Seeking No Luck Repeat On Opening Day
July 5th, 2015
Dick LeBeau flummoxed Andrew Luck last year, Luck’s first look at LeBeau’s defense.
Joe is wildly intrigued by the Buccaneers’ opening day matchup. Forget Marcus Mariota and the Titans facing Tampa Bay, it’s America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, squaring off against legendary defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.
What a rough draw for young Jameis. LeBeau is known for his defensive trickery and relentless, creative blitzing.
The Titans hired LeBeau, who will be 78 on opening day, to fix their garbage defense. And they got him some toys in free agency, including Brain Orapko, who allegedly is healthy and ready to be a double-digit sack guy again.
While researching, Joe noted this nugget from BSPN Colts beat writer Mike Wells, who described how Andrew Luck fared against LeBeau in his only try — last season. It didn’t go well.
“… As far Pittsburgh’s defense goes, Luck threw for 385 yards largely because Indianapolis was playing catch up after falling behind by 25 points in the first half. The Steelers sacked Luck twice and also picked him off twice. I recall several Colts telling me afterward how the Steelers were disguising a lot of their coverages during the game. The Steelers weren’t a great defensively last season — 18th in the league — and now LeBeau’s challenge will be even tougher with the Titans because they finished 27th in the league last season. Tennessee did sign linebacker Brian Orakpo, safety Da’Norris Searcy and cornerback Perrish Cox in the offseason to help its defense.”
The comment on disguised coverages is where Joe’s focus lies. Man, LeBeau must be salivating at the chance to fool and frustrate Jameis. You just know LeBeau will make the rookie beat him.
Fun stuff to think about in July. Joe swears, Bucs fans will be ready for a freakin’ parade if the Bucs win on opening day and break the curse of the Den of Depression, where Tampa Bay was winless last year.
In a nod to the thinning Mike Glennon Mob, Joe will acknowledge that No. 8 foiled LeBeau in Pittsburgh last year with a fourth-quarter comeback, a ridiculously rare feat.
July 5th, 2015 at 9:39 am
My guess is that Winston will be studying a lot of film on LeBeau’s defense.
July 5th, 2015 at 9:41 am
Yeah, that’s one of the only games that Glennon actually played well. V-Jax had that clutch catch in the end zone though, that was a nice play.
July 5th, 2015 at 9:44 am
Greatly looking forward to this chess game unfolding.
July 5th, 2015 at 9:44 am
Been spending a bit of time in Nashvegas and Marcus is really surprising everyone. Zach didn’t do a bad job last year and they are sayin that it’s not even close between him and MArcus. So I’m more worried about mariota then their defense. I wonder if winston can beat out mike? So far he hasn’t
July 5th, 2015 at 9:50 am
Kudos to Glennon and the Bucs for that rare feat up in Pittsburgh last year. The law of averages must have come into play, I believe that was only the Bucs 2nd regular season win over the Steelers in team history. Those same laws of averages must prevail against Tennessee and the home opener is the place to get it done. Lebeau at 78, how does he stay standing through the entire game? He does present a tough nut to crack, he will attempt to get Winston on the ground often. I’m sure Koetter has a game plan already thought out to thwart that possibility. I agree, winning that game will be worthy of a parade.
July 5th, 2015 at 10:00 am
In College, Winston was stellar, against every blitz package known to man.
Just read what the Boston College coach had to say about him.
July 5th, 2015 at 10:41 am
Joe how has a Koetter offense done against a LeBeau defense?
July 5th, 2015 at 12:12 pm
“You just know LeBeau will make the rookie beat him.”
…like Glennon did.
July 5th, 2015 at 12:17 pm
Koetter v Lebeau, Steelers beat ATL 27-20 last year. Julio Jones was out, Harry Douglas had a big day, Hester had 5 rec-85yds, ATL had no running game (45 yards from Jackson). Ryan threw for 300 yds 2 TD 1 INT…but the 1 INT was a pick 6. Little bit of a mixed bag.
Similar to what their game vs Tampa, except Glennon didn’t throw a pick 6.
