TAMPA
Zach Gentry Jersey , Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can’t avoid questions about Jameis Winston’s return much longer.The young quarterback’s three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy ended after Monday night’s 30-27 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. It is unclear, however, if he’s coming back as the starter.Ryan Fitzpatrick has made the decision a lot tougher than expected by throwing for more than 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns in Winston’s absence, including going 30 of 50 for 411 yards and three TDs against the Steelers.Dirk Koetter repeatedly shrugged off questions about his plans while Winston was away. And now that his return is imminent, the coach is still not saying.“Let’s see what the injury report (says),” Koetter said Monday night, sidestepping the question once again.“Anytime we have these games, it’s not always obvious how the guys are going to come in the next day and come in on Wednesday,” the coach added. “Let’s see what happens. I mean, I’d love to get a chance to talk to Jameis face to face before I tell the rest of the world.”Ben Roethlisberger threw for 353 yards and three touchdowns for the Steelers (1-1-1), who built a 20-point lead and held on for their first win despite not scoring in the second half.Pittsburgh’s defense forced four first-half turnovers, including three interceptions of Fitzpatrick, the 35-year-old journeyman quarterback who’s led the Bucs to a 2-1 start while throwing for more than 400 yards in each game.“You know
Nick Bosa Jersey , I have so much fun playing this game. I have fun playing with these guys, and I’m here just ready to do whatever it takes to help the team win,” Fitzpatrick said. “I think that will be my mindset going forward.”Winston started 45 of 48 games over the first three years of his career. He was suspended following the NFL’s investigation of an accusation that in March 2016 he groped a female Uber driver during a ride in Scottsdale, Arizona.“We love Jameis. He’s a member of our team, and we’re anxious to get him back,” Koetter said. ” He’ll be great in our locker room and . whatever role that he ends up in, I know Jameis will embrace that role and give it everything’s he got.”Some takeaways from Steelers-Buccaneers:WHAT TURMOIL?The Steelers capped a tumultuous week in which star receiver Antonio Brown made headlines by shouting at an assistant coach on the sidelines and getting into a spat on social media with a former team employee.Brown scored on a 27-yard reception, Ryan Switzer caught 1-yard TD pass from Roethlisberger, and Vance McDonald stiff-armed safety Chris Conte to break into the clear on a 75-yard pass play that got the Steelers going early.Roethlisberger’s on-field chemistry with Brown appeared fine in the first game since the receiverresponded to a former team employee on social media by suggesting the club trade him if it wants to find out how productive he can be without Roethlisberger.“I still think the biggest issue was outside the locker room, people perceiving different things,” Roethlisberger said. “Not saying we don’t have issues. All teams have issues, and there’s different things going on. But I think it was made a bigger issue than it really was.”FLAGS, FLAGS, FLAGSThe teams combined for five roughing-the-passer penalties
L.J. Collier Jersey , most in an NFL game since 2001, as fans around the league continue to gripe about flags being thrown for what appear to be routine tackles. Pittsburgh was flagged three times for hits on Fitzpatrick, and the Bucs were called twice for roughing Roethlisberger. In all, the Steelers were penalized 13 times for 155 yards. Tampa Bay had nine penalties for 80 yards. The Bucs also had a holding penalty that wiped out what would have been an 80-yard punt return for a TD by DeSean Jackson.“I thought the penalties kind of marred the game. There were a lot of penalties on us and on them,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “We’ll look at it and learn from it, but I thought the guys played extremely hard.”COMEBACKTampa Bay made it close by keeping Roethlisberger and Pittsburgh’s high-powered offense on the sideline for long stretches of the second half. Fitzpatrick led a long field goal drive that consumed nearly eight minutes of the third quarter. The Steelers used most of the remainder of the period to move into position for a 47-yard field goal that Chris Boswell missed.The Bucs used TD catches by Chris Godwin and Mike Evans to pull within 30-27. They got the ball back with just over three minutes left, but the Steelers defense forced a punt and Roethlisberger ran out the clock.“I thought our defense played awesome, creating turnovers, short field, making some stops,” Roethlisberger said. “I told this team afterwards that was a total team win, all the phases. That’s what Steeler football is all about.” TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Once again, close wasn’t good enough for the Cleveland Browns
