Rise Of The Secondary
June 11th, 2016
Part of a revolution
Joe doesn’t know which gives more nightmares: the thought of a nude Rosie O’Donnell knocking on Joe’s door, an unfortunate night years ago with scotch, or remembering last year’s Bucs secondary.
There are scores of football clinics and camps being held this summer where coaches and instructors show video of the Bucs’ secondary to their campers as an example of how not to defend the pass, in particular, the slant passes the Bucs seemed allergic to.
Opposing receivers were so wide open on slants, it was as if they carried the Ebola virus. It was insulting to thinking football fans.
Well, that will change this season, boasts Mike DiRocco of BSPN. He believes if there is any unit to rise from the dead, it is the Bucs’ secondary.
The Bucs’ secondary struggled in 2015, and they addressed the issue by adding veteran cornerback Brent Grimes and drafting cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III in the first round. Don’t overlook fourth-round pick Ryan Smith, though. He’s a small-school standout who will get a lot of work on special teams but also will work at safety.
Joe is confident the secondary will play better. It just has to. How much worse could it get after allowing a 70 percent completion percentage from opposing quarterbacks? That is both an outrage and beyond the pale. Five lawn chairs could have defended as well.
With the additions DiRocco cited, including Smith possibly at safety, this unit could be what the offensive line was last year: transformed from complete and total garbage to one of the NFL’s best.
June 11th, 2016 at 10:10 am
Man, this is exciting! Even with this “hard” schedule, I am going 11-5. Yea, IF the players follow#3, buy into the scheme Capt Dirk brings…11-5
June 11th, 2016 at 10:13 am
secondary was much improved the minute lovie smith and the other clowns walked out the door. set the secondary free let them play. i was not happy with vh3 pick but hes growing on me
June 11th, 2016 at 10:30 am
A new scheme alone would be a solid upgrade even with the same guys, but adding some additional talent back there is huge.
No doubt, the trend is up. Looks to be an interesting future…
June 11th, 2016 at 10:39 am
@Joe “… this unit could be what the offensive line was last year: transformed from complete and total garbage to one of the NFL’s best.”
I’m convinced you’ve hit the nail on the head Joe. Our DLine and LBs are poised to put better pressure on opposing QBs which has to help the secondary big time. Personally feel a lot better about our CB situation than I do about our safeties … wish we’d made at least one upgrade there. Convinced that Grimes will be solid, that Verner will bounce back, and that Banks will play better also. At this early point I can’t really see Hargreaves starting at one of the outside CB spots, but you never know. Given the coaching changes and upgraded talent, defense is poised to play MUCH better than it did last year.
June 11th, 2016 at 10:39 am
When the Incompetent one cleared out his desk and left the building like the no class clown that he is, was the best defensive adjustment that has happened in 2 years!!!!! It will be so refreshing to see the secondary have a chance to play!!!!
But much like the O-line benefited from DM22 and CS34 running wild and breaking tackles, The secondary will need the front 7 to make plays!!!! and it will help because now we have a defensive coordinator that will ask them to make plays! because last year they were told not to by coach my scheme!!!!!!!
June 11th, 2016 at 10:46 am
Gil Byrd was always an assistant DB coach with the Bears, Mikal Smith was a defensive assistant ( who should have been delivering pizzas), Larry Marmie should have been playing BINGO at a RETIREMENT HOME. And you combine this PATHETIC staff with 4 new starters ( entire new secondary) and you have a major disaster in the makings. They all are gone, time to move on to a better tomorrow.
June 11th, 2016 at 10:53 am
This should help to curb the opponents aerial assault success, and from yelling at the TV to cover some damn body.
June 11th, 2016 at 11:05 am
Are you sure you didn’t have some scotch and then watch tape of a nude Rosie O’Donnell?
June 11th, 2016 at 11:29 am
I’m hoping that Ryan Smith turns into the next Kwon. Another mid-round steal would be awesome.
June 11th, 2016 at 11:46 am
16 points or less. Hold opponents to that number and make the playoffs.
June 11th, 2016 at 11:54 am
Bucsrealist-You don’t actually know much about this team do you. Your comment was one of the worst Bucs takes I’ve read this offseason. It’s almost like you don’t understand anything about the team.
