Game Review - Week 7

Well, another week, another boring win. Ho hum. Yeah right...who am I kidding! I'm still giddy over the kick that tore through the hearts of Eagles fans everywhere! Muhahahah!

Offense: C-

The offense was very pedestrian in this game. Gruden's game plan going in was to keep Gradkowski from getting killed by the Eagles' varied blitzes and prevent turnovers. To that end, they were successful. Unfortunately, it nearly cost them the game. The Eagles number 1 offense got 11 cracks at our defense due to the inability of our offense to put some drives together, something that has become common this season, as the Bucs have had problems maintaining drives. The running game was non-existent when Mahan was in there, and was effective with Buenning in the line-up. The pass pro was solid all game, but the Bucs didn't throw a lot. The offense managed a long drive in the 3rd quarter for a field goal, and another in the 4th for yet another field goal, but that was it. If Buenning is close to 100% next week, he should get the nod over Mahan no matter what. We simply run better with Mahan not playing on the line. Bruce made a couple of key plays late to give the Bucs a shot at a field goal, albeit a 62 yard long shot that made it, but his scramble for 9 yards, which followed his pass to Clayton for 11, were clutch plays that helped. Overall, the play was a little too conservative and it showed.

Defense: C-

Can I grade this unit by the half? For the first 8 possessions, the Eagles were shutout. Yes...the number one offense was shut out on 8 straight possessions against this defense that everyone is ripping. For the first 8 possessions, the defense gets an A-. This includes forcing 4 turnovers, and nearly having Bolden get his second pick, only to watch the ball just get by and end up in the endzone. Barber was on fire, and it's funny how, just a couple plays before the first pick, they showed his pick in the NFC Championship game. Then...boom!...there he goes again! The last three Eagles' drives, however, is where the defense gets a big fat F. After going up 17-0 late in the third quarter, the defense began to tackle like little sissy girls. It appeared that they were starting to feel exhausted as the heat was getting to them, much as the Eagles were having a similar problem. The Eagles, however, weren't facing spread formations on every play, which allowed gang tackling. The Bucs defense was getting spread out, and one missed tackle was turning into big yards every time. That includes Brooks missing the tackle on Westbrook, that then went 52 yards for the TD and nearly cost us the game. Phillips has been bad all season, and just doesn't seem to understand how to tackle. Allen and Bolden have both been so-so in the area. If the Bucs don't shore up their tackling, the season is going to get ugly statistically, and that usually doesn't bode well in the Wins column. Eight great defensive stops, followed by 3 ole` efforts.

Special Teams: A

Well, Punt returns, Kick returns, and Kick coverage were all very good efforts. Punt coverage and actually punting were so-so. The field goal kicking was...well...I mean, come on! Sixty two frickin' yards!! Not only that, but Pittman helped set that last desperate attempt up with a nice 37 yard return from one yard in the endzone. Starting at the 36 meant the Bucs only needed to go 19 yards for a miracle kick, but 29 yards for a more realistic shot. In either case, that setup got them close enough to have a shot at moving the ball within range. Then we got to watch Philly fans just stand there stunned while the rest of us acted like little babies crying and jumping up and down for joy. Na...na...na...na...na!!! It's good!! Suck it down, Eagles! :P

Coaching: C-

Let's face it, Gruden was too conservative early and also allowed Mahan to be in the o-line. Two things that should not have happened. The Bucs simply looked like they were in fear of the Philly pass rush, even though the Eagles only got one legit sack on Bruce and had troubles getting pressure on him for most of the game. Having Mahan in the game as much as he was limited the Bucs rushing offense due to the Eagles' constant run blitzing, for which Mahan is physically no match to slow or stop. Monte's defense also failed to blitz often, and when they did, it highly ineffective. The defense did, however, shut the Eagles out on their first 8 possessions, and took the ball away 4 times. The tackling, however, got worse as the game went on, and had fully reverted on the last three Philly drives. That needs to be fixed. Special teams coaching was solid this game. What more can you say when your kicker boots a winning 62 yard field goal?

In the end, despite the defense giving up 500+ yards and the offense only getting 200, the Bucs won and that's all that counts. They're 2-4 and at least still have a shot at getting this season back to .500 and maybe do something with this season. Not holding out hope, but one game at a time has to be the mantra at the new One Buc Palace.