SB Nation - B.J. Askew

Five Questions with Buc 'Em

MaPatsFan — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:19:51 -0000

Hello Patriots fans. Unless you live under a rock and are completely clueless, you know our New England Patriots are crossing the pond this week to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium. My personal opinion? Belichick and the players hate this. It's a long flight, different timezone by a mile, and their surrounded by soccer fans. Is that even a sport? Anyway...

As is customary, Niko from Buc 'Em exchanged questions with me regarding his favorite team. He was pretty up front about the needs of his 0-6 franchise, but also optimistic that there were bright spots as well. To get our journey to land of Fish and Chips rolling, I give you 5 Questions with Buc 'Em.

1. At 0-6, there's probably more than 1 or 2 things in need of attention, but if you were to pick your biggest issue, what would it be?

The defensive line needs a total overhaul. Perhaps left End Jimmy Wilkerson is starting material, but the rest simply are fillers and Backups for next season, except Chris Hovan who is probably playing his last days in the NFL. With a solid D line, the run stopping is accomplished and pressure fits Jim Bates system of bumping corners.

2. How much of an impact is the loss of fullback B.J. Askew? Can Earnest Graham fill his shoes?

Graham filled in nicely last year when both fullbacks went down, so Im sure he will do the same this year. Its unfortunate because Askew is a good weapon when used correctly, but car accidents are car accidents, you cant help them.

3. What defensive weapons can Tampa Bay bring to the table to stop the likes of Randy Moss and Wes Welker? Do you think the Bucs will use the "tried and true" rush Brady and make him go lateral?

We are not capable of rushing the passer with any consistency. CB Aqib Talib has shut down Steve Smith and DeSean Jackson the last two weeks, and had 3 picks the week before, all in his first year starting. He is pro bowl material, and the future of this defense will be built around Talib and others who play like him. Expect Moss to be taken out of the game by Talib. However, you have more than enough weapons to do the deed.

4. Do you think the penalty handed to Panthers CB Dante Wesley for his vicious hit on RB Clifton Smith is appropriate?

Yes. Some fans wanted more, but the truth is though it was a flagrant penalty, I dont believe it was done with malice. I feel Wesley was just not sure where he was and wanted to hit someone. Was it cheap? Yes. Dirty? not really.

5. Is it time to give Josh Freeman the keys? Is he the future of the franchise?

He is the future of this franchise as long as Raheem Morris is the Head Coach, and sources say his job is secure no matter what his record this year, as the Glazers know this team is in full rebuilding mode, and that he is making chicken salad out of chicken spit. Most feel the best time to do this is after the Pats/Bucs game, when he will have 2 full weeks to work with starters.

A big THANK YOU to Niko from Buc 'Em for answering my questions. Look for some more exchanges in the coming days.

Grading Out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Offense

Buc Wild — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:00:24 -0000

With it being a short week, we'll get all the "Grading out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers" columns into one extra super duper happy fun time 24 hour period. When looking at each player/unit, we take into account what they did at their position. If McCown delivers a strike to a WR but the WR tips it to a defensive player and it gets picked, I'm not holding that against McCown.

As usual, we are looking at the previous game (Bucs @ Jags) and how each unit/individual did relative to their position on the team, expectations and other factors. For example (fictitious): Gaines Adams getting 2 hurries against first string opponent is worth more to me than him getting 2.5 sacks against the 4th string JV team.

To check out the grades, click the jump and read on.

Offense

Quarterback

Byron Leftwich - Got the start against Jacksonville. Didn't have a great performance but was able to move the offense with moderate success. Able to convert a 3rd a long with a strike delivered in the middle of the field. Still shows long windup, but with good protection was able to find receivers. Displayed little touch on his passes, relying on arm strength. When he has time, is able to survey the field. Not as strong as Week 1, but not a huge step back. Grade: B-

Luke McCown - Huge turnaround from week 1. Looked decisive, didn't escape pocket unnecessarily, was able to connect with two good throws for touchdowns. Worked with a short field, but was able to convert. Made good reads on most passes. Showed ability to make tough throws in tight spaces. Protected the ball. Grade: A-

