My halftime post reflected poor recollection on my part.
The Bucs offense was completely pathetic against the New York Giants earlier this season. I thought the particularly dismal performance had come against the Bills. The Bucs produced that type of pathetic offensive performance against the Jets today. But at least it wasn't a shutout like the Giants game.
I think Raheem Morris may have the raw materials to turn into a great coach. But signs of ineptitude have plagued the Bucs since the firings of Jon Gruden and Bruce Allen.
The Bucs did, after all, get rid of the two key hires after Morris and new GM Mark Dominic. Offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski was fired in preseason, and defensive coordinator Jim Bates was relieved of defensive play calling duties a few weeks ago. In both cases, the new coordinator entirely scrapped the existing terminology in favor of a new system. Whether that made a big difference for the offense, I do not know. But the defense has performed much better since Raheem Morris took over defensive playcalling and went more to last year's style of play.
Morris is the hope for this team. If he is the type of emerging star coach the front office believed he was, then the team can recover from its 2009 stumbles. But the failed hires of Jagodzinski and Bates count at least partly against Morris. He is the guy in charge.
As I have noted previously, Morris also has his wagon attached to Josh Freeman's career. Freeman won me over with his first three starts. I believed he was the real deal.
But the past two games have refreshed my doubts.
****
One note about the television coverage: The announcers seemingly could not praise Darrelle Revis enough. And Revis played a decent game, tackling and covering well while picking off a pass. But come on, announcers. On that first throw that Revis broke up, WR Antonio Bryant had a step on Revis, but Freeman just threw a bad ball. Good coverage, yes. But it could have been a big play for Bryant with a good throw. The announcers were similarly giddy when Freeman threw a bad ball to WR Bryan Clark. Likewise, the interception was a good catch by Revis, but the pass would not have been complete to Clark even if Revis had vanished from the field of play at the moment Freeman released the pass.
I suppose that praising one of a team's top players is expected of a broadcast team. They went overboard on the pass coverage aspect with regard to Revis. But I give the Jets highest marks for their team tackling. The announcers were not just correct to highlight that aspect of the game. It would have been criminal to ignore it.
Showing posts with label NFL football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NFL football. Show all posts
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Bucs v. Dolphins: Rule rip-off? (Updated X2)
Near the end of the first half as the Buccaneers were playing the Dolphins, QB Josh Freeman threw a pass to WR Michael Clayton. Clayton caught the ball with his hands and got one foot down, then was hit by a Miami defender.
That hit kept Clayton from getting his second foot down, but he kept control of the ball as his elbow and then his body contacted the ground. After that, a Miami defender, stripped the ball from Clayton and it flew (without touching the ground) to LB Jason Taylor, who carried the ball to the end zone. The TV crew bought it as a touchdown. The officials conferred and ruled an incomplete pass.
As the clock had under two minutes to go, any review was up to the officials in the booth upstairs. Clayton and the Bucs plainly believed that he had made a reception and after that was down by contact.
That's where the rulebook comes in.
When Clayton caught the ball in his hands, he was not in the act of going to the ground. However, the catch doesn't count as a reception until he makes a football move.
So, where do the beginning and ending of "act of catching a pass" occur? If Clayton needed to get two touches before having the catch count, then the officials probably made the right call. Clayton was, after all, going to the ground prior to getting the two touches.
If, on the other hand, the "act of catching a pass means getting it in one's hands and controlling it, that was accomplished before Clayton was going to the ground.
The ruling indicates that the officials saw it the first way.
If they blew the call, I guess we'll find out about it too late to make a difference in the final score.
****
Note: My memory banks hold a recollection of a call like this going against Clayton in the past. And I think I remember that after the game he said something along the lines that he would remember and not let it happen again. But it isn't all on Clayton. The Dolphin defender gets credit for stripping the ball away and enabling the so-called interception.
****
Update:
Scott Reynolds of Pewter Report has posted the explanation of the call from referee Tony Corrente. I think if Clayton gets both feet down before starting toward the ground, he has a reception and a first down. The call was painful, but probably correct.
Defensive backs should consider catching receivers who leap to catch the ball. Hold the guy up in the air until the ball can be stripped away. At worst it's an incomplete pass.
Then watch for a trend toward 300 lb receivers.
****
Update 2
This comes as no surprise to me:
Or does it?
Seems to me that NFL officials regularly give forward progress to receivers who catch the ball while in the process of going to the ground. Apparently the possession is somehow retroactive.
