He Can Do It All
May 18th, 2016
Any scheme is good.
Joe gets the question all the time: Are the Bucs going to run a 43 defense or a 34 defense?
From what Joe gathers talking to Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith, the answer is yes.
Joe has learned from Smith that he refuses to be boxed in. Whenever he is asked about defensive fronts, he sort of suggests that if a 43 is over-shifted or the splits are pushed, then it morphs into a 34.
The short answer to the question is Smith, on certain plays, will likely break out a 34. The personnel of the Bucs is not stocked with players to run a 34 base defense full-time.
So that brings up another question: How will first round draft pick Vernon Hargreaves be used? Per Jordon Plocher of Pro Football Focus, it doesn’t matter what kind of defense the Bucs run, Hargreaves is that good; he can play in any package.
Hargreaves had the most fluid movement in off-coverage of all the corners in this draft class. Although he lost at the point of attack more than he would have liked this past season, he still graded pretty well and never deterred from his aggressive style of play. He will need to limit some of his gambling ways, but Hargreaves gives Tampa Bay the possibility of having a playmaking corner without any scheme adjustments. Hargreaves also has the ability to bump inside in sub packages and play slot corner, which only adds to his versatility and value.
Joe likes that the top two picks, Hargreaves and Noah Spence, can be utilized in various ways. Bucs linebackers coach Mark Duffner noted Spence could, at times, play outside linebacker if the Bucs want to show a 34 front.
You may not call this drama, OK. But it sure as hell qualifies as intrigue.
May 18th, 2016 at 8:09 am
Its exciting Joe!!! Much more than hearing coach my scheme saying that the same 4 have to win there 1 on 1’s, while never adjusting the same vanilla, outdated scheme!!! That was not coaching, that was just hoping you had overwhelming talent!!!!!!!
So excited to see how Deceptive this defense will be in its looks!!! Players are really going to have to work on not tipping off their assignments!!! Once it gets rolling it will be fun to watch Buc Football again!!!!!!!!!!!
May 18th, 2016 at 8:22 am
I can’t wait till fans can realize just how talented VH3 really is. It doesn’t matter where u put him, he can succeed at any one of the positions. He loves the challenge and has all the Confidence in the world in himself, not to mention a Lil swagger as well, Wich I love. It was great to watch him throught his whole career at UF, and when u watched him u just knew he was a special player that was gonna succeed on the next level. And to watch him go from my favorite college team to my favorites team overall in the Bucs is truly a gift & privilege.
May 18th, 2016 at 8:43 am
Spot on Dem Boys.
There’s another Gator DB that I would love for the Bucs to pick up in next years Draft- Jalen Tabor.
Kids got mad skills and just as much swagger as VH3.
Good to see another Gator Fan in the room in a house full of nole fans.
GO BUCS!
May 18th, 2016 at 8:44 am
It is nice to have a REAL DC as opposed to one of Lovie’s “washed up I need a job” buddies……and none of Lovie’s kids on the staff — a good start
May 18th, 2016 at 8:45 am
It will not be some new never before seen defense in the NFL. So who really cares 34 ,43 or anything else. It will still be up to the coaching and players to get the job done.
May 18th, 2016 at 8:52 am
Buc Realist- do you think Winston is the franchise QB you want? Do you think licht has a good plan and believe in him? Do you like the kicker move? Yesterday you once again avoided any position so you can just come on here and bash Bucs. Please state what you actually support. I know you can’t because you like being “the wizard of Bucs” all knowing and all after the fact.
May 18th, 2016 at 9:09 am
I like Hargreaves and want the Bucs to complete the circle after watching tape of UF CB Jalen Tabor. They’re great friends and Tabor can also ball! Would be a nice matched set! Go Bucs!
May 18th, 2016 at 9:14 am
@I don’t know why
I did answer your first question, which in return you tried to qualify after the fact that it was not right because of points you made up afterward!!! So I will not waste time giving you answers that you do not want to hear to begin with!!!!
If you have been on this site more than a year, then you know that I am not afraid to go on the record or make a bold prediction!!! You are just going to have to wait in line and just read my post like everyone else!!!!!
May 18th, 2016 at 9:25 am
A lot of folks judging by Joe’s twitter feed.
Joe is convinced many GMC haters want the Bucs to go 34 because, indirectly, that would lead to the end of his days with the Bucs.
May 18th, 2016 at 9:25 am
@ Realist
A seasoned politician couldn’t have answered(not answered) that question any better……so, you really like and don’t like the kicker selection…..