June 11th, 2016 at 12:07 pm
Depending on the pass rush and scheme, our secondary has the potential to be one of the better secondaries in the league. I do not think it will take much. We have an incredible amount of talent that was underutilized the last 2 years. There is also a factor of “starting experience” that was given to many last year. Even if someone is more of a depth guy, all of the secondary was given play time last year. That is huge for development. Banks, Verner, Grimes, Robinson, Adjei, Wright, Tandy, McDougald, and Conte all have had playing time. We also have 2 Rookies in Hargraves and Smith who could bring significant contributions to the team this season. Our defensive coaches have a lot more to use than most other teams. Later on in the season I think this will be a strength compared to other teams, who will become very exploitable when injuries start taking their tole.
June 11th, 2016 at 12:33 pm
-Sees Buccaneers question Realist’s fandom.
-Grabs popcorn
June 11th, 2016 at 12:40 pm
Considering the fact that the guys Lovie was hell bent on starting don’t even have jobs right now, how can it possibly be worse?
June 11th, 2016 at 12:43 pm
@buccaneers
Please,, explain what you don’t understand more!! If you disagree with something in my comment above, please say it!!! Do it, and I will show you the error of your ways!!!
The Buc Realist takes a big hand full out of Sb with Jameis popcorn bowl and waits!!!!
June 11th, 2016 at 12:50 pm
-Reaches for more butter…
June 11th, 2016 at 1:05 pm
Bucsrealist-how bout you just study up on the team or something. Maybe you can make better comments in the future that aren’t completely inaccurate.
June 11th, 2016 at 1:06 pm
Once again, what is “inaccurate”, just say it!!!!
June 11th, 2016 at 1:15 pm
Throws popcorn on the floor as the shows over before it began….
Booooo!
June 11th, 2016 at 1:19 pm
The Buc Realist watches buccaneers run off the sideline like scared dexter jackson!!! If he won’t say what it is, don’t say anything to me little buccaneers, because if you do……
Boy, I am two seconds from being on you like white on rice in a glass of milk on a paper plate in a snowstorm. I’m gonna put my foot so far up your a$$, the water on my knee will quench your thirst.
June 11th, 2016 at 1:23 pm
No realist, not gonna bicker about stuff that is completely irrevelant. How bout you just get a clue?
June 11th, 2016 at 1:25 pm
Boooo!
This fight is rigged.
June 11th, 2016 at 1:28 pm
This is worse than Tyson biting Holyfield’s ear off.
Boooo!
June 11th, 2016 at 1:29 pm
@Buc1987
It would not have been pretty for little buccaneers anyways!!! Even Mr.T has advice for him
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eisa5AZ20W0
I was just about to move some furniture around here too!!!!
June 11th, 2016 at 1:30 pm
figures you would be the type to threaten a computer comment. For your own benefit I shall now ignore you.
Feel free to have a revelation convo with me about the team once I respond to the topic at hand.
June 11th, 2016 at 1:36 pm
The battles for DB are the most intriguing to me to follow. There is quite a bit of talent at CB but Saftety look weak on paper.
I really think Verner needs to step up and force himself onto the field along with VHIII. Them two with Grimes has to happen this year. I’d love to see one of them sac up and learn the FS position so we can see those three on the field for most every play. If Banks is the guy to force himself onto the field this year at FS then so be it.
June 11th, 2016 at 1:38 pm
little buccaneers just tip toes away, trying to pretend that nothing is happening here!!!
June 11th, 2016 at 1:44 pm
What’s the matter Rock? Can’tcha catch the chicken??
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93bGWJ-CjwA
June 11th, 2016 at 1:48 pm
Sorry posters if you wanted me to break out the insults and threats but that’s not my style. Just wanted to let realist know that he can sound very clueless at times.
He could try to claim sarcasm for his ridiculous comments but when it gets repeated daily numerous times It becomes clear that actually believes the knee jerk nonsense he says.
June 11th, 2016 at 1:49 pm
Safety, old man Grimes and rookie Hargreaves are still a concern to me.
June 11th, 2016 at 1:53 pm
Boooo now it’s about to rain at my house.
Sigh.
A good JBF battle would have been fun to follow for a bit.
Boooo I’m going politicking now to see who I can piss off more The Trumpkins or The Cankles supporters.
