Call It Separation Anxiety
October 26th, 2019
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
Time and space.
Sports can be a complicated endeavor, especially at the professional level, but time and space usually tells the tale. And on that score, the Bucs have come up short through six games.
Overcrowding is a terrible thing on a highway, but it’s the key to victory in sports. Think about it. What makes James Harden so unstoppable on a basketball court? It’s his deadly step-back jumper, allowing him to create separation from the defender.
If you give Alex Ovechkin room to maneuver, you might as well check the back of your net because the odds are the puck can be found there.
Return a tennis serve to the middle of the court with little pace against a Top 20 player and that point’s over. Your opponent has too much time and space.
The top soccer strikers know how to create separation, even when they are closely marked. The next thing you know, the ball is flying past the keeper.
Struggling, writes Ira Kaufman
Now we turn our attention to the 2019 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are running out of time to turn their season around.
I’ve watched Tampa Bay’s first snap against the Panthers in London 22 times and I’m still waiting for Mike Evans to get open. James Bradberry looked more like Jameis Winston’s target than Evans as he easily picked off the pass that everyone knew was coming.
No separation.
Bradberry took away Evans’ time and space and by the end of the day, Carolina took away Winston’s poise. This has been a problem all season. Except for Chris Godwin, none of Winston’s targets have gotten open on a consistent basis.
Yes, I’m talking about you, Scotty Miller. And you, too, Mr. Evans.
While Godwin has caught 78 percent of the passes sent his way, Evans is wallowing along at 49 percent.
Yes, Winston has missed No. 13 a few times because of errant throws, but Evans is an elite receiver and elite receivers are supposed to create separation.
Pressing Problem
Let’s look at the other side of the ball. Yeah, we have to.
For the first 10 quarters of the 2019 season, I saw Buc defensive backs contest passes. Even on completions, Tampa Bay had a defender in the vicinity. Hey, sometimes you’ve got to give the other guys credit for good execution.
Carlton Davis
But since the second half of the Giants game, time and space has emerged as a major issue. No-name quarterbacks have been shredding the Buc secondary at a dizzying rate, causing Todd Bowles to wonder whether he has the personnel to play the aggressive schemes that served him so well under Bruce Arians in Arizona.
All Buc fans heard about during training camp was how Vernon Hargreaves and Carlton Davis were going to thrive as press corners.
Two months later, these corners are indeed pressing.
You can’t play cornerback successfully in this league unless you approach each snap with confidence. But that confidence is ebbing with each completion — and there’s been far too many of ’em.
The Bucs have been so stingy against the run, they are usually ahead on down and distance. In theory, that’s a winning formula, but only if your pass defense is competent.
Buy-Or-Sell Game
So here comes Tennessee, with Ryan Tannehill coming off a 312-yard day, eager to torment an embattled secondary. The good news? I don’t see an Evans or a Godwin on the Titans roster, Not even close.
They’ve got savvy slot receiver Adam Humphries, but no proven downfield threats. Pass protection has been a major issue in Nashville, which should play into Tampa Bay’s hands.
Bring the house, take away Tannehill’s time and space and pay particular attention to Humphries. Trust Davis and Hargreaves to cover Tennessee’s pedestrian targets and force some turnovers.
If the Bucs can’t handle the plodding Titans, they should be sellers at the trade deadline. Overhaul this defense in 2020 and start again.
Something has to change, beginning Sunday in Music City. Call it separation anxiety.
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Ira Kaufman launched his professional NFL coverage in 1979, back when Earl Campbell was the toast of the NFL and Lee Roy Selmon was defensive player of the year. After a lifetime at the Tampa Tribune, “The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports” joined JoeBucsFan.com in July of 2016. His twice-weekly podcast and three columns per week appear here year-round and are presented by Bill Currie Ford. Tampa Bay’s only Hall of Fame voter is a regular on SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio and a part of the FOX-13 Tailgate Sunday show, in addition to his other appearances. You can hang out with Ira during every Bucs road games at Buffalo Wild Wings. His schedule is linked here.