May 18th, 2016 at 9:28 am
@Tampabaybucfan
Maybe!!!
May 18th, 2016 at 9:32 am
I read this all the time. You play the fence then bring out the baseball. Just letting everyone know how you operate. So many make a stand on here, I respect that. You I don’t.
May 18th, 2016 at 9:33 am
Every player the Bucs drafted this year has position versatility expect the kicker and JBF reported that he was punting at rookie camp.
New Blood and Versatility are the key words I’m hearing over and over from this 2016 coaching and managmt staff.
May 18th, 2016 at 9:45 am
Hey the dumb question of the day! In the old days kickers used to drop kick the ball before holders came into play.
I wonder if the rules are still the same? If RA lines up as if to punt but ends up drop kicking it through the goal posts is that three? What if he misses? Does it come back out to the line of scrimmage?
May 18th, 2016 at 9:48 am
if the defensive players had a hard time learning lovies system(43), what makes everyone think they can learn a system that requires players to know concepts, alignments and responsibilities of basically 2 systems 34 and 43….GO BUCS!!!
May 18th, 2016 at 9:49 am
“I know why Says:
May 18th, 2016 at 8:52 am
Buc Realist- do you think Winston is the franchise QB you want? ”
You keep making vague references about Jameis. Just spit it out. Say what you mean, don’t be shy.
May 18th, 2016 at 9:51 am
Versatility is the name of the game. BTW, does anyone think that Coach Smith is going to e-mail his schemes to the puclic???? I like this, a lot better than that soke and mirrors mularkey we seen with the now Illini coach “Lovie” (My guess for Lovie at Champaign: 3-9 with a conference win vs Indiana, and 2 1-AA wins, schedule USF coach!!!!)
May 18th, 2016 at 9:55 am
I support Winston. Does realist?
May 18th, 2016 at 9:57 am
Bingo Stang that’s “this team will be molded after the NewEngland Patrots”at it’s finest.
May 18th, 2016 at 10:02 am
Boy will I be happy when we can have a Buc conversation without kicking a dead horse (Tom!)! Come on football season.
Yes, it will be very exciting to see how these players will be utilized in a new defense. Hopefully, we’ll have some guys step up.
Go Bucs!
May 18th, 2016 at 10:12 am
The more schemes you can run the harder it is for opposing teams to game plan against you. This is great news as our defense has been stagnate of late.
May 18th, 2016 at 10:40 am
lol I think he might have you pegged Rhealist… to a point.
We DO have Rhealist on record as saying it’s nice to finally have a good defensive coach in Mike Smith.
So if Smith bombs perhaps we can pile on???
May 18th, 2016 at 10:48 am
@Buc1987
You and the rest of my fellow posters can excuse “I don’t know why”. He is still upset that I exposed the truth that the pop-star was a terrible GM ( its widely known, I just wanted to say “exposed” ). I think the dumbnik signed his bobble head or something so he is a huge fan, no matter the truth!!!!
The Buc Realist does not take requests. You just have to read them when they come!!! And I will put my past predictions and source leaks against anyone here!!!! Just use the search archive if need be!!!
May 18th, 2016 at 10:49 am
Actually Rhealist is fired up about this whole team. We have the posts now.
He IS excited for the season to start.
May 18th, 2016 at 10:50 am
Why don’t we sign Brandon Boykin for the slot, and let Vernon do what he do best on the outside.
May 18th, 2016 at 10:58 am
“I know why Says:
May 18th, 2016 at 9:55 am
I support Winston. Does realist?”
He was a big Glennon guy, but, I can’t say I remember him ever saying anything negative about Winston.
I support his crusade to spotlight Dominik’s ineptitude. That being said, it’s unnecessary. If he were even decent, another franchise would have hired him. Even guys like Mike Tannenbaum get second chances.
The proof is in the pudding.
May 18th, 2016 at 11:18 am
@Love. Are coach Gruden and coach Dungy bad coaches because they never got rehired or did they find a great career in the media?
May 18th, 2016 at 11:39 am
StPeteBucsFan-That ain’t a dumb question. It actually a pretty interesting part of the game. To answer it Yes. You can still make a FG by doing a drop kick and counts for 3points. I’m unsure what happens if you miss it but assume the other team gets it from the kicking spot. The only one I ever saw was done by the Patriots about five years ago and I think Tom Brady kicked it……from like the five yard line.
