Much has been made of the Bucs switching from Monte Kiffin’s Tampa-2 to Jim Bates’ defense. The biggest issue, aside from the corners playing more bump-and-run, is that some suggest the Bucs defensive tackles cannot play Bates’ style.

Bates generally wants his tackles to clog up the middle, in other words, stop the run first and foremost and if they get a sack, great. But it’s not a priority for the tackles to get to the quarterback.

Joe thought it was interesting listening to Tanard Jackson talk about the defensive changes on Sirius NFL Radio’s “Movin’ the Chains” with Pat Kirwan and Tim Ryan, which broadcast live from One Buc Palace Thursday.

Jackson said that the change in the defensive front’s responsibilities actually has put pressure on the Bucs’ safeties.

“The change up front changes our reads,” Jackson said.

So this will be interesting to see Saturday night and beyond if Jackson and Sabby Piscitelli have warmed to the new defensive front patterns and schemes so they make the correct reads and therefore make the correct plays.

So if Nashville and others are able to make key throws, it may not be a breakdown in coverages but a breakdown in the correct reads up front.

Sometimes, this takes time to learn. Patience grasshopper.