Its Game Day as the Bucs reach the MidWay point of the season. Download the WHOLE PDF HERE!
THIS is why Lovie Smith is telling fans nothing is over, the Season will be at halftime after this game. It’s way too late for Playoffs, I don’t care how far out or close the Bucs are, the goal is to watch this team “Get it” and play inspired football and defense.
Maybe 35% of the Bucs of 2016 are on this team. Was it was wrong for Lovie and Jason Licht to say the Bucs would be competitive off the bat this year? No… he never guaranteed the Bucs would win. He said competitive, and that he thought the team would try to WIN games now, not build for the future. Of course now that its getting near mid term, its time to refocus the outlook.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Major change today as disappointing Collins is going to probably miss the game
at left tackle. Watch the line to see if the shake ups help. This will probably end the platooning of right guard which has received some criticism of late. Neither players can get a routine down if they are constantly pulled out.
RUNNING GAME
Infusion.
Thats the key word today, as the Bucs running attack gets a much needed boost with the addition of Charles Sims, rookie back drafted by Lovie Smith and Licht. A Matt Forte type runner, he is someone who may not need a hole to run through like Doug Martin, who has been a major disappointment, but perhaps only due to expectations. Fans don’t want to realize Martin had 4 great games in 2012, thats all. He was probably never elite to begin with. But given space, he can still motor to the end zone.
MIKE GLENNON
JoeBucsFan.com has started Jamis Watch. If Mike Glennon continues to play 
like the last two games instead of the prior two, he could be playing his way out of a starting gig and back to Josh McCown’s hands. If Josh becomes the starter again, Glennons shot as a starter is DONE.
DEFENSE
No 1, we need to see improvement and consistency from the defense. Last week they played good against a rookie, at home. Lets see that continue against a better Cleveland team. Lovie is weeding out the players who are either not getting it, refusing to get it, or ignoring ‘it’. Forget the DBs people, the Tampa Two starts with and ends with, the front 4. And Tampa Bay hasn’t had a solid rush on the QB since Simeon Rice hurt his shoulder in 2006.
Prediction? Bucs shock Cleveland 22-20 with a win.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR>>>
LB Lavonte David
• David has 8.0 career sacks, and needs two more to pass Hardy Nickerson (9.0 from 1993-99) for eighth-most sacks by a linebacker in franchise history. • David has six career interceptions, and needs two more to pass Hardy Nickerson (seven from 1993-99) for sixth-most interceptions by a linebacker in franchise history.
LB Mason Foster
• Foster has two career interceptions returned for a touchdown and, with one more, can tie CB Wayne Haddix (three from 1990-91), CB Aqib Talib (three from 2008-12) and CB Mike Washington (three from 1976-1984) for the third-most interceptions returned for a touchdown in franchise history.
QB Mike Glennon
• Glennon has 27 passing touchdowns and needs five more to tie QB Brian Griese (32 from 2004-08) for the eighth-most passing touchdowns in franchise history
WR Mike Evans
• Evans has caught at least four passes in all six games he has played this season. If he catches at least four passes at Cleveland, he will be the first Buccaneers receiver and first Buccaneers rookie to record at least four receptions in seven staight games since Mike Williams (seven consecutive: 9/26/10 vs. Pittsburgh-11/14/10 vs. Carolina) and the first NFL player to do so in their first seven games since RB Reggie Bush (first 10 games: 9/10/06 at Cleveland-11/19/06 vs. Cincinnati)
WR Vincent Jackson
• Jackson has 10 100-yard receiving games as a Buccaneer, the fifth- most in franchise history. He needs one more to tie Joey Galloway (11 from 2004-08) for fourth-most and two more to tie Keyshawn Johnson (12 from 2000-03 – one in postseason) for third-most 100-yard receiving games in franchise history.
• Jackson has 17 receiving touchdowns as a Buccaneer and needs one more to pass Gerald Carter (17 from 1981-87) and Keyshawn Johnson (17 from 2000-03) for eighth-most in franchise history.
LB Danny Lansanah
• Lansanah has two interceptions returned for a touchdown this season and, with one more, can tie LB Derrick Brooks (three in 2002) and CB Wayne Haddix (three in 1990) for the most in a single season in franchise history. • Lansanah has two career interceptions returned for a touchdown and, with one more, can tie CB Wayne Haddix (three from 1990-91), CB Aqib Talib (three from 2008-12) and CB Mike Washington (three from 1976-1984) for the third-most interceptions returned for a touchdown in franchise history.
RB Doug Martin
• Martin has six 100-yard rushing games as a Buccaneer and needs one more to tie Mike Alstott (seven from 1996-06), LeGarrette Blount (seven from 2010-12) and Reggie Cobb (seven from 1990-93) for seventh-most 100-yard rushing games in franchise history.
