Buccaneer fans may have just received a bit of good news this morning before tonight’s week 1 game against the Dallas Cowboys. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin is expected to play. Godwin has been practicing in an orange, non-contact jersey so the team may ease him into action and limit his snaps. It’ll be interesting to see how he looks after suffering a torn ACL in Week 15 of the 2021 season. Welcome back Chris!
It’s FINALLY here. We’ve been waiting for it; ever since Matt Gay hit that game-winning field goal as time expired in the divisional round game against the LA Rams last season. Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season is underway, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ difficult road to the Super Bowl in Arizona begins on Sunday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys in the house that Jerry built for their first of two road games to start the season. The Bucs open their regular season against the Cowboys for the second straight year after beating them in Tampa last September. The Week 1 matchup might be the same, but the cast of players is different. Let’s take a look at both teams to see how they match up in this week’s game.
This team finished 12-5 last season, losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Wildcard round of the playoffs. They still have Dak Prescott at quarterback and Ezekiel Elliott at running back. They still have a solid offensive line, even though they did lose starting left tackle Tyron Smith for at least 6 weeks to a torn hamstring. And they still have a ton of playmakers on defense. This team is dangerous for sure but are they dangerous enough to beat Tampa Bay?
Parsons is what NFL coaches call a “game wrecker“. The 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year finished with 84 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 13 sacks last year. He’s designated on the Cowboys depth chart as the weak weakside linebacker, but Dallas plays him all over the field to create mismatches. He’s one of those players that the offense has to account for any time he’s on the field, or he’s going to cause problems.
With Amari Cooper shipped off to Cleveland, Lamb is now the man in Dallas. Over his first two seasons in the league, he has totaled just over 2,000 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging more than 13 yards per catch. He’s a problem! Both Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean will get their shots at him, and they’ll both need to bring their A-game to keep him in check.
This has been quite a rollercoaster offseason for the Bucs, and I’m glad it’s over, and we can get to some real, live football. This team enters the season with high expectations and Super Bowl or Bust aspirations, so anything less than a championship would be a disappointment. Tom Brady and Byron Leftwich have some new toys on offense like; Julio Jones, Russell Gage, and Kyle Rudolph, even though there is no Gronk on the team (yet). And Todd Bowles has a few new pawns to move around on his defensive chess board like; Akiem Hicks, Logan Ryan, and Keanu Neal. Even though they added a bunch of experienced veterans to this team, it’s the rookies like; Luke Goedeke, Logan Hall, Rachaad White, and Cade Otton that will need to make the biggest impacts. We’ll see really quick if they’re up to the challenge.
JTS has a real opportunity in this first game to show what he’s capable of and make Bucs fans forget all about not having Jason Pierre-Paul anymore. With Shaq Barrett most likely lined up against the rookie left tackle and Vita Vea and Akiem Hicks keeping the three interior guys busy, he’ll have plenty of one-on-one with new right tackle Terence Steele. Hopefully, he can take advantage of them.
These youngsters are being thrown straight into the fire, but that’s a good thing. I think. This game will either give Bucs fans hope for this season OR confirm the fears they’ve been having since Ryan Jensen got injured. The Cowboys have a really solid defensive line with a good mixture of experienced veterans and talented young players. The Buccaneers’ rookie and second-year starters will be tested early and often in this one. Hopefully, they pass.
Evans has made a career out of making the opposing team’s #1 corners look silly, but Diggs is a tough matchup. He led Dallas with 11 interceptions last year and is one of the best cover corners in football. Evans will have his hands full in this one, but the good news is that it should open up things for Jones and Gage to make big contributions.
As I said before, Parsons is a “game wrecker“, and Brady will need to know where he is and what he’s doing at all times. This is going to be a chess match between Brady and Leftwich and Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Tommy Boy has never lost to Dallas, and I don’t think he has any plans to start now, especially on his last ride through town.
The Cowboys’ O line has been their strength for the last several years, and left tackle Tyron Smith has been a key component in that run. However, he suffered a torn hamstring during training camp and was placed on IR to start the season. Dallas has decided to start rookie offensive lineman Tyler Smith in his place. Knowing Todd Bowles, Barrett will probably be lined up on that side all night long to test the rookie as much as possible. Hopefully, it pays off.
