Official Buccaneers Discussion Thread

[Carolina_Packer]

Every team in the NFL has gone on the road and laid an egg this year. New England got smoked by KC who lost to the Titans. Denver got housed by St. Louis who got smoked by the Vikings. The Packers have laid four eggs. Unfortunately, they seem to suck when they lose, as opposed to losing close games. Two times (Detroit and Buffalo) the defense played well enough to support the team. Two other times (Seattle and New Orleans) the defense was not even close to good enough. 3 of the 4 losses (Seattle, Detroit, and Buffalo) were to very strong defenses, with New Orleans being the exception. All four losses are on the road, which doesn't bode well. Only one time this year (Miami) did the Packers go on the road and beat a quality defense, and that was by the skin of their teeth. I'm most concerned about how the team travels, especially against formidable defenses who will be especially amped up come playoff time. That's not the Packer defense's fault, that's the offense being out of sync. Should the Packers make a deep playoff run, they will likely have Seattle on the road. That would be tough.

[vince]

The way the Packers run their offense now with about the only thing determined by the coach being personnel and pre-snap alignment, and about the only other thing predetermined in that little semi get-together before they line up you can't really call a huddle being snap count, it puts a premium on pre-snap communication which is obviously a lot more challenging on the road against good defenses in hostile environments. With different people of varying levels of experience at different positions moving in and out of the lineup, it doesn't take a whole lot for someone on the offense to not be in sync with the rest of the group. Pre-snap communication can change post-snap reads so even if they do communicate all the way around someone might not react to what the defense does the same as others expect them to. Other times (Buffalo) players get disrupted post-snap which throws off timing.

On the road and particularly against good teams all those dynamics haven't come together as efficiently as they can yet.

It's not McCarthy's style, and I think he's right in his aggressive approach for the continuing development of the offense, but they may have had more success in a few of those road games by dialing back by a couple years some of what they ask Rodgers to do at the line of scrimmage - not for his sake but for the good of guys like Adams and Linsley. Maybe adjust protections but not make as many actual play adjustments on the fly. Adams in particular hasn't seemed to have gotten on the same page with Rodgers on some of those back shoulder/fly routes outside and has missed some hot read route adjustments as well. This could also have created a little more structure for the offense against Buffalo in terms of run-pass ratio as the game develops. I'm convinced a lot of the pass heavy approach was Rodgers making the calls at the line based on what the defense is showing him. Taking that away a bit and forcing a few runs in spite of what the defense showed might have helped.

They're not rookies anymore though so I'd say it's balls to the walls as far as stretching how they want to approach making adjustments at the line of scrimmage.

Making mistakes sucks but if they're learning and getting better it's worthwhile. Without checking, I'd say McCarthy's teams have tended to get better as the season goes on so the teaching and learning they're doing seems to be having an impact over time. Hopefully the Buffalo game will provide some valuable lessons that they'll build from. It better or they're doomed because that game will be studied hard by every opponent from now til they're done.

[Maxie the Taxi]

The way the Packers run their offense now with about the only thing determined by the coach being personnel and pre-snap alignment, and about the only other thing predetermined in that little semi get-together before they line up you can't really call a huddle being snap count, it puts a premium on pre-snap communication which is obviously a lot more challenging on the road against good defenses in hostile environments. With different people of varying levels of experience at different positions moving in and out of the lineup, it doesn't take a whole lot for someone on the offense to not be in sync with the rest of the group. Pre-snap communication can change post-snap reads so even if they do communicate all the way around someone might not react to what the defense does the same as others expect them to. Other times (Buffalo) players get disrupted post-snap which throws off timing.

On the road and particularly against good teams all those dynamics haven't come together as efficiently as they can yet.

It's not McCarthy's style, and I think he's right in his aggressive approach for the continuing development of the offense, but they may have had more success in a few of those road games by dialing back by a couple years some of what they ask Rodgers to do at the line of scrimmage - not for his sake but for the good of guys like Adams and Linsley. Maybe adjust protections but not make as many actual play adjustments on the fly. Adams in particular hasn't seemed to have gotten on the same page with Rodgers on some of those back shoulder/fly routes outside and has missed some hot read route adjustments as well. This could also have created a little more structure for the offense against Buffalo in terms of run-pass ratio as the game develops. I'm convinced a lot of the pass heavy approach was Rodgers making the calls at the line based on what the defense is showing him. Taking that away a bit and forcing a few runs in spite of what the defense showed might have helped.

They're not rookies anymore though so I'd say it's balls to the walls as far as stretching how they want to approach making adjustments at the line of scrimmage.