October 26th, 2019 at 3:50 am
Good article Ira. The Joes and yourself seem to be one of the few media that actually brings accountability instead of sugar coating the Bucs. Even calling out the superstars like Evans. No one in that organization should be spared when warranted including the owners. After all, accountability is one of the core values that our leader Bucco Bruce preached when he got here. It may ruffle some feathers but so be it. If you want to change this losing culture it starts with accountability. No one should be safe and yes everyone is replaceable including the front office.
October 26th, 2019 at 6:05 am
I rather read The Great Articles that The Great Ira Kaufman writes on Joe Bucs Fan.com Than the 3rd rate crap in THE ORLANDO SENTINEL! In fact the bean counters who run the sports department at The Sentinel decided to print all Bucs coverage through The Tampa Bay Times Over 2 years ago. That’s why Joe Bucs Fan. com is must read for true NFL Fans ! As far as the Bucs playing the Titians on Sunday, remember this. Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel is an excellent football coach. Always has his players playing hard through the whistle. The Titian’s are similar to the Vikings in which they run the ball very well, and uses the TE in their passing game, and is one of the 5 best defensive units in the NFL as well as outstanding special teams. Can the Bucs win at Nashville ? Sure. But think about this ? Would you put your last 💲5️⃣.0️⃣0️⃣ ❗️on a football team with Jameis Winston as your QB 😃❓GO BUCS ❗️
October 26th, 2019 at 6:10 am
You nailed it Ira; awesome piece. Love the basketball, hockey, tennis & soccer analogies. And yes, opening the Panthers games with an INT was a killer. Bucs became quite predictable after that. Our offense the rest of the 1st half consisted of 10 runs, 17 short passes & 1 deep pass, 6 sacks, 4 punts, and included THREE Bucs’ turnovers in the 1st half alone (2 INTs & 1 fumble).
After that 1st INT at the TB29 to start the game, our OC didn’t allow Jameis to throw a deep pass until 23 secs to go in the half (it was incomplete). Kinda made the Panthers defense’s job quite a bit easier I would think. Jameis’ 2 INTs & 1 fumble in the 1st half resulted in 10 Panthers’ points (FG & TD) on short fields (Bucs’ defense held on the Jameis fumble late in the 2nd qtr to keep the score at 17-7 at halftime).
For its’ part, I thought the Bucs’ defense played a very good 1st half under near-impossible conditions … 3 offensive turnovers. The offense’s lone points (1 TD) came off of a Panthers’ fumble at the CAR37 … good COMPLIMENTARY FOOTBALL. The Panthers were only 1-for-5 passing to start the game, but then drove 99 yds for a TD halfway through the 1st qtr. Allen was 5-for-5 on that drive, including TWO deep pass completions for 44 yds (Barrett’s 15-yd face mask penalty probably kept the drive alive on what would’ve a Panthers 3rd-and-8 if not for that). Overall Allen was 9-for-15 in that 1st half (60%) including 2-for-5 on deep passes, for 2 TDs & 1 FG (10 pts off short field turnovers).
The REAL PROBLEM in that game came in the 2nd half. BUCS ADJUSTED BADLY after the half (same thing we saw in the 2nd half of the Giants game). Jameis threw NINE deep passes in the 2nd half & completed TWO (plus 1 was intercepted to end the game). NINE deep passes in one half with TWO completed … THAT’S A PROBLEM and it points directly at our OC much more than to Jameis. Besides that last second INT, Jameis threw TWO others in the 2nd half. BOTH resulted in short fields for the Panthers … Bucs’ defense surrendered a TD on one, but held the Panthers scoreless on the other. And yes, the FIVE TURNOVERS in one game allowed the Panthers to score 1 FG & 2 TDs (all off of short fields) … the difference in the ball game. THAT’S A PROBLEM.
October 26th, 2019 at 6:14 am
Evans has NEVER and I mean NEVER been able to gain separation………
Evans has always been and will always be a possession receiver…..his speed is average.
The secondary is a complete mess……and 90% falls on our cornerbacks….the Safteys aren’t really the problem.
The Bucs just simply don’t have talent corners WHO CAN COVER the pass.
Sure the corners can play bump-n-run and play press all day long but they can’t cover for sh!t!!!!!!!!!
I think Mike Smith recognized this for years and then was made the scape goat for the Bucs secondary problems.
Todd Bowles secondaru sucked with the NY JETS and it sucks even worse here cause he has not talent.
