So, About The Safeties…
August 24th, 2016
Bucs safety talks new season.
From time to time, Joe reads Bucs fans on this here corner of the interwebs grousing about safeties.
Oh, it’s not nearly as bad as the lack of depth at wide receiver after Rudy Humphries. But given how the secondary was lit up like a roman candle on the Fourth of July last year, Joe understands how fans are nervous since safety really wasn’t upgraded, short of fourth-round pick Ryan Smith. He may or may not make the squad.
Bucs starting safety Bradley McDougald has words that will calm nervous Bucs fans.
“It’s not too much different,” McDougald said of playing for new defensive coordinator Mike Smith. That’s partly because the secondary is manned, as of Aug. 24, by three holdovers from the Lovie Smith administration.
“It’s just the schemes and the coaches,” McDougald said of the difference. “Coach [Brett] Maxie and Coach Smith are doing a great job of putting players in position they need to be.
“Every NFL team around the league is filled with talent. You just have to get the coach with the right scheme and the right system for those guys to fit into place.”
It is simple as that.
McDougald said something else that piqued Joe’s interest. Currently, the starters in the secondary are Grimes, McDougald, Chris Conte and Alterraun Verner. Three of those guys know each other well. They may be in a new defense, but three of the four know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
So even if this is a new system/scheme/defense, it is not like the Bucs have four new guys who are both learning a new defense and learning to play alongside each other.
August 24th, 2016 at 7:11 am
@McDougald … “It’s not too much different … It’s just the scheme and the coaches.” Kinda like saying that a Tesla is a Chevrolet with a different driver … and oh ya, a different body. And oh ya again, a different engine since we’ve got several key new players like Ayers, Spence, Smith and Grimes.
Bucs defense has undergone a major overhaul, and the weakest link right now is our safeties. Specifically, McDougald.
August 24th, 2016 at 7:23 am
Joe, don’t understand why that comment is awaiting moderation (No dicey words, not critical of Joe, etc). If I’m in your doghouse please let me know. Not much sense on commenting on articles if it’s just going to go in the trash.
August 24th, 2016 at 7:33 am
Chris Conte has looked ok…I hope Ryan Smith and McDougald develop.
August 24th, 2016 at 8:44 am
Nobody beats Mcdougald over the top!
It’s a fact
August 24th, 2016 at 8:57 am
I think having consistent pressure will be the cure-all. Sure I would like to have a better safety (you think we can trade Aguayo for Vonn Bell who we shouldve picked in the first place?) but if we have good CB play with pressure I dont see it being a huge concern
August 24th, 2016 at 9:16 am
@defense
My posts have also been held up to due to moderation.Since Joe has stood on the soapbox for Miko,s free speech,Iam sure that is not the case.I have seen
quite a few things printed on this site that truly needed moderation.Probably some kind of program that flags a word in our posts.
August 24th, 2016 at 9:16 am
Verner will be upseated from the Rookie out of UF. Mark my words. Verner will be lucky to hold on to a roster spot if he don’t start shinnin. He’ll Bamks has got a Pic already. Imo there’s no need to pay a back up 7-8 mill when u have quality guys u can count on 1-4.
August 24th, 2016 at 9:20 am
I really like McDougald… As much as we all love David/Alexander, their aggressiveness causes the occasional whiff, but McDougald always seems to be right there for the clean up. He’s a physical player, and a pretty sure tackler. I’m not that concerned. We’ve been in worse shape at safety.
August 24th, 2016 at 10:09 am
Speaking if safeties, what’s the status of Keith Tandy? Is he practicing?
August 24th, 2016 at 10:12 am
I heard somewhere that defensive coaches are impressed with Conte – but so far underwhelmed with McDougald. IMO, Tandy has gotten better every year and can be a starter in this league if given proper opportunity. Ryan Smith has flashed some and its hard to imagine him not making the team as coaches are apparently impressed with his speed and athleticism. Major Wright is likely the odd man out – I seriously doubt there will be more than 4 safeties on the active roster.
Our safties MAY be passable this year – but a safety drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round next year would not surprise me one bit.
August 24th, 2016 at 10:20 am
I like Bradley….he’s made plays since getting thrown into the fire as an undrafted FA….safety play was solid last year….it was the cb’s that were screwing up…I like our safety depth with him conte ryan smith and keith tandy….GO BUCS!!!!
August 24th, 2016 at 11:05 am
If they wanted a Safety they would have drafted a damn Safety, Ryan Smith is a CB who they are trying to convert to Safety. Our INCOMPETENT GM wasted a 3rd and 4th on a damn kicker, we could have drafted a WR and a Safety. SMDH
August 24th, 2016 at 11:15 am
I have NO..confidence in Mac..Screwup or Conte. Conte is outstanding at appearing around the ball after..the opponent has made a sizeable gain. And mcDo-nothing had gotten beat like a drum in the past. A big weakness for our Bucs.
August 24th, 2016 at 11:37 am
Bob in Valrico Says
“Probably some kind of program that flags a word in our posts…”
ding.
There are also occasional periods when posts just don’t show up for a delayed period due to server issues. It’s rare, but it has happened in the past. So, it;s not always that the post was blocked. It could just be delayed.
August 24th, 2016 at 11:39 am
@Mike Johnson
I like Conte.
I know he’s not elite player, but he is a decent placeholder for now.
I think Koetter and Licht addressed as many positions as they could this year (outside of WR) and I understand it might be next year before Safety can be addressed. In the meantime, Conte can hold his own…for now. Later, he’ll make a solid backup.
August 24th, 2016 at 11:40 am
Safeties are fine. Not outstanding, but far less important to worry about than the offensive and defensive lines. ALWAYS fix those first, yes even before the QB. The O line is weak and thin and the pass rush is not a guarantee yet. We’ll be better this year, but not enough so that we can start worrying about these safeties.
August 24th, 2016 at 11:40 am
@lakelandbuc…I agree…GO BUCS!!!
August 24th, 2016 at 11:53 am
@LakeLandBuc: You are wong. Our GM is anything but incompetent. I understand that hyperbole is the language of the internet, but you are just flat out wrong. JL is turning our team around, and it’s obvious to anyone without an axe to grind.
August 24th, 2016 at 11:54 am
Did anyone see conte’s breakup of the pass last week he ran half the field and leaped another three yards….. great stuff from VH too… Go Bucs… feeling better about the D.
August 24th, 2016 at 12:30 pm
Plus they don’t have Lovie’s son coaching them.
August 24th, 2016 at 12:34 pm
I don’t see how Joe can say Ryan Smith “may or may not” make the squad. He’s going to make it, period. Major Wright will go before this guy, because they’ve seen his speed and ball skills and they have plans for him. They’re invested. Simple as that.
August 24th, 2016 at 1:56 pm
@Mike Johnson
i totally agree about Conte. He’ll come and make a tackle after they’ve gained 10 yac. Ive really never liked him. Always just thought of him as one of Lovies crappy chain gang from Chicago