Josh Freeman - Showed same habit of staring down receivers. Relied too much on arm strength with no touch shown. Continued to miss high on passes. Did complete some good passes. Accuracy was worse than last week, but typically missed in right places. Able to move pretty well for a bigger quarterback, as shown on his TD run. Needs work on his celebrations. Grade: C+ without celebration, C- when factoring in celebration

Josh Johnson - After the media hype, underperformed. Opportunities were limited. Did move well out of pocket, but no game changing plays. Ability still remains a threat. Showed good accuracy in limited chances. Still needs some game time. Grade: C-

Running Backs

Derrick Ward - Looked much better in week 2. Broke a few long runs showing good power, speed, vision, and agility. Next career may be Olympic hurdler. Was able to make guys miss 1 on 1. Got to second level quickly and efficiently and continually fell forward. Took advantage of holes provided by OL. Good fit in the system. Grade: B

Kareem Huggins - Displayed good quickness, good tenacity, and an ability to make a guy miss. Shook a few tacklers with some nasty jukes. Shifty runner who would be labeled third down back. Need to see blocking ability before crowning him with that title. Not too powerful, was often stopped at point of first solid contact. Grade: C+

B.J. Askew - Will prove to be a HUGE asset in the running game. Can carry out of the FB position and be a good option. Has good hands and remains a threat to block, run or catch the ball. Grade: B+

Wide Receivers

Michael Clayton - Was able to get most fans to shut up about the drops, for a week. Showed good awareness in routes. Able to catch tough passes. Still a brutal blocker that will help the running game. If he can continue on this road, will be a good player in this offense. Showed ability to scoop tough throws. Still need to see him catch on run, as that has been his bugaboo. Grade: B-

Bryan Clark - Appears as if he doesn't want the 3rd WR spot. Dropped an easy pass that hit him in hands. Doesn't seem to separate well in routes. Not going to demand attention. Grade: C

Sammy Stroughter - Either our 3rd WR now or in the near future. Showed ability to take a hit, hang on to ball and run good route all on same play. Has speed to get open, and appears to have sure hands. Asset in other phases of game. (Editor's Note: Sammy Stroughter will be the end of Dexter Jackson. They play the same positions, WR/KR/PR, Sammy already has better hands, willingness to take a hit, vision, and security. With the emergence of SS, D-Jack may be on the unemployment line. Similar skill set, but fear of contact won't help him make the team, along with injuries.) Grade: B+

Jerramy Stevens - All personal issues aside, will continue to be a weapon for any quarterback. Nice route, good hands, and good finish will do nothing to deter from his fans. Size advantage is big plus in red zone. Grade: B

Kellen Winslow - It may just be me, but is this guy doing anything? He's played both weeks and done little to nothing. I'd like to see him utilized more. Don't know if he isn't showing up due to limited snaps, injuries, or lack of familiarity, but trading away a pick and spending some cash, I want more from him. Grade: D

The Others - Urrutia, Stovall and other remain largely unimpressive. They can contribute on team, but aren't making strides or showing well on the field. With Clayton still banged up, would be nice to see them with another QB Grade: C-

Offensive Line

First String - Definite progress. Showed ability to open holes for running game. Davin Joseph and Jeremy Zuttah were destroying opposing DT's in run game. Pass protection was much better with defined pocket and above average time for QB's. A few penalties but a much needed huge step forward. Grade: B

Every other string - About what you'd expect from the other guys. Some nice plays, overshadowed by breakdowns and penalties. Some good provide some good depth on line, but won't make a mark anywhere else. Grade: C

After a pretty blah performance last week, the offense rebounded this week with more consistency, more big plays, and a better discipline in moving the ball. Offensive line provided time and holes when needed, quarterbacks delivered, running backs leapt over tall buildings, and receivers (generally) made plays. Progress is important, and we saw plenty on Saturday night. Grade: B-