June 11th, 2016 at 1:55 pm
87-One thing you can say about Licht is that the players he drafts have had talent that translates to the NFL level…….I’m really starting to trust him and it gives me confidence that VHIII has the talent needed to play CB for us. There’s a lot of other aspects then just having the talent that come into play(i.e. ASJ) but the talent is essential.
I share your same concerns with Grimes though…..wait and see. I think the defense needs some fire and intensity if we expect to get the most out of Grimes, that’s asked a lot from what they have shown.
June 11th, 2016 at 2:17 pm
We can’t have 3 midgets at CB against these teams with trees as wide outs, especially with an ” older midget”. They would eat us alive in the Red Zone as well in man coverage. I’m going with Banks, Verner and Grimes at CB, with Hargreaves spelling the 3 of them( the reason for the cross-training). Conte/McDougald/Smith at FS ( whoever wins in preseason). Wright/Tandy/Shumate at SS (whoever wins in preseason). This unit should give us enough production, I don’t expect a WEAK pass rush or mental breakdowns in coverage.
June 11th, 2016 at 2:34 pm
Lakeland, coverage skills are one of the single-most difficult abilitys to learn in football. Coverage is way more important then size. Whichever CBs prove to have the best coverage skills are the ones I want on the field. Once the preseason games start it should be easy to see which players can help us most in pass coverage.
June 11th, 2016 at 2:54 pm
That was the Bucs defense last year, not “Cover-2,” but “Cover-Somebody.”
June 11th, 2016 at 3:05 pm
Jason Licht seems to hit unexpectedly on a mid to late round pick each year.
So I’m hoping Ryan Smith is his hit at safety.
I don’t know much about the kid though.
June 11th, 2016 at 3:06 pm
@McClorasMaddenDaddy210
With expectations like that, all you are doing is setting yourself up for disappointment.
Better to “expect” 8-8 and be especially excited if they pass that. It’ll bring more joy during the season.
June 11th, 2016 at 3:09 pm
The Buc Realist Says
“…it will help because now we have a defensive coordinator that will ask them to make plays! because last year they were told not to by coach my scheme!!!!!!!”
You just love making things up.
June 11th, 2016 at 3:19 pm
@bucbonzai
Just repeating what Joe has reported! LB’s and secondary that have played for coach my scheme have said the same thing many times!!!! Pay attention bucbonzai and stop just reading the head lines!!!! Its bad enough I already had to put some of the lovie sheep back in their pens today!!!!!
https://www.joebucsfan.com/2016/06/run-around-and-make-plays/#more-159251
June 11th, 2016 at 3:38 pm
Glad to have found this site. Been a fan since about 1983.
It seems to me the bucs were just plain confused half the time. Simplistic? Yeah, but true.
The pass rush wasn’t much help either though.
I was concerned about vh3’s height, but he seems pretty stout.
At least Mike Smith should be more flexible and certainly less predictable so the pass defense should be quite a bit better as long as the rush improves at least a little.
Will the run defense remain stout? Against Carolina it had better!
June 11th, 2016 at 3:44 pm
True.
And welcome aboard Fred!
June 11th, 2016 at 3:52 pm
@Fred McNeil
Welcome aboard!!!! Your brand new and have already made more relevant post than bucbonazi and little buccaneers combined!!!!
Just one thing, When you said the Bucs were “confused half the time” you meant that the other half was when the offense was on the field!!! Thought so!!!! Welcome to JBF!!!!! and the sheep are harmless here!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!
June 11th, 2016 at 3:56 pm
Hey, remember back in the eighty’s when “smurf” receivers were all the rage?
The NFL runs in cycles …
June 11th, 2016 at 4:05 pm
Joe, you took it upon yourself to assault Rosie O’Donnell with prose on your blog which is open to all that visit your blog. I am off from work today, so I took it upon myself to psychoanalyze you Joe. Cognitive dissonance sums you up Joe. If Rosie O’Donnell showed up at your door, you would bang that to the maximum capacity of your stamina. Not a drop of Scotch would be needed. You have thought about it Joe, and you appears alude to the incident having occurred. You fantasize about it Joe. All the reasons you brought it up. There is nothing wrong with it Joe; nothing to be ashamed of. What is wrong is you promoting on your blog that something is wrong with Rosie O’Donnell.
Recently, I have noticed Joe’s blog being recognized. Buccaneers.com had referred to Joe’s blog. Joe should be responsible and not use words to assault women on his blog.
