I'll be at Ray Jay on Saturday. It'll be very weird because I am a fan of both teams and follow them both. Admittedly, I know more about the Bucs because I live in the area now. Here's my "scouting report" from the POV of a Bucs fan.
Jameis Winston is probably the most frustrating QB that I've ever followed. I've never seen a guy look so good then look so horrible in the same game. He can look like a HOFer in between throwing picks and spotting the other team points. He's starting to overcome those errors (not eliminating them, overcoming them). For example, in the Colts game he threw 3 INTs (1 was a pick 6), however he overcame that with 450 yards passing and 4 TDs. The Bucs have to make a decision on him this offseason. Some plays I'm like "there's no way you can bring this guy back" ... then other plays I'm like "there's no way that you can't bring this guy back". He really makes you bi-polar as a fan.
The Texans are going to catch a huge break because the Bucs have no receivers this week. The top 3 guys (Evans, Godfrey, Miller) are now out due to injuries. The best WR on the field on Saturday will be a guy that I was wanting them to cut about 4 weeks ago in Breshad Perriman. He couldn't catch a cold a few weeks ago, however now he's starting to pick up his game. He had 3 TDs last week. Arians hasn't been utilizing the tight ends, however I think he will have to now. Cam Brate has been decent here, however they really need to get going with OJ Howard. He's a 1st round pick and hasn't been utilized much at all except catching foul balls from the Astros with his bare hands.
. The other WRs will be some scrubs that they've signed off the practice squad or street. The local sports radio station has been joking about that this week.The Bucs haven't run the ball much at all this year either. Ronald Jones has dramatically improved this year (last year he looked like a total bust), however he's missed some key blocking assignments and Arians has benched him over that. He's the better runner over Peyton Barber. The bottom line is, there isn't much of a running game here right now.
The Bucs O-line has had its issues as well. Winston is constantly under pressure which is why I think he throws a lot of picks. That said, for a guy that's not that mobile, Winston is very good at wiggling his way out of sacks and evading pressure.
The Bucs defense is very solid at stopping the run. No one has run the ball very well against the Bucs defense this year. Suh and Vea are the biggest reasons why. Those guys have been very good. I'm really impressed with Vea and he's looking like the first-rounder that he was.
The biggest surprise this year has been OLB Shaq Barret. He was signed as a FA from the Broncos and he's been a monster. He leads the NFL in sacks and just tied Warren Sapp's franchise sack record last week. He very well might earn the franchise tag this off-season.
The issue with the Bucs defense has been giving up big plays in the passing game. They are a very young unit and are still learning the system. That said, since cutting Vernon Hargreaves, as a unit they have improved dramatically. Hargreaves was not a good influence on a secondary full of rookies and second-year guys. I'll leave it at that since I've already given my opinion of VH elsewhere on this board.
The Bucs kicking game has been better this year. That has been an Achilles heel for them for the last several years. Matt Gay is a rookie and for the most part has been pretty good, however missing that chip shot vs the Giants cost them that game. If he would have made that they might be in playoff contention right now.
So the Bucs have won 4 in a row and 5 out of the last 6. It's good to see them turning things around and catching on to Bruce Arian's culture. While I would like to see them finish 9-7, I also want to see the Texans win the AFC South ... so don't ask me whom I will be rooting for on Saturday, I'm not sure that I even know.
The good news for the Texans is even if they lose this game, chances are they will still win the AFC South. Considering that Winston has no one to throw to, the Texans shouldn't lose this game though.
BTW, if anyone is making the trip over and needs a place to tailgate, etc, just hit me up.
