Jan 5th 2009 7:32PM by Michael David Smith (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, Buccaneers, Colts, Lions
The phrase “Tampa 2 Defense” is one of those phrases that has been used, re-used and mis-used in football so often that it’s almost lost its meaning. Much like the “West Coast Offense,” the “Tampa 2 Defense” has elements that are used by every team and isn’t used exclusively by any team.
But one of the aspects of the Tampa 2 that is supposed to be a fairly hard and fast rule is that Tampa 2 teams generate their pass rush almost exclusively from the four down linemen, and not from blitzing with linebackers or defensive backs. So it’s a little surprising to look at the numbers and see that in reality, one of those Tampa 2 teams, the Chicago Bears, actually blitz a whole lot.Continue Reading
Dec 29th 2008 11:45AM by Adam Gretz (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, NFL Coaching
Four weeks ago, this question probably wouldn’t be asked. Then again, four weeks ago the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were tied for the top spot in the NFC South at 9-3 and looking like a playoff lock. Today, four weeks later, the Buccaneers find themselves at 9-7, out of the playoffs, and trying to figure out how in the hell they lost four games in a row, including a must-win game, at home, against the Oakland Raiders. Ouch.
Following the Buccaneers’ latest defeat, capping off one of the league’s top choke jobs of the 2008 season, it seems that head coach Jon Gruden is finding himself on a bit of a hot seat, at least in the eyes of columnist Joe Henderson. He writes that the Buccaneers’ ownership — the Glazer family — has “a responsibility to view this season with cold-blooded detachment starting with the head coach.” Translation: might be time for a change. And while he doesn’t come out and say Gruden must be fired, he at least gets the ball rolling in that general direction, calling for some sort of change, whether it be with the head coach, the general manager or the overall attitude of the franchise.Continue Reading
Dec 29th 2008 1:30PM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Broncos, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Jaguars, Jets, Packers, Patriots, Redskins, NFL Playoffs
We all know the 12 teams that will be in the NFL playoffs, all of whom (mostly) deserve to be there.
The bigger story may be who won’t be in the playoffs. There were several teams that came into the season with big dreams while others had a nice start to the season. Yet they still didn’t make it.
In the 2000s, only one team lost a Super Bowl and made the playoffs the next season. We love pointing that out, but never imagined that could happen to these Patriots. New England just came off an undefeated regular season and lost the Super Bowl in the game’s final moments. But all it took was an injury to Tom Brady to put the season in doubt. Matt Cassel did a great job filling in, but injuries to the stable of running backs and a defense that, at times, looked its age forced New England slip up just enough to miss the playoffs.
They will be only the second team with 11 victories to not make the playoffs. To many, it is justice to see the Pats not in the postseason despite having a better record than four teams that will be.Continue Reading
Dec 28th 2008 1:49PM by Michael David Smith (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, Raiders
For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, today’s game against the Oakland Raiders is an absolute must-win: If they lose their season is over, but if they win they’re still in playoff contention. For the Raiders, the game is meaningless: They’re long since eliminated from playoff contention.
So which team came out flat today? The Bucs.
Tampa Bay punted on its first three offensive possessions and didn’t even get a first down until just a minute remained in the first quarter. The Bucs’ defense, meanwhile, has been soft against the run, and the Raiders used a seven-play, 60-yard drive to score a second-quarter touchdown and take a 7-0 lead.
The Bucs finally got something going on their fourth offensive possession and scored to tie the game at 7-7 But if the Bucs lose this one, Jon Gruden might deserve to have his name mentioned among the coaches on the hot seat.
Dec 28th 2008 4:02PM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Eagles
Coming into the day, the Dallas Cowboys knew if they beat the Eagles this afternoon they would be in the playoffs. Philadelphia knew that they needed a lot of help during the early games to know if they had anything to play for.
They do.
Thanks to Tampa Bay’s monumental meltdown and Chicago losing in Houston, the Philadelphia Eagles are a win away from the playoffs. Heck, this makes the Cowboys-Eagles a de-facto postseason game.
Now things are really looking up for Philly. Dallas has lost their last eight season finales and has lost eight of eleven in the City of Brotherly Love. There is also this little thing about Tony Romo and the Cowboys coming up short in playoff games. Since this is a win-or-go-home atmosphere for both teams, it will be interesting to see how Romo performs.
The winner of the Cowboys-Eagles game will travel to play Minnesota next weekend.
Continue Reading
Dec 28th 2008 11:15PM by JJ Cooper (author feed)
Filed under: Broncos, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Jets, NFL Playoffs
We can mock the Lions’ 0-16 season, wonder how good the Patriots would have been if Tom Brady didn’t blow out his knee, or speculate over which NFC team is most likely to give the Giants trouble in the playoffs.
