Archive for the ‘Recent Posts’ Category

Barrett Ruud Fingers Youth For First Half Futility

Monday, November 8th, 2010

TP_274748_CASS_bucs_3Many Bucs fans are unsettled by the Bucs defensive showing this season. The Bucs have demonstrated a disturbing pattern of not showing up in the first half of games.

Joe documented that the Bucs defense is playing worse in the first half than last year’s heinous Jim Bates Experiment, as disturbing as that is to believe.

This was a subject of discussion with former Bucs Anthony Becht and Ryan Nece, who host a weekly Monday morning show on WHBO-AM 1040 when they welcomed Bucs linebacker Barrett Ruud today.

Nece claimed Michael Spurlock told him that, in short, some of the rookies seem to think they are still in college when it comes to preparation, that the week of film study and working out in the week preceding an NFL game is a different animal than the week leading up to a college game, and the rookies are still learning.

Ruud did not disagree, in answering Nece.

“When we arrived here, it was a veteran defense,” Ruud said. “I think the young guys need to have more of a General-type of mentality.”

What Ruud meant in saying “General” was a military-like focus. His statement seems dead-on.

What is the difference between the rookie defensive players and the rookie offensive players? The day of the draft this past April, Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn received a phone call from Josh Freeman, who told the wide receiver duo, in short, get your arse to Tampa and start working now.

Did we or have we heard or read anything similar about the rookie defensive tackles or for that matter, Roy Miller, and a Bucs defensive starter?

If you have, feel free to fill in Joe.

Ruud’s reference to veteran players struck a chord with Joe. Now Warren Sapp was gone by the time Ruud showed up but when Sapp was around there was no question who was the leader. Say what you will about Sapp’s boorish behavior, but if teammates did not put in their hours of preparation, Sapp made sure the world knew it.

In the fantastic NFL Network presentation of “America’s Game,” a significant portion of the Bucs feature flashed a spotlight on Sapp’s clashing with Meshawn Johnson. Sapp was morally outraged that Meshawn would not work out with the Bucs in the offseason. To this day that still irritates Sapp.

Sure, the Bucs have veterans like Ruud and Ronde Barber that could have showed the rookies and youngsters what being an NFL player is. That usually takes a vocal leader; both Ruud and Barber have many times confessed that’s not their personalities. If the youngsters ask Ruud and Barber for help, they gladly assist. But neither are the type that will grab a teammate by the facemask and forcefeed youngsters into the rigors of NFL life like Sapp did, and Freeman does.

Joe hopes that after the CBA is signed, Mark Dominik can sign a free agent defender (preferable a linebacker or defensive end) who is more of an in-your-face, workout warrior who will grab his teammates by the jersey and show them, force them to learn what it means to be an NFL defensive player.

And if needed, give them a swift kick in the rear end.

BSPN Looks At Bucs Loss To Dixie Chicks

Monday, November 8th, 2010

Cris Carter and Jon Anik break down the Bucs loss to the Dixie Chicks in this BSPN video.

Beckles Says Fourth-Down Call Is “Ignorant”

Monday, November 8th, 2010

It’s the play fans will be talking about all week. Joe, of course, has written plenty already. Fourth-and-1 on the Falcons’ 2 yard line late in the game and the Bucs called a counter play with LeGarrette Blount getting rock.

We all know how it finished. Ugh.

No fan of what he saw, Ian Beckles, former Bucs offensive lineman and co-host of The Ron and Ian Show, on WDAE-AM 620, was going a bit wild this morning because the Bucs called a “counter.”

“I’m not going to question the call to run [with Blount versus Freeman on a quarterback sneak], but calling a misdirection, to me, when you need one yard is ignorant,” Beckles said.

Beckles said the call should have been to  just block straight up and let Blount pound it.

Beckles went on to say he doesn’t “know if he ever saw a softer team up front” on defense than the 2010 Bucs.

Warrick Dunn “Proud” Of Atlanta Win

Monday, November 8th, 2010

warrick dunnThere are few Bucs players, former or present, who Joe looks up to and respects more than former Bucs running back Warrick Dunn.

Why, the little guy with a big heart is such a good guy, Joe chose his number to represent when Joe was designing a logo for this very site (what, you actually thought Joe was choosing a logo influenced by Kardashaian-chasing Derrick Ward?).

