Building A Better Rush Defense
September 11th, 2015
Is Bucs DC Leslie Frazier building a top rush defense?
Joe understands Tampa Bay fans have done their best to rinse away the memories of the 2014 Bucs with untold number of beers if not fifths of Sambuca.
Yet, through the long nights and even longer head-pounding mornings, the tactic never works.
In particular, there was the rotten defense that got lit up like a flamethrower in complete curb-stompings against the Dixie Chicks and the Crows. Naturally, coaches are going to sift through the ashes and try to find any morsel of positivity amid the ruins.
That happened this week when de-fanged Bucs defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier had his weekly presser.
To be fair, Frazier brought up an interesting if not a valid point about what could be the defining element of Lovie’s Frazier’s defense: the rush defense.
“We finished in the Top 10 in [rush defense],” Frazier said. “The foundation was, kind of, laid and then what we’ve done this offseason as well. The familiarity with our players and what we asking them to do and how we want them to do it. All those things contribute to why we think we will be an improved group.
“We’ve added some pieces. We think adding Henry Melton should help us. Adding [Tony] McDaniel should help us as well. Having a new middle linebacker who, although he’s a rookie, that will help us. We think our secondary is deeper now. We think we are a little more talented in the secondary. We have some reasons to believe we will be better across the board.”
Well, first off, let’s just say either Frazier has his stats messed up or he is, um, stretching the truth. The Bucs, in fact, were not a top-10 rush defense last year. Middle of the pack? OK.
Per NFL.com, the Bucs allowed the 14th-most yards on the ground. Additionally, the Bucs were seventh in most rushing touchdowns allowed.
Is the rush defense really that good? First, lets remember that Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht went out and signed defensive tackle Tony McDaniel, in part, because the Bucs were running up the middle on that same defense so well in the early days of training camp.
But let’s take Frazier’s statement at face value, just for the helluva it. If the Bucs’ rush defense becomes this good, it is always the goal of any defense to make an opponent one-dimensional. Again, that is good.
The bad part is, can the Bucs slow down the other dimension, the passing game? It’s fine to stifle a team’s run game, but what’s the point if you cannot stop the pass?
At least this Sunday, Joe will be more than happy if the Bucs force rookie Marcus Mariota to air the ball out, say, 30 or more times.
To hear more from Frazier, click the arrow below. Audio courtesy of Joe’s friends at WDAE-AM 620.
September 11th, 2015 at 1:53 pm
If Marcus throws 30 times he will probably be sacked zero times and carve up this zone scheme that gives receivers a free release and the DBs play 5-25 yards off the receiver
September 11th, 2015 at 2:09 pm
joe,
umm… pretty sure he was talking about preseason. an improved group over the offseason has lead to a top 10 rush defense this preseason…
im not saying,… but im just saying
September 11th, 2015 at 2:11 pm
If one is citing preseason stats, that is the ultimate in spin. FYI, Frazier qualified his comment as “last year.”
To quote the great Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, preseason is a complete waste of time..
September 11th, 2015 at 2:21 pm
Well, first off, let’s just say either Frazier has his stats messed up or he is, um, stretching the truth. The Bucs, in fact, were not a top-10 rush defense last year. Middle of the pack? OK.
*****************
lol, facts matter.
September 11th, 2015 at 2:30 pm
My biggest concern for the Titans game is that we will get a massive interior push from our elite DT’s, only to have Mariota break containment and gain first downs with his legs.
Please, oh please, Bucs, prove me wrong. I don’t want to see multiple 3rd and longs that get converted due to scrambling by Mariota.
September 11th, 2015 at 2:37 pm
Any one see the report of Aldon smith to choose raiders and it had us as a team pursuing him
September 11th, 2015 at 2:47 pm
joe,
oook, im not sure why youre upset about it. i was just saying that i think he was referring to the Bucs 10th place finish in defending the run during the 2015 preseason. Whether preseason is a waste of time or not is irrelevant. Didn’t mean to make you push you over the edge. apologies
September 11th, 2015 at 2:49 pm
One of Mariota’s strengths is going through his reads very quickly. Worked well for him in Oregon and will work well for him in TN too more than likely.
Bucs in the past have gotten eaten alive by quick slants, screens and ‘broken plays’ where they allow the QB to break contain. All three play to Mariota’s strengths, even as a rookie.
Still, your offense can’t score if it’s not on the field. Just hoping that the Bucs offense (all year long) can win the time-of-possession battle and do a lot better at converting 3rd downs.
September 11th, 2015 at 3:06 pm
Panic button pressed at One Buc Palace. smh
September 11th, 2015 at 3:11 pm
Anthony:
Frazier was not referring to the preseason (which is a silly concept to begin with). It is not in the audio, it is not in the transcript, it wasn’t even referenced in the question. Frazier himself — his own words — began the answer saying “last year.”
Unless Joe has totally lost grasp of the English language, “last year” does not mean “preseason.”
September 11th, 2015 at 3:11 pm
So, Aldon Smith signs with Raiders. Another shining example of players who could help this team we’ve either passed on or been passed over by. This regime is Leaman Bennett bad. Jake Long has been ok’d by James Andrews to play. Have we brought him in? I bet Richie Ingonito has a monster year in Buffalo. I hope for a great season as does everyone on JoeBucsFan, but do you really think it’ll happen with a garbage front office and a clueless head coach?
