Safety With Bucs “A Strong Point”
December 16th, 2016
Not weak?
Until Chris Conte was hurt two weeks ago, hardly a day went by without Bucs fans twittering Joe about how horrible Conte was.
Without question, fans whined most about Roberto Aguayo. A distant second, sort of like “Twice A Prince” was to “Secretariat,” was people kvetching about Conte.
Well, former Tampa Bay quarterback and current NFL analyst at Bleacher Report Chris Simms believes safety play has been a strength of the Bucs.
Keith Tandy? Javien Elliott? Bradley McDougald? Tampa Bay’s coverage isn’t trailing off with unknowns on its last line of defense. In fact, safety was a strong point; Drew Brees only managed a quarterback rating of 28.7, threw three interceptions and never found the end zone. Not too shabby.
Now Joe has been hounded both on radio and on Twitter by a Bucs fan who absolutely demands Conte be benched when he returns with Keith Tandy remaining as the starter. Joe’s good friend “The Big Dog,” Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620, is insulted at this notion as he believes players do not lose jobs for being hurt.
Frankly, Joe doesn’t give a damn.
If defensive coordinator Mike Smith believes Conte is the best safety or Tandy is the best safety, so be it. The way Smith has turned around this Bucs defense midstream, he deserves the benefit of the doubt to pick the starting lineup.
December 16th, 2016 at 8:40 am
Conte plays the run better I believe, I would keep a rotation at safety
December 16th, 2016 at 8:45 am
Conte has blown too many coverage’s late in games that cost us a W. Tandy seems to come in clutch at games end, shouldn’t be a difficult decision.
December 16th, 2016 at 8:49 am
Thats called “falling victim of the moment”!!! just because you get some picks from in the last 4 games that this position is a strength????
Its just like the people saying that it is “effort” is the cause of the turn around, But it coincides with The D-line having its starters back and healthy!!!!!!
I am excited that the safeties are making splash plays, But just like a TE, everyone gets excited when they make a big catch, but does anyone get excited when a TE takes on a DE and stonewalls him?????
December 16th, 2016 at 8:51 am
It would not surprise me if either gets the start.That said watch Dec 15 pressers on Buccaneers .com.Very interesting comments by Mike Smith on Keith Tandy.Koetter comment about QB sneaks is quite comical.
December 16th, 2016 at 8:57 am
If Tandy performs better in the games than Conte, then it is not a matter of losing a job due to injury. It is a matter of performance. The best players should play. Period. The unwritten rule that “players don’t lose their job due to injury” is such an outdated notion – undoubtedly created by oft-injured players.
December 16th, 2016 at 9:01 am
We can argue all day and only someone named Smith decides. I’m with you Joe on this one. I am done wasting time by saying anymore.
December 16th, 2016 at 9:02 am
Is interesting to see how well a team can play when the players follow protocol. We are fortunate to have the talent to to run a dominant defense. But we are also fortunate to have the the right coaching staff to be willing to find a solution by being flexible and allowing these smart young men to express their opinion to find the common goal. It seems we have the right players in the field and on the bench for this defense. I’m enjoying the ride.
Go Bucs!!!
December 16th, 2016 at 9:16 am
Agree with Realist (I think?)
We still need to upgrade the S position and add d line depth
Will need a CB as well with grimes being old
December 16th, 2016 at 9:20 am
This is an asinine take by Simms. We’ve been beat deep repeatedly during this season, even during the win streak (Inman and Cooks, most recently). We’ve been fortunate to overcome it through turnovers and drops, but the poor play is still there. Simms logic that because the entire defense gave Brees a bad day that safety play MUST be a strong point is incredibly flawed. Safety is the weakest point on defense and I don’t know how you could argue otherwise.
December 16th, 2016 at 9:23 am
Tandy has made 2 game saving plays. Ask yourself this – would Chris Conte be able to make those plays? Before you answer, watch how Tandy stuck his foot in the ground and exploded to pick of Brees on 4th down. I know Conte made 2 huge plays and I’m not trying to take away what he did (even though it sounds like that’s exactly what I’m doing), but he has had some terrible plays in coverage throughout the year. We are 3 games away from a goal many of us never thought was possible. There’s no time to worry about football ethics. I think you have to go with the hot hand. Tandy has earned the right to play. If he struggles, by all means give him a short leash, but until then he has earned the spot.
December 16th, 2016 at 9:45 am
I will say this, all safeties have improved over the year. Tandy is playing very well but so was Conte before he got hurt. McDougald has been pretty consistent most the year.
Early on, Conte was taking Sabby angles.
Regardless, unless the rookie who never plays actually is good, I still suspect they’ll be drafting another safety in the first 4 rounds.
