OT: Official 2021 Tompa Bay Gronkaneers Thread

[Reubski23]

It’s in Tampa at least. And there’s something about west coast teams coming east ESPECIALLY on short rest.

understand this and your previous post - it is going to be a tough game though. I think the line will get smashed and it will be a pick ‘em.

as said if Tampa plays a complete game they win but it is asking them to do something they’ve hardly done all year. If the d can play to the level they played last week minus the last quarter and pressure Stafford like they did Mahomes and if offense can get the production they’ve got the last 3 weeks without brown and Godwin then they win

easier said then done

 

[Guts]

Oh please. It’s a tough draw and obviously the Bucs can lose but they’re playing in Tampa and not in that surprisingly rockous home stadium in LA and the Rams lost 5 games including one last week, they didn’t go 17-0.

Tampa doesn't match up well with them. Matchups is what matters a lot in the postseason. For instance Green Bay matches up well vs the Rams but vs the 49ers that's a horrible matchup for them.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Ooof toughest matchup they could've drawn. Ramsey can eliminate Evans and the Oline is banged up currently. Going to take some Brady magic to pull this off. I don't see the defense containing the Rams to 24 pts or less

They're not a better team without AB and Godwin by any means, but they may do better against teams like the Rams (and Saints) by committing more to the ground game and using Gronkowski on the line more. They'll need to play small ball. Usually, as we saw with the Patriots, that's all great, and it's cute, until you get into a game where you need to put up a lot of points. But if you look at the game against the Rams this year, they scored points but were never close to in control of that game; the Rams controlled all the momentum. One of the issues they've had in both games against the Saints (and Rams) was a sort of confused offensive tempo, and looking for the big plays downfield that simply haven't been there, and they've come back to the run and the short passes only as a Plan B with the wrong personnel to do it; it hasn't worked well.

Ramsey is really good, but other teams seemed to have managed with just one star receiver. Davante Adams put up over 100 yards on the Rams and had his way with them; I'm sure Ramsey covered him quite a bit. Again, the Packers don't run their offense where they spread out five receivers; they typically work the short crossers and chip away before ripping off the big plays to Adams. They use a lot of rub routes as well. They don't come out in shotgun and attempt to impose their will on the other team's secondary. I'd much rather have Godwin for this game, but I do think the Bucs will surprise people with an effective approach by getting rid of the ball quickly. They do have terrific pass catching running backs now, and they'll lean on them.

 

[VectorPrime]

They lost Gronk early in that first game and I believe 3 of the starting 5 defensive backs were hurt.

 

[Guts]

They're not a better team without AB and Godwin by any means, but they may do better against teams like the Rams (and Saints) by committing more to the ground game and using Gronkowski on the line more. They'll need to play small ball. Usually, as we saw with the Patriots, that's all great, and it's cute, until you get into a game where you need to put up a lot of points. But if you look at the game against the Rams this year, they scored points but were never close to in control of that game; the Rams controlled all the momentum. One of the issues they've had in both games against the Saints (and Rams) was a sort of confused offensive tempo, and looking for the big plays downfield that simply haven't been there, and they've come back to the run and the short passes only as a Plan B with the wrong personnel to do it; it hasn't worked well.

Ramsey is really good, but other teams seemed to have managed with just one star receiver. Davante Adams put up over 100 yards on the Rams and had his way with them; I'm sure Ramsey covered him quite a bit. Again, the Packers don't run their offense where they spread out five receivers; they typically work the short crossers and chip away before ripping off the big plays to Adams. They don't come out in shotgun and attempt to impose their will on the other team's secondary. I'd much rather have Godwin for this game, but I do think the Bucs will surprise people with an effective approach by getting rid of the ball quickly. They do have terrific pass catching running backs now, and they'll lean on them.

No I agree there's ways to attack them, but unfortunately I don't see Leftwich being creative enough like Lefleur to expose them. I rewatched the game and other than Ramsey, the secondary can be had specially the safeties Brady can feast there. The Oline must show up that's the key

 

[Guts]

They lost Gronk early in that first game and I believe 3 of the starting 5 defensive backs were hurt.

You're right I totally forgot about that. Maybe the Bucs defense can finally slow down that McVay offense.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Tampa doesn't match up well with them. Matchups is what matters a lot in the postseason. For instance Green Bay matches up well vs the Rams but vs the 49ers that's a horrible matchup for them.

Agree...sort of. They don't match up well with the Rams overall, no question about it. But from an intangibles standpoint, the most important player on the field is the quarterback. The Rams can have marginal advantages on both offense and defense, but they can still lose the game on a few plays. You can say that about any team, but you can almost expect it with Stafford. He'll make a few terrible throws that should be intercepted and the Bucs need to capitalize.