So Joe was shocked to read last night on Twitter that Dunn, who means so much to this area not just as a football player but as a citizen, took to keyboard and bragged how pleased he was with his Dixie Chicks.

@WarrickDunn: Proud of my team, Falcons win!

Wha, what!? Did someone hack into Dunn’s account? Was he that disturbed that his Seminoles looked so wretched against North Carolina the previous evening? This is a moral outrage!

But then Joe got to thinking: Dunn played exactly half of his NFL career with the Dixie Chicks. It finally dawned on Joe that Dunn is in fact a limited partner/minority owner with the Falcons.

So Dunn has a reason to call the Dixie Chicks “my.”

Despite this evidence, it still depresses Joe. Hard pressed to find a better guy who played for the Bucs than Dunn.

Since Dunn still helps single mothers in the area purchase houses for their families, Joe will look the other way on this insult to Bucs fans.

Unnerving Numbers On The Bucs Defense

Monday, November 8th, 2010

Last year Joe hammered Bucs defensive coordinator Jim Bates for running one of the most wretched defenses in Bucs franchise history.

He was responsible for the Bucs defense setting an alarming record of most consecutive games allowing 25 or more points (six). When you factor in some of the pathetic teams the Bucs have fielded in their somewhat relatively short NFL history, that mark was pretty pathetic.

Yes, Joe has noted how the Bucs are nearly on pace to set an NFL record for fewest sacks in a season. But there is something equally troubling bubbling below the surface.

Bates was defrocked after nine games, left to eat chicken at a fast food joint while the Bucs practiced.

Sadly this season, the Bucs have developed a pattern of playing soft defense in the first half, only to play much better in the second half and — let’s be honest — Josh Freeman and the offense saving the defense’s collective backsides in the second half.

After the Bucs had another shameful defensive showing in the first half yesterday in the loss to the Dixie Chicks, Joe broke out his calculator and started doing some research.

Under the heinous Jim Bates Experiment, the Bucs defense gave up an average of 14.65 points in the first half through eight games.

2009
Opponent, first half points allowed, (result)
Dallas 13 (lost 34-21)
Buffalo 20 (lost 33-20)
New York Giants 14 (lost 24-0)
Washington 0 (lost 16-13)
Philadelphia 21 (lost 33-14)
Carolina 7 (lost 28-21)
New England 21 (lost 35-7)
Green Bay 21 (won 38-28)

Now let’s look at this year’s Bucs defense:

2010
Opponent, first half points allowed, (result)
Cleveland 14 (won 17-14)
Carolina 7 (won 20-7)
Pittsburgh 28 (lost 38-13)
Cincinnati 10 (won 24-21)
New Orleans 17 (lost 31-6)
St. Louis 17 (won 18-17)
Arizona 14 (won 38-35)
Atlanta 17 (lost 27-21)

For those who are quick at math and unlike Joe don’t need a calculator, you will likely notice the horrifying facts: The Bucs this season are allowing an average of 15.5 points per game in the first half through eight games.

That’s worse than the heinous Jim Bates Experiment!

Now before you jump to conclusions, no, Joe’s not calling for Raheem Morris’ head. That would be absolutely absurd. As Joe writes this, he still believes Raheem is the frontrunner for NFL Coach of the Year.

Bates was defrocked last year, largely, because he couldn’t or wouldn’t adjust. Teams absolutely lit up the Bucs in the third quarter under the heinous Jim Bates Experiment.

While the Bucs defense is struggling early this year, Raheem clearly is doing something right each game to shore up the problems and adjust on the fly.

So what does this tell Joe? That next year Raheem needs some help. Head coaches have many responsibilities and tasks that coordinators don’t have, which takes head coaches away from the focus of crafting a gameplan; away from the lab, as Raheem likes to call it.

In some circles, this is known as distractions.

While there are a few coaches who also serve as offensive coordinators, not too many serve as defensive coordinators.

Captain Lou Albano with the Jets is a defensive wizard, but he has a defensive coordinator. Mike Tomlin is a defensive guy through and through but he has Dick LeBeau run the Steelers’ defense. Lovie Smith has Rod Marinelli handle the Bears defense, and so on.

Joe doesn’t think he’s out of line in suggesting in the offseason, Raheem and/or Mark Dominik may want to hire someone who could wear the hat of defensive coordinator, someone who will help Raheem prepare gameplans while Raheem is off doing head coaching duties and tasks.

