2022 Sport Preview: Chiefs-Buccaneers, Week 4

September 29, 2022

KEY 2022 ROSTER ADDITIONS

· WR Cole Beasley (FA…presently on observe squad)

· P Jake Camarda (fourth-round draft choose)

· G Luke Goedeke (second-round draft choose)

· DL Logan Corridor (second-round draft choose)

· TE Ko Kieft (sixth-round draft choose)

· G Shaq Mason (commerce–NE)

· CB Zyon McCollum (fifth-round draft choose)

· TE Cade Otton (fourth-round draft choose)

· RB Rachaad White (third-round draft choose)

· LB Leo Chenal (Third-round draft choose)

· S Bryan Prepare dinner (2nd-round draft choose)

· DE George Karlaftis (1st-round draft choose)

· T Darian Kinnard (Fifth-round draft choose)

· CB Trent McDuffie (1st-round draft choose)

· WR Skyy Moore (2nd-round draft choose)

· RB Isaih Pacheco (Seventh-round draft choose)

· WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (UFA)

· CB Joshua Williams (4th-round draft choose)

ADDITIONAL 2022 CHANGES OF NOTE

· Whereas the Bucs proceed to take care of enviable continuity on their teaching workers, there’s a new particular person within the nook workplace. In March, Bruce Arians stepped down after three years as the pinnacle coach and took on a brand new function as a senior advisor to the overall supervisor. Todd Bowles was promoted from defensive coordinator to take his place. Bowles beforehand served because the New York Jets’ head coach from 2015-18 earlier than rejoining Arians when the latter got here on because the Buccaneers’ head coach in 2019.

· With Bowles stepping up the Bucs wanted a brand new defensive coordinator they usually primarily named two of them. Defensive Line Coach Kacy Rodgers added the title of Run Sport Coordinator whereas Outdoors Linebackers Coach Larry Foote switched to inside linebackers and added the title of Cross Sport Coordinator. They’re in impact co-defensive coordinators. Bob Sanders joined the workers to take over for Foote within the outdoors linebackers room. Foote made his change after Inside Linebackers Coach Mike Caldwell landed the defensive coordinator place in Jacksonville beneath new Head Coach Doug Pederson.

· The Buccaneers had two key gamers retire after the 2021 season, however solely certainly one of them stayed retired. Whereas quarterback Tom Brady finally elected to return 40 days after saying he was stepping away from the sport, his long-time buddy Rob Gronkowski walked away for good, resulting in massive modifications within the Bucs’ tight finish room. Whereas veteran Cam Brate returned, O.J. Howard left in free company and the Buccaneers subsequently drafted Cade Otton and Ko Kieft and signed veteran Kyle Rudolph.

· Tampa Bay’s protection additionally noticed the departure of two front-seven stalwarts from the extraordinarily profitable 2020-21 seasons, as neither DL Ndamukong Suh nor OLB Jason Pierre-Paul was re-signed. The crew signed veteran standout Akiem Hicks and drafted Houston’s Logan Corridor thirty third total to handle depth up entrance and are counting on 2021 first-round choose Joe Tryon-Shoyinka to step up on the sting.

· Like Tampa Bay’s most up-to-date opponent, the Packers, the Chiefs made the surprising transfer of buying and selling their prime vast receiver throughout the offseason. Kansas Metropolis despatched big-play specialist Tyreek Hill to Miami in alternate for first, second and fourth-round picks on this 12 months’s draft and fourth and sixth-round picks subsequent 12 months. Clearly conscious that they weren’t going to discover a one-for-one substitute for Hill, the Chiefs reloaded with the likes of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and draft choose Sky Moore. Whereas Hill has thrived to date for the 3-0 Dolphins, the Chiefs’ offense hasn’t missed a beat, rating fourth within the NFL with 29.3 factors per recreation.

· Kansas Metropolis additionally moved on from certainly one of its cornerstone items on protection, selecting to not try to re-sign security Tyrann Mathieu. Mathieu finally signed on with the Saints. The Chiefs loaded again up within the secondary, nowever, by signing veteran Justin Reid and choosing Cincinnati security Bryan Prepare dinner within the second spherical of the draft. The Chiefs’ cornerback room additionally noticed the free company departure of its prime participant, Charvarius Ward, however spent certainly one of its two first-round picks on Washington CB Trent McDuffie after buying and selling up eight spots. Nevertheless, McDuffie is presently on injured reserve.

