OT: Official 2021 Tompa Bay Gronkaneers Thread

[Jangles]

No question that there are still some chemistry issues between Brady and Evans and it's reflected in the decrease in targets this season, even though it should be way higher with Gronk and Ab out.

It seems that Evans doesn't always see the field the same as Brady. The interception today to Evans was like the 3rd (maybe more) time where Brady threw an interception to him that was not even in the same zip code.

Maybe before Brady, Evans was a more all around receiver, but now he is more of a big play and red zone receiver, not a high volume move the chain receiver.

I may be wrong but the interception to evans today looked like one that went right over his head but his arms were tucked to protect from a hit

which isn’t an unusual look for him

 

[RicoG]

Could be. I'll have to look at some replays in slow mo.

But one thing I loved about Edelman's game, as oppose to Evans, was that if he was thrown an errant pass, he would switch to corner back and make dam sure the other guy didn't intercept it.

 

[VectorPrime]

I believe this is a screenshot of Dr Chaos injury analysis which is now behind a paywall. He says possible MCL sprain. Take it for what it’s worth.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Oh my god! How ****ing terrible!!

 

[VectorPrime]

Oh my god! How ****ing terrible!!

Remember when literally every team did this literally every game for decades before the Pats decided to change their strategy in like 2007? I guess this dude forgot.

 

[Deus Irae]

Anyone have any takes why Brady mostly dinked and dunked? WFT had the worse passing D. Was it a protection issue? Only saw highlights of the game.

Washington was playing a 2-deep shell, and the Bucs weren't able to pass them out of that. Dropped passes and "drop"-INT made sure of that.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Washington was playing a 2-deep shell, and the Bucs weren't able to pass them out of that. Dropped passes and "drop"-INT made sure of that.

Yeah…the gameplan wasn’t the issue. Darden (ridiculous “INT”) and probably worse Bernard (two ridiculous drops) really changed the momentum. Fournette had 8 catches on 9 passes. That was the way to attack. Problem is they were left with 20 minutes of possession and in a deep hole due to major problems. But this wasn’t an issue of no one being open, pass protection, running game, etc. And to some degree, the Saints game was similar…Brady had good protection against that elite pass rush and guys were open often. Leftwich simply isn’t the problem here at all, and I was constantly bashing him last year for his strategies.

 

[VectorPrime]

Yeah…the gameplan wasn’t the issue. Darden (ridiculous “INT”) and probably worse Bernard (two ridiculous drops) really changed the momentum. Fournette had 8 catches on 9 passes. That was the way to attack. Problem is they were left with 20 minutes of possession and in a deep hole due to major problems. But this wasn’t an issue of no one being open, pass protection, running game, etc. And to some degree, the Saints game was similar…Brady had good protection against that elite pass rush and guys were open often. Leftwich simply isn’t the problem here at all, and I was constantly bashing him last year for his strategies.

Bucs fans sh.it on leftwich for not drawing up plans to score 50 points every week just like Pats fans with McDaniels.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Bucs fans sh.it on leftwich for not drawing up plans to score 50 points every week just like Pats fans with McDaniels.

I do think Leftwich/Arians were a problem last year for awhile. Too complicated, too focused on the deep pass, etc. This year when they’ve lost, the players have been the problem.

 

[Guts]

They are missing AB badly. They're taking Godwin away and the routes Evans runs take too long to become open.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

They are missing AB badly. They're taking Godwin away and the routes Evans runs take too long to become open.

AB, sure. I think Gronk has been the bigger loss, and that’s because there’s a perception that Howard and Brate are solid options. Maybe that was true before, but it isn’t now. Howard isn’t the same since his injury, and Brate is washed.

Last three games, Brate/Howard have 46 yards receiving on 17 targets. That’s horrendous production from them in games where teams are selling out against Evans and Godwin. That’s at the level of LaCosse/Izzo for startling ineptness.

These guys were doing fine with AB and Gronk. Just goes to show how some players appear to be great as cogs in the wheel but really aren’t when they need to take on more responsibility. The idea of a “super team” with a deep well of great talent where “everyone is awesome” is often some version of this.