(If, as Joe suspects, the McCaskey family is going to clean house in Chicago, why not Marinelli? His specialty also is the defensive line and Joe doesn’t think he’s out of line in writing the Bucs defensive linemen could use some coaching up.)

If the Bucs hire a defensive coordinator, Joe certainly hopes whoever that guy is embraces Raheem making adjustments. If Raheem has shown any specialty, he’s turning into a savvy man with in-game adjustments.

Joe is really amazed how a defense can be so completely porous in the first half and so stingy the second half. That’s largely due to Raheem’s in-game tinkering.

Evidence Of Questionable Calls

Monday, November 8th, 2010
first down 1117a

Joe has never seen a yellow first down marker off by this much.

first down 1107b

Pretty clear contact was made near the six-yard line.

Look, the Bucs lost. No amount of kvetching and hand-wringing and b!tching about referees will change that.

But Joe sure thought the Dixie Chicks were getting quite a few favorable spots all day, not just in the two plays in question above.

Joe must point out that in the call in the first photo, the yellow first down line is not official. Understandable. But Joe has never seen the first down line be off by that much, what appears to be a full yard.

In the second photo, Joe wrote yesterday he thought this call was trivial. The Bucs got a huge first down. Huge. A first down in the red zone. On the 11. If the Bucs couldn’t get a first down when they had only inches to go, what makes people think they could have scored from the five-yard line?

Still, sure seems like the Bucs were getting raw deals on spots all day yesterday. Joe continues to be confused as to why Raheem Morris didn’t ask for a measurement on the LeGarrette Blount fourth-down run late in the game.

Joe sends out heartfelt thanks and a hat tip to reader Ken Boehlke of TalkingChicagoBaseball.com, who provided Joe the photos.

Sad Sack Record In Play

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

Joe hates to go here, but it’s halfway through the season and the Bucs have dialed up six sacks.

Six!

They need five more to make sure they don’t tie the NFL mark for heinous pass rush units.

One could get aroused by the Bucs’ defensive line having at least a little success against the run today. Stylez White opened the game with two good stops, and Michael Bennnet had some good penetration and a tackle for a loss, and even rookie DT Al Woods got into the act. But Joe’s not aroused, the Bucs were barely average against the run at the end of the day.

And then there’s the pass rush. Yeah, Gerald McCoy got a shot on Matt Ryan and they got some pressure, but the pass rush is still horrid compared to the rest of the league.  Six sacks does not cut it over eight games.

Joe has no illusions that the pass rush will improve this year. As Joe has written, the Bucs will need to pile up points and rack up turnovers to beat most teams. Thankfully, they’re more than capable of that.

Enough With The Late Shots On Freeman

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

The zebras are really pissing off Joe.

It seems week after week that Josh Freeman scrambles, lines up a slide and gets into the slide, and then proceeds to clocked by some cornerback flying across the middle. And the zebras ridiculously won’t throw their flags.

Freeman then gets up to complain to no avail. It happened again in Atlanta today. The zebras are clearly prejudiced against Freeman because of his size.

What the hell has to happen for the zebras to throw the flag? Mark Dominik, if he’s not already, really needs to start pounding Roger Goodell’s phone to get the word out. Put together a video and send 100 copies to New York.

Joe would absolutely love to see Freeman fake a slide and then tuck the ball and behead one of these late-hitters with his shoulder.

It won’t happen (maybe?), but it would send a ferocious message to the rest of the league and the zebras.

Arrelious Benn Continuing To Shine

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

Since the Bucs offense has opened up the past two weeks there were two glaring demonstrations:

1) LeGarrette Blount.

2) Arrelious Benn.

Joe believes Benn’s growth was on full display today in the painful loss to the Falcons. Sure, he only caught one ball for 14 yards, but Benn made a truly heady play when he was able to lure the Falcons into a pass interference call on an underthrown ball by Josh Freeman, which was actually a cool call: fleaflicker.

Had the pass been on target, Benn likely would have had a touchdown and the Bucs a win.

If there was a bright spot to come out of this game, it is that Benn continues to shine.

LeGarrette Forgot To Fly

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

The NFL’s most popular leaper — after last week anyway — stayed on his feet at the wrong time.

Now Joe’s already written he didn’t like the play call on fourth-and-inches late in the game on the Falcon’s 1 yard line. But Joe’s watched the play now several times, and it seemed beautifully set up for LeGarrette Blount to either hammer behind Roy Miller or simply go airborne over the line.

