The Morning After
September 10th, 2021
Money.
A win is a win and Joe is happy about it. So let’s get to it in this abbreviated column. After Joe recorded the Ira Kaufman Podcast at the stadium well after the game and wrote stories at the stadium, by the time Joe got home it was very late. Joe is typing this here post at 3:50 a.m.
Celebrate
Joe hopes Bucs fans who were able to go to the game — and elbow their way past so many Cowboys fans — enjoyed this rare moment in Tampa Bay sports history with the addition of the 2020 Super Bowl champions signage on the stadium’s wall.
(Did anyone else think the two blowup Vince Lombardi Trophies that went from prone on the ground and limp to fully erect was sort of, well, just weird?)
There was so much thick smoke between the fireworks and the smoke machines that Joe honestly was waiting for the kickoff to be delayed.
Even though Joe was at the Super Bowl and saw the speeches and saw the trophy presentation, it was too surreal. Joe didn’t fully think the game was real. Almost like an out-of-body experience.
Last night was confirmation for Joe that it really wasn’t a dream. It did happen.
Joe hopes Bucs fans had as much fun during the celebration prior to kickoff as Joe did. Yes, even the creepy fake Vince Lombardi trophies went from flat to standing at attention.
No. 63
Last night, Tom Brady recorded the 63rd game-winning drive of his career. Insane.
In going 5-for-7 for 62 yards on the final drive to set up a game-winning Ryan Succop field goal, it stretched the gap between Brady and Drew Brees and Peyton Manning for career game-winning drives. Both Brees and Manning each had 56.
Also after throwing four touchdowns, Brady is now just three games behind NFL career-leader Drew Brees in most three-touchdown-pass games. Brees has 97; Brady has 94.
Stopping the Run
Since Todd Bowles took over the Bucs’ defense in 2019, no NFL team has dominated with run defense like the Bucs, leading the NFL for two seasons.
The Buccaneers defense limited the Cowboys to 60 net rushing yards, marking the 26th time in 33 games that Tampa Bay has held its opponent under 100 rushing yards since Bowles took over.
Per the Bucs’ media relations department, after limiting the Cowboys to 60 net rushing yards last night, it was the 26th time in 33 games that Tampa Bay held an opponent to less than 100 yards.
Indianapolis is the next best team at stopping the run. Since the start of the 2019 season, both Indianapolis and New Orleans have posted 21 games where they held opponents to less than 100 yards.
The Best Receiver in Bucs History
When it comes to offensive skill position players catching touchdowns, there is Mike Evans and then there is a big drop off.
While Evans didn’t have a touchdown last night, he has 61 receiving touchdowns. The next closest in franchise history is tight end Jimmie Giles with 34. That’s almost half of Evans’ number.
And the 28-year old Texas A&M product doesn’t look as if he’s wanting to coast, either.
Dependable Lavonte David
Bucs inside linebacker Lavonte David is a soft-spoken dude who lets his hitting at linebacker do just about all his talking.
David, who has started with the Bucs when he was first drafted in 2013, has 138 starts since the Bucs drafted him in 2012. But David will have to start for the Bucs for a long time to catch up to a pair of Bucs legends.
Rondé Barber leads all former Bucs with 232 career starts. Right behind him is Derrick Brooks at 221, so five full seasons including this one puts him ahead of Brooks.
September 10th, 2021 at 5:31 am
If I ever have a boy I’m naming him Succop.
September 10th, 2021 at 5:47 am
Tampa should do what New Orleans did in giving up third rounder for good corner in roby,secondary will need help.
September 10th, 2021 at 6:38 am
I thought the smoke was from the biggest blunt ever rolled by #13.
September 10th, 2021 at 7:31 am
Yes, the run defense is stout. Stopping the running attack was the game plan (Elliott has two rushing titles), and the Bucs stuck to it, even with all of the injuries to the secondary. They were going to let Prescott beat them with his arm. It was a good test for the team, and there is lot to learn moving forward.
