Bucs Lose To Jags 18-29

You've got to love Preseason (no...not really). I guess the Jaguars really wanted to win this game badly because Del Rio left his front line offense, minus Taylor, in the game during the entire 3rd period against the Bucs' number 2/3 defense. In fact, the secondary was almost entirely 3rd string, and so were some linemen, when the Jaguars scored 2 TD's to take the lead. I can maybe see the first drive, but the second? Once it's clear your offense has lesser competition to go against, what are you proving to yourself? This usually ends in the other team going ahead and making the switch. I really thought it was humorous when Leftwich was really pumped up and excited. "Yeah, I just beat the Bucs 2nd and 3rd team defense! Yeah!!" Time to take a chill there, pal.

In any case, most of the real action worth noting came in the first half which was mostly a 1st team vs. 1st team event. The Bucs offense took advantage of a Leftwich fumble to drive 43 yards for a TD and then a 2 point conversion in which Dewayne White was the intended receiver. White was clearly held with no penalty, and the Jags appeared to intercept the ball when White ripped the ball away and secured the two points. It was a bizarre play to say the least. Simms looked very good, save the three batted balls, one of which was clearly on Ken-stinking-yatta. The DE he was blocking backed off and floated into the passing lane. Instead of seeing Kenyatta do the right thing, which is to run up and chest punch the DE backwards, he let the guy go to the gap and jump up and bat down the ball. Twice more Simms got batted down on 3 step drops with slant patterns. The line has to do a better job of seeing the DT's release in preparation to bat the ball down, and punch them back.

The offensive line of the Bucs really had problems holding up against the Jags, at times. One sack came when Joseph was moved to LG (why?). Another came from Wade failing to stay with his man, who backed off and stunted around the other DT to get into the backfield. They also failed to get good push in the running game. This is probably one of the best DL's the Bucs will face, and one that's given them problems before, but they did hold up enough for the Bucs to make some plays.

The first team defense was simply awesome. The Jags have a pretty solid OL, but the Bucs defensive line made them look like swiss cheese. Booger actually got another sack, as did Rice. The rest of the first team defense played lights out, and all told held the Jags to 1/7 on 3rd down conversions. Kelly didn't play, but everyone else did. Cox looked stellar out there, including a great pass defense while covering Matt Jones. Really, the Jags first team offense had only a few early runs by Taylor that went anywhere, but then the Bucs stuffed Taylor and the rest of the Jags offense the rest of the first half. Obviously they were frustrated, as they came out and played the entire 3rd quarter against the Bucs 2nd/3rd team defense, as I noted earlier. From there it got pretty ugly.

How ugly? Two picks and a fumble by Gradkowski. The wonder QB showed why he isn't yet ready for prime time. He may be one day, but that day ain't now. The turnovers helped the Jags pile on two more TD's. Then he finally hit Gassner with a bomb to put the Bucs in 1st and goal, but with only 14 seconds left. They did score the TD with a beautiful catch by Russell that was then reversed, in bullsnit fashion, if you ask me. I'm getting pretty tired of TD's being called non-TD's. The ball didn't touch the turf, and he had full control until the ground made the ball shift in his hands slightly. Kind of reminds me of the Shepherd TD that was taken away from us in the playoff game. They then turned around and scored again with Warren, which actually stood.

Well, clearly the effort by the 2nd/3rd team defense wasn't really all that great. Don't know why, but it wasn't. The first team defense came to play and it showed. The first team offense continued to show it's uncanny ability to score on their first drive which is a good sign. Some poor penalties and sacks caused some issues. The lack of a running game was a little concerning, but the Jags appeared to be overplaying the run, as we have run through them a lot during the past Preseason games we've played with them. What can you say? Eh, pretty much sums it up for me. I think the offense is clearly showing some great play at times. Now they need to get consistent. In my opinion that starts with dumping Kenyatta on the bench. He continues to be a swinging gate. Just two weeks until it's real.