“No Fly Zone” Largely Unenforced
December 30th, 2013
Here’s a sad stat to start your Monday: The Bucs’ heralded pass defense, the alleged “No Fly Zone,” allowed a whopping 30 touchdowns through the air in 2013.
That’s the same total the Bucs allowed last season, when they had one of the worst secondarys in the history of the NFL and the pass rush was even more anemic than it was this season.
Joe finds that TD total to be completely unacceptable, especially considering the three massive upgrades the Bucs made in the secondary, including swapping Darrelle Revis for E.J. Biggers.
The Bucs’ pass defense was so heralded this past offseason; it was given that official team nickname, “No Fly Zone.”
Unfortunately, the good officers at MacDill Air Force base likely weren’t impressed with the Bucs’ enforcement of said No Fly Zone. Tampa Bay finished with the NFL’s 15th-ranked pass defense. That’s not special when you’ve got major talent in the secondary and a good corps of linebackers.
Matt Ryan, Nick Foles, Drew Brees, Cam Newton and Kellen Clemens all had games of 70+ percent passing on the Bucs.
Tampa Bay tied for third in interceptions (21 versus 18 last season). That was good, and they cut down on explosive plays allowed. But the secondary didn’t send ripples of fear through NFL quarterbacks, and their run support was a step down from 2012. Roger Goodell neutering Dashon Goldson didn’t help matters.
The Bucs didn’t get what they paid for.
December 30th, 2013 at 9:50 am
I tried to tell everyone that the pop-star has built a terrible D-line. All i heard was that the secondary was going to give the d-line an extra second to sac the QB. How did that workout!!! Bucs need DE desperately!!!
December 30th, 2013 at 9:56 am
Same ‘ol story with the alleged “rock star”. He’s great at signing sexy, big name free agents, but horrible at building depth i.e. an entire team.
December 30th, 2013 at 9:56 am
Like Sapp said “It all starts up front”
Schiano’s plan did not worked. Bowers did not develop as Schiano predicted. Schiano’s development with Bowers failed.
Stunts allowed QB to have an eternity to throw the ball. This Schiano allowed over and over. In 2012, McCoy complaint about the stunts. In 2013 we see it again more and more.
When the new coach fixes these problems we will see the no fly zone.
December 30th, 2013 at 10:04 am
Realist…not saying Schiano had the D line coached up and schemed properly…but he didn’t build it…..Dom built it though the draft. Where do the Dom blinders come from in this area? I don’t get it…but then again, I live in the back yard where they do have a consistently successful franchise, so I have a different perspective.
December 30th, 2013 at 10:06 am
I would have signed grimes and one other
Db- then I would have drafted Sheldon Richardson and a wideout instead of bAnks- then I would not have let Bennett get away- that d line would be the no fly zone i can assure you.
December 30th, 2013 at 10:08 am
Excuse me realist…you are right on the money…I still can’t process this “pop star” or “rock star” thing. Ted Thompson is just known as TT…no gloss…no pop star…just a quality GM.
December 30th, 2013 at 10:08 am
We hardly ever really affected the QBs with our rush…they had far too much time. I recall Crabtree running around in circles on Banks in the endzone with Kaepernick finally hitting him for a TD. Banks didn’t stand a chance.
We absolutely must improve our D-line….Especialy at both Ends.
December 30th, 2013 at 10:12 am
The secondary should never have been billed as the “no fly zone” when both safeties are a liability in pass coverage. I don’t understand why this regime thought it was a good idea to sign Goldson when they already had a very similar player in Barron. What they needed was a true free safety that can cover the field. It seems like a complete lack of proper evaluation to me.
December 30th, 2013 at 10:14 am
Just way to many bad decisions by Dom from coaching decisions to player personnel. I hope he is being held accountable. I know I would if I messed up that much at my job.
December 30th, 2013 at 10:17 am
I don’t care who you put in the secondary for any “No Fly Zone” to work it starts up front.
Hear that DaQuan Bowers?
Hear that Daniel Teo’Neshim?
Hear that Adrian Clayborne?