That hit kept Clayton from getting his second foot down, but he kept control of the ball as his elbow and then his body contacted the ground. After that, a Miami defender, stripped the ball from Clayton and it flew (without touching the ground) to LB Jason Taylor, who carried the ball to the end zone. The TV crew bought it as a touchdown. The officials conferred and ruled an incomplete pass.
As the clock had under two minutes to go, any review was up to the officials in the booth upstairs. Clayton and the Bucs plainly believed that he had made a reception and after that was down by contact.
That's where the rulebook comes in.
Player Going to the Ground. If a player goes to the ground in the act of catching a pass (with or without contact by an opponent), he must maintain control of the ball after he touches the ground, whether in the field of play or the end zone.This rule, based on the wording alone, is open to considerable interpretation.
When Clayton caught the ball in his hands, he was not in the act of going to the ground. However, the catch doesn't count as a reception until he makes a football move.
So, where do the beginning and ending of "act of catching a pass" occur? If Clayton needed to get two touches before having the catch count, then the officials probably made the right call. Clayton was, after all, going to the ground prior to getting the two touches.
If, on the other hand, the "act of catching a pass means getting it in one's hands and controlling it, that was accomplished before Clayton was going to the ground.
The ruling indicates that the officials saw it the first way.
If they blew the call, I guess we'll find out about it too late to make a difference in the final score.
****
Note: My memory banks hold a recollection of a call like this going against Clayton in the past. And I think I remember that after the game he said something along the lines that he would remember and not let it happen again. But it isn't all on Clayton. The Dolphin defender gets credit for stripping the ball away and enabling the so-called interception.
****
Update:
Scott Reynolds of Pewter Report has posted the explanation of the call from referee Tony Corrente. I think if Clayton gets both feet down before starting toward the ground, he has a reception and a first down. The call was painful, but probably correct.
Defensive backs should consider catching receivers who leap to catch the ball. Hold the guy up in the air until the ball can be stripped away. At worst it's an incomplete pass.
Then watch for a trend toward 300 lb receivers.
****
Update 2
This comes as no surprise to me:
Mike Pereira the NFL's vice president of officiating, has informed the Bucs he agrees with the instant replay reversal that resulted in an interception by the Dolphins' Jason Taylor Sunday.To reiterate my point above: You NFL defenders start catching receivers in midair if they happen to jump for the ball. So long as they're not touching the ground, you'll have carte blanche to strip the ball and "intercept" it. That receiver will remain in the process of going to the ground for as long as you need. Might as well carry him toward the end zone while you're at it. It's not like forward progress matters when the receiver hasn't completed the reception.
Or does it?
Seems to me that NFL officials regularly give forward progress to receivers who catch the ball while in the process of going to the ground. Apparently the possession is somehow retroactive.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Bucs stomp Panthers 27-3
The Carolina Panthers, sporting a revamped defense reputed for its ability to stuff the run along with a quarterback renowned for his skill/luck in bringing about last-second victories, had me worried headed into Sunday.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers allayed those worries, rebounding from a disappointing loss in Denver to convincingly beat the Panthers 27-3.
The Bucs dominated both sides of the line of scrimmage, stuffing Carolina's rushing attack while springing Warrick Dunn for over 100 yards. Dunn was the first opposing RB to exceed 100 yards against Carolina this year.
Jeff Garcia returned as the starting quarterback for the Bucs and looked very efficient in leading the team to victory. The Bucs committed no turnovers under Garcia after suffering from a high number of interceptions from Brian Griese, who started the previous four games, of which three were wins.
Props to Derrick Brooks' understudy, Geno Hayes. Hayes, a former Florida State Seminole linebacker like Brooks, broke through on Carolina's initial punt attempt and blocked it. Hayes kept on running and the ball cooperatively bounced right to him as he scooted into the end zone.
A nice way to start the game against a tough divisional foe.
***
Complaint Department
Fox kept broadcasting incorrect statistics during the game. Jake Delhomme's average yards per pass attempt were at issue. An average greater than 7.0 (or something like that) is supposed to be playoff caliber. Fox apparently substituted the yards per completion statistic for the yards per attempt statistic, which made Delhomme look unrealistically great.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers allayed those worries, rebounding from a disappointing loss in Denver to convincingly beat the Panthers 27-3.
The Bucs dominated both sides of the line of scrimmage, stuffing Carolina's rushing attack while springing Warrick Dunn for over 100 yards. Dunn was the first opposing RB to exceed 100 yards against Carolina this year.
Jeff Garcia returned as the starting quarterback for the Bucs and looked very efficient in leading the team to victory. The Bucs committed no turnovers under Garcia after suffering from a high number of interceptions from Brian Griese, who started the previous four games, of which three were wins.
Props to Derrick Brooks' understudy, Geno Hayes. Hayes, a former Florida State Seminole linebacker like Brooks, broke through on Carolina's initial punt attempt and blocked it. Hayes kept on running and the ball cooperatively bounced right to him as he scooted into the end zone.
A nice way to start the game against a tough divisional foe.
***
Complaint Department
Fox kept broadcasting incorrect statistics during the game. Jake Delhomme's average yards per pass attempt were at issue. An average greater than 7.0 (or something like that) is supposed to be playoff caliber. Fox apparently substituted the yards per completion statistic for the yards per attempt statistic, which made Delhomme look unrealistically great.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Bucs thump Rams 24-3
I intended to post after doing a review of the game video, but evidently a power outage truncated the recording.
Big win for the Bucs, given the difficult start to the schedule (Indy and Seattle among the first five games).
Special Teams
Special teams were huge. St. Louis had no return game, and that's saying something when Dante Hall returns most of the kicks. The Bucs' Mark Jones, on the other hand, had a number of big returns on the day. Special teams play set up field position in the Bucs' favor throughout the day.
Huge credit goes to ST coach Rich Bisaccia, who has got a young and very speedy group of backups living up to their responsibilities on special teams.
Defense
Some say the Bucs' defense is "back," but this defense isn't yet driven by the defensive front four, unlike Buccaneer teams of the past. That may yet happen, but so far the defensive line is doing just enough. They haven't dominated anybody. The linebackers and defensive backs have made the defense effective. They're all hustling to the ball and hitting, and providing generally excellent pass coverage.
Jermaine Phillips has finally started to fill John Lynch's shoes, making a big hit on tailback Stephen Jackson and snaring a nifty interception along the sideline. Philip Buchanon has played brilliantly in relief of Brian Kelly, who has been dinged up a bit this season.
At linebacker, Cato June has provided the splash play that we haven't seen since the Ian Gold experiment a few years ago, and Barrett Ruud has made the middle linebacker position his own taking the place of the retired Shelton Quarles. Derrick Brooks might be a shade slower, but he makes up for it with game savvy.
Offense
I can't say I've been any sort of Jeff Garcia fan, but the guy deserves a great deal of credit for the way the Bucs offense has played the past two weeks. Garcia has an excellent sense of what is going on around him in the pocket, and he has a knack for finding the open receiver--something the Bucs sorely missed last year.
The offensive line has been almost totally remade since two years ago (center John Wade is the lone remaining starter). The unit has been pretty solid so far and should only get better if it can stay free of injuries. Even if injuries occur, the backups seem pretty solid (especially the surprising Donald Penn at right tackle--just don't let him drive your SUV).
Summary
Excellent team effort today. The Bucs stuck to their defensive scheme and took advantage of the breaks. Next week Tampa Bay visits Carolina. That's a great test for the offensive line. If the line gives Garcia time, he'll carve up Carolina's secondary. On the other side of the ball, Steve Smith will give the secondary its toughest test so far this season. I expect Smith to have trouble getting deep. Smith is a huge threat with a short reception, of course, so I hope to see a continuation of the Bucs' crisp tackling. Carolina's using a new zone blocking scheme on offense, and it remains to be seen how well their personnel can carry it off.
*****
Big win for the Bucs, given the difficult start to the schedule (Indy and Seattle among the first five games).
Special Teams
Special teams were huge. St. Louis had no return game, and that's saying something when Dante Hall returns most of the kicks. The Bucs' Mark Jones, on the other hand, had a number of big returns on the day. Special teams play set up field position in the Bucs' favor throughout the day.
Huge credit goes to ST coach Rich Bisaccia, who has got a young and very speedy group of backups living up to their responsibilities on special teams.
Defense
Some say the Bucs' defense is "back," but this defense isn't yet driven by the defensive front four, unlike Buccaneer teams of the past. That may yet happen, but so far the defensive line is doing just enough. They haven't dominated anybody. The linebackers and defensive backs have made the defense effective. They're all hustling to the ball and hitting, and providing generally excellent pass coverage.
Jermaine Phillips has finally started to fill John Lynch's shoes, making a big hit on tailback Stephen Jackson and snaring a nifty interception along the sideline. Philip Buchanon has played brilliantly in relief of Brian Kelly, who has been dinged up a bit this season.
