Defense Let Bucs Down
November 5th, 2013
Seattle’s Marshawn Lynch didn’t have much of a problem running against the once-stingy rush defense of the Bucs.
Joe still has a pit in his stomach (no, he didn’t swallow a beer bottle cap) thinking of how the Bucs gagged away a three-touchdown lead Sunday against the Seahawks. In case you didn’t know, the 21-point deficit the Seahawks overcame was a franchise record for Seattle. Isn’t it nice to be on the wrong end of a franchise record?
There is no question the Bucs offense departed from what was working beautifully for three quarters: running the ball. That gave Seattle ample chance to rally. This, however, should not give the Bucs defense a pass. When the Bucs needed their defense the most, it had a difficult time getting off the field, except after Seattle scored.
Ben Stockwell of Pro Football Focus had choice words for a subpar effort by the defense of the Bucs.
One crucial failure from the Bucs in their attempt to hold their lead yesterday was their inability to make the Seahawks one dimensional as they chased a three-score deficit. While the Seahawks’ composure and the time left in the game certainly played a part, the Bucs at no point looked like being able to take the Seattle ground game out of the equation. This meant that in spite of playing from behind the entire game, the Seahawks still ran more than they passed (32 runs to 29 drop-backs) with the energetic and physical running of Marshawn Lynch a crucial factor in the home team’s recovery.
What the heck has happened to the rush defense of the Bucs? It was so special last year and this year, well, eh. They are currently No. 13 in the NFL, a pretty big drop off from last year.
It says something about what other NFL teams think of the Bucs that, down by three touchdowns, Peter Carroll and the Seahawks didn’t blink and kept feeding the ball to Marshawn Lynch. If teams like Seattle wasn’t concerned or scared of the Bucs’ rush defense. If so, they would have all but grounded their run game.
November 5th, 2013 at 12:06 pm
We need 2 new D-Ends, 1 with elite talent, maybe keep AC for rotation. Don’t listen to the “rockstar groupies” they will have you believe that we have 2 pro-bowlers already on the roster, that are just being held back.
November 5th, 2013 at 12:10 pm
What happened is Dom allowed Bennett to walk…..plus Roy Miller was a part of that rushing D.
November 5th, 2013 at 12:12 pm
Well at this rate if DE is the #1 need we’ll probably be able to get Clowney in the upcoming draft. Hopefully he’s not a bust (if the Bucs take him)
November 5th, 2013 at 12:13 pm
Thankfully Glennon has looked good enough that I think if the Bucs end up at #2 they can take Jadaveon and not a QB. Clowney and GMC side by side could be electric. Pass rush is unforgiveably bad right now considering the talent level it has.
November 5th, 2013 at 12:16 pm
The offense doesn’t score in the second half of games that’s the main issue and to make statements like that is bullllll shiiiiit
November 5th, 2013 at 12:19 pm
Just have to point out, before you guys go on a Clowney spree, he doesnt handle heat too well. He sucks wind a lot. Now Im probably the biggest Gamecock fan on this forum, but trust me, I’d pick O line, Matthews, over Clowney right now. Unless he shows me he’s built up his stamina, unfortunately, he would bust for us too. And with Dom, hows the DE busting been going so far?
November 5th, 2013 at 12:34 pm
Akeem Spence is playing better than Roy Miller.
November 5th, 2013 at 12:37 pm
MadMax:
Didn’t Clowney pretty much school tackle Taylor Lewan of Michigan in the Outback Bowl last year,and Lewan is projected to be a first-round pick?
November 5th, 2013 at 12:38 pm
I agree Joe, so what is it then? Is it McCoy? Chemistry? Was Bennett that much of a disruptive force?
November 5th, 2013 at 12:42 pm
Lewan was the only LT I saw handling Clowney like no others last year. Yes the big hit occurred on his side….word is the TE was supposed to handle that while Lewan was assigned to a LB. And Clowney had been resting some plays (I forget how many) and just got back in. Feel free to go back and see 🙂
But trust me, I LOVED that play….the timing of it was perfect.
November 5th, 2013 at 12:49 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cpIkjW-CY4
November 5th, 2013 at 12:52 pm
Down 3 TDs (not scores, TOUCHDOWNS) with a half to play, they can RUN more than they pass and STILL catch up. That’s disgraceful.