September 10th, 2021 at 7:38 am
Get richard sherman. Even if he dropped off a tad. Dude still has some left in tank? And he can bring some intensity too
September 10th, 2021 at 7:39 am
I don’t think the trophies were inflatable. They looked like plastic or metal from my view. But yes, they were “erected”
September 10th, 2021 at 7:42 am
All the smoke ..was for tom bradys upcoming smoke and mirrors magic show
How can the rest of the team play so bad and commit so many turnovers and brady pulls the win out of a hat at the end
The GOAT
The Magician
The dude is 44
We are so lucky he chose tampa
I said it earlier too. Who didnt think with one minute and change on clock that brady could drive length of the field to get that win
September 10th, 2021 at 7:44 am
Let’s be realistic. Teams don’t run at peak potential for an entire season. Starting out rusty, building up at a modest pace, and seeking out wins might be a better way to start.
September 10th, 2021 at 7:45 am
Joe, didn’t the Brady to Gronk combination TDs tie a record last night with Steve Young to Jerry Rice?
September 10th, 2021 at 7:50 am
This team needs a veteran corner and stick em, pine tar or gorilla glue for the RB’s. Sorry but I am disappointed that Bowles couldn’t stop the Amani Copper show on Dean. Man playing against a boy. Thank God for front 7, 29 points is too many. Good takeaway special teams were impressive. Brady is only human, he is bound at some point to have a off game.
September 10th, 2021 at 7:50 am
The backend for the bucs was garbage last year & continue to play like that this year. Amari Cooper must think every DB is VH3 the way he plays like a HOFer at RayJay
September 10th, 2021 at 7:51 am
Well I saw the Bucs stout against the run as usual. Brady did not have his best game, but pulled it out with very little time left. WAY too many mistakes by the Bucs. Foolish penalties especially by the pass coverage. Poor results from the pass rush despite constant blitzing. Brady made more poor throws than usual but got us in position to win in the end. The Cowboys are not the best team we will face by a long shot. Good thing the Bucs have a relatively easy schedule and should make the playoffs. But some of best opponents have seen what the Cowboys did to our pass defenders. Not a pretty picture.
September 10th, 2021 at 7:57 am
A win is a win but we will need to play better, if we want to repeat this year.
Mickens did a great job last night on returns.
September 10th, 2021 at 8:04 am
I don’t think David was drafted in 2021 Joe, but I could be wrong.
September 10th, 2021 at 8:06 am
Brady is just clutch. I mean, I really felt good-ish with a minute and change left.
There are some things that we need to clean up, especially that pass rush if we want to protect our secondary.
We beat the Cowboys and that’s all that counts.
September 10th, 2021 at 8:08 am
Why run when you can pass pass pass on these guys. Not the offenses’ fault they can’t cover and can’t get themselves off the field other than coughing up the ball three times it put up 31 points. On the positive side at least they can stop the run, not like the “lost decade” when they couldn’t stop anything not even a booger in a handkerchief. Wakeup call for the defense, if they don’t play much better next week then there’s cause for concern
September 10th, 2021 at 8:12 am
This was a good win. Just squeaking by the Cowboys will give this team a wake-up call
September 10th, 2021 at 8:13 am
Joe, even last night when I saw Brady to Gronk and Brady to AB I was still wondering if this was all a dream.
September 10th, 2021 at 8:15 am
My take away from this game, is that this team is learning how to win in any situation thanks to Brady. That Dallas offense is probably the best one on our schedule. Every team won’t be able to do what Dallas did to our defense. Before Dak’s injury last yr they where averaging 490yds a GM.
September 10th, 2021 at 8:41 am
Wild Bill, how can you put anything on Brady? He spent almost the whole 3rd qtr on the bench. The RB’S turned the ball over. He threw for 4 td’s and lead the game winning drive. What game were you watching? Dallas receivers are really good and Dak is no slouch. If a QB can sit back and throw it 50 times with success, that us a defense problem.
September 10th, 2021 at 8:59 am
Dallas receivers are definitely elite
September 10th, 2021 at 9:08 am
folks, last year, (early), I said that if TB is a DC, i’m an airplane pilot. well as i’m sure you can guess, that hasn’t changed. We won IN SPITE of our pass defense!! Now i know someone will say “so and so got injuried” NOT!!! Dak carved our defense up from their 1st drive to their last. Now they choked very late with penalties. We had 4 TO and i don’t even know how many penalties and dropped balls. Thank God for Via and Brady. Not to take anything away from Dak. He was AMAZING
September 10th, 2021 at 9:15 am
Despite the sloppy play, there is something great from this game. The Bucs will probably never face another passing performance like Dak’s the rest of the year. He threw LASERS ALL NIGHT. The entire game i’m asking myself “when is TB going to make an adjustment?” If there was ever a game that shows how fortunate the Bucs are to have Tommy Boy, it’s this game. For our defense it should be downhill now, barring injuries. Bucs, get your checkbook out and pick up a safety
September 10th, 2021 at 9:24 am
Only saw Tryon for a limited number of snaps. Felt like there was some good energy he added out there. Got stopped a little too easily on a low block, but he will learn to hop around those. Think he showed a bit of promise though in first real action
September 10th, 2021 at 9:26 am
Thankfully our veterans, Brady, Gronk, Brown and Succup are real professionals and took this game very seriously. Vita Vea and Shaq Barrett also deserve praise.