The Buccaneers have just one player listed as officially “OUT” on their final injury report, which is rookie cornerback Zyon McCollum (hamstring). The other two players listed are wide receivers Chris Godwin (knee), who will be a game-time decision (his decision), and Russell Gage (hamstring), who’s listed as “QUESTIONABLE“.
Like the Bucs, the Cowboys have just one player officially “OUT” for this game, which is wide receiver Michael Gallup (knee). They only have one other player listed as “QUESTIONABLE” on their final report, which is safety Jayron Kearse (neck). It should also be noted that veteran starting left tackle Tyron Smith (hamstring) is on IR and will not be playing.
I don’t think either team is going to run away with this game. It’ll be a close one, but I think the Buccaneers are just too talented, and Tom Brady just has too much “unfinished business” for them to lose in Week 1. Bucs win.
This is going to be a fun game. The Bucs vs. The Boys, under the lights in AT&T Stadium, on Sunday Night Football. It doesn’t get much better! Dallas is a solid playoff team playing at home, so this will be a true litmus test for Tampa Bay. It’s a helluva way to open up the season, and it should give us a good idea of where the Bucs are as a team heading into this year. Now that you know all you need to know about this week’s matchup, there’s only one thing left to say.
For the second year in a row, the Dallas Cowboys open the season against 7-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Will they suffer the same fate as last season and start with a loss, or will Dak Prescott and the Cowboys make it out of their home stadium alive?
Todd Bowles is no stranger to head coaching the first game of the season, but it’s different this time; this time, it’s not the Jets! This time he’s not coordinating under B.A. This time, it’s a sweet gig. Tom Brady, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Julio Jones, and Leonard Fournette are going to bring you your first ring as a head coach. With the utmost respect, Todd Bowles has the chance, with a young defense and an outstanding offense, to go do great things as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Could Brady enter ‘God’ mode in his 23rd season?
Retired, un-retired, 11-days away from training camp, divorce–these are all topics that have involved Tom Brady since March. Very unfamiliar topics for the 45-year-old quarterback, who is entering his 23rd season in the NFL. The 3-time NFL MVP could potentially be on a whole different level this season. After throwing for over 5,300 yards and 43 TDs, and being snubbed for league MVP last season, Brady has the league on notice in his final season. With the additions of Julio Jones and Kyle Rudolph (replacing “retired” Rob Gronkowski), along with returning Chris Godwin and the only receiver to have 8 consecutive 1,000 yards seasons to begin his career, Mike Evans, look for Brady to punish NFL defenses in route to his fourth MVP award, along with his eighth ring.
Dak and Co. will be looking to hand Brady his first-ever loss against the Cowboys, and that will have to involve the defense to make big plays against an uncertain Bucs offensive line. That’ll all start with Defensive Player of the Year candidate Micah Parsons, along with CB Trevon Diggs (who led the league with 11 INTs last year). Can Dallas’ defense find a way to keep Tampa Bay’s high-powered offense in check?
QB Tom Brady is the NFL’s all-time regular-season leader in starts (316), passing yards (84,520), completions (7,263) and TD passes (624) and postseason all-time leader in starts (47), wins (35), passing yards (13,049), TD passes (86), SB titles (7) & SB MVPs (5). He led the NFL with a career-high 5,316 passing yards and 43 TD passes in 2021, 3rd-most passing yards in a single-season all-time. Recorded most-ever completions (485) in a single season last year and passed for 379 yards & 4 TDs in Week 1 meeting in 2021.
RB Leonard Fournette had 1,266 scrimmage yards (812 rushing, 454 rec.) & 10 TDs (8 rushing, 2 receiving) and ranked 3rd among RBs with 69 receptions in 2021.
WR Mike Evans had 1,035 receiving yards in 2021 and became 1st player ever with 1,000 or moe receiving yards in each of 1st 8 seasons. He ranked 2nd last season with a career-high 14 receiving TDs. Since 2014, he leads all players with 75 receiving TDs and ranks 3rd in receiving yards (9,301).
