The Morning After
January 17th, 2022
(Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
For the first time in 19 years, the Bucs won a home playoff game (the Super Bowl was not a home game). And as a result of yesterday’s win and the 49ers beating the Cowboys, the Bucs will host two playoff games in the same postseason for the first time since 1979. And just like that season, the Bucs started the playoffs by alley-beating the Eagles! What a Victory Monday! Get your java and let’s f’ing go!
Defense Rose Up
So who saw this coming?
The Bucs defense had not played well for the better part of the month. The rush defense in particular looked soft.
Yeah, Joe knows the Bucs were down three of their starting four linebackers. Even Devin White, who was not injured (that we know of), looked as if his game had really slid. Lavonte David, the last time he got hurt it took him a couple of weeks before he was back to the old Lavonte David we know and love. Bucs sack king Shaq Barrett? He had a bum knee. Who knew what he would be like? Jason Pierre-Paul, Joe knew he wasn’t hurt (outside of his torn rotator cuff) so Joe hoped rest would help JPP.
But damn, the Bucs defense came out absolutely on fire as if someone tried to steal money from their mothers. Joe cannot remember the last time the defense was fired up like this.
Joe wrote last night it appeared as if the defense was just plain royally p!ssed with all the talk in the days leading up to the game that the defense was shot and the Eagles were going to stomp them into the mud with their running game.
That didn’t happen.
From the first snap, the Bucs sent a message to both the Eagles and the rest of the NFC that if someone enters their house in the playoffs, that team best roll up its sleeves and prepare to be squared up and punched in the mouth.
Joe cannot tell you how awesome that was to see in person. The only thing better was watching so many Eagles fans march out of the stadium in shame, heads hung low after their beloved Eagles got absolutely seal-clubbed.
Yeah, the Bucs gave up a couple of cheap touchdowns. And Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians wasn’t too happy about that as he thought his team relaxed way too much leading 31-0. But other than the cheap touchdowns, wow. That was a good ol’ fashioned curb-stomping.
As the great Mike Tyson once said, “Everyone has a plan until they punched in the mouth.” Yesterday, the Eagles got punched in the mouth.
The Tristan Wirfs Watch Is On
As happy as Bucs fans were and are for that arse-kicking, Bucs fans are equally holding their breath wondering what is wrong with All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs, who went down early with an ankle injury.
How popular is Wirfs and how worried are fans? That stadium was absolutely quiet as a funeral home yesterday when Bucs trainers were on the field tending to Wirfs. You could almost hear someone sneeze in the parking lot.
Joe doesn’t think it is a coincidence that the Bucs offense began to bog down when Wirfs both left. Joe doesn’t know what the Bucs would do without Wirfs. Josh Wells was getting worked over pretty well in his absence.
Do the Bucs put Aaron Stinnie out at right tackle? Do the Bucs move someone else on the line over to right tackle and Stinnie replaces him?
The Bucs continue to deal with a lot of injuries this year. Losing Wirfs just may do in the Bucs.
We should know more later today when Bucco Bruce Arians speaks in his day-after presser. And often with an injury to a star player, word leaks out about the diagnosis somewhere around mid-morning.
Where Was The Big Bad Philly Defense?
Joe had read and heard how physical and tough the Eagles’ defense was in the days leading up to the game. You know, the interior of the Eagles’ front was so strong and good it would crush Tom Brady and swallow up any Bucs running back?
Well, the Bucs shamed those guys. The Bucs ran right at their arses in the first half and the Bucs’ front line was blowing open massive holes.
It was almost like the Bucs wanted to show both Philly and the rest of the NFC that if they want to play smashmouth, then don’t poke the bear.
Watching the Bucs get massive gains through huge holes made Joe smile.
Shaq Turned Into Dennis Rodman
No, Shaq didn’t marry himself yesterday, standing on the pirate ship in a bridal gown while the ceremony was broadcast live on Bay News 9.