· The Chiefs will likely be with out one other certainly one of their typical starters on protection towards the Buccaneers and for 2 extra video games after that. Final week, the NFL levied a four-game suspension on beginning linebacker Willie Homosexual, a punishment stemming from an off-field incident final January. Homosexual had 16 tackles, a quarterback hit and two passes defensed within the Chiefs’ first two video games earlier than his suspension. Former undrafted free agent Darius Harris began in Homosexual’s place in Week Three towards the Colts.

· Kansas Metropolis quarterback Patrick Mahomes had Mike Kafka as his place coach for his first 4 years as a starter however new Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll employed Kafka away to be his offensive coordinator. The Chiefs introduced again certainly one of their very own, Matt Nagy, to slip into Kafka’s spot as quarterbacks coach after Nagy was relieved of his head teaching duties in Chicago. Nagy was beforehand on Kansas Metropolis’s workers from 2013-17, together with the final two years because the offensive coordinator. Transferring within the different path was Ryan Poles, beforehand the Chiefs’ govt director of participant personnel and now the brand new G.M. for the Bears.

· The Chiefs’ former linebackers coach, Matt Home, left to hitch LSU because the Tigers’ new defensive coordinator so Andy Reid switched Defensive Line Coach Brendan Daly to that place, on Daly’s request. To take over the open spot teaching the line of defense, the crew introduced in Joe Cullen, who lists Tampa as certainly one of his NFL teaching stops.

TOP STORYLINES

All Eyes on Ian – The Buccaneers prevented Hurricane Ian and located a option to proceed making ready for the Chiefs recreation, however they did not lose their perspective. “It is a double-edged sword since you really feel for everyone else in Tampa and you may’t save the world,” stated Head Coach Todd Bowles on Wednesday. “However our coronary heart goes out to all people there. You attempt to take it daily and never make it too massive for your self and simply be sure that all people can perform.” The relocation of the Bucs’ soccer operations to South Florida went easily, however that’s removed from the final influence that Ian has made or will make. An important difficulty, in fact, is how the hurricane impacts the residents of the communities it hits the toughest. Although clearly far much less vital, these outcomes may have an effect on whether or not or not the Chiefs and Buccaneers will have the ability to play their recreation at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday night time. As of Thursday morning, that was nonetheless the plan, however the league and each groups will proceed to observe the scenario intently and it stays doable the sport will likely be moved to a different NFL location.

Mahomes vs. Bowles, Pt. 3 – Whereas Sunday’s recreation is rightfully billed as a rematch of Tremendous Bowl LV, it’s also the primary time these two groups have met within the common season since early within the Bucs’ 2020 championship season. In that contest, Patrick Mahomes discovered Tyreek Hill early and sometimes on his option to a 462-yard day with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Hill had 210 yards and two touchdowns by halftime and completed with 13 catches for 269 yards and three scores. The Buccaneers did rally to make it a 27-24 ultimate, however nonetheless absorbed the final loss they’d absorb 2020, common or postseason. Then the Buccaneers’ defensive coordinator, present Head Coach Todd Bowles clearly took what he had seen in that late-November contest and devised a defensive technique that labored infinitely higher eight weeks later within the Tremendous Bowl. Dialing again his normally aggressive blitz tendencies, Bowles noticed his defensive entrance get an infinite quantity of strain with simply 4 rushers, resulting in the primary recreation during which Mahomes began and the Chiefs failed to attain a landing. “That they had a superb recreation plan,” Mahomes later stated. “They form of took away our deep stuff, took away the sidelines and did a superb job rallying to the soccer and making tackles. We weren’t executing early, had a number of miscues and we weren’t on the identical web page.” Clearly, each groups are properly conscious of how the Buccaneers’ selected to defend Mahomes and firm within the Tremendous Bowl, and there are certainly classes from that recreation that each groups will apply on Sunday. How a lot of that night time can Bowles’ protection duplicate this time round, and the way will Bowles tweak his crew’s method to remain forward of the Chiefs strategically?

