Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Eagles

October 15th, 2021

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BY IRA KAUFMAN

That was a classic image of Bruce Arians puffing on a post-game victory cigar last night while waiting for the bus to depart to the airport.

Arians appeared calm and relaxed as he checked his phone for messages.

He looked like a guy who didn’t have a care in the world, a head coach who was proud of Tampa Bay’s 5-1 start.

Good for Arians.

While the 28-22 final score represented a bad beat for any bettor who had the Bucs laying 7 points, the truth is Tampa Bay was in control from the start.

Jalen Hurts showed he still has far to go as an accurate passer as Tom Brady turned in another masterful effort.

The Buc offense is both balanced and precise at the moment, converting 7-of-13 on third down against a decent Philly defense that couldn’t get off the field.

A couple of pass interference penalties helped the Eagles make the final score closer than it deserved to be and now the Bucs have extra time to prepare for a home matchup against the Bears.

Richard Sherman’s hamstring injury won’t help this depleted secondary, but Carlton Davis, Sean Murphy-Bunting and Antoine Winfield Jr. may be back in time for a November push. O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate caught nine of the 11 passes sent their way, so there’s no need to rush back Rob Gronkowski.

The arrow is pointing straight up for the defending champs, primarily because a well-protected Brady is having fun keeping everyone involved.

While Leonard Fournette and Antonio Brown are the headliners at the moment, nobody would be surprised if Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are the stars in Week 7.

Here’s how the Bucs broke Philly hearts yet again Thursday night:

* That sore right thumb really hampered Brady, didn’t it? All he did was complete 34 of 42 throws against a pass defense that entered the game ranked No. 3. The Eagles decided to sit back and play soft coverage, so Brady picked them apart, piece by piece. Now he says he might play until he’s 55. Arians says bring it on.

* Brown has turned the clock back and Brady is loving the time change. His stat line Thursday night was 9 catches in 13 targets for 93 yards and a touchdown, but mere numbers don’t tell the real story. This guy’s always open. He also turned in the game’s signature play when he made a difficult reception on third-and-7 in the final moments that basically secured the win.

* Fournette is running with abandon and has emerged as a credible receiving threat out of the backfield, accounting for 127 yards from scrimmage. He has left Ronald Jones in his wake and is in the process of earning himself a tidy salary in 2022.as a potential free agent.

* The trench warriors in front of Brady are setting a high bar. Good health has provided continuity and this is a tight, prideful group. Brady was not sacked and the Eagles managed only three QB hits. Given that kind of time, Brady is too smart and resourceful to handle. Run blocking has also been exceptional in the past three weeks, so Joe Gilbert and Harold Goodwin deserve a bow.

* Jalen Hurts has every right to complain about the first-half game plan. Miles Sanders isn’t Derrick Henry, but he has averaged 4.9 yards per carry in his NFL career. Sanders got one rushing attempt in the opening half — one — while Hurts was completing 5-of-14 throws. We all know the Bucs are murder to run against, but that’s awful coaching.

* The highs and lows of an NFL cornerback … Jamel Dean can write a book about it.

* That’s three consecutive games in which Tampa Bay has enjoyed at least 20 more snaps than the opposition. That’s called domination on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

* The Buc defense played well overall, but Philly’s opening possession was a low point. Hurts scrambled for a first down on third-and-7 and completed a 23-yard pass on third-and-12. A 45-yard pass interference penalty against Dean helped the Eagles overcome a first-and-25 situation. Nobody covered Zach Ertz to cap the drive and now Ertz is a member of the Cardinals. Perhaps the Bucs will see him again in the postseason.

* Facing one of the league’s most mobile quarterbacks, Todd Bowles preached discipline to his defensive unit. The Bucs did a nice job of staying in their rush lanes and Hurts often appeared frustrated by his inability to stretch Tampa Bay’s defense. Shaq Barrett led the way with constant pressure off the right edge.

* If the favored Browns beat unbeaten Arizona Sunday, the Bucs will be tied for the best record in the league. Not too shabby, especially with the prospect of key players returning after the bye week. Better stock up on those victory cigars, coach.

Yes, that warranty includes USED vehicles!

Ira with his good friend Sean Sullivan, general manager of Bill Currie Ford and host of the Best In Class podcast. Sean will help you personally in any way he can. Just ask!!!

Ira Kaufman Dives Headfirst Into The Jon Gruden Mess On His Latest Podcast.

14 Responses to “Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Eagles”

  1. Medicated Pete Says:

    How’s your boy ROJO, IRA?????????? How’s your boy GENIUS lips????? You cockatiel looking mofo?????????

  2. SlyPirate Says:

    The story of the game was … Shaq

    SHAQ WAS A MONSTER! He didn’t get the sacks but he had Hurts running for his life on nearly every pass play.

    If they’d played JTS more than 17 snaps, the Bucs would have registered a lot of take downs.

  3. Jmarkbuc Says:

    I’ve read more than once that TB12 works with the offense on improving the run game… not so much the “coaches”

  4. jiminPH Says:

    Agree with going for it on 4th down. Question the play that was called!!!

  5. Coburn Says:

    Still have images of jpp being held in that 3rd down scramble early by hurts. Was blatantly obvious and was bearing down on hurts at that time

  6. Kev@Inverness Says:

    So Pete must have downed the entire bottle this morning.

  7. JimbobBucsFan Says:

    Brady may play tiil he’s 55 and and you might report until you are 105, Sage! 😎 🧙🏼‍♂️

  8. Ed Says:

    I agree, the guys rushing from the middle like Suh and Gholston are being held and JPP too. The refs looked the other way on some PI’s that should have been called. Its good to let them play but these pass rushers should be rewarded with flags being called on offensive lineman that are grabbing them high and pulling them down.

  9. Joe in Michigan Says:

    I think Medicated Pete has given himself away as Realisto with all of the question marks.

  10. Casual Observer Says:

    Agree with Ed. I also think the refs were worse than usual. Any penalties for consistently poor refs.?

  11. DoooshLaRue Says:

    I wasn’t a big fan of bring AB in but I gotta say, he’s won me over.
    The guy is money.
    JTS is an exciting young talent and I think he’s going to be great very soon.

  12. BrooklynBucsFan Says:

    Joe in Michigan

    Yeah, you might just be onto something there… either way, he clearly didn’t take his medicine before today’s comment haha. Take it easy with the insults man, it’s just a spots blog.

  13. BuccaneerButters Says:

    That holding call drove me insane. I’m still upset about it. Right in front of the refs too!

  14. Christos Says:

    Agree with Ira about Dean. So inconsistant. He has a couple of really good games and then a few that you wonder why is this guy playing. I liked him and i wanted him to play even after his first start against the Seahwaks that gave up so much yards and a couple TDs. Many fans crucified him that game but he was there to contest every catch, broke up a few gave up more. But i saw a Corner be there and contest the catch, something we didnt see for many years in the L.Smith and M.Smith era. But 2 and a half years now as Ira said he can write a book about the highs and lows of a Corner. Go Bucs