But after watching a wild December of football, it’s hard to avoid the fact that 2008 is the year where an amazing number of teams simply gagged their way out of the playoffs. Usually there are one or two teams that peaked in October and failed to live up to their potential, this year, we had a futile four that all choked away what were once seemingly safe playoff berths.
Here’s a ranking of who sucked the worst in a season that saw plenty of teams throw away their chance at playoffs glory.
Continue Reading
Dec 28th 2008 10:16AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, Raiders, AFC West
Raiders managing general partner Al Davis will not make the trip to Tampa to see his Oakland Raiders take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This will be the first time since 1979 that Davis hasn’t been in attendance to see his team play.
Doctors advised Davis from traveling cross-country to the game as he is suffering swelling in his knee and ankle. He was hospitalized earlier this month after falling but would attend following Raiders’ games in a wheelchair.
It is believed to be only the second time Davis has ever missed games since joining the Raiders in 1963. In 1979, he missed two games after his wife suffered a heart attack. Davis moved into her hospital room for two weeks while she was in a coma.
If Davis had his way, he’d be at the game. Everyone says he’s feeling fine and had planned on making the trip to Tampa.
Dec 26th 2008 4:00PM by Will Brinson (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Eagles, Redskins, Vikings, NFL Fans, NFL Eliminated Teams, NFL Media Watch, NFL Rumors
Had Philadelphia taken care of business last Sunday and beaten the Redskins, the Cowboys-Eagles game was set for primetime, Sunday night, must-see, WIN OR GO HOME football. Instead, the ‘Guls lost and the game suddenly became “Cowboys win = in” as far as the playoffs go.
Naturally, the game would be bumped back to 1:00 EST because it’s in Philadelphia. Only it wasn’t — now it kicks off at 4:15 EST … which is what happened, and also which makes little sense. Or, if you’re Tim Cowlishaw and/or freaking love conspiracy theories, a whole lot of sense.
Tampa Bay, Chicago and Minnesota all play noon games. If the Bucs win, or if the Bears and Vikings both win, the Eagles are eliminated from playoff contention.
[…] But the Eagles are going to prepare all week in hopes that a victory will get them into the playoffs. To learn after you have warmed up and just before kickoff that you have been eliminated can be devastating.
Fiction can be funny … but seriously, this is kind of a stretch, no? Sure, that could potentially be an advantage for Dallas, but the Eagles hate the Cowboys, and people are still going to be screaming for Tony Romo’s head. Additionally, as Cowlishaw notes, the 4:15 slot with an NFC rivalry game and the Cowboys’ playoff hopes on the line for huge ratings.
Besides, why would Roger Goodell bother “pulling a Stern” and landing the Cowboys in the playoffs when they’re only going to play one game anyway? Just seems like a little too much effort.
Dec 25th 2008 9:30PM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, NFC South, NFL Coaching
Just last week, some talking head somewhere stated that a dark horse candidate for some of the NFL head coaching and defensive coordinator jobs this winter will be Tampa Bay secondary coach Raheem Morris. Morris’ name might be taken off a few lists as the Buccanneers have promoted him to defensive coordinator next season.
Morris will replace Monte Kiffin, who is leaving to join his son, Lane, at the University of Tennessee next year. Morris will continue to teach the same Cover-2 principles Kiffin put in place.
Morris has spent six of the last seven seasons with the Bucs. In those seasons, he’s helped coach one of the league’s best defenses. In 2006, he left to take the defensive coordinator position at Kansas State, but would come back to Tampa the next season.”I’m a big energy believer. I like guys with juice. I think you have to be a leader. I think you have to be able to motivate and stimulate these guys, relate to them - veterans, young players,” Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden said.
“He knows the kind of players we’re looking for. He knows the routine here in terms of what it takes to play in this system. I’ve been impressed with him throughout the six, seven years I’ve been with him. He’s had a year coordinating in the Big 12, and I think it’s the right thing to do. I think our players will respond to him.”
Dec 21st 2008 2:55PM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Bills, Broncos, Buccaneers, Chargers, Colts, Cowboys, Dolphins, Eagles, Jets, Giants, Panthers, Patriots, Ravens, Titans, Vikings, NFL Media Watch
Last year, the NFL started this flex scheduling thing, which allows them to alter the schedule late in the season so that the more meaningful games are broadcast on national television.
While there are rules that the NFL follows for selecting these games, they do Week 17 a bit differently. No games are off limits for the switch to NBC, aside from picking teams that have reached televised limits. They also only have to give six days advance warning about the change, instead of the normal 12 days.
That means the NFL will place the game with the most riding on it as their season finale on NBC.
So which games look like they could be a possibility?Continue Reading