June 11th, 2016 at 4:08 pm
Joe, I love that y’all put up a LOT of different articles to keep folks informed and interested, but the thing I get the biggest kick out of on JBF is the comments. I wonder if fans of any other NFL team spend so much time bashing the LAST HC and praising his replacement … right up until that HC doesn’t win. Then … throw him under the bus. Thump Thump. Folks did it with Rah, did it with Schiano, and now … voila, it’s Lovie’s turn.
Played a lot of sports in my life, like probably most Bucs fans, and have come to believe that winning teams always look ahead. Losing teams always seem to be looking backwards.
Lovie’s yesterday’s news. Fans need to stop looking backwards and focus on the future. There’s a new day in Tampa Bay. Bucs are building something special here, and it WILL be a winner.
June 11th, 2016 at 4:12 pm
Welcome Fred..
June 11th, 2016 at 4:32 pm
Speaking for Pablo
“Pablo thinks things are looking up for Bucs CBs……Pablo thinks we have come a very long way from Henkins & Hennings”
June 11th, 2016 at 4:33 pm
Maybe if Rosie dropped a few pounds she could play a 3_4 nose guard?
June 11th, 2016 at 4:37 pm
Anybody else read it like the unfortunate night with scotch included Rosie O’donnell?
“…nude Rosie O’Donnell knocking on Joe’s door, an unfortunate night years ago with scotch”
June 11th, 2016 at 4:38 pm
And POOF just like that Bonzai is gone….
Once again.
June 11th, 2016 at 4:38 pm
Speaking for Pablo
“How could Pablo forget Hude……Henkins, Hennings & Hude…..Pablo knows Hude is still a Buc…..but Pablo doesn’t think Hude is a starter but Lovie & his Sons did”
June 11th, 2016 at 5:00 pm
There’s a whole lot of Lovie lashing left in the tanks. He left without a word and with a snub to the fans and the entire organization.
June 11th, 2016 at 5:05 pm
Joe and Donald Trump have nightmares about Rosie. Too funny.
June 11th, 2016 at 5:28 pm
Gotta tell ya, I love this site. Great stuff. Never commented before, but have been a daily reader for a while now. Here’s how I see things shaping up. Defense can’t get worse, and won’t. The additions and fresh coaching alone will get us back to viable. I got a feeling the D is gonna be very aggressive and much improved. The offense is gonna be high powered and efficient. The league won’t be able to ignore these Bucs any longer. Jameis is gonna run the show in the NFL for years to come, and break the bank in about 3 years. We got coaches leaving head coaching gigs in college to get on board this ship. Koetter and Smith got the boys back together for one thing. Monken could’ve gotten a nice upgrade from So Miss if he stayed in college. He turned that program around quick like. But, he and Dufner, Hayes, Smith, Maxie know what time it is. A kid like JW comes around once every 20 yrs. You mix Marino, Elway, Bert Jones, and large helping of intellect together and you got Jameis. They all know it, and are gonna hitch their wagon to his star and enjoy the show. That’s my take, and I’m dead serious. I’ve seen many a special talent in many different sports. This guy beats ’em all. ’87 I know you love the kid as much as me. But, my wife tells me he doesn’t even look like me….
June 11th, 2016 at 6:14 pm
Well I’m back, can’t be run off, will not be lead like a sheep, if you set back and watch the slant pass kill you from week to week, either you can’t make the play or your not confident in your own ability to make a play, or you never understood what the scheme was all about, we had no pressure on the QB, which means he the (QB) had a lot of time to go through his progressions, pride would make me
June 11th, 2016 at 6:19 pm
…..pride would make me want to get the job done, I would have too much pride to do an interview and put it out their that my coach told me not to make a play!!
June 11th, 2016 at 6:21 pm
The lb were supposed to cover the seem in lovies scheme that’s why the CB were not even close to the play. Can’t cover a slant when you’re 8 yards off the LOS. Make matters worse the lb kept getting sucked in by play action. The scheme was fcked.
