Based on watching broadcast, so some things can change with All-22.
-Who expected Fitzpatrick to play this well? One of the best games of his career with no running game. I'm guessing he'll struggle next week (as this isn't who Fitz is) but way to open up strong.
As much as the narrative is how great Monken was calling plays, its also Fitz making the reads and hitting the receivers where he needs to.
-Saints D bought into their hype. Consistency is the hardest thing in the NFL - it's why Belichick is so impressive. Saints went from "worst to first" last year, but its hard to sustain that success. We saw something similar last year with the Bucs.
-Barber makes something out of nothing, but the OL run blocking was bad. At least from the sidelines view. Perhaps the All-22 will show him missing holes, doubt it.
-I don't know if Monken is a better OC than Koetter. But Monken as OC and Koetter as HC makes both coaches better. Been saying this for years: head coaches should not call plays.
-Sometimes OCs (or QBs) can be stupid. Why are you running against 10 in the box? A couple times I would've like a check to a pass based on the box, and perhaps to a run other times. But hard to check out of a pass considering how effective it was. Turns out NFL teams should pass a lot...
-Godwin is a more complete receiver than Evans. Does he have the elite route running and athletic ability to become a great receiver?
-Where was Djax all last year? What happened this game?
-Kwon had a bad game. Guy just gets obliterated in the wash. Was fortunate to have that FF (Thomas held that ball out), because it appears he got very sucked up in coverage and gave up that gain. For all the hype, Kwon is not good. He has good pursuit and occasional splash plays, but too many negatives. I'm saying right now, I would not resign him except for cheap.
-Bad scheming by Smith, too often Michael Thomas was ending up against LBs (particularly David). That's an easy win.
-Overall, Payton went after the middle of the field very aggressively. Bucs LBs and safeties were targeted. This again speaks to off coverage (more below) not being the main problem. Off coverage is not why LBs and S are giving up easy catches in the middle of the field. Poor zone control and communication.
-Get tired of VH3 celebrating every little thing, but nice job sticking his head in against a bigger back and forcing a fumble.
-Played a combo of press/off, but too much off. Especially with Grimes out. Let Smith/VH3/Davis play to their strengths.
-That being said, don't think the Bucs defensive problem is as much off coverage as everyone likes to say. The Saints are a good example, with strong press players they play a lot of off and got roasted in all coverages. And the Bucs middle coverage (LBs, safeties) are what got targeted.
-On that note, Evans played far better against the press and Lattimore than last year.
-Saints went after Davis instead of Smith. For all his preseason struggles, what I could tell from the broadcast angle, Smith played very well. And he's such a good gunner on specials.
-Bad miscommunication on the Saints 3rd TD. VH3 blitzes and everyone is out of position in the secondary.
-Curry might be the most important signing on the DL. Was getting far more pressure than anyone else.
-That being said, very little pressure by the DL - even when Brees held the ball longer. And when they did, too many missed sacks/tackles.
-NFL reffing somehow gets worse each year. It was terrible in this game and every other game I saw. There are so many stupid, arbitrary penalties. If you don't hate it now - it will cost teams games and it could be the Bucs. It really helped the Bucs this game, but some of those calls were ticky-tack (as is happening across the NFL). There are too many flags in the game. I got bored watching the Falcon-Eagles flagfest and like many of you expect a flag every play. Zzzzzzzzzzzz.