WR Chris Godwin had career-high 98 receptions with 1,103 receiving yards & 6 TDs (5 receiving., 1 rush) in 2021. He had 9 catches for 105 yards and a TD in the last meeting.
WR Julio Jones makes Buccaneers debut. He leads all active players in receptions (879) and receiving yards (13,330). He has 59 career games with 100 or more receiving yards, tied for 3rd most in NFL history with Marvin Harrison.
LB Lavonte David ranks 2nd in tackles (1,220) and 5th in TFL (134) since 2012. He is 1 of 2 linebackers (J.J. Watt) with 50 or more PDs (54) and 25 or more FFs (26) since 2012.
LB Devin White led the team with 128 tackles in 2021. He is 1 of 3 (Jerome Baker and Demario Davis) with 300 or more tackles (359) and 10 or more sacks (15) since 2019.
LB Shaquil Barrett led the team with 10 sacks in 2021 and ranks 4th in NFL with 37.5 sacks since 2019. He had a sack in the last meeting.
CB Carlton Davis led the team with 11 PD in 2021. He had an INT in the last meeting.
A few highlights courtesy of Bucpower.com:
Chris Godwin recorded the first Buccaneer touchdown of the season
Tom Brady found Antonio Brown on a deep pass down the right sideline.
Ryan Succop had the game-winner with two seconds remaining
The Buccaneers released their second injury report of the week today. Below is Thursday’s full injury report.
Buccaneers:
RT Tristan Wirfs (abdomen)- full participant
RB Giovani Bernard (ankle)- limited
WR Chris Godwin (knee)- did not practice
WR Russell Gage (hamstring)- limited
CB Zyon McCollum (hamstring)- did not practice
WR Julio Jones (non injury)- full participant
S Logan Ryan (hamstring)- limited
S Mike Edwards (illness)- limited
Cowboys:
CB Jourdan Lewis (hamstring)- limited
WR Michael Gallup (knee)- limited
QB Dak Prescott (ankle)- limited
Let’s go ahead and give the question above a resounding “not on your life”. The running game was seen leaving town as the Kanga hat and Bruce Arians arrived in Tampa in 2019. Oh there has been a sighting or two in the last few years, but nobody has gotten a good enough look at it actually to identify it as such. This isn’t one of those articles that will bash the organization and coaches for showing the running game the door. There is a way of thinking that goes something like “do what you know,” “play to your strength,” and “go for what you’re good at.” Who can argue against that when you have Tom Brady and number one receivers four deep? Because of the points mentioned above, you have a Buccaneers team that threw more than anyone else in the league at a rate of 65.5%. Then, it’s also true that the team ran the ball at a league-low clip of 34.5%. The arrival of Bruce Almighty in Tampa also killed Ronald Jones II’s career in Tampa, being that Jones is a pure runner type back and not much of a receiver out of the backfield. It was just a matter of time and coaching philosophy. The team’s stable is now teaming with running backs who excel at receiving. Leonard Fournette, Rachaad White, Ke’Shawn Vaughn, and Giovani Bernard are all better than average at catching the football.
In this season of 2022, one of the parameters on the team has changed from the last three seasons. Bruce Arians has stepped back and is a special adviser to the team. Todd Bowles has returned to the head coaching ranks in his place. Does the changing of the guard affect the team’s philosophy of throw, throw, then throw it again? Well, not for the most part, probably, Byron Leftwich is still the offensive coordinator, and Tom Brady is still behind center. Having said that, Bowles let it be known that there may be some games where the team will run the ball more than in the past. Saying to the effect that the offense will be taking what the defense is giving them. If that’s rushing yards, then so be it. I know that you won’t find a statement like that in Arians’ Creed, which is fine. He won a Super Bowl, doing it his way, so how can you argue? I myself prefer to pass more than run, but I also believe in having the ability to run when you need/have to and being able to dictate in that facet as well as or close to the way you do through the air. Since 2003 no team that has been in the top 3 in passing play percentage has won a Super Bowl (keep in mind the season being looked at plays their Super Bowl the new year that follows said season. The Bucs won for the 2020 season, but the game was played in 2021). During that same time, only the Cardinals (Bruce Arians) for the 2008 season but the 2009 Super Bowl made the big game and lost while being ranked in the top 3. I’m sure the stats play about the same going back even further in time. Being towards the top in passing plays in a season almost guarantees that you will not be in the big game. In Tampa’s 2020 season championship season, the Bucs ranked 10th in the passing play percentage.