The sloppiness and lack of focus on the back half of the defense was deplorable. How many 2 yard receptions turned into 8-15 yard after-the-catch runs. What happened to crisp tackling? That was the low point of the game.
The hurry-up is a strength of Brady, when there is confusion as defense tries to line up, Tom knows the weaknesses. The Cowboys didn’t stop the Bucs offense, the mental mistakes that Godwin made nearly cost them a win. Good effort on his fumble but not smart. Take the first down and secure the ball.
I hope Chris shakes off last night’s game as he clearly wasn’t reliable. That play where he had the deep corner route, turned around and the ball was right in his hands, he normally makes that catch but it was a drop.
Thankfully in Q4 defense bent but made some big stops and kept them out of the end zone when it counted. Some of the stars on the Bucs shined but Evans, Godwin and Devin White were not making plays. Forget about last night, just make sure the mistakes and lack of focus get corrected.
September 10th, 2021 at 10:22 am
I think there should be a lot more shout outs above Mike Evans. He didn’t seem to put much effort into last night’s game, especially the first half.
Used the yardage marker like a bus stop and hung out.
September 10th, 2021 at 10:23 am
Sweet . 3 hour moderation
Gotta love it
September 10th, 2021 at 10:30 am
Evan’s should definitely get in line for tip drills. How does a receiver of his quality not catch slightly tipped balls. Godwin if for his safety alone, go down once the second defender comes in.
September 10th, 2021 at 10:57 am
not a great showing, but it is week one, so that can be the excuse…
brady played well…the 2 ints were not his fault…
both backs caused or had turnovers and racked up little yards…
the oline didn’t do much opening up holes for them either…
wirfs is looking slightly less dominant so far this year…
hopefully we are not back to the “what’s up with brady and mike evans” scenario again…
vita is a bulldozing force out there…that big gurl is nice…
(and i’m feeling his role on offense – that should be fun this year)
in proper packages, with shoyinka ,shaq, jpp and white attacking the qb – opposing qbs are in deep doo…
pinion was on point all night…
stuard looked good on special teams…
mickens was a bright spot…
antonio brown might be the new number 1, and he clearly looks like it…godwin does all the dirty work, gronk is brady’s trusted old reliable….where exactly does that leave mike evans?
hopefully smb is ok and will be back soon…if you saw the replay, at one point that arm looked way way out of wack by the elbow…
bruce was not relaxed or happy on the sidelines in the second half and was getting beet red like in the jameis days…
the cowboys are not that good…
we have got to play better moving forward…
a win is a win tho…
go bucs!
September 10th, 2021 at 11:07 am
Cowboys offense will end up in top 5 barring injuries.
September 10th, 2021 at 11:24 am
Wild Bill
Why would any team run against us, with our secondary?
September 10th, 2021 at 11:32 am
adam . . . love your summary. Really good stuff. Maybe you can help the Joes out before the 3:50 am posts. 😉
September 10th, 2021 at 2:12 pm
Besides winning the best thing about last night is that I KNOW they can play a lot better. Penalties and four turnovers are going to be corrected. This is a great team. GO BUCS!
September 10th, 2021 at 2:55 pm
Mike Evans if definitely the greatest Buc receiver ever, but he did a whole lot of nothing last night…
September 10th, 2021 at 9:01 pm
Listen from afar, definitely agree
September 10th, 2021 at 9:03 pm
On the Brady take
September 10th, 2021 at 9:18 pm
As someone who was carrying those trophies, I assure you they were not inflatable. The each weighed approximately 500 pounds. Although at several of our practice sessions I wished they were inflatable or even holograms.