Maybe Revis Can’t Play Man-To-Man?
October 18th, 2013
Joe knows the subject de jour lately has been the Bucs are playing in a man-to-man/zone defense, depending on who is doing the talking.
Ask fans and well-respected analysts, and they state without a doubt the Bucs are playing Darrelle Revis in a zone defense. Ask the Bucs, and they smile and invite fans to help craft game plans.
Some even are so bold to suggest Bucs commander Greg Schiano is throwing away good, hard-earned Team Glazer cash by “wasting” Darrelle Revis. That’s what Pete Damilatis of Pro Football Focus recently told Sports Talk Florida.
“Starting to really believe that the Buccaneers are really wasting him. One of our analysts, Sam Monson, made the analogy that I am going to steal, that it’s like buying a Ferrari and using it to grocery shop. You have one of the best man-to-man cover corners in the league. He excels at locking down one guy. You put him out there and you are basically just playing 10-on-10 because you don’t have to worry about [the opponents’] top receiver. … I don’t know why you would give up the draft pick and give up the [mega] contract to get [Revis] if you are not going to use him the way he is meant to be used?”
Joe has an idea why. Perhaps Revis isn’t 100 percent? Recently, Revis was asked if he was fully recovered from his major knee surgery from last year, and in so many words, he suggested he was getting there. It was hardly a definitive answer.
Notice that David Joseph, who also had knee surgery last year, is not his same self? This is largely because he has yet to fully rebound from knee surgery and Revis had his surgery a few weeks after Joseph had his.
Maybe Revis’ body can’t handle the rigors of a full game playing man-to-man, and can only perform in such coverages a few plays a game (he has), that his knee or his body isn’t allowing him to make the sharp cuts and stops and starts needed for strong man-to-man coverage for a full game?
October 18th, 2013 at 12:16 pm
Here is a post from me…yesterday..
The question is why?…..why would coaches that want to win at just about any cost misuse a player of Revis’ caliber.
The only answer seems to be stubborness…somehow, I just can’t buy that.
There has to be another reason because they absolutely want to win. Their jobs depend on it and they know that Revis won’t stay silent indefinately.
October 18th, 2013 at 12:16 pm
Agree Joe but the haters will defy good common sense and will just stick to “Schiano sucks” as the reason.
October 18th, 2013 at 12:17 pm
Agree. As much as this coaching staff drives me up a wall, Revis was never fast, Adrian Peterson was a once in a lifetime case (knee injury-wise), PLUS, plays a different position, & this year has shown that Revis doesn’t have the quickness & get up he used to. I think we, um, limp thru this year, probably get rid of the coaching staff, & Revis gets one more year at 16 million per to prove his wares.
October 18th, 2013 at 12:20 pm
If that’s the case, that nearly a third of the way through the season, he can only play man a few plays a game, then, was that a smart signing by Dominick?
13th overall pick, plus a cool mill a game. For zone?
Let me guess, Dominick took another risk that he would be healthy. Like rolling the dice on the defensive ends this year, or the DBs last year.
I hope hope he stays out of casinos.
October 18th, 2013 at 12:21 pm
Interesting angle, hadn’t thought about that before.
October 18th, 2013 at 12:23 pm
First round picks are supposed to be pillars of your team for years to come. Getting a few years of Revis, including a year of him still recovering, is the epitome of a wasted pick.
Ugh.
October 18th, 2013 at 12:24 pm
While there may be a little truth to that, he has looked good so far this year when he IS in man to man. Deflecting passes and completely blanketing receivers. He even had that one play in the Saints game where he fell for the flea flicker, the wide receiver had him beat, but he was able to catch up and break up the play. Coaching staff is just stubborn, plain and simple.
October 18th, 2013 at 12:34 pm
Dammit. After four years of “next year we will be great” this was supposed to be the year. Now we have another wait til next year. This has gotten old. Welp. Next year Davin and revised will be great. And Vincent, and Penn, and Nicks will be another year older
October 18th, 2013 at 12:35 pm
Joe it’s not “de jour”, it’s “du jour”..
October 18th, 2013 at 12:46 pm
I Thought about the same thing internally but it’s too hard to tell because the idiotic defensive calls. Idk but I feel if he can’t play press right now we just wasted a 1st rounder because the next year theory is no longer valid around here!
October 18th, 2013 at 12:59 pm
Reavis was/is over hyped, over rated and over priced. He gets the last laugh.
October 18th, 2013 at 1:02 pm
This doesn’t mean Revis is a bust…it may be that he eventually returns to form…..look at it this way….he doesn’t play on the offensive line or QB….so he most likely hasn’t cost us games so far.
If he doesn’t return to form….we could probably negotiate a resructured deal….he won’t get $16 mil on the open market.
