Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: Notesfiles $Revision: 1.7.0.10 $; site uiucdcs Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcs!ekblaw From: ekblaw@uiucdcs.CS.UIUC.EDU Newsgroups: net.sport.football Subject: NFL Forum #10 Message-ID: <13000062@uiucdcs> Date: Tue, 12-Nov-85 12:04:00 EST Article-I.D.: uiucdcs.13000062 Posted: Tue Nov 12 12:04:00 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 14-Nov-85 00:48:04 EST Lines: 50 Nf-ID: #N:uiucdcs:13000062:000:3292 Nf-From: uiucdcs.CS.UIUC.EDU!ekblaw Nov 12 11:04:00 1985 For week no. 10... Tension in Tampa .. The Luckless yet potent Offense: --------------------------------------------------- Well, it happened again. In preparation for this week's discussion, Tampa Bay proves interesting. As I predicted would happen soon, Tampa Bay won a game. However, after touting their fine offense, it was the DEFENSE who won the shutout against St. Louis yesterday [Sunday]. Strange things do happen in this league! Despite the defensive win, though, Tampa Bay still has a powerful offense. Yet, despite that fact, they haven't won. Why? They have had a problem with those two enemies of a football team -- penalties and turnovers. Turnovers have been the worst; especially on the special teams. They have had more blocked kicks and punts, along with bad snaps on both offense and special teams, than any other team in the league. This can hinder a team, no doubt about that! These problems have contributed greatly to Tampa Bay's 1:9 record. Despite their record, though, they are a good offensive team. Steve DeBerg is a superb quarterback, with several years of practical experience. He is a good scrambler, and has avoided many sacks (interesting note: in their two games against Chicago, he was only sacked a total of six times in both games [four in one, two in another]. Against Chicago's strong defense, that's very good!). His completion/attemptions percentage is not great, but when one removes the dropped passes that were delivered right on target, he has shown to be a very good passer. With all this, why can't Tampa Bay have a better passing game? Well, the dropped passes are one reason. The receivers seem to profess at having greasy hands on this team. Also, their wide receiversare not great, especially in long yardage situations. Many of the passes that are completed are short yardage. In a serious long yardage situation, Tampa Bay just can't do it. Other shining star on the offense for Tampa Bay is James Wilder, the running back. Wilder has been doing very this year, with over five yards per carry as his average. He has had three 100+ yard games. He has caught an average of five passes per game. Yet his team has a 1:9 record. Bad luck? Maybe. I can't explain this one away. Wilder has fumbled a couple of times, but he seems no worse than most of the other running backs on other teams. Even the great Walter Payton has lost the ball once this year. Why has Tampa failed to win on Wilder's power? Teams expect it, that's why. They often watchfor the hand-off to Wilder, and tackle him as soon as possible. He is often double-teamed as he leaves the line of scrimmage. Good as he is, he can be brought down. And he has this season, often. I have faith in Tampa Bay, though. They have been in a streak of bad luck, but I think they can get out of it. Six of their nine losses were lost by less than 10 points. I believe that they can win a few more games before the season is over and, with proper training and drafting in the off- season, ca pull themselves out of the cellar in the NFC Central next year. Next week, we discuss the team that Tampa Bay beat Sunday. Be here for the answer to the question, Where have all the Cardinals Gone? (with apologies to Peter, Paul, and Mary). NFL Ace