Defense Seems To Be Turning
October 4th, 2016
Improving defense?
There is little positive to be gleaned from the beatdown the Broncos hit the Bucs with on Sunday. Joe senses one element, however.
In Joe’s eyes, the defense improved. Yeah, Joe said it.
The 27 points the Bucs surrendered to the Super Bowl champions was the second-lowest point total allowed this season. Only the 24 points the Bucs coughed up in Atlanta to start the season were lower.
And remember, the Broncos had two extremely short fields to work with off turnovers, and a third turnover set up a field goal.
Still, the defense could have played better. The Broncos got an additional field goal thanks to a Chris Conte hold when the defense would have been off the field on third down.
Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith stated he expected his defense to take four games before everyone began full grasping the responsibilities and nuances. The fourth game was Sunday.
The Bucs better hope the defense improves. Consider this item from Thomas Bassinger of the Tampa Bay Times and let it sink in a moment.
@tometrics – Bucs on pace to allow team-record 512 pts this season. Only 3 teams have allowed 500 pts. Spoiler: They sucked. Combined record of 3-42-1.
October 4th, 2016 at 8:07 am
playing the #1, #4, #12, #30 ranked offense with the #5 coming up next!!! What a buzz saw of a schedule!!!!! The running of the Gauntlet while difficult, will help this team in the long run!!!!!!!
They are taking losses, but they are measuring themselves every week against very good teams!!!! You do not get better by taking the Jaguars to overtime!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!
October 4th, 2016 at 8:11 am
It’s turning like potato salad in the sun.
October 4th, 2016 at 8:13 am
Sure the defense could have played better at times.D line was pretty good last week.Jameis can not continue to set up opponents offense with short fields.
October 4th, 2016 at 8:13 am
Noticed hey Jude playing more, hopefully that’s here to stay because he’s much better than verner, but until we get some new safeties things are gonna be rough.
October 4th, 2016 at 8:15 am
Only 27 points pretty good way to go Smitty! Meanwhile Jim Schwartz surrendered a whole 3 points to the Pittsburgh steelers.
October 4th, 2016 at 8:20 am
The defense showed improvements early, but the offense let them down. After the injuries the pass rush disappeared, and I’m disappointed coach didn’t have any adjustments for Lynch taking his first snaps in the NFL. Maybe he was surprised they were throwing with the lead. I guess the good was that I didn’t see any blown responsibilities.
October 4th, 2016 at 8:22 am
Go bucs!
October 4th, 2016 at 8:26 am
Turning….like milk left out on the counter.
October 4th, 2016 at 8:27 am
They played decent right until Siemian went out. They were playing inspired football, flying to the ball and seemed determinted to keep us in the game. Then Paxton comes in and they go soft as butter. I’ll never understand how they can come out like they did in the begining of the 3rd qtr. After a drive over 7 minutes, Plaxton’s uniform was so clean he could have worn it to an awards dinner.
October 4th, 2016 at 8:30 am
Yes the D looks a little improved. Our Secondary is going to have to play stellar because the Dline has sustained so many injuries. We need Ayers back & quickly.
Obviously, the turnovers are killing us. We need to create some.
Now, have I stated the obvious? Of course. No BS from TBBF.
October 4th, 2016 at 8:37 am
I have to agree with Joe. I thought the defense was playing very well and keeping us in the game, even with the turnovers.
This kind of reminded me of the Dungy days when the defense would play good but the offense would do nothing. The defense just gets worn out. It’s demoralizing when the offense does nothing but turn the ball over and go 3 and out…
October 4th, 2016 at 8:40 am
We all knew this was the hard part of the schedule. What did you expect? Brand new defense to come out and dominate? Offense to shred soke stellar defenses? Get real guys. We are an 8-8 team. We will make strides re rest of the year and have a real shot next year.
October 4th, 2016 at 9:04 am
@Mort – no excuse, that is theme every season when you have Carson wentz and a brand new coordinator on defense dominating, got the Vikings who lost their QB, RB, and LT dominating, the Broncos who had a first round QB come in off the bench and dominate a half. Enough is enough, this team truly is full of losers and until things change things will just be the same. If a players contract is up at the end of the season and their name isn’t William gholston (because he’s one of the best run stuffing DE in the league) they should be let go. Also this team continues to let talent walk due to the constant turnover of head coaches and staff, we need consistency. Talib, revis, Bennett, foster, Barron, Blount, plus multiple oline!!!!!!!ahhhh imagine if we stil had half those players on defense we wouldn’t be in this predicament. I am as optimistic as any fan but man I am so sick of week 4 and already looking towards the NbA when I don’t even like it that much. If it wasn’t for fantasy football I wouldn’t know what to do.
