The Bucs first-team units on offense and defense did their part in the first half, gaining a big lead to take into halftime. But, the game did not end in their favor, as they fell by a score of 33-30 to the Detroit Lions in preseason game three.

With that collapsing result came some disappointing performances

Second Half Defense

I mean yikes…

At one point, the Bucs were up 27-6, and yet they ended up losing the game 33-30. When the Bucs’ second-half defense entered the game, it was a rough sight. There was soft coverage and blown coverage all over the place, and that blame can be split between the players and coaches. And there was no pass rush.

No matter where you place most of the blame. You can’t blown a 21-point lead. You just can’t.

DE Noah Spence

He’s 240 pounds, 250 pounds, 260 pounds; it doesn’t matter what Spence weighs, he hasn’t been effective getting to the passer — this year and most years.

Spence is coming off back-to-back seasons where he’s had a shoulder injury that has shut him down early. But, even when he’s been healthy, he has not been the player they thought they were getting drafting him at the top of the second round in 2015. Spence just can’t seem to affect the pocket in the way they need him to, and that’s against third- and fourth-stringers late into these preseason games like tonight. That’s a cause for worry.

Bucs RG Alex Cappa – Photo by: Mary Holt/PR

OL Alex Cappa

The Bucs’ offensive line was beat up bad going into this contest, but in the preseason that can be a blessing as some of the younger guys and deeper depth players can get experience. Fourth-round rookie Alex Cappa got his chance to start at right guard against the Lions and looked overwhelmed. Playing offensive line is all about chemistry, so it’s tough to be too hard on him here, but against the Lions’ first-team defense, Cappa looked like he was “welcomed to the NFL.”

He’ll likely get plenty of playing time next week, too. We’ll see how quickly Cappa adjusts. Right now you wouldn’t want him getting time in the regular season if you were quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

RB Ronald Jones

Jones had a beautiful 37-yard catch down the sidelines in his first series of the game, and that was very encouraging to see. But outside of that it was another night of poor production on the stat sheet for him with just seven yards rushing on six carries.

As stated before, the offensive line was rough on Friday night so it’s not all Jones’ fault, but it has to improve at some point. Peyton Barber can get yards, and averaged 6.8 yards per carry on Friday night. Why can’t Jones?