Overview: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' quest for their second win of the season... or for their continued eligibility in the Ndamukong Suh sweepstakes... continues at the appropriately-named Quest Field in the great Pacific Northwest, where the Bucs and Seattle Seahawks clash at 4:15 ET today.  The Seahawks come into Sunday's contest at 5-8, fresh off of a difficult 34-7 loss at Houston that basically eliminated the remaining minimal hope Seattle might have had in making a late run at the division title.  Although Seattle did what it does best defensively, hold the opposing running attack to under 100 yards rushing, they yielded a monster game to Andre Johnson, Matt Schaub, and the Houston passing attack.  Similarly, the Bucs come into Sunday's game off of a similar lopsided loss...26-3 at the hands of the New York Jets and their top-ranked defense.  A win today, while not relevant in the playoff picture, would go a long way towards earning some goodwill for the prevailing head coach. 

Keys to a Buccaneer Victory:

Continue reading this post »

More photos » by Rob Carr - AP

If the Bucs want to win another game this season, this man will need to put the team on has back and carry them to the finish line. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Browse more photos »

Overview: Austin Powers might be known as the "international man of mystery", but several Buccaneers hold that title here in the bay area, and Cadillac Williams is as much of a man of mystery as anyone.  He's been suspiciously absent from the Buccaneer backfield (and the endzone) far more often than most of us would like or expected this season. 

Really, mystery should be one of the words used to describe this season.  To most of us, it's been a mystery why Raheem and the Buccaneer front office cleaned house and proclaimed that they were looking to go in a new direction and that this would be a violent, physical team.  They went out and got RB Derrick Ward to create a RB triumverate of Ward, Caddy, and Earnest Graham.  Clearly, with Caddy coming off of two torn pattelar tendons, they wanted to ease him back in the game and they saw something they liked in Derrick Ward as a possible featured back.

Flash forward to Week 15...

The Bucs sit at as arguably the worst and least physical team in the league with a 1-12 record and a basement-worthy rank of rushing yards per game.  Rookie Josh Freeman has supplanted two ineffective Buccaneer quarterbacks.  Despite his hot-and-cold see-saw performances from week-to-week, the Buccaneers continue to throw at a percentage that would make Tom Brady and Peyton Manning blush.  The line can't get a consistent push and the running game is nearly non-existent. 

Many fans are angrily calling out the coaching staff not just for the painful results this season, but for the questionable offensive philsophy the team has taken, especially since the FOTF (Face of the Franchise) Josh Freeman has taken over the reigns of the offense.  Why do they refuse to run the ball consistently?  We hear it week in and week out on Total Access and at the weekly presser that they're going to find a way to run the ball more, but that proclamation gets thrown out with the trash come Sunday, as Josh Freeman continues to air it out 60-70 percent of the time. 

The Bucs certainly aren't without playmaking talent at running back.  They've got a couple of guys who've thrived at different times on this team, one of whom is our main home run threat and fan favorite, Cadillac Williams.  Although never putting together an MVP-calibur season, he's shown to be able to give the Bucs a big-play threat and carry the load when needed... and healthy, which has been a problem for him.  He hit the ground running, literally, in his 2005 rookie campaign, exploding onto the scene with 1178 rushing yards at a respectable 4.1 yards per clip.  Lingering injuries and Gruden's love affair with the short pass in lieu of the run limited Caddy's opportunities from '06 through '09.  Despite the devastating patellar tendon injuries that sidelined him for parts of '07 and '08, he's come back running hard and determined... and it appears the previous regime and current staff forgot he can run like this... 

Continue reading this post »

Hello gang.... I just wanted to give a heads-up that we here at Buc'Em are planning on rolling with our "Prospecting the Draft" segment during the offseason starting in January, which I will be spearheading.  For those that recall last year, each week we selected a player at a position of projected need for the Bucs.  I broke down some video of their college performance, looked at their college statistics and various statistical trends and performances, and examined their combine results and physical strengths and weaknesses.  Each week, the piece would culminate with a poll requesting your opinion on whether the prospect would be worth being picked and a discussion in the comment section on why you would/wouldn't select the particular player.  If you want a refresher on the series, I encourage you to peruse the archives and take a look at our pieces on Josh Freeman, Percy Harvin, Everette Brown, etc, that I posted back in February/March of this year.  Of course, this series would be in addition to regular mock drafts and forums/discussions on the combine, individual workouts, and offseason free agent acquisitions that might impact draft needs. 

I was also thinking of making this thing a bit more democratic this year and putting it to you all, our readership, to determine who you'd like to see featured and evaluated the next week.  Do you all have any other suggestions or requests that you'd like to see in this series that we didn't cover last year? 

More photos » by Tom Hevezi - AP

Will Antonio Bryant cash in for the Bucs and his owners this week against a Seattle secondary that was humiliated by Andre Johnson and Houston last week? (AP Photo/Tom Hevezi)

Browse more photos »

As we roll into Week 15 of the NFL season, it's the championship game for many of you hopefully still fighting for your league trophies, prize money, and 9-month bragging rights.  As usual, after you lock your must-start #1's into your lineup, it's time to make some tough decisions, so let's get down to it...