For myself and maybe some of you, it will be welcomed, if the Bucs run a bit more when the getting is good. So if Bowles stands by his words, the running game may well be used more than in recent years past. Let’s face it. This team hates the run. The defense doesn’t even like it when the other team does it, as they are usually in the top 2 to 3 against the run annually. Go Bucs!!
Sources:
Super Bowl Winners and Results – Super Bowl History – National Football League – ESPN
NFL Football Stats – NFL Team Passing Play Percentage | TeamRankings.com
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The Buccaneers released their first injury report of the season today. Below is Wednesday’s full injury report.
Buccaneers:
RT Tristan Wirfs (abdomen)- limited
RB Giovani Bernard (ankle)- limited
WR Chris Godwin (knee)- full participant
WR Russell Gage (hamstring)- limited
CB Zyon McCollum (hamstring)- did not practice
WR Julio Jones (non injury)- did not practice
S Logan Ryan (hamstring)- limited
Cowboys:
CB Jourdan Lewis (hamstring)- limited
WR Michael Gallup (knee)- limited
The 2021 Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense did not disappoint last year. They boasted the league’s #1 passing offense for yards per game, #2 in total yards per game, and the #2 scoring offense in all of football. The offense was led by the 44-year-old quarterback Tom Brady, who is even hungrier this year to avenge the bitter loss to the LA Rams to end of the 2021 season. Brady showed no signs of aging when he attempted the most passes in the NFL (719 attempts), most passing yards (5,316), and passing touchdowns (43).
Enter 2022, where the ever-anticipated Unfinished Business Tour begins! The year gets off to a dramatic start when the GOAT; himself decides to shock the world and announce he is returning to the gridiron to finish some unfinished business in Tampa. Where the good news starts is where some bad news follows – Gronkowski and Ali Marpet decide to retire (and stay retired; for the time being…), Alex Cappa leaves for Cincinnati, and Ronald Jones leaves for Kansas City in free agency. With these departures, an offseason of smart free agency work, strategic cap maneuvering, and a strong draft class become more pivotal than ever.
Now let’s look at the offseason for our Buccaneers as it pertains to offense. Free agency started with a lot of action as the Buccaneers were able to lock down multiple free agents at a great value to help bolster the offensive weapons for Tom Brady. Some of the notable names were Lenny Fournette (re-signed), Russell Gage, Kyle Rudolph, and Julio Jones. Surprisingly, the Bucs were also able to help replace one of our guards by acquiring Patriots guard Shaq Mason via trade. Now comes the draft, where the Buccaneers were able to land another starting guard in the 2nd round, Luke Goedeke, and a running back with the name of Rachaad White with the 91st pick. Other offensive rookies that were selected were: Cade Otton (TE) and Ko Kieft (TE).
Coming into camp, your Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive was looking deadly yet again and poised to replicate their 2021 success, but that feeling took a quick hit only days into training camp. Once again, there was a crushing blow to the team when the starting center, Ryan Jensen, got rolled up on by his teammates in a non-contact drill that caused him to be carted off the field with a serious knee injury. Now, one of the most important areas on the offensive line is left in the hands of Robert Hainsey, a 2nd-year player, who is being asked to move from offensive tackle to center — this means that Tom Brady will have to trust Hainsey to be able to adjust to a new position and anchor the interior part of the line.
So what does this mean for our offense in 2022? As Todd Bowles stated in a press conference earlier, he won’t be ‘putting handcuffs’ on the Buccaneers’ offense. “My attitude is to win the game any way possible,” Bowles told the media. “If we have to throw the ball 50 times to win, that’s great. If we have to run the ball 30 times to win, that’s great. We’ll take what they give us – we’ll always have shots for big plays.” With an unproven interior offensive line and Tom Brady; being yet another year closer to Father Time, it is time to expect the Buccaneers’ offense to even out a bit on the play calling. A lot of pressure can be taken off of Tom Brady and the offensive line if they can depend on the new running back duo of Lenny and Rachaad White. With a respectable rush attack, along with having a VERY strong receiving core, you can bet the Buccaneers’ offense will see a lot of single coverage — which will force opponents to pick their poison.
