Defense May Have 16 Starters
August 8th, 2016
Talking defensive starters.
Yes, Bucs fans got all giddy over the weekend with the release of the first depth chart for the 2016 season.
As Joe has cautioned, a depth chart the first week of August is two steps from trolling. In a month, it will look totally different. Joe also noted that in subpackages, guys deemed second-teamers will actually be on the field more than some guys listed as starters.
Minutes prior to the release of the depth charts, good guy Chris Fischer of WTSP-TV Channel 10 caught up with defensive coordinator Mike Smith, who stated the Bucs could have as many as 16 defensive starters.
Smith explains in Fischer’s video below.
#Bucs may have released depth chart, but Def. Coord. Mike Smith says starters run deeper with Nickel package pic.twitter.com/hthrqTBNfV
— Chris Fischer (@ChrisFischer07) August 8, 2016
August 8th, 2016 at 4:28 am
Obviously Smitty isn’t hung up on who gets the ‘Starter’ designation, and personally think that’s a very common sense approach. Could easily see an additional 1 DT, 2 DEs & 1 CB playing almost as much as the ‘starters’ depending on what formations the other team uses and defensive player rotations to keep guys fresh. Akeem Spence, Noah Spence, Jack Smith and VHIII as a minimum will all end up getting lots of snaps most likely, even though not presently listed as 1st teamers.
August 8th, 2016 at 7:08 am
Totally agree defense. For most positions being the starter only means your the first one on the field, that’s all. I def look for a rotation on the D line to keep our main guys fresh, wich should benefit McCoy as he is always getting banged up and playing so many mins. Having guys like Ayers, C-Mac and Gholston to rotate in at DT should only help.
The Cornerback positon should be similar as well with guys like VH3 subbing inside and out. Looks like Hey Jude is fighting to get into that rotation as well. Hope Banks makes a statement. If not he might be forced to walk the plank soon, wich would be very disappointing imo. He was the 43rd overall pick just a few seasons ago and looked promising after snatching 4 ints his rookie year. We could use one guy with some length, it sure would help. Dont think teams won’t try to take advantage of our short corners this year.
It’s very encouraging to think how good this defense can become once they learn all their assignments in the new scheme wich isnt that complex from what were hearing so far. It’s encouraging to hear buys like LVD say “for once I’m not thinking, I’m just playing.” Guys are already getting it down so that’s good news. Sounds like Smitty is keeping it more simple than complex.
August 8th, 2016 at 7:10 am
For this week? I agree with him.
Joe is right, this depth chart means nothing in the long run. Guys listed in the #2 spots will have the most playing time. Guys NOT playing but who are not injured (or maybe have minor injuries) probably have a leg up on starting.
This is all about evaluation of the guys behind the starters, nothing more this week. If anyone is hoping to get a sneak peek at our new defense, don’t get your hopes too high. It will be very basic.
August 8th, 2016 at 7:11 am
Although…last year I was surprised that Jameis had as much playing time in the first preseason game as he did. Probably because he was a rookie and they wanted him to get accustomed quickly.
August 8th, 2016 at 8:01 am
The downside to all these sub-packages is if a team can find a weak spot isolate a certain package and hammer away at it!!! Adjustment and player rotation is something we should all watch to see how smoothly it works during games. Will it telegraph the defenses intentions???? Can we shift player packages quickly??? If stuck on the field can they be diverse to cover weaknesses???
Things to watch!!!!
August 8th, 2016 at 9:03 am
They need to re-designate the term starter to ‘primary contributor’ or ‘first team player’ that is inclusive of the primary sub-packages. Defensive alignments are reflective of opposition offensive sets. Who’s to say which defensive alignment is the starting alignment when much of it is controlled by the other team’s starting set?
August 8th, 2016 at 9:23 am
No time to back-pedal now, preseason is the time to iron out all the wrinkles, fine tune your defence, make concessions for all possible offensive attacks! We’re almost there people! Go Bucs!
August 8th, 2016 at 9:26 am
I wouldn’t get too caught up with depth charts on defense. Offensive alignments will dictate what the best defensive packages are.
August 8th, 2016 at 11:03 am
53 players, all getting payed. Why not utilize as many as possible? This is 2016, so many players are being utilized due to sky high injury rates and coach firings. Plus offenses are better and more favored than ever, so defensive minds have to pull out every stop to keep up, and so far these defenses have done a good job keeping pace. Just look at the ’15 Broncos and 13′ Hawks.
August 8th, 2016 at 12:14 pm
@realist says….”The downside to all these sub-packages is if a team can find a weak spot isolate a certain package and hammer away at it!!!”…
surely smitty is competent enough to have thought about that issue all offseason….lets see what smitty can cook up….cant wait….GO BUCS!!!
August 8th, 2016 at 12:21 pm
Realist you’re exactly right.
A no huddle offense could have us in a bind with the wrong defensive personnel stuck out on the field. Will be something we have to watch for!
August 8th, 2016 at 1:34 pm
In a league dominated by situational football, an 11-man depth chart is like a leather helmet and two-a-days: a vestige of a bygone era.
August 8th, 2016 at 2:25 pm
Man, if we can start 16 guys, we should have a real advantage. Hahahahaha 😀