The Good
Barrett Ruud - Barrett Ruud was all over the field today making tackles and big hits. He was deciphering plays and messing up plays in the backfield. He was laying some lumber too. There were questions surrounding Ruud, a lot of fans weren't sure if he could succeed The "Q." Those question won't be answered after one week, but it certainly was a good start.
Tanard Jackson - Tanard Jackson missed a big tackle on Shaun Alexander the turned into a 1st down, but that one play can't bring down what was a great display by a rookie in his first NFL game. Jackson had a huge ST tackle showing great speed anfd hustle getting down field and being the first player to the ball. He was hitting people hard on ST and defense all day. Other than once, he showed sure tackling ability. Let's hope he can build off this game and continue to progress.
Aaron Sears - Sears was a wall today. He showed nice burst off the line, and I could almost feel the DE-linemen's bones vibrate every time Sears hit them. Aaron showed quickness I didn't expect on plays where he pulled around. He zeroed in on his target and put a lot of meat on them. Another great start to another rookie's career. Keep up the good work Sears.
The Bad
Derrick Brooks - It's just one game, but it certainly looks like Brooks' time has come and gone. Brooks' career was built on speed, instincts and sure tackling. I'm sure the instincts are still there, but he is a step short on a consistent basis. When he does make it to the ball carrier on time, he can't make the sure tackle anymore. He bounces off ball carriers, and sometimes doesn't even slow them down. Brooks once one of the best and hardest tacklers in the league has fallen from grace slowly over the last three seasons. It may be time to move on. While covering Maurice Morris on a deep pass, Derrick looked like an Alzheimer's patient wandering outside a nursing home. With the ball traveling deep toward the sideline, Brooks began drifting infield toward the hash marks????
Davin Joseph - This one pains me personally. Davin Joseph has taken the place of Mike Alstott as my favorite Tampa Bay Buccaneer. I have very high expectations of DJ, and I was bothered by what I saw today. I'm not going to jump off any tall buildings, with Joseph having the responsibility of blocking one of the game's premier D-lineman, but he wasn't sustaining his blocks as long as he needed to, and was plagued by mental mistakes. This has to be DJ's worst game in his short career. The penalties are unacceptable.
Carnell Williams - Caddy! Oh Caddy did your mother not give you any milk to drink growing up? Hurt again!!! Even before he was injured he appeared to be hesitant to hit the hole with authority. He danced around, and a few times holes that were there, albeit not long closed by the time Caddy danced to the line. Add to that, another fumble. He's a young kid with a world of talent, but he needs to stay healthy and get his head on right.
The Ugly
Jon Gruden's Offense - Again it's only one game, but one of the biggest things I was looking for the Buccs to accomplish this season was improving it's overall offensive production. That was very far from happening today. Buccs didn't sniff the endzone, had way too many short drives, and were shut out for 3 quarters of football. Jon has his QB now, and the offense has to get better as the season goes along or this could be his last in Tampa.
...JJC/ABuccsFan
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