After all, everyone knows Blount can fly. And Blount admitted that he was supposed to. Blount screwed up.

“It was a dive play, I bounced out,” said Blount in a postgame interview aired on FOX-13.

But this is part of the problem with giving the ball to Blount with the game on the line. The Bucs were relying on the most inexperienced guy on the field to win the game.

Joe recalls Josh Freeman talking on the Buccaneers Radio Network earlier this season about how he has never failed on QB sneak on fourth down. He was succesful again on that today.

Painful stuff for every Bucs fan. Joe’s heading out for more Tums.

Josh Freeman: “My Worst Game Of The Season”

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

There was no finger-pointing at referees, no calling out his offensive coordinator, no second-guessing his head coach.

No, Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman minced no words on the Bucs radio network.

He took the loss personally. No guilt pinned on anyone but himself.

“We were in a short situation and we didn’t get the job done,” Freeman said of the first down on the Falcons-10 late, but coming up empty. “We felt like it was a game we should have won.”

Later in his postgame press conference, Freeman said bluntly, “It was my worst game of the season.”

Stylez White Almost Blames Loss On Defense

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

Though Jason Snelling and the Falcons gashed the Bucs defense in the first half, Cody Grimm and the Bucs did a solid job defensively in the second half.

Though Jason Snelling and the Falcons gashed the Bucs defense in the first half, Cody Grimm and the Bucs did a solid job defensively in the second half.

On the Bucs radio network after the game, Bucs defensive end Stylez White came “this close” to calling out his fellow defensive teammates for the Bucs loss today.

In Joe’s eyes, the defense kept the Bucs in the game. Yup, that’s right. Keep reading.

Stylez admitted the Bucs were “this close” to a win but believed the Bucs defense could have done more.

“We had the chance. We have to get off the field ealier and give our offense a chance with better field position. We need to get off our blocks. When we got off our blocks, we made tackles. That’s what we were doing in the second half,” White said.

“Next time, maybe we make it a little easier on ourselves.”

Let’s look at that defense. Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman threw two ugly interceptions, both giving Atlanta short fields, and still Atlanta could only muster 10 points the entire second half.

In Joe’s eyes, that’s strong defensive play.

Yes, the defense was its typical smelly first-half self. But the defense played pretty damned strong in the second half. In the NFL if you give up two turnovers in the enemy’s territory in one half and still only get dinged 10 points, that’s not too shabby.

No, the loss can’t be pinned on the defense today.

So What Does The Loss Mean?

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

So the Bucs are parked at 5-3 in third place in the best division in the NFC.

Today’s game no doubt cranked out big TV ratings locally, as does every Bucs game. But this one surely logged a huge number with the hype of the Bucs and Falcons entering the game at 5-2. Now legions of local football fans and casual Bucs fans should be jumping on board the Bucs bandwagon.

Surely not all those fringe fans will. But there should be some significant numbers.

Yes, the Bucs have a ways to go, but they have explosive weapons. They’re an above average team on the rise. The national media is on board. And Tampa Bay is going to be a huge favorite to clobber struggling Carolina at home on Sunday.

Looking at the Bucs’ schedule, there could very well be another five wins on their schedule.

Oakland and Detroit, two cities facing hard economic times that rival those in Tampa (worse in Detroit, a little better in Oakland), managed sellouts today. Fans there rallied behind their improved teams. There will be something wrong around these parts if the Bucs can’t manage 15,000 unsold seats on Sunday against Carolina, versus the nearly 25,000 for the last home game.

Poor Play Selection On Fourth Down Late

Sunday, November 7th, 2010
Josh Freeman should have plunged up the middle on the critical fourth-and-inches call at the Bucs failed to convert late.

Josh Freeman should have plunged up the middle on the critical fourth-and-inches call the Bucs failed to convert late.

OK, it’s fourth down. Inches to go on the Dixie Chicks-2. Late in the game. A first down sets up first-and-goal inside the one. A good push and the Bucs tie the game up and maybe take the lead, pending the extra point.

There are all sorts of plays to call there. Part of the reason Arrelious Benn was drafted was his physical ability to fight defenders in the end zone. Mike Williams has already made great catches in traffic in short distances. Kellen Winslow has done the same thing.

The Bucs have a huge quarterback who is the size of an offensive lineman. Already earlier in the game he was used on just such a play.

