TAMPA — While Tampa Bay’s season-opening 31-17 loss to San Francisco ushered in a new era of football in Year One of the Bruce Arians era, it was hardly a palatable taste for Arians and any Bucs fan as the team was its own worst enemy, as much as were the Niners.
Tampa Bay suffered a plethora of unfortunate events that led to it being unable to atop the pirate ship and put away an equally rebuilding San Francisco squad.
The loss came about with eight penalties totalling 87 yards, two interceptions from Jameis Winston that were returned for 49ers touchdowns, three touchdowns called back by penalties, and a turnover battle that saw the Bucs losing it four times, San Fran only twice.
“I think you can account it to one thing, and that’s turnovers,” Arians said. “We talked all week about winning the turnover battle and when its four to two, it’s always going to be tough, especially we get a pick-six, then we give up two.”
Buccaneers cornerback Vernon Hargreaves, III, gave Tampa Bay its first lead with 8:49 remaining in the second quarter when San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo tried to telegraph an out-pattern to wide receiver Marquise Goodwin. Hargreaves broke on the football and picked it off as he traveled 15 yards for a touchdown and gave the Buccaneers a 7-3 lead.
“Just making a play on the ball; eyes on the quarterback; making a quick read – a quick three-step read – and just making a play,” Hargreaves summarized.
Winston threw two pick-sixes as 49ers corner Richard Sherman returned the first one 31 yards to give San Francisco a 20-7 lead with 11:44 remaining in the third quarter. Sherman’s pick-six followed the 49ers’ first possession of the second half where Garoppolo hit Richie James, Jr., with a 39-yard touchdown pass that allowed the Niners to retake the lead at 13-7.
“We had a mismatch in the slot; they had a back to my side,” Sherman explained. “In their offense, their backs only run certain routes. I knew what the route was. I waited for the quarterback to break; I broke before the back and I got a chance to get my hands on it and the rest is history.”
With San Francisco leading 23-17 with just over two minutes remaining, Ahkello Wintherspoon sealed the game as Tampa Bay running back Dare Agunbowale was held up coming out of the backfield and Winston delivered the ball anyway. Witherspoon’s 25-yard interception return finished off a sloppy, but interesting game where offensive miscues turned into big plays on defense.
“That was just a matter of trust of a guy being there and they sniffed it out, so I just have to take care of the ball and throw it into the dirt or something,” said Winston.
Learning Curve: With Arians coming into Tampa Bay and implementing a whole new offensive system, Winston assuredly would see changes in how he is asked to lead the team at quarterback.
Sunday, he seldom operated out of the pocket as the drop-back game was at full throttle. Winston also had two touchdown passes to tight end Cameron Brate called back on holding penalties by tackle Demar Dotson on both tosses. Part of the learning curve is the process to help Winston make better decisions. The idea to throw the ball away on Witherspoon’s interception is an accurate picture of that idea.
“I was fine with Jameis, other than the screen pass,” Arians said. “The screen pass, when the back didn’t get out, just throw it out of bounds. If you get a grounding, you get a grounding. But don’t leave it on the field of play.”
Speaking of grounding, Winston was flagged for intentional grounding early in the fourth quarter with the Buccaneers trailing, 20-14, and facing a second-and-goal on the 9-yard line. It was a strange call as he threw the ball away and it went into the seats. The officials ruled that he wasn’t out of the tackle box.
“You don’t see too many of them when you throw it over a guy’s head and into the stands,” Arians noted. “Certain quarterbacks, that’s never called on. They called it on ours.”
Staying grounded: Arians started Payton Barber as his running back, but a healthy Ronald Jones came in and led Tampa Bay in rushing with a personal best 75 yards on 13 carries while connecting with Winston on an 18-yard pass play.
Jones was happy to see the football that much and be able to contribute in the clutch with the game still lying in the balance.
“I just put in a lot of work this offseason and I’m looking forward to showing up out there on Sundays, Jones said. “I’ll do anything I can to help the team win.”
Defending their turf: Although the Buccaneers only sacked Garoppolo once, they defensively were up to speed most of the afternoon as the unit held San Francisco to only 256 yards. In addition, keep in mind that 14 of the 49ers’ points came as a result of the two interception returns as Garoppolo found the end zone only once with the 39-yard toss to James.
Arians was pleased that the Bucs were able to withstand giving San Francisco short fields where they had to settle for three Robbie Gould field goals.
“We gave up the three; we needed a three-and-out and give the offense a chance to get back down there,” explained Arians about the lack of stops late, “But, I thought the first half was outstanding. They were put in short fields where they got three or nothing.”