QUARTERBACKS TO START

1. Matt Schaub @ STL.  Schaub and Johnson could blow up again for second straight week... both have top-5 potential. 

Continue reading this post »

by Dave Martin - AP

Is this the face of an NFL coach that's happy with his gig? (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

View full size photo »

I raise this to you, our community, as this topic caught my attention Tuesday on the Ron & Ian Show.  As some of you may already know, the aforementioned words were spoken by our head coach Monday on the Buccaneer Total Access Raheem Morris show on 620 WDAE.  If you didn't get a chance to listen to it on Monday at 6 pm, click here to check out the archived show on the Buccaneers' website.  I typically listen to the show at work, but I couldn't catch it Monday.  At the 16:12 mark, Scott Ledger asks Raheem if he had planned to kick the onside kick all along when he decided to go for the field goal on 4th and 5, trailing 19-0 in the third.  The first words in response were that decision was one of the few times he enjoyed being a head coach. 

Some of you might not care, nor find this comment worthy of a detailed discussion, but I think any time your head coach gives an in indication that he may or may not be happy with his job, it's worth delving into a little bit.  Some might see the comment as a slap in the face to an ownership group that took a huge chance and did Raheem a big favor by promoting him to a position he certainly couldn't refuse.  Others might see his comment as a further demonstration that he's in over his head and is not ready to take on the challenges that come with being a head coach. 

Continue reading this post »

More photos » by Steve Nesius - AP

When your offense can't stay on the field and spell the defense, this sight was inevitable. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)

Browse more photos »

If you've got a weak heart, don't read this article.

They say "Home is Where the Heart Is." Maybe somebody needs to put that sign over the door to the Buccaneer locker room, because they sure haven't shown much heart at home this season.  There's no other way to sugar-coat Sunday's debacle.  No gameplan.  No inspiration.  No nothing.  The result: another home blowout loss to a decent, but not great opponent from the Big Apple.  Back in Week 3, I thought that the Buccaneers hit rock bottom in all phases against the New York Giants.  One red zone trip in the final minutes.  No first downs until end of 3rd quarter. Blown coverages.  Missed tackles.  Leftwich couldn't complete a pass to an open receiver to save his life.  Just dominated on both sides of the ball. 

Sunday's game at the Jets just reeked of many the same old problems.... plus a new one that's reared its ugly head recently.  Our Face of the Franchise Josh Freeman carried over his myopic tunnel vision from last week on the game's first play, trying to force the ball into a blanketed Antonio Bryant.  AB ran a skinny post with a cornerback slightly trailing, where a safety was ready to step in front of the already covered Bryant if the flat-footed ILB David Harris had not had the ball gift-wrapped for him.  Again, like last week, Freeman locked onto his #1 wide receiver from the snap, enabling the safety to slide over and get what would have been a pick or break up if the underneath LB zone coverage had whiffed.  Freeman has to show better awareness, as there was no way Bryant could have caught that ball. 

The playcalling was suspect.  40 passing plays against 16 rushes... with all 3 running backs and all 5 offensive linemen active and available?  With a struggling rookie quarterback who's locking onto wide receivers, having problems recognizing simple NFL zone coverages?  With Darrelle Revis consistently locked in between the "8" and "9" on Bryant's jersey?  Yes, I understand the Bucs were trailing, but they came out throwing and never made a serious attempt to match the physicality of the Jets defense and establish a consistent, serious ground attack, especially into the second quarter, when the Bucs were trailing by 6 and 9 points.  (When your offensive line is getting whipped on each play, I can undestand you've got to try something else.  Then again, when your rookie QB is taking sacks and tossing picks, trying to establish the run can at least limit some negative plays that set up Jet scores.)

From there, things just got worse.  Zero first half yards.  No, that is not a mistype.  Zero yards.  Even with the immovable Kris Jenkins on IR, Jeff Faine and the guards got NO push against the interior of that Jet defensive line, leading to a porous 1.4 YPC for Caddy, Ward, and Graham. 

The aggressive Jet defense got in Freeman's face early and often, bringing him down and/or forcing some ill-fated throws.  As I noted in my game preview, the Jets love to blitz multiple guys from the same side, and they did just that.  Their blitz of choice was to overload the right side of the Buccaneer offensive line and go after Freeman, mainly on 2nd and 3rd down.  One drive-killing sack put the Bucs back deep at their own 6 yard line, which eventually led to a Jay Feely field goal.  A 4th quarter blitz off the left side collapsed the pocket, contributing to Freeman's off-target mid-range throw and Revis' game-clinching pick.  Unfortunately, as I also discussed in my preview, the Buccaneers failed to make the aggressive Jet defense pay... to wit, by failing to run some running back screens, wide receiver bubble screens, and delayed swing/flat passes to the running backs and tight ends.  Granted I didn't see everything in between trips to the beer stand, but I don't recall seeing them run a screen or designed play to get behind the blitz once.

Really, with very, very few (if any) positives coming out of this game, where does the onus of the blame lie for this debacle?  There are plenty of culprits...