 

[carmelo15]

Horrendous loss. Brady was fine; if I hear one more time about his “two picks”. One should be adjusted as a catch/fumble. Leftwich wasn’t the problem. You shouldn’t need to play perfect for a win against a 2-6 team. Terrible hands by Darden and Bernard early on when they were trying to establish the short passing game. They had the ball for 20 minutes. Defense just abysmal at getting off the field, and the offense was forced to abandon the running attack. You run 30% of the time, the defense allows extremely long drives all game and 29 points, only a few NFL offenses teams can still that game. And the Bucs are one of those teams, but they’re not when you add in the losses of Brown and Gronk, and not when you wreck your margin of error in the first quarter.

Now, I think it is important to consider: this is actually the Bucs only loss in two years against a bad team. So, I wouldn’t say they have some history of playing down to opponents or overconfidence or anything.

But overall, the loss has no silver lining. They needed to two things, though these certainly weren’t easy and there’s the luck factor too.

1. Win all the games they’re expected to win easily.
2. Avoid major season ending injuries to key players.

So I’d say this game changes up their outlook. If Vea is out for the year, they’re in big, big trouble, and that’s even if they do regain their CBs. And I’ll just add an “I told you so.” I HATE paying an edge rushing, sack specialist all that money. As usual, nowhere to be found when the team is struggling. Only effective as a finisher when everyone else is winning their matchups. A $16M player needs to be someone who always steps up in these types of situations, but that isn’t just Barrett, it’s a big amount of these overpaid edge guys who do nothing else except collect sacks under the right circumstances.

I was reading 'Shaquil Barrett stat that proves Buccaneers were right' on FanSided for iOS and I thought you might be interested in reading it too.
Shaquil Barrett stat that proves Buccaneers were right

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

I was reading 'Shaquil Barrett stat that proves Buccaneers were right' on FanSided for iOS and I thought you might be interested in reading it too.
Shaquil Barrett stat that proves Buccaneers were right

The article merely cites the chart below with some brief commentary. All due respect, I don’t find this compelling at all.

He’s a plus for the team. But for that price, he should be making game changing plays often. Like most EdGe guys, he racks up the sacks during pile on games. He has only two sacks this season outside of playing three horrible QBs known for scrambling around (Brissett, Hurts, Fields.) Take him out of those games, and the defense barely skips a beat. But in games where it isn’t open season in the backfield, he’s stonewalled and provides very little help in other areas.

If Vea is out, he’ll be even more limited.

 

[GOATpatsfan]

Yeah…the gameplan wasn’t the issue. Darden (ridiculous “INT”) and probably worse Bernard (two ridiculous drops) really changed the momentum. Fournette had 8 catches on 9 passes. That was the way to attack. Problem is they were left with 20 minutes of possession and in a deep hole due to major problems. But this wasn’t an issue of no one being open, pass protection, running game, etc. And to some degree, the Saints game was similar…Brady had good protection against that elite pass rush and guys were open often. Leftwich simply isn’t the problem here at all, and I was constantly bashing him last year for his strategies.

The gameplan maybe wasn't the issue but play calling is so predictable that it's getting ridiculous. Running too often on 1st down and passing on 80-85% of 2nd downs.

 

[VectorPrime]

Eagerly awaiting any Vita Vea news.

 

[amfootball]

Bucs are still in position for the top seed with the Cards losing. They basically would have to win out or maybe lose one game. I think realistically they end up being the 3 seed which isn't a bad path as the 6th seed will most likely be a team with a losing record.

 

[VectorPrime]

Bucs are still in position for the top seed with the Cards losing. They basically would have to win out or maybe lose one game. I think realistically they end up being the 3 seed which isn't a bad path as the 6th seed will most likely be a team with a losing record.

Packers need to drop 2 games because they’ll have the tiebreaker.

 

[amfootball]

Packers need to drop 2 games because they’ll have the tiebreaker.

Yeah. It is a bit of a long shot but the Cards losing really helped. I do think the Rams are in play now for the West depending on Murray's health. They say he will play this weekend but didn't sound all that confident either. At this point, I think I would rather the Rams with the division so the Bucs don't see them in the first round.

 

[amfootball]

Brady was really pissed during his presser. That is good. Hopefully he can light a fire to get these guys playing more sound.

 

[VectorPrime]

Brady was really pissed during his presser. That is good. Hopefully he can light a fire to get these guys playing more sound.

He was screaming at guys on the sidelines I saw some fan vids.