“We’re Just Trying To Call Good Plays”
September 26th, 2019
No hidden agenda.
The overlying theme hanging over Bucs fandom this week in the wake of the second half choke job Sunday in losing to the Giants is that it appears the Bucs still can’t get a kicker straight.
The other element is it sure as heck looked like Bucs coaches pulled the ball out of the hands of America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, after he threw a pick in the second half. The Bucs went full-blown turtle running the ball on nine consecutive plays.
Bruce Arians has denied that, and it sure seemed as if Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich was armed today with talking points to dodge that issue.
Leftwich insisted the Bucs did not purposely take the ball out of Jameis’ hands after he threw his pick. Rather, Leftwich said, plays were called that best-suited winning.
“We’re trying to win games,” Leftwich said. “We’re trying to win football games and we’re trying to put ourselves in the best position to win games. We weren’t predicting to run nine runs – we were having success on the ground and we’ve just got to find a way to score points there. If it’s running or throwing – whatever it is.
“But we felt as though – I didn’t even know it was nine straight runs – that those were the plays that were best for us to score points.”
Leftwich was then asked whether calling all those running plays was an effort to be balanced. Leftwich didn’t exactly address the question but he had a colorful response.
“We’re just trying to call good plays, to be honest with you. We’re not really trying to be 50-50 or anything. We’re trying to win football games.
“We’re trying to put ourselves in position to win football games. That’s all we’re thinking about every day – how can we find a way to win this next game and what do we’ve got to do to win that football game? That’s what we’re really thinking all the time.”
This is Joe’s take: It’s not like the Bucs had Larry Csonka or Eric Dickerson in the backfield. Not even Gale Sayers. Or Jerome Bettis. So if a team is going to go full-blown Ground Chuck Knox, one would think a coach would do that with well-established stud running backs.
When is the last time you saw an NFL team run the ball nine straight times when the passing game was on fire unless a team was using an emergency quarterback?
Joe Gibbs with the Redskins when he had John Riggins, maybe?
September 26th, 2019 at 6:28 pm
A gag of epic proportions. Gay Blade could have put some deodorant on the second half stinkfest and bailed both himself and the team out. Instead…moving the ball 7 yards back made his balloon knot tighter than a snare drum. These types of loses linger forever.
September 26th, 2019 at 6:32 pm
Seems to me if you had one of these young talented qbs on your team, you would not be relying on a kicker to win a game against one of the leagues worst defenses…
If yours struggles against the worst defense, then what chance does he have against average and better defenses…
If you don’t trust him, replace him! delaying the inevitable seems futile!
September 26th, 2019 at 6:42 pm
I am the point where I just can’t wait for Jameis to move on so we can stop trying to blame everything on him. Maybe then people will realize that it is a team game and not be so hyper focused on one player. It is sad that’s what it is going to take but the clueless take a long time to learn.
September 26th, 2019 at 6:47 pm
I was fine with all the running until we got within 10 yards.
You gotta take at least one shot with Evans, Godwin, Howard, Brate…
Plus… anyone ever heard of play action?!?!?!?!?
JFC
September 26th, 2019 at 6:49 pm
It’s not on Winston. Awful special teams during his time in Tampa…and for the most part an equally awful defense. If/when Winston leaves…he’ll be a winner elsewhere. Watch the Patriots pick him up as Brady’s heir apparent. BA’s swashbuckling reputation has turned into scared, confused football with lousy decisions in the clutch. Limp Biscuit…and I know limp when I see it.
September 26th, 2019 at 6:56 pm
“We’re Just Trying To Call Good Plays”
The problem here is in the title of the article….
We’re…..if you have two QBs you don’t have a QB….if you have 2 playcallers, you don’t have a playcaller.
September 26th, 2019 at 6:59 pm
JW trust-gate is bigger than the kicker missing the fg. It’s a Bucs life
September 26th, 2019 at 7:02 pm
“My Dad and I
Look at each other in amazement
Why nothing about 3rd down percentage?
