Another Bottom-Feeder Stat For Bucs’ Defense
December 15th, 2015
It’s no surprise that on SiriusXM NFL Radio today there was loads of chatter about the New York Giants’ porous defense after they played on Monday Night Football last night.
Talking heads railed about how the Giants can’t make the playoffs because their defense can’t get off the field on third down.
And then the stats came out. The Giants are the 31st-ranked defense on third down. And guess who is dead last. That’s right. It’s the Bucs.
Teams facing Tampa Bay convert 46.6 percent of their third down snaps into first downs. That weakness was on display Sunday, when Drew Brees led the Saints to all kinds of success on third down against the Bucs.
The good news is the Bucs should be able to improve Thursday against the Rams and quarterback Case Keenum, who owns a career completion percentage of 54.5 percent. Speaking of completion rates, the Bucs have the softest defense in that department, allowing 68.7 percent of throws to connect.
Of course, that numbers is tightly tied to the third-down woes.
December 15th, 2015 at 2:34 pm
Someone should calculate the average amount of yards of separation the opposition receivers have from the cornerbacks at the point of completion, I bet we’d be number one in amount of avg yards!!! It’s a Bucs Life!
December 15th, 2015 at 2:38 pm
It’s tricky to put a good defense together.
It’s also Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that’s right on time
It’s Tricky, it’s Tricky (Tricky) Tricky (Tricky).
December 15th, 2015 at 2:48 pm
@ Aristotle
That was Funny, but I was mad as he!! on Sunday watching all those wide open receivers. It was like our corners were just standing in one spot all afternoon.
December 15th, 2015 at 2:50 pm
Hope we don’t make an ‘all pro’ out of Keenum
December 15th, 2015 at 2:50 pm
Keenum is going to have a career day against the Bucs.
December 15th, 2015 at 2:52 pm
LOL @Buc1987, You’re crazy man!
December 15th, 2015 at 3:02 pm
Another reason to fire Lovie and hire Koetter. Then hire a DC that won’t be as stubborn.
December 15th, 2015 at 4:00 pm
I remember a few years ago laughing at the fact that the Bucs were facing Austin Davis and how the Bucs were going to bounce back after getting blasted by journeyman Derek Anderson. Then Austin Davis shoved it right up our collective rear portions.
December 15th, 2015 at 4:25 pm
We struggle against second and third string quarterbacks. I’m sure we’ll make Case Kennum look like a hall of famer.
December 15th, 2015 at 4:30 pm
Going to be a morgue around here if Bucs win Thursday night. Rams are a mess right now. Owners are voting in Feb. on who goes to LA–Rams, Chargers or Oakland? Rams go and I don’t know if Jeff Fisher’s got it in him to nursemaid another team like he did when the Oilers split to Nashville. As far as bottom feeders go, the entire NFC Least is a good example. Worse than the Bucs even with Lovie and the infamous secondary.
December 15th, 2015 at 5:07 pm
We should send all 10 after the QB……keep one safety back to try to tackle the receiver if completed…..why not….we can’t cover anyway…might as well put total pressure on the QB…….HANDS UP!!!! DON’T POOT!!!
December 15th, 2015 at 5:29 pm
That stat is even worse when you look and see how soft the schedule has been!!! The schedule is so soft, I am expecting the Bucs to announce they are playing in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl game!!!!!
To have this stat, against all the tomato cans that they play is more than embarrassing!!! Can’t wait to hear how the sheep spin this one!!!
December 15th, 2015 at 5:40 pm
I’d be shocked if the Rams don’t score at least score 27
December 15th, 2015 at 5:42 pm
I doubt that much more than a handful of current players on defense will be on the Bucs roster in 2-3 years. Watching our defense play is maddening, but the talent just isn’t there right now. Doesn’t really matter much what defensive scheme you run if you don’t have the horses.
December 15th, 2015 at 5:51 pm
Defense Rules….then I know one thing. I’m pretty certain I’m not going to get all riled up during FA while L & L are in charge of bringing in “the horses.”