Continue reading this post »

More photos » by Rick Havner - AP

16 days ago: Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Josh Freeman (5) throws a pass under pressure from Carolina Panthers' Everette Brown (91) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)

Browse more photos »

Overview: In a season of disappointment, missed opportunities, and derailed hopes, the Buccaneers hope to turn the tables and derail the hopes of another today, as the 6-6 New York Jets invade Raymond James Stadium today trying to keep pace with Jacksonville, Baltimore, and Miami for one of the final AFC playoff spots.  The Jets will be without the "SANCHISE" today... Mark Sanchez, who has been ruled out of today's matchup due to an ailing knee.  Kellen Clemens will get the nod instead. 

The Jets started off the season "en fuego", blasting the much-hyped Texans 24-7.  Rex Ryan's defense looked aggressive and nasty, Mark Sanchez threw his first TD pass, and Ryan started off his career the right way - in the win column.  The next week, Ryan's bunch backed up their head coach after stating he wouldn't kiss Belichek's rings by popping the Patriots in the mouth in a physical 19-9 home victory.  After pulling off a blockbuster trade earlier this season that sent Chansi Stucky and a draft pick to Cleveland for embattled WR Braylon Edwards, the Jets fell off the turnip truck, losing 6 of 7 during a span which saw their coach cry before his team and some Jet players call out the Dolphins for using the "gimmick" Wildcat formation.  At 4-6, the Jets won back-to-back games over Carolina and Buffalo to even their record at 6-6 and make this game today probably the most important game of their season.  A win and they've got a realistic shot to get to 9-7, which might give them a shot at the AFC 6 seed.  A loss today and, with a trip to Indianapolis and a home finish with Cincy pending, 9 wins could be a very tall task.   

Continue reading this post »

More photos » by David Duprey - AP

Will this be a common sight on Sunday? (AP Photo/ David Duprey)

Browse more photos »

Just win, baby!!! The famous words of Skeletor Al Davis ring true especially this week, as virtually all of you are either in your final regular season week, in the first round of your playoffs, or at or near your championship game.  Start Percy Harvin or Jamaal Charles at Flex?  Sidney Rice or Robert Meachem? Tenn D/ST or Minny D/ST?   Sure, you have your must-starts, and you know who they are and will start them, but making the right call in the above-referenced-type of situations can be the difference between hoisting the Sheeva (watch The League on FX, and you'll get it) and starting a long, bitter offseason early.  Accordingly, without further ado......

QUARTERBACKS TO START

1. Donovan McNabb @ NYG.  His favorite toy is back in the lineup, the Eagles are moving the football well, and its December, so its time for another one of those patented winning streaks for the Eagles where they look like they are playing at level 99 on Madden.  He should have a nice game.

Continue reading this post »

More photos » by Tom Hevezi - AP

The possibility of this happening on Sunday is not out of the question by any means. (AP Photo/Tom Hevezi)

Browse more photos »

Overview: Well, I've heard it all week and many of you probably have too... "Antonio Bryant had better get his suntan lotion and lounge chair, because he's going to be on Revis Island all day Sunday."... or something similar to this schtick.  Blech.  Any way you want to characterize it, Antonio Bryant, on paper, has a challenging matchup Sunday against All-Pro CB Darrelle Revis of the New York Jets at Raymond James Stadium. 

So what's the big deal with Darrelle Revis anyways?  Why does it matter that he'll probably be covering Bryant?  Many Pro-Bowl calibur #1 wide receivers have visited Revis Island this season.  Randy Moss?  Twice sun burned on Revis Island.  Steve Smith?  Forgot his sunscreen, burned.  Terrell Owens?  Nada.  Marques Colston?  As limited by Revis as anyone else this season.  Andre Johnson?  4 catches for 35 yards, his lowest total on the season. 

So it's all but a foregone conclusion that Mr. Revis is going to shut down our #1 guy AB, right?  Maybe, maybe not.   The Jets have typically faced opponents this season with a less-pass-aggressive offense/more balanced offense (Bills, Panthers, Dolphins, Texans, Saints, Jaguars, and Titans) than the Bucs employ, which obviously limits looks and targets to those teams' #1 WRs.  Giving credit where credit is due, when those teams do throw, certainly Revis has the uncanny quickness, speed, and ball skills to stay with his receiver on almost any route.  That said, the ying to the yang with the success of Revis is Rex Ryan's aggressive blitzing 3-4 scheme.  Hey, what would you expect from the son of Buddy Ryan?! Although the Jets statistically rank in the bottom half of the league in sacks and in the middle of the league in interceptions forced, they do create substantial pressure, which leads to hurries, aborted throws, and misfires... obviously aiding their cornerbacks.  Against teams that run out of standard under-center formations, that kind of pressure makes things very difficult on a quarterback to drop back, scan the defense, find the blitz or the direction the secondary is rolling, go through his progressions, and make his throw.  It's a little easier in the shotgun formation, which, with Cadillac likely out tomorrow, the Bucs could employ heavily tomorrow as they have every week.  Bryant has played some pretty inspired football and, while not top-tier, has the speed to possibly get past Revis a time or two Sunday.  If he can get even a small crease against Revis, we've seen he has the ability to repeatedly make a tough catch like this:

Continue reading this post »