October 18th, 2013 at 1:12 pm
JoeBucsFan State Propaganda Alert – Bucs Fan Minions listen to your overlords…Revis isn’t capable of cover zero man as per Emperor Schiano, so this is why we continue in zone. Trust in your government.
October 18th, 2013 at 1:14 pm
Overrated? Didn’t the same ProfootballFocus grade Revis as the #2 CB in the NFL through the first 6 weeks? Is it better to shut down one Wide Receiver or shut down a side of the field?
October 18th, 2013 at 1:19 pm
This article hits on the one reason I’ve thought Revis was playing more zone. It’s more demanding on a knee that’s not yet 100% to play man to man than it is to play zone with help over the top.
Schiano can say what he wants, but the tape suggests Revis is in zone coverage often. The team won’t come out and say it’s because Revis isn’t 100%. Hopefuly this is the case and Revis will get back to pre-injury form. Otherwise, the only other logical assumption to make is the coaching staff has no clue how to use him.
October 18th, 2013 at 1:23 pm
@ Joe
I’ve thought that for a couple of weeks now. CB is such a reactive position, especially in man coverage. I don’t think they have been mis-using Revis, I think they have been protecting him. And that would explain the scoring play at the end of the Saints game when Revis was playing man on the rookie and L. Johnson was man on Colston
October 18th, 2013 at 1:25 pm
If this is the case why not just come out and say Revis is not 100% so out of concern we are keeping him in zone until we feel confident that he is a full go. Instead we get, we are not playing zone, we are playing man the average fan wouldn’t be able too see it. I don’t think this is the case. I think Revis may not be 100% but he is still healthy enough to play man, and I do think there is some validity to the reports that Revis was unhappy with the way he is being used, even though he denies it. This coaching staff has proven itself to be inept at creating a game plan to use the talents of this team to the fullest. I would love to take them up on their offer to come help with the game plan, if they really would let me, but I guarantee that will never happen.
October 18th, 2013 at 1:28 pm
I’ve been pretty sure since about week 3 that they were easing him back into more of a man to man roll. Makes total sense to get him used to game speed and having him be more confident in his knee before asking him to make a million quick cuts on it.
October 18th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
@bucsQcCity
LOL no dude its definitely “du jour”
October 18th, 2013 at 1:30 pm
I pointed this out yesterday and was bombarded for it lol.
Be careful Joe..
October 18th, 2013 at 1:35 pm
This link was posted up yesterday and definitely shines a light on it all.
http://www.bucsnation.com/xs-and-os/2013/10/17/4848036/all-22-is-darrelle-revis-playing-man-coverage-or-zone-coverage
October 18th, 2013 at 1:56 pm
Sounds a lot like the excuses I made in defense of Gruden…only this time our esteemed meia is in the coach’s hip pocket.
Exceuses…as they were explained to me…reslt in more losses. Just how many more are the fans supposed to take before you start calling them out…oh wait, that’s already happened…
The ship is sinking, the crew is panicking and mockig the fans…meanwhile the folks trying to help the owers sell seats on next years cruise are still telling us things are actually “fine”…
Maybe, eventually, you actually DO get what you deserve.
Well some do, anyway…
October 18th, 2013 at 2:01 pm
No more soup for you!
October 18th, 2013 at 2:04 pm
I’m wondering if they think that Revis playing man would leave the rest of the secondary vulnerable.
October 18th, 2013 at 2:04 pm
Transcript from the Revis trade:
Idzik: Mark, we are going to need at least a 2nd round pick for Revis.
Dominik: Nice try, John. We will give you nothing less than a 1st & a 3rd
Idzik: Um…ok. But Revis wants 13 million a year.
Dominik: We won’t pay a penny less than 16 million a year.
Idzik: You drive a hard bargain, Mark….but it’s a deal.
October 18th, 2013 at 2:04 pm
Or maybe it has something to do with us beating Atlanta last year, where we all of a sudden went to a zone and had success (with terrible CB’s). Maybe Schiano thought he figured the NFL out, and that no one would be able to figure out our zone.
If Revis isn’t capable of playing man to man yet (or more specifically press man), then why was he pressing more in week 1 than he has the other 4 games combined? I’m all for preserving Revis, and if he’s not capable of playing man then by all means, let him play zone until he’s healthy. However, I guess I would expect the amount of snaps he takes in man to increase instead of decrease as the weeks go on. But then again, what has Schiano done that has mad sense? I’m not buying this.
October 18th, 2013 at 2:11 pm
Maybe because it took a game against an actual opponent with live action to realize what he actually could and could not do.
Remember he did not play in the preseason.
October 18th, 2013 at 2:13 pm
Hawaiian,
We “beat” Atlanta in week 17, you know, when they lied down and had nothing to play for.