Making mistakes sucks but if they're learning and getting better it's worthwhile. Without checking, I'd say McCarthy's teams have tended to get better as the season goes on so the teaching and learning they're doing seems to be having an impact over time. Hopefully the Buffalo game will provide some valuable lessons that they'll build from. It better or they're doomed because that game will be studied hard by every opponent from now til they're done.

I agree. After the losses in Seattle and New Orleans some of us were suggesting they forget the no huddle, at least at the start, to make sure every player is on the same page. Couldn't they work into the no huddle as the crowd and situation warrants?

[King Friday]

LMAO

Bottom line. If we don't kick the Bucs in the crotch and win by at least 20, we don't have a prayer of doing squat in the postseason. The Bucs have no offense...no defense...nothing. The ONLY thing they have is Lovie, who knows McCarthy and the Packers well. However, he doesn't have a roster anywhere near what he had in Chicago. The Packers should come out smoking mad after their performance last week. I expect Rodgers to complete his first 15 passes with ease. I expect Eddie Lacy, even completely blind, and the running game in general to be used more extensively than last week...because McCarthy KNOWS the offense screwed the pooch last week.

This isn't a trap game. This is a pride game. Coming off a crap performance, a true contender will rise and dominate. I remember the 1996 Packers...after starting 8-1, they lost at KC and at Dallas (because we could never get those f-ers in Lambeau back then) and everyone starting questioning if they were ready to take that title step. Then they came out and laid a complete dud of a first half against the Rams...who were horrible. When faced with the reality that they were shooting themselves in the foot and needed to step it up, that team did. It did not lose a game the rest of that season. No other team came within 11 points of them, and the offense scored 28 or more in every game.

Wake up, Packers.

It is time.

[KYPack]

LMAO

Bottom line. If we don't kick the Bucs in the crotch and win by at least 20, we don't have a prayer of doing squat in the postseason. The Bucs have no offense...no defense...nothing. The ONLY thing they have is Lovie, who knows McCarthy and the Packers well. However, he doesn't have a roster anywhere near what he had in Chicago. The Packers should come out smoking mad after their performance last week. I expect Rodgers to complete his first 15 passes with ease. I expect Eddie Lacy, even completely blind, and the running game in general to be used more extensively than last week...because McCarthy KNOWS the offense screwed the pooch last week.

This isn't a trap game. This is a pride game. Coming off a crap performance, a true contender will rise and dominate. I remember the 1996 Packers...after starting 8-1, they lost at KC and at Dallas (because we could never get those f-ers in Lambeau back then) and everyone starting questioning if they were ready to take that title step. Then they came out and laid a complete dud of a first half against the Rams...who were horrible. When faced with the reality that they were shooting themselves in the foot and needed to step it up, that team did. It did not lose a game the rest of that season. No other team came within 11 points of them, and the offense scored 28 or more in every game.

Wake up, Packers.

It is time.

They have some O.

Doug Martin rushed for 96 vs Carolina, which has a better front 7 than we do.

Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans will both go over 1000 yards and have given DB's fits all year.

Their Oline is rebuilt and has pretty good hands in place. Why they got that guy we should have drafted instead of that stupid guy from Cal, Logan Mankins at guard.

They have no TE, traded away in the off-season.

The Bucs have 8 losses by 7 or less. I'd be worried if Gerald McCoy was fit and playing. I think we win, but TB will have some success offensively.

[woodbuck27]

They have some O.

Doug Martin rushed for 96 vs Carolina, which has a better front 7 than we do.

Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans will both go over 1000 yards and have given DB's fits all year.

Their Oline is rebuilt and has pretty good hands in place. Why they got that guy we should have drafted instead of that stupid guy from Cal, Logan Mankins at guard.

They have no TE, traded away in the off-season.

The Bucs have 8 losses by 7 or less. I'd be worried if Gerald McCoy was fit and playing. I think we win, but TB will have some success offensively.

It will go like this:

The Packers will have difficulty getting going. The score will be close at the half and in the second half Aaron Rodgers will get pissed off and toss a couple of TD's and we win.

Betting.

With the Packers defense. ATS ... take Tampa Bay and the points (13).

Bet the UNDER.... O/U = 49.

[deake]

If the Pack should lose is it time to look at a coaching change? MM has been there a long time.

[KYPack]

It will go like this:

The Packers will have difficulty getting going. The score will be close at the half and in the second half Aaron Rodgers will get pissed off and toss a couple of TD's and we win.