Saints 20 @ Bucs 23: Breaking it Down - The Second Half

Saintsational — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:00:08 -0000

3rd Quarter

At the beginning of the quarter the announcers throw it down to sideline reporter Laura Okmin who informs viewers that Sean Payton told her he's "gotta get the running game going."
12:18 Remaininig - Garcia runs out of time and gets rid of it with a throw to B.J. Askew that gets deflected and caught by Antonio Bryant. Upon further review it looks like it may have hit the ground but the usually challenge-happy Payton does nothing. Interesting. He might have actually won it too! Bucs also do a good job of running a quick play before any challenge.
11:06 Remaining - More Garcia scrambling. This time its 11 yards for the first down with goal to go. Cadillac Williams finished off the drive with a touchdown on the next play.
10:00 Remaining - Brees throws very short to Reggie, who drops a very easy catch. He is visibly frustrated. Unlike Milli Vanilli, Bush cannot blame it on the rain.
9:54 Remaining - 3rd and 10. Drew Brees takes the only sack of the game from the Tampa defense. Credit this one to Greg White who stunts from the outside to the inside and is able to get penetration up the middle and take out Drew's legs. On another note, this was the Saints first drive of the half and Payton called three straight passing plays. Gotta get the running game going, huh coach?
8:45 Remaining - More jinxing from the announcers. On 2nd down Brian Billick mentions that the Bucs running game should soon allow Tampa Bay to "go vertical." The very next play is a deep pass completion to Antonio Bryant for the second score of the quarter. Thank you Brian Billick. Jason David is on the coverage with Josh Bullocks in for help. They both bite on a double move but I'm not sure why Bullocks was so far up.
During a break they put the camera on the guys upstairs. Before anyone had ever mentioned Brian Baldinger's finger to me, I had never noticed it but I finally got a glimpse of it. That thing is nasty! Can't he just pop that thing back into place? They're doing amazing things with medicine these days.
8:36 Remaining - Deuce makes his first appearance of the game with a 3 yard rush.
7:59 Remaining - Gaines Adams beats the hell out of Jammal Brown with a super spin move and forces a bad Brees throw. I wonder if he gets paid as much as Will Smith or Charles Grant.
7:53 Remaining - Brees hits Colston on 3rd down for the first, the second time the two have connected for big gains on big third down plays. That is Colston's bread and butter. Great to have him back. He also makes a nice 13-yard catch a few plays later.
4:43 Remaining - 2nd and 2 for the Saints in the red zone. Brees throws to the right side but Barber tips the ball and Cato June makes the interception. We already heard Payton explain what went wrong with the routes by Shockey and Ortega so I will spare you the redundancy. What Payton didn't talk about was the fact that out of 8 plays in that drive, only two of them were runs. I thought you said you had to get the running game going. Deuce ran twice for 10 yards. Is that not good enough? We're almost at the end of the third quarter here and I'm not sure how much longer you want to wait before you pull the trigger on the ole running game.
The Saints defense forces a Bucanneer three and out following the interception. You can't ask them to do anymore than that.
On the next drive Payton finally makes good on his word to run the ball and calls five Pierre rushes. Strangely enough, he moves the ball well and picks up 20 yards and 2 first downs in 4 plays. Who knew?

4th Quarter

13:21 Remaining - Drew drops back to pass but Pierre Thomas can't get out of the way and even knocks the ball loose in Brees' hands. He recovers but the timing of the play is off.
13:16 Remaining - Brees throws deep to the end zone but it gets picked off by Tanard Jackson. But wait...there are flags on the field. Ronde Barber gets called for illegal contact and the play is called back. Whew! I knew Drew wouldn't force a pass into double coverage like that when the game is on the line. He's too good for that. Thank you Ronde. Anyone ever tell you that you look like your brother?
12:18 Remaining - Swing pass to Pierre and he does the rest for 20 yards and the score. 20-17 Tampa. The Saints gained 72 yards on that drive. Pierre had 44 of them.
10:58 Remaining - 3rd and 5. Garcia drops back and holds on to the ball too long. Vilma comes in to force the fumble and make the sack. The Bucs are forced to punt. Another big defensive play to get them off the field.
Unfortunately the Bucs defense also comes up big to force the Saints three and out.
7:38 Remaining - Randall Gay makes a beautiful deflection to break up a pass attempt to Ike Hilliard. Really great play.
7:30 Remaining - The very next play it's Jason David getting his hand in on a pass intended for Antonio Bryant. Bucs punt away. Wow! Our defense game up big again to get themselves off the field.
Drew Brees' helmet mic is not working.
7:16 Remaining - After a bad punt by Josh Bidwell, Shockey makes a big catch over the middle for 21 yards and into field goal territory.
Saints can't get anything else going and have Hartley kick the game tying field goal. 20-20.
4:56 Remaining - Garcia runs a bootleg right and hits Clayton on the crossing route. Clayton is just too big and too fast for Gay.
Even after giving up some big yardage the Saints defense forces the Bucs to punt. I didn't realize how great a game these guys had and how much they really kept the team in the game, most of all towards the end.
2:33 Remaining - A Brees pass intended for Marques Colston gets picked off by Jermaine Phillips. The pass coverage appears to move away from Colston but Phillips comes in from behind the play to get himself in position. Honestly, it just looks like Drew threw it too far behind Colston. The Bucs are already well into field goal range.
The defense does another good job and only allows a field goal thanks in part to a Bobby McCray sack. This now allows the offense a chance to score a touchdown for the win or a field goal to tie. 23-20 Tampa.
1:50 Remaining - 1st and 10. Colston can't make a sure catch over the middle.
1:45 Remaining - Brees throws yet another interception on a pass intended for Lance Moore. Game over. I'm done talking about this game.

