Appears Schiano Will Use Diverse Defense
April 28th, 2012
Greg Schiano comes from the paranoid branch of the Bill Belicheat and Tuna Parcells tree. Talking about what brand of toothpaste one uses may tip off state secrets which will threaten the freedom of the republic.
Hence, Schiano has done his best to keep people guessing what defense he is going to run.
However, given the defensive players Schiano and Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik have drafted, there is a clear pattern, especially on defense.
Schiano, who confessed on SiriusXM NFL Radio in February that the Bucs may run a 3-4 and may run a 4-3, are acquiring defenders who are diverse, reinforced by the selection of West Virginia linebacker Najee Goode today.
Schiano wants diverse players. Mark Barron was listed as an “athlete” coming out of high school. Lavonte David played both inside and outside linebacker but has all but been told he will be a weakside linebacker. Goode also has experience playing both outside and inside.
What do the picks tell Joe? First, Schiano likes physical players. Two, he likes fundamentally sound players. Third, it appears Schiano likes guys who can be plugged into different spots when needed.
The fact that Schiano has chosen two linebackers who can play both inside and outside also tell Joe that Schiano was sickened at the play of the Bucs linebackers last year, just like Joe was.
April 28th, 2012 at 2:46 pm
And we all know Foster can play inside or outside from his days in college too. I can even see David playing a little SS in packages with his coverage skils and speed with Barron flexing between SS and FS.
Positions could be just a name in this defense.
April 28th, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Maybe he can be a 2 down run stuffer in the middle sooner than later, then Foster and David are your nickel team. Not bad, I guess.
April 28th, 2012 at 2:51 pm
Can fill the box and plays the run good what we have needed a middle linebacker to do in a long time hopefully this guy comes out been a gem in the draft that way we can move foster to the Sam and Davis to the will
April 28th, 2012 at 2:51 pm
guys that will actually Tackle….I am liking the Shiano Way !
April 28th, 2012 at 2:58 pm
Schiano does have a new scheme…….. TACKLING!!!! These guys being versatile is only a feather in their caps, not really a tell that we will be very fancy or anything. Not that it’s a bad thing, but he will be like that Lofton guy everyone was screaming for ( a lot cheaper though). Good pick if he pans out.
Watson and Hayward can stay, but Quincy may want to ask the Bucs for a pay cut right about now before they ask him to hit the road.
April 28th, 2012 at 3:19 pm
Tackling, yup. Those that cannot and/or will not will not be on this team for long.
The Buccaneers used to be the best tackling team in the league, in the Kiffen days prior to his final year.
Once again, bad tackling will not be tolerated!
I look forward to the Schiano way, I think most of us do.
April 28th, 2012 at 3:33 pm
He is building a very aggressive, physical defense. And fast movers…although some are a little short.
It’s like the “What if Tony Dungy had built a 3-4/4-3 hybrid in Tampa?” type of thing.
April 28th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
I think Garv and BrianW said it all. Tampa used to be the best tackling team in Football, but somehow, we became sissies. Watching team after team punish us with the run, it became painfully clear to me we had far too many quitters on our team.
Prima Donna’s, afraid of contact, unwilling to sell out for their team, especially one on one with big backs.
Tampa got a well deserved rep as a soft team.
The players we just drafted will change that, and so will Coach Schiano.
April 28th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Anyone know why alfonso dennard is sliding??
April 28th, 2012 at 3:42 pm
He has character issues. Not as much as Jenkins but he’s also not as talented.
April 28th, 2012 at 3:49 pm
he punched a cop, and faces up to 5 years in prison
April 28th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
Dennard got arrested about a week ago. It was a bar fight that ended with him being charged with hitting a cop. So, he loses a few points for smarts at least for leaving his house this week. I’d be willing to take him, these types of things usually get pled down and the facts of him assaulting a cop hopefully are an exaggerated upcharge that college town cops are known for.
April 28th, 2012 at 3:55 pm
NFL Network just said we’ve had the best offseason so far with the draft and free agent acquisitions. I’d go along with that.
April 28th, 2012 at 3:56 pm
Yeah, I saw that, Bobby 🙂
April 28th, 2012 at 3:57 pm
Another hard hitting, solid tackler drafted. I like this choice (Keith Tandy).
April 28th, 2012 at 3:58 pm
Me too Pete
April 28th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
Found this:
A bone crushing hitter who can scare receivers like a fierce middle linebacker…Great tackler on defense and special teams… A poor man’s Dre Kirkpatrick, a corner who is solid in coverage and an excellent tackler… Raw coverage
ability that can be improved with coaching at the next level… Good instincts on when to break to the ball… Has fluid hips and good recovery speed… Enjoys getting physical with receivers and making catches difficult… Possesses good upside and the versatile ability to play multiple positions…
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Is it me, or does this one remind of Ronde Barber?
April 28th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
Also found that he can play safety or linebacker as well.
April 28th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
If Tandy is as versatile as advertised we could have gotten a real steal in the 6th.
April 28th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
Not since the team John McKay built… has this type of toughness been mandated by the HC !