Galling Defense
September 28th, 2016
“What the hell is going on here, Ira?”
Here is something Bucs fans will be proud of. The Bucs defense has set a record this season.
Yes, the Bucs defense, led by defensive coordinator Mike Smith, set a franchise record Sunday night as documented by Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times.
Along the way, they’ve hit two unfortunate lows — they have the NFL’s worst scoring defense, giving up 101 points (33.7 per game), and in doing so, they’re the first team in 41 seasons of Bucs football to give up 100 points in the first three games of the season.
Jiminy Christmas! Joe thought with the addition of Vernon Hargreaves, Robert Ayers, Noah Spence, Brent Grimes and defensive line coach Jay Hayes, along with Smith’s deep knowledge of the NFL, this Bucs defense would improve by leaps and bounds.
How the hell can this defense be getting lit up like this with so many upgrades?
Meanwhile in Philadelphia, Jim Schwartz’s Eagles defense leads the NFL in points allowed having coughed up a paltry 27.
September 28th, 2016 at 12:53 pm
Too many on the defense in leadership roles are ok with losing and doing just enough to lose
September 28th, 2016 at 12:55 pm
oh look tmax is blaming all the defensive woes on GMC again. Is the sky blue?
September 28th, 2016 at 1:04 pm
Where the heck is Jonathan Banks? How many times does Verner or grimes have to get burnt before we try Banks?
September 28th, 2016 at 1:09 pm
Umm… teams have scored that much. The defense has not allowed that much.
September 28th, 2016 at 1:09 pm
unbelievable
When have bucs defense looked tough, hungry and proud. Sorry there is no excuse for quitting on coaches snd gmc led defenses have quit on the last 3 coaches. .
What have the bucs won with the walking injury as the face of defense. Nothing. . Let the excuses begin… keep it under a 200 though and yes he faces 21 blockers every snap
September 28th, 2016 at 1:14 pm
would love to hear @realist try to spin this…..grimes, ayers, VHG, noah weren’t here for smitty to coach the lovie out of them….GO BUCS!!!!
September 28th, 2016 at 1:15 pm
Joe,
Yes Jim Schwartz is doing very well. Congrats on that *$#hhrrmmJohnny Footballuuurrrmm call. I apologize I had to clear my throat.
September 28th, 2016 at 1:17 pm
If the Bucs had played the Browns and the Bears the 1st 2 games, we would be top 10 in points against as well.
September 28th, 2016 at 1:22 pm
tmax,
How has the defense performed when he’s not in the game? Even worse.
You put 11 guys on the field and 8 – 9 of them suck out loud every season, but we should blame 1 of the 2-3 guys that are actually good. smdh.
September 28th, 2016 at 1:26 pm
lol why you folks cannot see you do not have the horses there yet. it was clear as day last year. you are not going to the playoffs this year either
September 28th, 2016 at 1:33 pm
I thought they looked tough against new Orleans last year when Jaquis Smith
got to Brees several times.also they looked tough ,hungry and proud when they had a skilled DE or two In Jaquis Smith and Robert AYERSat Atlanta. So we have had no edge rush,no pass coverage at safety.Corners giving up big plays.
Not fair to blame it on MCcCoy.
September 28th, 2016 at 1:36 pm
I gotta hand it to you Joe. You really were banging that drum for Jim Schwartz in the beginning of the year.
I am still reserving criticism of Mike Smith but obviously it’s not looking very good so far. Dirk Koetter talks about culture in the organization but what he doesn’t realize is the Mike Smith hire is a direct reflection of that culture. Mike Smith wasn’t the best available defensive coordinator. It was a crony hire.
September 28th, 2016 at 1:37 pm
What is different from the first game to the last two games..
NO Ayers……………..He brings an attitude the others on the line don’t have.
Its one think to have Skills, which GMC has… It is another to have the mind set to WIN>>>and DRIVE for that Win..
The Million Dollar man is good but does not bring the mindset for a DLine
Tmaxx is right
September 28th, 2016 at 1:40 pm
Absolutely demoralizing that the Rams come in here having not scored a TD……in our home field mind you, and they put up 37. There’s no doubt about it this defense is about as soft as they come.
They got down and let the Rams cram the ball down their throats right after the FG was missed………How on Earth a defense can let a dammned kicker set the tone can only be labeled as soft. We are going nowhere fast with this soft Azzed defense.
I hope the defense is happy that their own fans are laughing at them and how soft they are……Bite me BUCS D or prove me wrong
September 28th, 2016 at 1:42 pm
ATrain…and I hope Ayers will play this Sunday but he wasn’t practicing today…and against his old team, we need him!!!!
