Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Seahawks
November 13th, 2022
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
What’s the German word for an ass-kicking?
Somewhere during their 5,000-mile journey to Munich the Bucs grew a pair. They beat the sauerbraten out of the Seahawks up front and that was the difference in a 21-16 triumph that evened Tampa Bay at 5-5 before the bye.
Tampa Bay’s offensive priority was to establish a credible ground game. Mission accomplished.
The focus for Todd Bowles on defense? Contain impressive rookie back Kenneth Walker. Mission accomplished.
Pete Carroll’s teams are traditionally known for their physicality, but Seattle was bullied on foreign soil. Don’t be fooled by the final margin — the Bucs were the better team by far.
While Walker kept looking for holes that weren’t there, it was Tampa Bay’s rookie back who stole the show as Rachaad White deked and powered his way to 105 yards.
Tampa Bay’s offensive line was superb, opening wide running lanes for White and Leonard Fournette and providing Tom Brady with enough time to single out Buc fans in the crowd before delivering the football.
Led by Devin White, Bowles’ unit followed up last week’s strong effort against the Rams with another defensive doozy. Facing the NFL’s No. 4 scoring offense, Tampa Bay forced a punt on Seattle’s first five possessions.
If not for interceptions thrown by Brady and Fournette — of all people — this game likely would have turned into a rout. The Bucs boasted almost 14 more minutes of possession time and reeled off 20 more snaps against a well-coached Seattle team that entered with a 4-game winning streak.
Here’s how the league’s first foray into Germany ended with a joyous flight back home for the undisputed leaders of the NFC South.
* Even if Fournette recovers from a hip injury during the bye week, White should be the primary back going forward. He makes people miss, he sets up his blockers and he runs hard between the tackles. It doesn’t hurt that Brady has taken a shine to him, either.
* Tampa Bay owned all the currency on the money down, converting 10-of-15 while the Seahawks were 1-for-9. Most telling of all, the Bucs went 7-for-7 when they needed three yards or less on third down. For a welcome change, they stayed ahead of the sticks most of the way.
* The NFL is fortunate nobody suffered a major ankle or knee injury in Munich. I’ve seen better turf at prep football games. That’s the best we can get from a league that prints money?
Jamel Dean is standing extra tall through 10 games.
* Bowles spent all week talking about how Seattle’s offense goes through Walker. He came in averaging 5.1 yards per carry and 71 rushing yards. He left with only 17 yards to show for his 10 rushing attempts, hurting the Bucs more through the air. That’s a good tuneup for this suddenly stout run defense before facing Nick Chubb in Cleveland after the bye week.
* Jamel Dean continues to impress. He’s been Tampa Bay’s steadiest corner in 2022 and always seems to be tight in coverage.
* Assessing the blame for Fournette’s interception, it’s a tossup between the call and the execution. There was no need for Byron Leftwich to get cute with the Bucs in command and driving for more points. And there was no need for Fournette to try to find a well-covered Brady when he could have thrown the ball away or tucked it and ran.
Devin White earned his horsey ride.
* Nice to see Chris Godwin greet an old friend — the end zone. Godwin made some clutch receptions and Julio Jones surprised the Seahawks with his burst during a 31-yard catch that opened the scoring. What a boost for this offense if Godwin and Jones are healthy and productive for the stretch run.
* Devin White was on his horse all day with nine tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and three of Tampa Bay’s six hits against Geno Smith. He’s displaying more poise, patience and savvy. Somewhere, Derrick Brooks is smiling.
* Brady threw only 30 times, his fewest since the season opener at Dallas. That’s because the Bucs gashed Seattle for 161 yards on the ground, not because Leftwich was concerned about protection. Brady wasn’t sacked and Seattle registered only one QB hit. I know Brady gets the ball out quickly, but he can’t legitimately complain about a messy pocket.
* All three of Tampa Bay’s TD drives were long and methodical: 88 yards in 13 plays, 86 yards in 13 plays and 87 yards in 11 plays. Penalties and drops were minimal and Seattle’s defense was kept off balance. Good signs for a veteran team that suddenly looks refreshed rather than worn out.
Ira loves that lifetime warranty on new and used vehicles!
November 13th, 2022 at 4:37 pm
Of course some of the blame is on Fournette throwing the interception. But about 98 percent is on the Leftwich call. Let’s be real.
November 13th, 2022 at 4:39 pm
Ira the word you are looking for is Arschtritt
November 13th, 2022 at 4:43 pm
White had already replaced Fournette in the starting lineup. He started today.
November 13th, 2022 at 4:44 pm
Terrible call, terrible execution. Take that play out of the playbook.
November 13th, 2022 at 4:44 pm
Glad Tom dumped the dud.
Neigh-gh-gh-gh-Gm-Gm
November 13th, 2022 at 4:47 pm
Good stuff Ira!
November 13th, 2022 at 4:48 pm
I suspect Fornette was dinged up before the game started, since he didn’t Start.
November 13th, 2022 at 4:53 pm
Bucs are tied for 2nd in the NFC with 5-wins vs NFC teams, only the Vikings, with 6, have more.