Of all things that could have been called. A draw play, a pass play, a quarterback draw, a roll out… Greg Olson calls, no, wait… a ca… ca… ca…. counter.

A counter???

With all the weapons to use, with all the plays to call, a counter is called? Really? Joe can understand Blount up the middle, but a counter?

Run your quarterback up Jeremy Zuttah’s arse! Freeman’s a monster, let him go for it.

Yeah, Joe understands this is nitpicking. But Joe heard all about Williams and Benn since the day they were drafted in large part because of their ability to battle defenders in the end zone in the red zone. Joe has seen Winslow pull off these plays. Joe has watched Freeman pick up short yards when needed.

Use them!

And Olson calls a counter play???

Blount’s Weakness Means More Caddy

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

Despite the big-yardage, power-running by LeGarrette Blount, Joe expects to see plenty more of Cadillac Williams.

Josh Freeman was nailed in the back and sent face down to the turf sacked eight plays into the Bucs’ first possession of today’s painful 27-21 loss in Atlanta.

LeGarrette Blount was in the backfield seemingly oblivous to the blitzer.

As the Bucs continue to open up the offense, Joe expects to see plenty more of Cadillac. The Bucs are going to be more concerned through the season about keeping Freeman healthy, no matter how much Blount’s presence might enhance the offense. 

As Joe wrote this morning, Cadillac is going to get every chance to be the man.

No surprise that Cadillac got his early shot to get off on the ground in Atlanta, but he gained just three yards on three carries on the first series. Later, he did get a big seven yards for a first down in the fourth quarter and the the Bucs fed him the ball.

Caddy finished with eight carries for 13 yards.

Half a season done, and Cadillac has become a blocking icon. (At least he’s a lot more lovable than the last one on the Bucs’ roster). FOX color analyst Brian Billick couldn’t stop raving about Caddy’s blitz-pickup ability.

Joe knows the Bucs will keep Blount’s crash course on the offense going. But it’s probably next year until they’ll get the most out of him.

Run Micheal, Run!

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

Joe wants to issue a hearty welcome back to the Bucs’ kick return team.

Run Micheal, Run!!!

Maurice Stovall screwed up and bobbled a late third quarter kickoff in front of Micheal Spurlock, who picked it up and broke five tackles en route to the house. It was an 89-yard TD and the second of his career. Nothing gets Joe off the couch like a big return.

“I think the kicker mis-hit it and somehow it got back to me. Had a chance to change the game,” Spurlock said on the Buccaneers Radio Network after the game. ” I think I had a chance earlier to take it to the house.  I was not going to run out of bounds. We practice that play. No way I was going to step out of bounds.”

Earlier in today’s game, Spurlock fired one back 66 yards to set up the Bucs’ first TD.

Makes Joe wonder why Preston Parker was given a shot at a return in between those great plays. Yeah, Joe gets that they don’t want to burn out Spurlock so he can be 100 percent in the offense, but the Bucs can’t afford to be sitting down Spurlock in a game like this.

Spurlock responded late with a big 43-yard, over-the-shoulder catch on third down at the Bucs’ 1 yard line.

Joe hopes this was a true breakout game for the Bucs’ special teams. The unit had a massive impact for the Bucs in their crappy season last year. It finally happened again.

Falcons 27, Bucs 21

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

Joe has to give it up to the young Bucs for proving they can truly compete on the road against a very good team.

That said, what a painful loss for Joe. A late fourth-quarter lead was right there for the freakin’ taking. Perhaps just a big ol’ Josh Freeman quarterback sneak away.

The Bucs figured out how to slow down the Falcons for much of the second half, and Freeman proved he is a big time performer under pressure in the fourth quarter yet again. Joe’s a bit bummed out the Bucs took the ball out of his hands on fourth-and-inches.

It is what it is. You can argue the call all night long.

Defensively, the Bucs still have poor numbers, but at least it looked a little better today against the run.

Stats are for losers, though, and the Bucs are now 5-3.

Bucs At Dixie Chicks, Live Chat 1 p.m.