At linebacker, Cato June has provided the splash play that we haven't seen since the Ian Gold experiment a few years ago, and Barrett Ruud has made the middle linebacker position his own taking the place of the retired Shelton Quarles. Derrick Brooks might be a shade slower, but he makes up for it with game savvy.
Offense
I can't say I've been any sort of Jeff Garcia fan, but the guy deserves a great deal of credit for the way the Bucs offense has played the past two weeks. Garcia has an excellent sense of what is going on around him in the pocket, and he has a knack for finding the open receiver--something the Bucs sorely missed last year.
The offensive line has been almost totally remade since two years ago (center John Wade is the lone remaining starter). The unit has been pretty solid so far and should only get better if it can stay free of injuries. Even if injuries occur, the backups seem pretty solid (especially the surprising Donald Penn at right tackle--just don't let him drive your SUV).
Summary
Excellent team effort today. The Bucs stuck to their defensive scheme and took advantage of the breaks. Next week Tampa Bay visits Carolina. That's a great test for the offensive line. If the line gives Garcia time, he'll carve up Carolina's secondary. On the other side of the ball, Steve Smith will give the secondary its toughest test so far this season. I expect Smith to have trouble getting deep. Smith is a huge threat with a short reception, of course, so I hope to see a continuation of the Bucs' crisp tackling. Carolina's using a new zone blocking scheme on offense, and it remains to be seen how well their personnel can carry it off.
*****
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Ruud awakening (Updated)
While the play of Jeff Garcia at quarterback may be the biggest key to the Bucs' success this year (success to the tune of a 1-1 record, anyway), a big runner-up may be the way third-year linebacker Barrett Ruud has stepped in for retired Bucs middle linebacker Shelton Quarles.
Ruud had some question marks since some questioned his ability to tackle authoritatively against the run, his ability to shed blocks, and his ability to drop deep in coverage as required in Tampa Bay's version of the cover-2 defense.
After two games, Ruud has tentatively silenced those criticism. He had over 10 tackles in each of the first two games and more impressively has tackled hard. His forced fumble against Deuce McCallister set the tone for the game today, as the Bucs scored a touchdown following the replay-aided turnover.
If Ruud keeps keeps playing like this, he'll have a chance at the Pro Bowl.
***
Pass-rush update: I've identified the Bucs' pass rush as a key factor in determining the won-lost record this year. The group doesn' t really have a star, but they turned in some nice plays as a group.
Jovan Haye had his first career sack, catching Saints quarterback Drew Brees on a rush up the middle after Brees seemed to decide against throwing to his primary receiver. Haye made sure there was no time to look for other options.
Former Orlando Predator Greg White notched a sack after a dogged outside rush. As with Haye, it was his first NFL sack.
Rookie first-round pick Gaines Adams registered a pass defensed by leaping to swat down a Brees pass attempt.
Update: The league noticed, as Ruud received the NFC Defensive Player of the Week honor for his performance against the Saints. Former Buc Dewayne White took the honor for the first week of the season.
*****
Ruud had some question marks since some questioned his ability to tackle authoritatively against the run, his ability to shed blocks, and his ability to drop deep in coverage as required in Tampa Bay's version of the cover-2 defense.
After two games, Ruud has tentatively silenced those criticism. He had over 10 tackles in each of the first two games and more impressively has tackled hard. His forced fumble against Deuce McCallister set the tone for the game today, as the Bucs scored a touchdown following the replay-aided turnover.
If Ruud keeps keeps playing like this, he'll have a chance at the Pro Bowl.
***
Pass-rush update: I've identified the Bucs' pass rush as a key factor in determining the won-lost record this year. The group doesn' t really have a star, but they turned in some nice plays as a group.
Jovan Haye had his first career sack, catching Saints quarterback Drew Brees on a rush up the middle after Brees seemed to decide against throwing to his primary receiver. Haye made sure there was no time to look for other options.
Former Orlando Predator Greg White notched a sack after a dogged outside rush. As with Haye, it was his first NFL sack.
Rookie first-round pick Gaines Adams registered a pass defensed by leaping to swat down a Brees pass attempt.
Update: The league noticed, as Ruud received the NFC Defensive Player of the Week honor for his performance against the Saints. Former Buc Dewayne White took the honor for the first week of the season.
*****
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Week one pain: Seahawks top Bucs 20-6
In one sense it was closer than it looked, but in other ways it was way too reminiscent of last year's losses.
