From watching Jameis Winston throw a pick-six on his first NFL career pass to enduring 11 missed field goals and PATs in Roberto Aguayo‘s rookie year, Buccaneer fans are well acquainted with rookie moves.
But what might be the worst rookie move is how the Bucs have handled opposing rookies under center.
Since 2011, the Buccaneers have an NFL worst 2-11 record when facing a first-year quarterback. Now THAT is a rookie move.
Robert Griffin III, Geno Smith, Paxton Lynch, Teddy Bridgewater, Marcus Mariota are just a few of the QBs that handed the Bucs a loss in their rookie seasons.
Rookie Daniel Jones To Face Buccaneers Defense
Perhaps the New York Giants got the memo as the team announced Tuesday that rookie Daniel Jones will get the start under center on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
Jones, the 2019 sixth-overall pick out of Duke, enters Week 3 coming off an impressive preseason. In four preseason games, Jones threw for 418 yards and two TDs while completing 85.3% of his passes. That’s good for a quarterback of 137.3.
The rookie also has the luxury of having arguably the NFL’s best running back in Saquon Barkley behind him. Barkley, a 2018 Pro-Bowler, has racked up 274 all-purpose yards and one touchdown through two weeks. Let’s not forget how Barkley sank the Bucs last season with 153 yards and three touchdowns.
But one thing that favors the Bucs going into the contest is their veteran coaching staff. Since 2011, the Bucs were led by three different first-time NFL head coaches. Entering 2019, the Bucs front office learned from their rookie mistake and hired a proven NFL staff.
Change Is In The Air
It is evident that head coach Bruce Arians and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles have instilled a toughness in this team that Bucs fans have been drooling over. Through two games, the defense has produced four sacks and two turnovers (one of which a pick-six) While facing All-Pros Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle, former MVP Cam Newton, and big money Jimmy Garoppolo, the defense allowed just one TD.
The only people more jazzed up than Buccaneers’ fans about Tampa’s defense are the basic girls across America, waiting in line for their coveted pumpkin spice latte. Is it safe to say this Buccaneers defense is hotter than a PSL?
But, again, since 2011… 2-11 versus rookie QBs and a heart-wrenching 42-86 overall record. Is it a rookie move to suggest that things will change in Week 3?
Sources: Pro-Football-Reference.com, FoxSports.com, buccaneers.com
Photo credit: Al Bello/Getty Images
