7 Under-The-Radar Things To Watch For Today
October 18th, 2020
So much to think about entering today’s game against the Green Bay Packers. Much has been analyzed since the Bucs played 10 days ago.
Here’s another seven:
*The film showed against the Bears, for the second consecutive game, that Jason Pierre-Paul does not look like himself. He didn’t look healthy. However, JPP, perhaps with a crazy rush of adrenaline, had a strip-sack in the fourth quarter of Nick Foles and looked better. Joe’s very eager to see whether JPP looks sharper — aka like himself — after extra days off.
*LeSean McCoy is back! Bucco Bruce Arians made that clear Friday, noting Shady looked healthy and is ready to go. Joe wonders whether Shady stepping back in as a busy third-down back might affect Ronald Jones’ rhythm. Maybe RoJo is the kind of back who thrives on the every-down work? Unfortunately, RoJo’s catching skills rival Joe’s dieting prowess.
*Speaking of JPP, the other big-name Bucs edge rusher will be back in the spotlight today with a quarterback who doesn’t mind playing outside the pocket. Shaq Barrett has had a nice season, but nothing compared to what he turned in last year. Joe would love to see Aaron Rodgers misjudge Shaq’s speed and agility on the edge and walk into a crushing sack or two. That could set a defining tone early and get in Rodgers’ head. Rodgers has eaten just three sacks in his first four games.
*Devin White, please make a play. It’s Week 6 and you have no picks or forced fumbles and just one quarterback hit. You’re healthy, and you’re the No. 5 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
*Joe’s looking for a similar revival from Sean Murphy-Bunting, who has been invisible the past two games. Unlike White, Joe suspects Murphy-Bunting was struggling after getting injured (hamstring/groin) against Denver. Joe suspects we’ll see a livelier Murphy-Bunting today.
*Big games require big-league clock management skills, and the Bucs haven’t been good at that under Bucco Bruce Arians since he arrived. Joe doesn’t think it’s even debatable. What happened before halftime last week? What happened on the Bucs’ final two drives in Chicago? Bucs fans should expect Arians to be exceptional in that area. Joe hopes that starts today.
*The Bucs must tackle better and have more precision on defense. Joe strongly suggests you watch Derrick Brooks explain on TAMPA TWO.
October 18th, 2020 at 9:35 am
Yes, today would be a great time for Devin White to make a statement!
October 18th, 2020 at 9:50 am
Devin White was never going to live up the no. 5 overall pick.
If he lives up to the no. 5 pick in the third round, then we chalk that up as a win.
October 18th, 2020 at 10:16 am
I expect White to get exposed in coverage…he’s still a work in progress there.
October 18th, 2020 at 10:42 am
Devin White been a huge disappointment. Drafted at 5…. He should be no less than a poor man’s Ray Lewis. This guy looks average at best
October 18th, 2020 at 11:26 am
Wow, I remember after the first game of the season when LVD and Devin White were all over the field everyone was saying he was an all pro. Remember, he is a 2nd year guy. Luke Kuechly was a liability the first few years in coverage. He is playing well. Not at an elite level by any means, but he has been playing solid.
(wouldnt expect all pro out of ANY 2nd year player, no matter where they were drafted)
October 18th, 2020 at 11:37 am
“Wheres DWhite been the last 3 weeks?
Put some red hair dye on top of his head
Kobe swears that is our former Matadour
Kwon Alexander
No one wants to be in Kobe Fakers doghouse”
Kobe Faker
October 18th, 2020 at 11:54 am
Devin white will be great
October 18th, 2020 at 12:11 pm
Devin White seems to have what it takes to be a great player. It is a good time to see some more of the kind of play that he showed the last 5 games of the 2019 season. GO BUCS!!!!!
October 18th, 2020 at 12:14 pm
Devin White has been invisible the last 3 weeks.
OL needs a bounceback game today.
October 18th, 2020 at 12:45 pm
*Devin White, please make a play.
……………
Ok Troy Aikman. 🙂
October 18th, 2020 at 12:49 pm
rockin’ pewter pants today !
good move – pewter pirates wear pewter pants !
#EnoughWithTheAllWhiteColorRushEveryWeek #KillThatNoise
October 18th, 2020 at 1:22 pm
So out of your 7 things to watch for Joe, FIVE relate to the defense, ONE to the offense (McCoy?) and ONE to coaching. Strikes me as being … oh wait, what’s the word … oh ya, biased list.
The ONLY mention of coaching is for clock management? Seriously? How about marginal preparation, play design and play-calling to this point? How about those meh 2nd half adjustments? Nah, we won’t talk about those.
The ONLY mention of offense is for Sean McCoy? Again, really? The guy’s been a bit player this season through 5 games. Well, unless you count TWO carries as meaningful. Granted he does have 9 receptions in these first games (out of 13 targets), but Fournette is MUCH better as a receiver (87.5 catch %). And RoJo just happens to tied with Miller for SECOND PLACE in terms of receptions (behind ME13 of course).
How about a few other offensive players to keep an eye on, like Godwin (can he really go 100%?), or Miller (same?), or Donovan Smith (knee still acting up?). And yes, how about Fournette (is he really ready to go?), or ME13 (still limping?). How about Brady (has he gotten any more comfortable with the players & scheme?).
I’m concerned, apparently like you are, that our defense has ‘slipped’ in terms of intensity these past 2 games especially. But I also think that there’s something going on from a coaching perspective. Something’s changed, and it’s impacting their aggressiveness. Devin White had 33 tackles (combined) in the first 3 games (11 per game average), but that dropped off to 7 tackles (combined) in these last 2 games (3.5 per game average). And what’s more confounding is that only TWO of those 7 tackles were solo. Sorry, that’s bizarre. Something’s changed, big-time.
October 18th, 2020 at 1:31 pm
Big 8th thing is the heat. Its dang hot out here today and you better believe its gona affect the pack. I’ve seen many a team struggling to get to the locker room at halftime. Go Bucs
October 18th, 2020 at 3:27 pm
One other thing about defense. Will Bowles start getting his timing right on blitzes. The way he has been calling them has been a liability that exposes the defense. Rodgers will exploit that.
We have bump and run corners, use them as that, stop that soft zone crap. At least show zone and then have the corners move up.
October 18th, 2020 at 3:33 pm
This game will need to be won with good defense and long drives on offense. We need to keep The packers offense off the field.