June 11th, 2016 at 6:31 pm
“When it came to slant patterns and dig routes – everything inside – as corners we were under the impression that we were funneling it into our help. We were supposed to have a safety there or a linebacker there. We were told that it wasn’t really our play to make, but we wanted to be close enough to where we wanted to not make it an easy completion. We still needed to be able to compete for the ball, but it was with the understanding that we wanted to protect against what we were weak at.”
http://www.pewterreport.com/articles/srs-fab-5-last-year-a-fiasco-for-banks-verner-why-couldnt-bucs-d-stop-the-slant/
June 11th, 2016 at 6:32 pm
Simply starting to ruin my Saturday night…….I’m not sure what is worse…..slant passes vs Bucs or Rosie O’Donnell talk……this is a Football site…….Rosie Greer only please!!!
June 11th, 2016 at 6:48 pm
Lovie called a defense and hoped that it would work, good d coordinators call a defense and know why it works. The only in game adjustments I saw last year was the bullpen like rotation of corners. Heres how to stop a slant, play press man with non Tampa 2 corners. But we all know that wasn’t in Lovies playbook. Looking forward to our new multiple defense, now we show Matt Hasselback, Austin Davis, Brian Hoyer and Dereck Anderson who’s boss!
June 11th, 2016 at 6:49 pm
Ryan Mallet*
June 11th, 2016 at 6:55 pm
Glad Lovie’s gone.
June 11th, 2016 at 6:58 pm
How about we get the Realist and Buccaneers out in front of One Buc Place for a brawl? Then we can just shoot a quick insult over to ASJ’s Twitter and boom… Battle Royal!!!
June 11th, 2016 at 7:00 pm
Fsuking, Now we’re talking! LOL!
June 11th, 2016 at 7:06 pm
Rosie. Definitely Rosie.
June 11th, 2016 at 7:33 pm
I’d take Rosie every night for the rest of my life if it meant the Bucs win another Super Bowl. I’ll take one for the team!
June 11th, 2016 at 7:47 pm
Dam Eric……. I have been a fan since the beginning and I have been to over 170 games. I KNOW that there is no way possible that I could make that same commitment. I don’t know what that says. Not about your fandom or mine. Rosie every night for the rest of your life for one more SB?……….
-Goes to pour another two fingers of Oban.
June 11th, 2016 at 7:51 pm
Also I am along with DB just said.
June 11th, 2016 at 7:52 pm
The Realist would turn into (FG)….ha ha ha ha ha ha ….ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha… Ooo man ………ha ha ha ha ha ha…Forrest Gump.. Now that’s funny!!
June 11th, 2016 at 7:59 pm
More BigHogwash mumbo jumbo waiting to be deciphered.
June 11th, 2016 at 8:45 pm
Big Hog is a toolshed
June 11th, 2016 at 9:00 pm
That’s not bad since the recent Bucs were like a box of hot chocolate. gooey
June 11th, 2016 at 9:21 pm
SBwJ, BigHog is just saying the Realist isn’t too bright.
June 11th, 2016 at 9:36 pm
Pad come out on Tuesday. I hope everybody knows their assignments.
June 11th, 2016 at 10:25 pm
Gilhealy:
Welcome aboard and thank you for the kind words. Appreciate it.
June 11th, 2016 at 10:30 pm
Rosie can be hot…to someone.
When you lay with so many hotties, even the uglies offer some flavor.
June 11th, 2016 at 10:50 pm
Forgetting one thing…..and it’s not a little thing it’s called pass rush or should we say lack of it
June 11th, 2016 at 11:54 pm
Tampaàaaaaa
June 12th, 2016 at 12:07 am
BAAAAAAAAAAAAY!
June 12th, 2016 at 1:48 am
SBwJ: your free to keep coming at me……but you may want to think about what your getting yourself into! /// Buc~it: toolshed. Is that some kind of second class, low level trailer trash mumbo-jumbo, I’m sure SBwJ fully understands what your trying to say!
June 12th, 2016 at 6:13 am
BigHogHaynes Says:
June 11th, 2016 at 7:52 pm
“The Realist would turn into (FG)….ha ha ha ha ha ha ….ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha… Ooo man ………ha ha ha ha ha ha…Forrest Gump.. Now that’s funny!!”
Sounds like something Bubba wold say.
June 12th, 2016 at 8:39 am
I’ll go toe to toe with the both of you with one hand tied behind my back! Eat your Oatmeal then pack your lunch, I feel like busting lose! I’m Rick James bi?ch!,
June 12th, 2016 at 10:14 am
What’d the five fingers say to the face?
June 12th, 2016 at 11:24 am
I don’t know I bit them all off!! Notice your hand?….its a nub!!