October 4th, 2016 at 9:16 am
If only we were an 8-8 team.
Were 1-7 in our last 8 games.
7-5 the rest of the way seems like a pipe dream.
October 4th, 2016 at 9:17 am
Oh, please give me the Dungy years.
October 4th, 2016 at 9:33 am
@Joe … “In Joe’s eyes, the defense improved. Yeah, Joe said it.”
With everyone bashing this defense after the first several weeks of this season I never thought I’d ever again see that in print. Thank you Joe.
October 4th, 2016 at 9:43 am
Bucs’ Offense gave Denver, the 2016 SB champ, 23 points. I’m including the Conte penalty cos it was a turnover. He needs to be benched pronto. (Put Banks in there, plus any other DB leftovers sitting on the bench.) An average NFL team will win a game if they get 23 gift points. A team at Denver’s level with NO INJURIES (talk about charmed) will have a field day w/23 gift points! All the preseason yap on here said Bucs would go 1-4 cos the first 5 games were definitely not a cupcake schedule. No kidding. The defense is beginning to show something. Kwon, LVD, GMC (get well), Gholston, etc. are starting to play at a higher level. The Broncos did not beat Tampa Bay. The Bucs beat themselves. Same thing happened against the Rams. In that one, Kwon, LVD, and GMC played the best defensive game of their careers. So, the MNF Carolina game will tell us more. I’ve got a NC friend who follows them. Said they are not playing well. They might be bit by the post-SB bug. We’ll see.
DK needs to shorten his game plan-period. He’s got enough healthy players on offense to do it. He also needs to pull Famous when necessary. MG8 is still here for a reason. Use him.
The MNF game will be a measuring stick for sure. Go Bucs!!
October 4th, 2016 at 9:45 am
Tambaybucfan … Agree all the injuries & turnovers are obvious, but throw in our killer schedule AND no depth on this team and it’ll be complete. The more I think about it, the more beaked I get at our GM for drafting a kicker in the 2nd round by trading up with our 3rd AND 4th round picks. That’s 2 potential starters right there. Had he drafted a safety with one, and a WR or DT with the other, we might be a LOT better off right now.
October 4th, 2016 at 9:49 am
We need to use Banks as a safety especially if we have the safety covering.
October 4th, 2016 at 9:53 am
Imagine if the offense would quite spotting other teams leads and giving up points by turning the ball over from within field goal range?
Until this offense pulls their heads out of their collective a$$es the defense doesn’t stand a chance. We don’t have the horses on D to play keep away football. The O has to score the points available to them and not turn the ball over.
October 4th, 2016 at 10:08 am
I really hope the defensive performance was a sign of things to come as opposed to an outlier against a guy who’s a rookie and a fuy who might as well be a rookie. Fingers crossed. Sadly it wont matter tho. Jameis dosen’t have to be Drew Brees but at the very least manage the game and stop killing momentum with turnovers.
October 4th, 2016 at 10:16 am
I’m tired of Hearing “use Banks as a safety” first off he’s not built to be a safety being a string bean, and 2nd he can’t tackle well enough to be a safety. It’s not that easy folks. U can’t just throw someone in there and expect it to work. Ya Ronde did it but he was seasoned vet who had seen it all and had the size, skills, and knowledge to be successful back there. #20/20 club 💪
October 4th, 2016 at 10:27 am
DemBoyz,
Mark Barron wasn’t a linebacker, either. You really don’t know unless you try it. Although, I would like to caution that Banks needs to first try it in practice…
October 4th, 2016 at 10:33 am
Did anyone else notice the 5-10 yard slants again? Once again, playing soft coverage, letting teams just move up and down the field. McDonald and A Spence were both killing it in the middle. Great game from both. Grimes is the latest in a LONG line of thieves in the night. He looks confused as to whether he should back off or play aggressive and as a result is caught in No Man’s Land, gotta wonder if it is the scheme. That shouldn’t be happening considering he played for Smith in the past. Safeties are no good, both love to hit so they are sucked up too easily, our run defense has been outstanding with the front seven and these jokers keep getting sucked in by play action. Just know your responsibility and do your job.
On O, Jameis has to just relax, we have no running game so he is trying to do too much, receivers can’t separate, O line struggling a little (to be nice) Sims is a dancer, good receiver, which is why he was drafted, but can’t run up the middle so Koetter needs to stop trying it!! Still questioning us cutting Mike James again.
Aguayo made his extra point, wooohooo!
Anger is our team MVP and by far the best player on the field for us…Sad.
High hopes for Monday night, though, but Derek Anderson has torched us the last couple times he started against us.
October 4th, 2016 at 10:35 am
I blame at least 75% of this poor secondary play on the safeties. Not to say the secondary would be great without them, but Chris Conte is soo bad in coverage and McDougle stinks also. Needs to be takin care in FA (Eric Berry?) or very high in the draft (Jabrill Peppers?). And I dont think its so crazy to sign an expensive FA or draft one in the first round if we’re about to set a record in most points scored against us.
October 4th, 2016 at 10:40 am
Agreed JJBucFan. Anger is boss.
October 4th, 2016 at 10:43 am
@DemBoyz and BuccoDav
Hell throw Ryan Smith in there. I dont think it’s even possible for him to be any worse than these guys.
October 4th, 2016 at 10:49 am
Improving? Get out of here with that nonsense. Not one, but TWO rookie QBs shredded this defense on Sunday. As Kwon said on his radio show, they need to get more ‘preparated.’ The safety play is disgusting and we’re seeing soft coverage again. Someone make a freaking play out there! 2 lousy turnovers in 4 games.
October 4th, 2016 at 10:50 am
In Defense of our Defense..I will say its jameis fault for placing them in real bad field position. Especially during the 1st half. I mean whats a Defense to do when your QB has 3 turnovers causing you to be down by 20? Jameis has got to get better. Sorry to inform all of you, Carolina’s Defense will be pressuring Jameis hard. And it does not matter if Cam is under concussion protocol or not, We are and always have been 1st in the league in helping backup QB’s make their bones. backup Qb’s have always tourched us. SO cam needs to play. Sorry, I’ll give my predictions on Thursday. But it does not look good for us….again.
October 4th, 2016 at 10:52 am
Good point JJ! Why the hell did they cut Mike James? That was just stupid. He was the best backup RB of the lot.
October 4th, 2016 at 10:59 am
Teams have scored 55 point off our turnovers, if you want teams to score less points. Don’t turn the ball over.
October 4th, 2016 at 11:09 am
You don’t want that. Not for 2016. You’ll be begging for Conte back.
A guy that likely hasn’t played safety since high school and to the best of Joe’s knowledge has not practiced one play at safety and throw him in against Carolina?
Shooting for first pick in the draft, eh?
October 4th, 2016 at 11:11 am
Injured and hard to justify eating a roster spot for a third-stringer. Koetter explained this at the time of the cut. Makes perfect sense.
October 4th, 2016 at 11:12 am
So the consensus is that we don’t have the horses, right? Players not making plays etc…
You aren’t 2-14 and 6-10 for no good reason. The cupboard is bare and injuries merely magnify it. Yet, for some reason, some fans want to continue to get rid of players.
I hope Smitty is right about the 4 game learning curve. I see pitchforks being sharpened!
Go Bucs!
October 4th, 2016 at 11:15 am
In very recent history teams that were garbage have turned it around and made the playoffs much less got to 8-8. That’s one reason why Lovie is gone. Just look at the coaches who were hired at the same time Lovie was. Most got their teams to the playoffs in two years.
October 4th, 2016 at 11:23 am
Panthers 27 Bucs 17. And yes, that is with Cam Newton on the Bench. Bucs actually can win but they need Ayers and McCoy at 100% to disrupt Derek Anderson.
October 4th, 2016 at 11:44 am
@Joe- I’m not siding with Lovie, he made his bed and couldn’t get it done. That’s on him. I can’t help but think of the teams that turned it around as you mentioned had better talent overall than the Bucs do/did. Quite a few people believed ONLY that scheme was the issue. It was an issue but not the ONLY issue. Players have to make plays. If you don’t have talented football players, what difference does it make as to what scheme you run?
Right now, we just don’t have the talent to be a good/great football team!
October 4th, 2016 at 11:49 am
Mike James is better than anything the Bucs have now. And he’s not injured any more. Detroit just signed him to their PS.
October 4th, 2016 at 11:54 am
Bucsfanman:
That’s true but Joe also believes those teams were coached up better as well. Shoot, Bill O’Brien was hired the same time Lovie was and with no quarterback and a bust (so far) of a No. 1 overall pick BOB has turned the Texans around. Jim Caldwell got the Lions to the playoffs and he is arguably a dunce if you listen to the pundits. Mike Zimmer was hired same time as Lovie. Look what he’s doing.
October 4th, 2016 at 11:56 am
I can not for the life of me understand how anyone with such so called high/football knowledge would use what went on in another city against what went on here! Most teams got to the playoffs in two years that hired a new coach when LOVIE was hired. That has got to be the most absolute assanine thing come out your mouth! So glad I can think for myself!!
October 4th, 2016 at 12:00 pm
Facts are ugly things, aren’t they Lovie? 🙂
October 4th, 2016 at 12:05 pm
This defence, sir Joe ain’t turning nothing but my ABS! ……..(acid bowl syndrome)! ha ha ha ha ha!
October 4th, 2016 at 12:12 pm
not buying the defense improved statement…the broncos would’ve won that game 9-7….they knew as long as they had a lead they would win….the defense still made a qb that has only played in 3 games and a rookie look like all pros….GO BUCS!!!!
October 4th, 2016 at 12:17 pm
I get your point Joe. There is one glaring similarity in the teams you mention: pass rush. We don’t have it.
Koetter’s on the clock if history has taught us anything.
October 4th, 2016 at 12:32 pm
@joe and bucsfanman says…Bill O’Brien was hired the same time Lovie was and with no quarterback and a bust (so far) of a No. 1 overall pick BOB has turned the Texans around. Jim Caldwell got the Lions to the playoffs and he is arguably a dunce if you listen to the pundits. Mike Zimmer was hired same time as Lovie. Look what he’s doing.”
*Texans have jj watt- one of the best de in the game- bucs have no pass rusher
*Lions had the best wr in the league at that time with a franchise qb- bucs just getting franchise qb, and wr
*Vikings and mike zimmer had the best rb in the league….
the truth is those coaches inherited a very talented team that were missing a few pieces….lovie never had time to improve the talent on this team….he set the foundation on offense with evans, Winston, marpet ,smith, pamphile and a few other but was never given time to work with the defense….
those facts are ugly…..GO BUCS!!!!
October 4th, 2016 at 1:23 pm
@813- That’s my point. Even now we’re still not that talented. We have pieces but not enough.
October 4th, 2016 at 4:09 pm
@813Bucboi: Thanks for the facts the whole facts and nothing but the facts, again I say thank you!! LOVIE never had a chance to work on the defence, that’s a big ass fact partly because he was too busy fighting with the BACK/STABBER for control and we know who won that battle, now Joey give me one stat, one measurable that says this team has improved over last year! I’ll be waiting, sleep on if you need to, because the sun will come up tomorrow!!
October 4th, 2016 at 4:12 pm
813buc
As a reminder Lovie inherited 3 pro bowlers in Doug Martin, Vjax and gmc. Not to mention LVD and Revis. That’s at least 4-5 probowlers.
He actually got rid of most of the talent on the roster. Just saying…
October 4th, 2016 at 4:16 pm
Lmao! You guys got issues, facts? Give me a break.
One star that shows improvement over last year? Check the penalties son.
October 4th, 2016 at 4:25 pm
@DB55…you right….but how many of those were tops at their position besides revis, who was coming off acl injury…..takes a lot more then a few pro bowlers to be competitive or playoff contender….players like ray rice(2012) henry melton(2012) rg3(2012) played in the pro bowl with the ones you stated….where are they now?….it doesn’t mean anything….the nfl is a what have you done for me lately business….this staff hasn’t done sh!t but lose lately….GO BUCS!!!!
October 4th, 2016 at 5:18 pm
@ DB55: let me clarify my remarks; I mean any facts that relates to wins and loses! I’d gladly take the penalties if we were say 2-2 at this point of the season! SRE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!! MONDAY NITE!!! But we will continue to COACH THE LOVIE OUT IF THEM! Ha ha ha ha ha!!
October 4th, 2016 at 5:24 pm
@db55….penalties?…..you talking about penalties…..check the wins son…lol….that’s the funniest thing ive heard….”we maybe 1-3 but we don’t get penalized as much as last year”…in my @db55 voice…..lol….are you serious….GO BUCS!!!!
October 4th, 2016 at 6:08 pm
I hope you guys realize that you sound dumb af.
You say Lovie had no talent, oops 5 probowlers.
You say name 1 improvement but penalties don’t count.
Whatever guys, please continue, have fun.
October 5th, 2016 at 1:12 am
I loved the podcast on Sunday.. get rid of the losers on this team, especIlly the defense. Give me a first and second for McCoy to start off with