Now if you go for a punt and it goes through the uprights I don’t think that counts. Pretty sure there is formation issue because on punts the kicker is about ten yards behind the center. From that formation it may only count as a punt. Drop kicks are a lot tougher then punts because the kicker has less room to put a lot of leg into the kick. Good question though, maybe somebody else can further clarify.
May 18th, 2016 at 11:41 am
Joe Says:
May 18th, 2016 at 9:25 am
So who really cares 34 ,43 or anything else.
A lot of folks judging by Joe’s twitter feed.
Joe is convinced many GMC haters want the Bucs to go 34 because, indirectly, that would lead to the end of his days with the Bucs.
———————
Why can’t he play DE? Other than “it’s not his natural position” I don’t understand it. He has the speed to get around the corner. He fast, quick and strong. Others throughout the league play DT an DE ie Ayers. Does he just refuse to play any other position?
May 18th, 2016 at 11:45 am
@I know why
1. You should see a Doctor about the blow to your head and the subsequent amnesia. I hate to break it you but……Tony Dungy, in fact, coached the Peyton Manning led Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl title after being fired in Tampa. He then retired. I would be surprised if he weren’t getting offers if he chose to coach again.
2. You may consider it speculation, but, Gruden has had many offers to coach. It’s even believed that Tampa actually reached back out to him in recent years.
Don’t get me wrong, Dominik’s coiffed mane is built to be in front of camera, rather than offering Albert Haynesworth even more $ than the Redskins. But, I digress.
May 18th, 2016 at 12:31 pm
@DB55, this is what GMC had to say when most mock drafts had the Bucs taking Aaron Donald in 2014. Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy has seen the mock drafts pegging former Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald to Tampa Bay with the seventh pick in the draft. And McCoy has one thing to say about it: I’m not changing positions for a rookie.
Some fans responded to McCoy by saying that’s a selfish attitude, but McCoy said it’s simply a matter of knowing what he does best. McCoy says he can best help his team as a three-technique tackle, and that if the Bucs draft another three-technique tackle, they’d be better off giving that rookie the starting job and having McCoy as the second-string three-technique.
May 18th, 2016 at 12:37 pm
Speaking for Pablo
“Pablo ranks Mark Dominick as a GM at the same level as Pablo ranks the Realist on tipping…..at the very bottom. The Realist missed Mark Dominick the other night….Mark was across the table watching Pablo dance…..Mark was in drag, so Pablo understands how the Realist missed him. FYI…..Mark (Marla) looked really good”
May 18th, 2016 at 1:18 pm
@pablo
Maybe The Realist was still upset from that one time you mowed the lawn. And one of my mangoes from the tree went missing!!!!!!!!!!
May 18th, 2016 at 1:41 pm
I think it is pretty obvious to most that Lovie’s scheme was outdated.
I found it odd the Verner was a probowl player and then stinks under Lovie or hearing Jonathan Banks saying he has not back peddled or played press coverage since college.
Lovie and Kiffen’s system worked great primarily because the Bucs were the most talented defense in the NFL for may years.
When the Bucs won the super bowl they had arguably the best DT, the best pass rushing DE, the best LB and one of the best corners and safety in the league.
It’s actually kind of sad we only won one SB with the talent we had. Kind of reminds me of the Braves and Florida State football during the 90’s only winning one or two championships despite having superior talent.
May 18th, 2016 at 1:54 pm
I know why – I’ve called Realist out on this before.
The closest thing he’s laid out as a positive or prediction is Mike Smith as DC and being happy we fired Lovie. Other than that he typically has just been a redundant trash talker of every obvious bad aspect of the Bucs. He was right about hating Lovie but he was negative about everything in general and acts like Nostradamus for being negative about one of the worst teams in the NFL the last like 10 years; which is the safest and easiest position to take until we start winning. I’m over it all and just glad he’s finding some optimism for once in something
May 18th, 2016 at 2:35 pm
I was not a VH3 supporter but I am pulling for the kid. I wish he came from a program with more wins than former players in prison but you can’t have everything.
