Now, before everyone loses their shit - yes this OL stinks. There's one good OL in Marpet and only other talent on the line (Dotson) is too injured to play well.
And this has been some of the worst run blocking I've seen from an NFL team. That's been trash every week.
But like last year, the pass blocking hasn't been as bad as it appeared. FO has the Bucs OL 14th in Adjusted Sack Rate (so slightly above average). Yes, there were too many penalties and the pass blocking wasn't great. But a quick re-watch of the 2nd half didn't show an OL that was giving up 1 second of pressure.
For the Winstonistas, I am NOT saying this is all on Winston. I'm re-watching the broadcast so I can't see what routes are (or are not) open. Sometimes taking a sack is a good play by a QB. But too often it appears Winston isn't taking the checkdown when he needs to. Some conclusions:
1) Winston was not helped by his WRs. Evans was hobbled and Godwin had a bad game. I honestly think the Bucs will miss DJax more than many fans expect.
2) OL gets too many penalties (duh)
3) When Winston starts pressing he starts sailing the football and looks to run too much. He took at least 2 sacks purely because of his desire to make something happen.
* Up until 4:37 in the 3rd pass blocking was very good and Winston) was in rhythm.
this period is ~8 attempted passes (including a couple QB runs). Winston starts sailing a couple at the end but he's not helped by his WRs nor running game. In hindsight, whole offense is falling apart here. And then you get the blocked punt.
* 1st sack (4:37 3Q) there is no pressure, Winston tries to scramble and is sacked
* 2nd sack there is some pressure up the middle a bit early, Winston quickly and successfully escapes right but tries to run and is sacked.
* Back into their own end, Winston has lots of time, rolls right and throws it away. Dotson gets a bullshit facemask call which is declined.
* 10:47 4Q Saints send 5, well picked up and Winston sails high (also looks like mistaken route by one of the WRs)
* 7:21 lots of time, dumps it to Jacquizz
* 7:00 good quick pass to Evans
* 6:40 Winston is hit on incomplete pass to Jacquizz, D Smiths' guy. Winston had a decent amount of time. Winston needs to get it out quicker and D Smith needs to hold longer.
* 6:35 Saints send 5, very good protection, Winston sails high
* 6:30 This is an interesting one. I've included the photo below. Ball is snapped at 6:30. Winston gets pressure up middle at 6:27 (~2.5 seconds game time).
Honest question: Who's at fault here? Winston has 2.5+ seconds before he even sees pressure. He has 4 seconds before he's tackled and if he threw this pass from here he would have 3+ seconds to get it off.
Instead, he sees the pressure and drops his head and looks to escape. I THINK this is on Winston where we see him over-reacting to pressure and not staying in the pocket to deliver a football with adequate time. But I could be wrong - I'm really curious what others think.