Betting.

With the Packers defense. ATS ... take Tampa Bay and the points (13).

Bet the UNDER.... O/U = 49.

I think so, too.

That Tampa front 7 (with McCoy) pounded the shit out of the solid Bengal OLine. Cincy was lucky to get out of TB with a 1 point win. An up and down Carolina team barely won by two at home.

Lovie Smith quietly gets these boys ready to play.

I think the boys will figure out they have to be intense and get the win, but it could be close.

In Lambeau, this is a blow-out, but any roadie in the NFL is tough.

The loss of Gerald McCoy is key.

Man, that guy is great, him and Suh are illegal.

[woodbuck27]

I think so, too.

That Tampa front 7 (with McCoy) pounded the shit out of the solid Bengal OLine. Cincy was lucky to get out of TB with a 1 point win. An up and down Carolina team barely won by two at home.

Lovie Smith quietly gets these boys ready to play.

I think the boys will figure out they have to be intense and get the win, but it could be close.

In Lambeau, this is a blow-out, but any roadie in the NFL is tough.

The loss of Gerald McCoy is key.

Man, that guy is great, him and Suh are illegal.

" any roadie in the NFL is tough" KYPack

The Philadelphia Eagles will agree with you right now....losing in Washington by a score of 27-24.

[King Friday]

The Bucs have 8 losses by 7 or less.

Well, when you have as many losses as they do, some of them probably will be close.

[woodbuck27]

LMAO

Bottom line. If we don't kick the Bucs in the crotch and win by at least 20, we don't have a prayer of doing squat in the postseason. The Bucs have no offense...no defense...nothing. The ONLY thing they have is Lovie, who knows McCarthy and the Packers well. However, he doesn't have a roster anywhere near what he had in Chicago. The Packers should come out smoking mad after their performance last week. I expect Rodgers to complete his first 15 passes with ease. I expect Eddie Lacy, even completely blind, and the running game in general to be used more extensively than last week...because McCarthy KNOWS the offense screwed the pooch last week.

This isn't a trap game. This is a pride game. Coming off a crap performance, a true contender will rise and dominate. I remember the 1996 Packers...after starting 8-1, they lost at KC and at Dallas (because we could never get those f-ers in Lambeau back then) and everyone starting questioning if they were ready to take that title step. Then they came out and laid a complete dud of a first half against the Rams...who were horrible. When faced with the reality that they were shooting themselves in the foot and needed to step it up, that team did. It did not lose a game the rest of that season. No other team came within 11 points of them, and the offense scored 28 or more in every game.

Wake up, Packers.

It is time.

I agree with you King Friday. Play AR the whole game and CRUSH Tampa Bay.

You know the usual script. If the Pack dominates the first half MM may sit Aaron Rodgers earlier than he should in the second half.

MM has to stop babying Aaron Rodgers. He's not paid huge money to languish on the bench. It's ALWAY "all now" not next season and the next after that.[B] MM has to PUSH his team.

MM needs to promote some REAL PRIDE on his team. The team cannot coast any longer or it's going to be lights out for another season of promise crashing in futility. The same ole same ole.

Attitude !! CRUSH all !!!

[Guiness]

Green Bay PackersVerified account ‏@packers
Bryan Bulaga upgraded to PROBABLE for Sunday's game. Full #Packers injury report: http://pack.rs/2840g #GBvsTB

[pbmax]

Bulaga Probable:

Jason Wilde @jasonjwilde · 5h 5 hours ago
#Packers O-Line likely intact again with @BBulaga being upgraded to probable for Sunday. Blog: http://www.espnwisconsin.com/common/...&post_id=45121 …

[King Friday]

The Bengals have a mediocre QB. The Packers have Rodgers, who is going to be PISSED after the egg he laid last week.

If the Bucs were such a good team, especially with McCoy, they'd have won a few more games.

The Bucs were crap even with McCoy. Now, they are even worse.

No excuse for this to be a close game. None. You think the Pats or Broncos would barely win this game by a FG? Nope.

[Pugger]

The Bengals have a mediocre QB. The Packers have Rodgers, who is going to be PISSED after the egg he laid last week.

If the Bucs were such a good team, especially with McCoy, they'd have won a few more games.

The Bucs were crap even with McCoy. Now, they are even worse.

No excuse for this to be a close game. None. You think the Pats or Broncos would barely win this game by a FG? Nope.

And now with the Philly loss all we need to do is beat this bunch from Tampa soundly and we clinch. If that isn't incentive enough besides atoning for last week's game I don't know what is.