But Joe thought of Dennis Rodman, the rebounding demon for the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls, when Joe saw Bucs sack king Shaq Barrett climb a ladder to pick off Jalen Hurts. That set up a one-play, 36-yard kill-shot of a drive when Tom Brady hit Mike Evans on the left side deep and Evans pulled a Cheetah Hill and somersaulted over the goal line.
That started the party at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway. And in the timeout after the touchdown, the PA system played the Beastie Boys and the Bucs faithful went wild. The party was on! A lot of alcohol was chugged about that time.
Shaq’s pick was wild. Joe couldn’t believe he could sky that high but he sure did. Honestly, it looked to Joe like Rodman going up for a defensive rebound late in a one-score game. Joe wasn’t sure what got Bucs fans to dancing in the aisles the way they were: The kill shot from Brady, Evans’ flip, or the play that set up the touchdown pass, Shaq’s Rodman impression.
It was just such a cool scene to see tens of thousands of Bucs fans erupt like that after getting kicked in the nuts week after week for years in the Lost Decade watching the losses pile up.
Bucs fans deserved to blow off steam. It’d been 19 years since they won a home playoff game. They had the right to party.
Bruce Arians Is Not Woody Hayes
Joe understands people under 50 never saw Woody Hayes coach at Ohio State. He was a giant of a coach (Richard Nixon delivered the eulogy at Hayes’ funeral) and just as much of a nut case. He stomped and woofed on the Buckeyes’ sidelines like a mental patient. Grabbing guys, punching TV cameramen, shoving referees, snapping down markers in half. If his team was losing he would just go absolutely wild on the sidelines.
Hayes was like a spastic Bobby Knight. And ironically in college, Knight was one of Hayes’ students — yes, Hayes taught classes at Ohio State. He was a fairly normal human away from a football, but he went berserk when he stepped on a field.
Hayes was famously known for losing it at the Gator Bowl when Clemson’s Charlie Bauman picked off an Art Schlichter (!) pass as Ohio State was marching for a potential game-winning field goal attempt to beat Clemson. Bauman was tackled right in front of Hayes, who ran over and grabbed Bauman and sucker-punched him in the jaw with a right hook.
Hayes was fired the next morning. His career was finished.
Though it happens very, very, very rarely (thankfully), any time a coach whacks a player brings flashbacks to Hayes.
Yesterday, there was a hassle in front of the Bucs’ bench and backup safety Andrew Adams appeared to be mouthing off with an Eagles player. Arians took a couple of steps towards Adams and swatted him in the head (while wearing a helmet).
So for a split second, Joe couldn’t help but remember Hayes going after Bauman. Difference here is, Adams plays for Arians; Bauman played for Clemson.
Arians, unlike Hayes, is not nuts. But Arians is very much an old-school coach who doesn’t tolerate BS. Not at all. So knowing Arians, Joe will guess he heard Adams say something very naughty, and whacked Adams on the head as if to say, “Use your head and shut the f@#k up and get off the f@#king field!”
So no, Joe doesn’t believe Arians had a senior moment like Hayes did. The optics weren’t good but Joe is confident Arians was trying to get Adams under control before he got a penalty, or worse, tossed.
Hey, at least Troy Aikman got a chuckle out of it.
Bruce Arians is NOT happy 😳pic.twitter.com/H5Goxcee7S
— PFF (@PFF) January 16, 2022
January 17th, 2022 at 12:27 am
One thing I never realized during the game… Adams sorta extends his arm a bit, wanders off and just sort of ignores him lol. Maybe not that unsual for Arians
January 17th, 2022 at 12:49 am
Unlike other games this weekend, the officials were mostly invisible (except for the inexplicable no call on Darden after being down) which is always appreciated. BA was clearly trying to avoid an unsportsmanlike conduct call for Adams. Whack away, BA!
