Last year, the Saints came into Raymond James and left with a 38-7 victory; and it cost defensive coordinator Jim Bates his job. This year, Raheem Morris has no one to blame for an unacceptable defensive collapse but himself, the Bucs only improved by one measly touchdown. If Stats are for losers, and Raheem points that out each week, the Bucs know what they are; The Saints beat Tampa Bay in all facets of the game. In fact one would say the Bucs long for the days of yesteryear; last year for example, when they only gave up 370 total yards to New Orleans. Today’s game, the Bucs defense gave up 467 yard to the Saints, 204 on the ground, without the Saints two best running backs. Coach Morris has promised us a physical football team, but I don’t think he envisions the opposing team as the one he is supposed to be providing the fans at Raymond James. If your trying to drum up ticket sales, and get more people in the stands, this is certainly not the way to do it. What ever NEW defense was being run this year as opposed to last, it’s architect needs to go back into the drawing room. Aqib Talib all but fell asleep on the first Touch Down pass from Drew Brees, and rookie safety Cody Grimm might as well have worn number 21 by the angle he took on the second TD pass. It was 14-0 before the Bucs even knew what hit them, but then again those defenders did remarkably well compared with the Bucs other defensive back used against the Saints; Styles G White. I do not know the ins and outs of football as well as some, I freely admit that. But when I see Stylez White covering a wide receiver, I know that is a bush league play not suitable for fan base that is used to having No.1 ranked defenses. That was just as embarrassing as watching Cadillac Williams run the option last year in Philadelphia. The most reliable weapon for Tampa Bay, Place kicker Connor Barth, boinked two kicks off the crossbar that blew opportunities to score. The very same crossbar mind you. Clearly the Bucs are not ready to play against the big boys in the NFL, and they have left their fans with more questions than ever before. The Bucs invested their first and second round draft picks on two of the college games best defensive tackles in Gerald McCoy and Brian Price. Drew Brees was supposed to help out with Josh Freeman’s development, but it was New Orleans O-line that put on a clinic for the Bucs on how to be physical at the point of attack. Cody Grimm will have to send a thank you card to Tanard Jackson who is suspended for probably the rest of his career as a Buccaneer. The Bucs and fans need to stop putting checkmarks next to our Offensive Line; they are supposed to be a veteran group, yet they get absolutely no push on running attacks. Passing is arguable at best. We understand its a growing process; we can be patient as we watch this team improve and get better. But after 5 weeks into the season, issues should be getting addressed by now. Josh Freeman did not have a bad day, and the Wide Receivers are improving each time we see them. Why then can we not get a running back or group of backs who can rush for more than 30 yards on 17 carries. If you are getting 1.7 yards per carry, where are the runners who will out physical the other team, like LeGarrett Blount or Earnest Graham? Cadillac Williams and Kareem Huggins had 13 carries total on the day. Unacceptable.
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