September 28th, 2016 at 1:45 pm
Ayers? Really that’s the answer? Please give me a break. If one player is going to make or break the defense I got news for ya……that means we flat suck.
No crying injuries in sports and if the next man up ain’t good enough then there’s a problem within the organization. Well, that almost goes without saying given the past decade.
September 28th, 2016 at 1:53 pm
Speaking of Jim Schwartz and the Eagles. I rewatched that game on Gamepass because it does not make sense that the Eagles were able to do what they did to the Steelers. Admittedly, I am no Steve White and do not hold a PH.D in Defensive Line Studies. Having said that, one thing stood out to my amateur eyes and that was the defensive line play, specifically the allegedly “Overvalued” play of the DT’s Bennie Logan and Fletcher Cox. They combined for 3 sacks and 2 TFL. But that, imho, does not begin to tell the story and I realized something watching that game. DT’s job is or should be, moving the QB off his spot. They can do this job well and not even show up on the stat sheet. Big Ben was constantly being moved off his spot down after down. It was damn impressive. If they do this then the QB has no other choice then to move outside the pocket which gives the DE’s an opportunity. It made me wish that our DT(s) would spend a little less time worrying about a quick get off and worrying more about setting up their man to press them in the pocket and move the opposing QB off his spot. Maybe if that occurred we could get a DE a few sacks and make a QB uncomfortable. Just saying!
Jim Schwartz is doing a heck of job but do not forget about the players, especially those “overvalued” DT’s.
Having said that GMC had a great game in Atlanta and a pretty good game last Sunday. There are just so many times where his get off is great but he is pushed beyond the QB and the result is the QB left comfortably in the pocket and our weak DE’s are unable to beat their man.
September 28th, 2016 at 1:56 pm
It is not a good TEAM (tmax!). We have a handful of decent players, but that’s it. Those guys are not going to be able to prop up an 11 man squad. GMC’s the least of our worries on defense.
@Buccaneers- It ALWAYS starts at the top, you’re right. It’s been a decade of poor decisions and we naturally believe, outrageously, that a new coach every 2 years can fix it!
September 28th, 2016 at 2:00 pm
Our defense wasn’t responsible for a strip sack TD and a pick 6 I do believe.
We are still a work in progress.
We need more pressure on the QB and need to yank/trade Verners sorry overpaid ass and put Banks in.
September 28th, 2016 at 2:03 pm
I see that Joe and others enjoy pouring gasoline on the fire. Bucs defense is playing much better actually than last year, even though Bucs overall have given up more pts this year (101 vs 80). And yet our record is the same (1-2) even though we’ve played tougher opponents offensively. Instead of piling one, why don’t ya’ll spend just a couple minutes looking behind what’s happening. New defensive schemes take time to master. We’ve had our top 2 DEs (Ayers & Smith) out in our 2 losses, and the remainder of our DEs, with the exception of Gholston in the run-game, are non-factors … thus no pass rush. GMC and McDonald are playing close to 90% of the defensive snaps which is incredible, and probably draining. No real LB depth, and our safeties aren’t providing much of a safety net (I’m trying to be kind). Oh ya, forgot to mention that the Bucs offense has turned the ball over once or twice (oh wait, make that 8) in our last 2 losses, resulting in points and some incredibly bad field position. No doubt about it though: in Bucsville, it’s all Mike Smith’s fault.
And by the way, Jim Schwartz had a lot more to work with up in Philly than Mike Smith did coming here. And if you look at this season (Eagles 3-0), they played Cleveland (0-3), Bears (0-3) and Steelers (2-1). Look at the game recaps and the Eagles offense had an AVERAGE time-of-possession of over 37 mins per game and hasn’t committed a single turnover. In their opponents AVERAGE 23 mins of offense, they managed an average of 15 first downs per game and have turned the ball over 6 times. So apparently if you keep the opponents offense off the field, keep your own offense on the field and don’t turn the ball over, you might score more points and give up less and win more ballgames. Who’d a thunk it?
September 28th, 2016 at 2:32 pm
Our defense is playing better? Are you out of your mind…….I didn’t read your whole paragraph because I’m guessing it was some type of excuse…… Put down the excuses and face facts bud, this defense sucks bad and they are soft. They are not fit to compete in this league and that’s all that matters…….who cares if they are better then another horrible defense……..suck is suck and losers lose.
September 28th, 2016 at 2:49 pm
No pressure and no safeties. Good play by VHIII goes unnoticed when they can burn us deep anytime they want.