Reinforcements on the Manner? – Tom Brady and the Buccaneers’ passing assault led the NFL in 2021 with 307.6 yards per recreation and Brady completed with an NFL-high 43 landing passes. By way of the primary three weeks of 2022, the Bucs are Twenty second within the league with 211.3 passing yards per recreation and Brady has simply three landing passes, with one in every recreation. This isn’t a totally surprising growth, with heavy turnover on the offensive line and the receiving corps experiencing a rash of simultaneous accidents. Nonetheless, the Buccaneers do anticipate their aerial assault to get considerably higher because the season progresses, and that might begin with it getting extra wholesome. Left sort out Donovan Smith might proceed to overlook time along with his elbow damage however the Bucs are getting Mike Evans again from a one-game suspension, which can have given him time to get better extra absolutely from a calf damage. Wideouts Chris Godwin (hamstring) and Julio Jones (knee) are each headed in the correct path after returning to the observe area on Wednesday. The Buccaneers have excessive hopes for an offense that includes Brady distributing the ball to Evans, Godwin, Jones and Russell Gage, however they’ve had little or no work to date with all 5 on the sector on the identical time, even in coaching camp. That group won’t absolutely intact by this Sunday, however even getting a few these gamers again may assist the offense get out of impartial.

Time to Share the Rock? – In the meantime, Tampa Bay’s dashing assault obtained off to an ideal begin in Dallas with a 152-yard night however has since dropped to twenty fifth within the league with 86.0 yards per recreation. The teaching workers has been more than happy with how laborious Leonard Fournette has run and the tone he has been capable of set, however Todd Bowles has made it clear he needs to get rookie again Rachaad White and third-year man Ke’Shawn Vaughn extra concerned, as properly. By way of three video games, Fournette has 57 of the crew’s 65 carries by a working again and 12 targets within the passing recreation to 4 for White. Fournette is very happy to proceed carrying the load however thinks that his fellow backs will begin to get extra concerned. “I really feel just like the coaches, they will discover a means to assist me out with numerous the fellows coming in, Rachaad and Sneak and issues like that. However proper now, it is all about successful and that is what I am attempting to do each week, attempting to place my crew in the very best place to win. If I am not on the sector, not on the sector, it would not actually matter. It is all about successful these first couple weeks. The wear and tear and tear, it is all about the way you practice. I practice my physique for this within the offseason to get ready for issues like this, working the ball, blocking, issues like that. I simply really feel like with the laborious work I put on this summer time it isn’t affecting me proper now.”

*Quantity 5 – *It was unexplainable anomaly in 2020, Tom Brady’s first season with the crew, when the Buccaneers routinely struggled in prime-time video games earlier than nationwide audiences. Tampa Bay went 1-4 in these video games throughout the common season, with the one win a slim two-point resolution over a 1-6 Giants crew. For the reason that begin of the playoffs that season, nonetheless, it has been a totally totally different story for the Buccaneers beneath the brightest lights. Counting the 2020 postseason, the Bucs have gained eight of their final 9 video games that kicked off at 6:30 or later. That features a rousing 20-3 win in Dallas on Sunday Evening Soccer to begin off the present marketing campaign. Simply three weeks later, the Buccaneers are again beneath that very same highlight, scheduled to face the Chiefs on NBC’s premier platform on Sunday night. For the third 12 months in a row, Tampa Bay has been assigned the utmost of 5 regular-season prime-time video games, so continued dominance on that stage would go a good distance in direction of securing a 3rd straight playoff berth.

KEY MATCHUPS

1. Buccaneers WR Mike Evans vs. Chiefs CB Rashad Fenton

It is honest to say the Buccaneers missed Mike Evans in Week Three towards the Packers. The offense had hassle stepping into gear till late in a slim 14-12 loss, as Tom Brady was additionally working with out Chris Godwin and Julio Jones. Evans is now again from his one-game suspension, giving Brady at the very least another go-to weapon because the crew waits to see if Godwin and Jones can return from their accidents, as properly. Evans positively provides Brady a safety blanket, significantly when there may be strain within the backfield, and Brady was sacked 3 times towards the Packers. Since 2020, Brady has focused Evans when beneath strain 54 instances, 20 instances greater than the following participant on that checklist. These 54 pressured throws have resulted in 30 receptions for 551 yards, 4 touchdowns and one interception. By way of the primary two video games, Evans had been the crew’s main receiver with eight catches for 132 yards and a landing. With the departure of Charvarius Ward in free company, fourth-year participant cornerback Rashad Fenton has turn into a full-time starter, enjoying virtually completely on the correct facet of the protection this 12 months. Initially a slot nook when he first obtained to Kansas Metropolis, Fenton provides up an honest quantity of measurement to Evans, standing 5-11 and 188 kilos. Fenton, who has 16 stops this 12 months together with a move defensed, is a top quality tackler as a cornerback and he has displayed good protection abilities all through his three-plus seasons, each within the slot and out of doors.