Vikings/Buccaneers: A Tale of Two Halves

Gonzo — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:38:25 -0000

At halftime of this afternoon's game, most of the folks that were posting in the game thread, including myself, were pretty happy with the way things were progressing. The Vikings had compiled a 13-6 lead, they had scored the game's lone touchdown on a 4-yard flip to Bobby Wade that capped a 76-yard playoff drive, and Adrian Peterson had carried the ball 13 times for 71 yards. Even though Jeff Garcia kept running around and avoiding Viking defenders and the Buccaneers had actually outgained the Vikings yardage-wise, the momentum seemed to be in the corner of the Vikings.

Then they had to stop the game for this crazy "halftime" thing and everything changed.

Jeff Garcia kept running around all over the place and avoiding Viking defenders until the Bucs got down to the Vikings' 17-yard line and found themselves with 2nd and 10.

Then they committed a holding penalty to make it 2nd and 20.

Then they committed another holding penalty to make it 2nd and 30. And at this point, I was crazy enough to start thinking to myself, "You know, we can hold them to another field goal here, keep the lead, keep the momentum. . ."

Then, after a Minnesota offsides penalty, Garcia stepped up and lofted a ball down the heart of the field that found its way into the hands of Jerramy Stevens. The play got the Bucs down to the Minnesota 1-yard line, and even though the B.J. Askew TD run on the ensuing play merely tied the score at 13, people who have watched the Vikings long enough knew that the game was effectively over at that point. Teams don't convert 2nd and 25 and lose. . .and teams don't allow other teams to convert 2nd and 25 and win.

The offense was fairly horrific in the second half. There was a drive that had some promise and concluded with an incomplete pass to Adrian Peterson on a 4th and 1 play (where Peterson may or may not have been interfered with. . .since we're not Packer fans, we won't sit here and whine about it), and that was really the last time the Vikings would threaten on the afternoon.

I said in the lead-up to the Game Thread that in order to win today, the Vikings needed to contain Jeff Garcia. . .and it's safe to say that they did not. Garcia completed nearly 80% of his passes for 255 yards, and just basically ran around any pressure that the Vikings got on him all day long. The stats say that he was sacked once, but for the life of me, I don't remember that happening. The Vikings were getting pressure on Garcia, but they just couldn't drag the wily old veteran down when they needed to.

I really don't know why the Vikings' offense basically went to sleep in the second half, and in particular in the fourth quarter. You know those 13 carries for 71 yards that AD had in the first half? He ended the game with 19 carries for 85 yards. . .and he touched the ball ONCE in the fourth quarter. ONCE, people. And that was on a kickoff return. That is incredibly unacceptable, and I'm starting to think that the wheels didn't come off of the "Fire Brad Childress" bandwagon, but that said wagon just pulled into the nearest 7-11 for gas and cherry slurpees.

By this point in his coaching tenure, Brad Childress HAS to know that Adrian Peterson is the best running back in the world, and possibly the best player in the National Football League. It blows my mind that such a player can go an entire quarter, and in particular a fourth quarter of a tied game, without touching the ball on offense. San Diego doesn't do that crap with LaDanian Tomlinson, Washington doesn't do that crap with Clinton Portis, and the Vikings certainly shouldn't be doing that crap with Adrian Peterson.

Really, there's not a whole lot else that needs to be said about today's game. It was pretty much the same as most of the games we've seen in the Brad Childress era. It was the 8th of Minnesota's 10 games this year that was decided by 7 points or less. In addition, the Vikings entered the fourth quarter still very much in the football game. As Pacifist Viking pointed out, these are the Brad Childress era Vikings. Be conservative, play it close to the vest, get down to the end of the game, and hope that either a) your team makes a big play or b) the other team screws up. Neither of those things happened today, and as a result the Vikings are part of a three-way tie atop the NFC North instead of sitting in sole possession of first place.

So how does that bode for the rest of the season? We'll take a look at that tomorrow morning. Also, I hope to announce the winner of the writing contest either late this week or early next week. I keep trying to work it in around everything else I have going on. Until then, keep enjoying the rest of your Sunday, and we'll see you tomorrow!

Vikings/Buccaneers Official Injury Reports

Gonzo — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 14:18:43 -0000

With a little more than 24 hours to go before the Vikings and Buccaneers lock horns down in Tampa, it's time to take a look at the final injury reports and see what kind of impact they're going to have on the matchup. We'll start by looking at the Vikings' injuries, and while there aren't a lot of names on the injury report, the ones that are there are pretty big ones.

Injuries: Minnesota Vikings

Questionable

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Jared Allen	shoulder	11.14.2008

Doubtful

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Madieu Williams	shoulder	11.14.2008

Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
E.J. Henderson	foot/toes	10.6.2008
Mike Jones	undisclosed	8.11.2008
Heath Farwell	knee	8.11.2008
Kenderick Allen	wrist	8.19.2008
Drew Radovich	shoulder	10.13.2008
Jayme Mitchell	knee	8.11.2008
Michael Boulware	wrist	8.30.2008

Yes, after two full weeks of NOT being injured, Madieu Williams is back on the injury list and more than likely won't be playing tomorrow. Williams apparently hurt his shoulder during a special teams drill during practice this week. This begs the question. . .if you have a guy that improves your defense as much as Williams does (and the pass defense has been markedly better in the two games he's been available for) and you know he's a bit on the fragile side, as Williams has proven to be thus far. . .why on earth are you throwing him out there on special teams? I mean, I know Minnesota's special teams are nothing short of completely awful, but really.

Also, Jared Allen is again listed as questionable, but if last week was any indication, we really have nothing to worry about on that front.

And, hey, that's it for Minnesota injuries, which at this point of the season is pretty remarkable. So, let's take a look at the Buccaneers' injury report:

Injuries: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Probable

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Carnell Williams	knee	11.10.2008
Derrick Brooks	knee	11.14.2008
Jovan Haye	foot	11.14.2008

Questionable

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Earnest Graham	knee	11.14.2008
Ike Hilliard	head	11.14.2008
B.J. Askew	hamstring	11.14.2008
Warrick Dunn	back	11.14.2008

Doubtful

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Alex Smith	knee	11.14.2008
Brian Griese	right elbow	11.14.2008

Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Antoine Cash	head/neck	9.1.2008
Torrie Cox	knee	7.29.2008
Donte Nicholson	knee	9.1.2008
Sammy Davis	hip	8.26.2008
Cory Boyd	knee	7.25.2008
Byron Storer	knee	10.15.2008
Cortez Hankton	groin	8.30.2008
Maurice Stovall	hamstring	11.12.2008

The big story on Tampa Bay's injury report, from my personal perspective, is the potential return of Cadillac Williams. If you'll recall, Williams suffered a horrific leg injury last season, and there were doubts that he would ever play again. Yet here he is, possibly suiting up against the team he made his NFL debut against. I'm sure we'll hear more about the chances of Cadillac rolling out of the driveway against us in the days to come.

Both halves of Tampa's current running back tandem are listed as questionable, as Earnest Graham is nursing a knee injury and Warrick Dunn has an injured back. Dunn fully participated in practice on Friday while Graham was limited, but I'd be surprised if both of them weren't ready to go by tomorrow afternoon.

The other big one from a Minnesota perspective is that TE Alex Smith will more than likely not be playing, so the Vikings' linebackers will have to keep a close eye on turd extraordinaire Jerramy Stevens and prevent him from getting a rhythm with quarterback Jeff Garcia.

That's all for now, folks. We'll be back with more as the day progresses. Keep enjoying your weekend, ladies and gentlemen!