September 11th, 2015 at 3:18 pm
So how come he’s not playing? For anyone.
You have to help Joe out on this one. How can a guy help a team when he’s suspended? Doesn’t a player have to be on the field to help, or does a fourth DUI/hit and run/knife fight/love triangle/brawl with the starting quarterback somehow magically inspire a team to rise up?
Guessing you aren’t aware he’s facing a suspension that hasn’t come down yet.
You cannot depend on this guy at all except to be a menace. This guy is Tanard Jackson II, Smith’s problem is he is mentally ill (seriously) time bomb and instead of a bong, he can’t put a bottle down.
Notice no decent team kicked the tires? Wonder why?
Odd, huh?
September 11th, 2015 at 3:20 pm
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Smith chose the Raiders over the Jaguars, Buccaneers, and Rams.
Arrggh
(In My Bob Barker Voice)
Willie Young C’mooooon down
September 11th, 2015 at 3:22 pm
I’ll be watching to see if Lovie blitzes the crap out of Mariota like everybody else does to rookie QBs or if he stays with the usually invisible 4 man rush…
September 11th, 2015 at 3:35 pm
I can’t remember any decent team – that was willing to sign Marshawn Lynch back in 2010. The Kid has issues no doubt. But with the right mentor – he can turn the corner.
Kinda reminds me of when 49ers traded away HOF’er Charles Haley (Remember he was considered a major head case). Teams were waiting for the 9er’s to release him – but instead he was shipped off to Dallas.
September 11th, 2015 at 3:38 pm
Not a fan of his off field issues but I will say Mack + Smith gives the Raiders a scary LB corps.
September 11th, 2015 at 3:45 pm
Richie Incognito is a pig and a disgusting human being. He has been trouble for every team he has played on since high school. He’s truly a disgusting human being and he is a thug!!!
Joe just told you about Aldon Smith. If it’s true that the Bucs were actually considering him I’m hugely disappointed.
For the first time since the SB years we have character in our locker room. We had character when we won the SB so you criminal lovers…bad boy lovers who believer you have to be an aaahole to be a good football player are simply wrong.
Schiano was brought in to bring some discipline to a team that was out of control. He failed in large part not just because his methods were rigid and juvenile, but also because of the cancers in the locker room.
I’m the optimist here…10- baby…but we’re nowhere near competing even for a Conference title much less an SB. We are not one player away from success.
Dang..Incognito is clearly a locker room cancer…not based on just one or two incidents but a long history including Nebraska getting so desperate they sent him to a clinic to get help! He’s an OL and at least that is an area of dramatic need.
But Aldon Smith is a freaking LB…that’s not even an area of need.
Before you Incognito lovers and Aldon Smith lovers bring that weak sheet to this site perhaps you should hit Wikipedia and simply type their names in to see what they’re really like. Be prepared to read awhile both Incognito and Smith have long disgusting rap sheets. At least Smith wreaked his havoc off the field Incognito has ruined locker rooms and cost teams wins with his uncontrollable temper on the field.
September 11th, 2015 at 3:46 pm
Joe,
i still dont understand why youre so upset. Sure, maybe he was talking about last year. Preseason made sense to me, but im wrong (as you pointed out so gracefully). Im not sure why continually get so hostile with your readers. Whatever i did to upset you, i apologize… again.
September 11th, 2015 at 4:23 pm
Look, I’m not a fan of off the field headaches. Aldon Smith is, in my opinion, a terrible human being, but a hell of a player. He is cleared to play Sunday. We have a couple undrafted journeymen playing DE. Wouldn’t it be in the Bucs best interest to at least bring someone like him in, even for a few games? That’s all I’m saying. Sorry to the ethics police.
September 11th, 2015 at 5:22 pm
Joe yhink he means last 8 games or last 6 games.
September 11th, 2015 at 9:13 pm
But he didn’t say that. It is crystal clear what Frazier said. To imply Frazier “meant” something other than what he actually said is guesswork.
Listen to the audio. He didn’t even try to correct himself.
September 11th, 2015 at 9:16 pm
Not trying to be hostile. But when someone suggests Joe is misquoting someone when he not, Joe gets defensive (because Joe cares).
Nothing more. Didn’t mean to come across as hostile at all.
September 11th, 2015 at 9:50 pm
bucs were 10 in run defense in the last half of the season some of your are just talking to be talking the bucs d is what kept them in most of the games last year bucs will surprise this year
September 11th, 2015 at 9:51 pm
I wouldnt mind the fact that we play zone so much if the damn corners would take the only five yards that is given to them by league rules and JAM THE DAMN RECIEVERS!!!THROW THEM OUT OF RYTHYM. FOR CHRIST SAKE ISNT THAT COMMON SENSE. MAYBE NOT EVERY PLAY BUT HOLY CRAP ITS LIKE WE ARE HOSTING A BED A BREAKFAST OUT THERE ON DEFENSE. KINDA LIKE PITTSBURGHS NEW ZONE DEFENSE LOOKED LAST NIGHT!!!
September 11th, 2015 at 11:41 pm
F#@&ing Aldon Smith?????
Really? Some of you want him???
The guy has therapy and/or prison in his future, not football.
I wants pass rush too, but get a grip.