2. Chiefs TE Travis Kelce vs. Buccaneers ILB Devin White

The final time Devin White was tasked with protecting Travis Kelce on a route, White batted the move within the air close to the Buccaneers’ objective line and introduced it in for an interception. That was Kansas Metropolis’s final play in Tremendous Bowl LV. White will not be the one Buccaneers defender tasked with attempting to maintain the Chiefs’ extremely productive tight finish in verify, and it’ll rely some on the place Kansas Metropolis strains him up earlier than the snap. When White does get protection tasks on Kelce he’ll need to work laborious to decelerate a good finish who not solely has six straight 1,000-yard seasons however can be the very best within the league at his place in selecting up yards after the catch. Kelce’s 586 YAC in 2021 was first amongst all tight ends and seventh within the league total. The Chiefs may very well be searching for to get Kelce matched up towards White or fellow linebacker Devin White as a result of that method has labored properly for them previously. In response to NFL Subsequent Gen Stats, Kelce has caught 40 of his 49 targets for 506 yards and 4 touchdowns for the reason that begin of 2021 when coated by a linebacker. In opposition to defensive backs he is been focused 83 instances and has produced 50 catches for 643 yards and 4 touchdowns, with the opposition logging 4 interceptions.

3. Buccaneers G Shaq Mason vs. Chiefs DT Chris Jones

One week after going through off towards Inexperienced Bay’s Kenny Clark, who recorded two sacks, the Buccaneers’ inside offensive linemen now need to take care of one other of the NFL’s greatest inside defenders in Chris Jones. Jones strains up about equally on either side of the middle, so Shaq Mason, Robert Hainsey and Luke Goedeke ought to all get loads of motion towards him on Sunday night time. These three are all new starters for the Buccaneers this 12 months, however solely Mason has earlier NFL beginning expertise as he came to visit in an offseason commerce with New England to interchange Alex Cappa at proper guard. The Buccaneers’ new-look offensive line began off properly earlier than a minor stumble towards the Packers, as Brady was sacked simply 3 times within the first two video games and the dashing assault had 224 yards in these two outings mixed. Nevertheless, they are going to be going through a rugged run protection on Sunday, because the Chiefs rank ninth in dashing yards allowed per recreation (86.7) and fifth in yards allowed per carry (3.56). Jones is clearly a essential purpose for that success. Mason and firm will likely be trying to transfer him off his spot within the run recreation and to maintain him away from Brady when he drops again to move.

4. Chiefs G Trey Smith vs. Buccaneers DL Logan Corridor

The Buccaneers’ move rush, led by Shaq Barrett, infamously took over Tremendous Bowl LV, harassing Patrick Mahomes continuous and forcing the extremely artistic quarterback into more and more determined (but typically nonetheless correct) throws. A part of the issue for the Chiefs that night time was an offensive line that was lacking a number of key items on account of damage and wanted upgrades at a pair spots. Since that recreation, the Chiefs have totally addressed that difficulty, partially on account of a particularly profitable 2001 draft. After touchdown Creed Humphrey, who proved to be an instantaneous star, late within the second around the Chiefs discovered guard Trey Smith within the sixth spherical. Each Humphrey and Smith have began each recreation since and are a giant purpose why the Chiefs presently rank second within the league in sacks allowed per move play. The Buccaneers have additionally added a number of new gamers on the opposite facet of the trenches since that recreation, taking outdoors linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka with the final choose of the primary spherical in 2021 and defensive lineman Logan Corridor with the primary choose of the second spherical. Each have began to claim themselves as key elements of a Tampa Bay move rush that has 11 sacks via three video games. Corridor had his greatest efficiency but in Week Three towards the Packers, notching the Bucs’ lone sack and hitting Aaron Rodgers 3 times. Enjoying totally on passing downs, Corridor has proven a fast first step and a well-developed array of pass-rush strikes. He has extra typically rushed from the left facet of the Bucs’ entrance, which suggests he must be matched up with Smith on many events Sunday night time.

