Very quietly the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won their last three home games improving to 4-9 on the season. Granted the Buffalo Bills are not the greatest team in the league, however they beat them in a dominating fashion 27-6. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves this time, while the Bucs defense seems to be improving every game, the Bucs offense is becoming less consistent and if I’m being honest a little worrisome. I’m not trying to take anything away from the win, I’ll take a 27-6 any day. But I think its time to expect more.
Quick Stats:
E.J Manuel: 18/33, 184YDS, 4INT
Mike Glennon: 9/25, 90YDS, 2TD, 2INT
Bobby Rainey: 22, 127YDS, TD
The entire Bill’s team rushing: 22, 67YDS
Vincent Jackson: 3. 70YDS, TD
Tim Wright: 2, 21YDS, TD
Lavonte David: Sack 2INT
Mason Foster: INT
Gerald McCoy: Sack
Darrelle Revis: Sack
Mark Barron: Sack
William Gholston: 1.5 Sack
Derek Landri: Sack
Da’Quan Bowers: .5 Sack
The Bucs Defense:
The defense is starting to live up to its’ potential with seven sacks and four interceptions. Their play has me almost reconsidering my stand on firing Bill Sheridan as defensive coordinator. My opinion will be heavily influenced by their performance next week against Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers. Lavonte David is easily becoming my favorite Buccaneer. David who has six sacks and five interceptions on the year is emerging as one of the league’s top linebackers.
“I can’t really say,” David said after Tampa Bay’s 27-6 victory against Buffalo on Sunday. “I’m just playing the game that I love. I just love the game of football. Every Sunday I’m going to come out and try my hardest, give my heart for the team and guys that’s on the field with me.” Lavonte David
“It’s just an accomplishment,” David said. “I really don’t pay attention to the statistical things, but it’s just all a matter of just playing hard.” Lavonte David (after being informed he’s only the seventh player in NFL history to record five sacks and five interceptions in a season)
The Bucs Offense:
Its hard for me to say they’re doing bad, when they score 27 points. Glennon, in my opinion, is starting to regress showing he really is a rookie. Glennon had a very unimpressive 9/25, 90YDS, 2TD, 2INT. The 9/25 and 90YDS is what bothers me the most. He really needs to show up in the last two remaining games if they want to go into the off-season as the unquestioned starter. I am sure the Bucs will draft a QB somewhere, Glennon needs to show them something to discourage them from using a high draft pick on an QB. Bobby Rainey continues to impress, the Bucs were definitely lucky with all their injuries to RB’s this year that Rainey has stepped up and literally carried the team on his back. I still say the Bucs are in desperate need of a true slot receiver, this needs to be a priority in the draft. If you watch Bucs games you will notice a theme, even with the smallest lead the Bucs will let their foot off the gas. Mike Sullivan, the Bucs offensive coordinator, and the bane of my existence needs to be fired the day after the season ends. His play calling is inconsistent to say the least, and less than creative schemes I can easily blame him for most of the Bucs failures on offense.
Whats next?
Defense is getting better, Bill Sheridan and Greg Schiano need to make a statement in the last two games to justify keeping their jobs. Mike Sullivan Needs to go as soon as possible. The Bucs or should I say the Glazers have a lot of decisions to make. The draft is still some time away but for a team not in the playoffs, the draft is what you naturally look forward to. #ItsABucsLife #FireSullivan
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