Anyway, I think the really critical thing here is if the Bucs can stop the run. The answer to that queston will decide the game. The Rams run those outside jet sweeps, which just so happens to be the Bucs weakness. They're designed to stop the run between tackles and vulnerable on the outside; I think they have one of the worst averages against in the NFL on those types of running plays. No doubt the Bucs are aware of this, though, so it will be interesting what they do. They can cause some havoc with the big guys in the middle and have the outside guys like Barrett and Tryon contain the edges rather than sell out against the pass every time. No doubt this isn't a simple solution, but the Bucs have one of the best front 7s in the league. They should be able to find a way to adapt and do a better job of shutting down that big play running attack. If the Rams are running all over them, they'll get their asses kicked; if the Rams struggle there, Stafford is going to have to throw a lot and he'll get embarassed. For most QBs (other than Brady), throwing all the time and getting little run support is a recipe for disaster, and Stafford has sucked badly all year when the offense has needed him to carry them.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

No I agree there's ways to attack them, but unfortunately I don't see Leftwich being creative enough like Lefleur to expose them. I rewatched the game and other than Ramsey, the secondary can be had specially the safeties Brady can feast there. The Oline must show up that's the key

Watch the last few games again, and go check out the Evans highlights too. He's lining up often on the inside and causing big problems.

Leftwich has done great ever since the Thanksgiving thing last year. I'm sure he'll come up with something that makes sense with their personnel.

 

[Reubski23]

No I agree there's ways to attack them, but unfortunately I don't see Leftwich being creative enough like Lefleur to expose them. I rewatched the game and other than Ramsey, the secondary can be had specially the safeties Brady can feast there. The Oline must show up that's the key

Honestly haven’t been leftwich’s biggest fan but kudos to him over the last 4 weeks without Godwin, Lenny and Brown they’ve scored 30 PPG - they’ve played Evans totally differently the last couple of games when I reckon for two years he has just ran go-routes and got good to great production out of Johnson

 

[Guts]

I was totally surprised how loud Sofi was tonight. So at least Tampa has home field this time.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

I was totally surprised how loud Sofi was tonight. So at least Tampa has home field this time.

I didn't realize the 49ers were playing there again.

 

[Deus Irae]

This whole "Matchup" issue surrounds 3 things: the Rams DL, Ramsey on Evans, and the Bucs struggling with injury issues against the Rams earlier. That's it.

The real narrative should be that it's two talented teams going at each other, and each team has advantages and disadvantages.

 

[Guts]

 

[carmelo15]

Did you see Brees last year? Allowed to play until he was a corpse. Big Ben this year? Allowed to play until he's a corpse. Tom Brady? SALARY CAP ISSUES HE CAN'T STAY IT'S IMPOSSIBLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have more respect for those fans and GM’s/coaches than I do with BB and half the clowns in here

 

[carmelo15]

First game matchup for defense should be noted that Jamel Dean played 12 snaps, JPP/SMB weren't active. That’s a lot of firepower to be down on defense vs an explosive offense the defense game’s lab should be better and the fact that it’s in Tampa and Stafford doesn’t look the same helps. Also LA had Woods/ that game and Jackson had 120 yards most came on a busted play and woods is worlds better than OBJ







They should be able to play more man this time since they won’t be down 2 out of 3 starting CB. I’d double Kupp with SMB/Winfield and put Davis on an island with OBJ and dare the to win without Kupp. Also this would matchup Dean with Jefferson and I see both these non Kupp matchups going in favor of Tampa

 

[Lagaffe_07]

In the game earlier this year, the secondary was decimated, Gronk didn’t play great before getting injured. At the end of the day Brady finished the game 41/55 for 432 yds and a TD. Evans had over a 100 yds. You can throw on them.

The Rams D is mainly a zone defense. Brady is the best zone shredder in the league. The key on offense will be to protect him. If they can do that I think they will be able to be productive. I think the RB will play a huge role in this game.

the key to this game will be the Bucs defense. If they avoid allowing big plays not like the last game, I don’t see the Rams winning.

 

[amfootball]

Rams are coming off the short week and have to fly across country. The Bucs getting the 2 seed was huge for this game.

 

[1960Pats]

I don’t say it will not happen but a lot of people on the main board put their head in the sand and believe Mac will gain Brady ability to read defense in year 2 , put 15 pounds on to improve his arm strength. That Bill will find a WR1, a Micah parsons like and another top CB. I will be very surprised if we make the playoffs next year

I have the Pats finishing at 8-9 next season.

As for the Bucs, if Brady stays they'll probably be in the hunt again, at least until Brady finally hits the wall.

 

[1960Pats]

Kyler Murray made the pro bowl in 2020 over Tom Brady.

Kyler Murray made the pro bowl in 2021 over Dak Prescott and Matthew Stafford.

This is a great example of why I disregard awards. For me it's all about the W's and L's.

It's really amazing how poorly Murray played last night. I'm glad I changed my pick.

 

[amfootball]

I have the Pats finishing at 8-9 next season.

As for the Bucs, if Brady stays they'll probably be in the hunt again, at least until Brady finally hits the wall.

I agree. I think the Patriots are really going to struggle next season because this off season is going to be the true rebuild where they lose a lot of their aging veterans and have to rebuild through the draft.

In terms of Mac, I honestly don't see anything special in that guy. I know he is supposed to be really smart and I give him credit for picking up our offense but I didn't see some uber smart QB out there all season. His physical tools are a real concern so hopefully he works on that which will help his game significantly I think. But the team overall has so many holes and needs a completely new defense that it is going to be a challenge for them probably the next couple of seasons.

I also found an interesting that when Bill was asked if he would be coming back next season he didn't simply say yes. He said that would be an accurate statement. So I wonder if he was leaving some wiggle room because perhaps he is going to go upstairs and not be coaching. It's hard to tell but they definitely need to shake up the coaching staff in general and get some assistants with some experience.