WE ALL OWE MIKE SMITH an apology because it is more than evident that our cornerbacks cannot cover anyone.
Oh yeah, before I forgot
VHGIII is a complete bust!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 26th, 2019 at 6:19 am
Can we start by selling the worst GM in the history of the Bucs for a used jock strap? I know our asking price is a bit high but hey we can dream.
October 26th, 2019 at 6:23 am
Sell what? I keep hearing that. Sell our good or decent players? Makes no sense.
Perhaps JPP comes back in form. Perhaps his injury wasn’t as bad as we thought and both he and the Bucs were extremely careful. That could be a catalyst to pressure. Pick your poison on the double team.
It could be that simple. Oh…and don’t give the back away 6 times.
And for Joe who says takeaways are lucky, the Pats D has 18 interceptions and 4 fumbles so far this year. Man those guys sure are lucky.
In BA I Trust!
October 26th, 2019 at 6:35 am
JPP deserves better than this dumpster fire of team……and that is what it will be after the Bucs lose this Sunday.
I think most of the loyal and dedicated TRUE bucs fans who are realists recognize that the Glazers need to start over after this season:
#1 The failure of Jameis and he has shown everyone he is NOT a franchise QB
#2. Jason Licht failure for picking the right players has been proven
#3. Get rid of Byron Leftwich…..his offense is vanilla
#4. Appoint a President of football operations…Malcom Glazer got this right
…………ALL BUCS FANS NEED TO BE HONEST WITH THEMSELVES……this season is over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 26th, 2019 at 6:54 am
Sport … Of course 18 INTs & 4 FRs in 7 games is lucky. So is giving up 48 points in 7 games … less than 7 PPG average. What else could it be? 50 PDs in 7 games? 50 QB Hits in 7 games? 26 sacks in 7 games? Having veteran CBs named Gilmore & McCourty? That the Pats’ defense is highly experienced, with no starter having LESS than 4 years experience with the Pats? Don’t be silly.
BucsAnthem … Our Secondary is probably ‘a mess’ as you say, but it’s also very inexperienced, except for VHIII (who needs to be benched or traded). I just HOPE that TD & BA make the decision after this Bye to play the youngsters & see what we’ve got. I’d much rather see us take our chances with Davis, Dean, SMB, Ryan Smith, Whitehead & Edwards and let them build experience than watch VHIII & MJ Stewart get more playing time then ‘disappear’ next year.
I agree with you about Mike Smith BTW. It still galls me that he (apparently) ‘mailed it in’ for much of the start of last season, but the reality is still that he didn’t have the horses. THAT’S on Jason Licht not on Smitty.
October 26th, 2019 at 7:13 am
@ Defense Rules
I’ve coached football for a number of years…..and coaching is far different than watching as a fan.
I don’t think Mike Smith mailed it in last year. I think Mike Smith recognized he simply didn’t have enough talent in the secondary and just told his corners to play off cause he didn’t want to get beat all the time.
I also think serious discussions was had last year about how bad the secondary was and that’s why you seen all these Defensive backs choosen to try to fix it.
But here’s what should’ve happened….
If they had a President of Football Operations to step I’m and Stop Jason Licht from making ridiculous picks and focused on Need instead of “wants” and “ideas” then maybe we’d have:
A Franchise running back
Another starting Left Tackle
A great cover corner
The President of Football Operations would’ve atleast injected some kind of common sense into this Franchise.
The Glazer Boys right now are running a lose ship with NO Captain
…….and this has been going on Since Malcom Glazer died.
October 26th, 2019 at 7:18 am
BucsAnthem … I disagree that the season is over AND that the Bucs need to start over after this season. However, totally on-board with canning both Licht and Leftwich … NEITHER is getting their job done.
And I think the jury is still out on Jameis. Despite all the hoopla, he’s regressed this year IMO. But I still point the finger more at our GM, HC & OC than I do at Jameis. The GM because this OLine is terrible, and that’s on him. The HC because he’s complicit in not fixing the OLine (or upgrading our Secondary with a veteran CB & Safety) & in allowing HIS selected OC to really misuse this offense. Too much smoke & mirrors.