Folks, we obviously won’t see (nor do we want to see) see the good old fashion “Buc Ball” of the late 90s and early 2000s but if the running game can get going and the defense improves as it should, your Tampa Bay Buccaneers should be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, and the GOAT can achieve the “Unfinished Business” he came back for. Written By Drew Pogones
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Citations:
(Buccaneers’ offensive stats via https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/team )
(Tom Brady stats via https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/tom-brady/698 )
“Last week, Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles completed the requirements for a Bachelor of Science in youth and community development through the Center for Accelerated and Adult Education at Mount St. Mary’s University. Bowles began his empowering, yet unorthodox, adult educational journey in the Summer of 2020, prior to the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl Championship campaign.”- Excerpt from an article by Buccaneers Staff Writer/Reporter Brianna Dix: Head Coach Todd Bowles Earns Bachelor’s Degree from Mount St. Mary’s University
I always love reading stories about how despite athletes, former athletes, and coaches, whether college or pro, being in the sports world and making enough money to retire very comfortably, it is still important to them to go back and get their college degree. I have always been a proponent of that. What if things don’t work out? There has to be something to fall back on for life after sports. Obviously, that won’t be an issue for Bowles, but at least he has another accomplishment to be proud of.
Here’s what Todd Bowles had to say about it. “Completing my degree was something I had always wanted to do over the years because it was something I had promised my mother when I went to play in the NFL, and I wanted to follow through on that promise,” said Bowles. “Over the years, as I became a father, it became something I wanted to do in order to set a proper example for my sons as they continue on their educational paths. I have also worked pretty extensively with children through my various community projects, and I felt it was important to show them they can achieve whatever they set their mind to.”
Bowles has now set a good example for his kids. I’m sure this degree will come in handy as it pertains to community outreach activities, such as engaging in leading football camps in the city of Tampa as well as the state of Florida. I’m really proud of Bowles. He is someone I admire and look up to. Congratulations, Todd Bowles! Go Bucs!
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Bucs right guard, Shaq Mason has restructured his contract to free up $ 6 million in cap space. The reason behind this sudden restructuring has not yet been specified, but one can wonder if there will be a new acquisition possible in the near future. Minds will go wild, and speculation will be even wilder. I can’t wait to see all of the posts and comments. This will certainly fan the flames on a Gronk’s return belief. I think it is just to have some free money laying around just in case sh*t. The Bucs’ cap got awful low at a little over $1 million. But perhaps it could be for an offensive lineman?
Bucs’ guard Shaq Mason restructured his contract today to save Tampa Bay over $6 million against the cap this season, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 6, 2022
Lavonte David has been underrated by those outsides the world of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and yet still holds down a record that no other Linebacker in NFL history has. Since being drafted by the Bucs in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft, Lavonte David quickly began making a name for himself.
During his Hall of Fame career, David has amassed 1,222 combined tackles, 869 solo tackles, 12 interceptions for 169 yards and 2 touchdowns, 54 passes defended, 26 forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, 1 for a touchdown, 133 tackles for a loss, 59 hits on the QB and 26 sacks in 149 starts.
Lavonte David has been voted to the Pro Bowl once as a starter in 2015, named First-Team All-Pro in 2013, Second-Team All-pro two times: 2016 and 2020, and PWFA All-Rookie team in 2012. It’s a travesty that he doesnt garner the attention or get the respect that he has more than earned over the years.
He may not get the respect and the attention that he deserves, but there is one thing that will never be taken from him, and that he stands alone as the only Linebacker in history to have 1,000 tackles, 10 INT, 25 sacks, and 20 forced fumbles in his first 10 seasons. it’s time to start putting some respect on his name.
Only one linebacker in #NFL history has 1,000 tackles, 10 INT, 25 sacks, and 20 forced fumbles in his first 10 seasons.
Lavonte David #Buccaneers #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/0C0VpvwU2P
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) September 6, 2022