December 15th, 2015 at 6:03 pm
Yeah some of these horses are ready for the pasture or glue factory. The line ends way back there.
December 15th, 2015 at 6:15 pm
“…The good news is the Bucs should be able to improve Thursday against the Rams and quarterback Case Keenum, who owns a career completion percentage of 54.5 percent…”
Joe(s), you know you just jinxed us, right?
December 15th, 2015 at 6:24 pm
Loved Run-DMC back in the day.
December 15th, 2015 at 7:07 pm
What’s the point of harping on this in article after article?
We all know they don’t have DEs and DBs. That is the reason for the 3rd downs and completion %.
It’s why I don’t get upset or frustrated at s kiss or when Brees lights them up.
Lovie is basically working with DTs and LBs and nothing more on defense.
December 15th, 2015 at 7:29 pm
Most of our problems on 3rd down against the Saints were because the Safeties can’t cover. 7, 3rd down conversions against our Safeties. Bradley McDougald was the worst with 3, 3rd down conversions including the killer 3rd and 21 and a 3rd and 13. Major Wright also struggled with 2, 3rd down conversions and 4, pass completions. Chris Conte and Keith Tandy had one 3rd down conversion each. 2, 3rd down conversions were due to penalties. First Drew sacked by Kourtnei Brown for -7 yards. Penalty on Howard Jones: Illegal Use of Hands, 5 yards, automatic first down. Second Drew Brees pass incomplete deep left intended for Brandin Cooks. Penalty on Alterraun Verner: Defensive Holding, 5 yards automatic first down. I thought it was interesting that Sterling Moore only had one 3rd down conversion and Hey Jude had none. Jude Adjei-Barimah gave up six receptions while Moore only gave up three. Bradley McDougald, Major Wright and Jude Adjei-Barimah need to be replaced.
December 15th, 2015 at 10:16 pm
McCoy is not getting any penetration.
December 15th, 2015 at 10:30 pm
I have a feeling that Case Keenum will be a household name on Friday morning. Some of the worst performances I’ve ever seen the Bucs have were against scrub QBs.
Doesn’t matter anymore. All that does matter is how Jameis can finish the season and his progress into 2016. I’m expecting big things from our offense next season. That defense though…. I’m still not sold on the scheme. We have been exposed time and time again and it’s costing us games. And here is the kicker, how many good offenses did we play this year? Pats? Denver? Cinci? Cards? None with the exception of the Panthers and a washed up Drew Brees and the only reason he didn’t put up bigger stats the first game was that he hurt his arm. I.like to win
December 15th, 2015 at 10:34 pm
I have a feeling that Case Keenum will be a household name on Friday morning. Some of the worst performances I’ve ever seen the Bucs have were against scrub QBs.
Doesn’t matter anymore. All that does matter is how Jameis can finish the season and his progress into 2016. I’m expecting big things from our offense next season. That defense though…. I’m still not sold on the scheme. We have been exposed time and time again and it’s costing us games. And here is the kicker, how many good offenses did we play this year? Pats? Denver? Cinci? Cards? None with the exception of the Panthers and a washed up Drew Brees and the only reason he didn’t put up bigger stats the first game was that he hurt his arm. I love it when the Bucs win, but we can’t get by top shelf teams with the defense we have been playing.
December 15th, 2015 at 10:39 pm
Godzilla13
All good points. The team isn’t ready for success. Even when we put Brees on the ground or he mads a terrie throw, we just hand them a first down because of a lack of discipline. Its almost as bad as Evans has been on offense. Hey, I love the kid but damn he has to keep his hands to himself. Hes too big and strong to need that push off crutch.
December 16th, 2015 at 8:43 am
Blame Lovie all you want, blame the T-2, which most of the teams using have a good defenses, but considering the Bucs have exactly one #1 draft pick playing for them on D, and very little money invested in the D, they are performing well above their paygrades and draft statuses. Lovie may not be killing it, but he is making chicken salad out of chicken $#!%. Chicken salad might not be great, but it’s decent. Just like the D.