The Bucs kept up their habit of fumbling the ball after a completed pass, one by Carnell Williams and one by Earnest Graham (Jerramy Stevens had one forgiven by a roughing the passer penalty).
The main difference between the two teams was on defense. The Bucs misses more tackles. Derrick Brooks bounced off of Shaun Alexander twice and then just flat out failed to cover Maurice Morris on a pass down the sideline accounting for Seattle's final touchdown.
The first quarter offered plenty of encouragement, as the Bucs went out to a 6-0 lead, but the team just didn't play well enough to win after that.
Kick coverage would have been great except for one long punt return allowed. The Bucs had two long kick returns nullified by penalty.
I haven't reviewed the plays to see if the calls seemed legit.
I can't say I'm happy with result, especially with Willams and Jeff Garcia getting dinged up promptly. Luke McCown did not look good in relief of Garcia. He seemed indecisive.
By next week against the Saints we'll have an idea if the Seahawks defense is that good.
The Bucs kept up their habit of fumbling the ball after a completed pass, one by Carnell Williams and one by Earnest Graham (Jerramy Stevens had one forgiven by a roughing the passer penalty).
The main difference between the two teams was on defense. The Bucs misses more tackles. Derrick Brooks bounced off of Shaun Alexander twice and then just flat out failed to cover Maurice Morris on a pass down the sideline accounting for Seattle's final touchdown.
The first quarter offered plenty of encouragement, as the Bucs went out to a 6-0 lead, but the team just didn't play well enough to win after that.
Kick coverage would have been great except for one long punt return allowed. The Bucs had two long kick returns nullified by penalty.
I haven't reviewed the plays to see if the calls seemed legit.
I can't say I'm happy with result, especially with Willams and Jeff Garcia getting dinged up promptly. Luke McCown did not look good in relief of Garcia. He seemed indecisive.
By next week against the Saints we'll have an idea if the Seahawks defense is that good.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Bucs finish preseason 3-1
I haven't bothered to check the pre-season standings, but I doubt that 3-1 wins the pre-season championship.
So what does it mean?
Well, the record in pre-season means little. At most, it can pump up a team that has struggled, giving them a little taste of victory--and the Bucs did struggle last year. But on the other hand, the teams' struggles were predictable given their particular injury problems last year (no. 1 and no. 2 QB, DE Simeon Rice, CB Brian Kelly, MLB Shelton Quarles).
Here's the quick list of positives:
The defense is breaking in a number of new players. Cato June looks like a sure hit at linebacker. Aside from Chris Hovan, every player on the defensive line is a question mark (Greg Spires merely on account of his age). Philip Buchanon should be an excellent nickel corner, and the Bucs upgraded the depth at safety in the draft. If they didn't draft next year's starters this year, they at least gave the incumbents some great motivation to step up their play.
I'm always optimistic (sometimes foolishly so), but I expect 9 wins, possibly 10. The offense can move with either Garcia or McCown running the show. Gradkowski still needs to improve his deeper throws to keep the defense honest (he also showed some poor judgment in throwing downfield this preseason).
So what does it mean?
Well, the record in pre-season means little. At most, it can pump up a team that has struggled, giving them a little taste of victory--and the Bucs did struggle last year. But on the other hand, the teams' struggles were predictable given their particular injury problems last year (no. 1 and no. 2 QB, DE Simeon Rice, CB Brian Kelly, MLB Shelton Quarles).
Here's the quick list of positives:
- The offense was able to run the ball, even against Jacksonville.
- Each of the top three quarterbacks showed an ability to move the offense.
- The defensive line has only slightly improved its ability to pressure the quarterback.
- Ruud hasn't proved his ability to take Quarles' place effectively, and there's nobody to back him up.
- The defensive subs gave up quite a few big plays (contrary to the design of the defense).
- Gradkowski still can't hit the long ball (demonstrated with several misfires against Houston).
The defense is breaking in a number of new players. Cato June looks like a sure hit at linebacker. Aside from Chris Hovan, every player on the defensive line is a question mark (Greg Spires merely on account of his age). Philip Buchanon should be an excellent nickel corner, and the Bucs upgraded the depth at safety in the draft. If they didn't draft next year's starters this year, they at least gave the incumbents some great motivation to step up their play.
I'm always optimistic (sometimes foolishly so), but I expect 9 wins, possibly 10. The offense can move with either Garcia or McCown running the show. Gradkowski still needs to improve his deeper throws to keep the defense honest (he also showed some poor judgment in throwing downfield this preseason).
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