November 13th, 2022 at 4:56 pm
* Assessing the blame for Fournette’s interception, it’s a tossup between the call and the execution. There was no need for Byron Leftwich to get cute with the Bucs in command and driving for more points. And there was no need for Fournette to try to find a well-covered Brady when he could have thrown the ball away or tucked it and ran.
———–
It’s 100% on Leftwich for being an idiot and running the same trick play twice in the span of a few plays. He’s so dumb, he thinks other coordinators are as dumb as he is, and won’t make adjustments. Running the same play just a few plays later takes it from stupid, to incredibly stupid. Leftwich calls games the same way my 13-year old nephew does, except my nephew has been playing Madden for all of a year, where as Leftwich has done this his entire life.
November 13th, 2022 at 5:01 pm
White needs to stay RB1 levrett needs to stay LG1 goedke would never play again this year only in an emergency or a jumbo package
November 13th, 2022 at 5:04 pm
The reason Fournette didnt start was he wasnt prepared for the trip by having to scramble for a passport, which came 3 hours before takeoff. I am sure that irked coach Bowles.
November 13th, 2022 at 5:08 pm
TBBF’S 10 TAKEAWAYS
Our offense is much better with Julio on the field
Our defense is much better with Hicks on the field
Jake Camarda can punt
Jaelon Darden is one scared mother….but he has good hands (please no jinx|
Devin White has redeemed himself
Jamal Dean is going to get paid
No more trick plays please
Rachaad White’s prediction on being the #1 back is coming true
When you throw past the sticks you convert 3rd downs
No false starts….no offsides…..wow!!!
November 13th, 2022 at 5:09 pm
Can anyone explain why the Bucs did not get an offensive interference in the first play when Miller was hold. If it was legal, how can Miller run the route?
The Bucs run the first play 100 % of the times. It is funny to see they run 2 for 18.
November 13th, 2022 at 5:15 pm
even if it were not an interception, do you really want Tom Brady out there taking a hit as a receiver? I thought we were trying to keep him from getting touched.
I think every Bucs fans’ heart was in their throat to see Brady trip and fall and wonder if that was the end of a career.
November 13th, 2022 at 5:17 pm
Your Mom – But the Bucs could have got 4 yards out of, totally worth it!
November 13th, 2022 at 5:22 pm
Can we make singing Country Roads at Tampa Stadium when game the game is in the bag a tradition?
November 13th, 2022 at 5:27 pm
Rod munch. Can’t stress your point enough as I posted similar comment on other posts. Why why why call that play when the Bucs are moving the ball and have a commanding lead. It Al
OST like Lefty read the press clippings about how predictable his play calling is. Thus he out stated himself.
November 13th, 2022 at 5:29 pm
Did Lefty read his press clippings about his play calling and called some bs trick play?
November 13th, 2022 at 5:32 pm
Not sticking up for Lenny and his passport “hassle”, but one would think that a professional sports team with many, many coaches and personnel would be sure to check such things well ahead of time.
Maybe the trainers are responsible for that task…… that wouldn’t surprise me.
November 13th, 2022 at 5:51 pm
TBBF, great points. Great points.
November 13th, 2022 at 6:07 pm
Ira, great piece! You always do a good job picking out the details that most folks don’t see. 2 things you brought up that were big. The first was the field. Was it last year the NFL moved the game because the field was completely garbage. Everyone was very lucky that no one got hurt because the field was bad. The NFL needs to start checking on the fields before teams go over.
The second one was Dean. When everyone was hurt he was getting picked on over and over again and even when he got hurt, he continued to play and grow. All that playing time and going against the other teams best has turned Dean into a stud. Dudes gonna get paid and it better be the Bucs that pay him! Dean is the best corner on the Bucs. Keep him long term please! Pay em!
November 13th, 2022 at 6:12 pm
ModHairKen Says:
November 13th, 2022 at 5:51 pm
TBBF, great points. Great points.
Thanks so much….
November 13th, 2022 at 6:20 pm
Perhaps the German Word for ass whipping is Blitzkrieg ?
Today, we beat the NFC West Leaders senseless, and you are right Ira.
There was no need for Leftwich to get cute, and risk a possible injury to Brady.
I sincerely hope White became our number one running back today.
WE are really playing well lately!
November 13th, 2022 at 6:25 pm
That trick play should have never even been drawn up……you simply can’t put Brady in that position…..
Brady is a gammer but I’m surprised he signed off on it.
November 13th, 2022 at 6:36 pm
Seahawks came into the game as a complete X-factor. Looked surprising, winning games, scoring huge. But everyone also knows they are in deep rebuild, low expectations, having fun, preparing for the next offseason.
Bucs were fortunate to get door number 2, a relatively easy game ahead of a bye week.
This “ass kicking” did little to change the fact that this team is still poorly coached, full of roster issues, and far from dominant.
Does this confidence builder fix everything? No, but it’s a breather. They have to make good use of this break.
November 13th, 2022 at 6:38 pm
The Brady as WR INT trick play garbage overshadowed anything they did well. It showed a complete lack of feel for the game on the part of the coaching staff.