January 17th, 2022 at 12:52 am
The defense was fantastic. GRAVEDIGGERS showed up! Whitehead and Winfield heading everything near them. Davis and Dean with tight coverage all day.
As for the Phillies D, they can get some pressure but they did not stop the run. First play of the game was a gut punch.
Shaq’s interception and a touchdown pass to Evans were awesome. It was flashes of the Super Bowl- defense and offense dominating and stars making big plays.
Sunday at 1- next home game
January 17th, 2022 at 12:56 am
OHBuc….
I think Adams was about to cross the line and BA was making sure there was no stupid penalty
You’re absolutely right. The officials called a pretty good game except that hit on Darden. I don’t get that at all, the official was standing right there!
I also thought Troy was out of his mind saying that was not a late hit on Brady when it clearly was late and was the crown of his head going straight into Bradys hip. You could argue it was not a late hit if there weren’t 100 other late hits on a QB called this year that were less offensive
January 17th, 2022 at 1:26 am
The sky pick by Barrett was Amazing.
January 17th, 2022 at 1:27 am
Arians did good.
January 17th, 2022 at 1:50 am
philly was just a bunch of scrubs…not in the bucs league…that nfc east is just not a very good group as a whole…
bucs played really well, but philly isn’t really a playoff team…
i mean they are………..but then again they’re not…
they’re like the caboose of nfl playoff teams…bottom barrel sh!t…
we gotta be ready for the rams big time next weekend, they give us a lot of trouble…i think the cards have kinda bottomed out, and we will take ’em fairly easily if they’re the opponent…
but those mcvay rams are troublesome…
for some reason i wanted us to get dallas, but san fran is hot and the team people are sleeping on – they are the one team of the nfc west’s 3 teams left that might just give aaron fudgers a run for his milk money
January 17th, 2022 at 2:08 am
As the great Mike Tyson once said, “Everyone has a plan until they punched in the mouth.”
======
Thank you, Joe, for getting the quote right. Everyone says ‘punched in the face’, and that’s not what Tyson said, he said punched in the mouth and that just sounds better.
January 17th, 2022 at 2:16 am
The helmet slap was to get his attention. That’s it. And an old
man hitting a young man’s helmet is not going to cause an injury. So what’s this about? Adams being “dissed”? Well sorry. Adams failed to control himself, so BA reacted swiftly and prevented an escalation. That’s called coaching.
If you have a problem with that, get a coloring book and go find a safe space, candya$$.
January 17th, 2022 at 2:36 am
Great stuff Joe’s! I had a not so fun flashback of the times when my Abuela would come after me for doing something dumb after watching Arians do that. I laughed my butt off. 😜
January 17th, 2022 at 2:48 am
Great game, nice surprises, but I think we still haven’t seen a complete four excellent quarters out of this team. Injuries remain the problem, as we know.
Pray for healing, good matchups and some luck.
I am most concerned about the Rams, 49ers and Titans (?), the physically tough teams that can impose their will. Hope Bowles and the D get it together, and become that kind of D at this late hour.
January 17th, 2022 at 3:32 am
Franchise history:
44 seasons without Brady — 6 playoff wins, including 1 SB win
2 seasons with Brady – 5 playoff wins, including 1 SB win (and possibly more)
January 17th, 2022 at 4:08 am
Marpet played tackle in college and would be decent, and Hainsey played RT at Notre Dame last year. Both have to better than Wells (who couldn’t even beat out Joe Haeg last year). The weird part is how “tough guy” Licht drafts and Jordan Mailata was sitting there in the 7th round 4 years ago. I was screaming to take him 🤦♂️
January 17th, 2022 at 4:43 am
Arians should use a spray bottle next time, that way it won’t trigger the softies in the media
January 17th, 2022 at 4:47 am
Did the Bucs use a no huddle in the first series? It might surprise the Eagles.
January 17th, 2022 at 4:47 am
Joe cannot remember the last time the defense was fired up like this.