September 28th, 2016 at 3:04 pm
The Bucs defense has not not given up 101 points. The pic-6 against the Cards and the fumble return for a TD by the Rams is not the responsibility of the defense. You can count that against the Bucs as a whole, but not the defensive unit nor Mike Smith.
In fact, I would go so far to say that the Bucs D didn’t play that badly against the Cards, considering the Bucs committed 5 turnovers.
September 28th, 2016 at 3:24 pm
Leadership is great, but I don’t think GMC or LVD getting fired up will automaticaly make Conte and Verner better in coverage.
September 28th, 2016 at 3:29 pm
The excuses for this defense are hilarious. Let me get this straight, they are actually playing better. Thought this defense was supposed to confuse the opposing QB not your own team.
September 28th, 2016 at 3:32 pm
@db55
Awwww I’m telling Miko!! Hahahaha
September 28th, 2016 at 3:51 pm
@Buccaneers … “I didn’t read your whole paragraph because I’m guessing it was some type of excuse.” And I’m guessing that you didn’t read my comments because you’re so busy ranting and raving about how bad the Bucs defense is that you’re not interested in what’s really happening on the field or why it might be happening. Realist is more open-minded than you are and he can’t see past Lovie Smith yet.
September 28th, 2016 at 3:59 pm
The Bucs actually seriously upgraded their talent, but the problem is, there was literally none to begin with other than two undersized linebackers. Maybe GMC, because the Bucs are still running an outdated 4-3 defense. Time to throw in the towel on defense. Trade away what value there is and start over. Move to a 3-4. So what if it takes 3-5 years to get there. it ain’t ever going to happen with what we have today.
September 28th, 2016 at 4:12 pm
I’m encouraged by the progress of our team. We have a gauntlet start to the season. Besides quality teams, the Rams, for whatever reason, seem to be a matchup problem for us every time. We are not there. The defense is giving up huge plays at inopportune times. The offense moves the ball great, but is a turn-over machine. We have missed many of our big scoring plays. Special teams (insert rookie kicker here) have been rough at times.
However, there are pieces that I like. Hargreaves has played better than I expect. Grimes is tough competitor and athletic. Ayers was a huge add for a team void of pass rush and anger. Spence can rush the passer, but he is raw, and can not stop the run yet. Losing Smith hurt. However, all those pieces together make us an average defense. We will continue, in the next few years, to add pieces. However, as we grow, learn the system this year, I expect the defense to improve. I’m more concerned to see the defense in weeks 9-16 show progress, than some early problems in the first half.
We have to BUILD at team. Free agency doesn’t do it. scheme helps but doesn’t do it. It would be great to come out of the gate firing on defense, but that hasn’t happened. Some of those guys, in the end, will be deemed replaceable. Over the next two years I hope we replace the week links with the right pieces. We need to see progress, player development, and get a good picture this year of what we need for next year. I will patiently cheer and root for this team this year, and hope we lock down a few more pieces for the future. Go Bucs.
September 28th, 2016 at 4:20 pm
@defense rules
Great posts!!!! And I am just getting the lovie loyalist riled up!!!! easy to keep track of them that way!!!!
To add to all your good points, most of the explosive plays are from errors in communication during audibles!!!! There might be something on tape that is tipping off other teams to adjust out tilted coverage to man!!! and they are exposing that communication breakdown!!!!
September 28th, 2016 at 4:59 pm
Maybe Smitty needs to get down on the sidelines!
September 28th, 2016 at 5:02 pm
Buc Realist pissin in the wind again I see. How many times mama have to change your diapers per day?
September 28th, 2016 at 5:16 pm
@Defense, what’s happening on the field is that this defense is soft. If you don’t see that then you’re about helpless. it’s not about points or yards or stats. It’s about the fact that when this defense faces adversity they crumble. They’re sorry and they’re soft and there’s news that you’re going to tell me about was going to make it seem all Rosy. You can compare this sorry-ass defense to the sorry-ass defense we had last year all you want. I will choose to compare this defense to that of an actual winning Club and I will realize every time that this team sucks bad and we will never win with the fence like this
September 28th, 2016 at 5:22 pm
Thank you Joe, there is no excuse. I never expected anyone to come in here and magically make this a top 5 defense overnight, but for it to be just as bad or worse overall as it has been in the last two years, It’s a crying shame.
I am begging you Licht BEGGING YOU!!!!
You have control, if this soft coverage not contested catch sorry defense continues you have to promote Hayes to DC. I cannot take it!!!
It would not be fair to this fan base to make us wait until 2017 to see a different defense. Please let him know to change the system or get outa town PLEASE!!!!!
