C3 Scouting Report: Buccaneers

Panther fans know their Panthers, but sometimes it’s knowing the skinny about our opponents. The C3 Scouting Report gives you the lowdown on this week’s opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Overall: 

Division: NFC South
Record: 2-11
Division Standing:  4th
Streak: 3 loss
Last Meeting: 20-14, Panthers road win (9/7/14)

Key Players:  Josh McCown (QB), Vincent Jackson (WR), Mike Evans (WR), Doug Martin (RB), Logan Mankins (LG)

Hot Players:  Mike Evans (935 yds, 16.4 ypc, 10 TDs) Vincent Jackson (60 rec., 14.4 ypc) 

Tendencies: Run first (between tackles with Doug Martin, short controlled passing (Supposed to have been Jeff Tedford but due to illness, OC has been Marcus Arroyo)

Execution Last Week: 

The Bucs went up against a top defense last week in Detroit, whose strength is their defensive line. As such, the Bucs could not get any sort of running game going whatsoever, but they also didn’t try with only 10 attempts the entire game from non-QB positions. That put everything on McCown’s shoulders so I blame their game plan as much as anything for a poor offensive performance. You have to at least TRY to run a little bit or let the Lions unleash one of the most talented D-lines to “pin their ears back” and chase the QB, which they did with 6 sacks on the day. The Bucs’ D didn’t fare too well either, giving up over 400 total net yards to Megatron and company. 

Passing: Poor - McCown  -  (20/39 250 yds, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 1 lost fumble)

Rushing: Dismal- Martin  (5 carries for 22 yds, 0 TD)

Key Players: Lavonte David (OLB), Danny Lansanah (OLB), Gerald McCoy (DT),  Jonathan Banks (CB)

Hot Players: Lavonte David (128 tackles, coming off minor injury - he’s always a “hot” player), Danny Lansanah (2nd on team in tackles with 68, has 3 INTs), Jonathan Banks (team-leading 4 INTs)

Execution Last Week: Below average - gave up 407 net yards (including sacks); allowed Detroit to convert 46% of 3rd downs; Megatron’s line? 8-158-1; Allowed 34 points.

Head Coach: Lovie Smith (2-11)
Offensive Coordinator:  Jeff Tedford (Illness) (Marcus Arroyo filled in)
Offensive Scheme: 
Defensive Coordinator: Leslie Frazier
Defensive Alignment: 4-3

Coaching: It’s been rough sledding in Lovie Smith’s first year as Tampa’s head coach.  Kind of the darling favorite prior to  the start of the season, endless people hopped on the Buccaneer bandwagon because of the newly hired and consistent Lovie Smith and the money they tossed around during the offseason.  It didn’t take long for that bandwagon to come off it’s wheels and people to realize that Josh McCown, well is Josh McCown, and without and offensive line and the proper personnel for the Tampa 2 defense, it doesn’t matter who’s coaching, it’s going to be a rocky road.  

As for coaching tendencies, Smith is typically classified as a conservative defense mind coach that likes to run the ball and work the deep ball in off of play action.  It’s hard to stick to this style when the offensive line can’t run or pass block, and the Muscle Hamster turns out to be more like a hamster banging into walls in one of those clear balls.

The overall claim from Buccaneer analysts is that the offense really can’t get over these hurdles without Jeff Tedford.  The general consensus is that Marcus Arroyo is in over his head.

Standing:  Frustrated.  Lovie Smith isn’t going anywhere, but the season has been so bad that even he has gotten the ire of Bucs fans.  

Injury Report: