Nerds Eating Crow
September 12th, 2016
The tribe now eating their own words.
The PFF tribe got caught with their pants around their ankles yesterday.
In the past, the PFF tribe has largely dismissed the play of Bucs middle linebacker Kwon Alexander. In fact, the numberscrunchers have thought of him as a drag on the Bucs defense, never mind an asset.
But after Alexander ran wild yesterday with 17 tackles, 15 solo including a sack, it was hard to try to dismiss that kind of play.
To the credit of John Kosko, he gave Kwon high marks.
The linebacking duo of Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David combined to miss 48 tackles in 2015, which led to poor and below-average grades for the two. Against the Falcons, they combined to miss just one tackle (Alexander) and 14 defensive stops, with nine of them coming from Alexander. David was solid in coverage, allowing five-of-six catches for an average of just 4.8 yards per catch. Alexander allowed a passer rating of 133.3 when passes were targeted into his coverage. If the two limit the number of missed tackles in 2016, it’ll go a long ways towards turning around a Bucs’ defense that graded as the worst in the NFL in 2015.
Joe isn’t sure how anyone could have watched Alexander regularly last year and not thought the Bucs had a helluva linebacker on their hands. Anyone claiming Alexander had a bad game yesterday should be banned from watching football for the foreseeable future.
September 12th, 2016 at 7:38 am
They both played really well!! They are gonna be a force this year.
@joe have you heard anything on Jaq smith?
September 12th, 2016 at 7:40 am
They also complimented Donovan Smith and gave him a positive grade.
September 12th, 2016 at 8:04 am
Scheme matters!!! Simple as that!!!!!
September 12th, 2016 at 8:09 am
This is all true, but did anyone notice D. Smith was invisible. I saw him on the field but I don’t think he ever touched a ball carrier.
September 12th, 2016 at 8:11 am
Did Spence play? I don’t remember hearing a thing about him
September 12th, 2016 at 8:12 am
That hardly sounds like high praise. Just reading that sounds Kwon was quite the sieve, allowing a QB rating of 133.3 in passes against him. Sucks for us he played so poorly. No mention of his ~17 tackles, a few for losses and a sack. Sounds like the PFF nerds are still focusing on the negatives.
September 12th, 2016 at 8:14 am
Dave, Spence played. I read somewhere he had no stats on the day (no tackles, sacks, …etc). Gholston was in the same boat.
September 12th, 2016 at 8:33 am
I’m not sure if they were talking about this game… It says they combined for 1 missed tackle and 14 stops – no they didn’t. Kwon had 15 solo tackles alone.
September 12th, 2016 at 8:37 am
Our LBs played an incredible game yesterday. Kwon, LVD & Darryl Smith combined for 24 tackles plus 4 assists. Throw in Kwon’s sack plus several TFLs and that’s an impressive performance. What a difference good coaching makes.
September 12th, 2016 at 9:08 am
Today on Cooking With Kwon…….Atlanta Dirty Birds sautéd in Guinness.
September 12th, 2016 at 9:10 am
I expect the defense to only get better as we go forward. Still adjusting to the new scheme, new vets, new rookies….
September 12th, 2016 at 9:31 am
obviously the win is the most important part but the bucs were also very entertaining on both sides of the ball. Bucs played confidently and with a little swagger that will only grow with further success. So refreshing to finally have a staff that knows how to deal with men and one that puts the players in the best position to succeed. obviously it was far from perfect but man you could see / feel the mindset change…
Hey BigHog how did the coaching fraud do this weekend? I am sure no one cursed and his friends and family had another pay day therefore it’s a morale victory, I guess.
September 12th, 2016 at 9:40 am
Kwon is gonna make them look like fools this year, like he did yesterday. This new scheme allows our LB’S to read and react and fly to the ball. Wich plays to LVD and Kwon strengths, these guys are primed for a big year, u watch. I don’t know if there is a faster set of LB’S than flash and King Kwon.
September 12th, 2016 at 9:41 am
Dave Says:
September 12th, 2016 at 8:33 am
I’m not sure if they were talking about this game… It says they combined for 1 missed tackle and 14 stops – no they didn’t. Kwon had 15 solo tackles alone.
…………………………
A “defensive stop” is defined as a play that gains no yards.
September 12th, 2016 at 9:50 am
Genghis Kwon had a real solid game. But my guy Lavonte David looked – loss in coverage on a few passing downs. Something that must be corrected this week. Before he faces RB David johnson. The ulitize Johnson – much of the same way we use Chuck. So if Lavonte can get out there and mirror Johnson – one passing downs. Put he’s shoulders – in Johnsons chest on check downs.
We beat Arizona!
Our defense literally practices against the same offensive scheme – and personnel group – every week. So here’s to us waxing Arizona.
GO BUCS
September 12th, 2016 at 9:51 am
*They ulitize Johnson – much of the same way – we use Chuck.
September 12th, 2016 at 9:55 am
LUVMYBUCS
hope you are doing well fine sir!
Man a win in AZ would be HUGE! Good point about defense playing against similar scheme. Couple the fact that Licht helped build the Cardinals I am sure Good Coach Smith and Koetter have the very best scouting reports… I like the way you are thinking… Huge statement if Jameis can lead the bucs to 2 road victories to start the season.
September 12th, 2016 at 9:59 am
Obvisously Kwons numbers spesk for themself but I loved how hsrd he wss crscking the bsll csrrier. I gusrsntee you them fslcon plsyers werent wsnting it sfter tsking s few licks from Kwon.
September 12th, 2016 at 10:06 am
The thing about PFF, their stats can be useful, but after a certain point you have to put down the stat sheet and watch the game play out. Anyone can look up stats on a number of websites, but watch the game. You wouldn’t see the swagger that Kwon played with unless you watched the game. You wouldn’t just how soft the Falcons safeties looked unless you watched them play. And watched Charles Sims run through them. Stats are vital, but PFF brings it to a level that almost makes the game seem cold and robotic.
September 12th, 2016 at 10:06 am
Going 1-1 after the first two weeks was the goal and they have already met that. A win in AZ would be icing.
September 12th, 2016 at 10:11 am
tmaxcon
I’m good brotha – same too U
Seriously though – Its not just the same scheme.
But look at the personel groups
Vets
Vincent Jackson vs Larry Fitzgerald
Pups
Mik Evans vs Michael Floyd
Slot
Adam Humphries vs John Brown
Tigtend
Austin Seferian-Jenkins vs Jermaine Gresham
I heard all off season how our defense was giving – our offense fits.
Now the can go smack their twins around for a bit.
September 12th, 2016 at 10:16 am
Though this unit (Arizona) is still very solid.
Remember Todd Bowles – aint dialing up the blitzes (BIG DIFFERENCE)
Plus Frostee Rucker went down.
Also note: All Pro guard Evan Mathis also got banged up
September 12th, 2016 at 10:16 am
I think Kwon had a little pent up frustration that he had to let go in the Georgia Dome, even though I don’t see him letting up.
What a steal Jason Licht…
September 12th, 2016 at 10:23 am
*Now they can go smack their twins around – for a bit.
September 12th, 2016 at 10:35 am
LUVMYBUCS
nothing would make me happier than to see the bucs go into AZ and steal one. Carson Palmer can still play but he is vulnerable if they can get pressure.
September 12th, 2016 at 10:53 am
tmaxcon
Yes Sirrrr
Belichick played a lot man coverage. He was’nt afraid – to Jam their big slow receivers at the line – to disrupt Palmers timing routes.
September 12th, 2016 at 12:19 pm
VHG stepped up….he didn’t flinch facing one of the leagues best wr in the first game as a rookie….covered him the entire game without Julio making much of an impact and that was before he reinjured his ankle…his lone td was a result of a busted coverage…..his play and the deep balls by jameis were huge for the teams confidence….anyone seeing less than 10 wins this season is sadly mistaken….GO BUCS!!!!
September 12th, 2016 at 12:29 pm
People wrongly think Kwon was perfect last year…he made a lot of plays, but gave up a ton as well. He looked better yesterday…reminds me of Johnathan Vilma early in his career…people thought Vilma was an elite player because he put up big numbers but he was a huge liability in giving up big plays and getting run on because he took too many chances. Hopefully they coach Kwon up to be disciplined so he can use his skill without getting the defense burned.
September 12th, 2016 at 2:11 pm
L&WD and Tmax
You two bring up a point that has me going a bit nuts.
This is just the START! This team is incredibly young, new coaches at least on the D side, new players…players just entering their second year including #3.
Yes we are going to be scary by the end of the season when all of this meshes.
It’s not just the players who get better either. I think a year with this team makes Coack K better and Smitty’s year off was obviously put to better use than the guy who shall not be named year in the cellar.