The Sounds of Discontent: Numero Tres
Oh, oh my. Is that a sharp wind howling outside, trying to scheme its way in through tiny, near-microscopic cracks between your window pane and wall? Awwwww hell no. It’s the blowing of discontent, circulating ’round the Philly skies like a faint smog– thick enough to be visible, but not so thick that we can’t breathe. Yet.
Bucs safety Chris Conte reiterates that, yep, THEY KNEW WHAT PLAYS WERE COMING. Tampa Bay Times word writer Greg Auman:
It didn’t start well for the Bucs defense. The uptempo Eagles marched 86 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead, never getting to third down along the way.
“You can practice all you want, but you’re not ready for it until it comes at you,” said safety Chris Conte, who would later get one of three Bucs interceptions. “You’ve got a lot of adrenaline going, and everything’s flying around. Once you calm down, you realize it’s not that fast. They’re running the same plays over and over again.”
DT Gerald McCoy told the defense that an uptempo offense like the Eagles’ will have “a first 14” scripted plays: “Get past those plays and you slow down and play our defense.”
The next four drives against the Bucs? Four punts, with just one first down and 27 total yards, allowing the offense to take a 21-7 lead and control of the game.
What’s really frightening is that, typically, the Eagles don’t start fast either. Soooooo, where, exactly, is their advantage? Hold me.
H/T to (@InsdeTheHuddle)