December 16th, 2016 at 10:02 am
The problem is going to be if whoever starts and is out of position, we the fans will say the other should’ve started. In Keith’s small number of plays, he has performed well. At the end of the day, just win, let Conte start and Keith Tandy close
December 16th, 2016 at 10:21 am
Yeah but we can still as upgrade at both safety spots. Imagine having a real ball hawk safety, and a real big thumper. This defene would go to an even higher level.
December 16th, 2016 at 11:34 am
I’ve personally always liked Keith Tandy a.k.a “The Tandy Man.” Some of the plays he’s made in the last couple games is without a doubt worthy of being the starter the remainder of the season. I definitely think he’s the better all around safety and now this is the part where I laugh at all you who doubted him when Conte got hurt, hahahaha! Go Tandy Man! And Go Bucs!
December 16th, 2016 at 11:37 am
Tandy & Conte are somewhat even in my eyes. Both are a little limited in terms of coverage ability. Both get beat routinely but play smart and make aggressive plays on the ball.
McDougald has been decent but doesn’t have good range / natural cover ability and isn’t amazing in stopping the run. He’s just kind of OK
I’m not sure which position needs the upgrade more honestly (FS or SS)
December 16th, 2016 at 11:53 am
Might help to rewatch the fourth quarter of the Chiefs win.
December 16th, 2016 at 12:12 pm
Back to my point for months, years really ( and Joe and the Big Dogs point as well)
It all started with the pass rush.
The Spence’s and Ayers and McDonald got healthy and came Alice. I did not mention McCoy because he has been there and been consistent, he just needed the help from the outside.
That consistent pass rush has made the safeties good and the CBs great.
I suspect the top 4 of the draft is going to be (in no particular order):
WR
D- Lineman
O- Lineman
DB (might actually be another CB instead of a safety)
I wonder if they can restructure AV’s deal, if not can they trade him? I’d love to keep him as because today’s NFL they need 3 starting caliber CBs
December 16th, 2016 at 12:13 pm
“Got healthy and came alive”
Not “Alice”
LoL
December 16th, 2016 at 12:20 pm
Lets face it, we had a player take advantage of his opportunity. Tandy made some great plays. It’s a great problem to have as Conte returns. The defense as a WHOLE has been playing much better.
To me, the Conte argument is a lot like the GMC argument in that they’ve played on a horrible defense and have become the focal point of fans’ ire. Is Conte a good safety? Eh! I ask this though, if Tandy was making plays like that for the last 5 years why isn’t he the starter? Because he wasn’t!!
The “Lord” has it right. Neither are exceptional and regardless, there will still be a need in the offseason.
December 16th, 2016 at 12:34 pm
Can we be honest? They have both blown coverages multiple times.
Conte had some game winning plays his last 2 games, and then so has Tandy in the next 2. Tandy was also lucky on some blown plays where the WR got behind him but the throw was off.
I’ve got enough trust in Mike Smith that he’ll put the best players out there.
December 16th, 2016 at 12:46 pm
I would think Conte could play base and short yardage and Tandy plays nickel and dime.
Would be about a 50/50 split
December 16th, 2016 at 2:16 pm
Joe: whatever happened to Johnathan Banks? Lions let him go and he just…vanished. Do you have any information?
December 16th, 2016 at 3:15 pm
^^ Banks is on the Bears, at least as of last week.
https://lmgtfy.com/?q=johnthan+banks+nfl.com
December 16th, 2016 at 5:36 pm
He’s blown waaaaay more than he’s covered, stick with Tandy.
December 16th, 2016 at 5:46 pm
The way I see it is if it’s working don’t fix it. Keith has earned the right to start. Sorry Conte got hurt but Tandy has out performed him . He (Conte) has not been the best Safety in my eyes. If he had been hurt the first game and Tandy had gotten his chance then I can assure you Tandy would be your starter. All Coaches love to win therefore they are going to play the player that best gives them the chance to win. I know who my starter is. So we will see on Sunday night. Tandy is no chump he was a Big East part former at Wedt Virginia
December 16th, 2016 at 5:50 pm
The way I see it is if it’s working don’t fix it. Keith has earned the right to start. Sorry Conte got hurt but Tandy has out performed him . He (Conte) has not been the best Safety in my eyes. If he had been hurt the first game and Tandy had gotten his chance then I can assure you Tandy would be your starter. All Coaches love to win therefore they are going to play the player that best gives them the chance to win. I know who my starter is. So we will see on Sunday night. Tandy is no chump he was a Big East peformer at West Virginia
December 16th, 2016 at 9:28 pm
I like conte I’ve like him all year I still Remember he had some nice TD saving tackles early on in the year , conte was coming on strong before his injury had a game changing pick vs KC and played well agasint Seattle he deserves anthoer chance . At least some rotation but overall I also believe Tandy is a pro and will handle this situation like a try man they both will for the team for the Family #HellYea #ITsABucsLife #SeigeTheDay