Limit Scoring
March 31st, 2016
Things are looking up, Alterraun.
The phrase “limit scoring” can mean all sorts of things. Such wording offered on a steamy Florida Friday night in a thumping south Tampa hotspot amid dozens of scantily-clad lasses is almost un-American.
But when it comes to the Bucs’ defense, “limit scoring” is actually a smart thing.
Last year, as documented by Jeff Smith, formerly of FOX Sports and currently with something called “Today’s Pigskin,” the defense was a slap in the face to Bucs fans and must improve if Tampa Bay has any dreams of playing meaningful games in January.
KEEP OPPONENTS OUT OF THE END ZONE
Sounds simple enough, right? While, the Buccaneers didn’t give up a terrible amount of yards per game last season defensively (340.4), they did give up the sixth-most points per game at 26.1. Regardless of what they do, something has to change there. The defense stepped up big at times, but their inability to hold teams out of the end zone in key moments cost them multiple games. Expect the Buccaneers to add talent and depth through the 2016 NFL Draft, and it’ll be interesting to see what they look to address first, but it will more than likely be some type of secondary help.
Well, the first step to improving the defense was removing Mr. My Scheme, who crafted a defense that allowed opposing quarterbacks a galling 70 percent completion percentage.
Just that transaction alone will improve the defense, Joe is confident. The rest of the fix should fall into place quite nicely.
With an edge rusher, that is.
March 31st, 2016 at 5:26 am
“it’ll be interesting to see what they look to address first, but it will more than likely be some type of secondary help.”
Doubt that the Bucs will use their #9 pick to draft secondary help unless Ramsey is still on the board (not likely). We have to get an edge rusher one way or another to keep opposing QBs honest.
March 31st, 2016 at 6:16 am
Mr. My Scheme…one of your better nicknames of late, Joe.
For me, the most frustrating moments of last year were the camera shots of opposing quarterbacks laughing and grinning from ear-to-ear when looking at replays on their tablets after such simple scores. Hell, even when they came of the field you could see an expression of, “how in the hell did I miss him so wide-open”.
I know many saw those same giddy expressions. I expect to see less of that this year.
March 31st, 2016 at 6:31 am
These national folks just continue to show how little they know about our beloved Bucs. In the secondary we have 2 guys who have made probowl and one (at one time ) promising young 2nd round pick. On the dline we have a pro bowler and a bunch of cast offs. Yeah we need to draft secondary, these guys shouldn’t have a job they are so bad at it.
March 31st, 2016 at 7:04 am
Well we will find out this season if it was the talent or the scheme. My money is on the scheme but only time will tell.
It will be very interesting to see. We know some ayers like 93 and 54 are gonna blossom in any scheme but the Verners and the Contes are the ones to watch.
March 31st, 2016 at 7:33 am
There is more talent on the D Line on the roster today than we think . You have to remember, Lovie’s scheme was so basic, rush four and sit in cover 2, that it would take pro bowlers at every position for it to ever have a chance of success. And the scheme was flawed so the opposing QB always had an easy check down throw to make even when the pass rush was solid.
March 31st, 2016 at 7:54 am
@JOE
“Mr. My Scheme”
………………
LOL Touche’
March 31st, 2016 at 7:54 am
One of the better ways to keep the other team from scoring is to control the ball on offense…..and score early & often forcing them to be one-dimensional. I do hope we improve on D…..but I am really expecting big things from our Offense this year.
As for the draft, it will depend on who’s there at #9……and what sort of pick we get for Glennon.
I wouldn’t be surprised by any of these scenarios:
DE, DE, S
CB, S, DE
DE, WR, S
I do think we will draft a DE & a S in the first 3 rounds
Or it could be something completely different.
March 31st, 2016 at 9:08 am
I’ve noticed a marked increase in mock draft analyst leaning toward V. Hargreaves. I think with so many Florida fans and his local upbringing that he has become the popular choice for our #9 selection. Personally I believe we need an edge rusher or 2 edge rushers at #9 and #39. There are several good (not great) DE’s in this years draft, but the best by far are concentrated in the first and early second round. We have new coaches that may be able to revive our current pass defenders and we have addressed CB in free agency. It would be a huge mistake to let the best available edge rushers fall off the board early. Additionally, I think we need to stop looking at the rankings put out by analyst and consider the group between 25 and 39 as our #9 pick. One more opinion, we don’t need interior lineman (tweeters) we need edge rushers in the Simeon Rice mold. Fast and aggressive.
March 31st, 2016 at 9:12 am
Leonard Floyd, Emmanuel Ogbah, Noah Spence, Shaq Lawson.
March 31st, 2016 at 9:58 am
Thanks guys. 🙂
March 31st, 2016 at 10:20 am
Getting rid of Lovie is not going to “fix” the defense. A talent infusion was/is needed.
Licht did a decent job of bring in a trio of talented yet aging vets (Grimes,Ayers, Daryl Smith). These guys might do a decent job for 1 maybe 2 years – but more young talent is obviously needed. DE and Safety are positions that still need to be addressed with draft picks – and CB and LB will need help soon enough so also need addressing.
I wish there was a DE that is a perfect match at #9 – but IMO, they are going to be reaching at 9 if they go DE. I don’t believe Bosa is the answer even if he falls to 9.
March 31st, 2016 at 10:33 am
I’ve said it a zillion times, this Defense needed major revamping. All of you..me included has better pray all it was was Lovie’s scheme. Cause I got no confidence in Banks/Verner/mcDougle/conte and the Boys back there. Grimes will help. But we need a couple more secondary guys and a strong DE selection in the draft. We need more talent on Defense fellow Buc Fans.
March 31st, 2016 at 11:01 am
There’s no question that the D was our biggest weakness. However, as Tampabaybuc fan mentions, our offense needs improvement as well. The opposing team’s offense can’t score if it’s on the sideline.
March 31st, 2016 at 11:08 am
I think TBBF makes a point that is too often overlooked.
If our O picks it up and controls the ball and as TBBF pointed out scores early and makes the other team one dimensional…our defense will obviously look better.
We have the second leading rusher complemented by an excellent back in Sims…we have the makings of a really goood Oline…and our TE’s could blossom this year like our OL did last year.
March 31st, 2016 at 4:57 pm
Hey joe, just a suggestion. If you are going to talk about banging strippers, stop calling this a “family site”.