___________
You don’t remember the Super Bowl last year?
January 17th, 2022 at 5:54 am
BTW Joe the Bucs played the Rams the next week in 1979, could happen again.
And yes BA is not near Woody Hayes in character. Lolol Woody also hated the forward pass lolol, and BA is all about empty backfield- bombs away lololol
What BA did was over the top with Adams, but he was not near like Woody and how he would go berserk on nearby people.
Yes it was a night and day difference in the offense when Wirfs went down, and Jensen being reinjured. Anyone remember the look on Ryans face when coming off the field. Not fun to see, but to his credit big red came right back the next series.
GO BUCS!!!!!
January 17th, 2022 at 6:21 am
Winfield, Whitehead! …flying around was beautiful.
January 17th, 2022 at 6:57 am
The energy at the game was off the charts yesterday! Every eagles fan got what they deserved for stepping foot in our house.
Never heard that place louder than when they played the Beastie Boys on the PA, Raymond James was one big party lol
January 17th, 2022 at 7:01 am
Adams was clearing Eagles off a pile (maybe mouthing off too). I’ve seen that called for a 15-yard ULC call before. Pretty sure that’s why BA was pissed. Pretty sure he aggravated his Achilles on the play too. Love BA but that COVID might have gotten him a little mentally sideways, senior moments seems to be on the rise.
January 17th, 2022 at 7:30 am
Kudos to buc nation for keeping stadium all red
I will be there next week
January 17th, 2022 at 7:56 am
I’m very, very concerned about Wirfs. I do not want to see Josh Wells attempting pass protection versus Aaron Donald.
January 17th, 2022 at 8:01 am
I wonder why we do not sign Andrew Adams, to a multi-year contract. we always pick him up when someone gets injured and always comes in and plays well. Is he better than #31,33,32 no, but he is a very good fit for our team defense, he always shows up on game day if he is activated and plays well on ST & Defense.
“(Richard Nixon delivered the eulogy at Hayes’ funeral)”
Was the giant Ohio State coach Hayes also “not a crook” and just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar too? Nixon Sucked as President. Just another facts don’t matter Republican Politician. Until justice comes from out of the darkness to light up the path to take them away. Have we all forgotten the disgrace President Nixon brought to our nation? Or is he still held in high esteem by many in our nation? If so why? Is it just because he was a Conservitive politician?
Go!!!! Bucs!!!!
I am still hearing ya Ross!!!
That sucking sound has only gotten worse…
January 17th, 2022 at 8:06 am
Joe, didn’t Hainsey play RT at Notre Dame?
January 17th, 2022 at 8:15 am
I’ve always thought (perhaps incorrectly) that Hainsey is more of a Swiss Army knife of an OL, rather than a true RT. I think he’s more of an interior OL rather than outside, and that’s why Wells was the plug and play RT when Wirfs got injured.
I thought OT would have been on the draft shopping list after Haig left, perhaps Licht thought Hainsey could be developed into a backup OT as well. At least that’s what I figured on draft night.
January 17th, 2022 at 8:18 am
Adams pulled an Eagles player out of the pile by his leg. That’s what made Arians go off
January 17th, 2022 at 8:20 am
I DID touch that SPOT didn’t I?
Awww…. So sorry.. NO, I am NOT!!
January 17th, 2022 at 8:22 am
Adam’s was pulling an Eagles player off the pile. Joe, how can you say that’s not a senior moment? It looked very subliminal to me. Reminds me of the series Sucession where the grandfather hauls back and pops the 10 yr old grandson. Sorry go back and watch that, he went all straight jacket on Adam’s. Adam’s must of been WTF, he should of popped him back. So we shat all over AB for his sideline episode, 2 weeks later BA pops a gasket. Are we still led to believe he didn’t help instigate AB’s departure after yesterday’s breakdown? I’ll bet Brady made the same stupid whoa face when he saw that. BA has lost it folks.