Hang in their realist they are coming at you hard today…
Dungy’s legend is far greater than his actual accomplishments. The hall lost a lot of credibility putting Dungy in ahead of Jimmy Johnson and Tom Flores or even Dan Reeves. Dungy should have won at least one superbowl with bucs and 2 with the Colts therefore he failed both those teams. Dungy was lucky he was coaching against one of the members from his pathetic coaching tree Lovie Smith. Let’s be clear about Dungy’s coaching tree they never won anything…. Tomlin is not a Dungy guy he coached 1 year under Dungy the rest under Gruden so get that straight from the beginning. Marinelli had that wonderful 0-16 season. Lovie had 1 good year in 10 as a head coach and embarassed himself and his family coming back to tampa, Herm failed twice. the book is still out on caldwell but he’s had his bad days too.
As far as Dominick. He was a horrible GM but did good things with the Cap and in the community. I am a VET so, I appreciate what he did for veterans in the bay area but he sucked at talent evaluation and made a huge mistake taking GMC over Suh. The clayborne and bowers picks were mind boggling and obviously failures too.
May 18th, 2016 at 2:42 pm
@tmaxcon
I agree that Dominick was a horrible GM……but he didn’t take GMC over Suh…..Suh was drafted one pick before GMC…..we’ll never know which player he would have taken.
Dominick has plenty of bad picks to choose from other than that.
May 18th, 2016 at 2:44 pm
@tmaxcon
I am just happy that some of the sheep and others have crawled out of their hiding spots and are trying to finally say something!!!
“What you lookin’ at? You all a bunch of fu@k!n’ a$$holes. You know why? You don’t have the guts to be what you wanna be? You need people like me. You need people like me so you can point your fu@k!n’ fingers and say, “That’s the bad guy.” So… what that make you? Good? You’re not good. You just know how to hide, how to lie. Me, I don’t have that problem. Me, I always tell the truth. Even when I lie. So say good night to the bad guy! Come on. The last time you gonna see a bad guy like this again, let me tell you. Come on. Make way for the bad guy. There’s a bad guy comin’ through! Better get outta his way!”
May 18th, 2016 at 2:44 pm
Tampabaybucfan
my bad… thanks for catching it sir… i knew it when i hit submit that i worded it wrong.
May 18th, 2016 at 3:01 pm
@tmaxco…college wins don’t translate to the nfl….in case you haven’t noticed vhg went to uf not fsu…..dungy failed no one….by your definition peyton manning failed the colts and the broncos…the hof is voted by people with actual knowledge of the game….something you don’t and will never have…GO BUCS!!!
May 18th, 2016 at 3:11 pm
813bucboi
you are in complete denial if you do not think dungy left super bowl wins on the table… here is a word that is foregin to you and that is “objective” you go look up Dan Reeves, Tom Flores and Jimmy Johnson and compare their actual accomplishments to dungy… You will find Dungy can not hold a candle to those guys. Johnson built his team… How many hall of famers did Dungy draft… Let me help you ZERO…. The media votes on hall of famers therefore it’s just like any election favoritism and the good ole boy network factors in… The media in this country is a joke. Manning did fail… He choked away multiple playoff games in his career.
May 18th, 2016 at 3:20 pm
“813bucboi Says:
May 18th, 2016 at 3:01 pm
.in case you haven’t noticed vhg went to uf not fsu”
I don’t think he was confused at all.
May 18th, 2016 at 3:32 pm
@tmaxcon….you can say that about almost every HOF coach or player…they left something on the table….db left tackles and ints on the table…sapp left sacks on the table…by your definition they don’t deserve to be in the hall….BS…as I said you have zero knowledge
@loveandwarrick….VHG is no crimiNOLE…is a GATOR!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
May 18th, 2016 at 3:39 pm
@tmaxcon…”How many hall of famers did Dungy draft… Let me help you ZERO…. “….that’s the job of the general manager….coaches coach…how many HOF players did dungy develop/coach….plenty….GO BUCS!!!
May 18th, 2016 at 3:47 pm
813bucboi
the point you missed is Johnson built his team. I clearly stated it. I was not confused by the way… No division 1 school has more ex players in prison than UF….. I stand by my statement The legend of Dungy is far greater than his actual accomplishments.
May 18th, 2016 at 3:51 pm
@Realist-…..says Tony Montana!
Greatest movie of all time! Well done sir!
May 18th, 2016 at 4:09 pm
@ Realist
The bad guy uh, lol. I like the reference, though it seems it what your saying is that you’re really not sure what you are, just stating something meaningless to make some feel inferior to you. I’ll smh to that and move on. State what you want, but at the end of the day you just like the rest of the trolls I’ve encountered, begging for attention that you can get on this blog because for some reason people actually take what you say personally. As for me, I will go along because people like you do provide entertainment, so “good night mr. self proclaimed called bad guy”!