• Martin has 13 rushing touchdowns as a Buccaneer and needs one more to pass Doug Williams (13 from 1978-1982) and LeGarrette Blount (13 from 2010-12) for 10th-most, two more to tie Earnest Graham (15 from 2004-11) and Lars Tate (15 from 1988-89) for eighth-most in franchise history.
DT Gerald McCoy
• McCoy has four career multi-sack games and needs one more to tie Chidi Ahanatou (five from 1993-2004) for the sixth-most in franchise history.
• McCoy has 21.0 career sacks and needs two more to tie Santana Dotson (23.0 from 1992-1995) for the fourth-most sacks by a defensive tackle in team history.
K Patrick Murray
• Murray has connected on three field goals of at least 50 yards on the season. With one more he can tie Rian Lindell (four in 2013) for the fourth-most field goals of 50 or more yards in a single season in franchise history.
LAST GAME vs CLEVELAND
Tampa Bay 17, Cleveland 14 (September 12, 2010)
TAMPA – Trailing 14-3 late in the first half, Tampa Bay rallied to earn a 17-14 victory, its first on opening day since 2005. The Buccaneers defense keyed the comeback, surrendering just 138 yards, four first downs and no points in the second half. Tampa Bay drove to midfield on the game’s opening possession, but was forced to punt. The teams traded punts on the next two drives, before Cleveland got on the board first with a QB Jake Delhomme to WR Mohamed Massaquoi 41-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter. The Buccaneers responded on the ensuing possession as QB Josh Freeman scrambled 33 yards into Browns territory, setting up a K Connor Barth 49-yard field goal. Two drives later, and set up by a 39-yard run by RB Jerome Harrison, Cleveland extended its lead to 14-3 as RB Peyton Hillis ran in from 10 yards out. On Tampa Bay’s next drive, Freeman was picked off with under two minutes remaining in the half to give the Browns the ball near midfield. Cleveland seemed poised to take advantage of the turnover, driving to the Tampa Bay 39-yard line, but CB Ronde Barber intercepted Delhomme and raced 64 yards to the Cleveland three-yard line. On the next play, Freeman looked for rookie WR Mike Williams, who made an acrobatic catch in the back of the endzone with 18 seconds left in the half. After a scoreless third quarter, and first half of the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay took the lead as Freeman hit WR Micheal Spurlock on a 33- yard touchdown pass with 6:45 left in the game to make the score 17- 14. On the following drive, CB E.J. Biggers picked off Delhomme in Browns’ territory. The Buccaneers drove to the Browns two-yard line, but FB Earnest Graham fumbled on third down, giving Cleveland the ball back with just over two minutes remaining. Cleveland had two final possessions in the game, but failed to advance past its own 42- yard line.
SERIES HIGHLIGHTS
The Browns scored 17 second half points to break a 7-7 halftime tie in a 24-7 victory at Tampa Stadium (11/21/76)… Cleveland QB Brian Sipe rallied from a sluggish start to become the first quarterback ever to throw for more than 300 yards against the Buccaneers defense in a 34- 27 win at Cleveland (9/28/80)… Sipe’s 318-yard, three TD performance enabled the Browns to overcome a 13-3 deficit and overshadow a 343- yard, three TD effort by Bucs QB Doug Williams… Mike Pruitt scored on touchdown runs from one-yard out in both the first and second half as Cleveland blanked the Bucs, 20-0 in Cleveland (11/13/83)… Tampa Bay also lost star RB James Wilder for the season when he broke a pair of ribs after being tackled by Cleveland’s Eddie Johnson… The Browns returned two Vinny Testaverde interceptions for touchdowns in the first half of a 42-31 victory at Tampa Stadium… Testaverde did pass for more than 300 yards for the third consecutive week and James Wilder rushed and received for 130 total yards for the second straight game (11/5/89)… A dominant Buccaneers defense only allowed Cleveland to gain 194 total yards and 11 first downs en route to a 17-3 victory in Week 6… FB Mike Alstott averaged 7.4 yards per carry on 17 carries, accumulating 126 yards of rushing and scoring each of Tampa Bay’s two touchdowns (10/13/02)… A stout Buccaneer defense intercepted Browns QB Derek Anderson four times, including LB Derrick Brooks’ 21-yard INT returned for a touchdown as Tampa Bay defeated the Browns by a score of 22-7 in Cleveland (12/24/06). RB Michael Pittman ran for 86 yards and a score as the Browns offense could only muster 215 yards of total offense… The Buccaneers opened the 2010 season with a win, topping the Browns 17-14 on a fourth-quarter touchdown (9/15/10)… Buccaneers CB Rondé Barber returned an interception 64 yards, helping set up a Buccaneers touchdown late in the first half…
More SERIES HIGHLIGHTS
Below are highlights of how select Buccaneers have performed during their careers against the Cleveland Browns:
S Dashon Goldson: Recorded three tackles and one interception in a win with San Francisco (10/30/11).
