Here’s the poop if you’re betting on the Super Bowl:
If Gannon can consistently pass after only a three-step drop, then Tampa isn’t closing the passing lanes (or worse, they’re playing a zone!) and Oakland is running the kind of offense that they want to run.
However, if Gannon is forced to take four or five steps or run out of the pocket, then Tampa’s defense is doing their job and Oakland is in trouble.
You heard it here first. Watch Rich’s feet.
I managed to procure a nickel sometime in October and I’ve been saving it to bet on the 'Bowl. My nickel’s on Tampa.
I think it’s safe to say that Tampa’s going to blitz. I wouldn’t worry about too much zone. Also, Gruden knows all of Gannon’s tendencies, just how to flush him, and where Gannon will try to go with the ball under pressure. I still think the Raiders can have some success with the dink and dunk and that they may get a big play or two if Gannon can read the blitzes correctly and find the single coverage. It’s going to be a question of how well Tampa can disguise it’s blitzes. Gannon’s a pretty sharp QB. If the Bucs sell out too early, Gannon can make them pay. It’s all going to come down to how well Gannon reads and adjusts to the defensive sets. I still think Tampa will get pressure on Gannon and I think they’ll get at least one pick, but it’s not going to be easy for either side.
And of course, Brad Johnson hasn’t been too shabby either. I think the Bucs’ offense can move the ball on the Raiders, they have a good kicker, and they have a potential playmaker with Keyshawn in the biggest game of his career.
Hail, hail, Wassamata U,
To our colors orange and ochre blue,
Hail, hail, Wassamatta U,
Hail, Wassamatta, hail,
Better we should be in jail,
Hay, Wassamatta U!
BTW, Diogenes has a good point about disguising the blitz. Something else to watch for if you get bored with feet.
Sorry to bump my own post but I never imagined my prediction would be so precise!
The only passes Gannon completed were on three-step drops. When he took more steps than that, he got sacked or threw either an interception or an incomplete pass.
Go Bucs!
Bullwinkle old buddy, you just keep right on posting. You’re gonna make me a ton of… er, I mean, I’d be quite interested in hearing your insights on other major sporting events.