean just like Fitz did yesterday with OJ. Get a clue bro.
October 1st, 2018 at 10:00 am
it aint players and talent….its the coaches and scheme……
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!!
October 1st, 2018 at 10:07 am
When a company like General Electric fires its President after one year it should send a signal to Bucs that wait and see is no way to run a business.
October 1st, 2018 at 10:13 am
Hey Deborah
We would have asked Brent..but he had another “appointment” to get to..SMDH
What appointment? Had to get the check to the bank?
October 1st, 2018 at 10:16 am
Both Grimes and Mike Smith should escorted from the building immediately
October 1st, 2018 at 10:19 am
This entire team,, especially the D yesterday was not interested in playing.
Watch Chicago’s first series, you could see it then. No Energy, no interest whatsoever.
The whole team was completely out of whack. What happened on Sat. Night at the Hotel?
This team had chemistry and was having a good time, until this week…what gives?
October 1st, 2018 at 10:20 am
Yea I know it looked pretty bad out there yesterday
We made a newbie QB look like Bart Starr – he literally had all the time he needed to let his WR get open.
The secondary looked confused
Koetter/Monken had no answer for that really good Bears DL.
But can you really expect to replace a DC during the season and make the changes needed to the scheme???
October 1st, 2018 at 10:28 am
Deborah Hall, sorry but Grimes is come to the end of his career it was a really good one and he was lucky he got the dumb arse bucs to cut him a kings ransom this year that will support you and the grimes for the rest of your lives
October 1st, 2018 at 10:30 am
BusNole
On the surface, I agree. The good DC’s already have jobs at this point.
BUT, it really couldn’t get any worse…in this “horrific” situation, change for change’s sake might be just the thing…
October 1st, 2018 at 10:37 am
So 2 weeks ago, Ryan Smith has his best game as a professional, So he didn’t play a second on defense the next week, only ST and this week only gets in when the coaches finally see that Grimes was basically pulling a Vontae Davis except for the official announcement. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is put on IR and has played his last down for us. It is moves like the Ryan Smith move that are tearing this team apart. You just played fantastic, so now I am not going to play you for the next week and half, what does that tell the player. Mike Smith lost this locker room last year and that was obvious to every But fan. So lets bring him back so he can tear us apart again. BTW, anyone else notice that Adarious Taylor (Glanton) has played like a steaming pile of crap since he has been back. So why doesn’t Mike Smith put in Cichy to see what he can do? Playing every other rookie, why not that guy?
October 1st, 2018 at 10:41 am
@alter ego. You mean like fitz did to oj with all of then high passes?
October 1st, 2018 at 10:46 am
What’s good Tandyman?! Don’t be a stranger because of Tandy now!
Our depth is really being tested. People THOUGHT they wanted Conte gone, until yesterday. Tandy sure would’ve filled in nicely. Oh well. I’m glad he’s doing good in Atlanta, just as long as he doesn’t do it against my Bucs!
I can’t believe how bad we looked! I cannot, for the life of me, figure how Smitty survives!
Atlanta’s out for me unfortunately. We’re headed to DC later in the month so I’ve got to save a few $$$. Is ATL home base for you?
October 1st, 2018 at 10:59 am
Reality-is-a-Beotch = Tmaxcon
After listening to the Monday night micd up segment with gmc profusely apologizing to Rothlisberger, for knocking him down, I have to change my opinion of #93. I think you are correct, this soft approach to the game is a detriment.
Anyone else hear the audio from micd up?
October 1st, 2018 at 11:06 am
No buddy Kentucky is my Home. Say hello to Trump for me. Hope you and Family have a fun trip!!!
October 1st, 2018 at 11:16 am
Thanks man! LOL! We are actually visiting the WH too!!!! Tourist stuff! I’ll tell him Tandyman says “what’s up?!”
There’s some good bourbon coming from your neck of the woods!
October 1st, 2018 at 11:16 am
We made ordinary qbs look like all pros. Matt Ryan will light this team up. Julio Jones will have a break out game also.
October 1st, 2018 at 12:00 pm
Bucsfanman My Man!!! Yep since I retired from Coaching and Teaching I now work Part Time in a Liquor Store. If you ever need some of the Exotic Bourbons I can hook you up!!! Would be great to meet you someday!
October 1st, 2018 at 12:22 pm
so what one player has been on all of these horrible Bucs defenses for the last 8 years hmmmmmm
October 1st, 2018 at 12:23 pm
Agreed with everything you wrote Joe.
Father time has caught up with Grimes.
We are at the point where I’d rather see Ryan Smith playing instead of Grimes.
This is what it has come to for Bucs fans just one quarter through the season.
October 1st, 2018 at 12:27 pm
ndog… “You mean just like Fitz did yesterday with OJ. Get a clue bro.”….
yeah….but Fitz is not being considered the future of the the franchise awaiting a $20,000,000 long term cap eating commitment and Aimless Winston is
October 1st, 2018 at 1:02 pm
Oh look alter ego, now oj is out 2-4 weeks because fitz throws it 2 feet over a 6foot 6 guys head. I’m sure you wont respond.
October 1st, 2018 at 1:34 pm
We can’t get Rex Ryan in here fast enough.
October 1st, 2018 at 1:44 pm
Well, my watching the Bucs comes to an end. I watched casually as Fitzmagic took over and they won two games. But the defense and it’s quitters(leaders) shat the bed again and the leader, fake leader…all talk little substance, twice accused , pick throwing, fumbler is back. I said it last year , I’ll reiterate , I will not watch this team with him, McCoy, David, and Kwon. I watched them quit last year, they’ve done far too many times for me to stomach it .
October 1st, 2018 at 2:29 pm
Tandy wherein kentucky you hanging your bucs hat
October 1st, 2018 at 2:58 pm
Who the F! is overatting our OL?
October 1st, 2018 at 3:49 pm
In Dirk’s Presser today admitted that the plan all along was to start Jameis Week 6 against Atlanta after the bye week. Been saying it since Week 1.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:56 pm
Dusthty…..Central Kentucky…..Between Louisville and Owensboro on the Ohio River!!!!