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Of their first sport of the 2023 preseason, the Bucs appeared sloppy and undisciplined. The consequence? A 27-17 drubbing by the hands of the Steelers. Given the extent of play from the Bucs’ backups, there isn’t a scarcity of candidates for “Most Disappointing.”
OT Luke Goedeke
Let’s begin up entrance. Luke Goedeke is the projected beginning proper deal with this 12 months. So, if you see him battle towards backups, the priority stage that was already peaked resulting from his struggles in 2022 at left guard grow to be much more heightened. Goedeke allowed two sacks in cross safety, was a part of a number of failed makes an attempt to choose up one yard in short-yardage conditions and racked up a holding penalty. If that is the extent of play the Bucs can count on from their proper deal with, hassle is brewing early.
CB Zyon McCollum
Sure, Zyon McCollum had a powerful interception on a deep go ball. I gained’t take something away from that spectacular play. However I’ve stated this earlier than and McCollum’s sport actually bears this out: One splash play not often defines a efficiency. McCollum allowed a number of catches the place he was the closest man in protection, permitting the Steelers offense to maneuver down the sector effectively within the first half.
However essentially the most egregious play was within the second quarter, when McCollum failed to acknowledge his accountability as the skin leverage on an Anthony McFarland Jr. run.
Hiya Anthony McFarland!!
Landing! pic.twitter.com/3ClCKhEyrP
— Maryland Soccer (@TerpsFootball) August 12, 2023
McFarland noticed McCollum leap to the within hole, noticed he had all kinds of daylight to the skin and was gone. The factor is, this play encapsulates worries about whether or not McCollum has taken any steps ahead as a result of that play appears to be like eerily just like this one from final 12 months.
clever smashmouth starring d’onta foreman
(additionally, the bucs’ protection is in massive, massive, hassle) pic.twitter.com/g9nDkNyb8t
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) October 25, 2022
If McCollum doesn’t begin to be taught to play extra disciplined, he’s going to be a legal responsibility that opposing offenses reap the benefits of each time he units foot on the sector.
Penalties
Talking of taking part in extra disciplined, the Bucs have been flagged for 12 penalties! For 127 yards!! That is simply ridiculous. This crew has been close to the league lead in penalties because the creation of the Bruce Arians regime. Now, below former Arians defensive coordinator and now-head coach Todd Bowles, there appears to be no finish in sight. And the penalties have been a pick-your-flavor selection pack on the evening.
False begins, unlawful formation (twice!), facemask, holding. They’d all of it. Most of these penalties got here on the offensive facet of the ball, the place it appeared just like the Bucs’ backups simply weren’t in sync with new offensive coordinator Dave Canales’ offense. Canales (and Bowles) want to repair this quick, as a result of accidents occur and a few of these gamers are going to be wanted within the common season.
The Bucs offense might have appeared coherent on the day as that they had a number of runs of 10+ yards. However all of these have been referred to as again on holding penalties. One of many false begins prevented the Bucs from catching the Steelers protection off guard on an early 4th & 1. As a substitute, following the penalty, the Bucs elected to punt from their very own territory. It’s tough to judge an offense that may’t get out of it’s personal approach. Or perhaps that’s the analysis.
CB Keenan Isaac
Isaac had a number of missed tackles on the day, resulting in a number of massive performs for the Steelers. One of many core tenants of grabbing a back-end roster spot is doing the easy issues. Tackling is among the most simple elements of taking part in protection. This doesn’t bode effectively for Isaac’s hopes to make the crew.
Bucs Quick-Yardage Bundle
Cease me when you’ve got heard this earlier than. The Bucs have two or extra possibilities to get a primary down if they will solely transfer ahead only one yard. Have you learnt the punchline to this joke? It goes a little bit one thing like this…”Turnover on downs”. Bucs followers certainly had PTSD watching Ke’Shawn Vaugn run into the again of a stonewalled offensive line for no achieve, adopted by one other try that appeared much more terrible because the Pittsburgh protection penetrated the Bucs offensive line to carry Vaughn down for a loss on fourth down.
WR Kaylon Geiger
After exhibiting out by means of a lot of the second half of the sport as a receiver, Kaylon Geiger made an egregious mistake on the second-to-last play of the sport. The Steelers punted to the Bucs with 43 seconds left within the sport. Geiger was again to obtain the punt. After securing the ball initially, Geiger tried to make one too many strikes in site visitors and allowed the ball to be stripped from his clutches.
The Steelers have been capable of pounce on the ball, resulting in a turnover on what could be the penultimate play of the sport. Geiger is in a decent battle with a number of receivers for the WR6/7 spot, and a ball safety mistake will go an extended option to guaranteeing he doesn’t come out of that camp battle victorious.
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