The offense was humming – for the first time all season, really – and the Seahawks were on their heels about to get blown out. The only way this didn’t end 35-14 or more lopsided was a big momentum swing. That play kills momentum. And worse, what’s the upside EVEN IF IT WORKED?! You have Brady downfield doing what exactly? Being the oldest, slowest WR of all time?
That play showed a lot. An average D1 coach would understand that isn’t the time or place, and the risk/benefit was not there at all.
November 13th, 2022 at 6:48 pm
Great win against a quality opponent in freakin’ Germany no less! Well done.
November 13th, 2022 at 6:52 pm
Rod lol. Yeah Brady wasn’t covered a few plays earlier so he just had to call it again. You cant make this crap up. He tries weekly to lose games and he succeeds too much. Fire him Glazers!
November 13th, 2022 at 7:16 pm
I turned the game off after the trick play and interception. I was so angry I almost threw something at the TV. Most boneheaded call I’ve ever seen. Byron has to go next year. Seriously deficient play caller. How Bowles ever signed off on that play involving Brady is beyond me.
November 13th, 2022 at 7:24 pm
Agreed Ira. A slick soccer pitch might be fine for Soccer but that turf was terrible for NFL Football.
November 13th, 2022 at 7:25 pm
@View from 132… well said. The risk/reward was very poor and I also turned to my son and said” Why the hell are we running a trick play when our offense is picking them apart and we are so close to the endzone”? It just doesn’t make sense how our coaches don’t have a feel for what is working and what not to do.
Momentum changer big time. Why even give the other team that opportunity when we were killing them on offense!
November 13th, 2022 at 7:27 pm
The simple fact of the matter is that we didn’t need a trick play…..we were moving the ball quite well…..at the very worst we get a FG….
Lefwich has to be asked……
But his answer: “We just put our players in a position to make plays” “We just didn’t execute”
November 13th, 2022 at 7:29 pm
D-Rome Says:
November 13th, 2022 at 7:24 pm
The NFL is fortunate nobody suffered a major ankle or knee injury in Munich.
Agreed Ira. A slick soccer pitch might be fine for Soccer but that turf was terrible for NFL Football.
__________
I think the Seahawks changed their cleats.
We stubbornly stuck with our original game plan and refused to adjust to the conditions.
#truestory
November 13th, 2022 at 7:29 pm
plus who do you want handling throws when you are in the redzone?
November 13th, 2022 at 7:30 pm
Brady was playing GREAT, why take the ball out of his hands?
November 13th, 2022 at 7:51 pm
DoooshLaRue Says:
“I think the Seahawks changed their cleats.”
Seahawks did change their cleats. We smartly had the right cleats and also came a day later than Seattle. Pete Carroll and his staff made bad decisions and they showed today.
We also controlled both lines of scrimmage.
November 13th, 2022 at 7:52 pm
Ke’shawn Vaughn was soooooo pissed after he stepped out on that reception to the sideline, glad to see it if there’s one member of this team I had to guess is foaming at the mouth for reps, it’s Sneak.
November 13th, 2022 at 7:53 pm
These threads never change.
Fire BL!!!!
One bad play call. And in a game where the Bucs punted only twice and took the ball with 4 minutes left in the game and kept it to the end the conversation is just stupid.
November 13th, 2022 at 8:00 pm
@RSJCheapSeats
Exactly, it took 10 weeks, but that was the most complete game of football this team has played dating back to the 2nd panthers game last season
November 13th, 2022 at 9:09 pm
I haven’t rewatched the game yet.. but it seems like Brady was screaming to the sideline to run that trick play…
November 13th, 2022 at 9:18 pm
@view 132 That was a succinct comment and summed my feelings up perfectly. He called a pretty good game before. I hope someone does ask him WHY, but I will probably cringe at his response.
November 13th, 2022 at 9:19 pm
Oh. I forgot to tell you, Ira, ’twas an insightful and well-written article. Enjoyed.
November 13th, 2022 at 10:57 pm
Leverett seemed to of had another decent game–have we found our right guard? Perhaps goedeke could use another year of body strenthening, technique training and next year swing guard?
November 13th, 2022 at 10:57 pm
left guard sorry
November 14th, 2022 at 4:02 pm
Fournette to Brady pass play should go with the Julio Jones jet sweep play into the trash can. That high school stuff is not worthy of an NFL OC. What’s next a Brady QB sneak with Tom hiking the ball to Hainesy?
November 19th, 2022 at 4:54 am
I’ kinda glad Brady “fell” down on the trick play. DB Woolen would have put him in the ER on the ensuing hit.
Not sure but that might have been an intentional fall down on Brady’s part seeing the DB about ring him up. 🙂
November 19th, 2022 at 5:00 am
Tyui Says:
November 13th, 2022 at 5:22 pm
Can we make singing Country Roads at Tampa Stadium when game the game is in the bag a tradition?
YESSS Put Kinda a Tampa Bay stamp on a blowout win…. I’m in!!!
November 19th, 2022 at 5:07 am
Ira mentioned dropped passes…
I dont recall seeing any… any names?