Eliminating Weaknesses
November 22nd, 2021
Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting opened a lot of eyes
So the Bucs got two key starters back in the lineup tonight and the entire vibe and performance of the team changed.
Rob Gronkowski re-claimed the tight end position and even looked a bit like the Gronk of old, breaking tackles and looking impossible to handle. He finished with six catches for 6 catches for 71 yards.
But perhaps an even bigger impact came from cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting. It was like a magic wand was waved over the team by the football gods. SMB looked like a real NFL corner, versus the relative clown show that was Richard Sherman, Dee Delaney and Pierre Desir trying to replace him.
Murphy-Bunting was lively, didn’t play scared with the bionic arm contraption on his healing elbow, and he led the team with seven solo tackles.
Overall, the Bucs appeared to have no weaknesses with the return of Gronk and SMB, even though they were without Vita Vea and freshly-injured Ali Marpet.
It’s impossible for Joe to not be highly encouraged. Forget the woeful Giants, the Bucs’ side of the football looked a lot better all around. Joe puts a ton of it on the return of those two critical starters.
November 22nd, 2021 at 11:30 pm
3 points without the volleyball by Mike.
November 22nd, 2021 at 11:31 pm
Offense left several points out there…….but still much better with Gronk….
Defense was very strong tonight…..no early sacks but lots of pressure….
November 22nd, 2021 at 11:33 pm
Now that’s more like it! Big difference with those two back. With AB, Davis back soon along with Vita we should be in good shape for final run.
November 22nd, 2021 at 11:37 pm
IRA! Mike Edwards with a pick!! 🙌
November 22nd, 2021 at 11:39 pm
23 was a breath of fresh air. Having 32 playing nickel out there with 35 made on the other side was huge too. Edwards > Desir + Delaney + Cockrell
November 22nd, 2021 at 11:41 pm
Where are all the armchair experts that were bashing SMB? *crickets chirping*
That’s what I thought.
November 22nd, 2021 at 11:46 pm
It was the Giants.
November 22nd, 2021 at 11:47 pm
I agree with Joe completely on this, dude can ball and make plays and be counted on for tackling his guy as needed. Best the defense has played since the superbowl!
November 22nd, 2021 at 11:48 pm
Hope SMB keeps the brace on from here on out–he needs an extended time with that to prevent reinjury.
November 22nd, 2021 at 11:49 pm
It’s legitimately weird, especially how well Adams steps up as 3rd safety, to have not played AWJ and Edwards at nickel till now.
November 22nd, 2021 at 11:51 pm
Looks like SMB’s christmas tree is still up. That’s his lucky charm from last year. Good job !
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:00 am
Score should been 45+ to 13.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:14 am
Typo. 3. Not 13.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:35 am
SMB’s was huge. He did make a bridge between Bowles and the lesser talents. He has matured and maybe he can lick Bowles in the knees and tell him that having a DB soft cover ten yards away is stupid.
The Bucs, at least, went back to man coverage, and that slowed Danny Dimes a lot.
The D-line got a lot a pressure, which helped that man coverage a lot.
Man coverage might also help against the Colts, if the DB can break off and help stop Jonathan Taylor. That guy can win a game by himself.
Hopefully the Buc can stop him. They did a great job against Saquan.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:35 am
Yeah Chris so weird… Fans have been clamoring for 3 safeties on field and finally happens when we get SMB back
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:59 am
The one thing that annoyed me with the d.. we had decent pressure at times but we whiff in too many sacks.. not just this week either. Got some sacks from unheralded guys. I gotta say Gil is too light in the pants for early downs, but as a pass rush specialist every time I see #49 he’s doing good things. Was same case last year. Between him and Tyron we have got a couple of pass rush specialists.. although I did add Tryon stick his nose ibto some runs tonight. Tryon does need an inside move.. seemed to get stood up and into some shoving matches with tackles
November 23rd, 2021 at 2:34 am
I like our chances!!!
November 23rd, 2021 at 3:15 am
Disagree with the no weaknesses claim. Need to score more TD’s and it’s all feel good. Play a higher quality opponent and we will see. Time to show up vs Indy fellas
November 23rd, 2021 at 4:35 am
Tryon could use another 20 lbs, and pad level coaching, but I like the kid. Another feather in Licht’s cap. Our GM has been rocking the draft, hand that man a cold one on me.
LFG Bucs!
Let’s Go Brandon!!
November 23rd, 2021 at 5:51 am
What Doosh said. It was the Giants.
If this team wants credibility back, beat the Colts.
November 23rd, 2021 at 8:13 am
Finally more jts. He is so explosive it’s criminal it took so long to get him more involved can’t wait until he gets more experience with the way he moves so fortunate to have gotten him at 32
November 23rd, 2021 at 8:30 am
Even when the Bucs scored 30, it didn’t feel like success. Definitely left a lot of points out there tonight, but on the defensive side, was pretty happy with their performance and effort. Not a lot of talk about White, but he made several big plays and is looking much better than he did earlier in the season.
November 23rd, 2021 at 8:50 am
Exactly. It was the Giants. Not a contender.
November 23rd, 2021 at 10:34 am
Smb showed last year playoff run was no fluke!! Dude played his butt off!!!
November 23rd, 2021 at 11:04 am
The Bucs won that’s what counts. Quit all the nit-picking.
November 23rd, 2021 at 1:02 pm
So true, Tom. It’s like they forgot the 11 years before Brady.