DT Gerald McCoy: In 17-14 victory against Cleveland in 2010, McCoy recorded three tackles and forced one fumble.
DE Michael Johnson: In 10 games against Cleveland, he is 7-3 and has tallied 15 tackles, eight passes defensed, three interceptions, 1.5 sacks, forced one fumble and one fumble recovery.
TE Brandon Myers: Caugh 14 passes for 130 yards, both career- highs, along with one touchdown, as a member of the Oakland Raiders (12/2/12).
NOTES FROM LAST GAME
– With the Vikings facing third-and-four on the Buccaneers 44-yard line in the second quarter, DTs Gerald McCoy and Clinton McDonald combined to drop Minnesota QB Teddy Bridgewater for a six-yard loss. McCoy has 21.0 career sacks and 2.5 this season. McDonald has 1.5 this year and 7.0 in his career.
– With his touchdown pass, Glennon now has 27 on his career, the ninth- most in Buccaneers history
MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES – (Team History)
Rank Player TDs
– In the fourth quarter of the game, K Patrick Murray connected on a 1. 54-yard field goal. Murray is now 3-for-3 on field goals of 50 or more 2. yards this season, making him the only kicker in the NFL with at least 3. three made field goals from 50 or more yards without a miss. Murray later 4. added a 45-yard field goal. 5.
Josh Freeman, 2009-13 80 Vinny Testaverde, 1987-92 77 Doug Williams, 1978-82 73 Trent Dilfer, 1994-99 70 Brad Johnson, 2001-04 64
– Later in the fourth quarter of the game, WR Mike Evans caught a 40- 7. yard pass, matching a career long. Evans finished the game with four 8. catches for a career-high 78 yards. 9.
Craig Erickson, 1992-94 34 Brian Griese, 2004-08 32 Mike Glennon, 2013-Pres. 27
– Evans has caught at least four passes in all six games he has played this season, becoming the first Buccaneers receiver to record at least four receptions in six straight games since Mike Williams in 2011 (six consecutive: 9/25/11 vs. Atlanta-11/6/11 at New Orleans) and the first rookie to accomplish the feat since Williams did so in 2010 (seven consecutive: 9/26/10 vs. Pittsburgh-11/14/10 vs. Carolina).
– Evans is the first player to record at least four receptions in his first six games since Reggie Bush in 2006 (first 10 games).
– Just shy of the two-minute warning, TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins caught a touchdown pass from QB Mike Glennon. The touchdown reception was the first of Seferian-Jenkins’ career. The touchdown pass was Glennon’s eighth of the year.
– With his touchdown pass, Glennon now has 27 on his career, the ninth- most in Buccaneers history
– LB Lavonte David finished the game with 14 tackles and three tackles for loss. The three tackles for loss match a career high, done four times previously, most recently at Pittsburgh (9/28/14). This is the third consecutive game that David has recorded 14 tackles.
– The Buccaneers tallied seven passes defensed in today’s contest, including two from CB Alterraun Verner. Coming in to the game, Verner was tied for the most passes defensed in the NFL over the past two seasons (25, tied with CB Chris Harris Jr., Denver).
– DE T.J. Fatinikun made his NFL debut in the game, finishing the game with one pass defensed.
– CB Isaiah Frey and LB Orie Lemon each made their Buccaneers debut in the game. Frey recorded one tackle. Lemon recorded one special teams tackle.
CONNECTIONS
FORMER NFL TEAMMATES
- Buccaneers WR Louis Murphy and Browns TE Gary Barnidge and DL
Sione Fua played together for the Carolina Panthers in 2012.
- Buccaneers QB Josh McCown and Browns TE Gary Barnidge were
teammates on the Carolina Panthers (2008-10).
- Buccaneers WR Louis Murphy (2009-11) and TE Brandon Myers
(2009-12) and Browns DL Desmond Bryant played together for the
Oakland Raiders.
- Buccaneers G Oniel Cousins and Browns K Billy Cundiff (2009-
10), LB Paul Kruger (2009-10) and DB Jim Leonhard (2008) were
teammates on the Baltimore Ravens.
- Buccaneers RB Bobby Rainey and Browns LB Paul Kruger played
together for the Baltimore Ravens (2012).
- Buccaneers QB Josh McCown and Browns LB Karlos Dansby were
teammates on the Arizona Cardinals (2004-06).
- Buccaneers CB Crezdon Butler and Browns TE Jim Dray played
together for the Arizona Cardinals (2011).
- Buccaneers T Anthony Collins and DE Michael Johnson and Browns
WR Andrew Hawkins were teammates on the Cincinnati Bengals
(2011-13).
