“The Only Chance This Buccaneers Team Has”

November 5th, 2022

So which Bucs unit will rise up and play like it’s hungry for a Super Bowl tomorrow?

Hopefully all of them will. But one former Buccaneer is pointing a finger.

Joe is referencing Michael Clayton, the blocking icon who also was the Bucs’ first-round draft pick in 2004.

Clayton coaches Plant City high school football and also does his share of barking on WDAE radio, where he was calling on the Tampa Bay offensive line to “grit their teeth and grind” tomorrow so the Bucs can run the damn ball.

Clayton likes Nick Leverett in for Luke Goedeke at left guard and he says there’s enough talent on the O-line to spark the Bucs’ miserable run game and deep-passing game.

It’s a crisis time in the season, Clayton said.

“I’m calling out this offensive line to get it together because everybody’s job could be on the line,” Clayton said. “And if they get it together, then that’s the only chance this Buccaneers team has to win. Run it for 70 to 100 yards; I think that’s good enough to get it ignited.”

Well, the Rams, Sunday’s opponent, have serious talent on their defensive front, but Los Angeles is playing poorly and Joe is with Clayton. The Bucs need a big game from the O-line.

Joe still can’t figure out why Byron Leftwich can’t find an average running game behind Tristan Wirfs and Shaq Mason.


Ira Kaufman Talks Todd Bowles’ Demeanor, Bucs Lacking Confidence, Referendum Week, Rams Game Predictions, And Much More

38 Responses to ““The Only Chance This Buccaneers Team Has””

  1. Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:

    The Bebgals would have beat the Panthers easily, if they had Jamarr Chase. But he is injured, so this game is a toss up.
    The Chargers should beat the Falcons, then the Falcons play the Panthers next week.
    All we have to do is beat the Rams tomorrow, and we are in good shape.

    How about them Eagles ? Where the heck did they come from ? Their upcoming schedule may very well have them as the second undefeated team, that is, until they meet the Buffalo Bills in the Super Bowl. Even if Kansas City slips into the Super Bowl, I see them beating the Eagles too.

  2. fern Says:

    can’t catch Clay joins the blowhard haters

  3. Listnfrmafar Says:

    Will it matter if the D knows what plays your running??? If Harbaugh did you know McVay will make sure his D does.

  4. dmatt Says:

    Can we just start the game in up tempo mode to keep moving the ball down the field for nothing less than a td. It’s a must that BL get creative with play calling. I’m impressed with the OC play calling of the following teams 49ers, Eagles, Seahawks,Giants,Vikings, Bills. All eyes on the Bucs tomorrow. Step up or step down.

  5. Kentucky Buc Says:

    WTF is a blocking icon?

  6. jehzsa Says:

    I wonder if in his own mind Bowles thinks he’s doing a great job.

    Reminds me of someone else with the same problem.

    And they both blame others…

  7. Redeemer Says:

    Rams are struggling mightily on offense, but the defense is legit. I see a low scoring dog fight. Todd, please double cupp every play. He’s literally their entire offense. If someone else beats you, so be it. I hope I’m wrong, but I see McVay coaching circles around Bowles and co.

  8. Wild Bill Says:

    It’s pretty simple guys. Line blocking and Leftbehind play calling. Somebody at the top needs to grow some balls and make the change Pronto. Bring Arians back as an emergency replacement to call the offense. PLEASE!!!

  9. Pewter Power Says:

    We could have returned the same o line and still had the same results. You can’t run the ball in hen the opposing defense knows exactly where the play is going

  10. Tony Says:

    Should we even listen to word coming from Michael Clayton? The dude that had a hard enough time catching a football.

  11. Hunter's Crack Pipe Says:

    dmatt Says:
    “Can we just start the game in up tempo mode to keep moving the ball down the field for nothing less than a td. It’s a must that BL get creative with play calling.”
    .
    .

    Or, instead of Arians scripting the 1st 15 plays (as it appears he did last week), he should go ahead and script 60 this week.

  12. Hunter's Crack Pipe Says:

    Kentucky Buc Says:
    “WTF is a blocking icon?”
    .
    .

    A woman who does the best job ever at getting between you and her friend you were interested in?

  13. Bring back the lawn chairs Says:

    There is always that lawn chair defense tho fall back if things go awry.

  14. Lakeland Steve Says:

    As Sapp would say it ain’t about the X’s and the O’s, it’s about the Jimmy’s and the Joe’s!

  15. DungyDance Says:

    Leftwich uses play action at the third lowest rate in the league; he says you can’t use play action without establishing the run. And our rushing challenges are why he uses it so seldom. Allow me to unravel this web of sh$%. There is no evidence to support that an effective running game predicates successful play action, and significant evidence to support that it works just fine on its own. Lefty doesn’t use it because it would require more variables than the 4 choices you got when playing Tecmo Bowl. In other words, more than he can comprehend.

  16. DisenheartenedBucsFan Says:

    Totally dismissing the terrible playcalling which the offense makes obvious on every play.

  17. Joe Says:

    WTF is a blocking icon?

