Intoduction
The Bucs like to play it close, no one has ever accused them of otherwise. But that closeness is because Tampa Bay has been in search of a Field Goal kicker for the better part of a decade. What they are NOT looking for, is the piece of the puzzle that has eluded them since the Ronald Regan was first elected into office: A Quarterback…..and an Offense!
While your nails may be gone because of one Buc’s right leg, the rest of the Bucs ran passed and caught their way to 434 total net yards of offense. How offensive was the show? Not two, not three, but FOUR Buccaneer receivers had catches of more than 30 yards.
Two Wide Receivers, and Two Tight Ends! The NFL had better get ready for the Bucs Brate & Howard show, the league hasn’t seen a pair of tight ends with this much capability since Hernandez and Gronk were catching Brady’s bullets and turning them into points. (perhaps ‘bullets’ wasn’t the best word to use when describing these two) !!
Jameis Wintson continues on his path to greatness with his 22 of 38 for 332 yards, 3 TDs and no picks. The last part of that sentence is important, but no pass may have been prettier than the ball he laid in the outstretched hands of Tight End Cameron Brate; who seems to be on course for another double digit TD season.
Meanwhile Eli Manning who is 4th in passing yards, and seemed to complete passes at will, could not get over 300 yards passing as he defense kept him and the Giants offense in check. Giants running backs were held under 100 total yards rug, which is nothing new for the Giants but the Bucs were without linebackers Kwon Alexander AND Levante David Imagine the 2002 Bucs playing without Shelton Quarles and Derrick Brooks!
Tampa Bay sits tied at the top of the division with Atlanta and New Orleans, and will only get healthier as the weeks go by. First, there is little time to rest as the Patriots with their enormous power on offense and equally enormous odor on defense, are sure to want a shoot out. Hargreaves and Grimes will have to show them
Bucs win as complete as any other opener
Mike Glennon is no Jameis Winston. Heck he was no Josh Freeman either (except when Freeman quit). But Mike Glennon takes care of the football. Those calling him a terrible QB may be shocked this week what he does to the Steelers (thats my DFS call of the week).
It says more about the Bucs defense than Glennon or the Bears, who looked like THEY were the ones playing in the first NFL action of the year instead of Tampa Bay.
Answer: Richard Wood 54, Dewey Selmon 58, David Lewis 57, Cecil Johnson 56
Question: When have the Bucs ever had dominating linebackers at each position. In 1979 the Bucs linebackers were the core of the Leagues NO.1 Defense, Tampa Bay. In 1999 the Derrick Brooks, Hardy Nickerson, and Shelton Quarles dominated the league in the not yet but soon to be named Tampa 2.
Today, rookie LB Kendell Beckwith adds the missing ingredient to form what could be the next Linebacker Dynasty on a Buc defense. Molded from an SEC Schedule, he compliments Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander, the latter now considered an NFL elite LB.
Given the Bucs recent memory of 4 straight opening day losses and string of home losses, the Bucs 5th win in a row at Raymond James tells the tale of a Bucs team that is finally going places.
With great leadership on defense and offense, the team is the most
complete its been since…. Ever. Jameis Winston has energized the franchise, the coach, GM right on down to the delivery truck drivers.
The test next week on the road vs a stout Vikings Defense.