INJURY REPORT

DNP: Didn’t take part in observe

LP: Restricted participation in observe

FP: Full participation in observe

· QB Tom Brady (proper finger) – WEDS: FP

· WR Russell Gage (hamstring) – WEDS: LP

· WR Chris Godwin (hamstring) – WEDS: LP

· DL Logan Corridor (groin) – WEDS: LP

· DL Akiem Hicks (foot) – WEDS: DNP

· WR Julio Jones (knee) – WEDS: LP

· WR Breshad Perriman (knee/hamstring) – WEDS: DNP

· T Donovan Smith (elbow) – WEDS: LP

· Okay Harrison Butker (left ankle) – WEDS: LP

· DE Mike Danna (calf) – WEDS: DNP

· WR Mecole Hardman (heel) – WEDS: DNP

· DT Chris Jones (relaxation) – WEDS: DNP

· RB Ronald Jones (sickness) – WEDS: DNP

· WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (shoulder) – WEDS: FP

· WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (stomach) – WEDS: LP

· T Andrew Wylie (hip) – WEDS: FP

In Tampa: Largely sunny, night low of 66, 18% probability of rain, 84% humidity, winds out of the W at 6 mph.

Head referee: Invoice Vinovich (seventeenth season, non-consecutive, 14th as referee)

· Favourite: Chiefs (-2.5)

Factors Scored: Okay Ryan Succop, 27

Touchdowns: S Mike Edwards/WR Mike Evans/WR Russell Gage/WR Breshad Perriman, 1

Passing Yards: QB Tom Brady, 673

Passer Score: QB Tom Brady, 89.2

Dashing Yards: RB Leonard Fournette, 227

Receptions: WR Russell Gage, 19

Receiving Yards: WR Mike Evans, 132

Interceptions: CB Jamel Dean, 2

Sacks: ILB Devin White, 3.0

Tackles: LB Devin White, 24

Factors Scored: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, 18

Touchdowns: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, 3

Passing Yards: QB Patrick Mahomes, 857

Passer Score: QB Patrick Mahomes, 112.1

Dashing Yards: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, 116

Receptions: TE Travis Kelce, 17

Receiving Yards: TE Travis Kelce, 230

Interceptions: CB Jaylen Watson, 1

Sacks: LB Nick Bolton, 2.0

Tackles: LB Nick Bolton, 29

Scoring Offense: t-Twenty second (17.0 ppg)

Whole Offense: Twenty seventh (297.3 ypg)

Passing Offense: Twenty second (211.3 ypg)

Dashing Offense: twenty fifth (86.0 ypg)

First Downs Per Sport: t-Twenty eighth (16.7)

Third-Down Pct.: Twenty eighth (28.6%)

Sacks Per Cross Try Allowed: t-14th (5.83%)

Pink Zone TD Pct.: t-Twenty eighth (28.6%)

Scoring Protection: 1st (9.0 ppg)

Whole Protection: 4th (289.0 ypg)

Passing Protection: Twelfth (209.7 ypg)

Dashing Protection: Fifth (79.3 ypg)

First Downs Allowed Per Sport: 2nd (14.7)

Third-Down Pct. Allowed: sixth (30.2%)

Sacks Per Cross Try: eighth (9.40%)

Pink Zone TD Pct. Allowed: 18th (60.0%)

Turnover Margin: t-Third (+4)

Scoring Offense: 4th (29.3 ppg)

Whole Offense: Seventh (374.0 ypg)

Passing Offense: sixth (281.0 ypg)

Dashing Offense: Twenty second (93.0 ypg)

First Downs Per Sport: eighth (22.7)

Third-Down Pct.: t-Twelfth (40.0%)

Sacks Per Cross Try Allowed: 2nd (1.82%)

Pink Zone TD Pct.: Seventh (69.2%)

Scoring Protection: seventeenth (21.7 ppg)

Whole Protection: Tenth (314.0 ypg)

Passing Protection: fifteenth (227.3 ypg)

Dashing Protection: ninth (86.7 ypg)

First Downs Allowed Per Sport: t-Eleventh (19.3)

Third-Down Pct. Allowed: t-Tenth (32.6%)

Sacks Per Cross Try: Tenth (8.13%)

Pink Zone TD Pct. Allowed: t-Twenty seventh (72.7%)

Turnover Margin: t-Twentieth (-1)

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

· Tight Finish Cameron Brate has 33 profession landing catches. His subsequent one will tie him with Ring of Honor member Jimmie Giles for second place in franchise historical past in receiving TDs and fourth place in total touchdowns.