We cant move and sustain drives with 30% success rate on 3rd downs
we have no short passing and high percentage conversion plays
This is solely on the OC and playcaller
its bombs or 9 runs in a row
JW3 has the worst of luck. Come into the league and stuck with 2 ancient offensive schemes no one in the NFL uses”
Son of Kobe Faker
September 26th, 2019 at 7:15 pm
When I read the title, was thinking that IF we’d won, BA & BL would’ve been called geniuses for running the ball & eating up the clock. But as it is, we lost, and fans/media look for scapegoats (where’s Smitty when you need him?).
Matt Gay served the purpose, for awhile. But hey, he’s a rookie so we to fry bigger fish. Thus the issue: Did this coaching staff PURPOSELY take the ball out of Jameis’ hands AFTER he threw that INT? BA & BL say no. Fine. NINE straight runs after the INT MIGHT say otherwise, since before that the Bucs had pretty much relied on Jameis’ passing on Sunday to score.
I cared Monday. Even cared a little on Tuesday. Now on Thursday I really don’t care any longer. WE LOST … that game’s in the books. We’re 1-2, we’ve got the Rams on our docket for Sunday, and we’ve got some problems to fix BEFORE we play them. HOPEFULLY we did that TODAY, because tomorrow & Saturday are too late. I’m thinking that 2-2 would sound mighty good … for us. Knocking the Rams out of the ranks of the undefeated has a nice ring to it.
September 26th, 2019 at 7:25 pm
Joe the issue was the third down run. They were running the ball well and moving the chains so the narrative overall is a bit overblown of them running all the time.
September 26th, 2019 at 7:43 pm
Too bad the Bucs don’t have a upgrade at coordinator on staff already…
Oh wait, they do
September 26th, 2019 at 7:45 pm
I concur D.R. . It’s Thursday and past time to move on to the Rams. Unlike teams in the past I feel like we got the talent to beat the Rams or any team for that matter.
September 26th, 2019 at 7:45 pm
The more I see of these coaches, the less impressed I am. Inept coaches, inept quarterback, sorry special teams. 3-13.
September 26th, 2019 at 7:47 pm
Wait a second – he didn’t know he called 9 run plays in a row
They are a staff full of liars- that is what scares me the most right now
As a little league coach, calling plays, I know for sure my play counts – at the NFL level he doesn’t?
I call bullspit – and thanks for the word Steve D RIP
September 26th, 2019 at 8:07 pm
D.R.
I also hope we play well against LA. But if we go in there in beat them by three td’s I’ll of course be happy but I’ll still be very afraid of this team.
We went into Pittsburgh and beat a terrific Steelers team with freaking Mike Glennon….did we do the same thing in Seattle?
Each time we start well or play well there is Lucy to snatch the football from us before we can kick. Hey maybe Lucy was saving Charlie the misery of another missed kick.
I’m tired of winning tough games and continually losing absolutely EASY games against teams that are not as talented as us. I concede that’s not every week because there are not that many times we play a team with less talent than us….that would be the Giants for sure. We could beat Los Angeles one week and turn around and lose to Miami if they were next up even though they are literally trying to lose.
Thank heavens it’s N.O. after the Rams. If we have some kind of a letdown in that game then we are truly……the Bucs.
September 26th, 2019 at 8:22 pm
I kept saying to myself, here comes the play action pass for a TD…but…well…you know.
September 26th, 2019 at 8:27 pm
If he had just made that kick there would be a whole different narrative.
Time to bounce back, and hopefully Gay makes all his kicks.
September 26th, 2019 at 8:48 pm
Just saw A Rodgers drop a pass gently into the arms of a full sprint downfield D. Adams. Winston cannot do that. He needs the K Benjamin’s and M Evans’ to stop and fight for the ball. If you say he can regularly hit a receiver in stride, you are lying to us, and knowing that Ndog is here, probably yourself.
Stop forcing a square peg into a round hole. Move on.
September 26th, 2019 at 8:50 pm
By the way it’s redundant to gripe about play calling.
What people should be more concerned about is not the play that’s called but the execution of the play called. Nearer the red zone requires quick decisions because of the shrunken field of play. Poor execution, and penalties kills drives, and puts pressure on the most volatile streakiest player on the field. A field goal kicker.
Just ask Scott Norwood?
September 26th, 2019 at 8:54 pm
Aaron Rodgers gets that ball out quick.
