No More Excuses

November 10th, 2019

One thing Bucs fans should be able to agree on is the success of the offensive line against Seattle.

Sure, there are always the weekly howls for Donovan Smith’s head and the prayers for Demar Dotson’s retirement, but the reality is the O-line is talented and has put together a few strong games this season. And last Sunday was one of them.

But now this unit must finally find consistency. The O-line is where the massive money is on the roster, along with plenty of experience playing together. The underachieving has to stop.

Yeah, the Buccaneers running backs are subpar by NFL standards. Yes, the starting quarterback might be the most inconsistent performer in the game. Those guys likely are playing up to their NFL ceilings, but Joe can’t say that about the line.

The Bucs at least should be dominant on the line’s left side, to the point playcaller Byron Leftwich should be able to take advantage of that in various ways. But it’s just not happening.

The Cardinals (3-5-1) enter the Den of Depression today with a miserable defense. Bad in all areas. In every game they’ve played this season, Arizona opponents have rushed for more than 100 yards.

So today is a day the Bucs’ offensive line, if sufficiently motivated, should be able to spearhead a balanced attack and flat out lead the team from the opening whistle on their home turf. Sadly, Joe’s not sure they want it enough to do it for four quarters.

If Bucs fans cannot confidently call the O-line nasty and consistent throughout the second half of this season, then there really should be a significantly shakeup there after the season.

30 Responses to “No More Excuses”

  1. Clw JB Says:

    The OLine is better with Cappa for sure, fingers crossed he & Dot stay healthy

    would love to see ROJO get 25 carries today – if he averages 80 yds a game to finish the season, he can get to 1k, an amazing turn around and gives hope for some of the DB’s that are struggling as rookies

  2. Defense Rules Says:

    @Joe … “Yes, the starting quarterback might be the most inconsistent performer in the game. Those guys likely are playing up to their NFL ceilings”.

    Joe you simply have to stop typing these things late at night when you’re sleepy, or worse. JBFers MIGHT start to think that you believe Jameis isn’t worth a king’s ransom at the end of the season. That’d throw Gump into a tailspin because he might have to actually do some WORK (that dreaded 4-letter word) to earn his keep.

  3. Defense Rules Says:

    Wow, I’m doing good today … 2 for 2 in Moderation. And the sun’s not even up yet.

  4. Onetrickpony Says:

    “Must find consistency”.
    They arent the only ones on offence.

  5. Anonymous Says:

    Tim McGraw, season opener, and NYG in town had an average of 55K in the stands. 6 losses later, 5 of them inexplicably bad, and there are literally tens of thousands of seats unsold. They aren’t even putting the top 6-10 rows up on ticketmaster…not needed. Season ticket holders have to see what it’s like to waste 5 or their 7 paid for home games on NOTHING. Today will be smallest crowd since 2010. Low to mid 40s. Next week there will be uptick, because the Saints fans travel well. This is what failure looks like. Congratulations! Thank You!

  6. down in the dirt doug Says:

    Turn Rojo and the tight ends loose and we win if our defensive backs show us they have more fortitude.

  7. TouchDownTampaBay Says:

    LOL, having two Joe’s write these articles is a bit schizophrenic. This is clearly the Joe that doesn’t like Jameis anymore. So you think inconsistency is Jameis’ ceiling? I would say the Rams and Seahawks game is his ceiling. His floor may be inconsistency, but his ceiling is actually quite high.

  8. Figures Says:

    Oh There’s plenty more excuses especially for one certain buccaneer lol.

  9. Isaac haggins Says:

    Talk about wanting to accept mediocrity!!! Another one of Arians verbal professions, “ we WILL run the ball “ Uhh NO Bruce you won’t !!! How many 100 yard rushers in the last 16 games , how many more successful running games during a game in the last 16 games ( btw if there is any it was probably a win) . This line is right up there with the db s , just no one wants to admit it !!! If this line was top 5 in the league ( which it is pay wise) this team would maybe have 2 losses and RoJo would have 4 100 yard games !!! This Line hovers right at Terrible !!! Let’s be Real !!! ……..w/L Record, Qb pressures, 100 yard rushers , simply paint a very clear picture !!! Terrible !!! Be Real !!!

  10. tmaxcon Says:

    No more excuses…. joe all this franchise and fanbase understands is EXCUSES….you cant take everything away from them

  11. Adam Lakers Carolla Says:

    Isaac

    That read like a manifesto. Are you a math genius, wear a hoodie, wear aviator sunglasses and live in a cabin off the grid?

  12. Ndog Says:

    This year has proven when this oline plays well the offense plays well. It’s really on them for how we stack up weekly.

  13. TheBucsAnthem Says:

    TRAP GAME!!!!

  14. BigHog Says:

    How do we as a team play today ….like losers or…WINNERS!! GO TEAM BUCS!!