We will get a good idea on how “bad off” we are this week.
Who would have though, after this Sunday’s game, Atlanta and Tampa Bay would combine for only 2 victories on the year.
If we get smoked this weekend, and torched on Thursday evening, than I am calling for the Rock Star’s head on a platter.
We aren’t even mediocre.
October 18th, 2013 at 2:18 pm
Can’t wait to hear what Revis has to say about this rumor/fact
October 18th, 2013 at 2:18 pm
Am I the only one honest enough to say hell yea I want to win but I also want to get an amazing player in the draft if we aren’t going to go anywhere this season…
Tough spot
October 18th, 2013 at 2:30 pm
@SteveK
Totally agree about the Atlanta game.
As I’ve said in the past, firing Dominik it justifiable. However, how can you want Dominik gone but not Schiano? If Dominik is fired, it should be the result of hiring Schiano in the first place. Dominik isn’t poisonous like Schiano, so there’s no benefit in firing him mid-season. Fire him at the end of the year, but fire Schiano now. Seriously, if we lose the next two games, can anyone really argue against that? All for a draft pick that will probably tank in this scheme anyway?
October 18th, 2013 at 2:32 pm
Hawaiian, maybe he realized after the first week that he wasn’t quite ready to press that much? I believe that he IS playing a lot more man coverage than most people think, but he isn’t playing cover zero because it isn’t quite ready. Anyone asking why he or the coaches aren’t admitting he isn’t 100% yet needs to understand that no player or coach is going to tell opposing players and coaches that they aren’t ready to play as physical as needed.
I don’t think that the cutting on the knee in coverage is the difficult part for him, but rather the jamming at the line that his style of press coverage requires. He has always been known as a physical CB who re-routes WRs and plays in their hip pocket. Continually getting physical and pushing NFL-caliber WRs would take a toll on anyone, especially someone coming off of major knee surgery. Playing off gives his knee as much of a break as he can get while still being on the field.
He will continue to get better, and should one day be used as he used to be. He’s been back for five games, everyone. Give him and the staff a break. He’s well worth the draft picks at 80%. While I don’t think any CB is worth $16mil/yr, it’s not my money so I’m fine with it until it screws up our cap flexibility.
October 18th, 2013 at 2:34 pm
@PRBucFan,
Having a premium pick doesn’t mean we are going to get an amazing player. Premium picks end up being busts all the time, and later picks end up being amazing all the time as well. The difference is, if you don’t have a premium pick, you might actually have to do a good job scouting. The premium picks are generally made for you.
October 18th, 2013 at 2:37 pm
@mvermulm,
If that’s true, then I’m totally fine with it. I just don’t buy it, not with Schiano and Sheridan. By all accounts, they are terrible at adjusting their schemes to the personnel they have. Why did we put last year’s corners on an island for 15 games last year? It just makes no sense to me.
October 18th, 2013 at 2:45 pm
Whats up with the picture used here? Reebok jersey? Terrible photoshop work. Did someone make that in the offseason to jerk off to? WTF?
October 18th, 2013 at 2:54 pm
Yea it works both ways though, the probability of getting a premium player is much higher the higher we pick.
I mean or else why would there even be any value whatsoever in earlier rounds?
Anywho, just something I have been thinking about.
IMO there is definitely some franchise changing talent coming into the draft this year. Hopefully we get our hands on one of them.
October 18th, 2013 at 3:02 pm
Good luck hiring a GM with an already-in-place HC..that’s kinda like hiring a HC with an already-in-place Franchise/Record-Setting/Starting, QB…
IYKWIMAITYD….
October 18th, 2013 at 3:15 pm
ok bill sheridan i wont help you break down film but i’d love to watch you break down film so i can see why the bucs organization cant see what the rest of the human race is seeing.
When a nfl owner wants to start a rookie quarterback like say geno smith, they make that call…..why wont our owners say we are paying revis 16 million dollars to be a shutdown corner so you let him play man to man and you figure out the rest of the defense but he will lock down the best receiver…since were to dumb to realize revis has lined up on one side of the field almost every down this year….WAKE UP GLAZERS, YOU DONT BUY A TEA SHOP IF YOU’VE NEVER TASTED IT, I KNOW YOU HAVE TO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT FOOTBALL GLAZERS
October 18th, 2013 at 3:17 pm
Well if he’s damaged goods why’d we trade for him?
