The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell to the Philadelphia Eagles 31-25 on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. That can only mean it’s time for Carter Brantley’s weekly article “Captain’s Table – Walk the Plank”. Enjoy!
Walk the Plank:
Special Teams
My goodness what a horrendous stretch it’s been for this group. Last week was the stupid blocked field goal run back for a touchdown. This week a punt is bloated and gets returned for a touchdown. And Riley Dixon shanks a punt for 21 yards but gets bailed out by a holding call. This cannot continue if the Buccaneers want to be serious about winning the division again. I know I said it last week too, and sure enough that rooster came to toast. Just some abysmal stuff, and a very dark pattern is emerging unless something changes. And fast.
The Offense’s Sense of Urgency
I know this isn’t a group or a specific person, but more of a concept. And it’s not all the time. But at the end of the game with the Bucs down 8 that group was unable to push things and leave themselves enough time to do anything but score right there on that drive, and that’s a damn shame. Assuming your defense isn’t going to hold up despite having allowed under 30 yards all half is stupid. I get that the defense has failed them in crunch time many times in the past, but it was the offense this time around. Baker threw a pick in the red zone in a big moment in the 4th. It happens. But compounding that with a lifeless drive that melted the clock was infuriating to watch.
Captain’s Table:
Bucky Irving
He fumbled and it led to a TD. That sucks. He also had over 160 yards from scrimmage. That rocks. Bucky is still one of the most explosive players in football and a big reason why the Bucs could make a playoff appearance and make some noise.
Emeka Egbuka
Is he the offensive rookie of the year so far? I don’t think that even covers how good he’s been; he might be in the running for offensive player of the year if he keeps this mess up. He’s been outstanding and is playing beyond the draft pick the Bucs spent on him. I was confused and maybe even a bit critical of the pick, but week after week he’s shown why I’m writing these silly little blog posts and the Bucs front office is doing what they’re doing.
The Defense in the 2nd Half
The 1st half was bumpy, no doubt. A pair of touchdowns and a field goal isn’t great. But holy cow did they absolutely lock it down in the 2nd half. Under 30 yards and the one score they allowed was following that Bucky fumble that put Philly near the red zone off jump. It’s a tough spot to be put in, being down 24-6 at the half, but the defense responded in a big way. Really encouraging stuff, and why while this loss was a bummer, there’s still a lot to be excited about for the rest of this season.
Follow @ctbrantley12 on Twitter and listen to him on the RBLR Bucs Podcast
Follow, Like and Subscribe to Bucs Report
BucsReport.com
For more on this and everything Buccaneers check back here hourly at BucsReport.com
