Sir Purr
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- Mar 16, 2019
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Bucs load up to stop CMC
A week after compiling over 200 total yards from scrimmage, running back Christian McCaffrey was held in check by Tampa Bay, as he finished with 37 rushing yards on 16 carries to go along with two catches for 16 yards.
The Bucs clearly were committed to loading the box with extra defenders to limit Carolina’s dynamic weapon.
“Yes, just looking on tape they seemed to be [focusing on McCaffrey]. They played a lot of man coverage in certain situations and had somebody always seemed to be tracking him,” Rivera said. “They do what we call a ‘green dog,’ which is they bring a guy up inside and the idea is that he has him in man coverage but it looks like he’s blitzing, so Christian had to step up a couple times. And that also slows you down a little bit, too.”
With McCaffrey in the Bucs’ crosshairs, Rivera was happy with the way other guys got involved. Tight end Greg Olsen finished with 110 yards and wideouts DJ Moore and Curtis Samuel combined for 180 receiving yards.
But it was the execution in Tampa territory that left a lot to be desired.
“One of the things we have to do is continue to distribute the ball more so they’re not focusing on one guy,” Rivera said. “DJ had a good day, Curtis had a good day, Greg had a good day, but, unfortunately, we got into certain situations where we hurt ourselves. You go back and look at the field goals we kicked, I believe three of them we kicked after a negative play, after a penalty or being pushed back.”
Roller coaster with Ray-Ray
Punt returner Ray-Ray McCloud flirted with disaster on his first two punt returns against the Bucs, muffing them both. Fortunately for him and the Panthers, neither was recovered by Tampa Bay.
Carolina continued to show faith in their first-year returner however, and he rewarded that faith on his third attempt, streaking through the middle of the field for an impressive 39-yard punt return.
“Well, that’s kind of the thing – we know what his abilities are, we know how explosive he can be. I’d much prefer him to catch them clean,” Rivera said. “You want a returner out there that’s going to first and foremost secure the football when he catches it, and that’s the most important thing.
“But, because he has that kind of explosiveness, that kind of ability, you want to keep giving him every opportunity, but you’ve got to do it wisely. You’ve got to make sure it doesn’t cost us. We’ve just got to continue to work, he’s just got to continue to work, and we’ll keep going.”