October 26th, 2019 at 7:27 am
BucsAnthem … I agree about my choice of ‘mailed it in’ on Mike Smith (too harsh). BUT the defense did play somewhat better … with the same players … after he was released. I think he was probably VERY frustrated near the end that nothing he tried worked. He didn’t have the horses & that became very clear especially in the Bears’ game.
I’ve been pushing a President of Football Operations for a long time, and I thought we actually had one in Bruce Arians. I still don’t see him coaching for more than 2-3 years, and still believe he’d rather MOVE UP THE CHAIN (like Tom Coughlin did in Jax). However, after seeing him in action (or inaction?) for this season, I’m no longer sure that’d be a good thing. Jason Licht’s mismanagement of this team (and salary Cap) had BA & his staff backed into a corner, but I’ve never been enamored with folks who repeatedly try to ‘blow smoke up your butt’. Seeing much too much of that from BA.
October 26th, 2019 at 7:27 am
@ Defense Rules
Sure the season is over……..talent wise and what we’ve seen so far and the fact that Jameis is not a Franchise QB and he will regress as usual says so.
Bruce Arians has shocked me with his hand picked Byron Leftwich OC….it almost feels like he’s doing Byron a favor by letting him learn on the Job and fail at the same time. It’s no wonder why Josh Rosen failed in Arizona with Byron calling the plays.
I was simply in shock this year at Jason Licht draft picks and also last year as well……………it’s simply un-excusable the picks he’s made.
October 26th, 2019 at 7:55 am
BucsAnthem … Time will tell about the season. I’m still holding out HOPE that this team can grow in the 2nd half of the season & finish say around 8-8 (I forgot the playoffs a long time ago). IMO that’d be a huge win for this team, and potentially set a decent starting baseline for next year. Whether Jameis is part of that moving forward is anyone’s guess at this point (at $20 mil or upwards the answer is ‘no way’ IMO).
But I’m convinced that an 8-8 season WON’T HAPPEN if BL stays as our OC. He’s shown me nothing through 6 games. I have a very hard time seeing that changing in the next 10 games. And I still have doubts BTW that this year’s draft was on Jason Licht. IMO it has BA’s & TB’s fingerprints all over it. NOT adding veteran FAs for the OLine, RBs & Secondary however IS ON Licht IMO. That’s HIS job, not the HC’s or DC’s.
October 26th, 2019 at 8:05 am
Defense Rules…
To say the jury is still out on Winston speaks volumes…..why should that be the case in his 5th year?
If we lose, I would be a seller….but a smart seller…..
Surprisingly, I would move Shaq Barrett….he will bring a good price and he will be a pricey FA at the end of the year.
I would do the same with Brate….
I don’t think we could move Hargreaves but would try.
Frankly, I don’t think we would seriously miss any of them going forward…JPP would make up somewhat for the Shaq loss.
The dumbfounding move of the year was the 5-year extension for Licht…..WHY?……totally unnecessary…..could have been at most 3 years.
I suspect the Glazers were euphoric with the Arians signing.
October 26th, 2019 at 8:28 am
TBBF … Primary reason I think the ‘jury is still out’ on Jameis is because of JL & BA. Jason is tied at the hip to Jameis; if Jameis goes he will too (THAT wouldn’t hurt my feelings one bit BTW). BA came here to resurrect Jameis; not re-signing him (even to a short 2-3 year contract for minimal $$$) would be admitting failure. Plus he doesn’t seem ot be a big fan of rookie QBs based on his history. And yes, Licht getting a 5-yr extension is dumbfounding; I wonder IF that was a condition of BA coming onboard (with BA being the Big Kahuna).
I’m not sure that trading Shaq would bring much at this point. Same with Brate. VHIII is tradeable IMO … a number of teams would probably love to have him as their Nickel CB, but I doubt he’d bring very much. Shaq AND JPP AND Suh are ALL FAs at the end of this year; not convinced that ANY of them would want to habg with the Bucs for another 2-3 years (wouldn’t blame them BTW).
October 26th, 2019 at 8:58 am
“This article is very foolish
Corey Davis and AJ Brown is FAR SUPERIOR than MeMe and Godwin
Now with an average downfield QB, these 2 with be the best tandem Receivers in the NFL
Separation? These 2 are the best slant and cross pattern route runners in the NFL
These 2 will destroy and awaken all football fans around the nation who they are”
Son of Kobe Faker
October 26th, 2019 at 9:01 am
By all means, gut the team and keep the ExcuseMakers’ QB.