· Vast receiver Mike Evans already owns Tampa Bay’s profession landing mark and nearly each profession receiving file, however now he is closing in on the highest spot in one other class: yards from scrimmage. Former working again James Wilder has lengthy held that file with 9,449 however Evans is now as much as 9,443. Meaning Evans wants simply seven extra yards from scrimmage to take that file from Wilder.

· Evans can be near transferring up one other all-time Buccaneer chart, this one for factors scored. His landing in Dallas in Week One elevated his profession factors whole to 470, that means he wants solely eight extra to move kicker Connor Barth (477) for third place on that checklist.

· As well as, Evans’ subsequent begin would be the 123rd of his profession and with that he’ll move Gerald McCoy for the ninth most begins in franchise historical past.

· Vast receiver Chris Godwin has 29 landing catches on his resume. Two extra would transfer him right into a tie with Kevin Home for the fourth-most in crew historical past.

· Tom Brady is the NFL’s all-time chief in passing yards and, in simply his third season in Tampa, he is transferring excessive up the Bucs’ profession checklist in that class as properly. With 319 extra passing yards, Brady would move Brad Johnson (10,940) for the sixth most in crew annals.’

NOTABLY QUOTABLE

· Head Coach Todd Bowles on Leonard Fournette and the Bucs’ dashing assault being much less efficient the final two video games after a scorching begin: “Nicely, they have been making some performs on protection. He is been productive doing the little issues so far as catching it out of the backfield, selecting up blitzes and chipping defensive linemen. However we have got to again to working that. Once we run the ball, we’re attempting to get three or 4 yards a pop and he is been efficient at that within the first recreation. We have simply obtained to get again to it. I do not suppose we’re executing at a excessive stage proper now and that is obtained to vary.”

· Operating again Leonard Fournette on the evolution of his pass-blocking abilities: “Through the years, I’ve gotten higher. Coming into Tampa, I needed to get higher, simply figuring out your blocking for one of many biggest – I am not going to say gamers however guys – on the planet. He is an ideal man to be round. It goes each methods. We have now to dam for Tom, the receivers have to dam for the working backs, the working backs block for the vast receivers. It opens up a lot for our offense. We’ll get again to that, the fundamentals. I do know we have not been scoring numerous factors how we needed to. We’re simply nonetheless figuring issues out with numerous accidents and stuff like that. There is not any excuses, however we will get higher each week.”

· Outdoors linebacker Shaquil Barrett on what the protection has to do to compete towards Patrick Mahomes: “Hopefully we can’t need to cowl for a very long time as a result of the strain’s getting there. However he will make guys miss and he is gong to increase the performs and attempt to make a play, so we have got to only restrict that as a lot as doable. As a result of it is laborious to cowl guys for 5, six seconds regardless of who you’re, it doesn’t matter what caliber DB you’re, and we have got numerous nice ones on our crew. If we will simply get him on the bottom once we get a primary alternative, not miss or let him make us miss, it will assist our protection so much.”

· Inside linebacker Devin White on if he can pinpoint why the protection has began sluggish in every recreation earlier than clamping down: “I do not suppose it is a ‘pinpoint’ factor, I feel it is simply an in-the-moment factor. Every play, the man’s simply obtained to make the play, whoever it’s on third down, second down. No matter it’s, we have simply obtained to have the ability to make the play and we have got to speak somewhat [better], get off to a greater begin speaking. The opposite day we gave up two touchdowns after which none, and I feel the communication obtained so significantly better all through the sport. However actually we have simply obtained to return out speaking and seeing eye-to-eye.”

· Bowles on the Bucs’ protection enjoying very properly however having sluggish begins: “I like the trouble and I just like the communication. That has picked up, and we have performed protection when you get previous the primary drive. We talked about it this morning, as we have been speaking about all of it week: We have given up 27 factors and 20 of them have been on the primary drives, or the primary two drives in Inexperienced Bay’s case. Three to the Saints and three to the Cowboys. So we have got to discover ways to begin quicker and we’re in search of methods to begin quicker and talk and play higher proper off the highest.”

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