May 18th, 2016 at 4:22 pm
@tmaxcon…one could argue jerry built those great teams….did jerry win a ring without jimmy?….did jimmy win a ring without jerry?…..FSU has way more convicts and I stand by that….they would have more than the nfl IF FSU/TALLAHASSEE ACTUALLY ARRESTED PLAYERS instead of sweeping it under the rug….GO BUCS!!!!
May 18th, 2016 at 4:30 pm
@tmaxcon…coaches coach….gm’s get the players….jerry has been in charge since day one….GO BUCS!!!
May 18th, 2016 at 4:31 pm
Dungy took two losing teams and made them contenders in a very short time. Just because others belong does not mean he does not. He also won a super bowl in a time that had few African American coaches, and was the first AA to win a super bowl. It is embarrassing that owners stayed clear of minority head coaches, but they did. It is time for baseball to figure this out, they are missing out on talented coaches for no good reason.
May 18th, 2016 at 4:35 pm
813bucboi
might want to get your facts straight before you question others knowledge. you are dead wrong on all aspects. go to ncaa website and do a search for div 1 athletes and prison sir… you will find that you are dead wrong. Jerry did not take over GM duties until Jimmy left if you bothered to pay attention to facts you would have known that is why jimmy left. i am glad you are a uf fanboy and a dungy cheerleader but that does not change the facts…. google is your friend sir….
May 18th, 2016 at 4:43 pm
McBuc
being a nice guy or African American has nothing to do with criteria to enter the hall. It’s for the best of the best not media favorites.
May 18th, 2016 at 5:09 pm
All of this 4-3, 3-4 talk. The Bucs should run the 0-7 Defense. No pass rush, but every receiver is double or triple covered!
May 18th, 2016 at 5:12 pm
@tmaxcon…jimmy left because he wanted full control of the roster….something jerry has always had and will never let go….so your wrong….that’s one thing everyone knows about the cowboys….Washington state has the most convicts(foxsports.com)…not florida…so your still wrong…..GO BUCS!!!!
May 18th, 2016 at 5:18 pm
@tmaxcon….On February 25, 1989, Jones purchased the Cowboys from H.R. “Bum” Bright for $140 million. Soon after the purchase, he fired longtime coach Tom Landry, to that point the only coach in the team’s history, in favor of his old teammate at Arkansas, Jimmy Johnson. A few months later, he fired longtime general manager Tex Schramm, and assumed complete control over football matters.[4]
The Cowboys won the Super Bowl at the close of two seasons in 1992 and 1993. Johnson then departed and was replaced by Barry Switzer. During Switzer’s tenure, the Cowboys also won the Super Bowl in the 1995 season
Wikipedia is your friend….jimmy wanted full control of the team so jerry fired him and showed him who really got the team to the mountain top…jimmy never won anything after dallas….I still think he’s a hell of a coach and will get in but to say dungy doesn’t deserve it just shows how little knowledge you have of football…GO BUCS!!!!
May 18th, 2016 at 5:57 pm
Lakeland
That “fan” was me. Lol, true story!
He took to Twitter to try to blast me. I was star stuck. A player was addressing a comment I made on a buc blog, how cool was that? To my credit Donald ended up being a great player. I think he even had more sacks and bigger impact over the last two years. But then again what do I know?
May 18th, 2016 at 8:12 pm
“813bucboi Says:
May 18th, 2016 at 5:12 pm
Washington state has the most convicts(foxsports.com)…not florida…so your still wrong…..GO BUCS!!!”
Care to share who was number 2 and who wasn’t?
May 18th, 2016 at 8:54 pm
Dungy, if no TV gig, no Hall of Fame.
May 18th, 2016 at 10:43 pm
At first I was not a fan of drafting Vernon Hargreaves. Now that we picked him it was the right choice. Our secondary is the number one priority. It was addressed in FA but we still needed a young potential shutdown CB. With our first round pick we drafted the best pure CB in not only this years draft, but the past few, exhibiting every quality of a great NFL CB. Hargreaves has some of the best footwork and ball skills you will ever see, and it’s apparent his football IQ is through the roof. He has attitude as well. Kind of like Jameis, only at CB. Remember those slant routes that were killing us last year, over and over again? With Hargreaves and Brent Grimes those days are over. Hargreaves is a physical, tough CB when playing at the LOS. Hargreaves is a special player who I predict will be an All-Pro in his first year.