The Bucs are an embarrassment to Tampa Bay.
November 5th, 2013 at 1:40 pm
This coaching staff has made me not even care about watching this team play and I watch mostly KC games now an its the first time I’ve ever done that .
November 5th, 2013 at 1:49 pm
Mad Max is correct about Lewan.
Wrong about Clowney (JCP). Clowney sucks wind because every college offense he faces either double teams him or mostly runs away from him.
He simply can’t make every play when they routinely sprint away from him. They always game plan every play with him in mind.
They questioned his stamina the first game when he played with a stomach virus. They questioned his ability the next game when playing with an ankle injury someone stepped on his foot but he’s a gamer.
Spurrier won’t say much because he’s hoping that Jadaveon will choose to play another year. After witnessing Lattimore’s knee injury, there’s not much hope that he will return to play for free.
Some people compare him to J Peppers. Child please! I say he is the love child of Lee Roy Selmon and Lawrence Taylor.
The Bucs should take advantage of the strong QB crop and Jacksonville’s desperate QB situation. Dangle the #1 overall pick to the rest of the NFL, the Brownies will be all over it. Jax will be willing to swap picks and a 2nd or 3rd rounder.
Select Clowney and Murray or Manziel early in the 2nd round. (JCP)
November 5th, 2013 at 2:07 pm
Not having Bennett is a big part of the problem.
November 5th, 2013 at 2:20 pm
When was the last time the Bucs’ D held a lead??
November 5th, 2013 at 2:36 pm
I understand why this comment is mentioned. The defense certainly failed the team in the long run of the game. BUT, the offense was on fire in the first half, and we cant score in the second half. If we could have scored one touchdown, it would have put the game to far ahead. Aside from that, it Tiquan Underwood could of caught the ball in the endzone, we would have had yet another touchdown. We beat ourselves. We do every week. Our team is LOADED with pure talent and we suck somehow.
November 5th, 2013 at 2:56 pm
It’s the swiss cheese defense.
November 5th, 2013 at 4:33 pm
What loss was worse? Sundays game in Seattle or the Monday nighter vs Indy a few years ago?
November 5th, 2013 at 4:37 pm
Thanks for the Clowney info guys. Maybe Lewan should be in Tampa Bay? He is a nasty SOB.
November 5th, 2013 at 5:31 pm
it says even more about how little teams fear our second half offense. if this were the saints, even if they were dead last in rush defense, the other team would be throwing 75% of the time anticipating another 2 or 3 scores from their opponent. when you can roll up 27 points in the time the bucs can only put up 3, there’s no reason to stop your balanced playcalls.
November 5th, 2013 at 5:41 pm
7 points anywhere in the second half might have been enough to get seattle leaning towards dropping back on most plays and throwing to a mediocre WR corps and into the defense that picked Wilson off multiple times. there’s just something gutless about this team overall in the 2nd half. with people so focused on whether or not the players like Schiano, his biggest flaw seems to be glossed over – he is an inferior coach on Sundays (previously Saturdays) no matter how hard he and the team prepares the other 6 days. Even if his players love him it won’t help him with his poor use of timeouts, getting out-adjusted in-game, and treating the last 30 minutes protecting a lead like a 4-minute drill. If he stays he needs to upgrade both coordinators and get out of their way
November 5th, 2013 at 10:42 pm
Who says Dom let Bennett walk? Is it not possible that Schiano (believing Bowers was primed for a double digit sack season) told Dom he didn’t need Bennett because he had “his guy”, so the team never made an offer? Just because Dom didn’t sign him doesn’t mean Dom didn’t want him. Much of that is based on who the coach wants. If the coach wants a DB, Dom could sign any DB. But if the coach wants a “man cover” guy, Dom will look for that type of DB. Bennett walked because Schiano expected too much from Bowers.
November 6th, 2013 at 9:37 am
“Thanks for the Clowney info guys. Maybe Lewan should be in Tampa Bay? He is a nasty SOB.”
You’re welcome Joe…..thats why Ive been all over Lewan just as much as Matthews. If we can get either one, it would be a great addition to the O line.