December 30th, 2013 at 10:19 am
Goldson was ok, Revis was decent, Barron is avg at best in coverage and the rest of our group Banks, Gorrer, Johnson, etc are below avg players at this point. Not to mention the TE position in our division is beastly and we don’t know how to cover one. So yeah, thats a problem also.
Oh, and by the way, our Pass Rush is hot garbage which doesnt help the secondary a whole bunch.
Want a top 10 pass defense. We need banks and barron to improve in coverage, we need better back up corners and nickel and we need a couple of DE’s that can pressure the pocket. Good luck Dom. A little knot there for you to work on…..
December 30th, 2013 at 10:22 am
D-Rome what do you expect Teo-Nesheim to do? A-clay is playing just as he did in college (bigger bark than bite) and bowers out of shape and injured what can you expect?
December 30th, 2013 at 10:24 am
We need to look at free agency, drop Carl nicks get some cash and get Bennett back, rework Revis contract and draft The best player available
December 30th, 2013 at 10:37 am
There are some overpaid, overhyped, and overrated players on this roster. Need to part ways with some of these guys and get some cash and cap space back. You are what your record says you are and 4-12 backs that up
December 30th, 2013 at 10:45 am
You can draft the best prospects and bring in the highest priced free agents, but if your coaching is bad you still will not win football games in the NFL
December 30th, 2013 at 10:50 am
We don’t have a secondary. DR is improperly used. The safety play is adequate. Banks should have been a 6th round pick, he cannot tackle, cannot cover and is always out of position. The front defensive line is a joke save for one player. You have one excellent linebacker, an adequate mlb and no depth. Having said that, the defense is the star of the team, so where does that leave you. Coaching and talent evaluation is putrid at best.
If you start today with a building process, it will take 5 years to produce a consistent winner and that is only if you have someone at the helm to effect the process.
I think Team Galzer will give GS and your favored GM another shot, so I predict it will now take 7 years to produce once ownership, the fans have had enough.
I have seen enough to know I have seen too much.
December 30th, 2013 at 10:52 am
make that affect the process
December 30th, 2013 at 10:52 am
Goldson has been neutered by the NFL…Revis was injured/slowed still, Banks was a rookie and Johnson is who we though he was….and we let him off the hook! 🙂
December 30th, 2013 at 10:53 am
Fennelly took a flame thrower to the Glazers this morning. Boom!
December 30th, 2013 at 11:08 am
I love the bucs, I fly from Texas every year to watch a at least one home game. When you see these players live you just can’t help but see how badly coached these guys are. when I was there on Monday night vs the dolphins the fans we’re calm most of the game, but then it got crazy! We bucs fans still love this team but it’s easy see that this team is lacking real coaching. I’m sorry but banks is not very good. G McCoy needs help, 54 is playing amazing football as is foster, our safety’s are being pressured into doing to much for their skill set, and there is a reason why we can’t do anything on offense in the second half its cause our offense is still very predictable, a few adjustments from the opponent at halftime and the bucs are done. We have great talent at RB and WR that is being used very well at times, but sometimes the scheme, especially on 3rd down, is just bad. Please tampa bay front office GET RID OF THIS COACH, another year of his coaching and you will lose the fans until he is gone. And all this bull about the players buying into the system, I will put anything that there is not one player in that locker room that is comfortable with schiano. You can just see it in how they talk to each other.
December 30th, 2013 at 11:09 am
As Father Dungy has said, d-line is more important than secondary.
Rock star missed the memo.
December 30th, 2013 at 11:28 am
Everyone who said this is a D line talent/scheme issue are exactly right. The stunts need to stop and they need more talent and depth on the D Line.
December 30th, 2013 at 11:38 am
We need new perspectives organizationally from an organized group. If the Glazers are happy to win 5 to maybe 7 or 8 games next year and finish in 3rd or 4th in the division they will keep the leadership status quo unfortunately. I hope they consider that a number of fans will not support that decision moving forward.
December 30th, 2013 at 3:04 pm
@Vincente
I think you got it.