October 18th, 2013 at 3:18 pm
LoL Healing is a process, it’s not a new concept
October 18th, 2013 at 3:20 pm
@PRBucFan
DUDE WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, ITS AN INSULT TO SAY TO A PROFESSIONAL PLAYER THAT WE NEED HELP FROM ROOKIES. YOUR NOT SUPPOSED TO NEED TO DEPEND ON ROOKIES TO BE PROBOWLERS IN THEIR FIRST YEAR, WE HAVE WIN NOW PLAYERS WITH A WIN EVENTUALLY MENTALITY LEADING THOSE PLAYERS AT HEAD COACH AND I DONT THINK HE EVEN REALIZES HE HAS TO WIN NOW TO KEEP THIS JOB, EVERYONE SAID REVIS IS BACK THE FIRST GAME NOW WERE PUTTING HIM DOWN BECAUSE THE COACHES SUCK. ONE GAME JUST ONE GAME LET HIM LOCK DOWN A RECEIVER AND ROLL COVERAGE ELSEWHERE…THATS ABOUT THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE PRESSURE OFF SCHIANO IS TO LET REVIS GET ROASTED, SORT OF LIKE HIM HOPING FREEMAN SUCKS MONDAY NIGHT
October 18th, 2013 at 3:23 pm
and stop with the culture change excuse
bottomline is the coaching staff had no idea how to win and it all started with mark dominick who decided we were so talented after going 10-6 we didnt need to upgrade, when raheem was here it was clear we didnt have enough talent and didnt know anything about being a head coach or leader, now we have a leader who knows nothing about how to be a head coach…..the culture change is needed in the front office not on the field. players will work as hard as you demand them too and this coach is killing them in the offseason so you cant say the culture has changed, schiano is the only one with drama not the players
October 18th, 2013 at 3:31 pm
Either they are protecting him or our coaches are idiots.
Not very good either way.
The real shame is they sign the guy to make a run then go 0-5. Revis and Jackson have a short shelf life.
Strike three.
October 18th, 2013 at 3:33 pm
Ahahaha
What on earth are you babbling about?
October 18th, 2013 at 3:48 pm
If after 6 weeks of full-practicing, and 5 games of participation along with sitting out the preseason he is not 100%? The Bucs should of went after Brent Grimes or Rodgers-Cromartie for depth, Bucs are too thin at CB and all DB’s are underperforming in terms of pass coverage.
October 18th, 2013 at 4:12 pm
Yes because he should heal from a severe knee injury at the rate you say?
October 18th, 2013 at 4:32 pm
Buc_The_World Says:
October 18th, 2013 at 1:25 pm
If this is the case why not just come out and say Revis is not 100% so out of concern we are keeping him in zone until we feel confident that he is a full go. Instead we get, we are not playing zone, we are playing man the average fan wouldn’t be able too see it. I don’t think this is the case. I think Revis may not be 100% but he is still healthy enough to play man, and I do think there is some validity to the reports that Revis was unhappy with the way he is being used, even though he denies it. This coaching staff has proven itself to be inept at creating a game plan to use the talents of this team to the fullest. I would love to take them up on their offer to come help with the game plan, if they really would let me, but I guarantee that will never happen.
I totally agree!
October 18th, 2013 at 4:46 pm
maybe we should have signed sean smith for 10 million a year cheaper and kept the draft pick!!!
October 18th, 2013 at 5:41 pm
Lol. The delusional excuses you read here, to protect Schiano.
If Revis couldn’t play man coverage, why did he schedule a bitch session meeting with Coach Pasta Nazi- to complain that he’s not playing man coverage!!!
On the 2 times he played man coverage- Revis looked like the greatest Defensive player in the league! Because that’s just who he is.
Prbucfan linked to an article, that is perfect for this coaching staff
Revis is playing Man-“sorta”. It’s “half field “man, or “safety zone “man, or “man in a zone “Man
What it is, is Zone coverage. WHY it’s zone coverage is a mystery to media, fans, and Revis alike.
But not to me. Revis is playing Zone, because our coaching staff is a bunch of idiots- who don’t know how to use the best defensive player of our generation.
Not surprised a bit
October 18th, 2013 at 5:48 pm
Thank you Captain Tim. I’m glad there are others who actually understand what’s going on here.
October 18th, 2013 at 8:43 pm
Hawaiian Buc,
And at last, you and I view a situation with perfect clarity!
That’s a good thing.
October 18th, 2013 at 8:46 pm
The whole coaching staff were what was left from the real coaches they took to long picking the Head case and we got what was left
October 18th, 2013 at 8:50 pm
The players will get sick of all this shitttt soon then we will hear all the real shiiiitttt that will blow your mind
October 18th, 2013 at 9:22 pm
Good stuff, I was thinking the same thing…..
October 19th, 2013 at 2:00 pm
“If Revis couldn’t play man coverage, why did he schedule a bitch session meeting with Coach Pasta Nazi- to complain that he’s not playing man coverage!!!”
________________________________________________________________
errr….he didn’t. That was proven false and Revis himself was the one who discredited it.