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About the Author: Scott Reynolds

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Scott Reynolds is in his 30th year of covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the vice president, publisher and senior Bucs beat writer for PewterReport.com. Author of the popular SR's Fab 5 column on Fridays, Reynolds oversees web development and forges marketing partnerships for PewterReport.com in addition to his editorial duties. A graduate of Kansas State University in 1995, Reynolds spent six years giving back to the community as the defensive coordinator/defensive line coach for his sons' Pop Warner team, the South Pasco Predators. Reynolds can be reached at: [email protected]
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There wasn’t much to be disappointed about in the Bucs’ dominating, 38-3 win over the Bears as Tampa Bay moved to 6-1 on the season. The Bucs offense raced out to a 35-3 lead at halftime and pitched a shutout in the second half on defense. Because the Most Disappointing article is a postgame staple – win or lose – let’s nit-pick and find a couple of things to discuss.

Here are Sunday’s most disappointing players (and fan) in Tampa Bay’s win.

The Bucs Fan Who Gave Back Brady’s 600th TD Pass Ball

After Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans caught a 4-yard touchdown to give Tampa Bay a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, he grabbed the ball and tossed it to a fan in the stands wearing his No. 13 jersey in the front row. The problem was that ball was the 600th career touchdown pass from Tom Brady. Oh no! A Bucs official went up to the fan and negotiated the release of the ball, giving him another game ball and likely some autographed gear after the game. But that ball – an NFL record and one of a kind – could have fetched a fortune on the collector’s market.

There were reports after the game that the fan would get a $1,000 gift card to the Bucs team store, autographed Brady jerseys and possibly Brady’s cleats. But keep in mind that the milestone game ball was a one-of-a-kind, game-used treasure that was thrown by one future Hall of Famer and caught by another. An autographed Brady rookie card sold for a record $3.1 million this offseason. That game ball could have easily sold for $1 million. That’s enough money to retire on, my guy!

Bucs 2nd Half Goal Line Offense

Bucs Rb Ronald Jones Ii

Bucs RB Ronald Jones II – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Tampa Bay’s goal line offense also deserves a mention, specifically reserve tackle Josh Wells, reserve right guard Aaron Stinnie, tight end O.J. Howard, running back Ronald Jones II and quarterback Tom Brady for not scoring a touchdown despite two great cracks at it. Tampa Bay had a first-and-goal from the Chicago 2-yard line, and after a Brady throw to Evans for no gain and an incompletion, Jones got two shots at the goal line. He was stuffed for a one-yard gain before fumbling on the next attempt as he dove for the touchdown on fourth down.

On the next possession, the Bucs got down to the Bears’ 1-yard line. After Leonard Fournette lost three yards, Brady threw two incompletions before Tampa Bay had to settle for a field goal. One was batted down at the line of scrimmage, and the other was dropped by Leonard Fournette at the goal line.

Bucs Run Defense

Tampa Bay’s run defense was shredded by rookie running back Khalil Herbert, Chicago’s sixth-round pick. The Bucs came into Sunday’s game as the league’s top-ranked rushing defense, allowing just 54 yards per game. Herbert rushed for 91 yards on 13 carries in the first half, ripping off three runs of 12 yards or longer, including a 29-yarder. The rookie rusher, who ran for 97 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries last week against Green Bay, hit 100 yards against Tampa Bay on 18 carries on Sunday. That’s a big no-no for Todd Bowles’ group.

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