5-11 every year…
October 26th, 2019 at 9:06 am
“AJ BROWN
6′ 226lb 4.5 forty
HALL OF FAME PLAYER
THE NEXT SUPERSTAR
All pro for the next 12 years going into HOF
He is the shorter but more physical Julio Jones
Great slant route runner. Amazing stop and go change of direction
Mean stiff arm and unwilling to go down
10 X better than Godwin
*Kobe is a Godwin fan but his weakness is his durability. Compare the lower body of AJ Brown vs Godwin. Godwin has brittle thin ankles while AJ is stocky and thick
*Go grab all the AJ Brown rookie cards. He will enter the HOF”
Son of Kobe Faker
October 26th, 2019 at 9:23 am
Son of Kobe Faker Says:
“Go grab all the AJ Brown rookie cards. He will enter the HOF”
==================================================
Bro
Nobody pays big money for rookie cards anymore……that’s like so 1990s
October 26th, 2019 at 9:29 am
@ Son of Kobe Faker
I have to agree with you on AJ Brown……..he’s going to tear up the Bucs crappy secondary….probably we close to 150 yards receiving come this Sunday
October 26th, 2019 at 9:43 am
DR those two guys are good, no doubt. But they make their own luck. They account for 8 of those interceptions. 9 from the rest of the D.
In BA I Trust!
October 26th, 2019 at 10:22 am
Bo Peep:
Thank you for the very kind words. Very nice of you. Am sure Ira appreciates the throughts as well.
October 26th, 2019 at 10:49 am
Nobody is trading anything for VH with that 9 million option, unless it’s just a pick swap with the intent to release him like we’re gonna have to do.
Once in free agency, I doubt anyone would even have him in Camp next year. He’ll probably get a partial season as an injury replacement next year, then his party is over.
Damn Lichtweight could have been a decent GM if he wasn’t spending so much time trying to outsmart everyone in the top 2 rounds. What a waste.
October 26th, 2019 at 11:04 am
DR
say we trade VHG, start Dean and things stay the same or get worse in the secondary(which is a real strong possibility)…..
who will be the scapegoat then?….TB?….carlton davis?….
VHG hasnt lived up to his 1st round bill but either has JW or adoree jackson who was drafted in the first round and now plays nickle….
the issue with the defense is the lack of pass rush outside of shaq…..thats the problem….teams double or contain shaq and no one else puts pressure on the QB….that gives QBs time in the pocket….
defensively, ask yourself why are the 9ers undefeated?….and outside of sherman, can you name a DB in their backfield?….if so, what round were they drafted in compared to their dline…..
doesnt matter if we draft 3 1st round CBs that are 6’3 run 4.2 and trade for
patrick peterson….if we dont draft DE’s that can consistently put pressure on the QB, those CBs will get exposed too….see bucs vs rams this year….winston lit their secondary up….why?…because he had time to scan the field and throw…..
secondary wont get better until we get better at putting pressure on the QB….pass rush and secondary go hand in hand….
BTW: JW is a bigger BUST than VHG…..
GO BUCS!!!!!
October 26th, 2019 at 11:08 am
DR
the jury is not still out with JW….
when you have 18games with multiple INTS we know who you are and its not a franchise QB….
its a BUST….
GO BUCS!!!!
October 26th, 2019 at 2:11 pm
People do need to realize that management and coaches together made the decision to go with what is basically an all-rookie secondary. The only one who I really expected better from is Hargreaves, so if there is going to be a trade it should be him — but for what? Remember this idea of “selling” only works if you can actually get some value for what it is you are selling. Who would give an empty beer can for any of these guys right now?
October 26th, 2019 at 3:40 pm
The last time I read anything supposedly accurate, the read said BA calls the offenses as BL is learning from him. Well, so far, BA sucks/or is senile. The whole universe knew Winston was throwing that first fatal pass to ME13 in London. Whose fault was that? Not Licht, not Bowles, not even the ST coach whoever that is. BA better prove he’s not retired BS. Tomorrow in Nashville would be a good start!
October 26th, 2019 at 4:08 pm
Great article.