When your that quick you don’t get sacked
September 26th, 2019 at 8:56 pm
Just saw Rodgers overthrow and open receiver by 10 yards
September 26th, 2019 at 8:58 pm
CC you would rather have Winston than Rogers?
September 26th, 2019 at 9:00 pm
*Rodgers
September 26th, 2019 at 9:00 pm
Just saying.
September 26th, 2019 at 9:02 pm
Of course Rodgers. But that is not going to happen here.
September 26th, 2019 at 9:03 pm
I get you. Everyone makes a mistake every now and then. I just don’ t get how people ignore a pattern that suggests an inability to perform a normal part of a player’s job.
September 26th, 2019 at 9:04 pm
Wait that came out wrong. I meant Rodger’s mistake, not yours.
September 26th, 2019 at 9:10 pm
Rodgers doesn’t throw a td on 2 attempts inside redzone. High on 1 and a little late on the other. Hmmm. Happens to the best of them.
September 26th, 2019 at 9:17 pm
True, my friend.
Gotta crash. G’night.
September 26th, 2019 at 9:27 pm
Damn. Another bad throw in the red zone by Rodgers. Settle for 3.
September 26th, 2019 at 9:29 pm
Cut he Rodgers he’s not who we thought he was. Gotta get TDs in the red zone 3 Pts is unacceptable.
September 26th, 2019 at 9:37 pm
Funny. I thought all the good qb s in the league were perfect in the redzone. I’m learning alot tonight.
September 26th, 2019 at 9:41 pm
Well what do you know. Play action in the red zone. TD
September 26th, 2019 at 9:42 pm
And the kicker made a extra point. He must have been drafted in the first round.
September 26th, 2019 at 9:48 pm
Rodgers fumbled. What’s going on? How can that be?
September 26th, 2019 at 9:50 pm
OMG! What an ignorant decision maker Aaron Rodgers is. Has a chance and the end of the half and he TURNOVERS TURNOVERS RURNOVERS.
HE DIDNT EVEN RELEASE THE BALL IN .0000250076 secs.
September 26th, 2019 at 9:52 pm
Hit a 34 yd field goal and we wouldn’t have all of this 2nd guessing.
September 26th, 2019 at 10:02 pm
Learned alot about qb play, special teams and offensive play calling this half.
September 26th, 2019 at 10:08 pm
Screw you Byron….and screw Arians for allowing this crap to continue. Screw the Glaziers for tolerating this. If I knew Arians coming to Tampa ewuated to Leftwich running the offense I wouldn’t said to put a bunch of young up and coming coaches pictures on a wall, throw a dart and get ready for the 2020 draft.
This is the most dissapointed I’ve ever been in a coaching hire. This is not the Arians from Pittsburgh, Indy or Arizona.This is a load of crap.Its almost like the Glaziers are paid a premium by the NFL to make sure behind the scenes that this is a dumpster fire year in year out.
As long as weak link lefty is OC I have zero hope in this team….and sadly starting the season off 1 and 3 will probably be the end of the season. We paid for a great head coach and got his crew of projects that he is grooming instead. This is horse sh!t
September 26th, 2019 at 10:11 pm
If they’ve not found a rythm in the next 3 games, it’s dust in the wind.amd look forward to the next draft.
September 26th, 2019 at 10:14 pm
Stepped away to grill a T-bone and noticed they scored was it a run?
September 26th, 2019 at 10:27 pm
My brother always says never trust the old coach BA looks like he kinda lost his fast ball the gaffe in Carolina and the playin scared against NYG at home..
September 26th, 2019 at 10:27 pm
Perhaps the Yucks should consult with all the geniuses on this website to call all the correct calls?!? 🙂 🙂 🙂
It was a massive choke-job but remember, this is the worst team in NFL history (0.40 winning percentage) and remember when the rookie QB for the Bears hung 6 TDs on this team last year? This team plays down to the level of the competition quite often.
The same people complaining about 9 runs in a row would be screaming bloody murder if JW threw another pick after that terrible pick!
September 26th, 2019 at 10:40 pm
Aaron Rodgers is ignorant not very smart. Had an ALMOST pick 6. He just doesn’t have IT. TIME TO MOVE ON.
September 26th, 2019 at 10:45 pm
Wentz with 2 bad passes in a row even after a timeout and you just can’t throw that pass. Bad decision making that was an ALMOST pick.
September 26th, 2019 at 10:47 pm
The point with Jameis is this-
The man is being paid $20 mill
He’s auditioning for $30-$40 mill per year contract
Fans are tired of inconsistent BS
Play 4 solid quarters EVERY game and WIN more than you lose or goodbye!
September 26th, 2019 at 10:55 pm
Alan
Then he’ll need to kick fg and play cb. Not to mention block for himself all while throwing 5-6 TDs a game. Easy peezy
September 26th, 2019 at 11:06 pm
DB55-
The offense scored 3 points in 2nd half
Yes, the kicker blew the kick
And it was David and safety who were burned on Engram’s td
QB ran for 2 td’s -that’s on LB’s and safeties
The game is 60 minutes not 30.
Jameis has talent, everyone wants him to succeed.
But he needs to become a consistent winner – this is his 5th year
Defense is not going to play lights out every game
He did nothing in 2nd half to give team a spark- even last pass to Evans was caught because Evans was so far behind coverage he could wait for it- should have been 6 pts and you know it
September 26th, 2019 at 11:38 pm
The whole post is hilarious. When has the def played lights out? Take away an obviously hurt Cam Newton and the def is avg 31.5 points per game to 49ers and the Giants who combined for 9 wins last year.
You guys MUST stop.
September 26th, 2019 at 11:50 pm
Lolololol
gotta love it. He didn’t even have 3 dudes hitting him as he released.
You gotta be able to score more than 7 points in the second half if you’re a hall of famer.
September 26th, 2019 at 11:52 pm
And there ya have it. Arguably best QB in league throws into double coverage and get picked at goal line to end game. Wow. Very educational game tonight.
Go Bucs!
September 26th, 2019 at 11:57 pm
You see how stupid you guys sound right?
Aaron Rodgers at home 2 turnovers and lost the game. Great blocking strong running game and a decent defense and still lost.
His kicker didn’t miss a chip shot either much less left 5 points off the board. His def gave up 34 points to the best young QBs in the league not a guy in his 1st nfl start who will probably be as successful as Marcus Mariota or Blane Gabbert
And jameis doesn’t have the luxury of throwing 2 yard passes on 50% of his throws. But but but he holds the ball too long. Gimme a fckn break.
Run Jameis Run
Oh and I forgot to mention Rodgers ALMOST PICK. should have had 3 turnovers. The almighty not ignorant Aaron Rodgers.
September 26th, 2019 at 11:58 pm
End of the Packers/Eagles….
Not exactly the same situation but see what can happen when you pass for the TD?
We made the right call to kick the FG….just missed….
Some wanted us to take two shots in the endzone…..only needed the 3…..
September 27th, 2019 at 12:14 am
Bunch of yahoos bunch of clueless desperate ignorant yahoos
September 27th, 2019 at 8:37 am
Joe’s critique is silly. With a lead to close out a game and success running is why you keep running. The game dictates what you do. The defense dictates what you do. It’s that simple for every team. Execution on third and short on last drive before winning drive was a fail, but nothing more and not indicative of an OC issue or play calling issue. Wake up.
September 27th, 2019 at 8:51 am
Look at it this way Joe: what if we were to pass the ball 9 times in a row? One of those nine passes would result in an interception or worse….a pick 6. The coaching staff did the right thing by taking the ball out of JWs hand.
September 27th, 2019 at 9:54 am
Lol DB the haters just stick their heads in the sand when Wentz, Rodgers, etc make the same mistakes, have turnovers, etc.
You know, posters like pittshore that continue to show they’re one of the biggest idiots around.
September 27th, 2019 at 10:08 am
Let’s get down to brass tacks, 99% of the JW haters are bigots. Yep I said it, and I mean it.
September 27th, 2019 at 10:09 am
Let’s get down to brass tacks, 99% of the JW haters are big ots. Yep I said it, and I mean it.
September 27th, 2019 at 11:02 am
Divide and conquer always wins the day.
September 27th, 2019 at 12:20 pm
Ndog it wont stop there if he moves on to a better team n whens itll be the “system n as for us they’ll be alot of money to buy better players plus the ones we have will be better after a year of getting use to the NFL. Point is the haters will always hate