Bring It, “‘Zeke”
September 8th, 2021
Thinking of Lavonte David.
The Cowboys are in a pickle.
Unless he passes two COVID tests, we all know Zach Martin won’t play tomorrow night — tomorrow night! — when the Bucs kick off the season in defense of their second Super Bowl championship against the Cowboys.
Martin, the Dallas All-Pro right guard, is on the dreaded COVID list. With Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in his first game of any sort since he wrecked his ankle last October, one may think Martin out means the Bucs’ pass rush will tee off.
Former Belicheats linebacker and current NFL Network talking head Willie McGinest is confident that will not happen. McGinest, on “Total Access” Tuesday night, said there is no way with Prescott playing his first game since a gnarly injury that the Cowboys without Martin will throw the ball 40-50 times tomorrow.
Instead, McGinest believes the Cowboys are going to feed Pro Bowl running back Ezekiel Elliott a lot.
Ah, Mr. McGinest, therein lies the trap. The Bucs the last two seasons have led the NFL in rush defense. Giving the ball to Elliott or any other Cowboys running back is playing right into the Bucs’ hands.
Joe has one piece of advice for Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy if he plans to go all ground-and-pound.
Bring it!
You can watch McGinest’s analysis of how the Cowboys will work around Martin’s absence in the NFL Network video below.
Dak is back Thursday.@WillieMcGinest breaks down what we should expect pic.twitter.com/WbKnnaWcF4
— NFL Total Access (@NFLTotalAccess) September 7, 2021
September 8th, 2021 at 12:07 am
Lavonte or Devin will make that weirdo fumble. Stone cold lead pipe lock
September 8th, 2021 at 12:10 am
They are going to play action Zeke early before the Bucs have established their run defense and are looking for it, and Zeke will bomb our young secondary with Cooper Gallup and Lamb. Sounds like a law firm or a weird combo meal at Bern’s. They have nothing to lose, no one is giving them a chance in this game. Big time trap game for the champs.
September 8th, 2021 at 12:17 am
Trap game? Week 1 vs “America’s team” is not a trap game
September 8th, 2021 at 12:38 am
Medicated Pete nailed it. Zeke fumbles more than any RB. Feed Zeke too often and you’ll give the Bucs extra possessions.
Bucs are a bad matchup for Dallas.
September 8th, 2021 at 12:43 am
Yes. But teams have still had big games when they stuck to the run by necessity.
Our rush defense’s status has really been boosted by our high yardage offense the past couple of years.
September 8th, 2021 at 12:43 am
Our mighty “Nosepickers” Weak Secondary will have to prove they can stop the Cowboys receivers before Zeke will even get the ball much.
September 8th, 2021 at 2:12 am
Bucs need to play the Cowboys the same way we played the Superbowl with maybe a few more inside blitzes. Keep everything in front of them in the Secondary. Only special teams breakdowns can keep Dallas in this game
September 8th, 2021 at 3:14 am
The Vikings tore up the Bucs defense last year, and this is clearly the best back we’ve faced since Cook. Hopefully the defense is up to the challenge and has learned to tackle (although, in fairness, we didn’t see much of the first team in the preseason). That terrible Houston offense moved the ball right down the field on the starters before the defense stopped them – but this isn’t the Houston offense we’re playing.
Personally I expect this to be a pretty high scoring game. I think the Bucs win it by at least 10, but I could see a 41-30 type of game.
September 8th, 2021 at 5:39 am
Rod, I’d be disappointed if the Cowboys scored 30 on us even if we do beat them. It’s time we scare the NFL with our defense. Make no mistake, we didn’t win the S.B. with offense alone. Everyone talks about how Brady know this offense now. What about the QB of our defense D.White going into his third year? If he becomes the best MLB, pro bowl, all pro in the league this year we could have the number one defense over all. Giving up 30 is unacceptable.
September 8th, 2021 at 6:11 am
Hey Brady Buc, go watch the Pat’s suck it up aye
September 8th, 2021 at 7:06 am
nobody wants to really say it, but zeke is kinda washed up…
kinda…
not totally washed up…
but kinda washed up…
jj got played signing him to the humungo contracto…
#HumungoContracto #WashingMachineRituals
September 8th, 2021 at 7:15 am
Take the first possession and get up early make the Cowboys play catch up
September 8th, 2021 at 7:36 am
Zeke is not what he was, Dak is going to be rusty and worried about the ankle/shoulder, the Cowgirls Oline is not what it used to be and now without Martin they will be mediocre. I do not see Dallas being successful with the run especially versus the Bucs #1 ranked run D.
Will they be dumb enough to send Dat back to pass 50 times? That decision could bring an early exit to Dak’s season. Shaq / JPP / JTS / D. White, meet Mr Prescott…
Not a good matchup for “Americas Team” on National TV in the Bucs crib on opening & SB banner night.
September 8th, 2021 at 8:16 am
It is hard to be intimidated by a guy in a halter top.
I’m sorry. If a guy in a halter top runs for more than 60 yards against you, turn in your playbook.
September 8th, 2021 at 11:32 am
Bucs win even with Dak healthy.
September 8th, 2021 at 12:38 pm
Bucs D-line will get Dak on the move early, and Zeke will drop the ball a few times, by then we can all get some sleep, the game will be over.
September 8th, 2021 at 9:40 pm
Bucs – 34 Cowboys – 21.