Marquise Blair Jersey , who keep finding ways to lose.Chandler Catanzaro’s 59-yard field goal in overtime officially took them down in Sunday’s 26-23 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, the Browns themselves also had a lot to do with the result.In addition to failing to score on two possessions deep in Buccaneers territory, Cleveland was penalized 14 times for 114 yards, lost a fumble near midfield in overtime and managed to turn four Tampa Bay turnovers into only seven points.“It’s very frustrating any time you lose, especially because you could have done a lot of things better,” rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield said. “That seems to be the moral of the season.”The Browns (2-4-1) fell to 1-2-1 in overtime games this season and lost their 24th consecutive road loss dating to October 2015. That’s two shy of the NFL record set by the Detroit Lions from 2007-10.Six of their seven games have been decided by four or fewer points. Their four OT games are the most any team has played since 2011, when Arizona won all four it played. The league record is five by the Green Bay Packers in 1983.“We’ve got to capitalize on defensive turnovers,” Mayfield said. “The defense is playing great. … If we take those points when we can, I don’t think some of these games would be close.”A sputtering offense has been part of the problem. The Browns had 126 yards through three quarters and finished with 305.Coach Hue Jackson said that has to change, even if he has to get more involved.“I totally have to figure that out, and jump in head-first, all hands, feet, everything. It’s just that simple
D.K. Metcalf Jersey ,” Jackson said, adding that he’s not concerned that interjecting himself might be perceived as interfering with offensive coordinator Todd Haley.“I feel I have to, and I want to. That’s nothing against anybody on our building. … If the offense isn’t playing well, and we haven’t over a period of time, I think I have every right as a head coach to jump in and see if I can help and assist, and get this thing to where it needs to be,” Jackson said. “If that’s my specialty, then I need to be involved more, and I will be.”In addition to being stopped on downs at the Tampa Bay 1 when they were trailing 23-16 in the fourth quarter, the Browns also came away without points in the closing seconds of the first half when Mayfield — scrambling on fourth-and-2 from the Bucs‘ 11 — fumbled backward out of bounds as he appeared to be closing in on a first down.Jackson said he gambled on fourth down because he felt the team, trailing 16-2 at the time, needed a spark.“Baker was running for it, and the guy stripped the ball out and the ball goes backwards. That normally doesn’t happen,” Jackson said. “We could have kicked the field goal
Cody Barton Jersey , no question, but I thought our offense needed something to feel good about in the first half.”For his part, Mayfield — 23 of 34 passing for 215 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions — said he should have done a better job of protecting the football.“I wish I would have switched hands, that’s the main thing,” the No. 1 overall draft pick said.“Either kicking the field goal or me switching the ball to the other hand, those points matter down there,” Mayfield added. “Any points are good points at that point of the game. You’ve got to take care of the ball.”
TAMPA Zach Gentry Jersey , Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can’t avoid questions about Jameis Winston’s return much longer.The young quarterback’s three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy ended after Monday night’s 30-27 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. It is unclear, however, if he’s coming back as the starter.Ryan Fitzpatrick has made the decision a lot tougher than expected by throwing for more than 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns in Winston’s absence, including going 30 of 50 for 411 yards and three TDs against the Steelers.Dirk Koetter repeatedly shrugged off questions about his plans while Winston was away. And now that his return is imminent, the coach is still not saying.“Let’s see what the injury report (says),” Koetter said Monday night, sidestepping the question once again.“Anytime we have these games, it’s not always obvious how the guys are going to come in the next day and come in on Wednesday,” the coach added. “Let’s see what happens. I mean, I’d love to get a chance to talk to Jameis face to face before I tell the rest of the world.”Ben Roethlisberger threw for 353 yards and three touchdowns for the Steelers (1-1-1), who built a 20-point lead and held on for their first win despite not scoring in the second half.Pittsburgh’s defense forced four first-half turnovers, including three interceptions of Fitzpatrick, the 35-year-old journeyman quarterback who’s led the Bucs to a 2-1 start while throwing for more than 400 yards in each game.“You know Nick Bosa Jersey , I have so much fun playing this game. I have fun playing with these guys, and I’m here just ready to do whatever it takes to help the team win,” Fitzpatrick said. “I think that will be my mindset going forward.”Winston started 45 of 48 games over the first three years of his career. He was suspended following the NFL’s investigation of an accusation that in March 2016 he groped a female Uber driver during a ride in Scottsdale, Arizona.“We love Jameis. He’s a member of our team, and we’re anxious to get him back,” Koetter said. ” He’ll be great in our locker room and . whatever role that he ends up in, I know Jameis will embrace that role and give it everything’s he got.”Some takeaways from Steelers-Buccaneers:WHAT TURMOIL?The Steelers capped a tumultuous week in which star receiver Antonio Brown made headlines by shouting at an assistant coach on the sidelines and getting into a spat on social media with a former team employee.Brown scored on a 27-yard reception, Ryan Switzer caught 1-yard TD pass from Roethlisberger, and Vance McDonald stiff-armed safety Chris Conte to break into the clear on a 75-yard pass play that got the Steelers going early.Roethlisberger’s on-field chemistry with Brown appeared fine in the first game since the receiverresponded to a former team employee on social media by suggesting the club trade him if it wants to find out how productive he can be without Roethlisberger.