If you looked hard enough on the field, you could have sworn Greg Schiano was on the Bucs sideline. Last year Tampa Bay scored points in the first half, and were often shut down in the second half. This year its been different, as Mike Glennon waits until the 4th quarter to catch fire. Sunday, with the Bucs securing 10 first half points that should have been double that, the Bucs went into hibernation.
Bobby Rainey who was closing in on 100 yards at the half, never got it, not even close to it. Rainey couldnt even get to 90.
And as far as numbers go, for a team that has lost 5 games by a TD or less, you would think they know how to count the opportunities and make them stick.
- Blocked FG because Line did not block property -3 Points
- Punt Blocked due to improper blocking, Browns score TD -6 points.
- Jumped offsides on Browns FG try, Browns scored TD instead. -4 Points.
The Bucs blame the loss of blocking tight end Luke Stocker for the missed running yards in the 2nd half, where Rainey got 7 yards on his 4 carries. The Bucs finally had an advantage in Time of Possession, dominating Cleveland in the first half, but with little to show for it. With the state of the Bucs offensive line, it leaves little wonder Stocker was needed to run the ball.
LAY OFF MURRAY
I heard a local radio guy I respect a lot criticize Placekicker Patrick Murray for being a low trajectory kicker.
I said this on the first block the first week, and Ill say it again when I looked at this tape too.
When the ball is blocked by the hand of a 6 foot tall D lineman 2 yards in front of the kicker, that means the ball lifted from the ground to 6 or 7 feet high in only 2 yards. That is PLENTY of trajectory. When it hits a guy coming sideways about 4 feet off the ground, thats a low kick. Kickers line up 7 yards behind the line. If in 2 or 3 yards its 7 feet high, that means by time it goes past the line its WAY over the heads and hands of leaping lineman. hence, its not Patrick Murrays fault.
What happened with the long kick? 38 degree balls tend to be harder than normal. Go ahead and laugh if your between the ages of 12-29… its a good one.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
