Looking to Sunday and the Bucs

Isn't it interesting that this game got moved to 4pm.  Almost as if someone had a premonition that there would be a big story line.

Admission...I am an optimist.  Feels better to have some hope...right?

Been thinking about the offense (not too much because work has been busy as hell).  We seemed to see a little spark when Thomas Brown called plays but still basically the same results. However, Brown had to call Frank's offense/plays.  I know there is not time for major changes, but Brown is now free. He is getting help from Caldwell but the offense is now his.  He is from the McVay tree with a background as a RB coach. (Interesting that the RB coach was also let go in the moves).  I do expect to see some positive changes.  I wonder how much Campen has been lobbying for some blocking scheme changes.  I would bet that started before Frank was out of the parking lot. Tampa does not know what to prepare for. 

So...Panthers have the element of surprise. I am counting on running scheme/plays more suited to the team talent.  And.........they have new hope and motivation.

And of course the defense (also with new hope) will feast on Mayfield making his life miserable Sunday and very sore on Monday.

Right now the panthers are a 5.5 point dog.  I of course think the Panthers could very well pull off the upset.

Looking forward to this game. 

YES, LP,  It IS interesting. Especially since neither team is in the playoff "hunt".  I'm not sure what the NFL was thinking,  except..... maybe the Panthers would generate some more viewing interest after the coaching mess.  But, if I remember correctly, I THINK (???) there is supposed to be a minimum of six (6) days lead time on these "flex" situations.  So, did we get "flexed" on Monday..??  I didn't hear anything about it. Of course, I really wasn't paying attention to start times, so..... it could have happened.

On to the matchup.....  Interesting that you mention 'play-calling'. That will indeed be something to watch. I expect to see LITTLE changes here and there, but probably not too many or too drastic. The fact is, Reich and Brown designed the playbook together. So, there is a lot of Brown already in that book  (IF you believe that they worked together..). If Brown was just a "yes man" for Reich, then maybe there is not as much of Brown's acumen in the playbook as we were led to believe.  STILL... the problems endemic to a large change will be there.  There are only six games left. There is just no time to overhaul the playbook in between getting ready to play each game. The offense has to study and reinforce for each opponent. Changing offensive concepts, routes, blocking schemes or designing new plays across the playbook --- it's just not possible. Not in the time we have left and still get the team ready to play a game. I CAN see a couple of plays or "twists" added here and there, but not too much.  It took several months to "install" the playbook....and that was back when the team had nothing else to do except work on the playbook. That amount of familiarization - memorization takes time. And we don't have time.  I DO think we will see different plays called at different times. So the play calling will probably change to some extent, but not the playbook. No large wholesale changes. (IMHO..)

I am not sure the Defense will "FEAST" on anyone. But, we can hope.!!

We have six games left to play. Four of them are 'Division' games. Of those six games, we better make a small gain or two against the Bucs (two games..). The other four games are going to be tough. I don't think we can beat Atlanta or N.O., and the Green Bay and Jacksonville games are really not worth  thinking about right now. The team needs to get their feet back under them and hold their heads up a little. Unless the attitude changes, the final six games are a lost cause.

Everything starts new this week....

The game was moved at least a couple of weeks ago.

Just wondering what you guys think of Jim Caldwell.  I was never impressed. He inherited Manning and at least did not screw him up. I do hope he has more to offer than I think.

The game was moved at least a couple of weeks ago.

Just wondering what you guys think of Jim Caldwell.  I was never impressed. He inherited Manning and at least did not screw him up. I do hope he has more to offer than I think.

I don't know... I've not followed Caldwell historically, but I know his early career was not very impressive.  I'm pretty sure he was "involved" in some way with Flores' discrimination lawsuit against the NFL. I don't remember if he was named or not, but it seems like he was mentioned for some reason.  I remember thinking when the Panthers announced him, that it might be because of the lawsuit and NOT hiring Wilks. I took a quick glance, but didn't dig very deep. Didn't find much (anything..) about Caldwell.  Not worth the time to me I guess...

Anyway, he seems to have held a few QB coach positions along with a couple of HC slots. Was supposed to have been the last "rookie" HC to go to a Superbowl. Is that important..???  His record as a HC wasn't terrible. I suspect he has a good football mind.  I am not sure if he will be helpful to Brown or not.  Probably couldn't hurt....

Actually, I am more than a little surprised that Staley and McCown were sacrificed on Reich's alter.  I rather liked the way McCown approached the QB game. And Staley was a REAL Firebrand.  I guess they were too closely linked to Reich...maybe...???