“I still think the biggest issue was outside the locker room, people perceiving different things,” Roethlisberger said. “Not saying we don’t have issues. All teams have issues, and there’s different things going on. But I think it was made a bigger issue than it really was.”FLAGS, FLAGS, FLAGSThe teams combined for five roughing-the-passer penalties L.J. Collier Jersey , most in an NFL game since 2001, as fans around the league continue to gripe about flags being thrown for what appear to be routine tackles. Pittsburgh was flagged three times for hits on Fitzpatrick, and the Bucs were called twice for roughing Roethlisberger. In all, the Steelers were penalized 13 times for 155 yards. Tampa Bay had nine penalties for 80 yards. The Bucs also had a holding penalty that wiped out what would have been an 80-yard punt return for a TD by DeSean Jackson.“I thought the penalties kind of marred the game. There were a lot of penalties on us and on them,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “We’ll look at it and learn from it, but I thought the guys played extremely hard.”COMEBACKTampa Bay made it close by keeping Roethlisberger and Pittsburgh’s high-powered offense on the sideline for long stretches of the second half. Fitzpatrick led a long field goal drive that consumed nearly eight minutes of the third quarter. The Steelers used most of the remainder of the period to move into position for a 47-yard field goal that Chris Boswell missed.The Bucs used TD catches by Chris Godwin and Mike Evans to pull within 30-27. They got the ball back with just over three minutes left, but the Steelers defense forced a punt and Roethlisberger ran out the clock.“I thought our defense played awesome, creating turnovers, short field, making some stops,” Roethlisberger said. “I told this team afterwards that was a total team win, all the phases. That’s what Steeler football is all about.” TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Once again, close wasn’t good enough for the Cleveland Browns Marquise Blair Jersey , who keep finding ways to lose.Chandler Catanzaro’s 59-yard field goal in overtime officially took them down in Sunday’s 26-23 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, the Browns themselves also had a lot to do with the result.In addition to failing to score on two possessions deep in Buccaneers territory, Cleveland was penalized 14 times for 114 yards, lost a fumble near midfield in overtime and managed to turn four Tampa Bay turnovers into only seven points.“It’s very frustrating any time you lose, especially because you could have done a lot of things better,” rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield said. “That seems to be the moral of the season.”The Browns (2-4-1) fell to 1-2-1 in overtime games this season and lost their 24th consecutive road loss dating to October 2015. That’s two shy of the NFL record set by the Detroit Lions from 2007-10.Six of their seven games have been decided by four or fewer points. Their four OT games are the most any team has played since 2011, when Arizona won all four it played. The league record is five by the Green Bay Packers in 1983.“We’ve got to capitalize on defensive turnovers,” Mayfield said. “The defense is playing great. … If we take those points when we can, I don’t think some of these games would be close.”A sputtering offense has been part of the problem. The Browns had 126 yards through three quarters and finished with 305.Coach Hue Jackson said that has to change, even if he has to get more involved.“I totally have to figure that out, and jump in head-first, all hands, feet, everything. It’s just that simple D.K. Metcalf Jersey ,” Jackson said, adding that he’s not concerned that interjecting himself might be perceived as interfering with offensive coordinator Todd Haley.“I feel I have to, and I want to. That’s nothing against anybody on our building. … If the offense isn’t playing well, and we haven’t over a period of time, I think I have every right as a head coach to jump in and see if I can help and assist, and get this thing to where it needs to be,” Jackson said. “If that’s my specialty, then I need to be involved more, and I will be.”In addition to being stopped on downs at the Tampa Bay 1 when they were trailing 23-16 in the fourth quarter, the Browns also came away without points in the closing seconds of the first half when Mayfield — scrambling on fourth-and-2 from the Bucs‘ 11 — fumbled backward out of bounds as he appeared to be closing in on a first down.Jackson said he gambled on fourth down because he felt the team, trailing 16-2 at the time, needed a spark.“Baker was running for it, and the guy stripped the ball out and the ball goes backwards. That normally doesn’t happen,” Jackson said. “We could have kicked the field goal Cody Barton Jersey , no question, but I thought our offense needed something to feel good about in the first half.”For his part, Mayfield — 23 of 34 passing for 215 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions — said he should have done a better job of protecting the football.“I wish I would have switched hands, that’s the main thing,” the No. 1 overall draft pick said.“Either kicking the field goal or me switching the ball to the other hand, those points matter down there,” Mayfield added. “Any points are good points at that point of the game. You’ve got to take care of the ball.”