- Buccaneers G Logan Mankins (2009-11) and LB Dane Fletcher
(2010-11) and Browns QB Brian Hoyer played together for the New
England Patriots.
- Buccaneers DT Clinton McDonald and Browns OL Paul McQuistan
were teammates on the Seattle Seahawks (2011-13).
- Buccaneers WR/PR/KR Trindon Holliday and Browns RB Ben Tate
played together for the Houston Texans (2011-12).
- Buccaneers S Dashon Goldson and Browns DB Donte Whitner were
teammates on the San Francisco 49ers (2011-12).
FORMER COLLEGE TEAMMATES
• Buccaneers WR Mike Evans and Browns QB Johnny Manziel played
together at Texas A&M (2012-13).
• Buccaneers WR Louis Murphy and Browns CB Joe Haden were
teammates at the University of Florida (2007-08).
• Buccaneers LB Lavonte David and Browns LB Eric Martin played
together at the University of Nebraska (2010-11).
• Buccaneers RB Mike James and Browns WR Travis Benjamin were
teammates at the University of Miami (2009-11).
• Buccaneers CB Isaiah Frey and Browns OL Joel Bitonio played
together at the University of Nevada (2010-11).
• Buccaneers WR Robert Herron and Browns DB Tashaun Gipson
were teammates at the University of Wyoming (2010-11).
• Buccaneers WR Russell Shepard and Browns LB Barkevious Mingo
played together at Louisiana State University (2010-12).
• Buccaneers LB Brandon Magee and Browns DB Robert Nelson were
teammates at Arizona State University (2012).
• Buccaneers LB Jonathan Casillas and Browns OL Joe Thomas
played together at the University of Wisconsin (2005-06).
• Buccaneers RB Doug Martin and Browns DL Billy Winn were
teammates at Boise State University (2008-11).
• Buccaneers CB Alterraun Verner and Browns LS Christian Yount
played together at UCLA (2007-09).
GET TO KNOW MIKE PETTINE- Browns Head Coach
Mike Pettine is in his 13th season in the NFL and his 27th in the coaching profession. He was named the 15th full-time head coach in Cleveland Browns history by Owner Jimmy Haslam on Jan. 23, 2014.
Pettine, pronounced PETT-in, joined the Browns after spending 2013 as the defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills and the 2009-12 seasons as the defensive coordinator for the New
York Jets. Pettine has helped his units to a top-10 finish in fewest yards allowed in all five of his seasons as a defensive coordinator.
During his season in Buffalo (2013), Pettine implemented an aggressive defense that set a franchise record with 57 sacks, second-most in the NFL, after finishing tied for 18th in the league with 36 in 2012. Buffalo was the only team to have three players record double-digit sacks, with DE Mario Williams leading the team and finishing fourth in the NFL with 13.
Under Pettine, the Bills defense finished 10th (333.4) in the NFL in total defense, after finishing 22nd (362.9) in 2012. Buffalo also led the NFL in opponent completion percentage (55.3), finished second in interceptions (23), third in opponent quarterback rating (74.9), fourth in passing defense (204.4), sixth in yards per play (4.90) and tied for sixth in takeaways (30).
During his four years with New York, the Jets defense over those combined seasons ranked first in the NFL in opposing quarterback rating (71.0), completion percentage (52.6) and passing yards per game (186.3). The Jets defense yielded the second-fewest yards per game (294.8) and allowed just nine 100-yard receiving games from 2009-12, fewest in the league.
Prior to joining the Jets, Pettine spent seven years (2002-08) with the Baltimore Ravens. In his last four seasons with the Ravens, he coached the outside linebackers as part of a defensive unit that ranked fifth (2005), first (2006), sixth (2007) and second (2008) in the NFL. He helped Terrell Suggs and Adalius Thomas to Pro Bowl selections.
Before being promoted to position coach, Pettine worked with the line as a defensive assistant in 2004 after serving two years (2002-03) as a coaching assistant/quality-control coach. In those roles, he helped develop playbooks, scouting reports and video analysis for the defensive staff.
Prior to joining the NFL ranks, Pettine was the head coach at North Penn High School in Towamencin, Pa., from 1997-2001. He led the school to 45 wins in five seasons, including an 11-2 record in 1999. He also served as the head coach for two years at William Tennent High School in Warminster, Pa., where he led the team to a school record nine wins in 1996.
Pettine also spent two seasons (1993-94) at the college level, serving as a defensive graduate assistant at Pittsburgh.
He later served as an assistant coach on his father’s staff for five seasons (1988-92) at Central Bucks West High School. Pettine was a two-year letterman as a free safety at Virginia. He led the team in interceptions in 1986, including tying a school record with three in one game against North Carolina State. He graduated with a degree in economics.
Born Sept. 25, 1966, Pettine has two daughters, Megan and Katie, and one son, Ryan.
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