    Michael Clayton.

  18. TheRealDrew Says:

    Devin White and Lenny will be up late watching the Alabama vs LSU game in their LSU jerseys. Don’t expect enough production there. Time to take those jerseys off during a damn NFL game! Sure as hell isn’t bringing any good luck!

  19. Mbrown Says:

    I’m calling out Clayton who had one ok year, then did nothing but block. Oh but he was a wide receiver. Not sure why this loud mouth is on the radio. He sucked as a wide receiver but acts like he is in the hall of fame.

  20. Oddball Says:

    Post of the day Hunter. 😂

  21. LastDance Says:

    What a riot this group of coaches is. If I wasn’t a Brady/Bucs fan, I would watch simply to laugh at the incompetence. And cry that such incompetence makes millions of dollars to do a shirty job. I and 1/2 of the posters on here would not do worse calling plays with a weeks worth of prep. Abomination. Hopefully, the Rams implode because we will not impose our will on either OL or DL and therefore we will lose without BA scripting a full game of plays or Brady running no-huddle for the whole game.

  22. Kentucky Buc Says:

    Next up. Interview with equipment room Icon Timmy ‘the tape master’ Turner.

  23. Jack dos Santos Says:

    it’s clear bowles is only interested in telling the players they need to look in the mirror. Well Mr. Bowles, I think you need to look in the mirror because Coaches need to coach (teach). These players are not playing like a team each doing their jobs as a collective. That is always on coaching!

  24. Redeemer Says:

    Last dance, we’ll call it the joebucsfan offense. A frantic mix of shotgun no huddle, with a few draw plays sprinkled in

  25. Beeej Says:

    I’m ALL IN for tomorrow. So much so I’m playing Brady instead of Burrow (and Brady has had ONE standout fantasy game this year)

  26. steele Says:

    This was supposed to be the red letter revenge game, SB rematch that an angry Bucs team should be ready to inflict, to prove supremacy.

    Instead, regression in coaching and roster, no replacements for major veteran losses, bad psychology, injuries and lack of leadership and direction.

    Rams struggling, but in the battle of which team is worse right now, Bucs win.

    It is always possible that Bucs win this one somehow, but the season is about Bowles and Leftwich, and that itself is a disaster.

  27. Adrnagy Says:

    Olinemen “job on the line” lol. Sure bench wirfs or cut him. Funny. This is who joe listen to.

  28. Buczilla Says:

    If our guys can’t play inspired football against the team that kept them from going to last years superbowl, the last itsy bitsy shred of hope that I have for them will be toast. I haven’t been this disappointed in a Bucs team in a long time. It’s one thing to suck and get beat, but a whole different animal when you have good players that just seem not to care.

  29. frank Says:

    Tom Brady had nothing else tp prove. In was in the cards. He should have retired. If I was a betting man, I would have bet that the Bucs and Brady(with a new coach) would be in the that the situation they are in today. It was so obvious. It is just another example that some people do not know when to quit. Look what happened to his marriage

  30. Bob in valrico Says:

    Kentucky, Michael Clayton a very good rookie season, 1193 yards his rookie season,
    but his production as a receiver went way down every year after.He became known more as a blocking WR.

  31. Beeej Says:

    frank….you believe where the Bucs sit is because of Brady’s play?

  32. Kentucky Buc Says:

    Lol. Yeah I know who he is. Icon getting tossed around pretty loosely. Like I said . Who’s next? Equipment room Icon, field maintenance Icon.

  33. unbelievable Says:

    Aaron Donald is gonna have a gd field day tomorrow.

    Could get real ugly real fast. Unless this team can finally find its balls, and show up for a change.

    I’ll hold out hope, but I certainly won’t hold my breath.

  34. Rod Munch Says:

    Stop living in the past. You win by throwing the ball. Only losers care about rush stats. There’s no reason to waste downs rushing the ball when you aren’t any good at it.

    Yes, there is nuance to that statement, the easy thing being just run on 2nd down instead of 1st down, but Leftwich isn’t smart enough to understand that concept, so keep it simple and just don’t run. It’s going to be 2nd and 9 1/2 if you run, or 2nd and 10 if you pass and it’s incomplete. Even the terrible, overused WR screen will get you like 2 yards.

  35. captivajim Says:

    we have the player talent to beat the Rams–i think they kno this is a pivotal game..we can beat the rams .. LFG

  36. Todd Says:

    And…it’s the first play of the game. Left Side Lenny runs behind the left guard for a half yard. It’s 2nd and 9 for the Bucs. Leftwich has the Rams right where he wants them.

  37. Anthony Says:

    Ok I’m saying it again first I don’t know why Brady when he sees 8 on the box on first down doesn’t audible to play action and hit the TE. Or a receiver. All year I haven’t seen him do that. With that being said believe an up tempo game is better today for the most part and when they are winning keep playing to win instead of playing not to loose. That’s the way they have played all year. Bucs by 10

  38. garro Says:

    Joe ….A wideout a blocking icon?

    Come on maan!