September 28th, 2016 at 5:33 pm
Smith’s deep football knowledge did not help the falcon’s defense much when he coached that team. He had a good overall regular season record, but he could not get the defense right.
September 28th, 2016 at 5:35 pm
You are 100% correct Buccaneers. Our Defense is mushy soft! I can remember when teams were actually afraid to play Sapp/Brooks/Lynch and the Boyz. Offenses put on extra padding for us because we hit so hard. Sapp use to taunt Offenses. And when Lynch hit you, you felt it! Now, we get like 3 or 4 hard hits in the 4th qtr. And our safety play is straight up pitiful. Pass Rush? Whats that ? To our Bucs its..Kryptonite! I’m tired of losing too. But I know its not gonna get a lot better this season. Not with the likes of Punishing Denver coming to town. Look for more injuries on the Bucs side.
September 28th, 2016 at 5:38 pm
Make all the excuses for injuries you want. Reality is that is a very important part of football. And it’s no different for the Buccaneers than any other team in the league. If they can do no better than a have a bunch of worthless players as backups then I suggest they do us all a favor pack their bags and take their services elsewhere because i’m done cheering for a bunch of junk players here in Tampa. And don’t hand me the strength of our opponent BS. Carson Palmer just got shown what’s up I real defense this past week. They got in his face and exposed his gutlessness. That’s what good defense does. And it’s also what Tampa is in capable of being the soft defense that they are. So go ahead and Keep making all the rainbow excuses you want and act like you didn’t see the Buccaneers get beat down by one of the worst offenses in the league.
September 28th, 2016 at 5:42 pm
And no excuses that I’ve heard yet has begun to describe why in the world this team does not cover the sideline and deep post…….. Do we have an excuse for this to? See I don’t do excuses when it comes to sports. Reality is that this defense sucks……….Deal with it…….. Poorly coached and poorly played and poorly managed
September 28th, 2016 at 5:51 pm
yes, after 3 games the Bucs defense is last, But do not be surprised when they jump to better rank then last years defense!!!!
Even with this gauntlet of a schedule, and learning the new scheme this year there are signs that people in the know are watching!!!!!! It is good to see who the lovie loyalist are and tampa2 mafia media and basic NFL analyst that just read headlines and did not even watch the game are!!!!!
This regime has years to fix this mess and become the contender!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!
September 28th, 2016 at 6:30 pm
Joseph Mama,
That is EXACTLY what I said when smith was hired. This defense will never perform well under his coaching. He may get lucky and have things fall his way for one or two games a year against a bad team, but he will never consistently put a good product on the field. Koetter almost got them to the super bowl….not Smith.
September 28th, 2016 at 8:34 pm
the best defense is a good offense. In spite of bad secondary play and no pass rush the defense gave the offense a big stop and gave offense a chance to win. they did not get the job done . The offense has stagnated the last couple of weeks. .Jameis has got to do better .He was rattled in St. Louis and had 15 off target passes.So they shortened the routes and completed a better percentage of passes on offense ,but there were no explosive plays on offense. Jameis has got to hit VJAX at the goal line. He also could have made the pass to VJAX better at the 9. Did think VJAX should have caught it,but Jameis is throwing high to everybody. he needs to bring them down to prevent tipped balls and turnovers.Think he needs to hit some deep balls to regain his confidence.
September 28th, 2016 at 8:45 pm
tmaxcon Says:
‘What have the bucs won with the walking injury as the face of defense. Nothing. . Let the excuses begin…’
If this is your criteria… What about the win/loss record of your savior, JW3? It takes more than 1 player, it takes an entire team. That is why football is òften referred to as “the ultimate team game.”
September 28th, 2016 at 9:31 pm
Good def coordinators have an imediate impact. Their defenses are never in last place at anytime of the season. Smith is not the one.His defense is making these player look bad. IE, LVD with not one tackle in a game. Has to be scheme.
September 29th, 2016 at 6:59 am
9 penalties for 80 yards, missed FG missed EP and 3 turnovers. That is why we lost. We won the time of possession 26:24 to 33:36, more 3rd down conversions 8 to 6, total yards 472 to 320 and first downs 30 to 18. The frustrating part of our defense is that we continue to see confusion in the secondary over coverage assignments and that should not be happening. Brent Grimes and Vernon Hargreaves can cover, even one on one if we have to, so if we can’t generate pressure, blitz more. We have to live with our Safeties so that will be hard to overcome. Ryan Smith were are you?
September 29th, 2016 at 8:05 am
No pressure on the QB. Haven’t been able to effectively rush the passer here for years. Lack of pass rush makes secondary look worse than it actually is, although safety play leaves a lot to be desired.