January 17th, 2022 at 8:22 am
Coach Arians reminded me of the Dog Whisperer— ssshhhh!
January 17th, 2022 at 8:26 am
Hey Joe,
You brought that National Disgrace into your post. Can not your readers not have any response to your added information to a post? Or share their own view of said added information? yeah yeah, your blog you write about what you want……And that still doesn’t change the 37th President was and is still a disgrace to our nation. Or do you feel differently?
Go!!! Bucs!!!
January 17th, 2022 at 8:34 am
ohbucsfan^^^ agree, i didnt even notice the referees.. thats a good thing!
January 17th, 2022 at 9:13 am
Yes!
January 17th, 2022 at 9:27 am
RustyRhinos:
Re-LAX!
Joe was just pointing out Hayes was such a huge figure in his day an ex-President eulogized him at his funeral. If you get this triggered by a historical reference, you may need decaf. The dude is dead. Long gone. Calm down.
January 17th, 2022 at 9:36 am
Arians whacked Adams because he was trying to pull an Eagles player off the pile which is a 15 yard penalty.
The Bucs are lucky that Jalen Hurts stinks. As Aikman pointed out many times during the game, there were big plays, even TD passes there for the taking. Hurts just didnt see them. While I doubt it would have cost us the game, they had chances to score long before the 4th quarter. The lack of pass rush against this team is scary.
January 17th, 2022 at 9:46 am
Pretty sure I got slapped around way more while wearing a helmet in high school football, and that was in the mid 2000’s (not “old school” at all). People need to get a grip.
January 17th, 2022 at 9:59 am
Yes the secondary did a great job. Missed some picks but we’re in great coverage. And who has been coaching them? Thank you Mr Sherman!!
January 17th, 2022 at 10:43 am
Off-topic, Nixon was a disgrace but we must not forget his achievements. Kissinger and Nixon architected the strategy that led to the rapprochement with both the PRC and USSR. There were times that the US and USSR were in danger of a nuclear exchange, not to mention the US fighting the People’s Liberation Army in Korea. Not only did this mollify the adversaries, it helped transition the US economy (metaphorically, less guns, more butter).
He ended the Vietnam War, albeit he could have ended it earlier (but then the same could be said of JFK and LBJ prior to Tet). When he mined Haiphong Harbor and obliterated the North Vietnamese supply lines, he motivated Hanoi into peace talks.
He also established the EPA, and despite what people thought, he was also relatively progressive for a conservative or moderate in championing civil rights. Dr. King was actually expecting to be freed from jail by Nixon, not JFK. Nixon’s aides were asleep at the wheel and didn’t inform RMN that Dr. King was locked up.
He had a ton of deep flaws. His paranoia, dirty political tricks, and dabbling in corruption (not for personal gain) are what led to his demise. He is a mixed bag.
January 17th, 2022 at 11:38 am
I was so happy to see both sides of the ball playing complimentary football!!! Both sides made awesome plays. Worked as a TEAM and it showed!!! I hope Jensen and Wirfs are ok and can rest up for the next game. We need both of them healthy for the coming games. #LFG Bucs!
January 17th, 2022 at 12:21 pm
@Passingthrough
Largely agree with your post except on his ending Vietnam. Kids in the streets ended Vietnam and Nixon LIED and did his best to sabotage the Vietnam Peace Talks to undermine LBJ.
But I agree with everything else you posted and certainly accept your main point.
“Nixon was a disgrace but we must not forget his achievements.”
January 17th, 2022 at 2:49 pm
stpetebucsfan – God, what a stupid old hippie. Hey dummy, some dirty hippies standing in the street didn’t end Vietnam. How about you read a book instead of burning them you old fascist.
January 18th, 2022 at 12:06 pm
As to the “Arians swat”, in some of the replays, Arians also seems to stumble (ice bag wrap on his leg) making it a misaimed flailing swat that became wilder than intended.