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

Gameday Tampa Bay

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

falcons cheerleader 1106

Week 9
Bucs at Falcons
Kickoff:
1 p.m.
TV: WTVT-TV Channel 13 locally. DirecTV Channel 709.
Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network (in Tampa WFUS-FM, 103.5 and WDAE-AM, 620); Sirius Channel 158.
Weather: The game will be played in a soulless dome. For those tailgating in downtown Atlanta, per Accuweather.com, it’s going to be a bit chilly with temperatures in the lower 50s, rising only slightly higher by the end of the game.
Odds: Per Bodog.com, Falcons -8.5.
Outlook: Could the season turn on this game? Well, that’s a bit much even for Joe. But if the Bucs are actually contenders for the NFC South and not pretenders, at least a good showing today if not a win is a necessity. Bucs fans are becoming impatient because pundits keep asking, ‘Who the Bucs have beaten?”‘ The pelts on the Falcons walls aren’t much better with the exception of a win over the Saints. You remember the Saints, right? Super Bowl champions who seal-clubbed the Bucs at home in October? Joe just isn’t comfortable with the Bucs defense. If it’s not getting gashed by the run, it’s giving up 305 yards to the likes of Max Hall and Derek Anderson. That’s why Joe’s of the opinion to win this game the Bucs must win a shootout. The Bucs proved last week they can be effective when they open up the offense. Now that LeGarrette Blount is loose, this really loosens up the offense. Let ‘er rip.
Video: The NFL Films crew previews the Bucs-Falcons game. … LeGarrette Blount does an interview for NFL Network. … Is Matt Ryan unbeatable? … The St. Petersburg Times previews today’s game.
Inactives: Per Evan Silva of ProFootballTalk.com, the Bucs’ inactives are Sammie Stroughter, Earnest Graham, Jeremy Trueblood, Jeff Faine, Ryan Sims, Myron Lewis and Alex Magee.

Raheem Morris Has Dixie Chicks Irked

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

Bob Holtzman reports that Raheem Morris’ “Best in the NFC” comment recently has the Dixie Chicks unnerved in this BSPN pregame report from the Georgia Dome.

Davin Joseph Talks To Joe

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

davin joseph 1107bJoe is late to the table with this so he apologizes upfront. Joe has other duties as well outside this site and sometimes things get piled up.

After the Bucs beat the Rams, Joe had a chance to talk to Bucs offensive guard Davin Joseph. Joe thought this was really interesting perspective on how Joseph is something of a perfectionist; striving to be his best.

JoeBucsFan: Nice comeback.

Davin Joseph: It was one of those games we really struggled in the fist half with a bunch of penalties but when it counted, we found a way to win. It wasn’t pretty. [Laughs]. It’s a W. It makes us feel a little bit better. We have a lot of areas to improve in. We need the veterans to step up — me included — to help the young guys. And we will do a better job this week to get better for the next game.

[Joe’s editorial note: And look what that offense did against Arizona.]

Joe: Is this a sign of a good, team that, as you said, didn’t play well at all in the first half but you found a way to win and found a way to get the job done when you needed to?

Joseph: Yeah, you could comprise it like that. We messed up in areas where we shouldn’t have messed up. Procedure penalties and holding. Those are things where we are hurting ourselves, much more than scheme. But we found a way to win and that’s a positive. But there are areas where we messed up that we shouldn’t have faltered.

Joe: Is that partly because you have so many new people playing and guys playing other positions on the line?

Joseph: Nah, we have the same expectations. We have the same standards. We can try to make excuses but that’s not going to get us anywhere. That’s not going to get us where we are trying to go.

How Many Carries For Caddy?

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

Joe’s quite certain the Bucs are going to try and get Cadillac Williams going today — again. 

The offensive line loves the guy. The coaches love the guy. And there’s still a lot of that Caddy’s-on-the-verge-of-breaking-out around One Buc Palace.  You hear it nearly every time an offensive lineman decides to chat.

Joe expects Cadillac again to be the guy on the Bucs’ opening series or two. And if he does well, who knows?

Tom Balog, beat writer for the Sarasota Herald Tribune penned a column today stating he’s quite certain that LeGarrette Blount will be the main man and Cadillac is a starter in name only.

Blount will be the one getting the call for the hard yards, with Williams getting a sprinkling of carries now and again.  There’s no way that offensive coordinator Greg Olson is not giving most of the carries to Blount. … … 

Somebody else might lose the game today for the Buccaneers. But Olson is going make sure it’s not him, by feeding carries to his best back, which is Blount.

Joe’s all in favor of giving the rock to Blount. He’s changed the offense. Let the kid loose.

But Joe’s not going to be one bit surprised if Cadillac gets half the carries and a majority of the work on third down.