PLAYOFFS! - Tampa Bay @ Washington

Ron Rivera was asked about Steven Sims as a punt returner

 


Heinicke needs to be the starter. Tough decision but Alex isn't right.
 
I want Tom Brady to drown in Heineken beer after the game.
 
I actually love that Rivera is openly talking about "being creative" with the QB's--meaning he may use both.

The more unknowns from Tampa's side means the more time they need to spend coming up with alternative schemes.

With Alex, they can pretty much count on a stationary target in the pocket, but one who is pretty deadly with recognition and the quick-release game. With Taylor, they have no clue what to expect--they'll have to be prepared to spend at least his first handful of series respecting the possibility he could go anywhere on the field with the ball, including deep like he showed he's willing to do against Carolina, and also respect his ability to take off and run. Count on seeing at least one called run for him early, if for no other reason than to show it.

Last week against Philly I thought more than once Rivera ought to play Taylor for a series or two in the second half. This latest tells me that we won't go into this game with one QB tied behind our backs.
 
I love Alex as much as anyone else, but at some point we have to look at this like a profession. He is hurt, his calf is not letting him do ANYTHING that he needs to, and its hindering us.

If Taylor gives us a chance to get out of the pocket of a collapsing OL (which it is always collapsing) then he should be in there. If he can throw the ball with zip and distance (Alex could not) then he should be in there.

Having a one legged QB in there is not going to make anyone fearful of us. It will eliminate anything past 15 yards and that allows them to rush and blitz even more.
 
Om said:
I actually love that Rivera is openly talking about "being creative" with the QB's--meaning he may use both.

The more unknowns from Tampa's side means the more time they need to spend coming up with alternative schemes.

With Alex, they can pretty much count on a stationary target in the pocket, but one who is pretty deadly with recognition and the quick-release game. With Taylor, they have no clue what to expect--they'll have to be prepared to spend at least his first handful of series respecting the possibility he could go anywhere on the field with the ball, including deep like he showed he's willing to do against Carolina, and also respect his ability to take off and run. Count on seeing at least one called run for him early, if for no other reason than to show it.

Last week against Philly I thought more than once Rivera ought to play Taylor for a series or two in the second half. This latest tells me that we won't go into this game with one QB tied behind our backs.
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I've heard it floated out there by more than one person on the radio that Rivera threw that out there to open the door to removing Alex and it not go down as a 'benching.' That Rivera has every HOPE that Alex can make it all 4 quarters and be effective but if he ultimately has to go to Heinicke, when the questions start coming in his response can be "i told ya'll i was considering a rotation."

I dont think it should ultimately matter what fans thing, but it's also part of saving face for Alex. This COULD be his last game as a QB in the NFL and having him benched because of in ineffectiveness could be ending on a low note, but having a 'rotation' within the game flow could change that.
 
I really don't think that 'saving face' comes into the consideration by Rivera at all. The entire world knows Smith is hurt and may be extremely limited. The one benefit of keeping Alex in there against Philly is that everyone got to see that - and it's not open for debate. That gives Rivera the ability to simply say 'Alex can't go, we're going with Heinicke'. No one is going to question that. I tend to think if anything, the mention of the 'rotation' was a little gamesmanship - especially because no one asked him anything about that possibility - he volunteered it right out of the gate at that presser.
 
To me, and this is just a personal opinion, a benching is due to performance. If your calf is locking up and you can't move that is an injury.

Alex isn't a bad player, he is just hurt and cant move around.
 
One thing I think we are all missing. Are we sure it's Rivera's call who starts at QB? You have to believe that Scott Turner has very strong feelings about it one way or the other. I suspect that Rivera would go with the choice Turner prefers. It's his offensive coordinator - the guy responsible for how many points we put up on Saturday. No way Rivera doesn't go with his preferences imho.

I would not be at all surprised, after the Philly game where we had 2 great drives, if Scott Turner isn't having similar thoughts as many of us are having - Alex may be physically incapable of helping us win this game. If that's the case, is there even a choice to be made here?
 
I think it being on Sat hurts the chances Alex will be healed. It took until the 11th hour before Alex was the clear starter for Philly. Now, you add a full game and one less day to heal up - the odd are stacked against Alex to me. But, I can't bet against the dude, haha.
 
Boone said:
One thing I think we are all missing. Are we sure it's Rivera's call who starts at QB? You have to believe that Scott Turner has very strong feelings about it one way or the other. I suspect that Rivera would go with the choice Turner prefers. It's his offensive coordinator - the guy responsible for how many points we put up on Saturday. No way Rivera doesn't go with his preferences imho.

I would not be at all surprised, after the Philly game where we had 2 great drives, if Scott Turner isn't having similar thoughts as many of us are having - Alex may be physically incapable of helping us win this game. If that's the case, is there even a choice to be made here?
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The Bucs run defense can be very stout which means the QB has to sling it. I would be shocked if Heineke doesn't get at least a half.
 
Rivera took too long to pull Haskins the second time around. Just can’t make that mistake with Smith, even if the reasons aren’t the same. Give Smith a quarter, assuming he starts. That should be enough to tell.
 
We simply can't field a one dimensional offense on Saturday. If we do, the Bucs D will eat us alive. That's why an inexperienced and unproven Heinicke is the right call over the experienced and capable Smith if Alex is nowhere near 100%. That doesn't mean Heinicke will be able to handle the moment, or that he won't throw 3 picks. Quite possible. But a 1 dimensional offense with a hobbled Alex Smith makes the outcome of this game a foregone conclusion.
 
ntotoro said:
Rivera took too long to pull Haskins the second time around. Just can’t make that mistake with Smith, even if the reasons aren’t the same. Give Smith a quarter, assuming he starts. That should be enough to tell.
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I wouldn't even waste a quarter. They should be able to tell on Friday or in pre-game whether Smith is Smith or not. If he's not, he's not.
 
This should also apply to RB. Gibson hasn't been himself, and if hurt, needs to be sat down in favor of Miller or someone else.
 
Gibson is going to play. He said yesterday he is feeling much better than at this time last week.
 
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