  15. Alanbucsfan Says:

    Only way Bucs lose today is if Jameis goes back to being a turnover machine

  16. JP_09 Says:

    Anthem, this is not a trap game. Trap games are games in which a top team plays a lesser opponent the week prior to a big game. In order to play in a “trap game” you first would have to have a winning record. Not to mention the team were playing against has a better record than us too

  17. Buc believer Says:

    @Anonymous… You think the Flazers care about the turnout? HELL NO! They get guaranteed money from the NFL and TV deals. They couldn’t care less! They made their BILLIONS! They need to sell the team and sell the other team they are running into the ground Man U!

  18. Sport Says:

    Situational football is a big contributor to numbers.

    See the number of passing yards racked up between the 20’s while the Bucs are facing prevent defense. (One of Joes favorite stats while falling for JW Fools Gold.)

    On that note:
    Show me good decision making when it counts. I’d take that over total yards by our QB any day!

    Prime example is Trent Freaking Dilfer in his Super bowl win. He made 1 or two good plays and didn’t throw the game away. I have zero faith JW could do that in a big game.

    In BA I Trust!

  19. tmaxcon Says:

    Sport o

    I am sure you wife or husband has the same complaints about your inability to finish but i am sure you trot out some fake positivity to compensate….

    #3pumpchucknotlegendary
    #1ring5careerplayoffwinsnotlegendary

  20. Scotty in Fat Antonio Says:

    Well, today either starts showing signs of improvement or Da Boys need to blow this thing up. Similar to Dungy’s first year.

  21. David Says:

    And this is why I no longer have season tickets and passively watch games if I’m not golfing. It’s been more than a dozen years since being relevant. They’ve had several new coaches and offensive systems and time to figure out a defense.
    Yet here we are almost to 2020 and it seems like every single year Joe has to write an article titled “no more excuses“.
    That equals “no more fan base giving a shiiite”
    Jameis has too much talent to be so stupid with turnovers. Time to move on to a Burrow or Trevor Lawrence.
    Evans and Godwin and Howard and Brate are awesome yet they don’t use the tight ends.
    They haven’t had a decent running back since Cadillac went down except 1.5 years of the hamster.
    They still need to figure out how to draft a young pass rusher and D backs.
    Call me next year when there’s another glimmer of hope

  22. NPRSageBoy Says:

    Seriously? If/ when the Bucs blow this one I’m pretty sure the fresh excuses will flow like bad champagne

    Peace, out

  23. Buczilla Says:

    Ali and Donovan are soft and that is where the inconsistency comes from. When you need another grown man (Logan Mankins) to set the tone for you, then you are soft, period the end. I still remember how giddy they were when we got Mankins and then Jenkins. Trade them while they still are worth at least second round picks. If we had 5 guys with Cappa’s attitude we would be good to go.

  24. Figures Says:

    I’d love for tmaxcon to talk that smack to my face about my wife.

    I know he wouldn’t be talking after I was done with him. His boyfriend would be picking his teeth up off the ground.

  25. TOM Says:

    They need to pick a OT with the first pick of the draft. Dotson’s gone & Lazy ass Smith should be also. Should have went with a OT this year in the draft after White or maybe before depending on who was available. Who in there right mind gives Smith & Hargreaves that kind of money. Only loser Licht & his cohorts. Then the make matters worse the Glazer’s give an extension to Licht. What a effin insane asylum. The Glazer’s sign BA even though he told them Lefttwitch was going to be calling the plays while he napped in his golf cart. Didn’t want all that stress. And of course the gullible Glazer’s bought into it.

  26. Figures Says:

    Lmao Ndog is so illiterate he tries to defend the fact that his grammar is the level of a 6th grader by saying it’s because it’s a debate lol.

    And yea I can defeat you in a debate but your blind loyalty doesn’t allow you to see anything other than “Winston best ever” “team bad”
    “Never Winston’s fault”

    So yea slapping a little sense in you would probably help

  27. Figures Says:

    @tmaxcon

    I bet you wouldn’t say anything about my wife to my face.

    Real tough guy aren’t you. Yea I bet.

  28. Mike Johnson Says:

    Love the title here Joe..No more excuses. Hell, we been sayin this for what? 3 yrs now? Nit I’ll tell ya what..I’ll be elated with a win against AZ. Now if they take an almost 5 hr plane ride and march into and out of RayJay flying Red AZ colors with a win? Then we are truly..the Yucks. Bucs neded to defend home today like its their superbowl..for the fans.

  29. Dapostman Says:

    Donovan Smith can not get beat on the outside where he lets his man hit Winston in the back as he is getting ready to throw. Can’t happen. He also can’t get pushed so close to Winston where he hits his throwing elbow as he is getting ready to throw. Can’t happen. Smith is the 5th highest paid LT in the league. I would like to see him play like one.

  30. Pit of Misery Says:

    It seems we play to the caliber of our competition; hope that changes today and dominate.