July 5th, 2015 at 12:44 pm
Who’s scared? I ain’t skerd and neither is “the winner”. Knuckle up fools we got this, akuma mattada.
July 5th, 2015 at 12:46 pm
Somebody needs to make a PLAY. it’s the NFL which comes down in most cases to one or two plays.
DB’s must hang on to game clinching ints. Receivers cannot drop first down passes.
Everybody talks about not making mistakes like fumbles and ints and that’s clearly important.
But it’s also the positive things that do not get taken care of that hurt as much as a fumble or int. When a DB gives an NFL QB another chance it’s usually not good.
I grew up across from Cincinnati as a Bengals fan. That Super Bowl loss of Sam’s to Montana was the perfect example. Late in the game Montana hit a Bengal DB right in the numbers with a clear int in the end zone. The Bengal dropped and you just can’t give Montana another chance.
We got to concentrate on freaking MAKING A PLAY and not working on our latest pose in the end zone. And so while ASJ is wasting mental energy trying to perfect a not very clever Capt Morgan pose, he can’t seem to find enough concentration to hang on to a first down pass with the resultant fumble turning into the opponent FG and losing the game.
Shame on ASJ. Can’t focus enough to train and stay healthy or to watch a ball completely into his hands but plenty of time to rehearse grandstanding bush league moves in the end zone. That should be a HUMILIATING memory for ASJ.
July 5th, 2015 at 2:13 pm
If a 2nd year pro with no o coordinator can beat Lebeau then so can Jameis with Koetter. No built in excuses!!! For Jameis or Lovie, time to win
July 5th, 2015 at 2:34 pm
Tampa Tony summed it up best^^^
Glennon managed to put a W in the column against a LONG ESTABLISHED Lebeau defense last year, with defensive players who knew how to run his system. Sorry but with Jameis as “booksmart” as he is supposed to be, and Lebeau coaching his system for the FIRST TIME EVER in Tenn, his defensive players should end up being more confused by the coverages he ends up calling then #3 should be…ESPECIALLY when Jameis has Gleenon’s first hand account to go along with last years game tape. GO BUCS!!!
July 5th, 2015 at 3:45 pm
If the Buccaneers could beat Lebeau and the Steelers in Pittsburgh last year with MG8, what do you think we will do to Labeau’s defense and the Marcus Mariota Titans this year? In a showcase game for the first two picks in this years draft, Jameis Winston will solidify why he was taken first over Mariota. You have to ask yourself how did the Bucs beat Pittsburgh last year in the first place? Mike Gleenon went 21-42 for 302 YDS, 2 TD and 1 INT. The OL actually played well and only gave up one sack. The defense also played well considering going against Ben Roethlisberger and Le’Veon Bell (19-63 0 TD). Pittsburgh also had more penalties 13 to 9. Most of all Tampa had no fumbles, no blocked punts, no blocked FG and not a single 12 men on the field penalties. It goes to show us what this team is capable of.
July 5th, 2015 at 3:52 pm
StPeteBucsFan… I forget about the ASJ pose, penalties just fall from the sky apparently.
July 5th, 2015 at 6:47 pm
The difference is that this is his first year in tenn… I expect his complicated defense to be a little more conservative early in the season. At least compared to the one he used for last 100 year in pits.
July 5th, 2015 at 8:46 pm
Exactly why was Lebeau let go from the Steelers?
July 6th, 2015 at 4:36 pm
That revamped…sort of…offensive line better be able to run block becasue until JW can prove he can read and beat defenses, won’t be surprising to see 8, 9 or even 10 in the box to stop the run and make him do it! Hopefully Warhop is a better coach than he’s shown in the past or this coould be yet another looong season. Hoping for the best but preparing for a tough go, at least early.
July 6th, 2015 at 5:56 pm
Jameis has problems reading underneath coverage’s. I’m sure they will take advantage of that. He had better learn quick. Mariota has been getting praises for his deadly accuracy, which bothers me more. Our secondary tends to give up yardage pretty easily.